In May 2014, just before her fifteenth birthday, Billie Marten released the single “Ribbon” via Burberry’s curation program. She wrote the single with Fiona Bevan the previous year.
According to Marten, one theme of “Ribbon” is “the elusiveness of the city, and how quickly you can lose something am...
[Verse 1]
Ribbon of the river by my side
I walk the shores and watch it unwind
The railway tracks will leave a glimpse of the light
From the train, trailing sparks of gold behind
[Pre-Chorus]
And as soon as you're seen it, it's gone
And as soon as you've seen it, it's gone
[Chorus]
Secrets of the city
Make an aching in my heart
And the mysteries that tease me so
I long to belong, but I always have to go
[Verse 2]
People stare and wonder why I stray
They don't understand that wandering's my way
I'll never stop, though time is slipping away
The elusive light, shining strange on my face
[Pre-Chorus]
And as soon as you're seen it, it's gone
And as soon as you're seen it, it's gone
[Chorus]
Secrets of the city
Make an aching in my heart
And the mysteries that tease me so
I long to belong, but I always have to go
[Bridge]
Home ties me up with discontent
Since the day I first went
Yearning to be back again
How will I return and when
[Chorus]
Secrets of the city
Make an aching in my heart
And the mysteries that tease me so
I long to belong, but I always have to go
Ribbon was written by Billie Marten.
Ribbon was produced by Pete “Hutch” Hutchings.