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Iron & Wine — Naked As We Came
Album: Our Endless Numbered Days
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2156









Released: 2004
Length: 2:28
Plays (last 30 days): 0
She says, "Wake up, it's no use pretending"
I'll keep stealing, breathing her
Birds are leaving over autumn's ending
One of us will die inside these arms

Eyes wide open
Naked as we came
One will spread our
Ashes 'round the yard

She says, "If I leave before you, darling
Don't you waste me in the ground"
I lay smiling like our sleeping children
One of us will die inside these arms

Eyes wide open
Naked as we came
One will spread our
Ashes 'round the yard
Comments (151)add comment
 chasech5 wrote:

Reminds me of "Kathy's Song," a bit. 

 




I was thinking it may be a John Denver tune until the singing started.  Oh, oh Bill, I thought.  Imagine the comments?
very haunting and beautiful
I thought he was going to launch into a very tame version of Rocky Mountain High.     
I like this. Very soothing.
On first listen I thought this was Elliott Smith.
 murdog wrote:
Amazing to hear such vitriol over a simple, peaceful song. Ok, don't like it. Doesn't mean it's 'bad'. My prescription: put on the album on a slow morning, make yourself a good coffee, look out the window for a bit, hug something warm, and snuggle under a blanket with an easy read.
Sometimes a good album is not in your face, but simply atmosphere. Ask Satie. If you're angry about this song, maybe my prescription is exactly what you need!
 
Great suggestion, murdog!  And I'm surprised I haven't posted a comment on this one yet....it's one of my favorites, and I think I first heard it here....


Owing to the sentimental nature of the lyrics and the future looking aspect of a lost spouse (yikes...that sounds unintentionally coldhearted!), this one is a 10 for me.  I'm also a fan of a cover of this by Sachal Vasandani, who my wife and I watched at Seattle's Jazz Alley on one of our earlier wedding anniversaries (11/11!) and while he didn't perform this he was a great singer and rather enjoyable.  Long Live RP!!

https://youtu.be/RLTLDaKJDro
Amazing to hear such vitriol over a simple, peaceful song. Ok, don't like it. Doesn't mean it's 'bad'. My prescription: put on the album on a slow morning, make yourself a good coffee, look out the window for a bit, hug something warm, and snuggle under a blanket with an easy read.
Sometimes a good album is not in your face, but simply atmosphere. Ask Satie. If you're angry about this song, maybe my prescription is exactly what you need!
 Webfoot wrote:
I've heard that our bodies store a lot of toxins that are concentrated after cremation. Maybe just spread them around the ornamentals.


Man: Well, um, which would you recommend?

Undertaker: Well they're both nasty. If we burn her, she gets stuffed in the flames, crackle, crackle, crackle, which is a bit of a shock if she's not quite dead. But quick. And then we give you a handful of the ashes, which you can pretend were hers.

M: (timidly) Oh.

U: Or, if we bury her she gets eaten up lots of weevils and nasty maggots, which, as I said before, is a bit of a shock if she's not quite dead.


 Webfoot wrote:
I've heard that our bodies store a lot of toxins that are concentrated after cremation. Maybe just spread them around the ornamentals.

 
But then there's always this:

https://grist.org/living/mushroom-burial-suit-turns-dead-bodies-into-clean-compost/


I've heard that our bodies store a lot of toxins that are concentrated after cremation. Maybe just spread them around the ornamentals.
Thought the intro was Nick Drake. Fooled again.
 Skydog wrote:
Bill, you are going to make me like this yet

 
Relax, lay back and open your arms wide to the warm embrace of this ambient muse
Bill, you are going to make me like this yet
Another R. P. find, thanks guys.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

But who would win in a cage fight?

 
{#Lol}
Probably Raffi - he has more stage props.
Rather than having my ashes spread about the yard, I'm hoping to be buried in the yard and have a nice peach tree planted on top of me.
Is there some kinda SC connection with/to Iron & Wine? Curious. Only because I'm from SC. 
 KKeith wrote:
I don't know of any other song that so beautifully expresses the love and commitment two people have for each other.

 
Yes, I agree. Soft, quiet, heartfelt voices really compliment the beautiful lyrics.
 Vaxhall wrote:
The melody carries something of a Simon & Garfunkel song

 
Kinda, yeah. Someone else mentioned "Kathy's Song" but I can't remember that one right now. The beginning of the song reminds me of the The Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil."
 Proclivities wrote:
I'd almost prefer Raffi to Dan Fogelberg.
 
But who would win in a cage fight?
Reminds me of "Kathy's Song," a bit. 

Vaxhall wrote:
The melody carries something of a Simon & Garfunkel song

 


This song is pretty heart wrenching thinking about one of us dying and leaving the other.  I sure hope my wife goes first so she doesn't have to endure the heartache and the difficulties of facing the world alone.  I consider this most every day on the hour commute when the end seems only one stupid driver trick away.
great  solid song,deserves the airplay
As one who struggles with cancer, this song is particularly poignant
The melody carries something of a Simon & Garfunkel song
 KKeith wrote:
I don't know of any other song that so beautifully expresses the love and commitment two people have for each other.

 
Wow, just read the lyrics...wow, yeah.
I don't know of any other song that so beautifully expresses the love and commitment two people have for each other.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

You're a little old for that, aren't you?
 
LOL...:)
 Stingray wrote:

Reminds me of grandma trying to sing me into sleep!

 
You're a little old for that, aren't you?
Absolutely beautiful.  I cry every time.
 Proclivities wrote:

I'd almost prefer Raffi to Dan Fogelberg.  This tune's pretty good.
 

Pretty good??  Huh??

A solid 10.
 jnhashmi wrote:
This coming right after "For No One" by The Beatles makes me realize how exceptional this song is. A true classic. Just wonderful. A 9 that I might just change to a 10.
 
Correct.
 bachbeet wrote:
It's OK.  too much like Dan Fogelberg for my taste.  Though I prefer this to DF.
 
I'd almost prefer Raffi to Dan Fogelberg.  This tune's pretty good.


Nice

Lyrically beautiful.


Reminds me of grandma trying to sing me into sleep!


 jnhashmi wrote:
This coming right after "For No One" by The Beatles makes me realize how exceptional this song is. A true classic. Just wonderful. A 9 that I might just change to a 10.
 
what a great segue...
This coming right after "For No One" by The Beatles makes me realize how exceptional this song is. A true classic. Just wonderful. A 9 that I might just change to a 10.
An auto-rate Ho-Hum, sadly. I'm sure many find the Iron & Wine sound elegaic, but for these ears it's the equivalent of a lullaby after a dose of Mogadon. Excellent when you want to go bye-byes, but not so good in the middle of a sunny Spring day. 3 from the soporific Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
Music inspired by Sufjan Stevens, CD cover inspired by Van Gogh
Such a beautiful song!
Sam Beam's new album includes a band.
I must not get it...this is awful.
Love me some Iron & Wine!
sigh...sooo...beautiful....
 Jelani wrote:
Hmmm...
I usually come naked.
 
I tend to hear that double entendre when this song starts playing also. I wonder if it's meant to be there?

I'm generally not a big Iron & Wine fan but I really like this song...{#Music}
 ncollingridge wrote:
Personally I thought this was gorgeous - just shows that not everyone has the same taste. Indeed I have to say that I don't really understand the other complaints about this track. Incidentally I thought the guitar playing had very distinct echoes of Nick Drake about it.
 
I think it's lovely as well.  And I can't resist posting the simple but beautiful lyrics:

She says "wake up, it's no use pretending"
I'll keep stealing, breathing her.
Birds are leaving over autumn's ending
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes 'round the yard

She says "If I leave before you, darling
Don't you waste me in the ground"
I lay smiling like our sleeping children
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes round the yard



This song always makes me feel like crying.
definitely his best song.  the rest...meh.
keep this line....

Another fine group RP has gotten me interested in.
I like this.

Very pleasant.
It's OK.  too much like Dan Fogelberg for my taste.  Though I prefer this to DF.
 Limpopoking wrote:
My wife uses this track as her alarm clock on her mobile... doesn't endear me much to the song!
 
Alarm clock?  More like a lullaby!
Ahhh. I do love this album, and this song is one of my favorites from it. Simple, warm, and utterly entrancing. Four years on, it still gives me shivers. 

{#Yawn}
Just a beautiful song.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Ahhhhhhh . . . very nice. "Each Coming Night" from the same CD is even better.
agree 100%
Dave_Mack wrote:
I was lamenting this morning that while I like I&W, I would like him more if we didn't hear him twice a day every day. This is the third time today. Ugh.
Quoted for truth.
I was lamenting this morning that while I like I&W, I would like him more if we didn't hear him twice a day every day. This is the third time today. Ugh.
nigelr wrote:
Looks like Fidel on the cover, tee hee!
Indeed, Fidel in a field of tobacco just waiting to be harvested and turned into a fine cigar!
ncollingridge wrote:
Personally I thought this was gorgeous - just shows that not everyone has the same taste. Indeed I have to say that I don't really understand the other complaints about this track. Incidentally I thought the guitar playing had very distinct echoes of Nick Drake about it.
HaHa. For about 2 seconds I thought this was Nick until I realized it was I&W! Good thoughts though!
If I could do this kind of stuff, I'd start a band and call it Copper & Bourbon.
My wife uses this track as her alarm clock on her mobile... doesn't endear me much to the song!
Looks like Fidel on the cover, tee hee!
Can't separate the song from thousands of colored bouncing balls in my local streets, which is where I first heard it. Unclear if I'd rate the tune as highly without the imagery.
How weird. The DCFC song Lightness played right before had this morning dove call in the background, and something in the background of this song is similar enough that my addled brain is translating it into the morning dove call! Aaaaacccck. Make it stop!
Hmmm... I usually come naked.
Jobs this guy is ill-suited for: Fire Warden, Umpire, Circus MC (or any other MC for that matter) lead singer for a (rockin) rock band.
I have this CD. I love this sweetly sad song. It is the best one on the CD.
meydele wrote:
I love Sam Beam's whispery voice. . . sounds very intimate to me. And I like what he says.
I agree it makes me think of post-coital cuddling and ear murmuring or just woke up Sunday morning sighs and procrastination of getting out of bed
Personally I thought this was gorgeous - just shows that not everyone has the same taste. Indeed I have to say that I don't really understand the other complaints about this track. Incidentally I thought the guitar playing had very distinct echoes of Nick Drake about it.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
I wonder if he talks like the low talker on that Seinfeld episode.
If his partner is wearing a ruffled shirt, it's a dead giveaway.
I love Sam Beam's whispery voice. . . sounds very intimate to me. And I like what he says. For those who like I&W's Southern Gothic lyrics, check out an amazing song called "The Trapeze Swinger", which I believe is only available on the "In Good Company" soundtrack.
FilmSurgeon wrote:
These guys just rub me the wrong way, starting with an instinctive dislike of their name, and ending with the whispery, "this is important music, so be quiet & hear what we are saying" delivery. And this may be TMI, but rubbing me the wrong way is not easy to do.
Bill talks about dynamics alot but its true there's no dynamics here its full on mellow always. And please, quit whispering
Check out the video on YouTube...quite cool. Still an excellent tune in my book. Great, threadbare emotion there.
how much is iron and wine paying radio paradise to play their songs. they seem to be on every time i turn on this station.
i dig the postal service remakes
These guys just rub me the wrong way, starting with an instinctive dislike of their name, and ending with the whispery, "this is important music, so be quiet & hear what we are saying" delivery. And this may be TMI, but rubbing me the wrong way is not easy to do.
thewaxtadpole wrote:
I'd rate this higher if I enjoyed the singing. I dislike the raspy whispery vocals.
I feel the same way. This guy's voice creeps me out. I don't think it's raspy, though. It could use more texture, in my opinion. I like the music--just not the singing.
Beautiful sounds.
Not in the mood on this gorgeous spring day. Off with the headphones.
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
I wonder if he talks like the low talker on that Seinfeld episode.
yeah he's definitely not a "high talker..." maybe he's got "man hands?"
celadonstone wrote:
Interesting song. The album cover recalls river of dreams by billy joel.
Except I'm pretty sure Christie didn't paint this one. Still an excellent tune in my book.
I play Iron and Wine frequently while my 6th grade class is working on projects...always a hit (hopefully, they like it too)
chuck_flacks wrote:
Radio Paradise turned my family on to this duo and we all love them!! This song always gives me chills...a good death is important!
Final thought.
Radio Paradise turned my family on to this duo and we all love them!! This song always gives me chills...a good death is important!
Interesting song. The album cover recalls river of dreams by billy joel.
thewaxtadpole wrote:
I'd rate this higher if I enjoyed the singing. I dislike the raspy whispery vocals.
I wonder if he talks like the low talker on that Seinfeld episode.
does this song sound like Nick Drake?
Every time I hear the opening bars of this song, I think: Oh, nice - some Sufjan Stevens... oops...
Ahhhhhhh . . . very nice. "Each Coming Night" from the same CD is even better.
I'd rate this higher if I enjoyed the singing. I dislike the raspy whispery vocals.
On first hearing I only gave it a 4. After hearing it a few more times, I decided that it really deserves a solid 2.
Just beautiful.
I've been meaning to leave the house for the last hour but can't seem to turn of the damn computer! Great Saturday afternoon set.
Very nice, like someone else said - its bare.
This band is very good. me likey
Surprised that in the past 2 years of playing I hadn't commented. Truly one of the most bare tunes played on RP today. Always love hearing it, and the obvious feelings laid within hearing of every listener. Most excellent.
hippiechick wrote:
I think this is such a touching love song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
I was just thinking the same thing, it makes me tear up too...
NOW I know who Sufjan is copying all the time!
brokemusician wrote:
Who was first, this or Kings of Convenience?
KoC
Who was first, this or Kings of Convenience?
d-mac wrote:
Too bad there's no replay button. This is the sort of song that I want to listen to 12 times in a row and let it really sink in. :)
Use realplayer- you can rewind.
Too bad there's no replay button. This is the sort of song that I want to listen to 12 times in a row and let it really sink in. :)
This song really gets better when you listen to it properly (i.e., with headphones). Upped from 5 to 7.
This is one of my favorite songs. One of my best friends "gave" it to me about a year ago, and I can't get enough of it.
hippiechick wrote:
I think this is such a touching love song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
Right you are hippechick, I couldn't agree more .
I think this is such a touching love song. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.
Not the most uplifting song I've ever heard but real pretty all the same
That's it. I've heard enough Iron & Wine on RP and no sir, I don't like it.
"One will spread our ashes round the yard"
WordMariner wrote:
FREE FOR THE DOWNLOADING: A live concert of Iron and Wine with Calexico......at NPR.....awesome stuff from the most current tour...I saw them in Denver and they were OUTSTANDING! https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5029368 ENJOY!
Thanks for the heads up. You can also find live Calexico at https://www.archive.org/audio/etreelisting-browse.php?collection=etree&cat=Calexico Sound qualities are generally excellent as they are picky about what is released. They are kind enough to release live material for free. Very cool in my book.
NiceGuy2005 wrote:
Naked as we came? Isn't that the way it's usually done?
aharamanx wrote:
Obviously, you're not thinking outside the box.
hahahahahahaha thinking outside the box... get it?
Simon and Garfunkel?
WordMariner wrote:
FREE FOR THE DOWNLOADING: A live concert of Iron and Wine with Calexico......at NPR.....awesome stuff from the most current tour...I saw them in Denver and they were OUTSTANDING! https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5029368 ENJOY!
Oh my god, I am listening to this show now, and I&W&Calexico together on All Tomorrow's Parties is sublime. Check it out! (Starts about 10:45 into the show) I want to get that song on RP!
FREE FOR THE DOWNLOADING: A live concert of Iron and Wine with Calexico......at NPR.....awesome stuff from the most current tour...I saw them in Denver and they were OUTSTANDING! https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5029368 ENJOY!
Since I can't afford to buy new CDs on a grad student salary, this is the first I've heard of this (although I've heard a lot of I&W). Nice one.
Nice tune... good poetry