The tune is fun, but you might forget it if it weren't for the lyrics.
Ya can't hide it in a Volvo or a London Fog Can't hide it in a mansion with an imported dog No matter how we plan and rehearse, we're at pink slip's mercy in a paper universe
I'm trying to be less douche-y in my comments, only leaving positive reviews and just PSD-ing when I don't like it. But I have to say that this is an absolute travesty and should have been nuked from space.
You can be less douchy (I guess) but don't leave only positive reviews. I'm sick of all the cheerleaders in these comments beating down people who have every right to express an opinion about the music the don't like too. Any shitty song they choose to play on this station (we know most of them aren't, of course) will inevitably have countless fawning accolades in the comments claiming genius, and anyone who dares call it out for being shitty is pilloried for being negative; told to keep their opinion to themselves and PSD. They don't realize how negative THEY make the comments, by seeking to eliminate opinions they don't agree with. By not wanting it to be inclusive. And I listen to the stream on a player, so PSD isn't an option.
As for this song, it's funky and weird, and therefore I'd say it has a worthy place on RP, but yeah, I can't really argue with someone who thinks it should be nuked from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
Now watch the @$$holes thumb-down my comment, like clockwork...
Grr... I have wanted to rant on this for a long time...
ALL singing is contrived in some sense or another. Tom Waits gets EXACTLY the sound he is looking for. He knows precisely what he wants and he's spent a long time perfecting it. For me this is no different to a classically trained singer. Have you ever listened to a really good soprano or tenor? It is EXACTLY the same thing.. they are looking for a certain sound and invest a huge amount of time getting there. And most professional singers I know have a really high regard for singers like Tom Waits. Ok, so your benchmark might be clarity of tone, closing the vocal chords, getting rid of that breathiness most people naturally have when they sing. But by crikey, that is not the only benchmark out there. But then are aiming at singing Lieder or opera. At a guess, Tom Waits isn't aiming for that genre.
I remember hearing none other than Renee Fleming describe operatic singing as being loud and frightening enough to scare away aliens from another planet. I'd say that supports your point. I'll bet she's a Tom Waits fan too...
She was a little nutty, and too intent on being a firebrand for me to be a big fan, but I had to appreciate her insistence on being an original. And I love the hell out of this tune.
I saw a recent interview with her and despite all her eccentric flair, she was pretty much just a gruff, grizzled, cigarette smoking old Irish woman, and still making no apologies. I thought it was great.
His singing voice is phony and so is his Bowery bum shtick if he's still using it.
Nobody's singing voice is "phony", unless they're not actually singing.
The Tom Waits haters are inexplicable. I think Leonard Cohen sucks horribly, but his music is thoughtful and original and not very commercial, so I get it, and I'm not trolling the comments under his songs. Just for example.
How does this not apply to Tom? What's up your ass?
Other way round, tbh. Paul Simon worked extensively with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the late 80s/early 90s and they are South African so there's a lot of that sound in Paul's music of the time. "Homeless" and "Under African Skies" in particular, both of which I've heard here on RP.
Cultural appropriation? Maybe. But it also brought African music to the attention of western white guys like me, and we decided we liked it, so it had at least some positive effect.
Paul Simon actually caught a lot of shit from some unenlightened fools for "appropriating" this sound from African traditions. Some/all of "Graceland" was recorded in South Africa, with African musicians who also helped him write some of the music.
He has maintained an unreal level of artistic integrity throughout his career, but this will always be my favorite Dylan album. The sweetest, the most profound, and the funniest. And this, an excellent track.
As you're writing a comment here obviously you're listening on the web site. Just pretend this is a CD and click the next button. It's that simple and not putting out a negative opinion that not everyone will share. This is the freedom you've been provided. Unless you can find a radio station that only plays songs that you approve of, then head over there.
No, some of us listen to the FLAC stream in apps that provide more audio options. We come here to find out more about what we're listening to. And he's got a right to his negative opinion. Is it any worse than listening to everyone fawn over the given song/band like it's the best thing since sliced f#@% bread? Because usually it's not.
Ya can't hide it in a Volvo or a London Fog
Can't hide it in a mansion with an imported dog
No matter how we plan and rehearse, we're at pink slip's mercy in a paper universe
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
Radio Paradise has a way of doing this to me. Sneaky bastards...
Anyone else hear Ringo Starr on the drums? lol
"Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream..."
I'm trying to be less douche-y in my comments, only leaving positive reviews and just PSD-ing when I don't like it. But I have to say that this is an absolute travesty and should have been nuked from space.
You can be less douchy (I guess) but don't leave only positive reviews. I'm sick of all the cheerleaders in these comments beating down people who have every right to express an opinion about the music the don't like too. Any shitty song they choose to play on this station (we know most of them aren't, of course) will inevitably have countless fawning accolades in the comments claiming genius, and anyone who dares call it out for being shitty is pilloried for being negative; told to keep their opinion to themselves and PSD. They don't realize how negative THEY make the comments, by seeking to eliminate opinions they don't agree with. By not wanting it to be inclusive. And I listen to the stream on a player, so PSD isn't an option.
As for this song, it's funky and weird, and therefore I'd say it has a worthy place on RP, but yeah, I can't really argue with someone who thinks it should be nuked from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
Now watch the @$$holes thumb-down my comment, like clockwork...
ALL singing is contrived in some sense or another. Tom Waits gets EXACTLY the sound he is looking for. He knows precisely what he wants and he's spent a long time perfecting it. For me this is no different to a classically trained singer. Have you ever listened to a really good soprano or tenor? It is EXACTLY the same thing.. they are looking for a certain sound and invest a huge amount of time getting there. And most professional singers I know have a really high regard for singers like Tom Waits. Ok, so your benchmark might be clarity of tone, closing the vocal chords, getting rid of that breathiness most people naturally have when they sing. But by crikey, that is not the only benchmark out there. But then are aiming at singing Lieder or opera. At a guess, Tom Waits isn't aiming for that genre.
I remember hearing none other than Renee Fleming describe operatic singing as being loud and frightening enough to scare away aliens from another planet. I'd say that supports your point. I'll bet she's a Tom Waits fan too...
I wondered if someone had given props to Top Cat here...
Who ever told you that you had a remote clue about music?
I saw a recent interview with her and despite all her eccentric flair, she was pretty much just a gruff, grizzled, cigarette smoking old Irish woman, and still making no apologies. I thought it was great.
Rest in peace.
Totally agreed. I won't argue with people who don't like them - I get it - but I have really come to appreciate this band.
His singing voice is phony and so is his Bowery bum shtick if he's still using it.
Nobody's singing voice is "phony", unless they're not actually singing.
The Tom Waits haters are inexplicable. I think Leonard Cohen sucks horribly, but his music is thoughtful and original and not very commercial, so I get it, and I'm not trolling the comments under his songs. Just for example.
How does this not apply to Tom? What's up your ass?
Other way round, tbh. Paul Simon worked extensively with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the late 80s/early 90s and they are South African so there's a lot of that sound in Paul's music of the time. "Homeless" and "Under African Skies" in particular, both of which I've heard here on RP.
Cultural appropriation? Maybe. But it also brought African music to the attention of western white guys like me, and we decided we liked it, so it had at least some positive effect.
Paul Simon actually caught a lot of shit from some unenlightened fools for "appropriating" this sound from African traditions. Some/all of "Graceland" was recorded in South Africa, with African musicians who also helped him write some of the music.
It sure as hell doesn't sound like "into the town we go". I have to remind myself every time that it's not "Dude, don't go"
Perfection, I'd say.
dear haters… if you don’t like it - skip it… I am sticking around for all of it.
Some of us don't listen through the app, and can't skip it. We aren't haters, we just don't like it. Deal with it.
As you're writing a comment here obviously you're listening on the web site. Just pretend this is a CD and click the next button. It's that simple and not putting out a negative opinion that not everyone will share. This is the freedom you've been provided. Unless you can find a radio station that only plays songs that you approve of, then head over there.
No, some of us listen to the FLAC stream in apps that provide more audio options. We come here to find out more about what we're listening to. And he's got a right to his negative opinion. Is it any worse than listening to everyone fawn over the given song/band like it's the best thing since sliced f#@% bread? Because usually it's not.
It's true - I'm not even a huge fan - she's been all over the board during her career - but her voice is hypnotic.
RadioPlay / ColdHead...
You're like the people who hilariously compared Donovan to Dylan.
Great song. John Lennon liked it so much he cribbed it a bit for Sun King :)
I kept waiting for "Quando paramucho mi amore..."