See, I've used the Noisebox spelling...

As this is the only Noisebox song that seems to be left out from the tracklisting of the advertised deluxe Asleep in the back package, I've been listening over to the three versions I have.
Noisebox, b-side and a bootleg from the last time it was played live in 2004.

I still get goosebumps listening to this song, maybe its the proggie keyboards.
Noisebox original version is my favourite... for the metallic scraping in the longer intro, the emotion in Guy's vocals, the others eery harmonies of 'Its not funny anymore' with the strings and the timings in the outro.
The Any day now Ep version seems more like a live version, louder, rockier with the vocals more buried, and no strings. I like this too.

My favourite part of the song is always how the last 2 minutes of Craig's piano makes me ache inside, I really missed that, and so wanted more, when they cut it short after Guy's vocals when they last played it live.
The bootleg is more drum, guitar heavy and I'd have liked to hear Craig's organ more.
I havn't heard the early live at Astoria version so looking forward to hearing what that is like.

This is the Any day now Ep version:



the video here I think does go with the song but has nothing to do with the title which came from the film

'It's a Wonderful Life'
An angel shows Jimmy Stewart how the world is a poorer place without him.

George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) drunk with drink and love, while walking his girlfriend home says "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.
Mary: I'll take it. Then what?
George: Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve, see... and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair... am I talking too much?".

Later in the film she reminds him of their earlier days with a cartoon titled George lassoes the moon.

So what do you think of this song?
Any ideas why you think they don't play it now.

Guys voice sounds so different at that time!!!

But it's a great song! Thanks for posting.

For me, the Any Day Now EP George is in a three-way tie for favourite B-side, alongside Drunken Engineer & McGreggor.

Never really thought through why it's such a strong song before, but:
1. The music contrasts between dark and brooding through to subtle, then uplifting.
2. Lyrically, you could see how Guy's identifying with IAWL's George Bailey - feeling lowly ('suck on your plastic spoon') and despondent ('not to fret, do it again') to the point of going/getting mad. The tone of stark realisation & soothing self-talk isn't something you get in many songs.
3. So many film fans love It's A Wonderful Life making the reference doubly cool. If you haven't seen it, do - it's proper life-affirming stuff. Especially around Christmas.
4. There's something of 'voices in your head' about the others' backing compared with Guy's soaring vocals. Cue shivers down yer spine.

Plus - there's a 'Mr Potter' in the film, but he's not exactly the hero of the piece!

It's one of my absolute favourite Elbow songs, I love the darkness in it. It's one I'd really love to hear it live - in answer to your question LWD I can't imagine why they don't play it anymore. If they were going to start including more from their back catalogue in live sets (and I hope they do) I'd love George to be up at the top of the list!

Thanks for the background too - I knew it was a quote from a film, but not the details. Where's the video from? (Apart from YouTube ) I liked the atmosphere and in a way it goes, but it's nothing like my personal mental "feel" of the song - but I suppose these things rarely are.

Any more info on the AITB package? I hadn't heard of it till seeing this thread - looks really exciting with all the early live tracks.

I really love that song and hope, that the live version on the AITB-reissue will have that quiet ending which is really heartrending.

I can see with the Noisebox EP being so rare and sought after, a reason maybe of keeping the best track of Noisebox off of the AITB-reissue. Then Noisebox remains still rare and sought after.
I wonder if it would ever be re-released on the B-side and rarities album, I do love the Noisebox version even more than the second b-side version.

The source of that film that the b-side version has been added to on youtube is described on there, Glendarian. I suppose it was like their ultimate dream at the time...but also appears untrue to real life.

One of life's little coincidences - I'm currently reading the Time Traveler's Wife, and there's a reference to that scene from It's a Wonderful Life - I'd never have known it was anything to do with our George if it wasn't for this thread so thanks, folks.

They did not use the full version. Ok, I have the full versions but still I can not understand why they don't release the full version. That quiteness after the loud part. The minimalistic guitar solo. LET IT OUT!