The Decemberists - On the Bus Mall (from Picaresque)

"On the Bus Mall" from the Picaresque album. Out now on Kill Rock Stars.

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[RyanMurphy-wvxc]

Don’t think The Decemberists ever outdid themselves after this one. Masterpiece

[ProfessorChomsky]

The crux of the song for me:

"As four in the morning came on, cold and boring
We huddled close
In the bus stop enclosure enfolding
Our hands tightly holding"

Fucking beautiful xx

[jph]

Maybe not everyone has this reaction to this song, but it makes my cry every time I hear it. I listen to it maybe once every year or so. It's just too evocative.

[toilnblood]

It's always raining in this song for me. The ride cymbal to me is just 'rain rain rain rain rain rain rain rain' .

[yesithabatepola]

So I was so in love with a girl back in 2011. We went out for some time and broke up because she moved to another country for studies. The months leading up to her departure and the break up that happened as a result of my own immature behaviors, was an emotional turmoil in my life. It was a tough year for me. Anyway, one of the songs in my playlist that really kept me going was this song - along with 'Ocean Spray' by The Manic Street Preachers.

This song and a dozen more was always on my phone wherever I went to, keeping me accompanied, be it reminiscing moments, drunk times, exam times or eventual times I had a smoke. This song was always there to remind me that this life is just a bus mall and we're here temporarily for the bus to come to depart for the next stop.

Fast-forward to 2018, the same girl I mentioned above came back to me and we're now happily married. Not that all the times we spend together are all equally great and amazing. We do fight, argue and get angry each other. It just makes the relationship a sacred task to always keep nurturing.

Anyway, sorry for spilling my guts out here, it's just that I have a huge emotional attachment to this song in my life and I sure do hope someone else also will find composure and consolance in it.

Cheers guys! Lest we meet up in the bus mall!

[logank]

"you left without leaving" has always stuck with me from this song. Deep meaning for me there

[Carthanas]

This is one of the only Decemberists songs I'll sing out loud in my car. Even with other people with me.

[matthewmitchell]

I don't know how this song managed to make me look back on my years spent turning tricks fondly... but it did...

[aethrya]

This brings back so many memories of me and my partner hitchhiking around the country back in 2011. We were young and free and full of wonder and curiosity about the world. We met so many amazing people, had some really tough times, and really amazing times. This song will always bring me right back to sleeping on the side of freeways, hitching rides, meeting other travelers, and seeing all that we did.

[JBinOtown]

Best thing they ever did. Impossibly nostalgic, romantic, crammed with feeling. Looking back at the days of youth

[thethanthology]

I think it's so cool how everyone thinks about their past when they listen to this song. Truly a hauntingly beautiful song. :')

[krisg]

I just re-discovered this song during quarantine. I used to be obsessed with it in the early 00s and haven’t heard it since then. It’s bringing me an odd sense of peace. Like you can find and appreciate love in the most dire circumstances. It resonates right now.

[duhglass]

This whole album is just so well crafted. One of my favorites. It will never get old.

[Sunjamaa]

This song is aging gracefully by my side ❤️

[Justin-wzpr]

Comfortably within my top 10 favorite songs of all time.

[dickbates]

Great song from a great time in my teenage years. It helped me feel detached in such s way that only a runaway might seek. Three cheers to Colin and the rest of the band, they're incredible.

[haileytollner]

I plan on listening to this to keep from getting homesick. I doubt it will work. I love you, Portland.

[utubeleo]

This makes me think of (and miss, and appreciate) a lost friend.

[jtech]

This song feels so free. No matter what they went through they were free.

[quinncaldwell]

this song reminds me so much of my own private idaho