There must be something about Scottishmen that makes them such amazing singer-songwriters. Maybe I’m just intoxicated by the accent. I dunno.
Frightened Rabbit from Glasgow has edgy lyrics and raw vocals that suggest a deep honesty. Below is one of their newer, poppier songs followed by my personal favorite (complete with full lyrics. I couldn’t help myself).
Frightened Rabbit - “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”
Poke at my iris, why can’t I cry about this
Maybe there is something that you know that I don’t
We adopt a brand new language, communicate through pursed lips,
And you try not to put on any sexy clothes or graces.
I might never catch a mouse, present it in my mouth
To make you feel you’re with someone who deserves to be with you.
But there’s one thing we’ve got going, it’s the only thing worth knowing.
It’s got lots to do with magnets and the pull of the moon.
Why won’t our love keel over as it chokes on a bone
We can mourn its passing and then bury it in snow.
Or should we kick its cunt in and watch as it dies from bleeding.
If you don’t want to be with me just say and I will go.
Well we can change our partners, this is a progressive dance but,
Remember it was me who dragged you up to the sweaty floor.
Well this has been a reel, I’ve got shin-splints and a stitch from weed
But like a drunken night it’s the best bits that are colored in
You should look through some old photos, I adored you in every one of those.
If someone took a picture of us now they’d need to be told
That we had ever clung on tight and maybe not with arms at night
I’d say she was his sister but she doesn’t have his nose.
And now we’re unrelated and rid of all the shit we hated,
But I hate when I feel like this and I never hated you.
— Basil
