We Carry On

Album: Third (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Multi instrumentalist Geoff Barrow told the Metro how this Krautrock sounding track resurrected their recording sessions. "Even for the second album I thought DJing was dead as an art form, It ended up turning into a strange thing about technique over any kind of emotional content. I know that sounds really weird when you're talking about rubbing a record but, you know, you've gotta write what you want. When we wrote We Carry On it didn't sound like us - after that we thought there were loads of places we could go. We turned the computer off and started it up again with a different release, a freedom that a lot of the bands we're into have, and they're not all very commercial."
  • When Portishead debuted this song at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England in December 2007, it was titled "Peaches."

Comments: 1

  • Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandThird was my favourite album of 2008. This song and "The Rip" would both be in my Top 10 tracks of the year.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.