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song oracle
- FB Fan -
88 Posts |
 Posted - 12/05/2003 : 05:06:05
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Today's random song of day is Smoke Up.
What do you think of it?
lyrics
Stone was in me
When I was rougher
Now my power has suffered in this hour of my oversleep
Alone with the beast
And my skull choppers
Now I''m just a name dropper and I''m bust
In these deep slumberweeds
stone was in me
It''s so damn late
It''s so damn dark
Pull up those drapes
Hey let''s see just where we are
I finally woke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to do something worthwhile
I sent some smoke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to make something work out
It''s so damn late
It''s so damn dark
Pull up those drapes
Hey let''s see just where we are
I finally woke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to do something worthwhile
I sent some smoke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to make something work out
I sent some smoke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to make something work out
That''s right
I''ve got to make something work out
That''s right
I''ve got to make something work out
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6221 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 05:36:03
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Great intro
I'm not a big fan of the chorus
 "I joined the Culf of Frank/ And now I do not know what...to do" |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 05:46:38
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I don't like this song. It's the best example of what annoys me in Pistolero: it sounds like it was written and recorded much too fast. I wish Frank had put more work into this album. Strangely, he often says that some songs require a lot of work and other ones are written and recorded on the same day, but I never felt that his songs lacked work elsewhere than in Pistolero. I wish he'd re-record Smoke Up with more instruments and different lyrics.
Denis
 "In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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Deacon Blue
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 07:05:47
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Hello...first post.
I like this song because it is another one of Frank Black's riddle songs in that the lyrics take a little bit of deciphering.
I find FB to be very theatrical with his songs and he likes to match the musical passages with the story. Here is my take on it....
Stone was in me
When I was rougher
Now my power has suffered in this hour of my oversleep
Alone with the beast
And my skull choppers
Now I''m just a name dropper and I''m bust
In these deep slumberweeds
stone was in me
The person is commenting on just the general tiredness, the worn outness they feel....headaches...ageneral dizzyness of being exhausted.
It''s so damn late
It''s so damn dark
Pull up those drapes
Hey let''s see just where we are
I finally woke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to do something worthwhile
I sent some smoke up
That''s right
''Cause I''ve got to make something work out
But they have to get up and get motivated and get something done instead of just laying around....I need to write....let's take a look see and figure out where we stand here....let's pack a bowl and do some writing.....
That's all. Not every song has to be about some GRAND THING. Some songs can just be about little occurences. This is a person who writes mainly for their own amusement. Not to be popular or get a record deal or appeal to the masses so occasionally, he may write about just those kind of little things that occur.
That's why I like this song. |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 07:31:24
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This is funny... Frank writes weird songs with cryptic lyrics and everyone says "Oooh, so mysterious, I love it!", and when he writes direct, simple songs, we're all "Ooooh, so true, so simple, I love it!". Not that I mind, we're fans, we're here to praise him.
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 07:43:32
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I love this song. I know everyone insists it's about getting baked (and I'm not saying it's not), but it could also just be about coming out of a dark period & trying to get back on track again. Sending some smoke up/smoke signals/trying to make contact. The guitar in the chorus is pure Neil Young. Kickass!
"I joined the Cult of Frank / And all I got was this lousy icon" |
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Deacon Blue
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 07:46:18
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I think it's more that he's a diverse writer. He writes all kinds of ways.
That's actually, I would say, talent.And yes, this is a Fan site, but it's also open to everyone's opinions.
My particular opinion is that this is not bad. Some people will have the opinion that it is not a good song.Nothing to get defensive over. Everyone is ffree to feel how they feel. If someone feels different, well, thank god. |
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Deacon Blue
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 07:47:47
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I like the smoke signals metaphor too.
Maybe it's just my appreciation for marihuana that sees the other connection... |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 08:25:41
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Oh. My message wasn't aggressive, sorry if you felt so, Deacon Blue.
Denis
"In the Cult of Frank/You don't even get backstage passes" |
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Deacon Blue
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 08:31:55
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Nor was mine, friend, just emphasizing the multicolored tapestry of the blanket we call humanity.
It may not keep you warm all the time, but it looks good hanging over the back of the couch.
____________________________________________________________
They call Alabama the crimson tide..... |
Edited by - Deacon Blue on 12/05/2003 08:33:51 |
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spoon
- FB Fan -
45 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 08:45:23
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This is one of those FB songs with his signature "odd" chord changes. By that I mean the change grabs you, picks you up and moves you three feet (~1meter for our European brethren : ).
The intro is where you can feel it the most in the way it interacts with his vocal pattern. Simply stunning. This is one of those maximum distortion songs where FB is at 11. The entire album is like that, but he goes to 11 during the "smoke up" sequences. This one grabbed me immediately as opposed to say "Such a Wire" that needed time to breathe (for me that is).
Oh and vilainde, if he re-recored "Smoke Up" with more instruments and different lyrics, then it would no longer be "Smoke Up". Plus we would loose the great intro. : )
Regards,
spoon |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 09:05:27
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"Stone was in me
When I was rougher
Now my power has suffered in this hour of my oversleep
Alone with the beast
And my skull choppers
Now I''m just a name dropper and I''m bust
In these deep slumberweeds
stone was in me"
He's resigned, overslept (gotten lazy in the brain), let himself stagnate (inertia of a stone). He is heavy and crude, fallen back to animal/beastly lowest-rung needs and survival. His mouth, the instrument of his voice, which pulls him above the mundane, has turned back to just a set of teeth for chewing food, out of disuse (alone with his skull choppers). There is no dynamism, no creative force, no motivation, so now all he can do is name drop and rest on laurels.
'Send some "smoke up"' is a very useful metaphor for several layers - getting a fire lit under your ass and making some damn music/art/whatever, smoking a joint, which for some people helps to start that process, or sending a signal, to himself and the world, that he is alive and hasn't given in to resignation.
The rest just kinda falls in line for me with that interpretation. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 12/05/2003 09:07:34 |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 09:11:13
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| Good song. The weed connection is pretty clear. It may in fact be a metaphor for general malaise or a dark/foggy period, but, it is there. |
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Jettison
- FB Fan -
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 09:41:48
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i like apl4eris' interpretation.
i don't think this song is about the herb at all, but rather about self inspiration during hard times on the road. you know, lighting a fire under your ass.
www.thecroakers.com |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 11:31:33
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| One of the best songs of a bad album... |
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 11:36:03
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| Hard to say that it has nothing to do with herb. FB has smoked (maybe still does), and starts a song called "smoke up" with the line "stone was in me...". If nothing else its part of the metaphor. Without offending anyone I would say there is such a thing as over-analysis. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 12:23:12
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| Is it over-analysis when it's your own opinion/interpretation of a song, and it works for you? Why even go there? |
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dougit
- FB Fan -
87 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 13:07:11
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I like this song, and the album.
I am one of those who actually prefers the days when frank's albums rocked more (FB self titled, COR, FB&C self-titled, Pistolero) than the newer albums (DITS, BLD, DW, SMYT). But I still purchase all of FB's albums. I play the newer albums when I am looking for a "kinder, gentler"form of rock, and the older albums when I want some punkish rock. You will notice TOTY is not mentioned, as I find that album to be somewhat of an anomaly in the musical career of FB (way too much production)...Oh no here come the flames |
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spoon
- FB Fan -
45 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 13:33:44
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dougit,
TOO MUCH PRODUCTION....WTF are YOU talking about???!?!<G>
hehe. JK, just thought I would flame you in jest.
Really though, two questions:
1. Does this mean you dont like any of the tracks on the CD?
2. What do you mean by too much production?
Thanks,
spoon |
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theonecontender
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
565 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 13:53:23
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| I seem to always find my self playing the chorus chords... very catchy. |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 17:36:31
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Smoke Up and Billy Radcliffe. What a great one two punch. Give Pistolero some lovin' people.
Thomas
"Our love is rice and beans and horses lard" |
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TarTar
* Dog in the Sand *
1965 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 17:56:41
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The chord progression for the chorus is one of the best moments in rock.
Turned everything black by spitting on the sun |
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Chip Away Boy
= Cult of Ray =
914 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 19:55:45
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| what an awesome song.... |
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humpy-wheeler
- FB Fan -
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 21:18:14
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| It's a great song. If you've ever been in a loud rock band you definitely would appreciate the rawness of it. |
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Superabounder
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1041 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2003 : 21:29:16
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OK, I'll give Pistolero some lovin'. I think it has truly wonderful and primal moments of powerful guitar driven majesty. Then all of a sudden it has lyrical fireworks such as in Western Star that make me crazy. The lines:
Now he's headed skyward
Standing up on piles of plywood
And all he thinks about is how he
Looks like Heroes-period Bowie
And his figure blocks the light
And he takes away the night
And he's dancing to the new bolero
Yo soy un pistolero...
You know the rest. Anyway, those lines make me wish that I had a real voice and could for one moment sing them in all their perfection in front of a group of maniacal fans that are sofuckinginspired by this guy's music that they will write about anything and everything about him all day and night.
TOTY is pretty damn amazing too. Whew....sorry.
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Bryan Shepherd
- FB Fan -
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2003 : 15:23:11
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I always thought a case could be made that it's an anti-pot song. Y'know, when "stone was in me" my "power has suffered" & "I'm bust in these deep slumberweeds". Almost like he's too high to focus and be creative, until he finally wakes up and gets a clear head & some motivation. "Sent some smoke up" would be giving up the ganja. Or it could just be about smokin' a fatty. Snooch to the nootch!
BTW, Pistolero RAWKS! But I'm a closet metalhead 8>)
 I'm the guy from wonderland...& you will never understand... |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2003 : 16:13:09
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quote:
~1meter for our European brethren
91.44cm actually.
"What are we going to do tonight, Brain?"
"Same thing we do every night, Pinky: try to take over the world!" |
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Coldheartofstone
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
2025 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2003 : 16:27:44
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Pistolero is one of my favorites.... It sat in this bargain bin for the longest time in my old store....I had no idea it was there, Frank Black...In a bargain bin...how wrong is that. So needless to say I gave it a good home. Some people are just plain stupid, they'd rather have some shitty manufactured slutty girly crap factory than someone with talent.
I was not looking for no LOVE affair. |
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Cookie
- FB Fan -
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 11:15:28
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| I know it's only the song of the day, and I'm a couple of days late as usual, but I love this song. Pistolero is my favorite FB/Pixies album. I wonder how Frank rates his albums? Does anyone know if he has ever commented on works he is most proud of? |
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deadlydoctor
- FB Fan -
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2003 : 14:00:54
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One of my favorite FB songs 
--------
he’s tripping over graves • as rain begins to fall • and finally they escape when the shuttle bus is called |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2003 : 15:08:40
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It's one of my least favorites on the album but it's definitely better than skeleton man!
 Join the Cult Of Gunn / and you'll never need a hair stylist again" |
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Hermaphroditos
- FB Fan -
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 19:25:52
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This song meant a lot to me, at a dark period in my life, when i felt like giving up playing music in my own band. When i heard those words, "cause i've got to make something work out..." it was rather uplifting, inspiring to no end. especially when i saw them play the song on that tour. Definitely my favorite "era" of FB & C, as far as album and tour goes.
"Oh pity me Garuda, and turn my hands into wings" |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2003 : 02:36:14
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| I could've done a better job with the lead guitar on this song. I'm not saying Rich sucks or that I'm great - just that this song was made for me to wail over. |
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