Replies to This Discussion

TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on May 7, 2012 at 23:38

Changed for you!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Blue Peace on May 4, 2012 at 15:35

Hi Vero, this a first time I listen to this song. I think the singer sorrows at something bad. His soul needs to be healed and his friend is the medicine for that. Although on the melancholy hill, he feels happy and the life is beautiful if his friend stands by his side. Despite the sadness and suffering, by his friend, he feels the life is wonderful like an adventure under the sea.

In this song, the singer mentioned manatee, do you know a legend about manatee? This legend was very interesting, I was excited in it. The first time I heard this legend was when I visited Institute of Oceanography. So funny!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Blue Peace on May 5, 2012 at 17:58

:) I'm happy to share it with you.

As you know, Mermaid - half female, half fish creature - existed in the life of Greek fishermen. It is said that if a man sees a mermaid and listen to her bewitching voice, he will become a stone and never be back. Many people believe in this story. In fact Mermaid is built from the manatee. Columbus mistook manatees for the mermaids. When he was sailing near the  Dominican Republic, he saw three mermaids - in reality they are three manatees. After that he described the mermaid is not beautiful as people painting. :)

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on May 7, 2012 at 23:40

That's an interesting story. Thank you Blue. I wonder if he ever found a real mermaid?

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by Mr Adam on May 4, 2012 at 17:35

Lyrics:

Up on melancholy hill,
There's a plastic tree
Are you here with me?
Just looking out on the day
Of another dream

Well you can't get what you want
But you can get me
So let's set up and see
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me

So call in the submarine
'Round the world we'll go
Does anybody know
If we're looking out on the day
Of another dream?

If you can't get what you want
Then you come with me

Up on melancholy hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out on the day
When you're close to me

When you're close to me

When you're close to me

"On Melancholy Hill [Edit]" as written by Jamie Hewlett, Damon Albarn

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

This is a great song!

Like Blue Peace, I think the lyrics indicate a sadness at something. I think maybe he loves someone but she does not love him. The line "If you can't get what you want then you come with me" could indicate she loves someone else but can not have him. The singer might believe she could be happy with him.

I might be wrong!

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on May 7, 2012 at 23:41

So many songs are about unrequited love that you are probably right!

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on May 7, 2012 at 23:38

I like this song. It feels to me like he is singing about having a friend to share your gloomy moments with. I found this quote from band member Murdoc Niccals - "The Melancholy Hill - it's that feeling, that place, that you get in your soul sometimes, like someone's let your tyres down. It's nice to break up the album with something a little lighter. It's good to have something that's a genuine pop moment on every album. And this is one of those." Does that help?

• ▶ Reply

TeacherPermalink Reply by English Teacher Jamie on May 9, 2012 at 10:35

If someone let down (released the air from) your tyres if your car or bike you would feel sad, depressed or hurt. It's a similar feeling to this.

• ▶ Reply