Bit of help needed......

[shefsmog]

My eldest came home form school yesterday with her homework, for next wednesday.  she has been tasked to do something art/music/acting related.  Need to get it fully correct.  But the gist is that she has to pick a pitcure/song/film of her choice (only 1 I think) and write about it.

what she has chosen is Orange Tree Roads (top song by some Bradford based band).  I'm just looking for the inspiration behind it to aleast help her a bit.

[ChristianS]

Orange Tree Roads was written as a 'road song', so you are only going to get a fans interpretation, unless Mr Sullivan, himself replies (it has been known!)

Can I suggest maybe using Courage or Archway Towers, or another song that has a literal historical interpretation? - Archway Towers is a good one to use, as you can also explain technological advances, "Little words of green" etc...

[shefsmog]

She's not yet been fully introduced as yet to the full back catalogue, being only 7, but she requests OTR as soon as we get in the car, usually followed very quickly by Night Like This, One Step Closer, One & Echo Beach.

I think some of the deeper meanings may be lost on her.  I had suggested 1984, the Charge or The Cause - but the wife wasn't impressed (big NMA fan herself)

[ChristianS]

You didn't mention, she was 7! - Not sure what to suggest!

[Stoney]

My advice is play the song on repeat and read the lyrics to her a few times. Pull up some Google images maybe? Just pick some of the more descriptive lines and Google them. You'd be surprised what turns up!
As has been said, it's kind of a road song, lamenting memories and change. with JS usual, highly cinematic prose. Describing snap shot memories. It's why the songs resonate so much I think.
It's not just the melody, the lyrics conjure up images so succinctly, you can't help but get drawn into the story of whatever song it is..... That's my 2 penneth anyways....