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Vienna Teng — Whatever You Want
Album: Dreaming Through the Noise
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1533









Released: 2006
Length: 3:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
He's a company man, your right hand
Thirteen years and counting
No detectable ambition
A model of efficiency
Far as you can see
He knows every loophole
The art of fine print
Massages the numbers 'til they fit
And every time you ask him for another vanishing act
He half-smiles as if to say:

Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me
Oh
Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me

Never a real moment together but she understands:
You're an important man
Another late night
Don't know if you're coming home or when
She's alone again
But she goes on curating your domestic museum
She disappears in her loyalty
She is a dress wearing a face in the doorway
Opening her arms out to you

Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me
Oh
Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me

No one would dare to question you
Oh no
No one would dare to stand up
In the night she leaves the papers in a tidy pile
Evidence for her reasons
And in the night he takes the main accounts and pulls the files
Detailing every treason
I am the last one you'd ever suspect of setting the fire
Of setting the fire
But as you switch on your TV tomorrow morning
You'll hear me saying quietly:

Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me
Oh
Whatever you want
Whatever you want
Whatever you want is fine by me

Oh, whatever you say
Oh, whatever you say
I'll do what you ask me
I'll do what you ask me
Whatever you say
Oh, whatever you say
But do you know who's listening?
Oh, whatever you say
Oh, whatever you say
You know it's over
Comments (210)add comment
A song for Melania..................
Love it! great lyrics, music and vibe!
 ckcotton  wrote:
Why do I have to be listening whenever this plays? Aaaaaarrrrrrgggg
 
Your choice ... whining (American?)


When you read the lyrics this is an interesting "song/story" which can go in many directions.
I had to check the screen and make sure this wasn't Tori Amos!
 ckcotton wrote:
Why do I have to be listening whenever this plays? Aaaaaarrrrrrgggg
 
Don't listen to RP    


FIFY
 JasondotG wrote:
No guts. No weight. No heart. Nothing, there's nothing here. 

 
 
Vienna was funny explaining on a Youtube video how her Hong Kong background makes her different from Americans when showing her emotions. They are there alright, you just need to look a bit deeper.
Also, it's a song about someone who knows how to help discreetly from the background  - screaming wouldn't exactly fit here.
 rabaak wrote:
Saw her in concert in Minneapolis almost two years ago . Great live performance. She was promoting her new album at the time. Being an x-Cisco engineer, she showed some of the recording/playback equipment she had. And demonstrated how she used it on the new album.

She left the performance at 11:00 that night, was going to drive herself with bandmates to Denver to perform the next night. It makes me tired thinking about how they were going to get that done in less than 24 hours. She talked about taking turns driving (in December Minnesota to Denver). They still had a couple hours of getting everything off the stage and packed, 14 hour drive in good weather and then back on stage for another show. 

So much for being a music star on the road. Even if she had a roadie or two to help,  it did not sound like the most luxurious road trip. I think the weather cooperated and they made it to Denver.
 

GOOD STORY
 ckcotton wrote:
Why do I have to be listening whenever this plays? Aaaaaarrrrrrgggg
 
One might think that's your reaction to every song played on RP.
{#Whistle}something for childrenb
{#Daisy}
I thought the album title was "Dreaming Through Your Nose"
Why do I have to be listening whenever this plays? Aaaaaarrrrrrgggg
This track has a very neat & clean sound, good studio work, and rather enjoyable to my ears. 8 rating from me, for now at least. 
Thanks as always, B&R, for providing us eager listeners' with something different than we're used to for our aural enjoyment.  This is not a track you'd have found in my playlist without RP influence. 
And the Aural Enjoyment continues with Agnes Obel's "the Curse." 
 rabaak wrote:
Saw her in concert in Minneapolis almost two years ago . Great live performance. She was promoting her new album at the time. Being an x-Cisco engineer, she showed some of the recording/playback equipment she had. And demonstrated how she used it on the new album.

She left the performance at 11:00 that night, was going to drive herself with bandmates to Denver to perform the next night. It makes me tired thinking about how they were going to get that done in less than 24 hours. She talked about taking turns driving (in December Minnesota to Denver). They still had a couple hours of getting everything off the stage and packed, 14 hour drive in good weather and then back on stage for another show. 

So much for being a music star on the road. Even if she had a roadie or two to help,  it did not sound like the most luxurious road trip. I think the weather cooperated and they made it to Denver.

  Thanks a lot for your comment. I like her music quite a bit, and I hope she's doing fine regarding those circumstances.


 DaidyBoy wrote:
I love this clever woman's lyrics.  She is a talented performer, I feel.  A great RP discovery for me.

 
Same.  Happy to have been introduced to her music by RP!
This is soooooo terrible
I love this clever woman's lyrics.  She is a talented performer, I feel.  A great RP discovery for me.
For those who haven't heard this tidbit from Vienna herself, this song was indeed inspired by Milton of "Office Space." Becuse he was told he could play his Radio (Paradise) at a reasonable volume ;-)
very nice composition and sung so well {#Music}
No guts. No weight. No heart. Nothing, there's nothing here. 

 
Thought this was Sinead Loen at first....Like her too.

 
Saw her in concert in Minneapolis almost two years ago . Great live performance. She was promoting her new album at the time. Being an x-Cisco engineer, she showed some of the recording/playback equipment she had. And demonstrated how she used it on the new album.

She left the performance at 11:00 that night, was going to drive herself with bandmates to Denver to perform the next night. It makes me tired thinking about how they were going to get that done in less than 24 hours. She talked about taking turns driving (in December Minnesota to Denver). They still had a couple hours of getting everything off the stage and packed, 14 hour drive in good weather and then back on stage for another show. 

So much for being a music star on the road. Even if she had a roadie or two to help,  it did not sound like the most luxurious road trip. I think the weather cooperated and they made it to Denver.
 gjeeg wrote:
Some hear without listening.
Hannio wrote:
Very pretty, but ultimately, forgettable.  Her music affects me the same way as Jackson Browne.  Very nice at the moment of hearing, but also just a little bland, unexciting and something I would never gravitate toward.

 

 

Your dismissive comment actually hits the nail right on the head.  I have enough hearing loss that I have never been able to distinguish lyrics very well, if at all, so I focus on instrumentation and the sound of the voice.  In Vienna's case, I find them both monochromatic.


Just read the lyrics and popped this gem up to an 8.

Clever Vienna. 
She sings her interesting viewpoint beautifully.
First time I've heard this .... but I'm thinking

He gave her his darkness to regret
And good reason to quit him
He gave her a roomful of Chippendale
That nobody sits in

Still she stays with a love of some kind
It's the lady's choice
The hissing of summer lawns


 stevendejong wrote:
Tori-Amos-like and very nice.

 
Ugggghhhhhhh.... THATS why I can't stand it......
Not my taste!
I do honestly like this breathless susanne vega. But on first perusal of the album cover methinx I am looing at  a butt crack.
Some hear without listening.


Hannio wrote:
Very pretty, but ultimately, forgettable.  Her music affects me the same way as Jackson Browne.  Very nice at the moment of hearing, but also just a little bland, unexciting and something I would never gravitate toward.

 


Very pretty, but ultimately, forgettable.  Her music affects me the same way as Jackson Browne.  Very nice at the moment of hearing, but also just a little bland, unexciting and something I would never gravitate toward.
{#Sleep}

I heartily agree with the previous comment!

Vienna is truly a great artist, and this is an amazing music platform...CHEERS!


 yofitofu wrote:

Dear spoiled RP listeners. I love the way you complain complain complain about selections on this amazingly and thoughtfully curated station. You are like babies. Try finding such a great assortment of music ANYWHERE else, commercial radio, internet radio. I'll bet even your pandora doesn't select them as well. So if you don't like Vienna or some other selection - jeez - don't get so vicious. Having said that, this is not Vienna's best song but she is still great as is 90% of what i hear on this station.

 
Amen right on. And whatever Vienna wants. Which, apparently, is to sing sweetly on RP. 
Like this! Not crazy about most of her other stuff, but this is such a nice use of her voice and piano.
Poon .... TENG!  Uh... excuse my outburst; perhaps I'm channeling Ted Nugent.  A shaky 2.
I've been listening to this song for years and years before I even heard of Radio Paradise. It's wonderful to hear an old favourite come up. :)
It's not the musically deepest song in the rotation, but like so many RP tunes, it is supremely enjoyable to listen to.
 
She has a nice smooth voice and phrasing. Just feels smooth and soft...like expensive silk...light, warming and welcoming.
I was thinking the same thing.

 

stevendejong wrote:
Tori-Amos-like and very nice.
 


Tori-Amos-like and very nice.
 rdo wrote:

I want more Vienna.  {#Tongue} {#Hearteyes}

 
i'd like less.
 yofitofu wrote:

Dear spoiled RP listeners. I love the way you complain complain complain about selections on this amazingly and thoughtfully curated station. You are like babies. Try finding such a great assortment of music ANYWHERE else, commercial radio, internet radio. I'll bet even your pandora doesn't select them as well. So if you don't like Vienna or some other selection - jeez - don't get so vicious. Having said that, this is not Vienna's best song but she is still great as is 90% of what i hear on this station.
 
Amen
 Asmith wrote:
"Whatever You Want" I want this to end now!
 
Dear spoiled RP listeners. I love the way you complain complain complain about selections on this amazingly and thoughtfully curated station. You are like babies. Try finding such a great assortment of music ANYWHERE else, commercial radio, internet radio. I'll bet even your pandora doesn't select them as well. So if you don't like Vienna or some other selection - jeez - don't get so vicious. Having said that, this is not Vienna's best song but she is still great as is 90% of what i hear on this station.
 Asmith wrote:
"Whatever You Want" I want this to end now!

 
I want more Vienna.  {#Tongue} {#Hearteyes}

Catchy
 Asmith wrote:
"Whatever You Want" I want this to end now!

 

Don't get it!  A couple of years ago the Vienna Teng songs garnered 7+ ratings on RP with gushing comments.   I liked her because of my exposure to her because of RP.  Now the ratings are in the mid to high 6's with many more negative comments.  Does this mean that her music does not stand the test of time?   Dunno.  I still like her though.
 Lexapro_Headrush wrote:
She's singing about all of those trophy wives who realized their workaholic douchebag husbands look at them like another beige Camry
 
Ah yes, the American Dream...  nice job (that keeps them working insane hours), cookie cutter lux car (that they never get a chance to drive), an expensive McMansion that they don't spend much time in, and a hot wife that is either little more then arm candy or someone to breed with. 

No thanks.

I'll take the decent job, ok car, and a wife that I actually want to be with.  Throw in a kid that doesn't think I'm the scum of the earth, an occasional vacation to some national park filled with trees and mossy rocks, and a quite place to live and I'll be the happiest dude around.

Abba Cover??
"Whatever You Want" I want this to end now!

5 {#Arrowu} 7

Never tire of this; beautiful voice.

Very sympathy, I like it!
Go Cardinal!
She's singing about all of those trophy wives who realized their workaholic douchebag husbands look at them like another beige Camry
Dont like this!
 peter_james_bond wrote:

Tool describes you well, I rate 1 your criticism hahahhaha!
 
well done! but i still can not stand Vienna Tang
 isayhoomhom wrote:

Aren't you charming...
 
Well put!!  Couldn't have said it better myself.
Nice transition from One Man's Ceiling :)
 FluorideFreeMN wrote:
I like Vienna, but not this particular cut.

To me, it belongs alongside a dreaded playlist usually found at the dentist's office.
 
bump


Vienna Teng by ~alucinante
©2008-2010 ~alucinante

Vienna Teng
August 24, 2008 @ Outside Lands Festival
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

I like Vienna, but not this particular cut.

To me, it belongs alongside a dreaded playlist usually found at the dentist's office.
Great sound. I like this one. She has a very unique soothing voice.
 Stingray wrote:
Bill and the girls!
 

{#Lol}
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Terrific voice, and what a great name - Vienna. Here she is:

Vienna
 

Her face is a perfect oval.  They could use her in a learn-how-to-draw pamphlet.
Trying for Eleanor Rigby, but finding Sheryl Crow.
 jagdriver wrote:
Agreed. This is way to MOR for RP, IMHO.
 
Yes, it's verging on "easy listening" but I think a little of this genre on RP is OK.

 Lonestar wrote:
Whenever this stops,
whenever this stops,
whenever this stops, it's fine by me.
 
bump


Bill and the girls!
 vit wrote:
One of those inventions that makes you question NASA funding.
 
{#Ask}    {#Lol}

Terrific voice, and what a great name - Vienna. Here she is:

Vienna
Seeing her play live definitely improved my opinion of her (not that I didn't already like her). But I was
never a big "fan" until now. She was incredible in person.

"I don't feel so well" off this album is worth checking out.

So simple, yet so enjoyable.
Dang if this one isn't starting to grow on me. 5=>7
Its eclectic radio, not effete radio.  This fits just fine here.


 jagdriver wrote:


Agreed. This is way to MOR for RP, IMHO.
 

 Lonestar wrote:
Whenever this stops,
whenever this stops,
whenever this stops, it's fine by me.
 

Agreed. This is way to MOR for RP, IMHO.
Whenever this stops,
whenever this stops,
whenever this stops, it's fine by me.
 HarrO wrote:
Love the voice, less so the song.
 
Ditto.  Vienna plays a great live show, and she can bang on the ivory with the best of them (in terms of composition), but I'll be damned if every other tune of hers doesn't come off to the user as cheese.  She pulls off the whisper-y mood quite well, and is best served chilled.

Love the voice, less so the song.
 lemmoth wrote:

So on first two listens I am thinking — from the first piano lick and the whispy female vocals - this is totally unoriginal.

But then .....I actually stopped and listened to the song......and guess what..... I like it .....excellent lyrics and cool justaposition of chorus verse and bridge .

Just shows to go you .... yeah I mean you the dismissives out there.... just listen to the damn song....


 
very nice way to put it. i didn't like it at first, but the more i hear it the more i like it and the lyrics are very good btw.

One of those inventions that makes you question NASA funding.
I really wasn't a big fan of this song until I actually listened to the lyrics today. Pretty sweet.
Still not a huge fan, but it definitely bumped the song up IMHO.

So on first two listens I am thinking — from the first piano lick and the whispy female vocals - this is totally unoriginal.

But then .....I actually stopped and listened to the song......and guess what..... I like it .....excellent lyrics and cool justaposition of chorus verse and bridge .

Just shows to go you .... yeah I mean you the dismissives out there.... just listen to the damn song....


 daveesh wrote:
whatever i want, huh? okay, i want this goofy song to end and never be played again.

 
... don't agree with the comment, but it is funny.

whatever i want, huh? okay, i want this goofy song to end and never be played again.
Got, I cringe every time I hear that opening piano lick.

I don't know if it's really that bad, or if it's just the fact that hearing it means I will have to suffer through this song. Again.
not sure if you're coming home or when she's alone again but she goes on curating your domestic museum she disappears in her loyalty she is a dress wearing a face in the doorway opening her arms out to you
Awesome poetry
Whatever I Want? A different Chorus, please.
Danimal174 wrote:
Hmmm...reminds me more of Aimee Mann.
Please take that back, for the love of Aimee. At least I've heard this song often enough now that I'm starting to build a tolerance for it.
themotion wrote:
This song frustrates me to no end.
ME TOO - to add to things it is cutting in and out on my end so it is pretty abrasive...
WonderLizard wrote:
Proof that a whisper will command more attention than a shout. BTW, the whole album is terrific--it must be: a houseguest made off with my first copy...
Yeah, I had a co-worker who entertained that philosophy. It was loads of fun getting him all steamed up in meetings by talking loud and ignoring his "attention commanding" whispers.
A beautiful voice.
radioparadisehead wrote:
I met Vienna and actually vomited on her left thigh, insulted her deceased sister, kidnapped two of her children, and then requested that she play Freebird.
You sure it wasn't her right thigh? And I heard you asked for Stairway to Heaven.
If you like good musicianship, go see her in concert.
Proof that a whisper will command more attention than a shout. BTW, the whole album is terrific--it must be: a houseguest made off with my first copy...
themotion wrote:
This song frustrates me to no end.
... kinda the same i feel ... it's a bit repetitive and a bit overplayed i guess?
A lot of feeling in her music..Quite pleasant. Another RP discovery making my life better.
FluorideFreeMN wrote:
Yep- I hear the Tori as well. Just a little too poppy though....does she play rougher?
Hmmm...reminds me more of Aimee Mann.
MsJudi wrote:
Why?
My own take: I think it sounds like a bad rip off of a bad song from a bad credit card commercial; in other words, I think I heard this when Five For Fighting did it... EVERY time I hear this I hear the similarity and it drives me crazy because I know she can do better...
MsJudi wrote:
Why?
because it sucks!
themotion wrote:
This song frustrates me to no end.
Why?
This song frustrates me to no end.
Tori Amos? No, much less self grandisizing. Good song.
What I want is for this song to end.
I'm leaning towards "ho-hum" with this one.
hiorgos wrote:
im hearing this song way too much!
Yes- I'd much prefer to hear some of her other work because this one kinda bores me now.
A wry recitation, with a catchy tune. Let's let it go at that.
its all right
I thank you for playing such a variety of good music.
I like it very much, fine by me.
auburntigerrich wrote:
Agreed. She has some real gorgeous stuff, but this is certianly not one of the best. In terms of the writing -- Vienna has said herself that her writing is very important to her. Sometimes the mood of the music is completely opposite of what the story is trying to convey, and this throws people off (including me). Talented artist, all things considered.
Agreed again. I feel like I'm holding my breath waiting for her to ExPresS. Her music is great when the sentiment is sweet, but she doesn't seem to pack any combustibles where they're called for... maybe she meditates too much.
Sounds like a Five for Fighting song written for a credit card commercial... Vienna's weakest... she can do SO much better.
3 1 please make it stop. . .
im hearing this song way too much!
Hinkamp wrote:
Tori Amos with 50 percent less angst.
Yep- I hear the Tori as well. Just a little too poppy though....does she play rougher?
she's an obliging gal.
Tori Amos with 50 percent less angst.
Another artist I learned about here. I saw her live recently. Greatly exceeded my expectations! She was wonderful. I'll go see her anytime anywhere.