My favourite song from Katie Melua's third album, Pictures.

It is a simple love song with a simple message; no WIMAY-style surprise revelations. The guitar work is mesmerizing especially at 1:51. Strings of violin and other instrumentals surrounding the track add lush. Katie's vocals are soft and assured, and her soft tremolo at 1:47 when she holds, "tin.." is quite unexpected, as her hold of "proof" at 2:55.

This song I'd classify as an elegant, unassuming masterpiece.


Video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pUBNLmnTKm8

Katie Melua - 'What It Says On The Tin' Interview & Preview:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BG4UQVaBs38


Lyrics:
How can I say it? Where do I begin,
Everything you are is just what it says on the tin.

Words that were honest, spoken from the heart,
Everything you did was just what you said from the start.

You are the angel with whom I would gladly live in sin,
Thanks for being exactly what it says on the tin.
I never doubted, and though I never shouted from the roof,
All about it, I’m with you every day as living proof.

Ain’t gonna lose now, such a lot to win,
‘Cos I will always know you’re just what it says on the tin.

You are the angel with whom I would gladly live in sin,
Thanks for being exactly what it says on the tin.
I never doubted, and though I never shouted from the roof,
All about it, I’m with you every day as living proof.

Ain’t gonna lose now, such a lot to win,
‘Cos I will always know you’re just what it says on the tin.

You’re just what it says on the tin.

Just what it says on the tin.

Written by Mike Batt
Published by Dramatico / Sony / ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd
From the album 'Pictures'

Nothing to add. And I like the idion a lot.

N.

This is indeed an amazing song. Nothing to add myself. It's been said in the first post

Awesome, I love it!

This is a really great song. One of the best on Pictures

this song has got it all, amazing lyrics, great music and an angel who sings it..
what else can we wish for?

I think that's a beautiful song. It's a classic case of when melody and lyrics work together to make something stronger than the sum of the parts.

I'm afraid it always makes me think of Ronseal and I've never really got over that. The melody's lovely though.

Wonderful song. Part of my Pictures Top 3 with Perfect Circle and What I Miss About You. I'll always remember the day when I was driving, listening to the album (which disapointed me the first time I listened to it...) for the second time... and at this moment... magic was going through me, What It Says On The Tin moved me so much that I smiled alone in my car. How ridiculous I must have looked ! I really love it. Great song, great Katie.

Absolutely outstanding song. I looooooooooooooooooove it. The lyrics fit perfectly with the music and it bring so much emotion. For me a totally underrated song. In our ranking it was only on No.38.

Glad to say I'm getting over my fixation with fence treatments . It's mainly because I love these lines and the way Katie sings them:

I never doubted, and though I never shouted from the roof,
All about it, I'm with you every day as living proof.

Nice, but not a youthful song. It suits Mike, since it's a peaceful elderly retrospect.
I prefer "WIMAY" and "Dirty Dice" (the latter is full of restrained passion).
They are so alive, whereas "WISOTT" is about the memories of life. Kind of "I sit beside the fire and think..." thing.

"I sit beside the fire
And think of all that I have seen,
Of meadow flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been.
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
In autumns that there were,
With morning mist and silver sun
And wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire
And think of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring
That I shall ever see.
...
..."

And they are the same lines which make me smile in my car...

This is one of my favourite Katie's songs and I can't believe it is so low ranked and the topic is on page 2!
People, open your ears and let the beauty of this song find the way to your heart!

A very nice piano cover. Thank you very much for posting
Only Katies voice is missing

Btw., I like this song and I regret that Katie doesn´t sing it live on her tour.

I second both

i thought she only sang it live once? too bad love the song and hope she will play it sometime

I have never heard it live from her. When did she play it??

i thought so to,maybe she doesnt like it enough to play it..

I'd love to see it live, it's got potential, though it's one of my least favourite of Pictures

Oops, why, Francois?

Mostly because I love the other ones, I've got nothing against the song

That is one of that songs, who get stuck in your mind and you can't get him out of your head. Question: Do I realy want that it leaves? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!