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Erik_SnowQuote
Erik_Snow
For a starter, Laugh I Nearly Died is NOT sentimental but cynical
..cynical and self-obsessed, that is
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superrevvyQuote
Erik_SnowQuote
Erik_Snow
For a starter, Laugh I Nearly Died is NOT sentimental but cynical
..cynical and self-obsessed, that is
Erik, every single word is about how hurt he is. Every single vocal inflection
is about how hurt he is. "Hurt" is probably the most common sentiment
expressed in the ballad form.
If you also detect some underlying anger (what you calling cynicism), that fits
too. Thats what comes next in the stages of grief. That's what's always bubbling
under when you've been hurt.
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Erik_Snow
The best ballads for the last 23 years are all sung by Keith, IMO. My favourite "ballad" which Jagger is singing on, would actually be Sweethearts Together, a song which isn't too popular on this forum for some reason. Almost Hear You Sigh is also good, but it has faded for me too. I can't think of any other ballad after 1981 which Jagger sings that I actually like.
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Doxa
[...]the typical VOODOO LOUNGE syndroma: it leaves a nice impression from the first listening - or to be heard once in a decade - but it can't stand repeated listenings[...]
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Erik_Snow
And even the melody on Laugh I Nearly Died, nevermind the vocals, is not sentimental or close to a ballad; apart from the fact that it is a "slow song"
The same way I don't think, for instance, "Love Sick" by Dylan is a ballad
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superrevvy
If you also detect some underlying anger (what you calling cynicism), that fits
too. Thats what comes next in the stages of grief. That's what's always bubbling
under when you've been hurt.
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DoxaQuote
Erik_Snow
And even the melody on Laugh I Nearly Died, nevermind the vocals, is not sentimental or close to a ballad; apart from the fact that it is a "slow song"
The same way I don't think, for instance, "Love Sick" by Dylan is a ballad
I think you have a point there. The category of "ballad" is a bit fuzzy one, and can be easily interpreted as a slow song. But for example, if we take the dark sounds and delivery out of "Sway" it is rather slow song, and, for example, musicwise its chorus is not that different from that of "Out of Tears". But now no one of us thinks about "Sway" as a ballad. But it has a really beautiful, naturally flowing melody in it that could be interpreted way differenly than how the Stones did it in STICKY FINGERS. There is a potentiality for a great ballad ther, too.
- Doxa
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Erik_SnowQuote
superrevvy
If you also detect some underlying anger (what you calling cynicism), that fits
too. Thats what comes next in the stages of grief. That's what's always bubbling
under when you've been hurt.
BTW, all different stages of "grief" can't be catogorized under the "love" or "ballad" category, like the "cynical and selfcentered stage of grief" Jagger is pretending to be under in Laugh I Nearly Died. If so, then one could call for example a song about "disillusion" or another stage....the "going on with ones life and see a new morning"-stage-of-grief, a ballad. And that's not the case. Nearly all aspects of life deals with grief and hope, but a ballad has to focus on something sharper than that, to be called a ballad
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Erik_Snow
the lyrics of Laugh I Nearly Died is about a man obsessed with himself and what he's been through....allthough he's cynical about it having no meaning now. The singer obviously has no deep love to think back on, it's all about himself. "How she hurt his pride" seems to be the worst thing his previous woman ever did. And the way it ends "who is going to be my guide".....says something about this man only want to find "somebody else", no-matter *who*, as he just wants that company for his own enjoyment. IOW, this is a selfcentered and cynical person - with no special emotions connected to anybody else out there. There's no love to be found anywhere. Now that's hardly a theme for a "ballad"
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Erik_Snow
The same way I don't think, for instance, "Love Sick" by Dylan is a ballad
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superrevvyQuote
Erik_Snow
the lyrics of Laugh I Nearly Died is about a man obsessed with himself and what he's been through....allthough he's cynical about it having no meaning now. The singer obviously has no deep love to think back on, it's all about himself. "How she hurt his pride" seems to be the worst thing his previous woman ever did. And the way it ends "who is going to be my guide".....says something about this man only want to find "somebody else", no-matter *who*, as he just wants that company for his own enjoyment. IOW, this is a selfcentered and cynical person - with no special emotions connected to anybody else out there. There's no love to be found anywhere. Now that's hardly a theme for a "ballad"
i think this is what you think about jagger or yourself or somebody, and are
projecting it onto the song.
you hear "no emotions". i hear nothing but emotions, what more can i say?
musically, maybe the strongest parallel: JB's wonderful "this is a man's world"
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Erik_SnowQuote
Erik_SnowQuote
superrevvy
If you also detect some underlying anger (what you calling cynicism), that fits
too. Thats what comes next in the stages of grief. That's what's always bubbling
under when you've been hurt.
BTW, all different stages of "grief" can't be catogorized under the "love" or "ballad" category, like the "cynical and selfcentered stage of grief" Jagger is pretending to be under in Laugh I Nearly Died. If so, then one could call for example a song about "disillusion" or another stage....the "going on with ones life and see a new morning"-stage-of-grief, a ballad. And that's not the case. Nearly all aspects of life deals with grief and hope, but a ballad has to focus on something sharper than that, to be called a ballad
oh and one more thing...just gotta say this before I go; had a closer look at the lyrics of LIND...
the lyrics of Laugh I Nearly Died is about a man obsessed with himself and what he's been through....allthough he's cynical about it having no meaning now. The singer obviously has no deep love to think back on, it's all about himself. "How she hurt his pride" seems to be the worst thing his previous woman ever did. And the way it ends "who is going to be my guide".....says something about this man only want to find "somebody else", no-matter *who*, as he just wants that company for his own enjoyment. IOW, this is a selfcentered and cynical person - with no special emotions connected to anybody else out there. There's no love to be found anywhere. Now that's hardly a theme for a "ballad"
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Doxa
Hmm... I think the best stuff in that category - as over-all, too - is Keith's contribution.
- Doxa
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StonesTod
gazza still owes me and this community an explanation for his adoration of L,IND. until he releases this information, i will be holding all his value in an offshore trust.
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superrevvyQuote
StonesTod
gazza still owes me and this community an explanation for his adoration of L,IND. until he releases this information, i will be holding all his value in an offshore trust.
I don't get it. Jaw droppingly great and you need an explanation? can you
hear "when a man loves a women?" can you hear "this is a man's world"?
can you hear "that's how strong my love is"?
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Doxa
Okay, Keith's "Slippin Away" sounds boring in STEEL WHEELS, but I felt love to the song when I heard it live. Then it made sense (still rememer the first concert and the moment of realizing it). "The Worst" is a joke-like little song. Like Jagger's "New Faces", it can't stand repeated listenings, and starts get annoying. "Thief In the Night" and "Thru and Thru" are atmopshere exercises. Maybe a bit boring in upfront but they have some depth that fascinates me. Good efforts. Mature music. Then "How Can I Stop" is one of the greatest and most memorable things they have done since 1989 reunion. "Losing My Touch" is Richards ballad by numbers, as is the song in A BIGGER BANG, that has the word "empty" in it, I can't recall it now - but Keith's delivery makes it worth listening/s. He moves me.
- Doxa
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StonesTodQuote
superrevvy
I don't get it. Jaw droppingly great and you need an explanation? can you
hear "when a man loves a women?" can you hear "this is a man's world"?
can you hear "that's how strong my love is"?
i can't hear anything in l,ind, cos it's unlistenable. that's why i need gazza to tell me what i'm missing.
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proudmaryQuote
Doxa
Hmm... I think the best stuff in that category - as over-all, too - is Keith's contribution.
- Doxa
I don't get it. You're talking about one song - and it's over-all best contribution?
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superrevvyQuote
StonesTodQuote
superrevvy
I don't get it. Jaw droppingly great and you need an explanation? can you
hear "when a man loves a women?" can you hear "this is a man's world"?
can you hear "that's how strong my love is"?
i can't hear anything in l,ind, cos it's unlistenable. that's why i need gazza to tell me what i'm missing.
seriously, among other things, i'm a researcher. i really wanna know if you can
hear "when a man" and "man's world" and "that's how strong" but cannot hear
"laugh". not to judge you but to be amazed. strictly for the wonderment of it all.
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proudmaryQuote
superrevvyQuote
Erik_Snow
the lyrics of Laugh I Nearly Died is about a man obsessed with himself and what he's been through....allthough he's cynical about it having no meaning now. The singer obviously has no deep love to think back on, it's all about himself. "How she hurt his pride" seems to be the worst thing his previous woman ever did. And the way it ends "who is going to be my guide".....says something about this man only want to find "somebody else", no-matter *who*, as he just wants that company for his own enjoyment. IOW, this is a selfcentered and cynical person - with no special emotions connected to anybody else out there. There's no love to be found anywhere. Now that's hardly a theme for a "ballad"
i think this is what you think about jagger or yourself or somebody, and are
projecting it onto the song.
you hear "no emotions". i hear nothing but emotions, what more can i say?
musically, maybe the strongest parallel: JB's wonderful "this is a man's world"
Absolutely, superrevvy.
...."says something about this man only want to find "somebody else", no-matter *who*, as he just wants that company for his own enjoyment"... - what a load of bullocks!
Derive such a conclusion from this song - one must be really biased, to argue with it completely pointless
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StonesTodQuote
superrevvy
seriously, among other things, i'm a researcher. i really wanna know if you can
hear "when a man" and "man's world" and "that's how strong" but cannot hear
"laugh". not to judge you but to be amazed. strictly for the wonderment of it all.
it's laughable to put that song in the league with the others. please judge me. i like it.
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proudmary
You can prize How Can I Stop as you like but it is not in millions years the best thing Stones did in last 25 years.
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StonesTodQuote
treaclefingers
I thought the title of this thread was an oxymoron.
calling a defenseless thread a moron is a cheap, stupid insult.
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superrevvyQuote
StonesTodQuote
superrevvy
seriously, among other things, i'm a researcher. i really wanna know if you can
hear "when a man" and "man's world" and "that's how strong" but cannot hear
"laugh". not to judge you but to be amazed. strictly for the wonderment of it all.
it's laughable to put that song in the league with the others. please judge me. i like it.
don't worry. for the upcoming 50th compilation we're gonna get a new version,
mick taylor rough-riding all over it with a ceaseless solo. then you can sing
its praises.