Dar Williams — Book of Love
Album: Promised LandAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 345
Length: 3:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Tell me what you see, is it close to what you dreamed?
If I play a part can I be redeemed?
We pore through the passages from leather volumed shelves
But they only leave us wondering, can we find ourselves
In the book of love?
In the book of love?
Looking for the one, waiting on a day
Countless dinner parties, and all the games we play
All for some processional, a solemn wedding vow
A picture in a picture frame that Beauty can allow
In the book of love
In the book of love
Love becomes a temple, and we begin to fear
That an unfeeling oracle will say, "You did come near
But you are not welcome here."
This is who I am, it's all the places I have been
The fondness and regret, and every love that I've been in
And I've played all the characters, the fool, the friend, the wife
And no matter what the ending is, the story of my life
Is the book of love
Is the book of love
If I play a part can I be redeemed?
We pore through the passages from leather volumed shelves
But they only leave us wondering, can we find ourselves
In the book of love?
In the book of love?
Looking for the one, waiting on a day
Countless dinner parties, and all the games we play
All for some processional, a solemn wedding vow
A picture in a picture frame that Beauty can allow
In the book of love
In the book of love
Love becomes a temple, and we begin to fear
That an unfeeling oracle will say, "You did come near
But you are not welcome here."
This is who I am, it's all the places I have been
The fondness and regret, and every love that I've been in
And I've played all the characters, the fool, the friend, the wife
And no matter what the ending is, the story of my life
Is the book of love
Is the book of love
Comments (24)add comment
Not usually a fan but this tune is one I like of hers.
Beautiful voice.
B&RG would ja, could ja, possibly, maybe
put "When I was a Boy" in rotation for a bit?
B&RG would ja, could ja, possibly, maybe
put "When I was a Boy" in rotation for a bit?
Wow. Super bland, ho-hum, uninspired, dribble.
what a pleasant surprise. Never heard this tune but it sat just right with me today
GretchenOhio wrote:
Yer screen name is a first name plus a state.
Edit: oop, I must defer to mrdak
who beat me to that one by 2 seconds. 
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
Yer screen name is a first name plus a state.
Edit: oop, I must defer to mrdak
who beat me to that one by 2 seconds. Bridieboo wrote:
Bridieboo ....... You're right, and we should never even read, much less comment to GretchenOhio because with a user name like that, it's just dumb. Why bother to give it a glance.
Wow, you refuse to listen to a song simply because you don't like the title? Isn't that like judging a book by its cover? You'll miss some great music that way.
GretchenOhio wrote:
GretchenOhio wrote:
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
Bridieboo ....... You're right, and we should never even read, much less comment to GretchenOhio because with a user name like that, it's just dumb. Why bother to give it a glance.
touching....
I have to agree with the histogram — this song is indeed quite likeable.
Wow, you refuse to listen to a song simply because you don't like the title? Isn't that like judging a book by its cover? You'll miss some great music that way.
GretchenOhio wrote:
GretchenOhio wrote:
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
I like it!
I'm usually so mesmerized by her incredible lyrics that I fail to hear what a wonderful vocalist she is. I love how the melody here works within a narrow range, and she has these subtle vocal breaks. Lovely.
Nice, great rythme work happenin'.
Nice voice, also the arrangement, not bad!
GretchenOhio wrote:
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
But yet you'll give a 9 to that Antje Duvekot song that's one long, onerous cliche — invoking Kerouac is just SOOOO hackneyed. And at least Dar can sing. GretchenOhio wrote:
Unfortunately, your post suggests that you miss quite a lot that fails to meet a preconceived expectation of originality and creativity. The listener comments here are rife with comments that a piece sounds like bluegrass, thus the listener stopped listening, it sounds like jazz and thus the mute button comes on, it sounds like country and is thus unlistenable. I recommend using your listening faculties with minimal preconceptions. As well as your reading faculties. What's in a title? The substance is not the name, but the contents.
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
Unfortunately, your post suggests that you miss quite a lot that fails to meet a preconceived expectation of originality and creativity. The listener comments here are rife with comments that a piece sounds like bluegrass, thus the listener stopped listening, it sounds like jazz and thus the mute button comes on, it sounds like country and is thus unlistenable. I recommend using your listening faculties with minimal preconceptions. As well as your reading faculties. What's in a title? The substance is not the name, but the contents.
Not thrilled with this one, but there's certainly nothing "cliche" or "precious" about her earlier work (Mortal City and The Honesty Room to be specific). Give it a listen before you judge her talent as a songwriter (poet?) or vocalist.
I like this, made me feel almost happy for a minute there.
GretchenOhio wrote:
Wait. How does a reference to a well-used image automatically become a cliche? It's a question of how creatively she riffs on a familiar theme. Most art does the same. Give it a listen before you dismiss it. It's not great poetry, but it's pretty good. And there are moments when her voice is really beautiful.
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
Wait. How does a reference to a well-used image automatically become a cliche? It's a question of how creatively she riffs on a familiar theme. Most art does the same. Give it a listen before you dismiss it. It's not great poetry, but it's pretty good. And there are moments when her voice is really beautiful.
I didn't like this song.....then I loved it.....all in the course of 1 play....hummm
The lyrics are a are just a "wee" bit too precious.
Anything with a title like this disappears from my radar without even a listen. How cliche can a writer possibly get with a title? I don't mind her voice or her other songs, but a little creativity goes a long, long way, and that's just dumb.
I have a love/hate thing with Dar Williams. I like a few of her songs, but most I don't care for much. I'm really liking this one though. I'd like to hear more from the rest of the album.
Always nice to hear new Dar Williams.