In 2009 Garvey said of the track:
“Little Beast” is about growing up in Bury, not being a fighter, and occasionally being in dangerous environments. When there’s nothing to do in a small town apart from what’s expected of you, you can get caught up in it all. My favourite lyric is “the whole town’s...
The whole town's dripping down a hill
Like the spine of something dead
Slide in shadow cobble-creep
Burn your mark and leave
The trench conventions yellow eyes
Follow her the local flower
The girl's a priest (to me at least)
Since baptism peroxide
And fear is not respect. Correct
But it's the best you're gonna get
Sharp blow to the bridge of the nose
Sharp blow and anything goes
Little Beast was written by Richard Jupp & Mark Potter & Pete Turner & Craig Potter & Guy Garvey.
Little Beast was produced by Ben Hillier.
Elbow released Little Beast on Mon May 07 2001.