Morphine — Radar
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Length: 3:21
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Got to the driver of my car
Past the dogs past the guards
And all of my alarms supposed to be so state of the art
You penetrate my radar [x2]
You drop a bomb in my backyard
You penetrate my radar
You played me like a chess game
And now you say checkmate
While you go running freely spending money every place
And me I have to hide and I don't dare show my face
If I am guilty so are you it was March 4th 1982
Riding around forever on an empty tank of gas
And an empty pocketbook I better get it to the bank
High up in a glider high up here without a care
I got all the time in the world
I got all the time in the world to spare
Past the dogs past the guards
And all of my alarms supposed to be so state of the art
You penetrate my radar [x2]
You drop a bomb in my backyard
You penetrate my radar
You played me like a chess game
And now you say checkmate
While you go running freely spending money every place
And me I have to hide and I don't dare show my face
If I am guilty so are you it was March 4th 1982
Riding around forever on an empty tank of gas
And an empty pocketbook I better get it to the bank
High up in a glider high up here without a care
I got all the time in the world
I got all the time in the world to spare
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If I am guilty so are you, it was August 9, 1940
For those of us who were around in 1982, the above is how the lyrics sound to today's zoomers (the same number of days in the past).
One of the best songs ever! And what a brilliant analogy to being in a relationship with someone who, in hindsight, it wasn't such a great idea after all. But who may have been so beautiful we weren't thinking with the right head at the time...
Was such a great band. Saw them live decades ago. Dude had only two strings on his bass and it sounded like a stand-up. And the sax player used two saxophones to produce that sound. LOL
I think I have probably commented on this on another song... However, I lucked out and went to a pool bar in Louisiana in the early 90's and was stunned to hear this loud groovy band with a bass player playing a 2 stringed bass. The sax player was playing 2 saxes at the same time... It blew my mind and I had to subscribe to their newsletter. When I got home from my work trip I went out and found an album... Amazing band live. Too soon gone!
Huh .. March 4, 1982 was the day I got my Iron Ring for being a graduate Engineer from the University of Waterloo. Cool .. the date's in a Morphine song!
As a glider guider, I love the reference...
"High up in a glider high up here without a care
I got all the time in the world
I got all the time in the world to spare"
"High up in a glider high up here without a care
I got all the time in the world
I got all the time in the world to spare"
I would almost venture a guess here...but, albeit only a guess as, from what I've seen/heard, there is a pretty good following! But, guess....MA being part of this tight-assed New England, it was probably bcuz of the "negative" connotations behind band name....too closely related with U.S. overdoses in past years....to current. Not specifically morphine but, other "heavy" meds. Shame...cuz, they kick ass! Honestly, couldn't put them up with any other genre! IMO....
I hope Bill plays this tomorrow, March 4, 2021 (39 years after March 4, 1982).
Everything is a chess game... especially football commentary. Blah, blah, blah.
That was impressive to watch
Pumpkincat wrote:
When I saw them live he was playing two at once!
Pumpkincat wrote:
When I saw them live he was playing two at once!
linden wrote:
When I saw them live he was playing two at once!
I think the saxophone just felt me up.
When I saw them live he was playing two at once!
Managed to see these guys -- twice -- before Mr. Sandman sadly checked out of l'hotel earthly plain. Hooooo baby; they was surely sumptin'.
strange but it does grow on you
Good Music
Most definitely far from their best work. I would never take this tune as a benchmark of the band - a bit surprised Bill would choose this tune among their many fine ones.....
Just as annoying as every other Morphine song.
one of those guys who always get 7 from me, no matter what song it is - they're all have equal high quality.
Great song. And yeah, these guys definitely hit you below the belt, so to speak. : )
linden wrote:
Oh, dear lord - I hope I don't die from laughing. linden - you summed up in eight words what I was trying to formulate in a paragraph.
We need to connect later, to compare experiences. God, I love this song.
I think the saxophone just felt me up.
Oh, dear lord - I hope I don't die from laughing. linden - you summed up in eight words what I was trying to formulate in a paragraph.
We need to connect later, to compare experiences. God, I love this song.
Nice Riff!!
Byronape wrote:
Sounds like fun to me :o)
This sax makes me want to bathe myself in some nice clean mud, wear a grass skirt and mate with a woman in the trees like a gorilla before dancing around a bonfire like a savage.
Sounds like fun to me :o)bump - this is hilarious!
linden wrote:
I think the saxophone just felt me up.
coccyx wrote:
That's part of the reason I love the song.
don't like it - it's dark and grouchy.
That's part of the reason I love the song.
linden wrote:
You say that like it's a bad thing.
If I am guilty, so are you.
I think the saxophone just felt me up.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
If I am guilty, so are you.
I think the saxophone just felt me up.
Cynaera wrote:
Wow - thanks, Proclivities. Some interesting info on the man. Ironic that rivals drove him to bankruptcy twice by initiating litigation questioning the validity of his patents. The jerks. That's okay, though, because his legacy lived on, whereas theirs died with them. So justice prevails in the long run, I suppose.
It's an interesting story - even back then people were dishonest and resentful. I guess people always were.
Wow - thanks, Proclivities. Some interesting info on the man. Ironic that rivals drove him to bankruptcy twice by initiating litigation questioning the validity of his patents. The jerks. That's okay, though, because his legacy lived on, whereas theirs died with them. So justice prevails in the long run, I suppose.
It's an interesting story - even back then people were dishonest and resentful. I guess people always were.
This sax makes me want to bathe myself in some nice clean mud, wear a grass skirt and mate with a woman in the trees like a gorilla before dancing around a bonfire like a savage.
Hardcore digging it.
Hardcore digging it.
Proclivities wrote:
Wow - thanks, Proclivities. Some interesting info on the man. Ironic that rivals drove him to bankruptcy twice by initiating litigation questioning the validity of his patents. The jerks. That's okay, though, because his legacy lived on, whereas theirs died with them. So justice prevails in the long run, I suppose.
Wow - thanks, Proclivities. Some interesting info on the man. Ironic that rivals drove him to bankruptcy twice by initiating litigation questioning the validity of his patents. The jerks. That's okay, though, because his legacy lived on, whereas theirs died with them. So justice prevails in the long run, I suppose.
coccyx wrote:
Dark? Then you have not heared Dark!
don't like it - it's dark and grouchy.
Dark? Then you have not heared Dark!
don't like it - it's dark and grouchy.
Cynaera wrote:
Well,sh!t. Ditto - RIP Mark Sandman. Why do the geniuses always leave this earth before the total cro-magnons? It's not like we need a BALANCE or anything...
And I personally LOVE a good saxophone (and doesn't anyone else wonder from where that name originated?*) Sorry. Thinking too much.
* Belgian-born, musical instrument designer Adolphe Sax
Well,sh!t. Ditto - RIP Mark Sandman. Why do the geniuses always leave this earth before the total cro-magnons? It's not like we need a BALANCE or anything...
And I personally LOVE a good saxophone (and doesn't anyone else wonder from where that name originated?*) Sorry. Thinking too much.
* Belgian-born, musical instrument designer Adolphe Sax
michaelc wrote:
That's like saying I don't like the peanuts in Craker Jacks.
More like caramel ; )
That's like saying I don't like the peanuts in Craker Jacks.
More like caramel ; )
buzmaggie wrote:
That's like saying I don't like the peanuts in Craker Jacks.
Love the voice, could do without the horns!
That's like saying I don't like the peanuts in Craker Jacks.
buzmaggie wrote:
Oh, come on!! The horns and boogie baritone and tenor saxes are what set the atmosphere for his detached vocals. Their steady, sure rhythmic drive establish an urgency that's offset by his flat, slightly dazed, unemotional voice.
Wow. My music professors from years ago would be so proud.
Love the voice, could do without the horns!
Oh, come on!! The horns and boogie baritone and tenor saxes are what set the atmosphere for his detached vocals. Their steady, sure rhythmic drive establish an urgency that's offset by his flat, slightly dazed, unemotional voice.
Wow. My music professors from years ago would be so proud.
Meh and double meh
Nice!
Love the voice, could do without the horns!
mediamon wrote:
Well,sh!t. Ditto - RIP Mark Sandman. Why do the geniuses always leave this earth before the total cro-magnons? It's not like we need a BALANCE or anything...
And I personally LOVE a good saxaphone (and doesn't anyone else wonder from where that name originated?) Sorry. Thinking too much.
I had no idea there were so many sax-haters until I read the comments on this song. Morphine was a terrific band and this song, although not as good as Feels Like Swimmin', ROCKS!
RIP, Mark Sandman.
Long live Sax, drugs and Rock and Roll!!!
RIP, Mark Sandman.
Long live Sax, drugs and Rock and Roll!!!
Well,sh!t. Ditto - RIP Mark Sandman. Why do the geniuses always leave this earth before the total cro-magnons? It's not like we need a BALANCE or anything...
And I personally LOVE a good saxaphone (and doesn't anyone else wonder from where that name originated?) Sorry. Thinking too much.
Works Morphine like more and more (shift up 8 > 9)
crazyossi wrote:
Very Cool Sax !!! 
Yes, totally agree. *** yawn ***
I had no idea there were so many sax-haters until I read the comments on this song. Morphine was a terrific band and this song, although not as good as Feels Like Swimmin', ROCKS!
RIP, Mark Sandman.
Long live Sax, drugs and Rock and Roll!!!
RIP, Mark Sandman.
Long live Sax, drugs and Rock and Roll!!!
bindi wrote:
This is one of the things I love about Morphine. That, and the fact that they aren't timid about using dead air to make a point.
what a dirty sounding sax! love it.
This is one of the things I love about Morphine. That, and the fact that they aren't timid about using dead air to make a point.
MORE Sax!
It's two, two, two sax in one. This is a rockin' set list Bill: Soundgarden, SRV, and Morphine! Keep it comin'!
oscar_driver wrote:
...SAX, should be banned, although Pink Floyd barely passed using it .... but man, Sax in ROCK are like the shoulder pads from the 80's, somehow was EVERYWHERE but it was a mistake ....
Too much sax and violins on RP for you?Very Cool Sax !!!
bindi wrote:
I agree!
what a dirty sounding sax! love it.
I agree!
what a dirty sounding sax! love it.
I saw Dana Colley play a tiny bar in Phoenix with Twinemen, it was a great show. He plays 2 saxophones on one song and his head looks like it's going to explode but what a great song. Truly an original sound.
I saw Mark Sandman's original band Treat Her Right last night doing a reunion show at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge - they rocked! We miss Mark....
and here I go, turning it UP. I give it a 7.
ufamsm wrote:
+ 1 ... everything was great untill:
Morphine - Radar
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand The Weathe
SAX, should be banned, although Pink Floyd barely passed using it .... but man, Sax in ROCK are like the shoulder pads from the 80's, somehow was EVERYWHERE but it was a mistake ....
ARGHHHH why why?
This is the only song that makes me turn off RP
+ 1 ... everything was great untill:
Morphine - Radar
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand The Weathe
SAX, should be banned, although Pink Floyd barely passed using it .... but man, Sax in ROCK are like the shoulder pads from the 80's, somehow was EVERYWHERE but it was a mistake ....
ARGHHHH why why?
This is the only song that makes me turn off RP
markoirl wrote:
LOL! Ah, c'mon - no sax, no Specials, no Madness, no ska or two-tone. Ok, Morphine do go a bit over the top with the baritone sax which you either love or hate, but it can be a nice instrument, honest. I should hate it to bits as my Dad was forever practicing on it when I was a kid (I can't be doing with the clarinet for that very reason), but I just love its cheeky anarchic ptharrrp! rasp, the way it says "I don't give a monkey's, I'm gonna give you a good time".
I hate the saxophone. Not just on this track, any track. All saxophone's in existence should be melted down and turned into something useful, like door handles.
LOL! Ah, c'mon - no sax, no Specials, no Madness, no ska or two-tone. Ok, Morphine do go a bit over the top with the baritone sax which you either love or hate, but it can be a nice instrument, honest. I should hate it to bits as my Dad was forever practicing on it when I was a kid (I can't be doing with the clarinet for that very reason), but I just love its cheeky anarchic ptharrrp! rasp, the way it says "I don't give a monkey's, I'm gonna give you a good time".
Olaf_Cummings wrote:
But he was talking about March 4. I was 16...probably working at K-Mart. Oh, yeah, well, it was those other stock guys that started it...I got there afterword...really.
I was 12 on March 14, 1982. Whatever I did, Mark, I lacked legal capacity and cannot be held responsible for my actions.
But he was talking about March 4. I was 16...probably working at K-Mart. Oh, yeah, well, it was those other stock guys that started it...I got there afterword...really.
I was 12 on March 14, 1982. Whatever I did, Mark, I lacked legal capacity and cannot be held responsible for my actions.
markoirl wrote:
Or saxophones.
I hate the saxophone. Not just on this track, any track. All saxophone's in existence should be melted down and turned into something useful, like door handles.
Or saxophones.
Husky, dark and moody ... love that Morphine 
I hate the saxophone. Not just on this track, any track. All saxophone's in existence should be melted down and turned into something useful, like door handles.
BOOM BOOM HONK HONK-genius! 9 thumbs up
anchoresse wrote:
I must say my favorite album of theirs is "The Night" but who can not love Sharks, or Honey White (I'd like to see you little more fat) or the eternally sad "Gone for Good"?
This album is certainly more out there but that's probably one of the reasons I like it so much.
I LOVE Morphine with all my body, mind, heart, and soul...but this album has never really done much for me. I love practically every song off every one of their other albums, but this album has always sounded phoned-in to me...
I must say my favorite album of theirs is "The Night" but who can not love Sharks, or Honey White
(I'd like to see you little more fat) or the eternally sad "Gone for Good"?This album is certainly more out there but that's probably one of the reasons I like it so much.
My God, I love the sexiphone on this one! And that voice... that man could sing, contrary to popular opinion. Too bad he's in the Eternal Care Unit now =(
For a second the singer sounded like Dave Gahan, been listening to Depeche Mode's latest album waay too much ....
The sax is almost in tune on this one.
martindi wrote:
Just what you need then, because Morphine is a pain killer.
A real pain in the 
Just what you need then, because Morphine is a pain killer.
This song is beginning to penetrate my radar. =)
I am digging the bass and sax
I am digging the bass and sax
blasterpiece!
A real pain in the
This song just doesn't do it for me. I love Morphine, but this sounds forced and tired.
morphine is most certainly cool.
Morphine is always cool, but there are better ones.
Especially from the Cure for pain album.
But the sax is always a pleasure!
Especially from the Cure for pain album.
But the sax is always a pleasure!
Rorty!
papaman wrote:
as do you.
That saxophone needs a silencer.
as do you.
That saxophone needs a silencer.
betsy wrote:
Yup. And strangely, it's never struck me before just now. (I saw your comment after the creepiness hit...)
"I've got all the time in the world." Or not. Is no one else creeped out by that lyric?
Yup. And strangely, it's never struck me before just now. (I saw your comment after the creepiness hit...)
Alpine wrote:
This is sleazy, nasty, slutty, sticky floor, old dark smokey bar music. AND I LOVE IT!
Bingo. I'll meet you there.
Jim Morrison inside....
wally42 wrote:
It's called being creative.
Nah, Sandman was just a big fan of NASA and Intelsat V.
Need a new drug.... Morphine is fading away fast.....
laramieu wrote:
That's because you are a REAL horse.
OH, SNAP! You witty devil! (not). Turn 6 already.
I'm with papaman and the horse.
davyjrshort wrote:
Song is alright, but I find no cool, redeeming quality to stopping the instruments and just 'speaking' lyrics during a song.
The musicians are so good, why interrupt them with his yammering?
It's called being creative.
Song is alright, but I find no cool, redeeming quality to stopping the instruments and just 'speaking' lyrics during a song.
The musicians are so good, why interrupt them with his yammering?
Is it me or is the music this afternoon aimed at the nether region below the belt and above the knees? Not that I'm complaining.
This is sleazy, nasty, slutty, sticky floor, old dark smokey bar music. AND I LOVE IT!
"I've got all the time in the world." Or not. Is no one else creeped out by that lyric?
Ye Gads NOOooooooooooo!
Ok, I'm running out of numbers here!
2 -> 1
I LOVE Morphine with all my body, mind, heart, and soul...but this album has never really done much for me. I love practically every song off every one of their other albums, but this album has always sounded phoned-in to me...
papaman wrote: 
No Sir. I don't like it!
That's because you are a REAL horse.
No Sir. I don't like it!I'm feelin' it, Morphine. 
? What is march 4th 1982?
Gimme dem Bari horns, Dog!
I love the sexiphone
That's some serious metalfittin' honkin', right enough. 7 from the Nottingham jury.
So what happened "March 4th, 1982"? There was the Falklands/Malvinas war, but I doubt yer man's referring to that...
No Sir. I don't like it!
NOBODY does intros like the Morphine. Brilliant!
You're right. There are some imitators, but Morphine was the original. Mark Sandman is missed. RIPaaehr wrote:
Never heard Morphine till RP. Now a big fan. Most groups that are similar sound like some kinda wannabees. These guys are good.
Never heard Morphine till RP. Now a big fan. Most groups that are similar sound like some kinda wannabees. These guys are good.
crushedvelvet wrote:
Great lyrics. Thanks RP.
Anyone else hearing The Cruel Sea, "This Is Not the Way Home"?
Here, here, heeeeere....
brewmonkey wrote:
Saw them in Portland and he wears 2 sax's. In the top five I have seen live. LOVE THE MORPHINE!
Can you say 'Gimmick'
tentoria wrote:
I call this a "hurdle" song. That means when it comes on I must hurdle any objects in my way as I run as fast as I can to stop it from playing. It sounds like "Big Head Todd ..." and I don't care for any of that either. 
This sounds NOTHING like Big Head Todd.
Great lyrics. Thanks RP.
Anyone else hearing The Cruel Sea, "This Is Not the Way Home"?
Saw them in Portland and he wears 2 sax's. In the top five I have seen live. LOVE THE MORPHINE!
It was March 4th 1982
buckskin wrote: Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
The gnarly-snarly sax alone is worth a 9
Funny, I was thinking the gnarly-snarly sax was worth about 8 less than that. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
I\'m guilty. More Morphine!
I love a horn section that sounds like charging elephants!
buckskin wrote:
The gnarly-snarly sax alone is worth a 9
Agree. But this is also the second Morphine song that I have heard... and I just gotta get me an album. I am really digging them...and that sax!
Typesbad wrote:
Still looking for that rythm guitar, no rhythm guitar either, or any guitar for that matter. And just two parts really snarly saxaphone. You must have better headphones.
He only has two strings on his base too. That's a pretty lean sound. I LOVE Morphine.
buckskin wrote:
The gnarly-snarly sax alone is worth a 9
yeah, it's nasty and I love it.
Its' ironic that I need morphine to deaden the pain this creates.
I call this a "hurdle" song. That means when it comes on I must hurdle any objects in my way as I run as fast as I can to stop it from playing. It sounds like "Big Head Todd ..." and I don't care for any of that either.
papaman wrote:
Morphine song formula:
1 part drums
1 part bass guitar
1 part rythm guitar
1 part baritone voice
43 parts saxaphone
All it needs is a little more cowbell and it's there. (Insert mental cowbell pic of Wil Ferrel here)
The gnarly-snarly sax alone is worth a 9
pentrate my radar, please. sorry your heart failed, on stage. Thatve been something to see. Bet you were a great lover, boy.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Wasn't that the day John Belushi died? Wild guess, but that's all I can come up with now.
According to Wikipedia, Belushi died on March 5, 1982. LizDeines, Intelsat V was an satellite providing two-way telephone circuits and TV channels.
https://www.geo-orbit.org/easthemipgs/intel5spec.html
Maybe Sandman was talking about an experience in his own too-short life...
Sax echoes back to Violent Femmes several sets back.
When I saw them live he was playing two at once!
David Jackson of Van der Graaf generator does that too...