List of most unusual/original songs

[elie]

Following a conversation we had on Lindsey's thread, we thought (Amber and I :o ) it would be fun to post here all the songs we believe that are somehow unique, really original or unusual. It doesn't necessarily have to be about songs we like, just songs that we believe that do not resemble any other song ever written.
I already have some on my list:

"Tusk" (by FM of course)
"Innuendo" (Queen)
"The Weeping Song" (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
"All Tomorrow's Parties" (the Velvet Underground) - I've had that on my list for ages.
I also said "Edge of Seventeen" :o
If I come uo with some more, I will come back.

[amber]

The trouble is, I don't know that many songs. :laugh:
I'll think of one, though. It's still a good thread. :woohoo:
I think I'll bring Down Under over from the other thread. And your list.

[Mageboy25]

Blondie Rapture, or how about some of the **** off of Autoamerican, Hunter or KOO KOO!

Pat Benatar Red Vision

What's that God awful song Tammy Wynette did with that Euro dance group in the early 90s. As if she didnt need the $ to re furnish her tourbus lol!

[madformac]

"Echoes" by Pink Floyd
"House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals
"Staying Alive" by The Bee Gees
"Play In The Rain" by Lindsey Buckingham
"Feel Good Inc" by Gorillaz
"Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco
"Biko" by Peter Gabriel
"Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" by Jimi Hendrix
"God" by John Lennon
"The Importance Of Being Idle" by Oasis
"Leaving Beirut" by Roger Waters
"Sunset" by Tan-Hauser Gate ;)


:wavey:

[elie]

"Echoes" by Pink Floyd
"House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals



:wavey:

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.:lol:

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

[Jyqm]

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.:lol:

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

I'm not sure I understand the criteria here. What makes any of the songs mentioned more or less "unique" than anything else?

"White Rabbit," for example, is a fairly traditional march, and the lyrics are based on Lewis Carroll's Alice books.

It seems as though any song is written in the context of a certain tradition and is bound to have some similarities with things that have come before. And even if something is largely new at the time of its inception, there almost always arise later works which try to mimic or expand upon that original composition, so few things stay truly "unique" forever. (As an example, The Beatles' "Revolution 9" was certainly unique at the time it was released, but there have been plenty of pretentious musicians who have since done similar things with tape loops. Or look at David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, which was just reissued. It was a groundbreaking electronic record at the time, but now there are hundreds of artists who make similar music.)

[madformac]

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.:lol:

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

I agree on Roger Waters. There are so many I could mention but I thought Echoes (although I chose this predominantly for the Gilmour/Wright work on it) and especially his newer work such as Leaving Beirut are very unique pieces.

White Rabbit yes indeed another example. With Or Without You is a reasonably interesting choice too.

I think a lot of Abba's work is in this area too. Super Trouper is a classic example of a unique song.

[elie]

I'm not sure I understand the criteria here. What makes any of the songs mentioned more or less "unique" than anything else?

"White Rabbit," for example, is a fairly traditional march, and the lyrics are based on Lewis Carroll's Alice books.



Jyqm, I don't know what the criteria are either:shrug: And I agree with you about "White Rabbit' being a traditional march and the lyrics are very obviously based on "Alice in Wonderland". I just think it's a very exciting and powerful song, pretty much different than other songs of that period, even from the same band.

My initial idea of a list didn't have to do with whether we understand or not understand where the inspiration came from (sometimes it is very clear what a song is about)- Tusk is pretty explicit IMO, and certianly all the "jungle" sound is not something that LB first came up with, however it is sort of unique, in the sense that it is not a typical song by a rock band, or something that you expect a band of this sort to write.

As an example, The Beatles' "Revolution 9" was certainly unique at the time it was released, but there have been plenty of pretentious musicians who have since done similar things with tape loops
That's pretty much what I meant. When it was first released, nothing sounded like it.

I 'm not sure if I make any sense (again, hard to explain yourself in a language other than your own *sigh*), but then again it is not so important. I guess it's all about songs that strike to us as unique, or unusual. (And as to your question what makes a song less or more unique than others: most Pulp or Suede songs are very good and fun to listen to, but IMO, if it weren't for Roxy Music in the 70's, I don't think that those two groups would have been what they are, in terms of style and sound).

[strandinthewind]

Dreamboat Annie - Heart

I think the style was cool for that time period and the sound of the waves and driving beat made it unusual.

Gold Dust Woman - the structure of that song is so esoteric at times that it almost is not like it is a song, then they and she bring it back to the three part harmony - then the sublime ending - I know of no other way to say that :laugh:

[cliffdweller]

"The Weeping Song" (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)

Many of his songs could be in this category. His songs are strangely beautiful and unique.

[JazmenFlowers]

I think a lot of Abba's work is in this area too. Super Trouper is a classic example of a unique song.
you took the words out of my mouth.

[JazmenFlowers]

What's that God awful song Tammy Wynette did with that Euro dance group in the early 90s. As if she didnt need the $ to re furnish her tourbus lol!
oh god! I know that song...something ancient...it's going to bug me till I figure it out.

Ancient and Justified? is that it?

[strandinthewind]

oh god! I know that song...something ancient...it's going to bug me till I figure it out.

Ancient and Justified? is that it?

It is by KLF - and called "Justified and Ancient"

I LOVE it and used to dance my a$$$ off to it in the very early 90's - I guess you had to be there :cool:

All bound for Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(hey)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(Bring the beat back!)

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they like to roam the land.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
I hope you understand.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
They called me up in Tennessee
They said "Tammy, stand by The Jams"
But if you don't like what they're going to do,
You better not stop them 'cause they're coming through
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Ancients of Mu Mu)

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they drive an ice cream van.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified and they're Ancient,
With still no master plan.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
The last train left an hour ago,
They were singing "All aboard"
All bound for Mu Mu Land,
Then someone starting screaming "Turn up the Strobe"
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
(Bring the beat back)

Justified and Ancient, Ancient and a-justified,
Rocking to the rhythm in their ice cream van
with the plan and the key to
enter into Mu Mu
Vibes from the tribes of the Jams

I know where the beat is at,
'cos I know what time it is
Bring home a dime,
Make mine a "99"

New style, meanwhile, always on a mission while
Fishing in the rivers of life
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)

Voo-va-voolie
Za-shi-va-zom
Voo-va-voolie
(Bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)

They have travelled the world
With the ice cream van
Their voyage, the bottom of time
They have entered the place
with the Mu Mu mate
And their children so pride
Mine as a "99"
(Bring the beat back)

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/k/klf7578/justifiedandancientfeaturingtammywynette272876.html

[madformac]

"Tales Of Brave Ulysses" by Cream. I think this was the first real mainstream use of a wah pedal, before Hendrix was known for it. A very original song IMO.

[JazmenFlowers]

It is by KLF - and called "Justified and Ancient"

I LOVE it and used to dance my a$$$ off to it in the very early 90's - I guess you had to be there :cool:
damn. I astound myself.

I like it in a very camp kind of way too. not sure if I'd dance (seriously) to it, but I like it. ;)

[strandinthewind]

damn. I astound myself.

I like it in a very camp kind of way too. not sure if I'd dance (seriously) to it, but I like it. ;)

The times were soooooo different then. People danced to fun, happy songs from Erasure (BLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEE SAVANNAH SONG - CHASING ACROSS THE DESERT AT 100 MILES AN HOUR - OMD (BORN IN KANSAS ON AN ORDINARY DAAAY!!!! (sighes) ) - not to the pots and pans tribal shiitte of the last ten years :laugh:

[JazmenFlowers]

The times were soooooo different then. People danced to fun, happy songs from Erasure (BLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEE SAVANNAH SONG - CHASING ACROSS THE DESERT AT 100 MILES AN HOUR - OMD (BORN IN KANSAS ON AN ORDINARY DAAAY!!!! (sighes) ) - not to the pots and pans tribal shiitte of the last ten years :laugh:
lol.

my favorite new dance songs right now are Craving by Amuka and Nice Day by Persephone's Bees.

[elie]

The times were soooooo different then. People danced to fun, happy songs from Erasure (BLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEE SAVANNAH SONG - CHASING ACROSS THE DESERT AT 100 MILES AN HOUR - OMD (BORN IN KANSAS ON AN ORDINARY DAAAY!!!! (sighes) ) - not to the pots and pans tribal shiitte of the last ten years :laugh:

Lol! Were Erasure popular in the States?

[strandinthewind]

Lol! Were Erasure popular in the States?

They were, especially in the early to mid 90's - they were never huge though. I LOVED them and still do, esp. Blue Savannah, which is one of my all time fav.'s :cool:

[estranged4life]

songs I consider unusual and/or original:

"Lavatory Love Machine" Edguy
"I'm Going Slightly Mad" Queen
"Lavdate Dominvm" Helloween
and of course
"Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" Dream Theater

[wondergirl9847]

"Sunset" by Tan-Hauser Gate ;)

I'd say...the entire album, Travel in Twos, but I'm kinda sorta biased. Heh.

[David]

Surely something by Kate Bush would make this list. But what?

I guess something like "The Dreaming" (the title song).

[Richard B]

I would have to vote most songs by the Crash Test Dummies.

But especially:

I Love Your Goo


It very well could be the only song I know of about necrophillia.

[cliffdweller]

Surely something by Kate Bush would make this list. But what?

I guess something like "The Dreaming" (the title song).


Just about anything by Kate Bush could make this list.


I vote for 90% of Lindsey's Tusk material---especially Not That Funny and The Ledge. Those songs, to me, are insight into the mind of a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown :laugh: :shocked:

[TheBlueLamp]

Surely something by Kate Bush would make this list. But what?

I guess something like "The Dreaming" (the title song).

I was just about to suggest that a heap of Kate songs could be included here. Off the top of my head:

There Goes A Tenner
Babooshka
Wuthering Heights (maybe)
Hammer Horror
Coffee Homeground
Waking The Witch

I'd also add Beethoven (I love to listen to) by Eurythmics to the list of unusual songs.

[estranged4life]

the infamous/hilarious "The Audience is Listening" by Steve Vai-Dont know how that one escaped by mind.

[elie]

I vote for 90% of Lindsey's Tusk material---especially Not That Funny and The Ledge. Those songs, to me, are insight into the mind of a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown :laugh: :shocked:

I was listening to some Tusk songs earlier on and I was thinking the exact same thing ! It's not just that he's angry, frustrated or disappointed (actually if I had to choose one word to describe his feelings in some of the songs, I'd say "hatred:o )..It sounds like he was indeed on the verge of a nervous breakdown! And I don't know if it's just the songs or the lyrics or what, there is something in the way he sings. Kept thinking what in the world was his problem back then..He was a very famous artist of a very famous band, doing things his own way..:shrug:
Anyway, didn't mean to fo off-topic.

I agree with the previous poster about some Eurythmics songs

[cliffdweller]

I was listening to some Tusk songs earlier on and I was thinking the exact same thing ! It's not just that he's angry, frustrated or disappointed (actually if I had to choose one word to describe his feelings in some of the songs, I'd say "hatred:o )..It sounds like he was indeed on the verge of a nervous breakdown! And I don't know if it's just the songs or the lyrics or what, there is something in the way he sings. Kept thinking what in the world was his problem back then..He was a very famous artist of a very famous band, doing things his own way..:shrug:

I feel a serious threadjack coming on :laugh: but yeah, the thing is, I think Lindsey felt very angsty (almost to the point of anger) due to the fact that he felt that his creativity was being reigned in a bit, (if not stiffled) during the making of Tusk. He had creativity and ideas oozing from every pore and I'm sure the other members of the band were like, "you wanna do what?" when he presented all that amazing, crazy, mixed-up **** to them :laugh: And then there was all that responsibility of producing the album and his ongoing job of helping to shape and craft the other songwriters' songs as well as his own. I really think he was feeling his oats and just kind of lost his mind a bit. I think the other members of the band had their own periods of insanity too, but it seems like Tusk was Lindsey's.

okay, end of 'jack.

[David]

I was listening to some Tusk songs earlier on and I was thinking the exact same thing ! It's not just that he's angry, frustrated or disappointed (actually if I had to choose one word to describe his feelings in some of the songs, I'd say "hatred:o )..It sounds like he was indeed on the verge of a nervous breakdown! And I don't know if it's just the songs or the lyrics or what, there is something in the way he sings. Kept thinking what in the world was his problem back then..He was a very famous artist of a very famous band, doing things his own way..:shrug:He has always said that the 1978-1979 time period was a very happy time for him, & that working on Tusk was one of the best recording experiences he ever had with Fleetwood Mac--probably his emotional high point of working with them.

Which isn't to say that the songs themselves don't connote anger or despondency, but I think for Lindsey himself it was a very happy, liberating, explorational, adventurous time for him & he was having a ball.

[dreamongypsydkm]

Tomorrow Never Knows
A Day In The Life

I don't get what's so unusual or original about many of the song mentioned actually.

[cliffdweller]

He has always said that the 1978-1979 time period was a very happy time for him, & that working on Tusk was one of the best recording experiences he ever had with Fleetwood Mac--probably his emotional high point of working with them.

That's interesting because his songs on that album were downright manic and emotionally unstable. They certainly don't reveal the musings of a happy, well-adjusted guy :shrug:.

[David]

I feel a serious threadjack coming on :laugh: but yeah, the thing is, I think Lindsey felt very angsty (almost to the point of anger) due to the fact that he felt that his creativity was being reigned in a bit, (if not stiffled) during the making of Tusk. But he didn't feel that way at that time. He felt just the opposite. His ideas were not being squashed at that time. He was jumping headfirst into his weirdness & that was the album! I think you guys are conflating the recording of that album with FM albums that followed (when his adventuresomeness was squashed to some degree).

He had creativity and ideas oozing from every pore and I'm sure the other members of the band were like, "you wanna do what?" when he presented all that amazing, crazy, mixed-up **** to them :laugh:But that wasn't really happening at that point. Lindsey had one interesting "meeting" with Mick early on (which he has periodically alluded to) where he presented his agenda to Mick & Mick gave him a guarded go-ahead. Lindsey told Mick he wanted to personally handle more instrumentation, & Mick told him to go ahead with it but to remember that other people's feelings were at stake (in other words when you're in a band & you play instrument X & someone else says he's going to record your instrument X himself on a band track).

But apart from that early meeting, I think the recording of Tusk went very much Lindsey's way & he has said that the other members (meaning Mick & Christine) were very on board with him at the time. Mick especially was probably totally jazzed with Tusk during the recording. It was only after the album was released & was sort of lukewarm on the charts five or six months after its release that, according to Lindsey, Mick chilled somewhat on the whole agenda--he felt it was deliberately alienating fans. I think that's when Lindsey started to sour on being in the band, especially when the 'backlash' set in in 1981 when they went to record Mirage. Mick & Christine & even probably their respective managers probably made it very clear to Lindsey that they weren't going to continue to, in their words, alienate fans.

[elie]

He has always said that the 1978-1979 time period was a very happy time for him, & that working on Tusk was one of the best recording experiences he ever had with Fleetwood Mac--probably his emotional high point of working with them.

Which isn't to say that the songs themselves don't connote anger or despondency, but I think for Lindsey himself it was a very happy, liberating, explorational, adventurous time for him & he was having a ball.

Ok, I take your word for it. :)
I always like to believe that reality is far more complex than we tend to make of it, I mean it's too simplistic to say that "oh, he sounds angry in that song, he must have been mad at Stevie when he wrote it". The whole singing style on Tusk might have as well been triggered by something else and not depression or unhappiness. Perhaps it was part of the explorational and experimenation period of his.
(PS sorry, but what does "despondency" mean?)
Once again, sorry for the off-topic posts!

[David]

That's interesting because his songs on that album were downright manic and emotionally unstable. They certainly don't reveal the musings of a happy, well-adjusted guy :shrug:.No, but which group of his songs does?

He was very happy during the recording of Out of the Cradle & very excited about his future & quite relieved to be rid of the millstone around his neck (the band), & yet his songs connote a lot of pain & despondency.

He just writes like that. :thumbsup:

If you look at that Village Recorder footage that we have so much of, you get a better picture of Lindsey's state of mind & the other members' states of mind than you do from song lyrics, which are fictive constructions largely.

Think of that footage with him & Christine getting into the groove of singing together, recording doo-wop vocals for "Walk a Thin Line," laughing & having fun, exploring the musicical intricacies together. That's a real creative spirit in that footage, a real team spirit, a real joy.

[David]

Ok, I take your word for it. :)
I always like to believe that reality is far more complex than we tend to make of it, I mean it's too simplistic to say that "oh, he sounds angry in that song, he must have been mad at Stevie when he wrote it". The whole singing style on Tusk might have as well been triggered by something else and not depression or unhappiness. I don't say that anger didn't trigger some of those songs. It took a year to record Tusk. Who on earth doesn't get angry over the course of a year? Maybe anger did trigger the writing of "What Makes You Think You're the One" or "The Ledge" or "Not That Funny"---it sounds like it to me. But my point is that this was in general a very happy time for Lindsey, according to Lindsey himself. He was certainly enjoying his relatively newfound creative freedom in the band, & certainly enjoying his time spent with Mick (the Mick-Lindsey relationship is one of the least focused-on & least understood of all the relationships in the band, but I think that it was the most important). Mick was Lindsey's musical soulmate in so many ways (none of the other members thought that using a tissue box for a kick drum was anything more than a novelty, but Mick & Mick alone got behind Lindsey's adventuresomeness & really dug it at the time). It was Mick turning against Lindsey in later years--against Lindsey's music & his ideas--that probably did more to send Lindsey on a souring spiral on the whole concept of what Fleetwood Mac had become (far more than the ridiculous Lindsey & Stevie **** that fans still peddle as if that had something to do with Lindsey feeling claustrophobic & hamstringed creatively within the band---Stevie wasn't even THERE most of the time, so how the hell could that have mattered?).

[Jyqm]

That's interesting because his songs on that album were downright manic and emotionally unstable. They certainly don't reveal the musings of a happy, well-adjusted guy :shrug:.

Just because you're happy doesn't mean you're necessarily going to write happy songs, though. Lindsey's songs on Tusk represent such an overwhelming burst of creativity and imagination. I imagine it felt incredible and empowering to come up with those songs and put them all together and have the band on board and being supportive of them. It was probably the first time he felt like he was achieving his true potential as an artist, doing something brave and new that he'd always wanted to do. That's always a great feeling, no matter what the content of the actual art.

[amber]

I don't think Lindsey's songs on TUSK sound very unusual. They may have been created in an unusual way, but they sound pretty normal to me. :shrug: Except TUSK.

But anyway - Atomic.
Also I think Thriller is unusual. Thank you, Vincent Price.

[madformac]

A Day In The Life



An excellent addition. :)

[strandinthewind]

. . . But apart from that early meeting, I think the recording of Tusk went very much Lindsey's way & he has said that the other members (meaning Mick & Christine) were very on board with him at the time. Mick especially was probably totally jazzed with Tusk during the recording. It was only after the album was released & was sort of lukewarm on the charts five or six months after its release that, according to Lindsey, Mick chilled somewhat on the whole agenda--he felt it was deliberately alienating fans. I think that's when Lindsey started to sour on being in the band, especially when the 'backlash' set in in 1981 when they went to record Mirage. Mick & Christine & even probably their respective managers probably made it very clear to Lindsey that they weren't going to continue to, in their words, alienate fans.

I tend to agree here. I also think part of that reason is that IMO LB's most sublime work on Tusk was for Stevie's Sara and Storms. Hearing the demos and the mid production work compared to the final product is breathtaking to me. The music in Sara is full of hidden, almost breathless hooks and the musical yearning in Storms positively palpable. None of LB's Tusk songs display that, save perhaps for Save Me a Place.

Then, he gets to Mirage and he crafts Gypsy with the same brilliance and Hold Me as well. None of his songs display that level of thought IMO.

So, I can see where he came from when he got angry that he was using his best stuff on "their" work, which was really the band's product if you think about it - but that ole team effort died IMO with the advent of the production of Rumors.

[amber]

Um....no Parliament here? Odd.

[elie]

I don't think Lindsey's songs on TUSK sound very unusual. They may have been created in an unusual way, but they sound pretty normal to me. :shrug: Except TUSK.

But anyway - Atomic.
Also I think Thriller is unusual. Thank you, Vincent Price.

Amber, really, if I remember correctly, "Atomic" was on my initial list!

I would also add "Ladytron" and "Virginia Plain" (both by Roxy Music).

PS (Nobody told me so far what "despondency" means and I don't know where my dictionary is..:o )

[amber]

Amber, really, if I remember correctly, "Atomic" was on my initial list!

I would also add "Ladytron" and "Virginia Plain" (both by Roxy Music).

PS (Nobody told me so far what "despondency" means and I don't know where my dictionary is..:o )

Despondency is like sad and hopeless. So far I'm doing pretty well at guessing your list! :D

Rat in the Kitchen, UB40.

[elie]

You said "Rat" and I remembered another one: "I don't like Mondays", byt BoomTown Rats!!

[cliffdweller]

I don't think Lindsey's songs on TUSK sound very unusual. They may have been created in an unusual way, but they sound pretty normal to me.

So you think, for instance, that The Ledge sounds like a normal mainstream song? I really don't. For one thing, it sounds like it was recorded down in a well, for another, the vocals sound like someone on a 3 day meth bender, and I'm pretty sure all the instrumentation was created from experimenting with electronic instruments, junk, and found sounds of one sort or another. I dunno, I guess you could say that strange instruments/recording techniques make for strange sounds :shrug:.

[David]

So you think, for instance, that The Ledge sounds like a normal mainstream song? I really don't. For one thing, it sounds like it was recorded down in a well, for another, the vocals sound like someone on a 3 day meth bender, and I'm pretty sure all the instrumentation was created from experimenting with electronic instruments, junk, and found sounds of one sort or another. I dunno, I guess you could say that strange instruments/recording techniques make for strange sounds :shrug:.Yeah The Ledge is some weird ****. There really isn't much mainstream in it. And back in 1979, when radio was "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" & "I Wanna Kiss You All Over" & "The Long Run" & even the rock stations played standard arena rock like Heart, Cheap Trick & Bad Company, stuff like The Ledge on Tusk made no sense to virtually everyone. I'd like to know what someone like Tom Waits thought of it at the time ... but that's assuming that someone like Tom Waits would have sunk to the level of even listening to Fleetwood Mac at the time, which I seriously doubt he did.

[amber]

So you think, for instance, that The Ledge sounds like a normal mainstream song? I really don't. For one thing, it sounds like it was recorded down in a well, for another, the vocals sound like someone on a 3 day meth bender, and I'm pretty sure all the instrumentation was created from experimenting with electronic instruments, junk, and found sounds of one sort or another. I dunno, I guess you could say that strange instruments/recording techniques make for strange sounds :shrug:.
Yes, fairly normal. Not totally boring normal, but within a realm of rock normal that is in my head.
I don't think the sounds sound very strange, though they were created in strange ways. I think the rhythms are a bit unusual, though not mind bendingly so.
I agree a bit about the meth bender, but that is probably the most common sound of all in rock...:laugh:
Now then, we always talk about Lindsey et al. This is the chit chat thread, can we keep it to artists we don't already talk about constantly??? Take it over to the Lindsey board for crikey's sake! :laugh:

[cliffdweller]

I agree a bit about the meth bender, but that is probably the most common sound of all in rock...:laugh:

touche :laugh:

And in F.M.'s case, it was probably a cocaine bender anyway ;) .

[dreamongypsydkm]

Plenty of songs by They Might Be Giants, Lesson 16 (http://s61.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3DHO2WJD13E4009V4RMRFZNJZL)

Maxwell's Silver Hammer was unusual in a morbid way.
Being For The Benefit of Mr Kite

Considering some of the songs accused of being that unusual, we could be here forever. The Graceland album would have to be unusual then, the sounds of South Africa on the mainstream radio. Much of Live At Pompeii aswell.

[amber]

touche :laugh:

And in F.M.'s case, it was probably a cocaine bender anyway ;) .
:laugh:
yeah.

I don't really like the Beatles much, but I think Come Together is unusual.
I also pick Subterranean Homesick Blues.

Graceland was one of the first things I thought of. But I always think of Graceland, because I like it so much.

[dissention]

The Graceland album would have to be unusual then, the sounds of South Africa on the mainstream radio.

Even that album came many years after Talking Heads incorporated African polyrhythms & world music into their sound. Remain In Light, now that's an unusual, groundbreaking album.

[dreamongypsydkm]

Even that album came many years after Talking Heads incorporated African polyrhythms & world music into their sound. Remain In Light, now that's an unusual, groundbreaking album.Actually I was going to list some Talking Heads music but we really could go on forever considering, as I said, Edge of 17 was listed. I still think Graceland was very unsual for those with the regular expectations to hear. Not to just appropriate world music, which of course was big in the 60s with the Eastern influence but to actually write and perform with the South African musicians made it "authentic" world music in the mainstream.

[dissention]

Actually I was going to list some Talking Heads music but we really could go on forever considering, as I said, Edge of 17 was listed.

Hahaha. I think if we're talking truly unusual songs, "I, Zimbra" from the Heads has got to be right up at the top of the list. A Hugo Ball sound poem put to rousing African rhythms? It's still some odd ****.

I still think Graceland was very unsual for those with the regular expectations to hear. Not to just appropriate world music, which of course was big in the 60s with the Eastern influence but to actually write and perform with the South African musicians made it "authentic" world music in the mainstream.

True. Didn't Simon get accused of breaking "cultural boycotts" against South Africa with that album? Never mind that Reagan was an apartheid supporter, of course.

[elie]

I'd like to know what someone like Tom Waits thought of it at the time ... but that's assuming that someone like Tom Waits would have sunk to the level of even listening to Fleetwood Mac at the time, which I seriously doubt he did.

That's funny because I thought about posting a couple of Tom Waits songs in here. Back in my late teens I was completely fascinated by "Rain Dogs", but I 'm not sure I would call it unusual..

And David, your comment about "sinking to the level of even listening to FM" is true, I guess, but it hurts so bad...:lol:

Anyway, I would add "Why'd ya do it". Marianne Faithfull's obcene song, based on a poem. I think it is from "Broken English" album.

[ryan8472]

I Zimbra, by Talking Heads. :nod:

GADJI BERI BIMBA CLANDRIDI
LAULI LONNI CADORI GADJAM
A BIM BERI GLASSALA GLANDRIDE
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA

BIM BLASSA GALASSASA ZIMBRABIM
BLASSA GLALLASSASA ZIMBRABIM

A BIM BERI GLASSALA GRANDRID
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA

GADJI BERI BIMBA GLANDRIDI
LAULI LONNI CADORA GADJAM
A BIM BERI GLASSASA GLANDRID
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA


:lol:

[dreamongypsydkm]

True. Didn't Simon get accused of breaking "cultural boycotts" against South Africa with that album? Never mind that Reagan was an apartheid supporter, of course.Yeah but that was a total load of crap. The album consisted of native musicians collaborating with him to produce a native sound they could celebrate, not a hint of support for the regime, it was never used in any political manner at all, plus the UN disagreed that he did. He was accused of exploiting South Africans to make a statement but that was a load of ****. It was as much their album as his, a total collaboration of his sounds and their sounds to create a very positive album and as I said, it gave them a sound to celebrate rather than the usual repression of the native sound and the sound of the streets. Exploiting South Africans to make a comment on something topical, breaking a cultural boycott? Complete bull****. The Classic Albums series (was that the name?) did one on Graceland which was probably the most interesting in the series I have seen.

[David]

I Zimbra, by Talking Heads. :nod:

GADJI BERI BIMBA CLANDRIDI
LAULI LONNI CADORI GADJAM
A BIM BERI GLASSALA GLANDRIDE
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA

BIM BLASSA GALASSASA ZIMBRABIM
BLASSA GLALLASSASA ZIMBRABIM

A BIM BERI GLASSALA GRANDRID
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA

GADJI BERI BIMBA GLANDRIDI
LAULI LONNI CADORA GADJAM
A BIM BERI GLASSASA GLANDRID
E GLASSALA TUFFM I ZIMBRA
Bibbity Bobbity Boo

Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Put 'em together and what have you got
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
It'll do magic believe it or not
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola means mechicka booleroo
But the thingmabob that does the job is
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Salagadoola menchicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Put 'em together and what have you got
bibbidi-bobbidi bibbidi-bobbidi bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

[goldustsongbird]

Anyway, I would add "Why'd ya do it". Marianne Faithfull's obcene song, based on a poem. I think it is from "Broken English" album.

I've been singing that for the past two days! Why'd ya do it she said, why'd ya do what ya did?! It's fun to scream out that long, "WHYYYYYY'D YAAA DO IIIIIIIITTT!!?" :nod:

I don't know if this qualifies as weird or unusual at all, but that song, Rise Up by Parachute Club always sounds really different to me. The tune itself, not the fact that they have a choir backing them up.

[David]

99 luftballoons is a fun song because you can sing along or you can whistle the theme or you can even hum it. :blob1: :blob1: :thumbsup:

[amber]

99 luftballoons is a fun song because you can sing along or you can whistle the theme or you can even hum it. :blob1: :blob1: :thumbsup:
And now, thanks to you, that is what I'll be doing for the rest of the day. :mad:
:D
But eff "luft" balloons, those suckers are RED!

[Richard B]

99 luftballoons is a fun song because you can sing along or you can whistle the theme or you can even hum it. :blob1: :blob1: :thumbsup:
Yes! You can sing it in English or German as well. The fun never stops.

[Jyqm]

But eff "luft" balloons, those suckers are RED!

No way, dude. There's nothing to indicate those balloons were red. In fact, they were so far off on the horizon, nobody - not even the fighter pilots or generals - could tell what color they were.

There can be no argument that the English translation of this song sucks more balls than Pamela Anderson at Club Med margarita night.

[DavidMn]

Coconut-Harry Nilsson

[catinthedark]

Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

i cannot WAIT to see this woman live - 25 days! will be worth the ticket price just to hear her do this song. it's like nothing i've ever heard.

[cliffdweller]

There can be no argument that the English translation of this song sucks more balls than Pamela Anderson at Club Med margarita night.


Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und dass sowas von sowas kommt

(trans)
You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got.
Set them free at the break of dawn
'Til one by one, they were gone.
Back at base, bugs in the software
Flash the message, Something's out there.
Floating in the summer sky.
99 red balloons go by.

99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Hielt man fuer UFOs aus dem All
Darum schickte ein General
Eine Fliegerstaffel hinterher
Alarm zu geben, wenn es so war
Dabei war da am Horizont
Nur 99 Luftballons

(trans)
99 red balloons.
floating in the summer sky.
Panic bells, it's red alert.
There's something here from somewhere else.
The war machine springs to life.
Opens up one eager eye.
Focusing it on the sky.
Where 99 red balloons go by.

99 Duesenjaeger
Jeder war ein grosser Krieger
Hielten sich fuer Captain Kirk
Das gab ein grosses Feuerwerk
Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft
Und fuehlten sich gleich angemacht
Dabei schoss man am Horizont
Auf 99 Luftballons

(trans)
99 Decision Street.
99 ministers meet.
To worry, worry, super-scurry.
Call the troops out in a hurry.
This is what we've waited for.
This is it boys, this is war.
The president is on the line
As 99 red balloons go by.

99 Kriegsminister
Streichholz und Benzinkanister
Hielten sich fuer schlaue Leute
Witterten schon fette Beute
Riefen: Krieg und wollten Macht
Mann, wer haette das gedacht
Dass es einmal soweit kommt
Wegen 99 Luftballons

(trans)
99 Knights of the air
Ride super-high-tech jet fighters
Everyone's a superhero.
Everyone's a Captain Kirk.
With orders to identify.
To clarify and classify.
Scramble in the summer sky.
As 99 red balloons go by.

99 Jahre Krieg
Liessen keinen Platz fuer Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt es nicht mehr
Und auch keine Duesenflieger
Heute zieh ich meine Runden
Seh die Welt in Truemmern liegen
Hab' nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an Dich und lass' ihn fliegen

(trans)
99 dreams I have had.
In every one a red balloon.
It's all over and I'm standing pretty.
In this dust that was a city.
If I could find a souvenier.
Just to prove the world was here.
And here is a red balloon
I think of you and let it go.



These lyrics are bad in German AND English-- :sticks finger mockingly down throat:. The English translation is pretty close to the German.

[Nixxxed]

I haven't read the thread yet, but these two suddenly appeared in my mental search engine:

"Beethoven" - Eurythmics
"Warm Leatherette" - forgot the original artists, but Grace Jones also did a version

[strandinthewind]

. . . Grace Jones also did a version

She was here a few months ago and gave a lackluster performance at a local bar to a small crowd. Bless her heart :laugh:

[chiliD]

That's Alright Mama - Elvis Presley (pretty much the start of "rock & roll")
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry (the beginning of the "rock guitar god" syndrome)
Raining In My Heart - Buddy Holly (the first use of strings in a supposed rock & roll song)
I Feel Fine - The Beatles (the first supposed use of controlled feedback)
Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones (the first supposed use of a "fuzz box")
I'm Only Sleeping - The Beatles (the first supposed use of backwards tracking...George's guitar solo)
Tales Of Brave Ulysses - Cream (the first supposed officially released recording of a wah-wah pedal)

Ry Cooder's Bop Til You Drop album...the first all-digitally recorded album.

[cliffdweller]

She was here a few months ago and gave a lackluster performance at a local bar to a small crowd. Bless her heart :laugh:


O.T.---You know what "bless your heart" is southern for, don't you? "stupid f*ck" or so my friend from New Jersey says :laugh:

So whenever I hear someone say "bless your heart" I think "s.f.!" Hilarious...

[strandinthewind]

O.T.---You know what "bless your heart" is southern for, don't you? "stupid f*ck" or so my friend from New Jersey says :laugh:

So whenever I hear someone say "bless your heart" I think "s.f.!" Hilarious...

It can mean many different things, but that is one of them :cool:

I used it as more of "poor thing" :cool:

[cliffdweller]

It can mean many different things, but that is one of them :cool:

I used it as more of "poor thing" :cool:


yeah, I know. I just thought I'd share that little tidbit with you because you're always saying "bless your heart" which, as phrases go, I adore.

No need for :cool: , I was just funnin' with you!

[strandinthewind]

yeah, I know. I just thought I'd share that little tidbit with you because you're always saying "bless your heart" which, as phrases go, I adore.

No need for :cool: , I was just funnin' with you!


OMG - I used :cool: to mean I was being in jest. Bless your heart, I know you were funnin' me.

[cliffdweller]

Bless your heart, I know you were funnin' me.


I guess I walked right into that one! Why don't I just hand you barbs to throw at me? :rolleyes: :laugh:

Now it's our own special code :cool:.

[Jyqm]

These lyrics are bad in German AND English-- :sticks finger mockingly down throat:. The English translation is pretty close to the German.

There are some really awful phrases in the English that have hardly any relation to the German. "Worry worry super scurry?!"

But regardless of whether or not you think the lyrics are good or bad in either language, the English translation is just awful and awkward. The meter is really forced.

[strandinthewind]

There are some really awful phrases in the English that have hardly any relation to the German. "Worry worry super scurry?!"

But regardless of whether or not you think the lyrics are good or bad in either language, the English translation is just awful and awkward. The meter is really forced.

I know - but the song was just sooo much fun at the time. I still smile when I hear it.

[Jyqm]

I know - but the song was just sooo much fun at the time. I still smile when I hear it.

Make no mistake, I love the original more than I would love my own children, if I had any. I just think the English version is crap.

I mean, it's a song about a century-long war that destroys the entire world, caused by the appearance of a bunch of balloons in the sky. What's not to love?

[David]

Make no mistake, I love the original more than I would love my own children, if I had any. I just think the English version is crap.

I mean, it's a song about a century-long war that destroys the entire world, caused by the appearance of a bunch of balloons in the sky. What's not to love?Plus, it has the same chord progression as Christine mcVie's "Why"! so what's not to love!

[strandinthewind]

Make no mistake, I love the original more than I would love my own children, if I had any. I just think the English version is crap.

I mean, it's a song about a century-long war that destroys the entire world, caused by the appearance of a bunch of balloons in the sky. What's not to love?

I think it was funny to hear those awful words in slurred English. I think I even saw a live performance of it on like Solid Gold or something :eek:

[dissention]

I think it was funny to hear those awful words in slurred English.

It would have been even better to have heard Pink Lady sing it. In English.

Another somewhat unusual song that I thought of is "I've Seen it All" by Bjork & Thom Yorke. It uses recorded audio of a train rolling down the tracks throughout the length of the song.

[chiliD]

O.T.---You know what "bless your heart" is southern for, don't you?

Yes, I've heard Henry Cho many times. :lol:

[cliffdweller]

Another somewhat unusual song that I thought of is "I've Seen it All" by Bjork & Thom Yorke. It uses recorded audio of a train rolling down the tracks throughout the length of the song.

I forgot about Bjork. Put Bjork on the list, oh and the Sugarcubes while you're at it :shocked:.

[dreamongypsydkm]

Wake Up Call (http://www.tmbw.net/wiki/index.php/Lyrics:Wake_Up_Call)

[amber]

No way, dude. There's nothing to indicate those balloons were red. In fact, they were so far off on the horizon, nobody - not even the fighter pilots or generals - could tell what color they were.

There can be no argument that the English translation of this song sucks more balls than Pamela Anderson at Club Med margarita night.

There can be no argument that I don't care about the lyrics, and I think anything in German is uglier than anything in most other languages.
And even though I don't care, I find the american words charming and strange.

[xdreamsunwindx]

Um. Lest we not forget the birth of the riff? "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks? Dave Davies and his home-made green amp? Everyone and their mom covering the song and doing a terrible job with it?

Yeah, that song owns.

[cliffdweller]

and I think anything in German is uglier than anything in most other languages.


Have you ever heard Vietnamese? I think tonal languages are the hardest on the ears. But you called German "ugly," ouch!

[amber]

Have you ever heard Vietnamese? I think tonal languages are the hardest on the ears. But you called German "ugly," ouch!
yeah, most asian languages I've heard spoken sound ugly to me, too. But it could be the tone of voice, which sounds shrill and screamy to these ears. English ain't no great beauty, either, so don't be offended. Naturally, I prefer French, Italian, and Spanish as pretty languages. Oddly, there is something about Russian I like a bit, too. Gaelic is nice.

[madformac]

yeah, most asian languages I've heard spoken sound ugly to me, too. But it could be the tone of voice, which sounds shrill and screamy to these ears. English ain't no great beauty, either, so don't be offended. Naturally, I prefer French, Italian, and Spanish as pretty languages. Oddly, there is something about Russian I like a bit, too. Gaelic is nice.

Italian is the most expressive and beautiful language for me. I also love Spanish too. I think Africaan is a little tough on the ears. South African accents even in English sound a little too crude for my ears. I think a lot of the Asian languages sound rather aggressive to me. I'm sure the meaning is very sweet in most cases but sometimes innocent conversations sound like arguing. :laugh:

English is very plain. If it were a food it would be a potato or something similar. Lots of different ways to cook it but it still tastes boring and potatoish.

[amber]

Italian is the most expressive and beautiful language for me. I also love Spanish too. I think Africaan is a little tough on the ears. South African accents even in English sound a little too crude for my ears. I think a lot of the Asian languages sound rather aggressive to me. I'm sure the meaning is very sweet in most cases but sometimes innocent conversations sound like arguing. :laugh:

English is very plain. If it were a food it would be a potato or something similar. Lots of different ways to cook it but it still tastes boring and potatoish.
Good description. I don't know about Africaan, I"m not sure about the differences in it. Every time I hear an African accent or someone from Africa speak, I think it sounds pretty, but maybe it's the tone of the voice and speaking presence. I don't know what Africaan really is, though. My property manager lady is from Africa (she is white) and it just kind of sounds like a britishy accent. (to me - because I don't know the nuances of a bunch of languages).

[Jyqm]

But you called German "ugly," ouch!

German when it's sung tends to either be really beautiful or almost comically ugly to my ears. Something like "99 Luftballons" I think actually falls in the former category, although there are certainly plenty of German pop/rock songs that are really awkward and harsh. And of course there are plenty of classical pieces and operas that fall on the extreme sides of both of those categories.

Also, I think reading something aloud in German is usually a good way to make it sound really ugly. It's really not a very pretty spoken language. But reading something in German to yourself, especially poetry, is a really good way to discover the language's hidden beauty. It really is a wonderful literary language.

[elie]

German when it's sung tends to either be really beautiful or almost comically ugly to my ears. Something like "99 Luftballons" I think actually falls in the former category, although there are certainly plenty of German pop/rock songs that are really awkward and harsh. And of course there are plenty of classical pieces and operas that fall on the extreme sides of both of those categories.

.

I love German but then again I can't be very objective because I have lived there for a while (plus I spent a decade being the biggest Einstuerzende Neubauten fan around- that's way far from pop/rock, more like industrial/experimental stuff but it really is interesting).
I can see how people don't like the sound of it- and what I think is very interesting is reading in german. The structure of the language is really fascinating (and quite close to ancient greek, as we are always told over here:rolleyes: )
But in general I think people usually tend to find their own languages boring or silly. I don't like Greek that much, for instance.
I guess my favorite language is Norwegian or Swedish. They sound like singing and they are very fun (and quite easy) to speak as well.

[foxyluva]

Im going to go right off track here :sorry:

Robert Wyatt is a very unusual artist. His album "Shleep" is out of this world

Zap Mama also have a very different sound...

[cliffdweller]

I love German but then again I can't be very objective because I have lived there for a while (plus I spent a decade being the biggest Einstuerzende Neubauten fan around


I don't think introduction to Neubauten is a good way to appreciate the German language---:laugh:

I kid, I kid, but really, talk about HARSH! I love Blixa's accent though.

[elie]

I don't think introduction to Neubauten is a good way to appreciate the German language---:laugh:

I kid, I kid, but really, talk about HARSH! I love Blixa's accent though.

OMG, isn't he s-e-x-y?? I 've seen him live many times and he totally blows my mind :o
By the way, lots of their songs could qualify as unusual. I can't even begin to cite them-now that I think about it, none of their songs is usual..

But I take it they have never been very big in US (or anywhere really)..

[cliffdweller]

But I take it they have never been very big in US (or anywhere really)..

I saw them, I think it was 3 years ago. I still have the shirt I bought at the show, it is REALLY f*cked up now from hair dye (I wear this shirt when I color my hair!), numerous washings, and the fact that it was a cheap shirt so the color ran all over the place. All in all, it now looks completely appropos for being a Neubauten concert shirt!

I also saw Blixa when he was still with the Bad Seeds (of Nick Cave fame) and he was AWESOME! I love it when he harmonizes with Nick. He also sang the Kylie Minogue part on "Where the Wild Roses" Grow from Murder Ballads--I loved it!

[chiliD]

I had "Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand" & "Sie Liebt Dich" long before I got "I Want To Hold Your Hand" or "She Loves You".

In case you were born after 1990, those are Beatles songs.

[Jyqm]

I had "Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand" & "Sie Liebt Dich" long before I got "I Want To Hold Your Hand" or "She Loves You".

In case you were born after 1990, those are Beatles songs.

Now them's some good translations. Right up there with Tieck & Schlegel's Shakespeare, they is.

[elie]

I also saw Blixa when he was still with the Bad Seeds (of Nick Cave fame) and he was AWESOME! I love it when he harmonizes with Nick. He also sang the Kylie Minogue part on "Where the Wild Roses" Grow from Murder Ballads--I loved it!

I was at a concert where they did that and at the end they kissed. On the mouth.:shocked:
I was very disappointed he left the Bad Seeds. I don't like what they have both become since.

Anyway, why have I run out of unusual songs?? Hmmm...

[cliffdweller]

I was very disappointed he left the Bad Seeds. I don't like what they have both become since.

Really?? I loved Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus. I think that is a stellar album, probably their best to date, although No More Shall We Part is definitely a close second. Yeah, Blixa was great, but Mick Harvey does the lion's share of the guitar work anyway. Blixa was mainly there just to make some noise, but what a fine noise he made! ;) .

[chiliD]

Umm...

"Oh Well" is/was a pretty 'unusual' song for its time...over the years, it has pretty much been "the cool & hip song to cover".

[elie]

Really?? I loved Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus. I think that is a stellar album, probably their best to date, although No More Shall We Part is definitely a close second. Yeah, Blixa was great, but Mick Harvey does the lion's share of the guitar work anyway. Blixa was mainly there just to make some noise, but what a fine noise he made! ;) .

I didn't like the double album that much. Still, it's better than a lot of other stuff coming out, but I prefer his older work. My fav is "Tender Prey", I guess. And "Henry's dream", too.
Mick Harvey is a genious. I don't think that Nick Cave's music would have been the same without him. However, I think my ultimate favourite song would be "Stranger than kindness",(from "Your funeral, my trial") which was written by Blixa;)
Do you perhaps own any Neubauten albums? (*So glad I found a Neubauten fan on the Ledge!*)

By the way, and on-topic, "Mercy Seat" is a very unusual song. I love the live performances.

[Jyqm]

By the way, and on-topic, "Mercy Seat" is a very unusual song. I love the live performances.

Have you heard Johnny Cash's recording? It's very intense. Actually, Cash had a number of great collaborations with Nick Cave.

I still don't see what's especially unsual about a lot of the songs people are naming. A lot of them seem to be fairly straightforward entries into the pop/rock/folk/whatever tradition. Meanwhile, has anybody mentioned Miles Davis in the 70s? Or Frank Zappa?

[cliffdweller]

I didn't like the double album that much. Still, it's better than a lot of other stuff coming out, but I prefer his older work. My fav is "Tender Prey", I guess. And "Henry's dream", too.
Mick Harvey is a genious. I don't think that Nick Cave's music would have been the same without him. However, I think my ultimate favourite song would be "Stranger than kindness",(from "Your funeral, my trial") which was written by Blixa;)
Do you perhaps own any Neubauten albums? (*So glad I found a Neubauten fan on the Ledge!*)

By the way, and on-topic, "Mercy Seat" is a very unusual song. I love the live performances.

I have Tabula Rasa, Strategies Against Architecture Vol. I, Perpetuum Mobile, and Ende Neu. My favorite among these is Tabula Rasa, and on that album Headcleaner is definitely my favorite song. God, how I love that song!

And yes, Stranger Than Kindness is a great song, YFMT is a great album. Henry's Dream used to be my favorite Nick Cave album of all time, I used to play it over and over again until I got sick of it. I still have a soft spot in my heart for his earlier stuff, but his more recent stuff has just blown me away---it is so lush and beautifully orchestrated and all that youthful anger of the past just kind of went away with Murder ballads. Of course he's still angry, it's just that his anger is much more focused and wisened these days. I'm so glad I've found a fellow Nick Cave fan! Woo-hoo!

[Wild_Heart03]

It is by KLF - and called "Justified and Ancient"

I LOVE it and used to dance my a$$$ off to it in the very early 90's - I guess you had to be there :cool:

Oh god, The KLF.... I used to freaking LOVE that song. I still have it and "3 A.M. Eternal" on my computer, great stuff.

[elie]

Have you heard Johnny Cash's recording? It's very intense. Actually, Cash had a number of great collaborations with Nick Cave.



Yes! It's a very intense song anyway and I think it is very fitting with Johnny Cash's singing. I 've often read that Nick Cave idolized and was very influenced by J.Cash (and L. Cohen as well).


I have Tabula Rasa, Strategies Against Architecture Vol. I, Perpetuum Mobile, and Ende Neu. My favorite among these is Tabula Rasa, and on that album Headcleaner is definitely my favorite song. God, how I love that song!

And yes, Stranger Than Kindness is a great song, YFMT is a great album. Henry's Dream used to be my favorite Nick Cave album of all time, I used to play it over and over again until I got sick of it. I still have a soft spot in my heart for his earlier stuff, but his more recent stuff has just blown me away---it is so lush and beautifully orchestrated and all that youthful anger of the past just kind of went away with Murder ballads. Of course he's still angry, it's just that his anger is much more focused and wisened these days. I'm so glad I've found a fellow Nick Cave fan! Woo-hoo!

My best friend hates his recent stuff exactly for the reasons you said (that he is more focused and wisened). I think it's absurd because you can't expect anyone to write in his 50s the same way he was writing when he was 25 and a junky.
As to Neubauten, I think you would have liked Haus der Luege as well. Tabula Rasa used to be my favorite too :) But my favorite song in general is "Seele brennt" I think.

As to unusual songs, yesterday I was thinking that it is bit harder to find any among new artists. Sometimes I listen to a song and say "wow, that's really original" and then I listen more carefully and I realise that the influences ae very obvious. For example, there is a belgian indie band called Deus that had a couple of songs I thought they were strange, but it's easy to see that they have spent lots of time listening to Velvet Underground &Nico.