Porcupine Tree- Mellotron Scratch

Deadwing (2005)
05.06.2015 - 100 000 views.

[@Andre1a]

It's been 8 years since I first heard of them, and I've never again felt such passionate love for an artist.

[@WellStudied]

REMINDS ME OF THE FIRST TIME I HEARD DARK SIDE OF THE MOON...

[@Keebmouse]

I found out about Steven Wilson from a bts Opeth video. I like his work a fair bit more than them now though I still love them too.

[@Masn00n]

The best band in the world in the last 30 years.

[@agemoth]

@@Masn00n you're probably right.

[@kreep182]

the whole song is great but the ending takes it to a totally new level

[@zkael5387]

Yes yes 😃

[@piotrbednarski1053]

disagree af. its kinda ruin the whole song xd

[@touhouguyII]

@@piotrbednarski1053 then you don;t know music

[@dantheman2907]

I could listen to the end of this on repeat for days. The way it charges from 4/4 to 3/4 is exquisite, and the overlapping vocals that follow are immaculate!

[@Sk1pperCS]

I have listened to porcupine tree for 5 years now. Still so bloody brilliant. No artists will ever top them. Ever.... Sorry but it aint happening. xD The triple layered lyrics, the drumming, the outro. This album. How can something be so immaculate. This album is a ride I will never ever ever ever forget. Holy fuck man.

[@lifeattractslife]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@XiyuYang]

5:53 A snippet that shows Gavin Harrison is phenomenal. The melody on guitar stayed the same, but Gavin changed time signature from 8/8 to 6/8 with such a smooth transition, so smooth that you probably would not notice if you don't listen closely. This transition really is something.

[@charlesberkeley168]

+Xiyu Yang is it Gavin that comes up with this? or is it steven?

[@charlesberkeley168]

+Kerwin Tsang actually it sounds like the guitar is in 3 the whole time- just in polyrhythm with the drums.

[@rhinehartd]

+Charles Berkeley From what I've read from interviews with Steven, he writes demos of the songs with very basic drum patterns, and then Gavin would spice them up. So I'm pretty sure that the changing time signature was Gavin's idea.

[@charlesberkeley168]

thats cool!!

[@XiyuYang]

Charles Berkeley You're right, the guitar is always in 3, but Gavin's polyrhythm made the first half of it sounds like in 4.

[@DFTNSHEXGRM]

Porcupine Tree is fucking timeless.

[@agemoth]

@Zelim I've known some of their best songs for years (and Steven Wilson) yet I've only started to really listen to their full albums now. I honestly don't know why!

[@courtneybower6709]

Steven Wilson is a musical genius

[@dylansantos5958]

So glad they performed this song on the latest tour

[@rishipoddar2559]

This song has a deep feel of the nostalgic sentiment !

[@toprak3479]

Well put. The first time I listened to this I felt a weird, unwarranted surge of nostalgia. It still has that feel, only now it makes sense. :')

[@aitechnasus1041]

Mellotron Scratch Is A Beautiful Great Rock Song And Fantastic Wonderful Masterpiece By Porcupine Tree.

[@nathank3278]

It's prog. What else do you expect? 🙂

[@nathank3278]

It's prog. What else do you expect? 🙂

[@marioc.3102]

one of my favorite Porcupine's songs

[@andyryan_media]

Definitely in my top 5 from PT. Nothing beats the slow-growers like this track and Arriving Somewhere But Not Here...

[@USMCSDI]

Here is one thing I love about PT....... THEY don't have ONE song that is not PHENOMENAL!!! Best band of ALL time!!!!

[@WellStudied]

AFAIK, ONE MAN/KID, STEVEN WILSON WROTE/PERFORMED IT ALL... AND LATER, WAS FORCED TO GET AN ACTUAL BAND TO PLAY IT LIVE...

[@djentcommunion2422]

@@WellStudied like really? How'd you know

[@djentcommunion2422]

@@WellStudied can you provide some reference

[@ZackWilliams_TheProducer]

@@WellStudied Steven Wilson began Porcupine Tree as a solo project using a guitar, synths, and a drum machine. By this time, he had a band comprised of Gavin Harrison on drums, Richard Barberi on synths, and Colin Edwin on bass. Steven Wilson was the primary composer but I think each member added his own expertise to their respective parts to some degree.

[@tomas_horn]

A tiny flame inside my hand A compromise I never planned Unravel out the finer strands And I'm looking at a blank page now Should I fill it up with words somehow? I whispered something in her ear I bare my soul but she don't hear The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry Well maybe she remembers us Collecting space up in the sky Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips I lay her gently on my clothes She will leave me yes I know And I'm looking at a blank page now Should I fill it up with words somehow? The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry Well maybe she remembers us Collecting space up in the sky Nothing rises from my feet of clay, but it's OK Red mist spreads across my fingertips, ardour slips Don't look at me with your mother's eyes or your killer smile Sing a lullaby Don't look back into black Don't let the memory of sound drag you down To end as friends so painful Don't look down Shut it down

[@davehaynes8878]

Tomas Horn awesome lyrics.

[@eiilos98]

oh man, ty

[@kahlenbrown2278]

I always have to rewind and give the chorus and the end a few listens just to focus on the different vocal lines. I love when they overlap three at a time, like here or in heartattack in a lay-by

[@Jayaditya_shrivastava]

This song transports me in a different dimension. The imagination knows no bounds after 5:06. ❤

[@gerboizeYT]

I still can't believe how good these guys are.

[@CarolH2]

Don't let the memory of the sound drag you down ..

[@andiirejino1210]

I miss porcupine tree

[@iys6890]

Me too :)

[@Vexelpops1]

it's right here bruh

[@markmeri4247]

Keep missing

[@dylansantos5958]

We all do buddy...

[@dvlart5588]

Interesting fact: The drums in that part is playing a steady 4/4 beat even though the guitar is playing in 6/8. 6/8 is basicly 3/4, but in a fast tempo. Another band that used this in the idea was for example "Led Zeppelin with "Kasmir".

[@davidboyer7706]

6/8 is much closer to 2/4, just with a triplet feel.

[@Juff-]

Found Porcupine Tree 6 years ago. I still can't stop visiting the album that got me falling down their rabbit hole.

[@Noxious922]

Don't look back into black Don't let the memory of the sound Drag you down....

[@allconsuminghat-]

Don't look down Shut it down

[@evilbug555to666]

Picking up the fallen pieces...taking a last look before I drown...🙏🙏

[@Moofda]

probably my second favorite song from this album, arriving somewhere is my favorite though.

[@savedbygrace2280]

Agreed

[@Mr.Popo_og]

Would like to mention Russia on Ice, Buying a new soul, Anesthetize. Actually I can't remember any of their music that I haven't liked!

[@mayurkulkarni755]

I somehow. Somehow, always find my way back to PT.

[@andrewjasso3204]

This band is the best of the best and Steve Wilson is a genius musically.

[@richardrobbins7949]

First Porcupine tree album I bought - fantastic take on prog without trying to hard I grew up on Genesis , Yes and Jethro tull - Lazarus was a song that captured my heart and soul - I have since listened to everything Steven Wilson has done - Fantastic composer - musician - very progressive on all levels.

[@foruman125]

One of PT's best songs!

[@WobblesandBean]

I first heard this on a mixtape an old friend of mine made me decades ago, of the bands we'd seen together in a tiny LA music venue I have sadly forgotten the name of. This was the last track, and I thought I would never hear it again. I've tried and tried to remember even half of the song names on that tape, and all of a sudden out of nowhere, "Mellotron Scratch" popped into my head. I had no idea what it was, until I clicked this video and it all came flooding back. This song will always represent that cherished time in my youth. The venue may be gone and I lost touch with that friend many years ago, but at least I will always have song echoing through my memory.

[@shayfarley7253]

It's like The Beatles, Radiohead and Pink Floyd had a baby and this emerged.. haha love it. It's other worldly awesome sauce 😀

[@billscannell93]

Opeth also influenced them a lot, and vice versa.

[@kirkgallacher9144]

Seen this band at the download festival in the UK, way back in 2010, been a fan ever since. Love Gavin Harrison on the drums. Amen.

[@iys6890]

Even their slow songs are master pieces

[@Sk1pperCS]

Honestly I have a soft spot for their slow songs. Both are bloody brilliant. This album is perfect at mixing both flawlessly. Its not heavy just to be heavy, its built up with purpose. Ya know?

[@LucicPower]

Don't hate me

[@0wn0rsh1p]

Published on my birthday. Couldn't have gotten a better present... beautiful song!

[@1171karl]

One of their best in my opinion

[@BucketHeadianHagg]

Bands like this, and Jellyfish, will never get the love they deserve because the world isn’t deep enough to understand r be still long enough to listen

[@sergioperfigli6678]

Wilson nella galleria dei grandi musicisti e n1 del moderno prog.

[@eldrinpaulgok-ong3450]

This and glass arm shattering is my break up songs.. so fucking depressing its addicting.

[@sabbathian]

God bless Radio Paradise and their music choice that brought me here

[@reyHey1]

Radio paradise turned me onto porcupine tree with the Sound of Muzak in 2005.....ish. Hooked immediately got lucky and saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Amazing

[@Peperina.03]

God bless those wise radio stations who put Porcupine Tree songs

[@slowburn678]

If they ever do a Reunion Tour I will get the best seats in the house. Spare no expense.

[@NoviceDrummer1964]

Not if I beat you to them. Ha!

[@doctorasulmohammedigunheal7505]

Best song on the album

[@dvlart5588]

From 5:06 on the guitar gives a feeling of counting in 3 while the drums plays a simple 4. Almost every time whenever the drums goes into a new 4 the guitar will change the chord slightly even though it will keep it's counting of 3. To make this easier to understand I will put it down like this (Every "///" is a completed 4 on the drums.): 12312312///31231231///23123123///12312312. Let me know if you have any questions, because I saw that some people talking about this.

[@ShgairoMayamo]

That's a keyboard

[@bhaabuga2479]

😄

[@Adhenedel]

This should be the anthem of all humanity

[@toprak3479]

3:51 The vocal counterpoint here is underappreciated.

[@MrShahid0072]

Probably my favorite PT song

[@aliciajohnson6571]

I don't know what this is called in music theory terms, but I love this roll thingy they do at 6:27 with the overlapping melodies. Well, I love all that they do, but this is extra sweet on the ears :)

[@pollopupon]

i think its a canon

[@WellStudied]

CUDOS! IT'S COLLOQUIAL MUSICAL TERMONOLOGY IS "A ROUND," aka a "PERPETUAL CANON" [CANON PERPETUUS in ITALIAN, THE PEFERRED LANGUAGE OF MUSICAL DIRECTION) AND... "AN INFINTE CANON" IN RECORDING TERMINOLOGY... HOWEVER, IN EARLIEST COLOQUIAL MUSICAL TERMINOLOGY, IT IS REFFERED TO AS "A ROUND," DEMOSTRATED TO EARLY MUSICAL SCHOLARS WITH THE SONG: "ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT, GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM," WITH EACH PART THEN BEGINNING (& REPEATING) IN STRICT MUSICAL PROGRESSION: ONE AFTER THE OTHER, AS THE FIRST PHRASE COMPLETES ITSELF. THEREFORE, BECOMING ENDLESS. NOT UNLIKE THE DREADED CIRCUMFRENCE OF A CIRCLE IN MATHEMATICS; IT THEREFORE BECOMES "ENDLESS." BUT AS AN ENDING, ALTHOUGH PLEASING TO THE EAR IN A RECORDING ENVORONMENT, TO END A PIECE/SONG "LIVE", THEREFORE PRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO MUSICIANS... BUT, ALTHOUGH THEORETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PERFORM, IT CAN INDEED BE DONE FOOLING THE EAR BOTH EFFECTIVELY & QUITE DRAMATICALLY.

[@toprak3479]

@@WellStudied That was the most aggressive music lesson I got.

[@mintegral1719]

It's not a round or a canon; both of those have strict requirements about the overlapping melodies' similarities to one another (in a round, they have to be identical, for example). The end of this song just makes use of counterpoint.

[@aliciajohnson6571]

@@mintegral1719 3 years I've waited with this question floating in my head D: Thank you. Counterpoint is the word I was looking for. :) Now I'm off to listen to this song on repeat for another 3 years :D

[@ittehadislamantor4754]

Another unique and masterpiece from PT, I can keep listening it all day long

[@finnchristianverland232]

At 5:06 Gavin Harrison’s ghost notes sound like a cat purring.

[@MrBiggaliggahigga]

5:06 onward - you could just tell that Gavin Harrison is a gentle lover in bed

[@CarolH2]

Is he married or single? Lol

[@sanjivlimbu4985]

what a different man steven is; wanna rest the left life with him if i ever had to sacrifice my own family you might write medicine my medicine in my hospital bill (music)

[@shady4091]

Favorite song from Deadwing. Gavin Harrison is the shit. Magnificent.

[@gundolarry]

shady4091 Gavin Harrison is hands down thee shit.

[@manco828]

Glass Arm Shattering.

[@shady4091]

***** Honorable mention to Glass Arm Shattering, for sure. And Arriving Somewhere. I'm coming to find, lately, that I like this album a lot more than I initially did. In my opinion, it still doesn't quite beat the Signify, Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun trio but I'd wager to say that it's just as good as In Absentia.

[@kcmyway]

holy crap, I love this song. Great job.

[@robclarkson7990]

Masters of music

[@Andre1a]

Damnit this is so fucking beautiful... I don't even know what to say

[@Parthibansekar87]

This song is out of this World .................

[@urdouchbag]

+Parthiban Sekar yeah bro...let's let them know that they have a huge following in India. I wanna hear this at a live concert

[@Parthibansekar87]

+a.srivastava This is one of my fav Prog bands. I hope so much to see them in BOA last year. Lets see in the future!

[@mirarai4269]

i can listen to PT million times also

[@darrenmcdonagh]

You only have to see Gavin Harrison play the sound of muzak live to realise he is with out doubt the best drummer alive. Let alone the his smooth transitions between different time signatures. Seeing him play live for the Fear of a live blank planet tour, no one will ever be able to change my opinion that Gavin is probably the best drummer alive

[@Moofda]

Best part starts at 5:06

[@SaidaBoy20]

that part of the songs makes you think abt your whole life and how it couldve been better : (

[@kravatapraimuu]

I don't want to be mean, but this part is the reason why I listen to the entire song. It just absolutely crashes my mood into the ground as well as the feeling I get from the beginning of the song. This part makes me depressed and I love it.

[@Moofda]

kravatapraimuu It's beautiful, it's okay.

[@TheRealLazyBear]

***** the drums and keys go really well together.

[@aaronjc1686]

Man for real, I love the ending.

[@pedroguedes9478]

it reminds me Ten Years Gone by Zeppelin! Great song!

[@bartsmeets5702]

That, and listen to the opening of Believe by Lenny Kravitz

[@jestle]

I specifically love the part from 0:00 to 7:00. Edit: yes, originality. XD

[@95yazid]

My favorite part (like a lot of people here) is the one starting at 5:06 but I think the best part is the one starting at 4:30 because it gives the next part all its meaning

[@ToolfanJeffro]

I agree.. without the build-up, it wouldn't be as powerful. SW and PT are simply amazing and very talented artists. I wish more people were exposed to him. The world needs more of this right now.

[@urdouchbag]

beautiful music

[@marshallman83pfeiffer67]

Such an underrated band!

[@antarikshray5064]

Marshallman83 pfeiffer It isn't underrated...people find punk rock better than this type of music so some other rock bands are more famous...but in case of this style or genre...PT is quite famous...at least for those who listen to rock

[@claireastral4429]

Sublime.

[@januszwu973]

i love second part of song

[@undertaker4751]

The acoustic guitar @1:05 sounds very familiar to Wined and Dined by Syd Barrett!

[@Pipe9796]

How a great song !

[@dgvtx82]

4:30 gets kind of Geddy Lee Rush sound

[@llama-temple]

Tears For Fears - Swords and Knives

[@ruleram1]

The song for me starts at 4:15

[@EllipticGeometry]

4:41 Clipping galore. Steven Wilson himself mentioned disliking loud/squashed mastering in an article about this very album. Apparently the DVD-A version is fine. Who butchered the CD?

[@veraluciapintorios5740]

Maravilhoso ❤

[@rumzyderaz1454]

why is nobody here this year ffs?

[@evilbug555to666]

Hall of Fame stuff...👌👌

[@thiagotecnico]

cozy music❣

[@marcialcastro53]

ruido de magia

[@sofiaamen109]

Pooosta

[@ronandrews4479]

Gavin Harrison-- I love you brother

[@TheRationalCricket]

A strange low volume background chorus is a trademark wilson.. Isnt it?

[@Jablan11]

The chorus of this song is incredibly weird to me. Kind of like if there was some altenate version of it that i heard first and now i get confused when i listen to the song normally. Still good though.

[@ahnafakif9039]

OverviewLyricsVideos A tiny flame inside my head A compromise I never planned Unravel out the finest trends And I'm looking at a blank page now Should have filled it up with words somehow I whispered something in her ear I'd bear my soul but she don't hear The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips) I lay her gently on my clove She will leave me, yes I know And I'm looking at a blank page now Should have filled it up with words somehow The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky The scratching of a mellotron It always seemed to make her cry (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips) Well maybe she remembers us collecting space up in the sky (Nothing rises from ? fingertips, heart it slips) Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down Don't look back into Don't let the memory or the sound drag you down

[@bhaabuga2479]

I hope the new album has something close to this song specially the end of it

[@toprak3479]

I came back here because the new song didn't quite click with me. I don't think the new album is going to have a song in the vein of anything from Deadwing though I hope I get proven wrong.

[@misterkingdom3620]

I knew I loved this right at the moment I saw the progressive title

[@CarolH2]

God

[@chrysologusdmello204]

5:06 Can I cry?

[@paweazaruk9272]

5:53 first in 2024 the best

[@chamberofrelics]

5:06 is a dream

[@md.rafiqulislamshawon4717]

First I thought Syd Barrett was playing here! First part was very similar to Syd's Wined and Dined

[@davehaynes8878]

Nice I like that.

[@mehmetkemalulkenciler9222]

helal porcupine bey

[@stephencoelho2693]

🍄🍄🍄🍄🍄❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@CarolH2]

And youwillbeforeverloved by your fans. I am just one.

[@CRadiusOfficial]

[5:05-!5:52!-7:00] Awesomeness

[@KMTheGoat]

Guys Can I cry?

[@HellaHipHop]

dream eater

[@mr.melongt8660]

Sou good sou good

[@honeycomblord9384]

Man, what was up with mid-2000s rock, concept albums, and jagged typefaces? (Referring to Deadwing & The Black Parade)

[@jestle]

1:10 Writing an essay

[@antarikshray5064]

LBP2's one and only Kitten. Nice😂

[@jestle]

Thank you. :D

[@katemurphy1915]

I don’t only miss PTree But also two other bands that will never exist or be as good anymore!...one of them still exists but never as it did around the year 2000 or so!.........oh well,........

[@ripwmx]

გამარჯობა ლუკა

[@scottanderson6166]

I always thought the guitar riff @4:30 should have lasted a little longer. Great song nevertheless.

[@Installerrev]

ლუკა მადლობა.

[@LukaKilaberidze]

+Installerrev ;)

[@waveoflight]

+Installerrev That is easy for you to say.

[@Installerrev]

+waveoflight lol glad you've noticed :D

[@servicepunchape6663]

dzalian Donnie darkoulia

[@farhansaif3044]

mayn