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Vancouver Lyrics
lady, all the troubles are my fright, i disgust you.
feel the power. you cut the truth into you.
why? did you think i did not on this rely?
i could kiss you, with lines of escape in my mouth.
please let me bring back these gifts of mine to the woman.
stars shined on my back as I slept and knew you.
you didn't leave it all.
you made an even call.
my belly released the stars and tears between the scars.
ooooh.
below this we'll end here until the end of time
beyond the moment that ends our bondage
i am your failed husband contender,
i'm your loan shark of bliss.
this dream you've ridden on turns your world to explosions
i need to be alone to heal this bleeding stone.
now, smell the rain of london, it still insists
that we bed for our purity
as if we are pure in the rain of our contentment
as if i can think of this no more.
feel the power. you cut the truth into you.
why? did you think i did not on this rely?
i could kiss you, with lines of escape in my mouth.
stars shined on my back as I slept and knew you.
you made an even call.
my belly released the stars and tears between the scars.
ooooh.
beyond the moment that ends our bondage
i am your failed husband contender,
i'm your loan shark of bliss.
i need to be alone to heal this bleeding stone.
now, smell the rain of london, it still insists
that we bed for our purity
as if we are pure in the rain of our contentment
as if i can think of this no more.
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This song makes me sad because it had so much potential and power, yet it remains an unfinished mystery. It's hard to say what this song "means" because of where Jeff stood at the time and how he lets songs develop freeform. Pods is right this was a favorite instrumental jam song for Jeff and the boys to cut loose near the end of a show and then when he was in the studio with Tom Verlaine he had to force lyrics into this for the first time, and it sounds like he was struggling hard against the currents of this song. Verlaine complained this was three songs in one, and this is exactly why Verlaine wasn't right for Buckley, but then again it is difficult for any engineer to work with a creatively volatile artist such as Jeff. It is somewhat reminiscent of his father Tim who would drop out of rhythms and into another midway like he was crossing through audible temperate zones faster than the listener could adjust. Luckily Jeff is a thousand times easier to listen to than his father, yet he still sounds like he is forcing a mouthful into an instrumentally tight song that would come off as being VERY awkward if it weren't for Jeff's exceptional ability. He somehow makes it work well with his acrobatic voice. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing song. I love the driving yet stringy Rickenbacker-like opening, and the way it leaves you hanging naked and pillaged at the end just as relationships often do. It's so hard not to expect more with that powerful opening; it stays with you throughout and haunts you like someone’s unfinished quest.
I too feel the title for this was a placeholder, and would have changed it in the mastering stage had he survived the Mississippi/wolf's undertow. Jeff says it himself during the Chicago concert "you don't know this one, neither do we” and that’s how he did things. He let his songs grow and take flight. Before he signed the dotted line with Columbia he had all the time in the world to do this. We always want so much from a newly discovered treasure in the industry, but Jeff’s open nerve endings of emotion to the world was a burden that would suck him in and pull him under.
I think this song kinda goes with Morning theft off the same album. It's like he's feeling guilty towards a friend or someone else that he loves for feeling unsatisfied with their relationship.
^ o.k. Jeff himself has said that it was a completely platonic relationship between him and her.
Anyway. I love this song.
@beulah You mean when an interviewer asked him about her and it was very obvious that he was being sarcastic and lying?
@beulah You mean when an interviewer asked him about her and it was very obvious that he was being sarcastic and lying?
I think out of all the songs he didn't get to release, this one had the most potential. He sounde so vulnerable, like he was really trying to get rid of some demons inside him.
I can't let this song go right now. I just can't fathom this song ever entering the category of repetitive boredom, it's just too damn good. I can't imagine this song being any better than it already is, though I do think Buckley could have made it possible. An unforgettable melody that sucks you in from the first verse and doesn't let you go until long after the song is done. Beautiful, beautiful.
This song just sucks me in period. He has such raw emotion that comes out that gives me chills. I love the ending it leaves you completely wanting more...Just makes me say ooooh!
whenever I hear Muse and Radiohead nowadays, I couldn't help but think of Jeff Buckley. I mean, his influence is very much evident to their music...considering his short career and w/ only one album he released during his lifetime, he's very much influential. He's like Jesus Christ!! It's amazing how one person can have so much influence to a lot of people, not just musicians..and he continues to do so even after he's gone. Amazing.
Why is it called "Vancouver"? Is it about some chick he had relations with in Vancouver? It's like he's sayin' "sorry, this ain't workin' out lady, because one of us is being overdramatic".....
umm, in response to your question, i don't think so. The only reason i say this is because he played it live for ages, just as an instrumental, and then wrote the lyrics later. Strangely enough, i reckon the instrumental on the Live at Chicago DVD is even better than the Sketches' lyric version. So much power!
oh haha thanks, mate. yeh i'll check that out. it's sort of in the same style has the same style as 'so real'.