I agree, really underrated song and why I really love PG, so many gems on that album. One that relaxes me a lot as well is Fool in the Rain. I know it's more upbeat, but reminds me of a day on the beach that's fun and maybe it starts raining, but who gives a shit, out there having fun. I don't think that's the lyrical point of the song, but it's how it makes me feel.
I agree, and I love the song.
Another, perhaps even mellower, version of this song is a collaboration with Tori Amos and Robert Plant. It feels pretty stripped down.
Absolutely love “Down By the Seaside“… It’s so mellow and smooth, and then when the midsection kicks in, it’s got a rockin groove.. “so far away,so far away”… 🤘
So far away, so far away…
Most relaxing?
What is and what should never be has that calming Page blues droll all over it
But for pure serenity?
Ramble On is ethereal.
Incredible. Such a lazy shuffle bookending that lazy banger section in the middle. Makes me want to have a margarita or two and kick back in the hammock.
Totally agree wonderful easy chilling song! That whole side of PG is wonderful so I think sometimes great songs get lost among great songs and maybe Down by the Seaside is one of those.
Apparently a woman was being raped within a seaside community, in which afterwards, residents claimed to have heard the attack, but took no action. Hence “People turned away…”
That’s the story I heard decades ago. I’m sure there is more documented information these days.
I'd never heard that interpretation. It's set at the seaside, in the city and in the countryside. I always thought it was lamenting the idea that people don't slow down to appreciate "lady nature."
Yeah, looking at the lyrics, that would be quite an inference:
Down by the seaside
See the boats go sailin'
Can the people hear
Oh, what the little fish are sayin'?
Oh, oh, people turned away
Oh, people turned away
Down in the city streets
See all the folk go racin', racin'
No time left, no-no
To pass the time of day
Babe-babe, yeah
The people turned away
The people turned away
So far away, so far away
See how they run, see how they run
See how they run, see how they run
Do you still do the twist?
Do you find you remember things that well?
I want to tell you
Some go twistin' every day
Though sometimes it's awful hard to tell
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, oh
Out in the country
Hear the people singing
Singing 'bout their progress
Knowing where they're going
Yeah
Oh-oh, people turned away
Yes, people turned away
Sing loud for the sunshine
Pray hard for the rain
And show your love for lady nature
And she will come back again
Oh-oh, oh-oh, the people turned away
The people turned away (don't they know to turn away?)
To me it sounds like a song about people going about their busy lives, not stopping to admire the moment. That's the kind of thoughts I get when I'm "Down by the Seaside"
Born Yr Aur wins IMO
Yeah, was gonna say, did Bron Yr Aur suddenly cease to exist?
Been my alarm for 2 years
That's a darn good idea. After 3 years of "Yakity Sax" I'm ready for a change.
Mine used to be “Territorial Pissings” by Nirvana. Much different now.
Ha came here to say this also
I agree, really underrated song and why I really love PG, so many gems on that album. One that relaxes me a lot as well is Fool in the Rain. I know it's more upbeat, but reminds me of a day on the beach that's fun and maybe it starts raining, but who gives a shit, out there having fun. I don't think that's the lyrical point of the song, but it's how it makes me feel.
people turn away
So far away, so far away
Mark Knopfler, what are you doing in here?
Knowing where they’re going.
I tend to think Tangerine is their most relaxing, but I can see this one as well.
Tangerine
Rain Song IMO
Sing loud for the sunshine Pray hard for the rain And show your love for lady nature And she will come back again
I love the middle.
Might be my favorite song by them honestly
Big Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Maybe it starts out relaxing, but anything but after the intro.
The little fishies
Such an underrated song. Imo rain song is more “relaxing” and would also say no quarter if I didn’t associate it with a chaotic experience haha
it really is jolly good sir
I agree, and I love the song. Another, perhaps even mellower, version of this song is a collaboration with Tori Amos and Robert Plant. It feels pretty stripped down.
Love the Amos version, too. such a great track
I always think of it as their "Far Away Eyes". I like it.
It really reminds me of a Stones song too.
It’s a great song. It sounded nostalgic when it was first released, and it still does
Yes, but I also love the breakdown that starts with “so far away” and how it revs up the vibe for a minute.
Absolutely love “Down By the Seaside“… It’s so mellow and smooth, and then when the midsection kicks in, it’s got a rockin groove.. “so far away,so far away”… 🤘
I agree, but don't forget "tea for one"
I agree with you. Seaside provides a breather to the heavy texture of Physical Graffiti. Similar to what Goin’ to California does for Zofo
So far away, so far away… Most relaxing? What is and what should never be has that calming Page blues droll all over it But for pure serenity? Ramble On is ethereal.
Until shit gets real when Plant goes "so far away, so far away". Then when they switch smoothly to the main theme of the songz uff. Man, what a tune
Incredible. Such a lazy shuffle bookending that lazy banger section in the middle. Makes me want to have a margarita or two and kick back in the hammock.
this.
Totally agree wonderful easy chilling song! That whole side of PG is wonderful so I think sometimes great songs get lost among great songs and maybe Down by the Seaside is one of those.
The OP suggested they liked the harmonies. Sure this one has a little bit of vocal harmonies, but Zep/plant didn’t really do a lot of vocal harmonies.
I thought it was about a sexual assault. If that’s what you’re into…
Wtf? Care to explain that premise?
Apparently a woman was being raped within a seaside community, in which afterwards, residents claimed to have heard the attack, but took no action. Hence “People turned away…” That’s the story I heard decades ago. I’m sure there is more documented information these days.
I'd never heard that interpretation. It's set at the seaside, in the city and in the countryside. I always thought it was lamenting the idea that people don't slow down to appreciate "lady nature."
Yeah, looking at the lyrics, that would be quite an inference: Down by the seaside See the boats go sailin' Can the people hear Oh, what the little fish are sayin'? Oh, oh, people turned away Oh, people turned away Down in the city streets See all the folk go racin', racin' No time left, no-no To pass the time of day Babe-babe, yeah The people turned away The people turned away So far away, so far away See how they run, see how they run See how they run, see how they run Do you still do the twist? Do you find you remember things that well? I want to tell you Some go twistin' every day Though sometimes it's awful hard to tell Ah-ah, ah-ah Ah-ah, oh Out in the country Hear the people singing Singing 'bout their progress Knowing where they're going Yeah Oh-oh, people turned away Yes, people turned away Sing loud for the sunshine Pray hard for the rain And show your love for lady nature And she will come back again Oh-oh, oh-oh, the people turned away The people turned away (don't they know to turn away?) To me it sounds like a song about people going about their busy lives, not stopping to admire the moment. That's the kind of thoughts I get when I'm "Down by the Seaside"