Naar de tijd valt The The, multi-instrumentalist Matt Johnson met gasten – in dit geval bovenal pianist Jools Holland – in het postpunk-paradigma. Maar Johnson maakt(e) zulke melodieuze meesterwerkjes die dan weer niet het zonnetje in huis zijn, dat de aanduiding nu meer botst dan toen. Toespeling op Françoise Sagan? Wie zal het zeggen.
Peeling the skin back from my eyes I felt surprised
That the time on the clock was the time I usually retired
To the place where I cleared my head of you
But just for today I think I lie here and dream of you
I’ve got you under my skin where the rain can’t get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I’ll try to swim and pull you out
A howling wind that blows the litter as the rain flows
As street lamps pour orange coloured shapes, through your windows
A broken soul stares from a pair of watering eyes
Uncertain emotions force an uncertain smile
I’ve got you under my skin where the rain can’t get in
But if the sweat pours out, just shout
I’ll try to swim and pull you out
1983
