These waters have frozen
Can't break the ice no more
It's raining so hard now
Can't seem to find a shore
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
This all goes so much deeper
Than some would like to say
Soaked in this world of water
Until it's washed away
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
World of water
You can drown but you still survive
No colour no feelings
No time to sit around
No living no dying
No one here to be found
No entry no exit
I like to be beside the sea
The tide comes in once more but
I'm safe on higher ground
The water here still rising
It's come to drag me down
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
World of water
You can drown but you still survive
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
World of water
You can drown but you still survive
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
World of water
You can drown but you still survive
World of water
Where you swim for the other side
World of water
But you're swimming against the tide
World of water
You can drown but you still survive
Opening side B of the album in great fashion, this track must surely convince anyone who hasn't already gathered so far: Tony Mansfield is a genius. It has it all: pace, energy, hooks, melody... the lot.
It's probably this one that got me addicted in the first place.
The beginning ten seconds are fantastic, with very distinctive guitar and that repeated riff. Then the tight bass and percussion kick in, and it really bursts into life. The sound is full yet very refined throughout.
How it ever missed the top of the charts is beyond me: it's a radio- friendly single and the most perfect 3:39 seconds you could ever wish to hear. Very energetic, but never aggressive or harsh - far from it.
Tony used his experimental nature to great effect by putting some of his vocals through an Eventide Harmonizer, creating that pitch shifting effect on his vocal by playing it back via a keyboard connected to the Harmonizer (Source: Clive gates interview). Very much ahead of its time. The effect may sound a little 'wacky', but is in no way unpleasant or crude, as is the case with many 'vocodered' (for want of a better term) vocals from more recently...
The lyrics are about 'drowning in society'. I believe.
Certainly there is a lot of technology in the track (as usual), and, as ever, the mix of acoustic sounds are just right and give it a human warmth. Most unlike what you will hear anyone else do. It leaves you feeling refreshed. Almost like you've taken a dip in the sea.
I've just as I type this played it again and it still amazes me.
It's a song I doubt I'll ever tire of. So without reservation I give it:
100/100
Best ever NM single? Possibly...
(Richard M)
Perhaps the definitive NM track? Every trick in the book used, and a few invented on the fly. Crazily infectious, insistently metronomic beat, quirky vocal treatments, synths twist and swirl. That held high note used a few times towards the end is a killer. Did pretty well in the charts if I recall correctly. Should have been a no. 1 in my book. Great track from start to finish.
(Graham G)