Richard Thompson - A Love You Can't Survive - NYC 2003

[Bruchag]

Point I was making...not autobiographical, but about an experience/s of love. One woman? guilt emotions...a love you cannot forget..lost forbidden thwarted unrequited.

If you cant forget it must have some weight and you don't belt this out unless its in yer soles and soul..:-))

[gdh7260]

I think that the lyrics refer to the story of a person, not Thompson himself, but probably someone he has met who was imprisoned for five years in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. Now HIV rates are rather high in the Congo and I would suspect that this applies especially to the prisons. And we know what happens to people in prisons. A love you can't survive.

[benjyofwilmington]

a singular talent...

[bubbalouie99]

i've been obsessed with this video the last 3 weeks; i can't believe how perfect it is; i like how controlled it is at the beginning; he's definitely holding back, then he breaks lose and just hammers it near the end; what a talented artist; thanks!

[10SEAvenue]

RT is a great artist & human being. I was honored to meet him nearly 20 years ago, tho he was surprised when I refused an autograph. I explained my feelings about talent & originality versus the concept of celebrity: he understood, quizzically. A year later, he played the same Chicago club. Clearly, he'd considered the idea that celebrity can & does create boundaries & 'fans' won't be themselves. He began with the words: "We're all people, here. I happen to be the one on stage this time...".

[Kenentigern7]

@10SEAvenue Interesting, a very complex man. Very reserved and unassuming though now conditioned to "hero" status. Stood next to him in the public "gents" as he did what he had to do before taking the stage. "Hows it going big man?" he enquired then was gone.

This is his most autobiographical composition in my view, but not about only one woman. Loves lost?

[Hardwyck]

@Kenentigern7

Interesting that you think it's autobiographical. Do you see the killing, imprisonment and dope smuggling as metaphors for something? I'm not dismissing what you say, I'm seriously interested.

[Kilchattan7]

@Hardwyck yes in my view they are "dramatic" metaphors for lifes traumas which just as painful would seem insignificant in song. He doesn't do drugs or drink and is a converted muslim but in the final analysis there is no suitable metaphor for love and that is what hurts. You just couldn't sing this like this unless it "meant" something. Just my view???

[TomRAFC]

@Kilchattan7 i play this song regularly and belt it out but i assure you i have never sailed boat load of charlie. in several interviews riuchard has explained he sees songs as stroies and since he and linda split he has written more and more character stories

[MarkStrat]

A great song, and one of his most emotional, I feel, but he hardly ever plays it on stage - even after I asked !

[TomRAFC]

RT almost always plays any requests he gets

[ElWeasle]

@TomRAFC It's true, even e-mailing him in advance of the gig can get a song into his setlist.

[soozikins]

Love this song, WP Richard

[monalisadreams]

Love the passion in this song. Thanks for posting so many great clips from this Old Kit Bag concert, joni36.

[ak47doubletap]

Great Performance!  thnxxxx