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 Song of the Day: The Thing
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song oracle
- FB Fan -

88 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  06:36:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Today's random song of the day is The Thing.

What do you think of it?

lyrics
I was driving doing nothing on the shores of Great Salt Lake
When they put it on the air I put it in the hammer lane
I soon forgot myself and I forgot about the brake
I forgot about all laws and I forgot about the rain
They were talking on the 9 and all across the amy band
Across the road they were turning around and headed south with me
It got so crowded on the road I started driving in the sand
My head was feeling scared but my heart was feeling free
The desert turned to mud it seems that everybody heard
Everybody was remembering to forget they had the chills
Then I heard the voices on a broadcast from up on the bird
They were getting interviewed by some Goodman whose name was Bill
I'm almost there to Vegas where they're puttin' on a show
They've come so far I've lived this long at least I must just go and say hello

from Velouria single (1990)

Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
2462 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  06:56:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Has 'The Happening' been discussed yet?

I actually heard this remix before 'The Happening'. I still like it. EDF on keyboards? I don't know, I mean, it's before Trompe after all.

Best point of the song is that it draws attention to the lyrics; which are some of the most evocative and beautiful of Black Francis. And that's really saying something.

"Me and the chickens running in the street"
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the thing
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
313 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  06:58:10  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Since I am the topic of the random song of the day - I thought I really did aught to say something...

I just love the lyrics to this song, they epitimise everything I love about the great mans lyrical skills, there's just this rush of euphoria running through this song and such a vivid narrative. Not sure if I prefer this "standalone" as in The Thing, or as the second half of "The Happening" but it certainly redeems Bossanova everytime I catch myself regarding it as "The Weaker Pixies Album"

My head was feeling scared, but my heart was feeling free
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TameReg
- FB Fan -

USA
110 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  09:19:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good lyrics. A different type of song for them. I like it, but it's not a favorite. (However, my wife loves this one.)
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Douglas
= Cult of Ray =

Sweden
308 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  09:23:32  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Ziggy


I actually heard this remix before 'The Happening'. I still like it. EDF on keyboards? I don't know, I mean, it's before Trompe after all.

Best point of the song is that it draws attention to the lyrics; which are some of the most evocative and beautiful of Black Francis. And that's really saying something.


^ Everything that guy said ^
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Jettison
- FB Fan -

USA
228 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  09:36:05  Show Profile  Visit Jettison's Homepage  Reply with Quote
i read somewhere that dave lovering did the vocals on this song. however, i would have to say that is incorrect.

-jet

www.thecroakers.com
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1342 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  09:38:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Poetry

I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb.
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Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
2462 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  10:31:22  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
In the notes to the B-Sides CD, Frank mentions Dave doing to vox to 'Make Believe', which is only a couple of tracks before 'The Thing', so maybe you misread.

"Me and the chickens running in the street"
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Adam
= Cult of Ray =

USA
505 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  10:42:13  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good song, I certainly don't ski it.
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ivebeentired
- FB Fan -

USA
66 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  12:41:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
at first i hated the kind of fake sounding drums, but it grew on me now i cant really imagine the song with that sound clear snare.

"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I
think I've forgotten this before."

-Steven Wright
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klikger
= Cult of Ray =

693 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  13:42:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I like The Happening more, but this song is still good.
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mariggy
- FB Fan -

Japan
65 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  20:21:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I love this beautiful song. It is poetic, lyric, and there is something melancholy.
I like the way of singing..... It's like an affluent river..I really enjoy the flow.

By the way,I have a question about this title. Why this song is titled "The Thing"? I want to know the relation of the tittle of "The Happening".

I join The Broken English Club. ---It's educational.
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <

3648 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2004 :  20:45:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I know it word for word...

bitch
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This_Guy
- FB Fan -

Canada
146 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2004 :  00:51:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
i always thought of it as more of an outro than a piece all it's own.
solid gold fever.
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rockmusic84
= Cult of Ray =

USA
256 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2004 :  10:02:36  Show Profile  Visit rockmusic84's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I love this song. More than "The Happening". Beautiful music, great lyrics, beautiful singing by Frank, Joey's guitar is cool, and really captures the "surf" element that they created on "Bossanova". For those who asked, the lyric to "The Thing" is about a radio show hosted by a guy named Bill Goodman ("Then I heard the voices on a broadcast from up on the bird-They were getting interviewed by some Goodman whose name was Bill"). I've always thought that this should've been named "The Happening", because that's what it's about. Frank said that in a quote that's on the Alec Eiffel site, I believe. That's what he described Bill Goodman's show as - a happening. And "The Happening" would've been better suited with the title, "The Thing". After all, it's about Area 51. Just my opinion. I think I'll go put "Bossanova" on now. :)

Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!!
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DruggedBunny
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
395 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2004 :  18:43:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:

Why this song is titled "The Thing"? I want to know the relation of the tittle of "The Happening".


The Happening was the name of a radio call-in show about UFOs ("The Billy Goodman Happening"), and The Thing is a classic black and white horror movie (and an 80s remake) about aliens.


--
"Nothing to do about it..."
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

USA
9168 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2004 :  20:38:53  Show Profile  Visit VoVat's Homepage  Click to see VoVat's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I love the sound and the structure. It's done in sonnet form, right? "The Happening" is better, but I think "The Thing" includes the best part of the longer song, so that's cool. I like the way "The Happening" puts two parts with contrasting sounds together, though.



Cattle in Korea / They can really moo.
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mariggy
- FB Fan -

Japan
65 Posts

Posted - 05/14/2004 :  20:54:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
rockmusic84, DruggedBunny, thanks a lot. I'm so glad to get the answer to my question of many years. "The Happening" is the name of a radio show about UFOs !! I have never heard of the broadcast of "Billy Goodman Happening" . ....I live in the Far East and don't share the background with FB. And I don't understand FB's lyrics well. Show me your generosity, please.

"The Thing" is a horror movie!! I want to see it...but probably I can't, 'cause I fear horror movies.


I join The Broken English Club. ---It's educational.
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Antoinette
- FB Fan -

64 Posts

Posted - 12/23/2004 :  07:43:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I dig that really strange, high-pitched scream at the beginning of this. Is that a theremin? Is it Frank? Kim? Many listens and still I can't say for certain.
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -

Ireland
11546 Posts

Posted - 12/23/2004 :  07:57:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's a theremin. Few if any human voices can make a sound like that. Theres theremin on Veloria...and Is She Weird? I think.
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The Holiday Son
= Quote Accumulator =

France
2010 Posts

Posted - 12/23/2004 :  09:07:38  Show Profile  Visit The Holiday Son's Homepage  Reply with Quote
The Happening is brilliant, so is The Thing. But I'd rather listen to The Happening.
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6213 Posts

Posted - 12/23/2004 :  11:59:20  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
The Happening and The Thing
sheer beauty
I wish Frank could see that
and perform it
in 2005!

"I joined the cult of Jon Tiven/Bye!"
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