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Guster — What You Wish For
Album: Lost and Gone Forever
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 805









Released: 1999
Length: 3:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Woke up today,
To everything gray
And all that I saw,
Just kept going on and on

Sweep all the pieces under the bed
Close all the curtains and cover my head
And what you wish for won't come true
You aren't surprised love, are you?

If this serenade
(Repeat after me)
(Just a little bit closer)
Is not what you want
(Do what is sane)
(Caught up in a lie)
It's just how it is,
(Won't change a thing)
(Got a little bit colder)
It keeps going on and on (unison "on and on")

Come out, come out wherever you are
Would you do it all over right from the start?
And what you wish for won't come true
You aren't surprised love, are you?

Once had this dream,
Crashed down in oz
Not black and white,
But where the colors are
I never dreamed that I would let it go

And I will get what I deserve
Keep all the secrets under the bed
Open the curtains, forget what I said
And what you wished for could come true
You aren't surprised love, are you?
So what you wished for could come true
You act surprised love, are you?
Comments (98)add comment
Brilliant Bill. From Revolutionary Kind to this Guster. You've got a blessed ear for musical coherence.
Very nice. As usual I've never heard of Guster and am glad RP introduced me to them. Kind of Simon and Garfunkel like.
 drewd wrote:
The vocals are outstanding . They hit those high note just right .........
 
Total agreement here.  "And what you wish for / Won't come true-ue-ue" should be in the dictionary as an example of a "catch".
Interesting all the bands people say this sounds like.
To me it sounds like it is an Andy Partridge tune...  high praise
Quite a Dandy Warhols influence at the beginning....
What a breath of fresh air this album was! For me, their catchy melodic jams & killer harmonies are right up there with Crowded House!
Perfect song for after this election :-(  Thank you RP for being so on-theme since yesterday, though I can't stop thinking about what this will mean for royalties and the FCC going forward...
Funny moment: I was just pasting #fafafa color to some chat when Guster started on RP. Close enough for me {#Biggrin}
7 - quite likeable and kinda Toad-like
Gomez..Revolutionary Kind
Guster ...What You Wish For
....I see what you did there Bill! 

Gomez to Guster. Similar line. Subtle. RP.

 

... then Beck. Brilliant set !!!!!!!

 

 

Revolutionary Kind

What You Wish For

Blue Moon

 

 

Sweet sweet sweet


Woke up today… to FINALLY, some sunshine, after the hellish early deep-freeze! So good hearing this beauty on a blue-sky morning!
I am frenetically toe tapping and I like it.
 MJdub wrote:
 bluedot wrote:
Oh please. You can't tell? OUCH! PLEASE MAKE THE AUTO-TUNE STOP!
Not a bad song, but for me,  it lost four points for being Auto-tuned! 3.
HATE Auto-tune!
lol 

Auto-Tune was quite uncommon in 1999, and it's highly doubtful that it was in the budget for this record given the otherwise basic mixes and mediocre mastering.  I think what you're hearing is a talented singer.

 
I'm with blue dot on the j'accuse. In 1999, Autotune had been in use for almost two years on lots of albums (and one particular Cher hit). The fact that the gimmick came back in the late 00s does not change the sad fact that it has been perfectly common for more than 15 years now.
 bluedot wrote:
Oh please. You can't tell? OUCH! PLEASE MAKE THE AUTO-TUNE STOP!
Not a bad song, but for me,  it lost four points for being Auto-tuned! 3.
HATE Auto-tune!
lol 

Auto-Tune was quite uncommon in 1999, and it's highly doubtful that it was in the budget for this record given the otherwise basic mixes and mediocre mastering.  I think what you're hearing is a talented singer.
The vocals are outstanding . They hit those high note just right .........
 d-don wrote:
They have better songs, but it's stil a good standard{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

I don't see how this is about as good as it gets.{#Clap}
 R7-12 wrote:

That's just one way of looking at it. The success of a song to inspire or simply to bring a bit of joy does not depend upon the complexity of the arrangement or the degree of imagination involved. In fact some of the most-loved songs have very simple arrangements - think early Beatles, Buddy Holly, etc.

I have to agree with coloradojohn on this one even though this is the first time I've heard this song. The singer's high notes are not really bad, they are in key and well sung. The production may be have a bit of a flat sound due to its simplicity, but again, that doesn't prevent good songs from bringing joy to its listeners.

As an audiophile (of sorts) I enjoy well recorded, well produced, and oftentimes complex music through a true hi-end system, but at the same time, I can enjoy listening to a great song even through a clock radio. {#Smile}

Just my $.02 worth. 
 
what you said
The whole family's going to see them this Wednesday night. Woo-hoo!
 R7-12 wrote:
I have to agree with coloradojohn on this one even though this is the first time I've heard this song. The singer's high notes are not really bad, they are in key and well sung.
 
To my ears they almost sound pitch corrected.  Hard to tell when it's done properly though.
Good song, 

this song says nothing to me.....
 sronis wrote:


wow, such a contrast between a superlative-filled comment and the true quality of this song, which is mediocre at best. At least in terms of vocals (the singer's high notes are really bad), melody (simple and unimaginative), instrument playing (again, very simple) and mixing and production (flat sound, almost no changes in tempo). just boring...
 
That's just one way of looking at it. The success of a song to inspire or simply to bring a bit of joy does not depend upon the complexity of the arrangement or the degree of imagination involved. In fact some of the most-loved songs have very simple arrangements - think early Beatles, Buddy Holly, etc.

I have to agree with coloradojohn on this one even though this is the first time I've heard this song. The singer's high notes are not really bad, they are in key and well sung. The production may be have a bit of a flat sound due to its simplicity, but again, that doesn't prevent good songs from bringing joy to its listeners.

As an audiophile (of sorts) I enjoy well recorded, well produced, and oftentimes complex music through a true hi-end system, but at the same time, I can enjoy listening to a great song even through a clock radio. {#Smile}

Just my $.02 worth. 
 coloradojohn wrote:
Never fails to make me feel better...absolutely awesome melodies, harmonies, percussion — all of everything in the spectrum!  And I love the way they kick it up into high gear toward the end!  WHAT A GREAT SONG, now, and the first time I heard it!
 

wow, such a contrast between a superlative-filled comment and the true quality of this song, which is mediocre at best. At least in terms of vocals (the singer's high notes are really bad), melody (simple and unimaginative), instrument playing (again, very simple) and mixing and production (flat sound, almost no changes in tempo). just boring...

Never fails to make me feel better...absolutely awesome melodies, harmonies, percussion — all of everything in the spectrum!  And I love the way they kick it up into high gear toward the end!  WHAT A GREAT SONG, now, and the first time I heard it!
They have better songs, but it's stil a good standard{#Dancingbanana_2}
nice
They're back out on tour—go see 'em. Great show. https://www.guster.com/
WonderLizard wrote:
...a family affair no less with Mrs. Lizard and Baby Lizard, who passed up her HS homecoming dance for Guster...how cool is that?...
{#Group-hug} Trippin' on DNA!

Love love LOVE them!!!!!! Perfect for a sunny friday!!
Saw them this past Saturday night at Constitution Hall—a family affair no less with Mrs. Lizard and Baby Lizard, who passed up her HS homecoming dance for Guster...how cool is that? They were fabulous. Their encore was to wade into the crowd, equipped only with acoustic instruments (Brian shook an Egg) and do one last number before racing into the foyer and out on to C Street to be swallowed whole by the night—or maybe a waiting car. These guys haven't forgotten who got 'em where they are.
 yclept wrote:
It would be really nice to know if this is autotuned.
 
Oh please. You can't tell? OUCH! PLEASE MAKE THE AUTO-TUNE STOP!

Not a bad song, but for me,  it lost four points for being Auto-tuned! 3.

HATE Auto-tune!

lol

It would be really nice to know if this is autotuned.
 Deadwing wrote:
Guster makes me happy    {#Yes}
 

ExACTly. I love, love, love this band.
Guster is the greatest find I've had on RP {#Bananajam}
dunno wrote:
cheesy happysound. urgh. awful.
{#Sick}
Thank you Great Cosmic Muffin, for allowing me to remain less cynical than I think I am, that I may be charmed and heartened by this simple song.

Meh. They do have some good songs though.
Very Nice Music
Don't sweat it,
You get what you deserve -
like Radio Paradise 
 WonderLizard wrote:
Guster and Gomez B2B—two of the better bands to emerge in the last decade, neither of which I was aware before RP.
 
Same here! And they're now two of my favorite bands.
Just to second that emotion about playing Gomez and Guster back to back.... Great sense of what's right, Bill!
Guster and Gomez B2B—two of the better bands to emerge in the last decade, neither of which I was aware before RP.
Thanks for playing Guster and Gomez back to back, Bill!  I always get those two mixed up for some reason.
 dunno wrote:
cheesy happysound. urgh. awful.
{#Sick}

 

I couldn't agree more!{#Yes} I LOVE this song!!!!! Gave it a 10!{#Notworthy}
cheesy happysound. urgh. awful.
{#Sick}

 tompoll wrote:
Very cool song. Perhaps the worst-sounding drums ever recorded.
 
They're all done by hand (bongos, etc) on this album (and, in fact, all of their first three albums) which is why they have a strange sound.

Great song, though!{#Dance}
 annersjen wrote:
Best Guster song (and I love a lot of them) is: 'Careful'

 

My favorite is Ruby Falls, but Careful is damn catchy too!
Guster makes me happy    {#Yes}
Gomez to Guster segue! Woohoo! I have this very CD in my car. GMTA, Bill.
Yeas, Guster is another group introduced to me by RP.  They ARE great Cathenley!

 cathenley wrote:
Guster kinda changed my life....
 
How'd they do that?
Guster kinda changed my life....
Best Guster song (and I love a lot of them) is: 'Careful'

Very cool song. Perhaps the worst-sounding drums ever recorded.
Think of all the fun the kids had smashing the piano for the photographer!

Oh, Guster works for me .. very seven or eightish ...
i like this guster...
good vibes..

I love this album...Guster's best, in my opinion. This song, "Barrel of a Gun", "Fa Fa", "Center of Attention"...a great set of songs.

More from this CD needs to be on RP! I can't believe this and "Barrel of a Gun" are the only two songs off of this CD on here!


I never heard this song before.  I'm familiar with "Barrel of a Gun," which I really like.  I think I've heard some other songs from Guster here that really didn't make a strong impression one way or the other, but I like this one a lot.  This is a very good song with beautiful harmonies.  Reminds of Beatles/Crowded House.  I hope to hear this one on RP again in the future.  {#Whistle}  
Play this song once a day, Bill, and I will still hear and think of new lessons each and every time! LOVE IT! and as crmrump posted below, YES, how about some other tracks from this, arguably their finest masterpiece?
Guster Always makes me happy
Roverfish wrote:
If by "mediocre" you mean pretty good, if not excellent, then I agree completely, as do over 250 people on average (7). As for the play list, that's a pretty weak grasp of Euclidean geometry there if you can make a line from a single point.
And still, everyone is entitled to an opinion we don't agree with. ;)
Meh.
coloradojohn wrote:
I bought this album a little over 2 years ago, based on the songs of theirs I'd heard here on RP, and loved it at the time (and then got almost all their other stuff, too; so good, so good) BUT I am surprised to say that THIS SONG is way more powerful with time and rumination, and I rate it way up there among the Squeeze/ Finn Bros-type of tunesmithery and singing. The multi-layers of lyrics, harmonies and even separate melodies! they manage to pull off astounds me, and I can't wait to hear them in the future. I have heard Ruby Falls, and love it, and maybe one or two others have crossed the waves here on RP, but I say let fly with Guster anytime!
This album is their best, IMO, so surprising that only this track has made it to RP.
joshfm wrote:
Mediocre song from a mediocre band. The set list is starting to slip.
If by "mediocre" you mean pretty good, if not excellent, then I agree completely, as do over 250 people on average (7). As for the play list, that's a pretty weak grasp of Euclidean geometry there if you can make a line from a single point.
joshfm wrote:
Mediocre song from a mediocre band. The set list is starting to slip.
"The set list is starting to slip." Is slipping into what, mainstream??...I think not thank goodness.
Mediocre song from a mediocre band. The set list is starting to slip.
This was already highly rated, but as soon as it came on, I had to crank the volume and chair dance. That's gotta be worth another point, right? Outstanding.
great, very listen-able tune. every time I hear a great little song like this on RP, I get really !@#$%^ ticked off at what commercial radio has become. There is just no reason I shouldn't be hearing this on the radio. !@#$%^, ^%$@#@# clear channel et al.
Meets my mood this morning. Can someone tell me please, why some women have to kill my nerves today?
I Guster!
Thay are channelling Brian Wilson and his boys.
Just eeeeked its way up to 9...
I think this sucks..badly
my daughter turned us on to this band and we love them.. great tunes... fun band..
Diggin this tune
I bought this album a little over 2 years ago, based on the songs of theirs I'd heard here on RP, and loved it at the time (and then got almost all their other stuff, too; so good, so good) BUT I am surprised to say that THIS SONG is way more powerful with time and rumination, and I rate it way up there among the Squeeze/ Finn Bros-type of tunesmithery and singing. The multi-layers of lyrics, harmonies and even separate melodies! they manage to pull off astounds me, and I can't wait to hear them in the future. I have heard Ruby Falls, and love it, and maybe one or two others have crossed the waves here on RP, but I say let fly with Guster anytime!
The lead singer reminds me of Marshall Crenshaw, and I love Marshall Crenshaw's voice.
Tux wrote:
There's something about this band that I'm liking less and less with every song I hear. They've not yet entered the mute stage, but they're getting close
Hmmm, it's probably the fact that they can actually sing and carry harmonies and play their instruments. That can be profoundly disturbing for people used to some of the abysmal musicianship around. They don't sing with strained, whining voices, The NERVE.
geavis wrote:
There's something about this band that I'm liking more and more with every song I hear.
There's something about this band that I'm liking less and less with every song I hear. They've not yet entered the mute stage, but they're getting close
Who knew Guster could be good?
Something about Guster I just love. Good bike cruising music. And I can sing along!
UltraNurd wrote:
Would songs from the Meow Mix be too ridiculous to play on RP?
lol, hell no! lets hear it
I wished for the RP site to be back up again, and it is finally :-D What I wished for could come true!
Would songs from the Meow Mix be too ridiculous to play on RP?
Hey he almost hit the note that time! Good song.
StevenQ wrote:
Yeah, their vocal arrangements are very complex. I love how two separate melodies are being sung in complement to each other at one point. You don't hear melodic complexity like this too often.
Cool, thanks! I also wanted to comment how much this reminded me of Toad. Good stuff!
Roverfish wrote:
I can't believe how much I'm digging this tune. Are all their songs like this? Awesome!
Yeah, their vocal arrangements are very complex. I love how two separate melodies are being sung in complement to each other at one point. You don't hear melodic complexity like this too often.
Good to hear some Guster on RP. They've got a lot of good stuff to offer.
I really like the vocal arrangements on this one. Methinks I'll be looking these guys up on Amazon pretty soon.
I can't believe how much I'm digging this tune. Are all their songs like this? Awesome!
Road trip!
I bought this CD & Keep It Together after hearing Guster on RP. At first I thought the band was "okay", but it grew on me after a few days of listening. Fun, light listening. Good summer music or driving about with friends.
cmrump wrote:
RP needs to pull "Either Way" and "Fa Fa" off this album. I saw these performed on Austin City Limits (Jan 04?), which is when I first discovered (& fell in love with) Guster.
Hey, I just discovered they are up for a repeat performance this Sat night Aug 28! Check pbs.org
I just discovered Guster recenly. This song makes me smile when I hear it. What more can you ask for?
RP needs to pull "Either Way" and "Fa Fa" off this album. I saw these performed on Austin City Limits (Jan 04?), which is when I first discovered (& fell in love with) Guster. :propeller.gif:
Great song. This is the tune that first made me like Guster.
LOVE this song! Hardly know why...but there it is. A great CD. The band is likeable in a refreshingly upbeat way. yay
geavis wrote:
There's something about this band that I'm liking more and more with every song I hear.
I agree...
There's something about this band that I'm liking more and more with every song I hear.