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Katell Keineg — One Hell Of A Life
Album: Jet
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1620









Released: 1997
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Lay me down in a wooded field

Plant a bush above my head

Well lay me, lay me down

Don’t go writing on my grave

I’ll have said it all before the end

Lay me, lay me down



And when I’m dead

Please don’t philosophize

Or feel regret

Just remember me when I said

I had one hell of a life,

One hell Of a life

I had one hell of a life



Throw my ashes to the wind

Watch them blow into the sea

Well throw me, throw me in

You can cry up there on the cliff

Scream to heaven, work your grief

But throw me, throw me in

And when I’m dead

Please don’t philosophize

Or feel regret

Just remember me when I said

I had one hell of a life,

One hell Of a life

I had one hell of a life



Fear and guilt accumulate

And the time’s never right to deal with it

Well maybe, maybe now

You can live your life in an endless wait

Or build it high on the present tense

Maybe, maybe now

And when you’re dead

They won’t philosophize

Or feel regret

They’ll remember you when you said

You had one hell of a life,

One hell Of a life

You had one hell of a life



Build it high on serendipity, dipity, dipity, doop, doop, yeah



And when we’re all dead

They won’t philosophize

Or feel regret

They’ll remember us when we said

We had one hell of a life,

One hell Of a life

We had one hell of a life
Comments (115)add comment
 marysclark wrote:


beautiful :  )


Definitely! I know the feeling.
Posted 1 week ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 Lucinda805 wrote:

Since June I've lost three dear friends, one passing was expected, the other two were a great shock. This is the first time since then that I can hear this song without bursting into tears. My friends all lived "One Hell of a Life" and I'm getting to the point where I can be glad and honored that they were my friends and left me so many good memories. No more philosophizing or weeping, just deep, deep gratitude and love.



beautiful :  )
Posted 1 month ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Since June I've lost three dear friends, one passing was expected, the other two were a great shock. This is the first time since then that I can hear this song without bursting into tears. My friends all lived "One Hell of a Life" and I'm getting to the point where I can be glad and honored that they were my friends and left me so many good memories. No more philosophizing or weeping, just deep, deep gratitude and love.
Posted 3 months ago by Lucinda805    [ Reply ]
 laozilover wrote:

Up to 8 for me, which is a trigger point for clicking through to Amazon and snagging the CD!

I'm also now at 8 rating on this amazing life affirming song,  Long Live RP and My Favorites!!
Posted 4 months ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
sounds like Kathy Lee Gifford to me
Posted 10 months ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:

Please play this at my funeral Mary ❤️




I have a list of songs for my hub:

One Hell of a Life -Katell Keineg
In these Heels - Kirsty MacColl
Please Don't Bury Me - John Prine

Posted 3 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
With her hair blown over one eye, by first thought was that it was Nadine from Twin Peaks.
Posted 3 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
Please play this at my funeral Mary ❤️
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Please play this at my funeral Mary. ❤️
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
 todbothom wrote:

It's a well-crafted tune but an average voice.




Sometimes "average" is beautiful!!
Posted 3 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Ok, I fell for Katell.  Any tune with an organ intro, B3 or otherwise just knocks me back on my heels.

One hell of a tune girlfriend.
Posted 4 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
It's a well-crafted tune but an average voice.
Posted 4 years ago by todbothom    [ Reply ]
Shatteringly beautiful
Posted 4 years ago by oofus    [ Reply ]
My dad's sister, my Aunt Peggy passed this last April from lung cancer--wished we could've played this song at her memorial service because this is exactly the way she lived her life!
Posted 4 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
 jp33442 wrote:

Furst time i heard this and gave it an 8



Listen again and give it a 10!
Posted 4 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
love this positive message !
Posted 4 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
More Katell, please! One can never have too much Katell. 
Posted 4 years ago by Fiddlefye    [ Reply ]
My kind of household:

“Ours was a very intellectual, bohemian-type house and there were always lots of writers staying over or bands dropping by.

“My parents would be constantly organising rallies, conferences and fundraising gigs and mini-festivals featuring traditional Breton folk music and dancing – have you ever seen Breton dancing? It’s really very hypnotic.”


Breton-Welsh singer-songwriter Katell Keineg on why she’s always been an outsider
Posted 4 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
What a lovely song. The first time I heard of her was when Natalie Merchant sang one of her songs. The Gulf Of Araby was such a lovely song, I had to look up the original singer. I started getting into her songs then. Such a talent.
Posted 5 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Furst time i heard this and gave it an 8
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Just upgraded my rating on this one, really love it
Posted 5 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 jkforde wrote:
not liking this much but this is great IMHO off the same album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBfz1aE6bSc
 
battle of the trees was always my favorite
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I don't think I've ever heard Keineg on RP before... blast from the past. This is a pretty solid album. 
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Meh...sounds like Kathy Lee Gifford to me
Posted 5 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
What is not to enjoy. Great soulful song that deserves a good bit of volume.
Posted 5 years ago by martynslater2000    [ Reply ]
I intially thought this was a Dido song.
Posted 5 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 laozilover wrote:

Up to 8 for me, which is a trigger point for clicking through to Amazon and snagging the CD!
 
Well then I'll join you at the 8....this one sneaks up and grabs you....sounds like a female Bob Dylan tune to me....the organ rocks too...LLRP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
not liking this much but this is great IMHO off the same album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBfz1aE6bSc
Posted 5 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
Check out the Gulf of Araby - first heard her when Natalie Merchant covered that tune. Amazing.
Posted 5 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Yes, a great song. Appropriate voice.

7 to 8 today.
Posted 5 years ago by brianlj    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:
This might be the first time I listened all-the-way-through-this-song, and I was moved enough to go +2 to 7.  LLRP!!
 
Up to 8 for me, which is a trigger point for clicking through to Amazon and snagging the CD!
Posted 5 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
I wonder what she'd sound like if she she didn't sing thru her  nose. 
Posted 6 years ago by victory806    [ Reply ]
Looks like someone popped her in the eye
Posted 6 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
This might be the first time I listened all-the-way-through-this-song, and I was moved enough to go +2 to 7.  LLRP!!
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:

great voice imo  : )
 

I'm with you, her voice just connects. And, being in the process of living one hell of a life myself, I'm fine by her lyrics as well...
Posted 6 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]

great voice imo  : )
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Where all the cow-girls are gone.
Posted 10 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


Very.

 
Very very!
Posted 10 years ago by mkrueck    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
sounds like Sissy Spacek. Not a good thing.

 
i agree. yucky.
Posted 10 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Quite a beautiful musician!

check out Darcy Frey's article in The New York Times Magazine, 2 July 2006. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/magazine/02keineg.html?pagewanted=all&_moc.semityn.www
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Excellent, understated delivery on this tune.  Love it.
Posted 11 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
Wow, Bill....such a wonderful chain of songs in tribute to Steve Jobs....I can hardly keep from weeping today....
 
He did have one hell of a life! It is celebrated!
Posted 14 years ago by Lakeview    [ Reply ]
Wow, Bill....such a wonderful chain of songs in tribute to Steve Jobs....I can hardly keep from weeping today....
Posted 14 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
I like this. 
Posted 15 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
 listen_n_sf wrote:
This is getting painful.
 

Very.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This is getting painful.
Posted 15 years ago by listen_n_sf    [ Reply ]
Just bought Jet cd second hand.  Great set of tunes.  She seems especially underground. 
Posted 16 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
wow, i bought this back when i went to record stores and listened to stuff at kiosks.  i've never heard it anywhere but on my own stereo.  it's a good album.
Posted 16 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Very Beautiful
Posted 16 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]

ahhh...nice...here it is... my song. {#Tongue-out}

it's very joan armatrading-ish.....


Posted 16 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:

 

the attention awakes, does not have many data concerning this singer, only this song-    ** 5  / 6 **

 

Far out, Catherwood. Just roll a couple of bombers and leave them on the side table.
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
{#Neutral}
Posted 16 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
Another treasure unearthed by Bill and Rebecca. This is what Radio Paradise is all about! ...Or rather it's one of the great features of Radio Paradise.
Posted 16 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
JET (this album) is one of the great undersung (no pun intended!) masterpieces. Katell is a rare, rare, soulful, one-of-a-kind artist. That she got signed to a major-label deal (Elektra) is a minor miracle. When they dropped her 2 critically acclaimed records later, it was the end of that miracle, but not of her. (There was an article on her in the New York Times Magazine a few years ago.)

I urge every RP listener to buy this record, and really let it sink in. It's that good. 
Posted 17 years ago by rocklandlove    [ Reply ]

 

the attention awakes, does not have many data concerning this singer, only this song-    ** 5  / 6 **



Posted 17 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 suddenchad wrote:
Wondeful, obscure release from 10 years ago, featuring some interesting musical collaborators, including Eric Drew Friedman who has played with both Capt. Beefheart and PJ Harvey, among others. Don't know what has happened to Katell; I have only seen one other CD from her, released a few years prior to this one. But I do see this for sale very cheap in some used CD stores and always what to grab it and tell people, "Hey, this is a great little treasure right here and it's a real bargain!"
 
Wasn't she Jeff Buckley's girlfriend? She has a mailing list. Plays a lot in The Netherlands and New York a few times a year.


Posted 17 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
I'm just not convinced she's had one hell of a life.
Posted 17 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
She is really good!
Posted 17 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
When that organ came in at the intro I thought "Ah, Bobby" but no......... Pleasant enough however!
Posted 18 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is a pretty irritating song
Posted 18 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
sounds like Sissy Spacek. Not a good thing.
Posted 18 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
cc_rider wrote:
Good choice. Poi Dog Pondering's 'Bury Me Deep' is on my list too.
Highway to hell's on my list
Posted 18 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
"One hand on a knife...?"
Posted 18 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Starting to get annoyed by that falsetto thing she does with her voice...
Posted 18 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
I don't know...sounds kind of nasally to me.
Posted 18 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Buzzardcheater wrote:
This one made it onto my list of songs I want played at my funeral. I'm planning one hell of a party (too bad I won't be there)....but that party better be about 50 years hence.
Good choice. Poi Dog Pondering's 'Bury Me Deep' is on my list too.
Posted 18 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Not just the song, it's one hell of a CD.
Posted 18 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
sounds like Helen Reddy's daughter (if she has one)....
Posted 18 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by mattc296    [ Reply ]
Actually in some of the verses I hear hints of U2's "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World" BKardon wrote:
I keep hearing hints of U2's "Angel of Harlem".
Posted 18 years ago by erik_1099    [ Reply ]
Wondeful, obscure release from 10 years ago, featuring some interesting musical collaborators, including Eric Drew Friedman who has played with both Capt. Beefheart and PJ Harvey, among others. Don't know what has happened to Katell; I have only seen one other CD from her, released a few years prior to this one. But I do see this for sale very cheap in some used CD stores and always what to grab it and tell people, "Hey, this is a great little treasure right here and it's a real bargain!"
Posted 18 years ago by suddenchad    [ Reply ]
yes, yes i do...
Posted 18 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
As opposed to your commentary? To wit: Make superficial dismissive comments of music...toss a bone to lead singer based on looks. Haven't seen that here on RP more than, oh, maybe a few THOUSAND times. ibcoleman wrote:
She's cute. Lyrics are pretty obvious though. And sounds pretty derivative.
Posted 18 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I've traveled across most of our little world....
Posted 19 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Just printed out the lyrics so hub knows what to play at my funeral.... 40 years form now, of course!
Posted 19 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
One hell of a life... literally or figuratively? It's a good way to complain but still sound postive or perhaps to just keep 'em guessing...
Posted 19 years ago by RayRay    [ Reply ]
ibcoleman wrote:
She's cute. Lyrics are pretty obvious though. And sounds pretty derivative.
Never heard of her and yes, she is cute!
Posted 19 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
She's cute. Lyrics are pretty obvious though. And sounds pretty derivative.
Posted 19 years ago by ibcoleman    [ Reply ]
Keep playin' Katell!!! Love her!
Posted 19 years ago by rabbitsongs    [ Reply ]
The Gulf of Araby is off of Katell Keineg's amazing CD: "O Seasons O Castles" - go to her website (www.katellkeineg.com) and buy it! It's incredible music! Xpat wrote:
Great song, great sentiment. Was it she who wrote "Gulf of Araby" that Natalie Merchant covered on her live in NYC album? I like that one a lot. I've never heard the original, though; maybe it could be found and uploaded to be played here?
Posted 19 years ago by rabbitsongs    [ Reply ]
I'm not sure what I find more striking about this song - the lack of any melodic sense, the mediocre voice, or the unimaginative lyrics. One thing is very clear, though. She had one hell of a life.
Posted 19 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
My coworker thought she was saying, "One head full of lice."
Posted 19 years ago by weevilkinevil    [ Reply ]
made me stop work n listen.. that's something anyway.
Posted 19 years ago by Raveneye    [ Reply ]
This one made it onto my list of songs I want played at my funeral. I'm planning one hell of a party (too bad I won't be there)....but that party better be about 50 years hence.
Posted 19 years ago by Buzzardcheater    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing hints of U2's "Angel of Harlem".
Posted 19 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
I like the lyrics much better than the song itself.
Posted 19 years ago by moonbat    [ Reply ]
One hell of a nasally voice. Otherwise pleasant song.
Posted 20 years ago by Dianyla    [ Reply ]
haven't listned to this album in a good long while. it's solid.
Posted 20 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
This is a really cool song--her voice is awkward, though.
I think the awkwardness of her voice makes the song
Posted 20 years ago by oufason    [ Reply ]
This is a great song and a great album. Not a "rocker", but they don't all have to be here on RP. This song helped my wife get through the death of her father some years ago. Not in any deep philosophical way, but just by reminding her that he had lived a wonderful life. I really like that RP is not bent on pleasing everyone all the time and is willing to take chances playing introspective songs like this.
Posted 20 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
mrselfdestruct wrote:
Is that some kind of Star Trek reference?
Very good... there's a few of us out there.
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
...her voice is awkward, though.
Yes, I believe this is so...
Posted 21 years ago by upinya    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Katell Keineg?? Wasn't she related to Lursa and Bat'or?
Is that some kind of Star Trek reference?
Posted 21 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
Katell Keineg?? Wasn't she related to Lursa and Bat'or?
Posted 21 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
This is a really cool song--her voice is awkward, though.
Posted 21 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
I'm happy to hear Katell has made it out to Paradise. Thanks for playing this track...it's made it on to many of my compilations CD's along with other songs from Jet. She's on tour again...I know she just played some dates in the NYC area. She got excellent reviews.
Posted 22 years ago by cycleman    [ Reply ]
Interesting, and good, follow up to Zevon's "Dirty Life & Times"; --d
Posted 22 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
It's an okay song, but she's got one hell of a weak voice.
Posted 22 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
Just incase anyone is interested. I have a nonofficial fansite for Katell at the following address. The Nonofficial Katell Keineg Website Victor
Posted 22 years ago by xeroxdrucker    [ Reply ]
This song is just, if you will forgive the gender confusion, a straight balls-forward song. Just go straight, be someone your friends can trust.....and have fun being alive.
Posted 22 years ago by Dirktooth    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by coyotexxx2: Sounds like you are in the wrong place. Maybe "soft rock" would be more appealing to you.
yeah, soft rock, that's it. thanks for the tip. they had a good thing going with magnet, doves, steve earle, stuff like that.
Posted 22 years ago by downbylaw    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by downbylaw: wow, another mediocre song. what's that, like 10 in a row...
Sounds like you are in the wrong place. Maybe "soft rock" would be more appealing to you.
Posted 22 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
wow, another mediocre song. what\'s that, like 10 in a row...
Posted 22 years ago by downbylaw    [ Reply ]
I was able to find her CDs at Amazon.com. But you can also get them at this site, and follow the link to her own website.
Posted 22 years ago by triviagal    [ Reply ]
a couple years ago I was searching all over for this gem of an album...found it at our local music shop for $1.00!!!! it's such a great song, album...i have another of hers...all soooo good. lots of folks can't stand her voice, but i tell them if they just listen...they'll soon know! oh by the way...this song WILL be played at my little "i just died ceremony"! enjoy!
Posted 23 years ago by honey    [ Reply ]
Can\'t be certain why she sings in the plural about her life unless she has been reincarnated. :p
Posted 23 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
One Hell of a song
Posted 24 years ago by buzz    [ Reply ]