Tell Tale Signs

Album: Tape Deck Heart (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of several songs on Tape Deck Heart inspired by the heartache Frank Turner felt after coming out of a long-term relationship. The singer actually names the woman who ripped his heart out ("goddamit, Amy") before he describes teenage self-harm with a razor. Turner told NME the track borrows a "stark, harrowing emptiness" from early Neil Young and Ryan Adams records. "It's very, very raw," he added.
  • Turner told The Guardian regarding his teenage self-harming: "Like a lot of people, I feel slightly embarrassed by it - because it's such a concession of weakness. I don't have an enormously high opinion of myself. It's a constant battle not to get too lost in self-criticism, self-loathing."
  • Producer Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Muse) pushed Turner hard and on this song, making him do 42 vocal takes. "He was telling me to sing it directly to the person I was singing about," Turner told Kerrang! "He kept telling me to 'see the ghost.' I wanted to stab him. But he was right. You can get a performance that's correct, but what you really want is one that's correct and which has soul."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?