Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake - The The

'Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake' was released as the third single from The The's recent album Ensoulment. Matt Johnson said about the song: "It belongs to the family of songs I have written about London, including ‘Perfect’, ‘Flesh & Bones’, ‘Heartland’, ‘The Beat(en) Generation’, ‘Helpline Operator’, ‘Pillar Box Red’ and others. I have often drank my coffee by the grave of William Blake – though these days there are actually two gravestones dedicated to him in the small dissenters cemetery that he was thrown into when he died – on and off over the last 40 years I have lived close by and have always found it an inspiring place to sit and meditate upon life. Nostalgia is part of the human condition and change is inevitable in our lives and in the world around us. Large capital cities such as London often amplify the sense of change, although one thing that never seems to change is the cynicism of those in power."

It is certainly one of the most appealing songs on the album, and a great addition to the two singles that were already released.

My collection: 7" single no. 7374
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 5 October 2024
Tracks: 'Some days I drink my coffee by the grave of William Blake' / 'Frozen clouds'