I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
Photo: economist.com
I disagree respectfully :-)
I really like this song and the keyboards on it. And the lyrics are among the best he's written (although, I see how you mean they're very close to the poem they're taken from).
The bit starting from "the child's eyes..." sends a chill down my spine every single time...
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
Photo: economist.com
Given where the band filmed their videos, it has a very French sound and influence across numerous tracks. The accordian immediately made me think of French songs from the second World War.
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
Photo: economist.com
Given where the band filmed their videos, it has a very French sound and influence across numerous tracks. The accordian immediately made me think of French songs from the second World War.
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
Photo: economist.com
Given where the band filmed their videos, it has a very French sound and influence across numerous tracks. The accordian immediately made me think of French songs from the second World War.
Given where the band filmed their videos, it has a very French sound and influence across numerous tracks. The accordian immediately made me think of French songs from the second World War.
Amazing what the band could come up with sitting around a villa and enjoying the French Riviera or wherever they recorded the album. I think my Deluxe edition liner notes explain all of this but Wikipedia is quite lacking on the subject.
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.
Photo: economist.com
BURN THE WITCH!!!!
If you have a lead on Brisbane 21 August 1992 - CT version, for the love of Bob, let me know. Please!
I will confess I usually skip this one... there are things about it that grate on me, namely the accordian-like synth line that makes me think of mimes and baguettes and I've nicknamed "Paris Piano" (RS isn't the only one to use it). It's annoying to me b/c I really like the guitar work and drums are "fine." I think that overall the keyboard makes it more difficult to hear / appreciate RS' vocals. Maybe they compete b/c they're in the same register????
The lyrics are a bit too literal for my liking, also. For me, the album version is what Les Misérables would be like if it had the ultimate best music as a Broadway musical.
I do like the live version you posted from Melbourne *much* better because Pearl's guitar replaces the "Paris Piano" and I like Pearl's playing, here.