"Flowers in the Window" is a song from Scottish rock band Travis' third studio album, ''

The Invisible Band ''The Invisible Band'' is the third studio album by Scottish rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also re ...

'' (2001). Frontman Fran Healy wrote the song during recording sessions for the band's previous album, ''

The Man Who ''The Man Who'' is the second studio album by the Scottish rock band Travis. The album was released on 24 May 1999 through Independiente. It saw a change in musical direction for the band, moving away from the rockier tone of their debut '' ...

'' (1999), coming up with the title by looking at British audio engineer

Mike Hedges Mike Hedges (born 1953) is a British audio producer/engineer best known for his work with The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Manic Street Preachers. During his career, Hedges has worked with an eclectic roster of artists ranging from roc ...

' flower garden. Released as the album's third and final single on 25 March 2002, the song debuted and peaked at number 18 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

, reached number 35 in Ireland, and also charted in Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. Several formats of the single contain a live cover version of

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

' song "

Here Comes the Sun "Here Comes the Sun" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1969 album ''Abbey Road''. It was written by George Harrison and is one of his best-known compositions. Harrison wrote the song in early 1969 at the country house o ...

Background

According to Fran Healy, he wrote "Flowers in the Window" during June 1998 in France, at

' recording studio while Travis were recording their previous album, ''

''. When Hedges told Healy that every artist who had recorded at his studio wrote a song there, Healy refused to do so because he "didn't feel like it". ''To view information, click'' Preview, ''then'' Tracklisting , Song Info. Healy had previous written songs alone in his room, but one day, he sat at Hedges' piano and composed the opening riff. He then transferred this riff to his guitar and came up with most of the song's melody and its hook, which he wanted to be six syllables. Upon looking outside at Hedges' garden, he came up with the hook and title: "Flowers in the Window". Later that night, Healy stayed at the studio while the rest of the band were out drinking. After they returned inebriated and went to sleep, Healy heard what he thought was someone choking on vomit, and he ran around the chateau searching for whoever was making this noise. Eventually, he found bassist

Dougie Payne Douglas Payne (born 14 November 1972) is the bassist and backing vocalist of the Scottish band Travis. Career Payne was born in the south side of Glasgow, and was educated at Woodfarm High School. He was also a member of the local 28th Glasg ...

vomiting out his bedroom window. Perturbed by this incident, Healy returned to his room, wrote the song's lyrics on the back of an envelope in 10 minutes, and cried when he recited them. He explained on the band's website, "I was aware for the first time that a good distraction is necessary in writing lyrics. Or not being con ious of what I'm doing is required if it is to have that magic."

Music video

The video features the band walking around a small town where all the residents are pregnant women. The band enter a clinic where women are staying and begin to perform the song. A chained-up man in distress appears at the end of the video. An alternate version of the video also uses clips from the movie ''

Saved! ''Saved!'' is a 2004 American independent satirical black comedy film directed by Brian Dannelly, and starring Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit, Eva Amurri, Martin Donovan, and Mary-Louise Parker. Its plot follows a teenage ...

''.

Live performances

During live performances of the song, it is typically dedicated to members of the band or stage crew who have reached a significant moment in a relationship. For example, during the 12 Memories tour in 2003, it was dedicated to the lighting manager who had just had a child. In 2007, whilst playing at the

Hammersmith Apollo The Hammersmith Apollo, currently called the Eventim Apollo for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, is a live entertainment performance venue, originally built as a cinema called the Gaumont Palace. Located in Ham ...

, it was dedicated to their touring pianist Klaus, who had become engaged the day before.

Track listings

UK CD1 # "Flowers in the Window" # "

" (live at the Top of the Pops Awards 2001) # "A Little Bit of Soul" UK CD2 # "Flowers in the Window" # "Central Station" # "No Cigar" UK 7-inch single :A. "Flowers in the Window" :B. "Here Comes the Sun" (live at the Top of the Pops Awards 2001) UK cassette single # "Flowers in the Window" # "A Little Bit of Soul" European CD single # "Flowers in the Window" # "No Cigar" Australian CD single # "Flowers in the Window" # "Here Comes the Sun" (live at the Top of the Pops Awards 2001) # "A Little Bit of Soul" # "No Cigar"

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from ''

'' album booklet. Studios * Recorded at

Ocean Way Studios Ocean Way Recording was a series of recording studios established by recording engineer and producer Allen Sides with locations in Los Angeles, California, Nashville, Tennessee, and Saint Barthélemy. Ocean Way Recording no longer operates record ...

(Los Angeles) and

Air Studios Associated Independent Recording (AIR) is an independent recording company founded in London in 1965 by record producer Sir George Martin and his business partner John Burgess, after their departure from Parlophone. The studio complex was founded ...

(London, England) * Mixed at Ocean Way Studios (Los Angeles) * Mastered at

Bernie Grundman Bernie Grundman is an American audio engineer. He is most known for his mastering work and his studio, Bernie Grundman Mastering, which he opened in 1984 in Hollywood. The studio, which includes engineers Chris Bellman, Patricia Sullivan, and Mi ...

Mastering (Los Angeles, California) Personnel * Fran Healy – writing *

Nigel Godrich Nigel Timothy Godrich (born 28 February 1971) is an English record producer, recording engineer and musician. He is known for his work with the English rock band Radiohead, having produced all their studio albums since '' OK Computer'' (1997). H ...

– production, mixing * Darrell Thorp – assistant engineer at Ocean Way Studios * Jon Bailey – assistant engineer at Air Studios * Bernie Grundman – mastering

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flowers in the Window Travis (band) songs 1998 songs 2002 singles Independiente (record label) singles Song recordings produced by Nigel Godrich Songs written by Fran Healy (musician)