submissions
| Cheap Trick – Voices Lyrics
| 14 years ago
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Lyrics that entirely encapsulate the angst of early love - but it doesn't stop there. People of all age have this. Robin's vocals are perfectly fragile when needed and 'balls-on' when necessary. Rick can really write a lovely tune. This is quite lovely and yet not schmaltz. These guys never got the credit they deserved. They had a number of really good songs. |
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| John Lennon – Mother Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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An awesome song. Hard to listen to because it is so uncommercial and yet - it staggers! Most people already know what it's about - it's obvious, innit? When you know the story and hear this song how can you not want to cry yourself. John's vocals are unsurpassed and prove that he was one of the best vocalists of all time. John could do other people's songs, but no one else in the world could do this one - yes, not even Paul. A throat shredding passionate vocal that most amazingly manages to still stay within the melody - even at the end. Have you ever heard anyone scream like that before or after? Amazing! My daughter said it best when she heard this for the first time, "It sounds like a baby crying." She has no clue about John but she's very perceptive. This only reaffirms that inside John there was a true genius. Besides, there is no other so-called artist out there that could have put this out and succeeded. Man - that vocal...a blues singer would be proud to have this one under his belt. FIVE ENTHUSIATIC STARS!!! |
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| John Lennon – Woman Is the Nigger of the World Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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How this song raised the hackles on the listener when it came out. How dare he say these things?!!! But they were true - and so frequently the truth hurts because we have to take a look at ourselves and either become aware of our own shortcomings or lash out in defensive vitriol. I believe this is probably the first women's liberation song ever but it rarely gets that label since most can't see anything before Helen Reddy's 'I Am Woman'. |
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| John Lennon – New York City Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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This is a fantastic rocker. A great riff that unfortunately is diminished by John's uneven lyrics. The last verse is the best and the rest sound a trifle forced. It's autobiographical which is probably its biggest downfall. No one else will ever do this song because the lyrics limit it to the individual. But it is a frothingly good rocker if you try not to get too into the lyrics. |
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| John Lennon – Meat City Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Yeah, it's pretty disposable - but if he had only fleshed it out. It isn't entirely insipid, is it? It has an 'Everybody's Got Something To Hide....' quality without, unfortunately, feeling fully realized or the time taken on production. The album "Mind Games" did put John into the perceived role of producing his own output for the first time ever - but we already know he has no discipline for attention to detail. Thus, this sounds sloppy when it could have been quite mind-blowing. One of my dreams is to get a hold of the original tapes for these sessions and remix them the right way. The entire collection on this album were really good songs that sank under John's production values. The inside track says that the record company even had someone come in after John to clean up the raggedness.
Well, this song is nonsense obviously. It should have been a rock stomper. Alas. |
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| John Lennon – Grow Old With Me Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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A tune definitely on par with his best during his Beatle days. It also succeeds where many of Paul's lovely post-Beatle songs fail - that being Paul's tendency toward schmaltzy goofy lyrics. That was alway the good thing about John - he didn't just keep cramming the airwaves with any tune or lyric he came up with. He admitted to not being as prolific as Paul. But Paul would frequently put something out when, perhaps, he shouldn't have.
Yes, a great tune that didn't quite get realized. I was hoping that Paul would have selected this one as among those he would flesh out a bit more during that semi-Beatle reunion in the late '90s. Alas. As it stands on its own it would probably be very difficult to improve. A beautiful song! Great and very appropriate lyrics. Almost a wedding anthem! |
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| John Lennon – Going Down On Love Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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There is a funny word play in this song. "going DOWN on love". During one of his infamous art exhibitions someone did ask him why so many of his drawings had him 'going down' on the female figure (Yoko). He answered very honestly and simply, as usual, "Because I like it."
Anyway, this song is so odd sounding to start with that it usually gets pushed back as an obscure entry in John's songbook. I didn't care for it at first either. But then I discovered that it stuck with me. Like the 'Mind Games" album it is the production values that hurt the song. John was never as attentive in the studio as Paul and tended to rush just to get it done. The production values on this song are better than anything on the "Mind Games" album, but they are still not as strong as they could be. John is simply lazy. Nevertheless I find a very Beatle-like quality to the underlying song that a more strict production and mixing schedule would correct.
The lyrics are definitely about marital fighting and the eventual price you pay - going down on love.
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| John Lennon – #9 Dream Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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John says it is a song about a dream he had. From his perspective, this would be true. It stands out as one of John's more peculiar songs because it doesn't quite fit in with his other output. He asks "Was it just a dream?" He isn't sure. Maybe it wasn't a dream. I propose that John is having a screen memory of a UFO abduction. John did report his own UFO sighting during "Mind Games" and was intrigued by the subject afterward. New York, the state, was having a UFO wave during the '70s. Why should John be ignored by the abductors?
Because of John's lifelong love of Lewis Carroll it obviously derives verbal ideas from "Alice Through The Looking Glass". But taken as a whole, John took what little he could recall from being abducted and presented the song using the words he would customarily resort to as well. The strange lyric resembles the 'bow-wowing' in the Lewis Carroll book but it also resembles a Gaelic based language many abductees have reported the 'strange' creatures actual conversed in.
Or, it is simply a really good song from John. Well-produced and quite lovely. But it is definitely about a dream he had - or is it? |
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| John Lennon – (Forgive Me) My Little Flower Princess Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Not much to go on here since it was not even close to being finished. Like many of the songs on "Milk And Honey", the unfinished compositions showed John getting a handle on commercial pop once again. It's such a shame, and quite a tease, to imagine what this song might have become. What is actually here is definitely interesting. |
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| John Lennon – Attica State Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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There's no need to assume what this is about. At the time, even mentioning this event could cause verbal wars. Perspectives were very polarized with the 'establishment' fully supporting the eventual assault on these prisoners. John took a public popularity beating for producing songs like this. In fact, the album, "Some Tome In New York City", was roundly lambasted and John's popularity sank quickly considering that his previous production 'Imagine' was 'so commercial' and easy to palate. Nixon hated John and did all he could to give him a hard time in the States. Time has shown that John's (and Yoko's) sentiments on this album have proven to have been a bit more right on than the establishment wanted the sheep to think. Revelations have revealed that our government labeled John as 'undesirable' because of his perceived ability to incite the youth into action. People called John paranoid and an egomaniac when, in fact, he was correct with his observations and complaints.
As to the song - a great rocker in the vein of 'Gimme Some Truth". However, though they make a valid point on this event, I agree that the lyrics are not quite up to par. |
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| Elton John – Someone Saved My Life Tonight Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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The melody is quite good. The lyrics aren't that good and, IMO, quite gay. "The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs", "My friends out there rolling round the basement floor", etc. Sugar Bear? C'mon!
There seems to be an element of truth to the story that a 'friend' advised him to not marry...a woman. Elton was confused. Being gay was not so tolerated. Like so many confused individuals Elton contemplated suicide. The father of a friend of mine was gay but, being married, he was miserable in his double life trying to be 'normal' so he offed himself. |
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| Paul McCartney – From a Lover To a Friend Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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This is yet another example of Paul's fantastic melody failing to become historically legendary by stale and/or lazy lyric writing. Throughout his solo career he has annoyed many with his penchant for doing this time and time again.
'Despite too easy ride to see' (??? - not 'right' as this forum suggests. Even then it is still nonsense.)
If you are lucky enough to study any of Paul's demos you will find that he frequently uses stream of consciousness words to fill out his melody and maintain the melodic cadence. It's a perfectly good song writing tactic. In Paul's case he frequently fails to hammer together better lyrics later when it comes time to seriously record - as in this case, I imagine.
It could be about Linda. Losing Linda was real bad blow for the lad. They were an unusually close couple and he could have populated his post-Linda songs with dripping mourning. Maybe he avoids doing this by not digging deep within himself because the anguish would be too great and, perhaps, indulgent. Frankly, I would have preferred that instead of the vacuous lack of real emotion we received when we put down our cash to purchase 'Driving Rain'. (Also note his apparent overuse of the word 'again' in this collection to fill out a lyric line.) On the other hand, it could be about anyone. Unfortunately the words end up not being as generic and meaningful as one would like in order to qualify for the remake market. This is too bad because the melody is certainly worthy of more airplay.
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| Paul McCartney – Junior's Farm Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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I see I'm not the only one who thinks this is a remake of 'Get Back'. Even down to the lead guitar. Is this a slight slam at John who was admittedly not a lead guitar player?? I've always wondered. The lyrics are obscure and ultimately meaningless but fortunately not as embarrassing as some of Paul's stream of thought lyrics tend to be. The eskimo verse edges close though. |
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| Paul McCartney – No More Lonely Nights Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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One of his really good songs. Very adequate lyrics (for once) and an achingly lovely melody. This is one of those that they'll play 100 years from now and say 'Hey, this is a really good song.' |
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| Paul McCartney – Rock Show Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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One of his really great songs! It flat out kicks some major derriere. He trimmed it down on 'Wingspan' for some weird reason. This is not a song that should be editted. It is good from start to finish. Of course the throw away lyric about Mademoiselle Kitty is annoying but only slightly. This was released about the time Paul was beginning to gather real confidence in his ability to tour with a new band. It definitely sounds like it here. |
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| Paul McCartney – She's Given Up Talking Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Overall, if you don't want the lyrics to have any real significance this isn't a bad song. It would have been better if it had actually meant something socially. You're immediately drawn in from the first sentence. The well established dark mood sets the listener up for something that might be lurking in this girl's personal life. You want to hear that maybe she is abused or bewitched or something - but no. The chorus contradicts the verse and at the end you come away with nothing. It's disappointing actually. Another toss-off by Paul. |
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| Paul McCartney – Spinning On An Axis Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Mediocre! Lazy Paul dropping an idea into the studio and pretty much going with the first thing out of his mouth.
'It's the season of the culture bat' ??!! C'mon, man! It might be insulting to his fans that he expects us to pay for this.
I might be too harsh (but I don't think so). Unless anyone else can force meaning into this I have to assume it is yet another of Paul's stream of conscious utterances. This is a common complaint throughout Paul's solo career in that he kind of wastes an idea. Afterwards you wish he hadn't have done it and, perhaps, you hadn't have heard it. The tune is catchy but the lyrics are ultimately not worthwhile.
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| Paul McCartney – This Never Happened Before Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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An instantly compelling and beautiful marriage of lyrics and tune. One of Paul's best. I expect it will probably be one of his most under-rated songs. It could easily have been meant for Heather but it has the always pop-chart wisdom of being generic enough to apply to anyone. Let's face it, we all love it when Paul gets around to writing stuff like this. |
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| Paul McCartney – Tiny Bubble Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Good ear MHSL82! I knew there was something about the tune that annoyed me but I couldn't put my finger on it. Yes, there is a resemblance.
As to the song? This being off of the 'Driving Rain' collection ....
Like most songs in this ensemble it sounds underproduced and half finished. The lyrics sound like they might actually take us somewhere, but do not. The philosophy of the meaning misses its mark ending up sounding a bit insipid. Paul is good at that all too frequently. It's nothing that a more studious attempt at lyric writing wouldn't fix. Considering his circumstances - in mourning for Linda, his new love Heather, and maybe a dollop of studio time pressure - caused this patchwork presentation.
Musically it also sounds like he is only going through the motions. Paul has enough tune--smithing skill to coast better than most. There isn't anything to groove on here except the chorus is yet another meme that you will have trouble shaking afterwards - and you WILL wish you hadn't heard it in the first place.
Ultimately - one derives nothing tangible here. |
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| Paul McCartney – Hi, Hi, Hi Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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It's about sex though it was banned because the idiots who program radio play assumed it was about drugs. The reference to 'banana' is not about smoking bananas either. I don't really want to explain what he intended with that reference but I'll give you a hint - bananas are slick. Having said that let's consider the song. A great tune and about as close to an audio X-rating as you could get then. Nasty, suggestive noises. The lead-in instrumental is one of the best I've ever heard. Then it's chunka-chunka-chunka all the way through until the orgasmic conclusion. The production is not top-notch like most of McCartney's later solo affairs because he was apparently trying to get his band together a get the live sound. So it does come off as somewhat flat and under-produced. That's okay though. It drives and keeps your ears pricked all the way through.
As for 'polygon' - yeah, that is pretty lame and is way too typical of Paul using the first lyric that comes to mind. (It got worse on later releases) Fortunately, many of us thought he said 'body gun' which he later admitted he wished he had thought of. Despite that, a good effort. |
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| Paul McCartney – Another Day Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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A lot of controversy around this song when it came out. Linda co-wrote it. She liked to add a bit of reggae to songs so it is very likely that the faux-reggae sound is her idea. However, everyone wailed when Paul added her to the writing credit. How could this be? She has no prior musical training, blah, blah, blah - while forgetting that none of the Beatles could read or write music either. Other critics asserted that Paul put her on the credits to somehow get an extra monetary percentage for co-writing. Ridiculous. Then the critics pounced that the music was insipid, sugary pap. One even went so far as to call it an advertisement for vaginal deodorant. Nonetheless, the general public did take a liking to the song and it performed very well on the charts. It is definitely in the 'Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da' vein. But no-one puts them together like this except Paul. Yeah, the lyrics frequently tend toward molasses but in retrospect this is one of Paul's more coherent and best resolved post-Beatle lyrics. The melody is top-notch as well and even edges into precisely conveying the heartbreak and isolation to the listener much like he did with 'Eleanor Rigby'. At the time when this come on the radio most people still living in the musical fallout of Beatle glory would disparage this tune or even turn it off. These days it comes back and has aged so well. A welcome song to hear every now and then. |
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| Paul McCartney – Waterfalls Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Paul's song predates TLC's by years.
This song is essentially about as heart-wrenching of a tune that Paul can write. The original version on McCartney II is a bit too long and he made some wise edits on the more recent version appearing on Wingspan. His vocal delivery is odd in that he gives a seemingly tired or pleading 'old man' rasp approach. This adds to the pathos. The lyrics are the typical nursery rhyme derivative that Paul dips into maybe too often, but it works here. The musical accompaniment is a sparse synthesizer or two and some vocal overdubbing. It isn't technically perfect at all and almost sounds like one of his notorious studio quickie knockoffs. Despite that the melody is a haunting plea that can send chills down a spine. It's tunes like these that keep McCartney fans remembering that the old boy can still write some of the best melodic stuff around. |
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| Paul McCartney – Riding To Vanity Fair Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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First off, McCartney denies it is directed to anyone in particular. I believe that is not quite accurate and here's why. Paul writes a good tune, but his lyrics are frequently unresolved and virtually meaningless until he is focused on a particular subject. It is then that his lyrics become compelling and, well, more interesting. This song seems focused so I feel he has a particular subject in mind. Is it John? No. I sincerely doubt it. Their feuding was over in the 70's and they parted on a good note. John's last interview (in Playboy, I believe) was upbeat about Paul and there was no need for Paul to rebut. George Harrison? Not likely. Ringo? Possible but I have my doubts. Around the time of this song they were having a bit of a falling out - Paul not inviting Ringo to a function that one would have thought Ringo should have been invited to. But of the comments from Ringo concerning the event that I've heard he merely expressed his frustration. There were no put-downs. If anything, it may have more to do with a disgruntled former member of his staff. With his profile Paul gets a lot of these hangers-on. And at the time he was still married to Heather who was notoriously not a person who appreciated Paul's life-style and almost constant paparazzi. Could it even be about her? I give that a slight possibility. |
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