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Sonia Dada — Ain't Life for the Living
Album: My Secret Life
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 902









Released: 2005
Length: 2:58
Plays (last 30 days): 1
(no lyrics available)
Comments (131)add comment
I'm getting a little bit of Alabama 3 in this
 coloradojohn wrote:

I've always loved this song, since way back when I thought it was Stevie Wonder before I looked... I also love how Jon Batiste taps into these same grooves.



John Batiste was a very pleasant surprise for me with his album. So joyous! So infectious. 
Lyrics (from SonicHits.com):
(And, BTW, no mention of Jesus anywhere here)


Conceived to kill, living just to die
Hell in a hand basket, why even try
Death on death, makes the world go round
Fitting to live six feet underground
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Ain't nothing else gonna change
The more they do, the more they're the same
Different name, familiar faceNot to be taken or replaced
Killing, raping, bridge burning, forsaken
Despising, undermining, betraying, slaying
Give it a hand, ain't life grand?
The world at war, number one
One more time 'cause is was so damn fun
Things were pure, back in the day
You're fucking dreaming old man, it's always been this way
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Ain't nothing else gonna change
The more they do, the more they're the same
Different name familiar face
Not to be taken or replaced
Killing, raping, bridge burning, forsaken
I've always loved this song, since way back when I thought it was Stevie Wonder before I looked... I also love how Jon Batiste taps into these same grooves.
One of my favorite commute songs.  I think I made a dent in the steering wheel pounding that beat. 
 memoryboxer wrote:


maybe you need to relax and hit the Play Someother Deity button?



Or "none of the above."
Cool - sounds like Stevie Wonder
this is a fun band. 

wish they tour more. 

More Sonia Dada PLEASE!!!
 memoryboxer wrote:


maybe you need to relax and hit the Play Someother Deity button?


In Canada: Jesus saves, but Gretzky scores on the rebound....
 memoryboxer wrote:


maybe you need to relax and hit the Play Someother Deity button?
 

 Anax wrote:
Okay, it's catchy, it's tuneful, but damn, why do I have to hear so many Jesus songs?
 

maybe you need to relax and hit the Play Someother Deity button?
These guys were so great. 
Just what I needed to hear...{#Daisy}
 Cynaera wrote:
First time I ever heard Sonia Dada was a song called "Screaming John" and it was so passionate and powerful that it had me frozen in awe.  I love pretty much everything they've ever done - a VERY talented buncha guys! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll... 
 Anax wrote:
Okay, it's catchy, it's tuneful, but damn, why do I have to hear so many Jesus songs?

 
I think it's asking you to bop and swing, not convert, maybe relax a little?
Okay, it's catchy, it's tuneful, but damn, why do I have to hear so many Jesus songs?
Jesus saves, but Moses scores on the rebound. Ok, sorry about the unoriginal joke, but I lack imagination - we all have our crosses to bear :o)

I'll get me toga...
OK does anybody know what ever happened to Sonia Dada? A friend said he saw them this summer in Denver, but I don't believe him. I LOVE them, and saw them every New Years' Eve in Boulder for many years. sigh
Keep on playing my homies! A very underappreciated band.
One of my all-time favorite groups.  Songs never fail to put a smile on my face and a groove in my feet!  And their 'great songs' list is a long one: Lester's, New York City, Phases of the Moon, Planes & Satellites, You Ain't Thinking, You Don't Treat Me...  Would love to hear all these (and more) in the RP playlist more often!
Sonia!  Where have you been all these years?!  I heard the vocals and my thoughts immediately went to Lester's!  Woohoo!  Thanks Bill!
 FrankMc wrote:
Background music is reminiscent of some of the background on Robert Palmer's Slippin' Sally through the Alley. Which is a good thing to sound like.
 
If I'm not mistaken, that background you refer to was basically, if not precisely, Little Feat. And, I couldn't agree more: good thing!
Wow! Been a long time since I have heard these guys!
gunna have to go home and blow the dust off of this album
 SinisterDexter wrote:
Thought this was Lyle Lovett at first - it's certainly a tune he would sing.

Edit: And it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks so...
 
Has a Subdudes feel
Oh, come on - only two songs by these guys?  Where's "Screaming John" and "Paradise" and "You Don't Treat Me No Good No More"?  There are a bunch of great songs by Sonia Dada. Which reminds me - I have GOT to find all my Sonia Dada CDs and get some of that stuff uploaded onto my MP3 player.
Thought this was Lyle Lovett at first - it's certainly a tune he would sing.

Edit: And it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks so...
Background music is reminiscent of some of the background on Robert Palmer's Slippin' Sally through the Alley. Which is a good thing to sound like.
First time I ever heard Sonia Dada was a song called "Screaming John" and it was so passionate and powerful that it had me frozen in awe.  I love pretty much everything they've ever done - a VERY talented buncha guys! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Hot album photo!
Jesus saves! Then Old Nick latches onto the loose ball and scores from the rebound.

I'll get me coat...
Pretty cool, I caught more of a gospel vibe to this tune though.{#Dancingbanana}
I thought it was Stevie Wonder at first and "wondered" why I hadn't heard it before....
 Jelani wrote:
This has a real Robert Palmer feel to it.
Anyone else get that? It's a good thing.
(Martha Stewart knd of feel to that)
bad thing.
 
i definitely get that.  that's why i looked it up . . .{#Stupid}

Sho nuf!!!

What happened to these guys, they were really good?
 MojoJojo wrote:
Have liked these folks for a long time.  Pimp!
 
TTT



meh
Sounds like a TV show song.  {#Yes} like a new version of Different Strokes or something
{#Dancingbanana}

user : Tailypoe
Thought It was Tracy chapman. Have a Nice etrnity.{#Frustrated}
Have liked these folks for a long time.  Pimp!
Yes, and there are many Sonia Dada songs that are even better than this one. I'd like to start hearing some of them here!
I dont think they have ever put out a bad CD.
Love that real feel good beat and the vocal harmony is most outstanding!!!
Jelani wrote:
This has a real Robert Palmer feel to it. Anyone else get that?
Maybe on the beat.. but the vocals are far beyond Palmer's range. This is one of the best songs I've ever heard.
This has a real Robert Palmer feel to it. Anyone else get that? It's a good thing. (Martha Stewart knd of feel to that) bad thing.
I've been a Sonia Dada fan since living in Chicago in the mid nineties, however I didn't know until today that the guitarist is Daniel Pritzker. According to Forbes there are only 180 Americans richer than him. Hats off to the billionaire rock-star.
Ilike this actually
Nice! and a complete surprise RP! This band's music is my "having a not so hot day and need a little something..." Lay Down and Love it Live is great. Gives you an idea of how they are live.
Austin2Florida wrote:
I thought this was "Church" at first. LL is so funnny.
I can totally hear that. . . but this guy's voice is a thousand times better. Sorry, Lyle. Love you, love your songwriting - this guy's got the pipes.
Misterfixit wrote:
Mixed too high ... What does that mean? "Mixed too high"?
chucklesalmon wrote:
Just curious... how are these drums annoying to you? I'd love to know, cuz i thats sort of how I play drums.....
Mixed too high ...
Great toe-tapping gospel!
OH yes i thought the same thing at first too. and LL is lyle lovett rKokon wrote:
Please explain, what is LL?
Austin2Florida wrote:
I thought this was "Church" at first. LL is so funnny.
Please explain, what is LL?
It has a good beat and you can dance to it. . . I'll give it an 8.
livegirl wrote:
Are these the same people that did "Lover, lover, lover, you don't do me no good no more..." or words to that effect?
Ya.
hallelujah!!!!!
first thought: Stevie Wonder
Kindly segue into James Brown singing Popcorn
Are these the same people that did "Lover, lover, lover, you don't do me no good no more..." or words to that effect?
Here be channelling Little Stevie Wonder.
that bass-y keyboard part sounds like uncle rico's theme music from napoleon dynamite. wow, i can't believe i just mentioned that movie.
reminds me of Talking Heads
webslinger48 wrote:
I just realized that I have only rated good songs, so I'm making a concious effort to also vote for the not-so-good ones. This song conveniently came on. Annoying voice. Annoying drums. A "2".
Just curious... how are these drums annoying to you? I'd love to know, cuz i thats sort of how I play drums.....
If you don't know Sonia Dada, your life is incomplete.
"Ain't life for the living" - damn straight. Your life is happening now, right this moment. So make the best out of it.
ah.. this song puts me in a pretty good mood even though it is Monday morning ugh..
Very entertaining live shows from this band. Keep an eye on your local listings.
TKTuttle wrote:
You mean this isn't Tracy Chapman?!
Please....this is too funky for Traci...take a minute and check out this bands background
You mean this isn't Tracy Chapman?!
Can IIIIII....get a witnessss...from the congregation
... Just captivated by the album cover, I want that dress! ... ... Ain't Life for the Living? ...
sjolliff wrote:
I know how you feel. I thought it was Little Feat.
I thought this was "Church" at first. LL is so funnny.
I just realized that I have only rated good songs, so I'm making a concious effort to also vote for the not-so-good ones. This song conveniently came on. Annoying voice. Annoying drums. A "2".
BKardon wrote:
That's funny, I came here to see if anyone knew if the backup singers were from Lyle's large band. Sounds like Francine Reed and the guy who's name I don't know but he sings bass with Lyle.
I know how you feel. I thought it was Little Feat.
littleblueriver7 wrote:
Boy do I feel ignorant, I thought this was a Lyle Lovett song... But my first reason for thinking that was not the song but her voice.
That's funny, I came here to see if anyone knew if the backup singers were from Lyle's large band. Sounds like Francine Reed and the guy who's name I don't know but he sings bass with Lyle.
This entire set is killng me...
Boy do I feel ignorant, I thought this was a Lyle Lovett song... But my first reason for thinking that was not the song but her voice.
boomshaka boomshaka boomshaka...boom...boom...boom... Mari wrote:
mojoman wrote:
Hockey, since Satan plays for the Buffalo Sabres (click here)
Its true..... Satan plays for the Sabres and he isn't even the dirtiest player on the team
This being an interactive comment board, I just thought I'd emphasize the interactive part of it. No one here is greater than the sum of the parts. It just seemed simpler to do it this way than to address each comment separately. I love every song played here - individually, for different reasons, and collectively, for the fact that they're being played in entirety, without censorship. Short story: My home town is about to get a new radio station. The owners want to "do it right," and not "make the same mistakes other radio stations make." To that end, they've created a website, given the listeners choices of what THEY want to hear, and have provided an "other" space where we can TELL them exactly what we want. I responded by typing in RadioParadise's web address. Here, unabridged, is my e-mail, along with the response:
Something different!!! www.radioparadise.com is a really good example of what might be fun We already have a classic rock station, a top-40 station, and a country station. Let's make the fourth FM station indie, progressive, different! Also - as for not making the same mistakes other stations make, play the UNEDITED versions of songs, not the chopped, remixed, censored versions! Nothing upsets me more than to listen to "Jet Airliner" by Steve Miller Band and find the phrase "funky kicks" substituted for the original expression. I'm not pro-profanity, but I am pro-expression. Don't talk over a song, don't chop it before it's finished (the gong at the end of "Nights In White Satin" is a case in point.) Please, Coyote FM - do it RIGHT, all right? Thank you. < From the director of the new station > Yours is the first vote I've responded to (except to tell that teenager hip-hop fan to stop voting - 38 times is enough, already! As for the profanity, I'm with you, but George Bush isn't. Steve Miller's Jet Airliner and Pink Floyd's Money used to be okay to play on the radio. Today if we tried it, the FCC would drive us out of business. So sorry, scrubbed versions only, whichever format we go with. Thanks for your vote. -The Coyote.
So, those of you who complain about the content of RadioParadise, keep in mind that even being able to listen to this wonderful station has become a privilege, not a right. Long live RadioParadise.
Great gospel groove and fun lyrics. And Satan plays hockey?
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
These guys put on one helluva good live performance. I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance.
I saw them when they opened for Traffic at Wolf Mountain in Park City. They were great!
Roverfish wrote:
Satan shoots. Jesus saves! (hmm, not sure if that's a hockey or soccer metaphor...) Excellent tune.
Hockey, since Satan plays for the Buffalo Sabres (click here)
ChardRemains wrote:
Yeah. This would spruce my choir up a bunch. But I have a feeling the old white ladies might have a little trouble with the rhythm...
They, like me, probably suffer from CRD: caucasian rhythmic disorder.
ChardRemains wrote:
Yeah. This would spruce my choir up a bunch. But I have a feeling the old white ladies might have a little trouble with the rhythm...
You might be surprised but I know an old white lady who likes Sonia Dada.
redeyespy wrote:
Gonna find the sheet music to this, and slip it in the choir director's folder. Talk about revival!
Yeah. This would spruce my choir up a bunch. But I have a feeling the old white ladies might have a little trouble with the rhythm...
These guys put on one helluva good live performance. I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance.
Satan shoots. Jesus saves! (hmm, not sure if that's a hockey or soccer metaphor...) Excellent tune.
Gonna find the sheet music to this, and slip it in the choir director's folder. Talk about revival!
I am amazed that this song gets such a negative reaction because of its gospel orientation. If this gets your ire, I cant imagine your reaction to CC, true gospel, or even Al Green. This band is great with a fantastic rhythm section and very tight harmonies. Their material has influences that include blues, jazz, R&B, rock, folk, and yes, gospel; which they excel in all. The only surprise I had was when I learned they were from Chicago, I thought with all of those influences they had to be from somewhere down south like Atlanta. (No offense Chicagoans) How about You Don't Treat Me No Good – that is a great song.
sugaree wrote:
so happy to discover you play Sonia Dada! i have loved them for years.
Mee, too!
so happy to discover you play Sonia Dada! i have loved them for years.
compulsive knee slapping going on! ;-) KateD
If any churches I knew had music like this, I might actually go.
iamnotmad wrote:
Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
No, Radio Paradise is an eclectic radio "station", nimrod, thus these songs on the playlist. I'm about as non-religious as the next agnostic, but even if this was a full-bore religious song, it would have its place here on RP. As has already been said, people who recoil at the mere thought or mention of any religious reference are revealing far more about themselves that they might think. Grow a little tolerance, fer cryin' out loud! (And if you're simply gonna bitch about the music, at least pony up a few bucks to support the mechanism that allows you to hear it.) For the record, I'm not all that fond of this song, but it's not because of its message. Damn crybabies.
mojoman wrote:
People with an irrational hatred of Christianity and Jesus reveal far more about themselves through their complaints than they realize.
The same can be said for those who irrationally embrace Christianity (or any other religion). There are plenty of reasons for not following a religion of any kind. However, because some of the most inspired music is religous in nature, I personally feel it is inappropriate to bash music for lyrics containing the word 'Jesus.'
Cheerful, upbeat, enthusiastic- just the ticket for me to tune into after a long day at the veterinary hospital. It's a matter of indifference to me as to whether the origin of the song is religious or not. The message is a good one and easy to listen to. Also, there are only two things that are worth treating as matters of life and death......people's taste in music is not one of them.
Good groove... ain't life for the livin'. Right on.
A truely GREAT bad to hear live if you ever get a chance.
A word about people who post insulting, inflammatory remarks: These trolls are just desperate to see someone respond to their post. It's not about whatever opinion they are offering, otherwise they would say: "I am personally turned off by music with religious lyrics." But no, they have to say it in such a way that you get mad, and thereby manipulate you into typing a response.
iamnotmad wrote:
I want to donate, but cripes - here comes a jesus song. Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
People with an irrational hatred of Christianity and Jesus reveal far more about themselves through their complaints than they realize.
...And people dare wonder why society is on a downward spiral...sing a tune with some REDEEMING value and get shot to pieces! Chill out folks! Could there be some TRUTH there?? Hurts, don't it? Even schools are teaching a SUPERIOR INTELLECT as bringing about the universe...along side evil lution....or some such. Come ON!
iamnotmad wrote:
Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
Please look up the word "eclectic" and get back to us. In the meantime, we're going to enjoy some good music, regardless of religious connotation. This is a great example...of good music.
iamnotmad wrote:
I completely agree with this (though, i would not have used quite the same terms). I want to donate, but cripes - here comes a jesus song. Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
I really don't understand what the problem is that some people have with music that has a religious theme. There is lots of fantastic religious music, that should be accessible to people whether or not they are christian. I'm not religious, but religious music can be really good. I'm not a junkie, but grunge rock can be really good. I don't advocate wife beating, but blues is great. Relax, dammit.
remember...this is an "ECLECTIC" station. criminy, ain't life for the livin? ain't RP for the listenin? iamnotmad wrote:
I completely agree with this (though, i would not have used quite the same terms). I want to donate, but cripes - here comes a jesus song. Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
neuraljazz wrote:
Note to the DJs. Everytime I think about paying you money, you play some f*CKING JESUS sh*t like this. Now I am tuning you off until the next time.
I completely agree with this (though, i would not have used quite the same terms). I want to donate, but cripes - here comes a jesus song. Is radio paradise a religous radio "station", why are these songs on the playlist?
This was a very cool song. I don't know the group at all but I recall some other cut by them played here that was also pleasing. I will have to investigate further. Thanks Bill!
I discovered Sonia Dada on one of the Paste magazine samplers--fun, jazzy beat!
A pretty good song from (imho) their weakest album. Their earlier stuff rocks harder.
Oh, and one more thing....if you don't vote, you can't complain about politics. If you don't contribute to RP, you SURE can't complain. It's not like you support them, so why should they CARE what you like or don't like?
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Oh yeah, well I'll one up you!! I won't think about donating, and JESUS WAS BLACK!!! Chew on that!!
I think the best way for you and the previous complainer to "one up" the HAPPY listeners (who appreciate the diversity of this INCREDIBLE station) is to go back to Clear Channel where corporate America will get your donations through their crass commercial in-your-face ads. By the way, Jesus was most likely an olive skinned man, not that it really matters. Fortissimo: What a couplagoobs.
phineas wrote:
Of course it happens just when you "think about paying" RP money. Damned convenient, that. Sotto voce: waddagoob.
Oh yeah, well I'll one up you!! I won't think about donating, and JESUS WAS BLACK!!! Chew on that!!
neuraljazz wrote:
Note to the DJs. Everytime I think about paying you money, you play some f*CKING JESUS sh*t like this.
Of course it happens just when you "think about paying" RP money. Damned convenient, that. Sotto voce: waddagoob.
Johray63 wrote:
Because of the clavinet and also the vocals it somewhat reminds me of early Seventies Stevie Wonder. But they handle it well. Nice, groovy song.
I thought the same thing -- there's definitely a Stevie groove in this song!
Because of the clavinet and also the vocals it somewhat reminds me of early Seventies Stevie Wonder. But they handle it well. Nice, groovy song.
One of my favorite bands. More Sonia Dada please! "Screaming John" would be a nice addition. This is an amazing band to see live- very powerful.
neuraljazz wrote:
Note to the DJs. Everytime I think about paying you money, you play some f*CKING JESUS sh*t like this. Now I am tuning you off until the next time.
So, I suppose you'd rather hear songs about the devil and death or am I just jumping to conclusions. Have a very nice day.