The Decemberists - Lake Song (Lyric Video) 

I can't even explain the beauty of this song, but each individual instrument was all so amazingly done. I could listen to this song in each instrument alone over and over. And altogether it's just a knock out. And they play so perfectly connected. It's something special.

This band sends me to my dictionary and expands my vocabulary.

I have been living now for 59 years and I can say with confidence there are perhaps a handful of other songs that can compare to this. This is a VERY BEAUTIFUL song! LOVE IT!

Ahh, remembering my 17 year old self, writing poetry and just adorably naïve and dreamy. I thankfully lived to be this old (42). Growing up can seem awful, but is kinda amazing. How many of us survived and how many friends we lost along the way.

The ache of young love lost has ever been more beautifully portrayed. I'm just thankful that I am alive and able to hear this absolute masterpiece. One of the incredible pieces of music to exist.

The sublimity of John Moen's drumming on this song is a perfect complement to Colin Meloy's masterful word play.

The diction taps along, underscoring the tempo and emotional rhythms so beautifully. He may have a grumpy resting face, that Colin Meloy, but he also has the most lyrical soul.

My dad used to play this song, and I honestly loved it. Brings back good memories of my childhood. ❤️✨

I think this is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in my entire life...

This is so, so good. I'm so damn excited. Everything about this is beautiful. The simple bass line, the funky jazz chords, and of course typical Colin lines/vocab words. Ugh. This is why I love this band.

I don't think I've ever heard a more beautively descriptive line than "You were full and sweet as honeydew...

His songs are always written using complex wording. But, that's why i love them so much. Master wordsmiths they are.

Idea for the next lyric video: annotation boxes over uncommon words to dictionary entries.

How does Colin continually write the more poignant and beautiful songs? And what a voice, its like warm silk.

"Now we arise, to curse those young suburban villains and their ill begotten children from the lawn" that line right there man.

Finally, they are back! Waited 4 long years.... Will see them soon in concert. A band like no other!

I turn 17 today and this song definitely popped into my head earlier. Always absolutely beautiful whenever I hear it.

It a pears as the decemberists are here in the world to make more and more beautiful (rather than "terrible") with every single song they release. I'm so exited about the new album; can´t wait.

Nostalgic Torch Song gives all the feelings. Beautifully written introspection of an adult still quietly mourning an early, unrequited love, and wallowing in the familiar ache of those memories. Shoutout to Nate Query, whose countermelodic double bass adds a whole other layer of perfect melancholy.

This is right up there with my fave Decemberists songs. Love the sound of it- and the lyrics make me wonderfully nostalgic.

Simply brilliant songwriting ...

This much I can say: I would’ve waited till the oceans fell away and all the sunken cities would reveal themselves to you. :-(

An absolutely unique, beautifully bittersweet, surreal song about a girl I once loved who disappeared into the moonlight one night.

Okay, I need to correct myself. This is the most beautiful song I've ever had the pleasure to listen to!

I just can't take how amazingly beautiful this song is......the music takes my breath away and I get lost in it

Colin Meloy's voice is an elixir.

Best song of 2015. Hands down. So beautiful -- the imagery, the feeling, the music, the tone. As a songwriter, I envy this song so much! Each note carefully crafted to match each word. Perfect.

So beautiful. Just the decemberists in general.

Smacks of Pink Moon by Nick Drake with that undulating guitar riff. Another lovely song by Colin.

I am new to this band & I think how the hell did I miss these guys god they are brilliant, the new album is fantastic, cannot stop listening !!!!!

What a beautiful song...lyrics, voice, instruments.

I'm always just amazed at the magic this band puts out.

This one makes me cry. I don't identify with the person singing, but I love his story.

What a beautiful song.... What a beautiful band....

i don't know how this doesn't have more views. it's beautiful and genius. people are missing out :(

Such a great tune. Always think this tune is Don MacLean meets The Smiths. Great lyrics. Great everything.

Just added this to my all time favorite list... can't enjoy it fully unless I'm watching this video. From Canada but flew down to Portland a few years ago to see them - yes, was disappointed they didn't play this, but it was awesome seeing them live. Colin - "how many Canadians are there out there - I see your beady little eyes" 🙂

At the age of 55 you know a million songs. And you think that nothing can touch you anymore. But then there is this one song, that makes you feel like you are listening to music for the very first time in your life...

This is hands down the most beautiful thing I have heard for quite some time now....I adore the ambiguous lyrics as well....I wish to find the suitable images to compile an alternative video for this gem...

This, on the otherhand, is far from generic. And that room sounds incredible. Kudos to the engineer and producer on this.

To be completely honest, when this record came out I didn't give it a fair shake. I listened to a couple tracks, thought they were a bit silly, and moved on. A few years ago I was out on a walk, and was in the habit of revisiting records I hadn't given a fair shake to (lord knows this isn't the only one, it's in good company). I put it on as I went for the walk at night in the woods, and the experience was magical. I remember when Lake Song came on, and the chorus hit and I very vividly remembering that moment as being the turning point in my head. I said to myself "I was wrong. There's something really special here". Since then, I've listened to it a few more times, and I always love it. Picaresque and Hazards will probably always remain my favorite Decemberists albums, but this one is creeping up there. Another album I didn't give a fair shake to, but decided to try again and fell in love - for anyone curious - is Nine Inch Nails' "Bad Witch". That album is something else, man...

Beautiful song. Amazing band.

I’m sitting here in a chair, listening to this song and I like it very much.

wasn't super stoked from Make You Better, but now I'm getting pretty excited for the new album. Good song man. Glad to see this old light is still ambling along at a good clip.

Beautiful- all heart and soul speaking in your music - love it - thank you for your words and music!

The words are so intense and probably have hidden meanings! Some of the words I'll have to look up! But I like the words! They are so poetic! And beautiful!

To Mike. Neither of us were young. Forget about 17 (even though it felt like it). We were both in our 30's. Unhappy in our relationships. But we found each other. I hope this reminds you of the River. Not a Lake. it was mid summer. And it was special. It was important. I would have waited for you. It was what it was, I guess. But this song reminds me of that summer. It meant a lot to me.

So grateful for this beautiful music. Thanks deeply.

Just a brilliant song in every way.

I'll see them soon and hope so much they'll play this wonderful song

These lyrics are always so well written, Colin is fantastic another amazing song

This album should be a must buy for 2015. I don't hear that much music which sounds so genuine. The other one is Hozier. We need such good quality music.

Parts of this sound like The Bus Mall. Hopefully this album is a return to form. Excited

I am going to replay this and Make You Better on repeat until January and probably past that, too

So beautiful 🌹

This song breaks my heart cause I know I'll never be able to write lyrics this good.

This song has a _Looking for Alaska_ feel to it.

what a hauntingly beautiful song. it makes me think of those long cloudy rainy winters in the PNW.

My mind is instantly calm when I listen to this. Bugger the psychotherapy I'll stick to The Decemberists. You guys have about thirty places on my bucket list. Please come to Australia.

So beautiful. Thanks guys, you make life that much more bearable.

Lyrical genius at work.

Love this!!! It's gonna take me a while to learn that piano part...

I'm learning this song for my beautiful wife to surprise her on a date night. :)

A very 'Astral Weeks' vibe. I love this.

"This much I can say: I would've waited till the oceans fell away and all the sunken cities would reveal themselves to you."

Unbelievably beautiful as usual. Love the jazzy/ Nick Drake feel. No one writes lyrics like Coddle (a favourite Irish dish).

I cried so much.

I have to agree. All good and the stand up bass is lovely ... another great Decemberists track. I must get the new album soon ...

As always, thank you, Colin.

I feel like I saw them getting lost in the music and that is really what I enjoy the most. These guys are great. :)

This is one of the most moving songs I've seen all year. Incredible work!

Such a beautiful song!

The drummer is great

no other band made me reach for the thesaurus! Learning is fun! sibylline?

Awesome guys, I'm came late in on your catalog, have made you part of my day ever since. I will be driving to Atlanta in April to see you guys, unless you decide to stop in the big easy, I can make a big tasty pot of gumbo and or jambalaya. Peace and love.

really looking forward to your up and coming UK tour, got my tickets, just waiting now.....................

Honestly, their last album and (by the looks of it) this one sound like Tarkio; Colin's band before the Decemberists. So they're not really out of place to me. Just a revisit far back into the past. They still carry the spirit of the Decemberists to me, in the end. Heck, when I introduce new people to the Decemberists, they always enjoy the King is Dead the most. So take that as you will. My personal favorite is Hazards of Love though. Hope they play the Rake's Song when I see them in Pittsburgh.

For some reason I'm reminded of whisper of the heart, the ghibli film.

love this. thanks.

Thank you, love it from first listen.

Beautiful song, incredible voice. Love this band I do :)

This song evokes maybe Nick Drake's Bryter Later a bit. Beautiful Song.

questa canzona e' bellissima

What a beautiful song....love the video.

A great nod to Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon'. Well done.

This is a cool Song i hear it frequently on the Radio 91.1 The Avenue

Outstanding lyrics as always. I hope there are some heavier songs on this album... Not Iron Maiden or anything, just something that puts the rock into folk-rock like their first four albums. I wouldn't be averse to another Shara Worden collaboration, either. Looking forward to see the currently released songs in context of the full album.

These guys are mind blowing!

I didn't know Nick Offerman played in a band ;)...but seriously his songwriting is on a whole nother level

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Song

Good job congrats because of your doing this job maybe someone else is sayind your too old to sing but no this is perfect i love u

First love...who can forget or get over it?

beautiful

Wow. This is fantastic.

the music here so captures nick drake's "bryter layter" i hear echoes of danny thompson, robert kirby, paul harris, john cale

vocês são maravilhosos!

I love this song so much.

Please come to Australia...please

What a beautiful song.

No doubt.....the best song ever....