Stumble Away (2003) – David Bridie

Stumble Away is the closing track on David Bridie’s 2003 album – Hotel Radio (see inset). It’s almost certain you haven’t heard of this 2003 record unless you had read my previous song articles. There isn’t even a wiki page about Hotel Radio, but it remains one of my favourite Australian records by one of my favourite Australian singer – songwriters. Suffice to say, David Bridie as both a solo act; and founder, composer and front man of the group My Friend the Chocolate Cake is one of the most prolific artists on my blog. 

Bridie lived in the inner North suburbs of Melbourne where I also lived from 2005 – 2009. I saw him live on numerous occasions. In 2021 he moved to an off-grid property close to the Otway National Park on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. Bridie balanced his career as a live musician with the composition of soundtrack music, with credits for over 16 feature films. He is also a seven time ARIA award winning composer and has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of Australia’s most innovative musicians. 

Bridie’s music is undeniably atmospheric, and Stumble Away is no exception. He delves into the art form of sonic texture. It’s a deeply introspective and melancholic piece that resonates with my musical sensibilities in a way few other tracks can. Moreover, I’ve always considered David Bridie as musically Australia’s best kept secret and it looks like it is going to stay that way with today’s featured track having amassed 11 views in the video below.

Would you like to run faster
But you know there’s no way
There’s only enthusiasts anywhere today
And should the hope ’round the corner
Prove quite a surprise
There’s a man with a card saying
“Don’t be sick, don’t be old, don’t be ordinary, otherwise”
I don’t feel so good today, Well I fall down
It pays to keep your eyes open
Read beneath what they say
This is all one great big lie
Just like Australia day
And the crowd are out watching
The fireworks in the rain
They all do nothing, say nothing
Silence is lying
I don’t feel so good today, then I fall down
Then I stumble away, stumble away
I wish that I may, and I wish you don’t mind
Keep my head and my nerve if the fight is a good fight
Should the hope round the corner prove quite a surprise
And there’s a man with a card saying
“don’t be sick, don’t be old, don’t be ordinary
Otherwise…”
I don’t feel so good today, then I fall down slowly
Then stumble away, stumble away, stumble away

References:
1. David Bridie – Wikipedia

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“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand