Scott is one of the most unique and daring artists of the last 50 years. And he is still going. check out his recently released documentary 30 Century Man.
It's really about more than just a balloon that escaped. Afterall, the child still holds the string. But Billy Balloon has his own agenda and convinces the boy not to pull him down. The song seems to be about both of them equally. "A string tied to his underwear" sounds vaguely sexual. It occurs to me that Billy and the child are the same person, but a younger self who clings to childhood and an older self who longs to know the world. The string is the tension between these two places.
Is that a compliment? Scott Walker is not only a pioneer in this sound, but an extraordinary survivalist in the scene. I have nothing but admiration for the man...today or in 1968.
It took me a long time to understand it's a song about a balloon named Billy. The string breaks, and the child--who bamed it--chases it. The chorus is somewhat removed, subject wise. Then, in the last verse, "just hanging there" seems more traditionally existential and absurd. (Maybe he was reading Bellow's "The Dangling Man" at the time!)
superb song
thekillerisme23 1 day ago
This transports the old imagination. A chilling beautiful chorus. Wonderful.
kirkwallboy 1 month ago
i`m flying on this sensational song.
cosmicrider287 4 months ago
SAINT JOHNNY FRANZ!
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!
rautoban 4 months ago
Listen to David Ackles' "American Gothic."
Now that's underrated and ignored...personified.
Easleytee 6 months ago
Unbelievably beautiful song
Fetz17 6 months ago
The music is inspired from Jacques Brel (french music, so). It's very "variété française" :)
jik7864 8 months ago
What the bloody hell is this song about, anyways?
AlT70 9 months ago in playlist THE WALKER BROTHERS .l
@AlT70 - It's about whatever you want it to be about - anything or nothing. Do songs have to be 'about' something?
sodiumoxybate 1 week ago
Es genial
garridoescultor 9 months ago
Scott is one of the most unique and daring artists of the last 50 years. And he is still going. check out his recently released documentary 30 Century Man.
psychospeakempire 10 months ago
Absolutely Magnificent.
RG4242421 11 months ago
WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEMS WITH UNIONS MR. WALKER?
wash0087 1 year ago
@wash0087 wrong walker. This here is "Great Scott" You're looking for the guy you wipe your ass with.
(psssssssssst, he's in Wisconsin)
zazeify 1 year ago
@wash0087 MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY. and that other anti-union senate leader guy's name being scott fitzgerald…?!?! these are dark, dark times
abloidable 11 months ago 2
Like a dream come true !
michiko187 1 year ago
There is nothing else that sounds like it. It is unique. I even named my album The Last Flight Of Billy Balloon!
marvinbnaylor 1 year ago
Ha ha, I never looked at the song in those terms, I assumed the song was about the transition and loss of childhood innocence. Good job!
RoofLight00 1 year ago
this is a classis to be treasured......he is so in touch with the inner human experience
michelle73068 1 year ago
classic walker slightly strange but i love it...
radiator0 1 year ago
One of the most beautiful songs ever written and sang by Scott Walker.
Andrewsmate 1 year ago
Comment removed
C0NTR4B455 1 year ago
Marvelous orchestration....Matches the lyrics perfectly....
captainkundalini1 2 years ago
This is amazing.
Chesterton7 2 years ago
It's really about more than just a balloon that escaped. Afterall, the child still holds the string. But Billy Balloon has his own agenda and convinces the boy not to pull him down. The song seems to be about both of them equally. "A string tied to his underwear" sounds vaguely sexual. It occurs to me that Billy and the child are the same person, but a younger self who clings to childhood and an older self who longs to know the world. The string is the tension between these two places.
99198273 2 years ago 12
@99198273 scott at his best.
bmckeeb1 1 year ago
Comment removed
MrBobbychestnut 2 years ago
WOW!!...David Sylvian from Japan stole Scott Walkers whole SOUND!...I had no idea who Mr. Walker was before today....amazing stuff.
transmittance 2 years ago 3
@transmittance well you could say the same about david bowie, bryan ferry or nick cave too.
dabatchko 1 year ago
Is that a compliment? Scott Walker is not only a pioneer in this sound, but an extraordinary survivalist in the scene. I have nothing but admiration for the man...today or in 1968.
MrBobbychestnut 2 years ago 9
@MrBobbychestnut he had WONDERFUL arrangers too ! the finest in these sceptered isles
theonlyantony 1 month ago
A great song and a great voice!
Taken from a time when he could really sing, and not the drivel he is doing now!
Thank God for memories!
CANARVONKID 2 years ago
This song is so intoxicating. I can't stop listening, it's on repeat on a daily basis.
July4th2008 2 years ago 5
have been for the last 25 years and the next probably@July4th2008
pez56525 2 years ago
I have a feeling the subject matter was very dark. Somewhere there is an interview with Scott where even he couldn't bring himself to talk about it.
simonwells61 3 years ago 2
Can anyone tell me the meaning of this song...i remember it caused a minor controversy on release
Jim
captainsoul1953 3 years ago
The lyrics are very abstract. I'm not exactly sure what people would find offensive about it. Do you recall what people were interpreting it as?
nikolaspearce 2 years ago
It took me a long time to understand it's a song about a balloon named Billy. The string breaks, and the child--who bamed it--chases it. The chorus is somewhat removed, subject wise. Then, in the last verse, "just hanging there" seems more traditionally existential and absurd. (Maybe he was reading Bellow's "The Dangling Man" at the time!)
SparklingMarshall 2 years ago 2
One of the best cuts from Scott 2. I would love to see the Amorous Humphrey Plugg and The Girls from the Streets posted.
aargoldtakesflight 3 years ago
Magnifico.
paldengyatso 3 years ago
amazing,what a voice he as.This is one of his greatest tracks very clever music from a real GENIUS.
leoryan99 3 years ago 3
Haard to compare this with anything....The term "Work of genius," doesn't really do it jutice. Not when there are so many "geniuses" about.....
captainkundalini999 3 years ago
thanks nowhereman for this. I thought why doesn't anybody download this. So I typed it
up and you did it 3 days ago! Been long awaiting
this. Thanks again!
veadlsteak 3 years ago