I Wanna Go Backwards cover

I Wanna Go Backwards

Robyn Hitchcock · 2007

336 min · 102 tracks · alternative rock

Whimsical storytelling intertwines with eclectic melodies, capturing a playful yet introspective charm.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical storytelling with depth
  • playful introspection throughout tracks
  • dynamic journey with varied pacing
  • for curious listeners
  • exploratory vibe for long drives

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer straightforward, radio-friendly songs
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context
In 2007, Robyn Hitchcock was in the midst of a prolific phase, having released several albums since his debut in the late 1970s. 'I Wanna Go Backwards' marked a return to more personal songwriting after exploring various styles and collaborations. This album followed his 2005 release 'Spooked', showcasing his continued evolution as a solo artist.
Stylistic neighbors
The Soft Boys· They Might Be Giants· Squeeze

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 The Man Who Invented Himself 2:59
  • 2 Brenda’s Iron Sledge 2:56
  • 3 Do Policemen Sing? 3:37
  • 4 The Lizard 5:03
  • 5 Meat 3:04
  • 6 Acid Bird 4:42
  • 7 I Watch the Cars 2:26
  • 8 Out of the Picture 3:41
  • 9 City of Shame 3:23
  • 10 Love 4:45
  • 11 All I Wanna Do Is Fall in Love 3:48
  • 12 A Skull, a Suitcase, and a Long Red Bottle of Wine 4:59
  • 13 It Was the Night 3:36
  • 14 I Watch the Cars No. 2 4:26
  • 15 Give Me a Spanner Ralph 2:38
  • 16 It’s a Mystic Trip 2:58
  • 17 Grooving on a Inner Plane 4:12
  • 18 Happy the Golden Prince 6:40

Disc 2

  • 1 Nocturne (Prelude) 1:39
  • 2 Sometimes I Wish I Was a Pretty Girl 1:58
  • 3 Cathedral 3:43
  • 4 Uncorrected Personality Traits 1:45
  • 5 Sounds Great When You’re Dead 3:23
  • 6 Flavour of Night 2:59
  • 7 Ye Sleeping Knights of Jesus 4:01
  • 8 This Could Be the Day 2:46
  • 9 Trams of Old London 3:29
  • 10 Furry Green Atom Bowl 3:16
  • 11 Heart Full of Leaves 2:30
  • 12 Autumn Is Your Last Chance 3:31
  • 13 I Often Dream of Trains 2:23
  • 14 Nocturne (Demise) 2:06
  • 15 Winter Love 2:39
  • 16 The Bones in the Ground 3:08
  • 17 My Favourite Buildings 2:48
  • 18 I Used to Say I Love You 4:32
  • 19 Chant / Aether 5:25
  • 20 Heart Full of Leaves (alternate version) 2:28
  • 21 I Often Dream of Trains (demo) 2:41
  • 22 Not Even a Nurse 2:31
  • 23 Slow Chant / That’s Fantastic Mother Church 2:15
  • 24 Traveller’s Fare 1:48

Disc 3

  • 1 Cynthia Mask 4:38
  • 2 Certainly Cliquot 2:15
  • 3 Queen Elvis 4:23
  • 4 Flesh Cartoons 4:22
  • 5 Chinese Water Python 2:12
  • 6 Executioner 3:45
  • 7 Linctus House 5:15
  • 8 Sweet Ghost of Light 3:09
  • 9 Transparent Lover 3:35
  • 10 Beautiful Girl 2:13
  • 11 Clean Steve 3:52
  • 12 Raining Twilight Coast 4:38
  • 13 Agony of Pleasure 2:25
  • 14 Glass Hotel 3:28
  • 15 Satellite 1:45
  • 16 Aquarium 4:20
  • 17 Queen Elvis II 4:37
  • 18 Century 2:18
  • 19 Shimmering Distant Love 3:20
  • 20 Lovers Turn to Skulls 1:40
  • 21 The Beauty of Earl’s Court 3:59

Disc 4

  • 1 She Reached for a Light 2:38
  • 2 August Hair 3:56
  • 3 Take Your Knife out of My Back 3:03
  • 4 Fiend Before the Shrine 2:03
  • 5 Raymond Chandler Evening 1:56
  • 6 Birdshead 2:52
  • 7 Victorian Squid 2:29
  • 8 You’ve Got 4:06
  • 9 Captain Dry 2:50
  • 10 Raining Twilight Coast 4:36
  • 11 Point It at Gran 2:00
  • 12 Vegetable Friend 2:13
  • 13 Flesh Number 1 2:42
  • 14 Surgery 2:40
  • 15 I Got a Message for You 3:06
  • 16 If I Could Look 1:12
  • 17 Parachutes & Jellyfish 3:05
  • 18 Queen Elvis 4:39
  • 19 Nothing 2:47
  • 20 Stranded in the Future 3:22
  • 21 Melting Arthur 3:13
  • 22 The Abandoned Brain 3:30
  • 23 You’re So Repulsive 3:32
  • 24 Opiatrescence 3:54

Disc 5

  • 1 September Cones 5:22
  • 2 Lovely Golden Villains 3:03
  • 3 Dr Sticky (live) 3:11
  • 4 Toadboy 3:50
  • 5 Trash 2:51
  • 6 Pit of Souls (country version) 5:58
  • 7 Mr Deadly 4:13
  • 8 Let There Be More Darkness 2:56
  • 9 Listening to the Higsons 2:45
  • 10 College of Ice 3:42
  • 11 My Favourite Buildings 3:13
  • 12 Lightplug 1:43
  • 13 Sleeping Knights of Jesus 4:14
  • 14 Insect Mother 1:44
  • 15 I Wanna Go Backwards 3:36

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata