We're a disaster

You can almost feel the animosity.

The discomfort crackles underneath the performance.

A song about a relationship breaking down sung by the ex-lovers it concerns. The song is 'I'm Waking up To Us', the band is Belle And Sebastian and the protagonists are Stuart Murdoch and Isobel Campbell.

Now breaking up isn't easy in the best of citcumstances. But recounting the details in a live performance on national TV next to your ex, must especially smart. Talk about opening up the wounds for all to see. The details laid bare. The snide comments thrust in your face. It is the ultimate kiss off. Of course, Stuart Murdoch denied that the song was about them but the performance on Later With Jools Holland tells a very different story. The body language was clear to see. He didn't acknowledge her. No sideways glances. No nothing. And she, for her part, sang the song with her back turned to him. Her mumbled barely audible vocal also suggests a lack of enthusiasm for the song and a desire for it to be over as quickly as possible. You can tell they've attempted to have an amicable split but it isn't quite so easy. The surface can't conceal the pain beneath. Indeed, while the music may be sweet and wistful, the lyrics are bitter and vindictive.

Belle And Sebastian - i'm waking up to us (live on Later With Jools Holland)

Belle And Sebastian - the magic of a kind word (live on Later With Jools Holland)

mp3 / music / belle and sebastian