Tell Me Ten Words
Idlewild · The Remote Part [2002]
It's not a real defeat
To have to stop saying 'to be honest'
It's not a great defeat
No, no, no
Not such a great defeat
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
Can you tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world?
And tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world to people
Though people never seem to know
To people
Though people never know
The more I say the more I keep confusing things
That make me feel complete
So I keep lying to be honest
And it's not a real defeat
No, no, no
Not such a real defeat
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
Can you tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world?
And tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world to people
Though people never seem to know
To people
Though people never know
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
(What you never thought you were)
It's what you thought you could be if you tried much harder
(What you never thought you could be if you tried much harder)
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
Tell Me Ten Words
Idlewild's 'Tell Me Ten Words' stands as a defining track from their 2002 album, The Remote Part. Released during the height of the indie rock revival, the song encapsulates the band's signature blend of melodic sensibility and gritty, emotive delivery. The recording features the group's characteristic interplay between raw vocal performance and atmospheric instrumentation, creating a soundscape that resonated deeply with fans of the era. As a staple of their discography, the track exemplifies the emotional vulnerability and rhythmic drive that made Idlewild a pivotal force in alternative music. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey complex feelings through concise musical phrasing, cementing its place in the band's catalog of essential recordings.