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Bomb the Bass — Empire (w/ Sinéad O'Connor)
Album: Clear
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1952









Released: 1995
Length: 5:43
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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I'm looking at your soul, your soul, your soul, your soul
I'm looking at your future, your future, future, future
As I look into your eyes, these eyes, these eyes, these eyes
I see another side, side, side, side

Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire you suck the life of goodness
Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire you suck the life of goodness

Turn the light on
Let the light shine bright
Turn the light on
Let the light shine bright

You've got to feel yourself and let go
You got to know you reap what you sow
You've got to feel something at sometime

Check the writings on the wall
And look to the sign
You're spending all your money on gear that never work
you're wasting all your energy and everywhere it hurts
God it really hurts
yes it really hurts
you got to know yourself

Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire, you suck the life of goodness
Yes
Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire you suck the life of goodness

From now on I'll call you England
From now on I'll call you England
From now on I'll call you England
From now on I'll call you England

See if you spit in the sky
It will fall in your eye
You see what goes up must come down
You will die looking up, if you're not looking in
you've got to know yourself

I'm looking at your pastures and they were never green
I'm looking for your justice and it can not be seen
I'm checking where you're coming from and where you're going to
I'm checking out what you have done to see what you can do
I'm looking at your lawbooks and they were never read
I'm looking at your lovesquire and they can not be dread
I'm looking at your empire slipping on the drears
You've got to know yourself

Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire, you suck the life of goodness
Yes
Vampire, you feed on the life of a pure heart
Vampire you suck the life of goodness

From now on I'll call you England
Empire fall man, empire go
From now on I'll call you England
There's a lesson to be learned, by that, you must know
From now on I'll call you England
and the ? is known by the food that is there
From now on I'll call you England
gotta see no love anyway you appear
From now on I'll call you England
you've got to know yourself
from now on I'll call you England
you've got to know yourself
Comments (86)add comment
A nice soundtrack song to nightmares.
Posted 2 weeks ago by ray_killeen    [ Reply ]
Is the paint dry yet?

Hear the grass grow?

Boring.

Goring.

Loring.

Joring.  

Lookie...I'm a song writer now!
Posted 2 weeks ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Always gets a HUGE head bob out of me.
Posted 2 months ago by slugore    [ Reply ]
 plaid wrote:

I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!

I enjoy the paraphrasing of "I'm not racist, but..." in the opening sentence. A good way to know you're about to be offensive is to say "I don't mean to be offensive." If you preface your statement like that, you know what is about to come next is a total shitshow. 


I highly recommend the documentary on Sinead "Nothing Compares" (you can view on Paramount+ here in the States) for a decent history on her (to answer your query "when did Sinead become a sister?". I've never been a super-fan, but her story is pretty well told in this movie and I grew sadder at her losses and the loss of her.  
Posted 3 months ago by nannimae    [ Reply ]
Is that hi-hat sound "mouth-made"  ? Cos I can make that exact sound. Bet you can, too.
Great song.
Posted 6 months ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 Motolorax wrote:

I used to assume this was Benjamin Zephaniah's voice but I can't find any reference to him. Anyone know?



OK, just discovered that it is him. Now I love this track even more.
Posted 7 months ago by Motolorax    [ Reply ]
I used to assume this was Benjamin Zephaniah's voice but I can't find any reference to him. Anyone know?
Posted 7 months ago by Motolorax    [ Reply ]
 Kajukenbo wrote:

I really like this song, but I kinda think Sinead is being a little harsh on England. Granted England has quite a history of colonization and so forth, but let's face it, there are a lot worse governments out there. 



There are / were many worse govts you're right - but this song  is specifically  about the British Empire - and it was murderous - literally. (and I say that as a Brit)
Posted 9 months ago by hellsgardener    [ Reply ]
 SpinyNorma wrote:
Never mind Sinead o'Connor - I can hear the unmistakable voice of Benjamin Zephania


RIP Ben. A beautiful soul taken far too soon.
Posted 11 months ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
RIP Benjamin Zephaniah
Posted 11 months ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
I just thought I heard Enya. Time for my yearly ear check.
Posted 1 year ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
Now that she's gone, I want to hear her more than ever
Posted 1 year ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]
I really like this song, but I kinda think Sinead is being a little harsh on England. Granted England has quite a history of colonization and so forth, but let's face it, there are a lot worse governments out there. 
Posted 1 year ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
grahamophone wrote:
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!

I enjoy the paraphrasing of "I'm not racist, but..." in the opening sentence. A good way to know you're about to be offensive is to say "I don't mean to be offensive." If you preface your statement like that, you know what is about to come next is a total shitshow. 
Posted 1 year ago by plaid    [ Reply ]

grahamophone wrote:
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!


Maybe I'm not following what you mean, but... it sounds like maybe you aren't that familiar with what Sinead was doing from the beginning in the 90s.  A couple hip-hop type tunes sprinkled among her original offerings; sister or not.

(And -- as an aside -- artists of all types should be free to interpret and produce what they like.  It ain't "appropriation" if you haven't taken it away form the originators/owners.)

Posted 1 year ago by QuantumShaman    [ Reply ]
Thank you for this extended tribute to Sinead. I am grateful she decided to make the significant trip to Womad, New Zealand, in 2015. It was her only visit to our shores. "O'Connor's only New Zealand concert experience was memorably derailed by a duck when she performed her one and only gig at the WOMAD festivalin April, 2015. During 'Nothing Compares 2 U', O'Connor faltered and lost her way midway through the song, forcing her to apologise to the audience at the
Brooklands Bowl that "the duck took over". ...
"There was a tiny lake between the stage and the audience. Just as I
finished singing 'it's been so lonely without you here, like a bird without a song', a duck got to the front of stage and went 'quack quack!'" she wrote."...



Posted 1 year ago by parodyhas    [ Reply ]
Her collaborations were pretty damned good. RIP.
Posted 1 year ago by Al    [ Reply ]
RIP
Bummer
Posted 1 year ago by craigandbee    [ Reply ]
Sinead's double tracking is kind of grating in my opinion, otherwise the track is ok.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
The trumpet sounds like Jon Hassell
Posted 1 year ago by grandemarch    [ Reply ]
This song makes an excellent meme
Posted 1 year ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]



The Prince of Darkness, a little too lubricated at the Little League game. But he's keeping time! 
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 moreisnotmore wrote:

Is that Darth Vader I hear?



YES! it is off his first "Solo" ! 
Released in the year 3ABY.  I heard it was/is a real  HIT!
An explosive release! Lots of spin offs.
Posted 1 year ago by Bakaretsu    [ Reply ]
Is that Darth Vader I hear?
Posted 2 years ago by moreisnotmore    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by dischuckin    [ Reply ]
 grahamophone wrote:
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!


It's not like Sinead barged into the BtB recording seession, grabbed the mic and took over. It's a collaberation. So if BtB invite someone to guest sing, say Anita Bryant, it's on them. Who are you to judge? 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
It's Sinead again - can never mistake her voice - beautiful soul
Posted 2 years ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]
 Larrygrrl wrote:

WHAT IS THAT CONSTANT NOISE RUNNING THROUGH THIS SONG?!?!?!?  IT'S DRILLING INTO MY BRAIN!



perhaps you've blown a tweeter
or you've watched a bit too much Severance
Posted 2 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
I didn't know Darth Vader could sing.
Posted 2 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Interesting...quite interesting..enjoying it
very nicely produced/recorded
Posted 2 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Is this the same Bomb the Bass that's name dropped in Buffalo Stance?
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
 jmpnbob wrote:

Can't we all just get along



Rodney King, I would guess most do not know who he is...
Posted 2 years ago by jacopo777    [ Reply ]
 SpinyNorma wrote:
Never mind Sinead o'Connor - I can hear the unmistakable voice of Benjamin Zephania

🐨  Me too!
Posted 2 years ago by goodenough    [ Reply ]
Bravo
Great album
Posted 3 years ago by Noni163    [ Reply ]
Never mind Sinead o'Connor - I can hear the unmistakable voice of Benjamin Zephania
Posted 3 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
 MattRudely wrote:


It's a synth hi-hat from some drum machine I used to have, through a phaser I think. Hideous isn't it, ruins the whole song.


OMG I can't unhear it.  First time an RP comment damaged a song for me 
Posted 3 years ago by ibribe    [ Reply ]
 RationalB wrote:
ARRRRGGHHH! Sinead is grasping at straws musically here. Go back to the Chieftans my dear! Then again, she's done duets with everyone except the Muppets so why should'nt she go to the 'crap-hop' stuff. Spreading that awesome set a pipes around should not be a means to an end ( as this endeavor was).
 
The Muppets have been cancelled.
Posted 3 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
You got to put the lime in thee coconut.
Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 Larrygrrl wrote:
WHAT IS THAT CONSTANT NOISE RUNNING THROUGH THIS SONG?!?!?!?  IT'S DRILLING INTO MY BRAIN!
 

It's a synth hi-hat from some drum machine I used to have, through a phaser I think. Hideous isn't it, ruins the whole song.
Posted 4 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
Well this interesting.  I dig it.
Posted 4 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
Man, hadn't thought of Bomb the Bass since we were living in England in the 80s and “Beat Dis” was getting played all the time. Really enjoying this.  
Posted 4 years ago by Critty    [ Reply ]
Sinead's harmonies are tantalizing!
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
WHAT IS THAT CONSTANT NOISE RUNNING THROUGH THIS SONG?!?!?!?  IT'S DRILLING INTO MY BRAIN!
Posted 4 years ago by Larrygrrl    [ Reply ]
Sinéad is great and finally a guy with a male voice.
Posted 4 years ago by zon00460    [ Reply ]
excellent - love Sinead O'Connor's voice too
Posted 4 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Ooh, I love Ben Zephaniah's voice!  One of my all-time favourite tracks is The Imagined Village's 'Tam Lin Revisited'.

Don' be sceered...
Posted 4 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
This is really cool!  Why is the rating so low?  Straightup 8 on my first listen.
Posted 4 years ago by woodchuk    [ Reply ]
 JCEntMan wrote:
Anyone else think the guy sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger?
 

I've never heard of Benjamin Zephaniah and Arnie being confused with each other before.
Posted 4 years ago by spv    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:


Because Empires suck the blood out of their colonies? What's the point in having a colony if you can't exploit it?
 

Maybe not, but more importantly, how bomb is this song? First time. Thanks again Bill and Rebecca.
Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
 MsJudi wrote:
Why do you suppose this song is called "Empire" when she's clearly saying, "Vampire"? I just can't get behind reggae-hop.
 

Because Empires suck the blood out of their colonies? What's the point in having a colony if you can't exploit it?
Posted 5 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Sinead elevates just about every collaboration.  This is cool.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Huuh. Bomb the bass. Thx for playing. Nearly forgot this. Loved it back then. I think its part of what got me in to electronic music :)
Posted 5 years ago by Donar    [ Reply ]
A friend of mine from Uni many years ago worked with this band.  He was talented and a great character.  I wish him well.  Hi, Carlton xx
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
I just realized how much Bat For Lashes sounds like Sinéad!
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 linden wrote:
When did Led Zepplin become bluesmen?
 
A long time ago!!  
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Always liked Bomb the Bass
Posted 5 years ago by t0m5k1    [ Reply ]
When did Led Zepplin become bluesmen?
Posted 9 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I'm not so sure artists should have their choices of material dictated by their race or ethnicity.

 
Well said
Posted 9 years ago by Falcon    [ Reply ]
 grahamophone wrote:
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!
 
I'm not so sure artists should have their choices of material dictated by their race or ethnicity.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Bomb The Bass on RP?  Blimey.....   
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 joavonlady wrote:
Hmm, it seems this song is not popular with the listeners!  I don't care, I love it, love Sinead!

 
No, I love it more than you
Posted 9 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Hmm, it seems this song is not popular with the listeners!  I don't care, I love it, love Sinead!
Posted 9 years ago by joavonlady    [ Reply ]
I like it
Posted 9 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Cool groove - really enjoyed this
Posted 10 years ago by sunbeamgls    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
Can't we all just get along
Posted 18 years ago by jmpnbob    [ Reply ]
grahamophone wrote:
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister?
The same day she was born. She's the youngest of Mr. and Mrs O'connor's four children. *ducks*
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
ARRRRGGHHH! Sinead is grasping at straws musically here. Go back to the Chieftans my dear! Then again, she's done duets with everyone except the Muppets so why should'nt she go to the 'crap-hop' stuff. Spreading that awesome set a pipes around should not be a means to an end ( as this endeavor was).
Posted 18 years ago by RationalB    [ Reply ]
Kinda drives you nuts, doesn it? The worst part is that for some weird reason I just cant turn it off, on the other hand all I want is this guy to shut up!
Posted 18 years ago by Pantagruel    [ Reply ]
I don't mean this in an offensive way, but when did Sinead become a sister? I mean, I've been hearing Downpressor man all the time lately, and now this. I love RP's sense of humor by following it up with Dar Williams. Non sequitur plus ultra!!
Posted 18 years ago by grahamophone    [ Reply ]
Not sure about this one.
Posted 18 years ago by reznorsgrrl    [ Reply ]
Monotonous and annoying.
Posted 18 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
uggh! please...stop...this...hurting...me
Posted 18 years ago by Kregg    [ Reply ]
UltraNurd wrote:
An Austrian with an African accent? (Of course, by "African" I really mean "Bantu language family", but that would be the dominant non-IE language group of Subsaharan Africa. Admittedly, I don't think I've heard a native speaker of a Khoi-San language speak English with an accent, but I'm just guessing.)
Really livin' up to your screen name, aren't you?
Posted 18 years ago by turnergirl1of2    [ Reply ]
So this is a love song then?
Posted 18 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Bomb the Bass......Coolness
Posted 18 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
bkrontz wrote:
Jeez... I could hear that high hat of doom 3 rooms away.
Yes that pretty much kills this song for me.
Posted 18 years ago by Clobyn    [ Reply ]
Good groove!
Posted 18 years ago by Wes16V    [ Reply ]
Jeez... I could hear that high hat of doom 3 rooms away. Chugga Chugga Ah-Nold.
Posted 19 years ago by bkrontz    [ Reply ]
Good tune this. I like the groove.
Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
JCEntMan wrote:
Anyone else think the guy sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Posted 19 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
JCEntMan wrote:
Anyone else think the guy sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger?
An Austrian with an African accent? (Of course, by "African" I really mean "Bantu language family", but that would be the dominant non-IE language group of Subsaharan Africa. Admittedly, I don't think I've heard a native speaker of a Khoi-San language speak English with an accent, but I'm just guessing.)
Posted 19 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
A little strange and 'out there' but still likeable. Without Sinead this wouldn't be as interesting.
Posted 19 years ago by GregK    [ Reply ]
Why do you suppose this song is called "Empire" when she's clearly saying, "Vampire"? I just can't get behind reggae-hop.
Posted 19 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Anyone else think the guy sounds like Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Posted 19 years ago by JCEntMan    [ Reply ]