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Richard and Linda Thompson — Walking On A Wire
Album: Shoot Out the Lights
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 133









Released: 1982
Length: 5:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I hand you my ball and chain
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling

I wish I could please you tonight
But my medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling

Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself

Where's the justice and where's the sense?
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling

Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, it's too long to myself

It scares you when you don't know
Whichever way the wind might blow
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling.
Comments (23)add comment
goosebump time
Perfection. Linda's voice and Richard's guitar along with the incredibly poignant and emotive lyrics. I wore this album out back in the day. This tune in particular, at a particular time in my life, really did me in...still conjures up a kind of wistful and bitter heartache.
Love this...
 bam23 wrote:
It is almost impossible to justify not playing more Richard Thompson, from any point in his career. More is better!
 
Agreed! Am a great fan of his.
 bam23 wrote:
It is almost impossible to justify not playing more Richard Thompson, from any point in his career. More is better!
 
He is a brilliant songwriter and guitar player.
Opening chords reminded me of Purple Rain.  Resemblance ended quickly thereafter, but I do hear that same distorted chord throughout the song. 
I've heard a Canadian band...The Punters do a version of this tune. Liked that one, love this one.
Love this CD - Very dark but also very deep.{#Clap}
First 10 I have given. Last song before the breakup.

How can any track from this album only get 4.5 rating? I can only think the reason Richard Thomson is not better regarded is because, while his songs are musically brilliant, they are all more miserable than a wet weekend in Largs.


Such fine guitar work!
No, no and thrice no. 

I'd rather listen to the Thompson Twins. . .  
That seemed to be a lil piece of the guitar solo from Let it Be..
 bam23 wrote:
It is almost impossible to justify not playing more Richard Thompson, from any point in his career. More is better!
 
Absolutely agree.  I saw him live a few years ago and was sold.

 dogpound wrote:

I guess that's one way of putting it.
 

Especially if you're from the upper Midwest. It means  meh.

"Shoot..." is one of two of Richard and Linda's masterpieces together. And "Walking...." is one of the top songs from either; a gem.


Nice to hear more R & L Thompson here....
Finally. :)
It is almost impossible to justify not playing more Richard Thompson, from any point in his career. More is better!
 mandolin wrote:
...hey, this is interesting...
 
I guess that's one way of putting it.
...hey, this is interesting...
I know they're highly revered and all, but this track is just plain dreary.
PLAY IT!