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nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 28 2010, 09:22 Surprisingly, given the "cool" status of the Black Eyed Peas, they tend in my opinion to be exquisitely dull. With the exception of "I Gotta Feeling", listening to their music is like falling asleep in a sheet metal factory. Back to top

wiga Group: Members Posts: 2113 Joined: Sep. 2008 Posted: Jan. 28 2010, 12:47 There can be a sameness about Mike's songs, in the formula - a basic melody and emphasis on a word that's almost shouted, like "mis-take!" You find this formula's in the first four lines of "Innocent":-     "I KNOW you'll never stay the same In TIME most of us lose it" With "Mistake" it's the introduction of some unusual high notes, sung very nicely by Maggie, that appeals to me, rather than the lyrics. I generally don't listen to lyrics unless they really grab me because they're unusual, or if they fall in congruently with a nice tune or rhythm (base/drums/percussion). There aren't many artists who's lyrics I listen to -  Kate Bush, David Bowie, Cold Play, Fleetwood Mac, Snow Patrol.... "My Humps" fits the *unusual* category, and alongside a good rhythm. Of Mike's conventional songs I in the main listen to the lyrics of "Crises," "Five Miles Out," " Horseback" and "Northpoint." -------------- Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon. Back to top

Ugo Group: Members Posts: 5495 Joined: April 2000 Posted: Jan. 28 2010, 18:16 @ wiga: I've already stated elsewhere that, IMHO, "Northpoint" is one of Mike's best-ever songs with his worst-ever lyric. And if you do really look for "unusual" lyrics, you should dust off the old Simon and Garfunkel albums, as well as checking out Paul Simon's solo album Graceland. I think that little Paul is a master in writing not-so-ordinary lyrics. @ nightspore (off topic): nah, the Peas are just pop. Have you heard "Meet Me Halfway"? That's not even hip-hop - that's pop. To me, listening to "extreme" metal bands like Sepultura or Carcass is like falling asleep in a sheet metal factory, and indeed I don't listen to them. -------------- Ugo C. - a devoted Amarokian Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 28 2010, 20:03 Quote (Ugo @ Jan. 28 2010, 18:16) @ nightspore (off topic): nah, the Peas are just pop. Have you heard "Meet Me Halfway"? That's not even hip-hop - that's pop. To me, listening to "extreme" metal bands like Sepultura or Carcass is like falling asleep in a sheet metal factory, and indeed I don't listen to them. Hi Ugo, I listened to the Peas only by accident, so I'm by no means an expert on their oeuvre. I expect Vicki is also grateful you don't listen to Supultura! My cat, Finchaven, is always startled by the opening sounds of Amarok! Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 28 2010, 20:04 Actually, it could be because one of those opening sounds is like a loud "meow"!   Back to top

wiga Group: Members Posts: 2113 Joined: Sep. 2008 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 04:42 Quote (Ugo @ Jan. 28 2010, 18:16) @ wiga: I've already stated elsewhere that, IMHO, "Northpoint" is one of Mike's best-ever songs with his worst-ever lyric. And if you do really look for "unusual" lyrics, you should dust off the old Simon and Garfunkel albums, as well as checking out Paul Simon's solo album Graceland. I think that little Paul is a master in writing not-so-ordinary lyrics. @ nightspore (off topic): nah, the Peas are just pop. Have you heard "Meet Me Halfway"? That's not even hip-hop - that's pop. To me, listening to "extreme" metal bands like Sepultura or Carcass is like falling asleep in a sheet metal factory, and indeed I don't listen to them. I think the word I'm looking is 'real' - the best lyrics for me sound sincere and real. How they are expressed doesn't matter, they can be as unusual as you like. The Police lyrics, "de do do de da da da is all I want to say to you" on paper might look rubbishy, but they sound good to me, like they're coming from the heart of the song - and very authentic. @Ugo: "Northpoint" - I agree is Mike's best melodic song, it has a mysterious and haunting melody and so the lyrics fit when they ask, "have you ever been to North Point?" - because I'm very intriuged. I want to know.   I like a lot of Simon and Garfunkel, but Paul Simon on the whole is too clever for me. His lyrics are unusual and well thought - but over-thought sometimes to the point of slightly phoney. I particularly like "Boxer", but for some reason I am impatient to get past the life history to the "li la li" part. Why would that be when I enjoy hearing peoples' life stories I ask myself. Something to do with not 'real'. -------------- Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 05:36 Quote (wiga @ Jan. 29 2010, 04:42) I like a lot of Simon and Garfunkel, but Paul Simon on the whole is too clever for me. His lyrics are unusual and well thought - but over-thought sometimes to the point of slightly phoney. I particularly like "Boxer", but for some reason I am impatient to get past the life history to the "li la li" part. Why would that be when I enjoy hearing peoples' life stories I ask myself. Something to do with not 'real'. I agree with you Wiga, Paul Simon isn't my cup of lapsang souchong. There's something about his vocal delivery that annoys me too, as though he's overplaying the sincerity, like someone trying to sell you insurance. Back to top

Tati The Sentinel Group: Members Posts: 3360 Joined: Feb. 2002 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 06:54 Mike has never been state-of-art in terms of lyrics,but there's a great excepection - Heaven's Open! ...but I like his nonsenseless lyrics,better than those anti-feminist rap and R&B around nowadays. -------------- "But it's always the outsider, the black sheep, that becomes the blockbuster." - Mike Oldfield, 2014 "I remember feeling that I'd been judged unfairly and that I was going to prove them wrong." - Peter Davison, 2011 Back to top

Ugo Group: Members Posts: 5495 Joined: April 2000 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 17:55 @ wiga: of course it's a matter of personal taste, but I don't think I ever found anything false-sounding or phoney in Paul Simon's lyrics. Especially "The Boxer", which is one of my fav S&G songs, has never sounded insincere to me - it really sounds like they're telling the life story of an actual character, even if it's invented (or at least I think so). The only thing that can maybe sound phoney in there is indeed the chorus - which is often transcribed as "Lie la lie..." Re. "Northpoint", I think that part of the mysterious aspect of that lyric is the fact that Mike has done nothing but throw the grammar to the four winds [no pun intended!]. Or, in other words, IMHO that lyric is so nonsensical that it's bound to be mysterious. And that's why I hate it. @ nightspore: the meow doesn't happen during the Fast Riff at the beginning of Amarok. It happens in one on the later repetitions of the riff. I am 100% sure of this, as I know Amarok by heart. BTW, Vicki is never startled by any music I listen to - even by the (few) heavy metal things. She just loves all kinds of music. -------------- Ugo C. - a devoted Amarokian Back to top

wiga Group: Members Posts: 2113 Joined: Sep. 2008 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 18:56 Quote (Ugo @ Jan. 29 2010, 17:55) Re. "Northpoint", I think that part of the mysterious aspect of that lyric is the fact that Mike has done nothing but throw the grammar to the four winds [no pun intended!]. Or, in other words, IMHO that lyric is so nonsensical that it's bound to be mysterious. And that's why I hate it. Ugo - my take on "Northpoint" is that it's a story about a mysterious prison and it's past. Are you saying that it's the grammar that bothers you? -------------- Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 20:01 Quote (Ugo @ Jan. 29 2010, 17:55) @ nightspore: the meow doesn't happen during the Fast Riff at the beginning of Amarok. It happens in one on the later repetitions of the riff. I am 100% sure of this, as I know Amarok by heart. BTW, Vicki is never startled by any music I listen to - even by the (few) heavy metal things. She just loves all kinds of music. You're right, Ugo - I was speaking loosely. And I imagine you've had V trained since kittenhood! Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 29 2010, 20:02 Quote (wiga @ Jan. 29 2010, 18:56) Ugo - my take on "Northpoint" is that it's a story about a mysterious prison and it's past. Are you saying that it's the grammar that bothers you? Wiga, Ugo and I had a detailed discusson of this some time ago. I can't remember the title of the thread. Better watch out - he has a trained feline he may sic on to you!   Back to top

ex member 419 Group: Members Posts: 1177 Joined: April 2008 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 00:12 There are two songs IMO where Mike hits the mark with both lyrics and melodies. Heaven's Open is really uplifting and happy with great energy (and the film clip was amazing. He did the animation. Very good). Far Country is another uplifting positive song. Back to top

nightspore Group: Members Posts: 4761 Joined: Mar. 2008 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 02:59 Quote (ex member 419 @ Jan. 30 2010, 00:12) There are two songs IMO where Mike hits the mark with both lyrics and melodies. Heaven's Open is really uplifting and happy with great energy (and the film clip was amazing. He did the animation. Very good). Far Country is another uplifting positive song. Yet tinged with that indefinable longing and sadness, like most of Mr O's music... Back to top

ex member 419 Group: Members Posts: 1177 Joined: April 2008 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 04:42 Hi Nightspore those songs are tinged with that bitter sweet feeling Mike can evoke so beautifully. Thank heavens his Irish heritage and love of folk music grew from the early days. Being wistful, sad, longing, desiring all a heart can hold is what every man wants and wishes for. Mike fought his fears and bared his soul, and we can enjoy the music that caused him so much pain to create. I reckon re mastering HR and Ommadawn will take him back to those memories, as did doing the Ultimate Edition. It takes courage to do it. He is doing it, a beautiful man with a brave heart facing up to the worst of times as a young man. Back to top

wiga Group: Members Posts: 2113 Joined: Sep. 2008 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 05:05 Quote (Tati The Sentinel @ Jan. 29 2010, 06:54) ...but I like his nonsenseless lyrics,better than those anti-feminist rap and R&B around nowadays. Pearl of Wisdom quote: -  "It is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart."   -------------- Barn's burnt down - now I can see the moon. Back to top

ex member 419 Group: Members Posts: 1177 Joined: April 2008 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 05:55 Hi Tati and Wiga I agree that rap, hip hop and R@B definitely have an anti feminist edge. The women portrayed in some clips are treated as their man's toy to be pawed over, be submissive and degraded. Chris Brown comes to mind. His attitude towards his lady was disgusting. Im sure young women need to feel respected and treated decently. What happens in night clubs is so blatant. Meat markets and pick up joints where women are seen as easy targets by some men, where alcohol and party drugs alter reality. Back to top

Ugo Group: Members Posts: 5495 Joined: April 2000 Posted: Jan. 30 2010, 11:25 Quote (wiga @ Jan. 30 2010, 00:56) Ugo - my take on "Northpoint" is that it's a story about a mysterious prison and it's past. Are you saying that it's the grammar that bothers you? It's the very liberal (not to say anything worse! ) usage of grammar and the feeling of nonsensicalness I always get when reading that lyric on its own. To you it may make sense, to me it just doesn't. -------------- Ugo C. - a devoted Amarokian Back to top

0+1(I1) Group: Members Posts: 418 Joined: Mar. 2011 Posted: Aug. 25 2011, 09:43 there is that word again -------------- L◎ST ◎MMADAWN VERSI◎N RIDDLE ANSWER  mIChaeI GOrDOn OIDfIeId. =  I C   1  G◎D   OO ID I I or replace the L's that were turned in to I's & 1 gets ID◎L G◎LD ID◎L (4 ANSWER IN FULL + EXPLANATION, C ALBUM SECTION/☮MMADAWN/i-say-i-say-i-say-i-say-in-answer4XXX4Acr⊕ss Back to top

0+1(I1) Group: Members Posts: 418 Joined: Mar. 2011 Posted: Aug. 25 2011, 09:50 Quote (Ugo @ Jan. 30 2010, 00:55) @ wiga: of course it's a matter of personal taste, but I don't think I ever found anything false-sounding or phoney in Paul Simon's lyrics. Especially "The Boxer", which is one of my fav S&G songs, has never sounded insincere to me - it really sounds like they're telling the life story of an actual character, even if it's invented (or at least I think so). The only thing that can maybe sound phoney in there is indeed the chorus - which is often transcribed as "Lie la lie..." Re. "Northpoint", I think that part of the mysterious aspect of that lyric is the fact that Mike has done nothing but throw the grammar to the four winds [no pun intended!]. Or, in other words, IMHO that lyric is so nonsensical that it's bound to be mysterious. And that's why I hate it. @ nightspore: the meow doesn't happen during the Fast Riff at the beginning of Amarok. It happens in one on the later repetitions of the riff. I am 100% sure of this, as I know Amarok by heart. BTW, Vicki is never startled by any music I listen to - even by the (few) heavy metal things. She just loves all kinds of music. & there! -------------- L◎ST ◎MMADAWN VERSI◎N RIDDLE ANSWER  mIChaeI GOrDOn OIDfIeId. =  I C   1  G◎D   OO ID I I or replace the L's that were turned in to I's & 1 gets ID◎L G◎LD ID◎L (4 ANSWER IN FULL + EXPLANATION, C ALBUM SECTION/☮MMADAWN/i-say-i-say-i-say-i-say-in-answer4XXX4Acr⊕ss Back to top

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