The Beauty Of Door To The River

[AK47]

I went for a long walk this morning, 7 miles in total, along side the the river taff in Cardiff. I had my ipod on random and for the first time in a number of years, "Door To The River" played. I forgot how gorgeous and mournful yet uplifting the lyrics in this song are. I would go as far as saying that they are some of the most image and thought provoking lyrics that Nicky has written in many years. The opening verse just sets the tone for the song and what it means. Personally, I see this as very much a manics "coming of age" song.

On my walk and listening to this song I couldn't help but think back to days gone by in my own life, the transition from a teenager with the world at my feet to an adult with real responsibility such as a mortgage, young baby daughter and a marriage to plan for. The song made me yearn again for those days where I could quite happily do what I wanted and wouldn't have to take into account anyone but myself. The bridge lines of "All My Best Wishes Are Just Lies" drummed it home to me as I listened that for all the plans I had in my teens, once I reached adulthood, these flights of fancy wouldn't necessarily occur or were simply not achievable once you start down the route of full time work, relationships, etc. The second verse reminds me of the man I am now looking back at my younger self and perhaps wishing I was still that same person. The verse that runs "Fearful of the future now. The future is now but its true the things you feel dont go
The people that you love hold on" rings alarmingly true also in the sense that as a man in my 30's now, I do feel fearful of the road ahead but no matter what I have loved ones around who will be there in my hour of need.

I see DTTR as an older man looking back at his younger self and this is perfectly summed up in the lines "Baby I lost my way following our star
But I guess thats just how you are, How you are, Just how you are
How you are". In my opinion, that states to me that despite all my youthful dreams and ideas, I ultimately would get swept up in the reality of life which would go to knock me off a course I thought I would stay on.

Overall, one of the most beautifully inspiring songs the manics have ever committed to tape.


Im losing all my innocence
Door to the river
I know Ive stopped making much sense
Door to the river
I think Ill leave and Ill take some rest
Door to the river

All my best wishes are just lies
Are just lies

Id love to see colours like you
Door to the river
Resurrected and feeling blue
Door to the river
Ive seen the glory and yes its true
Door to the river

Fearful of the future now
The future is now
But its true the things you feel dont go
The people that you love hold on

Baby I lost my way
Following our star
But I guess thats just how you are
How you are

The majesty, the majesty
Door to the river
Pre-eminent amongst the free
Door to the river
Happy and drifting endlessly
Door to the river

All my best wishes are just lies
Are just lies
Sun breaks and cloudbursts
The hardest of all words
The conflict of sin all kept within

Baby I lost my way
Following our star
But I guess thats just how you are
How you are
Just how you are
How you are