| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/14/2005 : 15:17:56
The next in line for db update....
Well, I took a little something
To make my worries go away
I laid down with a movie
And I started to feel OK
But I heard the doorbell ringing
And I opened up to see
My worries they were waiting there for me
Now Death, as you’d expect
He was all dressed up in black
Misfortune in her stockings
And a curve upon her back
And the Chorus Of The Lonely
In their gospel robes, of course
They were singing ‘bout my imminent divorce
It’s a beautiful day
No, it’s a horrible day
Maybe I will grin but I won’t bear
It’s a beautiful day
No, it’s a horrible day
And for the first time in my life I just don’t care
So let me get my coat
And let me get my stash
I’ll trade my VCR
For a pocketful of cash
I’ll take off with my worries
And I’ll even let Death drive
We’re sure to get there
Dead or alive
It’s a beautiful day
No, it’s a horrible day
You can see here by my grin I don’t give a fuck
It’s a beautiful day
No, it’s a horrible day
And for the first time in my life I don’t need the luck
 cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/29/2005 : 09:16:46
http://frankblack.net/tabs/song.asp?song=smyt-horribleday
also not on db.
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| The Susquatch |
Posted - 03/23/2005 : 06:01:55
quote:
Originally posted by ElevatorLady
I strongly agree with transmarine here, as I said in my post before, he is describing a certain type of mood which is a bad sort of mood, lots of anxiety there, like transmarine said. I mean, "Maybe I will grin but I won't bare," where is the calmness in that? I can assure you, these are some very unpleasant feelings he's singing about.
Trans and Elevator, i agree with u both now, oopsy daddy, that line really killed my point. Maybe anxiexty with resigned acceptance, maybe not
Hang on to your Taco! |
| danjersey |
Posted - 03/22/2005 : 18:26:47
"constant sorrow man" Frank is all about the music, the give and take, the gift and rite that music is.
anyone can do this, pass it around, for the kids, for the next.
"sing for joy if nothing else" |
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/21/2005 : 11:31:44
What's the next db song? This is exciting!
 I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| TRANSMARINE |
Posted - 03/21/2005 : 10:51:38
quote:
Originally posted by ElevatorLady
I strongly agree with transmarine here, as I said in my post before, he is describing a certain type of mood which is a bad sort of mood, lots of anxiety there, like transmarine said. I mean, "Maybe I will grin but I won't bare," where is the calmness in that? I can assure you, these are some very unpleasant feelings he's singing about.
Thank you, ElevatorLady.
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
| ElevatorLady |
Posted - 03/19/2005 : 04:59:36
I strongly agree with transmarine here, as I said in my post before, he is describing a certain type of mood which is a bad sort of mood, lots of anxiety there, like transmarine said. I mean, "Maybe I will grin but I won't bare," where is the calmness in that? I can assure you, these are some very unpleasant feelings he's singing about. |
| tobafett |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 20:46:25
I thought it was "Miss Fortune" who had the curve upon her back...just a play on words? |
| TRANSMARINE |
Posted - 03/18/2005 : 08:00:52
quote:
Originally posted by The Susquatch
Trans, i really see no anxiety or uncertainty in this song, i see more calm acceptance and certainty in it
Hang on to your Taco!
Subtext, dear Susquatch! Subtext!
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
| The Susquatch |
Posted - 03/17/2005 : 16:09:08
Trans, i really see no anxiety or uncertainty in this song, i see more calm acceptance and certainty in it
Hang on to your Taco! |
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 19:47:32
Yep. I thought so, too, about "stash."
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| VoVat |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 14:55:25
quote:
Stash can be drugs, but it can also just be stuff.
Combined with the line "I took a little something to make my worries go away," I'm inclined to think he's talking about drugs in this case, but it's open to interpretation.
quote:
duck rhymes with luck. No need to be a genius songwriter to find that one.
And, you see, Frank was all out of luck, like a duck that died.
As for Death being a Tarot reference, maybe, but the idea of Death as a figure in a black robe is so widespread that I don't think there's any clear evidence for it. I would be interested in knowing whether Misfortune or the Chorus of the Lonely had been personified prior to this song, though.
"Reunion? Shit union!" |
| TRANSMARINE |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 11:39:12
This song has so much wonderful imagery. Someone mentioned earlier the campfire quality of the music...I think that's very befitting, kind of like a black sheep song from the Black Letter Days family or something. It's a fun song overloaded with anxiety and uncertainty. The first time I heard it, it reminded me very much of Social Distortion with that zesty Frank Black twist!
Catchin' blue in his eyes that were brown
-bRIAN |
| billgoodman |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 04:40:57
quote:
Originally posted by kathryn
Jop, how do you know that Jean didn't like that? What's your
source. (I ask, not in an obnoxious, challenging way but
with curiosity.)
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics
haha, don't be afraid to attack me kathy,
no I read it in an article or on this forum
maybe he said it at a solo-concert
you know
this isn't new
people must know this
I just reproduce
I don't have a secret source
 "I joined the cult of Jon Tiven/Bye!" |
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 03/16/2005 : 03:26:36
quack with back, villande, is good...
and ya, jordo, you notice the simplicity of the song when ya pick up the guitar at home and have a go... all very simple little ditties, compare them to kingly cave or the swimmer where there's some seriously cool chord changes....
anyways, SMYT still gets the thumps up....
back to topic....
starmekitten, your a star for correcting the spelling in the song (your good work has not gone un-noticed)...
this song seems to have very little research involved think it's just about beautiful day... or maybe he's having a go at U2....????
It’s a beautiful day (don't let it get away).....(what a corny line bono)
No, it’s a horrible day....
|
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 15:13:24
carolynanna! forgive me! i've arthritis on tha brain (spent the last few days preparing an arthritis presentation for today) and i got mixed up, i am a dolt.
(i admit i had to look kyphosis up, and then scoliosis to make sure i wasn't wrong... woo that late night paranoid feeling)
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| Devils Islander |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 15:01:31
quote:
Originally posted by starmekitten
maybe the curve is scoliosis
Sounds more like a case of kyphosis to me.
...where the Ballyhoos and the Tritons are. |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 14:29:14
I thought osteoperosis was a lack of calcium resulting in brittle bones,
which after years can result in curvature of the spine.
I'm still voting scythe here though.
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 13:29:48
Denis, it may be time to let go of this and take
some deep breaths.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 13:25:46
Osteoperosis is a wearing down of the joints, scoliosis (which I may have spelt wrong) is curvature of the spine.
I have spent many 12 hour shifts sat through a straightening operation, big hole, big big hole.
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| vilainde |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 13:24:28
If Frank had used "duck" to rhyme with "luck", he could have made "back" rhyme with "quack".
Just my 2 cents.
Denis
"I believe in your perfect face..." |
| Carolynanna |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 12:02:41
quote:
Originally posted by starmekitten
maybe the curve is scoliosis
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation
Osteoperosis perhaps???
I'd go with the scythe methinks.
__________
Godfather of nothing, ancesters of none.
Black glasses and feedback took my sense of fun.
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 11:50:26
He mentions Tarot in Honeycomb, in I Burn Today.
So he's at least aware of it.
(kittie, weren't you going to do a reading for me, like,
moooonths ago? greedy me)
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| Jordo |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 11:26:07
lonely pursuader -- I agree... A lot of SMYT is like how you describe. More generic chord progressions, country and blues kinda stuff. That's mainly my only problem with the album, which I like a lot. (My favorite songs are "The Snake" "Massif Centrale" "Coastline" and "Manitoba")
So yeah, the music writing isnt as twisted...Frank says in interviews hes had no formal training and thats why the chord progressions are always weird... but this does sound like the one album where he put the chords together based on some studied stuff.
Jordan
my music! my music!
www.jordancooperLaLaLa.com
www.myspace.com/jordancooper |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 11:03:56
well here' s a bit of conjecture gathered from Kathryns "Tarot" suggestion, google death misfortune and tarot and you get this...
1. It can point to the death of somebody old or sick in the life of the questioner, but this is quite rare, and certainly never its only meaning.
2. At the very least, the card does point to dramatic changes in the offing. Since most people who ask questions or present issues, change is desirable. This change clears the way for a fresh start. It can even point to the end of an era leading to new experiences, including rebirth, like the Phoenix rising out of the ashes.
3. It can also indicate that an apparent misfortune will turn out to be blessing in disguise. This is the reason I always see the Death card as the Chinese symbol for crisis, which is a combination of two glyphs, one meaning danger and the other meaning opportunity. The danger element is not as strong as the opportunity aspect.
4. despair giving way to hope,
5. Loss of friendship or long-standing relationship.
6. Financial loss,
7. loss of home (rarely),
8. Use creative, active energy early or depression & lethargy might set in
9. Fear of losing what one has or has achieved, especially if the achievement is recent,
10. birth of a child
11. building of a home,
12. start of a new business
13. a relationship is going to come to an end (if it hasn't already), but your love for that person will continue. You will come to the full realization that your relationship, as you have known it, has come to an end . . . and it's over.
14. forget the past (or your lover) and all that was and try to rebuild your life
15. you will be overly concerned about what others think of you.
16. A new idea, plan, or action will be implemented (could be connected with your work), and/or you will want to move or relocate
17. a slight delay in travel plans
18. Happiness will come through good friends and reuniting with those who have been absent. Someone is about to go out of your life temporarily
so what do you think, is Frank a tarot kinda guy?
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:51:04
however, all that said, the music is too simplistic in this song...
the C C/B Am gig is a bit too easy and very unlike Frank's other stuff...
Usually his chord progressions are a bit askew and its difficult to find a pattern (listening) with only one or two listens (kingly cave, smoke up)... and when he does use simple progressions they're usually well disguised (out of state) etc.. but this song has nothing new musically on subsequent listens.... not talking lyrically here... I don't hate the song... but its a bit of a camp fire, grab the geetar, story tellin, full of woe and hard luck, and tin can of coffee and pan of beans type song on a warm summer sunset....
guess as he says he's better now at doing the more "formulaic" stuff....
|
| ElevatorLady |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:33:42
Personifications are all right, but the thing that's really special about this song is how well it captures a certain type of mood. I tried to think of a better way to express this feeling, but it's not possible. What Frank did here if on spot perfect:
It’s a beautiful day
No, it’s a horrible day
Maybe I will grin but I won’t bear
Plus the music...
You know that feeling, that unsettling, unpleasant kind of feeling? Like Frank said...
I was actually thinking about starting a thread about this song some time ago.
|
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:20:19
could be, but most probably both...
(the easy way out "we're both right" reply....)
i'd say vilainde is ready to strike out if i mention the duck again so i'll refrain |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:12:18
maybe the curve is scoliosis
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 10:10:33
Hey hey hey! I ripped the lyrics out of the db, any mistakes spelling or content are nothing to do with me!
cats have nine lives/ which makes them ideal for experimentation |
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:10:21
You are blowing my mind! A duck's back is curved!
Yet somehow I don't think that's what Frank was going after.
One of the many things I admire and enjoy about this song
is Frank's use of personification (he's got Worries waiting, Death dressed up, etc.) It's creative and literary and good. Perhaps worth a quick mention in the db. "Frank uses personification
in this song." Or not.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 09:04:57
I always think of the "monty python" sketch in "the meaning of life" when death comes to the door when the couples are having a dinner party... tis very funny...
hee, hee...
tnks for correcting spelling "scythe"....
a duck's back is also curved |
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 08:50:45
That makes sense! A scythe is curved.
I had some vague idea that it was a reference to something in
a fairy tale .... don't mind me. I'm unclear on this. But a scythe, that
makes sense.
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| lonely persuader |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 08:44:40
is it not the curve of the sythe or what-ever drooped over deaths shoulder?
or it could be the duck
|
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 08:42:19
I keep thinking that "a curve upon her back" refers
to some literary character or device. I could be
wrong. Any literature majors out there?
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
| kathryn |
Posted - 03/15/2005 : 08:39:07
Jop, how do you know that Jean didn't like that? What's your
source. (I ask, not in an obnoxious, challenging way but
with curiosity.)
I still believe in the excellent joy of the Catholics |
