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Not Drowning, Waving — The Magician
Album: Circus
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 282









Released: 1993
Length: 5:20
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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The magician dances merrily for me
Her pointy pointy shoes come a gliding across the lino floor
but there's no hint of any superstition, trickery or lies
Still we don't believe in magic and we're not about to try.

In she comes singing songs of magic bright and loud
And then she leads me by her sweaty hand
and moves me to the door
She shows me worlds that look outrageous,
a bright red colour in the sky
And now the clouds are closing over, must be time to come inside.

She warns you haven't kept that magic here at all
but you've arranged the world to turn around you, roundabout it goes
and you've got every gift available and every dream you'd hope to buy
but a gloom still hangs above this place, I can see it in your eyes
...the clouds are closing over, must be time to come inside.

The magician smiles her pointy face at me
Then disappears into the dusty streets, such a fancy way to leave
She does a triple somersault of love, a wave, a nod goodbye
I'm still trying to work it out you see
I can see it in your eyes
The clouds are closing over, must be time to come inside.
Comments (39)add comment
...gotta have Faith, Faith, Faith!
Posted 3 weeks ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Bit like George Michael fronting Frankie Goes To Hollywood...

Not a bad listen though.  Thanks RP.
Posted 8 months ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
I might get flamed for this, but it sounds kind of George Michael-ish to me. Too much so for me.

 
I agree with the first part.
Posted 7 years ago by BlueHeronDruid    [ Reply ]
puppets scare me, too !  i like my new browser........{#Exclaim}
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
GAH!!! It's Lady Elaine Fairchild on the cover of that album!!! (Wearing a Robinhood hat)  {#Sorry}

Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Hmm...  cool stuff, I like it.

Posted 13 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
I might get flamed for this, but it sounds kind of George Michael-ish to me. Too much so for me.
 
Heh, "Not singing, wanking."

Posted 13 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
I had to log on to your web site to see if this was a new song by George Michael. It sounds so much like him. It almost makes me miss by Big Hair days. Not a huge fan of this.

Posted 13 years ago by Zapatka    [ Reply ]
I might get flamed for this, but it sounds kind of George Michael-ish to me. Too much so for me.
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I've always been surprised that NDW isn't played more often here since their vibe fits right in...

Have been a fan of these guys since picking up The Little Desert LP (2nd album) as an import back in '85.

Highly recommended...

Thanks, Bill....


Posted 14 years ago by rtkmusic    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
Never heard it....Like it!

Thanks, BillG!
 
Agree!!

Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry....I hear George Michael....yukkk
Posted 15 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
This is great! coolio...
Posted 15 years ago by Gardenho    [ Reply ]
This freaking great!
Need more of these guys in rotation for sure.

Posted 15 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
Never heard it....Like it!

Thanks, BillG!
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
I was surprised Bill didn't follow this one with a segue to this:

https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=songinfo&song_id=38468
(The actual title of that song is really "Not Raving, but Drowning", but you get the idea.)
Maybe some other set...

Posted 16 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
{#Guitarist} {#Guitarist}{#Boohoo}{#Chef} {#Tongue} Delicious!! {#Cool} {#Sunny} {#Daisy}{#Good-vibes}

Posted 16 years ago by andrewimft    [ Reply ]
Edit: After reading their Wiki, I was mistaken. They were a bit before The Blackeyed Susans.
Posted 16 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
This is a new one on me, but I like it quite a bit. I hear a bit of Blackeyed Susans in this, but poppier.
Posted 16 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
Not Drowning, Waving is an excellent Aussie band that's worth more exposure on RP. The audience would enjoy the following tracks, from various NDW albums, in particular: • Blackwater • Cold and the Crackle • Dare Not Say a Word • The Kiap Song • Palau (Micronesian Mix) • Sunday • Sunday (Instrumental) • The Same Heat • Thomastown • Walk, No. 2 For more recommendations and links, drop by... (click here)
Posted 16 years ago by JohnBauer    [ Reply ]
Hmm--sounds... Zeppelinesque? Zeppelinish? Zepplonic? Definitely good!!!
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
This song follows some heavy hitters in the history of rock and roll, I don't think it's quite up to par in this mix. I might like it if I heard it on its own, but probably not. Talking Heads - Wild Wild Life Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle & Roll The Clash - Clampdown
Posted 16 years ago by ewhughes1    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a band that has been around a while, but this is my first listen. Nice.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Can't believe RP has some Not Drowning, Waving tunes. Awesome! The "sister" band is My Friend the Chocolate Cake!
Posted 17 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite poems. andrea924 wrote:
1953 poem by Stevie Smith, "Not Waving but Drowning": Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he's dead It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
"the magician throws her pointy face at me and disappears into the dusty streets, such a fancy way to leave she does a triple soumersault of love, a wave, a nod goodbye i'm still trying to work it out, you see..."
Posted 17 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
I don't know this band.
Posted 17 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Mmm...Kind of wish they were drowning.
Posted 17 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
very relaxing
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
1953 poem by Stevie Smith, "Not Waving but Drowning": Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he's dead It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning.
Posted 17 years ago by andrea924    [ Reply ]
I dig the acoustic guitars. Most groovy.
Posted 17 years ago by rossiski    [ Reply ]
Musola wrote:
Haven't heard this since i played it on my college radio show, oh, ten years ago. it was in some movie about a blind detective? i think....
It was a 1991 movie, "Proof." (click here)
Posted 17 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
Never heard of them before, but they get an auto 7 for such a cool band name.
Posted 17 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
... excellent choice! like!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
...i was starting to wonder if any not drowning waving might survive the review process - so glad to see these woefully underappreciated innovators finally getting airplay...
Posted 17 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Pretty good. I like the band name.
Posted 17 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this since i played it on my college radio show, oh, ten years ago. it was in some movie about a blind detective? i think....
Posted 17 years ago by Musola    [ Reply ]
I LOVE this band - THANK YOU to whoever uploaded it!
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]