Iron & Wine — Lovesong of the Buzzard
Album: The Shepherd's DogAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1147
Length: 3:48
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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In the failing light of the afternoon
Lucy in the shade of the dogwood blooms
Yesterday the solace of a poison fish
Tomorrow I'll be kissing on her blood red lips
No one is the saviour they would like to be
The lovesong of the buzzard in the dogwood tree
With a train of horses laughing through the traffic line
And the cradle's unimaginative sense of time
Springtime and the promise of an open fist
A tattoo of a flower on a broken wrist
Lucy tells me jokingly to wipe her brow
With a pocket map to heaven and the sun goes down
Lucy in the shade of the dogwood blooms
Yesterday the solace of a poison fish
Tomorrow I'll be kissing on her blood red lips
No one is the saviour they would like to be
The lovesong of the buzzard in the dogwood tree
With a train of horses laughing through the traffic line
And the cradle's unimaginative sense of time
Springtime and the promise of an open fist
A tattoo of a flower on a broken wrist
Lucy tells me jokingly to wipe her brow
With a pocket map to heaven and the sun goes down
Comments (100)add comment
This is my favourite album by Iron & Wine. It's Sam Beam's moment of stepping into technicolor, kinda like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. The instrumentation is so lush and alive. It's just complex enough to be dazzling, but still inviting and unalienating. Every song on it is a keeper.
When the album came out I would listen to it back to back repeatedly- I used to work at a record store and it sounded so good on that sound system. Good memories, good times, great album. Easily one of my favourites of that decade.
When the album came out I would listen to it back to back repeatedly- I used to work at a record store and it sounded so good on that sound system. Good memories, good times, great album. Easily one of my favourites of that decade.
I love this album.
I was fortunate enough to see them play in Portland recently. One of the best musical shows I've ever been to.
This would be a 6 for me but gave it a 7 based on the cover!
Shimmer wrote:
Totally agree with the first point. Totally disagree with the last 2 parts.
I love Iron & Wine, but this isn't one of his best, and it doesn't suit the RP format well.
Totally agree with the first point. Totally disagree with the last 2 parts.
just got tickets for his new tour...
looking forward
looking forward
TerryS wrote:
In my part of the world, only 50% want to sleep in a man's arms........OK make that 70%........we have rainbow crosswalks.
Well, that rainbow crosswalk works in both directions, so it probably is closer to the original 50%.
In my part of the world, only 50% want to sleep in a man's arms........OK make that 70%........we have rainbow crosswalks.
Well, that rainbow crosswalk works in both directions, so it probably is closer to the original 50%.
fredriley wrote:
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
In my part of the world, only 50% want to sleep in a man's arms........OK make that 70%........we have rainbow crosswalks.
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
In my part of the world, only 50% want to sleep in a man's arms........OK make that 70%........we have rainbow crosswalks.
thank you for playing this one Shimmer wrote:
Disagree. Lovely song. Suits RP very well.
I love Iron & Wine, but this isn't one of his best, and it doesn't suit the RP format well.
Disagree. Lovely song. Suits RP very well.
I love Iron & Wine, but this isn't one of his best, and it doesn't suit the RP format well.
One of my very favorite Iron and Wine songs. He is talented, but he can be mopey and cerebral, lower energy and overly poetic and so is an acquired taste.
RP hasn't been playing this album much until recently. Nice to hear it back in rotation
very smooth... marvelous melody... cool slide guitar... love it...
fredriley wrote:
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
The valleys agree...well this valley...OK, this cottage in this valley....
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
The valleys agree...well this valley...OK, this cottage in this valley....
A masterpiece, for me
agkagk wrote:
Looks like those nasty zombie hounds from "Resident Evil". That movie sucked. This song doesn't.
I just love this album art! The song's not bad, either.
Looks like those nasty zombie hounds from "Resident Evil". That movie sucked. This song doesn't.
I just love this album art! The song's not bad, either.
First time I've heard this band, I like them.
fredriley wrote:
That's a shame Fred, you're missing out on an amazing group of musicians who can give a hell of a show live (check out their latest album, I think you'll like that one a bit better).
For me, a solid 8 and the album has a lot more to offer!
I'm sure that another song from this lot has been played on RP which is almost identical to this - the same tedious note progression, the same lack of variation, the same sedative effect. The acme of Ho-Hum
That's a shame Fred, you're missing out on an amazing group of musicians who can give a hell of a show live (check out their latest album, I think you'll like that one a bit better).
For me, a solid 8 and the album has a lot more to offer!
fredriley wrote:
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
Does this help any?
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
Does this help any?
This album is superb! The intricate layering of instruments upon each other throughout is wonderful.
4merdj wrote:
I know ... that's how we feel here down south pretty much 360+ days a year ...
come ovah!
I'm so much south that the sun is gone here and now we're in chilly winter... anyway I feel the same about this song
I know ... that's how we feel here down south pretty much 360+ days a year ...
come ovah!I'm so much south that the sun is gone here and now we're in chilly winter... anyway I feel the same about this song
peter_james_bond wrote:
Coffee, Tea, Red Bull....or try getting more sleep Fred.
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
Coffee, Tea, Red Bull....or try getting more sleep Fred.
Peter, I'd need a high-dose tab of whiz to listen to this all the way through without succumbing to the arms of Morpheus
fredriley wrote:
Coffee, Tea, Red Bull....or try getting more sleep Fred.
I'm sure that another song from this lot has been played on RP which is almost identical to this - the same tedious note progression, the same lack of variation, the same sedative effect. The acme of Ho-Hum
Coffee, Tea, Red Bull....or try getting more sleep Fred.
I'm sure that another song from this lot has been played on RP which is almost identical to this - the same tedious note progression, the same lack of variation, the same sedative effect. The acme of Ho-Hum
Stefen wrote:
Looks like those nasty zombie hounds from "Resident Evil". That movie sucked. This song doesn't.
Hideous album jacket.
Looks like those nasty zombie hounds from "Resident Evil". That movie sucked. This song doesn't.
Bill, you hit it RIGHT on the head!....Sunset fading, cool drink in my hand, RP in my ears...
Hideous album jacket.
Mugsy wrote:
I know ... that's how we feel here down south pretty much 360+ days a year ... come ovah!
This song reminds me of sitting on the deck, and drinking a nice glass of wine.....ahhhh, summer!
I know ... that's how we feel here down south pretty much 360+ days a year ...
come ovah! Excelsior wrote:
I know. I know. I've been saying now that E-boy is gone, we should utter prayers of thanks and ignore his posts, but I remembered this cartoon and couldn't resist.
I listen to RP constantly, and you could practically set your watch to the times Iron and Wine is played. This is a complaint.
I know. I know. I've been saying now that E-boy is gone, we should utter prayers of thanks and ignore his posts, but I remembered this cartoon and couldn't resist.
This song reminds me of sitting on the deck, and drinking a nice glass of wine.....ahhhh, summer!
macadavy wrote:
Vice versa.
Love the song -
hate the title!
hate the title!
Vice versa.
I think I&W would team up very nicely with Ray LaMontagne.
8.
8.
smilestoomuch wrote:
That's really too bad. I saw him a couple of years ago at Lollapalooza, and I mean, it was pretty much just him. Unfortunately, he fell prey to some of the same sound problems. I would love to see him in a more intimate setting.
I saw him last month in a club in Vancouver just him and an acoustic guitar. He really connected with the audience and he's pretty funny.
That's really too bad. I saw him a couple of years ago at Lollapalooza, and I mean, it was pretty much just him. Unfortunately, he fell prey to some of the same sound problems. I would love to see him in a more intimate setting.
I saw him last month in a club in Vancouver just him and an acoustic guitar. He really connected with the audience and he's pretty funny.
luca77 wrote:
That's really too bad. I saw him a couple of years ago at Lollapalooza, and I mean, it was pretty much just him. Unfortunately, he fell prey to some of the same sound problems. I would love to see him in a more intimate setting.
Worst gig of the year for me so far was I&W at Golden Plains Festival. Bloody awful, muddy performance resulting in a bloody awful, muddy sound (ok, the sound there is always a bit muddy but this was terrible). Too many muso's on stage and not enough talent between them. He doesn't need all that baggage, his music is better when kept simple. If I never hear a pedal steel guitar again it will be too soon.
That's really too bad. I saw him a couple of years ago at Lollapalooza, and I mean, it was pretty much just him. Unfortunately, he fell prey to some of the same sound problems. I would love to see him in a more intimate setting.
My favorite song on this album.
Worst gig of the year for me so far was I&W at Golden Plains Festival. Bloody awful, muddy performance resulting in a bloody awful, muddy sound (ok, the sound there is always a bit muddy but this was terrible). Too many muso's on stage and not enough talent between them. He doesn't need all that baggage, his music is better when kept simple. If I never hear a pedal steel guitar again it will be too soon.
i keep thinking this is that New Pornographers song... 'hey now hey.. hey now.. hey...' yea... but it never shifts like i'm thinkin' it's gonna... so what am i thinkin'? 
Love the song -
hate the title!
Sounds like the sun coming out! 
I&W was the first concert my kids every took me too (instead of the other way around). Adult kids are wonderful!
And so was the concert. Beame seems genuinely polite.
I am seriously sick of the songs from this album. I'll never buy it thanks to RP's overplaying. Thanks for saving me $15-20!
Excelsior wrote:
Nope its me blackmailing Bill and if I told you how I'd have to kill you...
Now if I could only remember what I'm blackmailing him with
At this point, I have to assume that Sam Beam has some sort of blackmail material on Bill, and forces him to play all the tracks from this album every day since it came out. I used to really like I&W but I'm just sick of it now.
Nope its me blackmailing Bill and if I told you how I'd have to kill you...
At this point, I have to assume that Sam Beam has some sort of blackmail material on Bill, and forces him to play all the tracks from this album every day since it came out. I used to really like I&W but I'm just sick of it now.
davyjrshort wrote:
Loving the buzzard,
kinky as that sounds...
me too
Loving the buzzard,
kinky as that sounds...
dynamaniak wrote:
rather tired of this artist I must say. Just not my cup of tea...
Agreed. This damn song is played every day... this artist is played every other hour.
MCKY wrote:
I was lucky enough to catch I&W in Montreal touring this album, and was impressed how all the songs were interpreted so differently from the LP versions. Very impressive show.
And I love the line "tattoo of a flower on a broken wrist" Poetry!
i caught the same tour in portland. saw sam play a few years ago on the i&w/calexico tour with my dad and it was amazing. we flew to see the show and flew home for my birthday. i'll never forget it. sam played tonight in my hometown and i bought my dad a ticket and sent him to see sam again for the both of us. he dug it even though i wasn't there, and music was a bridge once again in our lives.
can't even say how much i appreciate sam and his music here and what it means to me in so many ways.
cheers!
rather tired of this artist I must say. Just not my cup of tea...
Love it!
You gotta be kidding me. Why listen to RP if not to hear songs like this?
BillJ wrote:
I agree, RP is wearing out a great album way too soon. I've taken to turning down the volume when it comes on, so as to preserve it.
It's out of synch....!
Is this a complaint?
folklore wrote:
Is it just me?
Or are we getting a bit to drunk on Iron and Wine here in paradise...
i am quite happily drunk on Iron and Wine, the whole catalog is quite good, and the I&W/Calexico is most excellent
I was lucky enough to catch I&W in Montreal touring this album, and was impressed how all the songs were interpreted so differently from the LP versions. Very impressive show.
And I love the line "tattoo of a flower on a broken wrist" Poetry!
iggam wrote:
I listen to RP constantly, and you could practically set your watch to the times Iron and Wine is played. And this is not a complaint.
I listen to RP constantly, and you could practically set your watch to the times Iron and Wine is played. This is a complaint.
lattalo wrote:
It's you, Bill plays lots of different stuff. If you tuned it to RP more you would know this.
I listen to RP constantly, and you could practically set your watch to the times Iron and Wine is played. And this is not a complaint. I think Bill is the best DJ.
loversclub wrote:
this is a superalbum !!!
Agreed. I put it at the top of my Christmas list last year, along with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Baby 81 . Santa generously left both under my tree.
I need to make a point of emailing these bands (and their record companies) to letting them know those sales would not have happened without the exposure they receive on RP.
folklore wrote:
Is it just me?
Or are we getting a bit to drunk on Iron and Wine here in paradise...
It's you, Bill plays lots of different stuff. If you tuned it to RP more you would know this.
Hi,
I am not enamored of this song...it just feels weak and thin.
Neil
BillJ wrote:
I agree, RP is wearing out a great album way too soon. I've taken to turning down the volume when it comes on, so as to preserve it.
I have R*P listed in my Winamp bookmarks as "The Iron & Wine Station."
folklore wrote:
Is it just me?
Or are we getting a bit to drunk on Iron and Wine here in paradise...
I agree, RP is wearing out a great album way too soon. I've taken to turning down the volume when it comes on, so as to preserve it.
nice nice nice
this is a superalbum !!!
folklore wrote:
Is it just me?
Or are we getting a bit to drunk on Iron and Wine here in paradise...
It's just you... I still would take 2 dozen I/W songs over just 1 more unbearable track from the lies of Van Morrison, U2, or Snow Patrol.
Is it just me?
Or are we getting a bit to drunk on Iron and Wine here in paradise...
This is such a beautiful album. And, if you get a chance to see him live, do so. He gives an incredible performance.
I definitely like this more every time I hear it!
Love him. The entire CD is awesome -- melancholy and rich -- and he seemed like a genuinely nice dude when I watched him in an interview.
Love this guy, love this album! My #2 for 2007, right behind PT's "Fear of a Blank Planet".
I like these guys more all the time.
kindermanltd wrote:
Bass line? As in bass guitar or the song's general melody?
That is the wrong song !!!! Dont remember to which it was intented !
ColdBear wrote:
What a bass line
Bass line? As in bass guitar or the song's general melody?
I don't know... not doing anything for me.
What a bass line
xkolibuul wrote:
Really like Iron&Wine's work following the Calexico collaboration.
If this song is representative, I agree. And Calexico remains superb.
Really like Iron&Wine's work following the Calexico collaboration.
kazuma wrote: 
Pretty nice, actually, at least as buzzard love goes.
Nice song...kewl hat too!
Pretty nice, actually, at least as buzzard love goes.slartibart_O wrote: 
Milli grazie, perfecto. Bravo!
Pretty nice, actually, at least as buzzard love goes.
Tana wrote:
Also has a Bruce Cockburn vibe, I think.
Oh! Good call - agreed! :)
ajamison wrote:
This whole album has a really good vibe. There are even a couple tunes where I sense a hint of reggae, it's quite cool.
Also has a Bruce Cockburn vibe, I think.
8 -> 9
This whole album has a really good vibe. There are even a couple tunes where I sense a hint of reggae, it's quite cool.
That puppy looks like one of Michael Vick's rejects.
puremango wrote:
I love this new CD from Iron & Wine!!!
Appropriate!
I love this new CD from Iron & Wine!!!
Like the tune. The cover art scares me.
Ralph Steadman? Fear and Loathing at the Vet?
Organ, accordion, and dobro. Very nice.
Nice... great for a Friday afternoon...
...i'd love to hear sam beam do something with caroline crawley...
He's having fun with the instrumental bits and the beginnings and ends of songs on this album.
davyjrshort wrote:
That's quite a funky album cover.
Nice doggie...good doggie...
Gerroff me leg!
Ick. 
nice little groove going, and then a B3?? cool!
That's quite a funky album cover.
Nice doggie...good doggie...
Disagree. Lovely song. Suits RP very well.
The lack of a format is what defines Radio Paradise. Granted there is a vibe, but this song seems well within the vibe.