Song of the Day: Road to Hell (13th January 2015)

Despite its rather fearsome name, today's Song of the Day is possibly one of my favourite rock ballads of all time.

Written by English singer/songwriter Chris Rea, the 'Road to Hell' is a two part song which featured on the 1989 album of the same name. The song peaked at #10 on the UK singles chart of that year, perhaps slowed down by the influx of traffic which inspired the song; it has been stated that Rea's inspiration for the ballad arose from the frustration of traffic jams on the M25, or perhaps the A19, near Middlesborough.

Whatever the song's origins, its title is apt, and listeners will enjoy the narrative style which describes a catabasis passed 'a river that boils with poison', and 'dimly lit streets'. This is not a depressing or upsetting song, by any means, but it is one that holds tension, exuding the classic rock vibes of its era. Chris Rea's recognisable husky tone is connotative of sharp-lined, leather seated saloon cars, cruising (or otherwise) down a motorway, at night- perhaps even in the rain. It's terribly atmospheric, and definitely worth a listen.

You can hear Part II (the best part in my opinion!) on YouTube below:

Lyrics:

Well I'm standing by the river

But the water doesn't flow
It boils with every poison you can think of
And I'm underneath the streetlight
But the light of joy I know
Scared beyond belief way down in the shadows
And the perverted fear of violence
Chokes the smile on every face
And common sense is ringing out the bell
This ain't no technological breakdown
Oh no, this is the road to hell

And all the roads jam up with credit
And there's nothing you can do
It's all just pieces of paper flying away from you
Oh look out world, take a good look
What comes down here
You must learn this lesson fast and learn it well
This ain't no upwardly mobile freeway
Oh no, this is the road
Said this is the road
This is the road to hell