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Eels — Things the Grandchildren Should Know
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ralphf
(Osaka, Japan)
Posted: May 06, 2013 - 17:30
 
It's not all good and it's not all bad . . . but, it's somewhat different. 

On_The_Beach
(The Blue Planet)
Posted: Feb 01, 2013 - 18:22
 
 gregormiz wrote:
Sad and Brilliant.  It's very real, which is one of the things that we hope for from poetry.

Reading down the comments, I get the distinct feeling that some listeners have never known anyone with social anxiety, much less experienced it themselves.  (Or if they do, the don't acknowledge it)

My Dad's a Physicist, and has recently (after his 70th birthday...) come to terms with the fact that he doesn't really understand how to fit into society.  He's still physically fit, and has always been good-looking and Charming.  People like him.  Still, he's upset by everyday social interactions.
 
bump

Antigone
(A house, in a Virginian Valley)
Posted: Jan 01, 2013 - 10:24
 
Hearing this today, on the anniversary of my father's death ... and really listening to the words ... I like it more than I used to.

ditty
(trying to be in my head)
Posted: Jan 01, 2013 - 10:20
 
unh.  I like it.

freemusic
Posted: Oct 30, 2012 - 17:31
 
 RedTopFireBelow wrote:
Wow... I can't believe this song even gets played.   I rate this as one of the worst songs I've ever heard.   The lyrics aren't terrible but since the melody sucks so badly, the lyrics just follow suit.

yikes!   please..  turn it off!!!!!   make it stop!!!!!!

{#Yawn}
 
AGREE—— I hate it so much I just had to come out here and say it too.... echo eche ache ouch  — And, the first time EVER, I just had to comment on a song,

Derecho
(A Land Without Traffic Lights)
Posted: Aug 28, 2012 - 17:06
 
This song is easier to appreciate in the context of the entire album; it serves as its coda.

old_shep
(Iowa)
Posted: Aug 28, 2012 - 17:04
 
It would be difficult for this song to suck more than it already does.

lily34
(lexvegas)
Posted: Aug 28, 2012 - 17:01
 
 visualblues wrote:
best line :  "if I had to do it all over again .... well .... it's something I'd lke to do"
 
yeah, man. that gets me every time. along with some others. but this is a good one.

visualblues
Posted: Jul 28, 2012 - 07:18
 
best line :  "if I had to do it all over again .... well .... it's something I'd lke to do"

IndyDoug
(Indianapolis)
Posted: Jul 28, 2012 - 07:10
 
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. - Henry David Thoreau

tulfan
(Still in SE MI)
Posted: Apr 24, 2012 - 06:46
 
It seems like a whole lot of stripped down honesty in there...almost a confession.

RedTopFireBelow
(Jersey shore, USA)
Posted: Apr 24, 2012 - 06:45
 
Wow... I can't believe this song even gets played.   I rate this as one of the worst songs I've ever heard.   The lyrics aren't terrible but since the melody sucks so badly, the lyrics just follow suit.

yikes!   please..  turn it off!!!!!   make it stop!!!!!!

{#Yawn}

BikeCoachDave
(Columbia, Ky.)
Posted: Apr 24, 2012 - 06:43
 
This sounds like the result of writers block + a recording industry deadline.

tryallmusic
(sunny Seattle)
Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 13:29
 
Not really sure why I like this song.... I just do.

mrgus
Posted: Mar 23, 2012 - 13:29
 
 fredriley wrote:

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Some poems are best spoken, not sung.

 

Here, here, going for PSD quickly

edbollix
(Royal Oak, Mi US)
Posted: Dec 19, 2011 - 09:29
 
Very moving song.

schayler
(Denver)
Posted: Dec 19, 2011 - 09:28
 
This is just such a great song. I never tire of it, and I even bought it after hearing it here first.

rocklandlove
(Hudson Valley, New York)
Posted: Dec 19, 2011 - 09:26
 
Sorry to disagree with the below. I think this song is all in the honesty of the emotion. I find it deeply moving. Redemption and forgiveness - especially when hard-won, as they are, if you know anything about his life - are some of the most powerful positive energies in the world. And E pulls it off, beautifully here.

ottojama
(Estonia)
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 - 02:17
 
See on hea.

fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Oct 17, 2011 - 02:17
 
 RedTopFireBelow wrote:
Wow..   this is one of the worst songs I've heard in a long time.   As a poem, I think it would be beautiful, but as a tune..   sorry, it's terrible.
It's boring, there's no melody, and you can't dance to it...   
 
Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Some poems are best spoken, not sung.


RedTopFireBelow
(Jersey shore, USA)
Posted: Sep 15, 2011 - 12:48
 
Wow..   this is one of the worst songs I've heard in a long time.   As a poem, I think it would be beautiful, but as a tune..   sorry, it's terrible.
It's boring, there's no melody, and you can't dance to it...   

{#Stop}

Decoy
(Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe)
Posted: Sep 15, 2011 - 12:47
 
 oldviolin wrote:
I blew it I'm afraid...I'm sorry more than you can ever know...
 
You will have another chance. Don't Panic. Have fun. Be Yourself.

gregormiz
(Portland, OR)
Posted: Aug 30, 2011 - 19:31
 
Sad and Brilliant.  It's very real, which is one of the things that we hope for from poetry.

Reading down the comments, I get the distinct feeling that some listeners have never known anyone with social anxiety, much less experienced it themselves.  (Or if they do, the don't acknowledge it)

My Dad's a Physicist, and has recently (after his 70th birthday...) come to terms with the fact that he doesn't really understand how to fit into society.  He's still physically fit, and has always been good-looking and Charming.  People like him.  Still, he's upset by everyday social interactions.

 

coy
(san antonio)
Posted: Aug 30, 2011 - 19:28
 
i think i wrote this song

jagdriver
(Just a nod and a wink south of Paradise)
Posted: Jul 30, 2011 - 09:56
 
I make every attempt to be a songwriter,
But I really have nothing of interest to say.
I go ahead and do it anyway, though,
And have just decided to let the chips fall where they may. 

kriskerehona
(Canberra, Australia)
Posted: Jul 14, 2011 - 18:59
 
Despite the pettiness of the comments below, this song makes me appreciate everyone in my life - thanks RP

dsmcd01
(neither here nor there)
Posted: Apr 26, 2011 - 19:15
 
 fingerpin wrote:
 fuh2 wrote:



nerakdon wrote:

He's got it wrong.  E=MC^2.  And this song is genius, by the way.  I totally get it.
 
It's not his calulation; in his own words, he barely understands basic math. However, his father was Hugh Everett III, originator of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory and of the use of Lagrange multipliers for general engineering optimizations.

/Links may not work 'cause I'm kinda' lazy.
 
h is plank's constant, and f is frequency of light and such like, E is energy. Basically E=hf shows how the energy in light and such is quantized in discrete packets, not continuous.

/nerd



fingerpin
(oHIo)
Posted: Mar 10, 2011 - 09:35
 
 fuh2 wrote:



nerakdon wrote:

He's got it wrong.  E=MC^2.  And this song is genius, by the way.  I totally get it.
 
It's not his calulation; in his own words, he barely understands basic math. However, his father was Hugh Everett III, originator of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory and of the use of Lagrange multipliers for general engineering optimizations.

/Links may not work 'cause I'm kinda' lazy.

DD rabbi_phil
(beach)
Posted: Feb 22, 2011 - 17:53
 
Brilliant

oldviolin
(Esse quam videri)
Posted: Jan 22, 2011 - 11:34
 
I blew it I'm afraid...I'm sorry more than you can ever know...


On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud)
Posted: Dec 23, 2010 - 18:07
 
 fredriley wrote:
. . . folk have a right to say pretty much what they want on the board . . .
 
. . .Then quit telling me what I can or cannot say! 
For what it's worth, I agree that we should avoid letting posts get personal. However, when some "musical" comments are so vile, inflammatory and non-constructive, I can't resist taking a shot, once in a blue moon.


fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Dec 22, 2010 - 02:36
 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

But of course it's OK for you to hop up on your soapbox and judge me, tell us all "The Way It Is" and how we must behave here at RP. Talk about people who live in glass houses! Yeesh.   {#Rolleyes}
 
If you can't take it, don't dish it out. You tell people to feck off, then get the hump when someone tells you not to tell people to feck off. Figure this: RP is for anyone and everyone, as is this board, and folk have a right to say pretty much what they want on the board, including that a particular song is sh1te. The board and the station don't belong to some self-elected musical elite.


On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud)
Posted: Dec 13, 2010 - 21:58
 
 fredriley wrote:
Just because a listener hates one song doesn't meant that s/he has to feck off elsewhere - don't be so goddamn intolerant. RP isn't an 'all or nothing' station - the very nature of 'eclectic' means that all listeners will hate some of the output. And who are you to tell people to feck off? Do you think Bill and Becky want to chase away listeners, particularly paying listeners?
 
But of course it's OK for you to hop up on your soapbox and judge me, tell us all "The Way It Is" and how we must behave here at RP. Talk about people who live in glass houses! Yeesh.   {#Rolleyes}



fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Dec 06, 2010 - 03:35
 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Lucky for you there's hundreds of other stations for you to listen to and whine about. Buh-bye, now.

 
Just because a listener hates one song doesn't meant that s/he has to feck off elsewhere - don't be so goddamn intolerant. RP isn't an 'all or nothing' station - the very nature of 'eclectic' means that all listeners will hate some of the output. And who are you to tell people to feck off? Do you think Bill and Becky want to chase away listeners, particularly paying listeners?


Moak
(Reading, PA)
Posted: Dec 06, 2010 - 03:34
 
Sweet, loved that.

Decoy
(Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe)
Posted: Nov 04, 2010 - 10:44
 
love me some Eels on a rainy afternoon.  Simple, strong, and very, very real.  

Cynaera
(South of Neanderthal)
Posted: Oct 19, 2010 - 17:13
 
 fitzworld wrote:

I am going to urge my grandchildren NEVER to listen to this song! The monotonous chords on the guitar are KILLING ME!! The lyrics are BEYOND boring and trite and maudlin. Please, please don't EVER make me listen to this crap again. It's absolutely awful!!!!


 
And what, exactly, WILL you leave to your grandchildren?  Just curious...


Cynaera
(South of Neanderthal)
Posted: Oct 19, 2010 - 17:11
 
Lyrics - and BTW, I love them. I wish I had grandparents. Hell, I wish I had my parents, after listening to this...

"Things The Grandchildren Should Know"

I go to bed real early
Everybody thinks it's strange
I get up early in the morning
No matter how disappointed i was
With the day before
It feels new

I don't leave the house much
I don't like being around people
Makes me nervous and weird
I don't like going to shows either
It's better for me to stay home
Some might think it means i hate people
But that's not quite right

I do some stupid things
But my heart's in the right place
And this i know

I got a dog
I take him for a walk
And all the people like to say hello
I'm used to staring down at the sidewalk cracks
I'm learning how to say hello
Without too much trouble

I'm turning out just like my father
Though i swore i never would
Now i can say that i have a love for him
I never really understood
What it must have been like for him
Living inside his head

I feel like he's here with me now
Even though he's dead

It's not all good and it's not all bad
Don't believe everything you read
I'm the only one who knows what it's like
So i though i'd better tell you
Before i leave

So in the end i'd like to say
That i'm a very thankful man
I tried to make the most of my situations
And enjoy what i had
I knew true love and i knew passion
And the difference between the two
And i had some regrets
But if i had to do it all again
Well, it's something i'd like to do.


I wish I still had my parents.  There are so many things I wish I'd have thought to ask - I guess I just always thought they'd live forever and so would I. This song hits home in so many ways it'll probably be one of those songs (like "Ticking" by Elton John) that I'll only be able to handle once a year because of the intimacy...



anotherlistener
(outside Bawlmer)
Posted: Oct 19, 2010 - 17:04
 
Bill, back this up with some John Prine.  Should sound good together.

On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud)
Posted: Oct 03, 2010 - 21:15
 
 fitzworld wrote:

I am going to urge my grandchildren NEVER to listen to this song! The monotonous chords on the guitar are KILLING ME!! The lyrics are BEYOND boring and trite and maudlin. Please, please don't EVER make me listen to this crap again. It's absolutely awful!!!

 
Lucky for you there's hundreds of other stations for you to listen to and whine about. Buh-bye, now.


fitzworld
(The Big A)
Posted: Oct 03, 2010 - 20:07
 

I am going to urge my grandchildren NEVER to listen to this song! The monotonous chords on the guitar are KILLING ME!! The lyrics are BEYOND boring and trite and maudlin. Please, please don't EVER make me listen to this crap again. It's absolutely awful!!!!



justlistening
(So. California)
Posted: Sep 18, 2010 - 00:11
 

Why does the Eels singer, Mark Everett always sound like he's singing through a megaphone?  It also wouldn't hurt if they composed a more upbeat song now and then.

That said - still like this.





TheMountainMan
Posted: Aug 16, 2010 - 23:13
 
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............................................................{#Yawn}

nerakdon
(Colorado)
Posted: Jun 29, 2010 - 23:25
 
 jbtidwell wrote:
Very cool - a little bit like John Prine, but with the new Iron and Wine "low-key" approach
 
I hadn't made that particular connection, because John Prine reminds me of my Dad, and this guy doesn't.  At all.  He's more like Young, but with the songwriting of Clark.  It's really quite uncanny.  Perhaps it's just the way his voice seems to follow me around the room that makes me feel as if I know him.  

I am stunned at how long it took me to realize this was not an artist I had heard before.  Still, I know I can't place the voice. I feel lucky to have heard it. 

nerakdon
(Colorado)
Posted: Jun 29, 2010 - 23:14
 
 fuh2 wrote:
 
He's got it wrong.  E=MC^2.  And this song is genius, by the way.  I totally get it.

Shouc
(Victoria)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 10:41
 
 spumoni wrote:
This song seeps into the psyche and sends the soul searching... I was playing this and my grandaughter questioned "Is this song meant for me?"  Indeed, things the grandchildren should know.
 

That's mostly because of its childish self-centred lyrics :)

Photo-John
(Nor Cal to SLC)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 10:40
 
This is a beautiful, beautiful song. There are so many "mistakes" in my past, which in retrospect, appear to have really been blessings in disguise.

ploba
(the other coast and hang a left)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 10:38
 
the entire album is great

gshrieves
(Colorado, USA)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 10:37
 
Great song from a great album and a great artist. I can understand why some people don't "get" E or Eels. As far as I'm concerned, it's their loss. 

Rich3D
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 10:36
 
The older I get the more this song makes sense{#Wave}