NORTH OF LONDON
SOUTH OF FOREVER
Sometimes we all have to travel by train out of the office. More often these are fun days out and make a pleasant change from sitting behind your desk but generally we see them as a necessary chore for work…unless you’re travelling on a train for fun in which case lucky you.
So it was that at some point the writer found themselves sitting on a lonely train platform north of London south of forever as the dusk light began to end the searing summer heat, naturally such a moment in time was made complete by the cardboard tasting sandwich from the local supermarket. The only redeeming feature of said sandwich was the accompanying reward points and the bottle of a well known fizzy beverage. In fairness it was also redeemed by this wonderful indie classic by the Blossoms. Taken from their second album ‘Cool Like You’ this single is an instantly glorious hit at home on the festival stage or the club night. True to say the lyrics speak of sadness but putting that to one side Blossoms once again manage to capture that in an uplifting riff driven piece of indie loveliness. This song should be on every playlist.
Whilst ruminating over the new Blossoms album, the writer observed a young couple locked in the dreaded “Its not you … its me” conversation (I found this out afterwards but it was self evident). Such a conversation is sadly most likely familiar to most people in life with any heart or without a heart but it happens.
It was of itself quite an animated one resulting in much tearful gesticulation and shaking of heads by both participants. The culmination of the conversation was the young lady walking off and the young man occupying the bench seat adjacent to the cardboard sandwich and beverage in a rather emotional and sorry state. The writer felt compelled to at least offer a supportive word and it followed that I heard the broken hearted tale of woe over a cup of chemicals passing for tea. The upshot of the tale was perhaps best described neutrally as no ones fault but such is the path of life I said to the young man, more could have been said but as is always the way with the rail service it never arrives on time but it arrives when you’re about to have an epiphany and in some respects that’s even worse.
As the train left the gentleman shook hands with thanks and was last observed nursing his tea and texting… perhaps the young lady in question or his best mate for an all night bender either option would work at that point in time.
The writer was left with the distinct knowledge that the answer to Jimmy Ruffin’s beautifully soulful question ‘What becomes of the Broken hearted’, a question posed in such perfect production and simplicity with a lovely brushed drum beat and exquisitely placed backing vocals that move the listener at times to smile with nostalgia was that the broken hearted are often found on a platform north of London South of forever.
For that gentleman this is for you wherever you may now be.
BARRISTER BEATS 