The Bittersweet Beauty of Arliston’s Monks of Lindisfarne

Love’s bittersweet ache courses through the veins of Arliston’s latest offering, Monks of Lindisfarne.

The South London duo, Jack Ratcliffe and George Hasbury, have crafted a haunting ballad that will resonate with anyone who has felt the sting of unrequited love.

Arlington Monks of Lindisfarne single cover — Arlington **Monks of Lindisfarne** single cover

With raw emotion and artful storytelling, this song takes listeners on an intimate journey through the turbulent waters of desire and acceptance.

Enveloping you in a warm, analogue embrace, Monks of Lindisfarne invites you into a world where storytelling is as heartfelt as it is melodic.

The lyrics, delivered with composed vulnerability, paint a vivid portrait of unrequited desire, finding tranquilly amidst emotional turmoil.

The protagonist, with poetic grace, releases their pain, urging their beloved to remain unburdened by guilt.

The instrumentation showcases Arliston’s deft genre fusion abilities. Acoustic guitars strum a comforting melody, while the inclusion of synth textures introduces a contemporary layer.

Reflecting on the creative process, Hasbury says, “It was a fight with the arrangement,” as the song evolved from a synth-centric piece to a rich blend of guitars, synths, and strings.

“The title is one of the many oblique references I made in a message attempting to say, ‘don’t worry if you don’t feel the same way; if you don’t, I’ll just become one of the monks of Lindisfarne,’” he reveals, offering a whimsical nod to the British sitcom “Peep Show.”

As the song progresses, the folky intimacy transitions into a cinematic synth expanse, mirroring the protagonist’s emotional evolution.

The cinematic synth expanse that emerges acts as a sonic metaphor for the protagonist’s self-affirming mantra, “tell me I don’t need, that I’m better off.”

The song encapsulates the resilience within us all—an anthem for the unanswered heart that finds solace in understanding.

It’s a ballad that speaks directly to those who have navigated the same stormy seas, offering a compassionate and cathartic listening experience.

It’s a harmonious blend of the past and present, showcasing Arliston’s evolving sound that continues to push boundaries.

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Arliston Monks of Lindisfarne Lyrics

There was a countdown that started when
I met you, in my defence I thought we’re just friends
There was that text, I sent to your phone
I was so hopeless, at nothing at all
Man, I just rambled about the monks of Lindisfarne

I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I never want to feel like that
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I never want to feel like that again

I didn’t mean anything
When I said what I said
I don’t think, I don’t think
I didn’t mean anything

I see you in doorways circled in light
Somewhere in movies, at the back to the right
Why do I do it when I know, I must know, it isn’t you
I was in bits babe, I was a child
Nobody’s perfect all of the time
But I wasn’t half that and I know I wasn’t quarter too

I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I never want to feel like that
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I never want to feel like that again

I didn’t mean anything
When I said what I said
I don’t think, I don’t think
I didn’t mean anything

Tell me I don’t need, that I’m better off
Tell me I don’t need, that I’m better off
Tell me I don’t need it, I’m better off

Two taps and I’ll know
Where the hell we smoking now
You would think that it’s a carnival
It’s the timing that just crushed our coal
Standing, standing alone