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The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion "Bellbottoms"
The Stone Roses "Ten Storey Love Song"
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The Stone Roses "Ten Storey Love Song"

Second Coming (1994)

The Stone Roses – "Ten Storey Love Song"

"Ten Storey Love Song" is a standout single from The Stone Roses’ 1994 album Second Coming. Written by guitarist John Squire, the song was released as the album’s second single in February 1995 and reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart1. It remains a fan favorite, celebrated for its lush melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and signature Stone Roses sound.

Musical Style and Atmosphere

  • Signature Sound: The track features shimmering, melodic guitar work by John Squire, a driving rhythm section, and Ian Brown’s distinctive, emotive vocals. The interplay between guitars and bass creates a dreamy, euphoric atmosphere that is characteristic of the band’s style23.
  • Production: The song is polished and layered, with a gradual build that sweeps listeners into its emotional core. Squire’s intricate guitar lines and memorable solo stand out as highlights, while the rhythm section (Mani on bass, Reni on drums) provides a solid, grooving foundation23.

Lyrics and Themes

  • Love as Shelter and Aspiration:
    The lyrics use the metaphor of a "ten storey love song" to represent a grand, enduring love built to support and uplift the beloved: "Ten storey love song / I built this thing for you / It can take you higher / Than twin peak mountain blue..."4.
  • Offering Support:
    The narrator reaches out to someone whose "heart is black and broken," offering love and support when they feel lost or overwhelmed: "When your heart is black and broken / And you need a helping hand / When you're so much in love / You don't know just how much you can stand..."4.
  • Overcoming Obstacles:
    The song acknowledges that love doesn’t provide easy answers—"There's no surefire set solution / No shortcut through the trees / No breach in the wall that they put there / To keep me from you"—but expresses hope that, even in darkness, love can help one "see the light"4.
  • Emotional Honesty:
    The lyrics are direct, sincere, and comforting, offering reassurance and steadfast devotion: "Oh well, I built this thing for you / And I love you true"4.

Legacy and Reception

  • Critical Acclaim:
    The song is praised for its evocative lyrics, infectious melodies, and the emotional depth of both the music and vocals23. John Squire’s guitar work, in particular, is often singled out as a highlight.
  • Enduring Appeal:
    While it didn’t reach the commercial heights of some earlier Stone Roses singles, "Ten Storey Love Song" has remained a beloved track, emblematic of the band’s ability to blend romance, melancholy, and hope12.

Conclusion

"Ten Storey Love Song" is a soaring, heartfelt ode to the power of love as both refuge and aspiration. With its poetic lyrics, lush instrumentation, and emotional sincerity, the song captures the enduring appeal of The Stone Roses and stands as a testament to their legacy in British rock.

Key Lyrics:

"Ten storey love song / I built this thing for you / It can take you higher / Than twin peak mountain blue / Oh well, I built this thing for you / And I love you true"4.

December 5, 1994
byHeptarky

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