Natalie Merchant — San Andreas Fault
Album: TigerlilyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2448
Length: 3:45
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Go west
paradise is there
you'll have all that you can eat
of milk and honey over there
you'll be the brightest star
the world has ever seen
sun-baked slender heroine
of film and magazine
go west
paradise is there
you'll have all that you can eat
of milk and honey over there
you'll be the brightest light
the world has ever seen
the dizzy height of a jet-set life
you could never dream
your pale blue eyes
strawberry hair
lips so sweet
skin so fair
your future bright
beyond compare
it's rags to riches
over there
San Andreas Fault
moved it's fingers
through the ground
earth divided
plates collided
such an awful sound
San Andreas Fault
moved its fingers
through the ground
terra cotta shattered
and walls came
tumbling down
o promised land
o wicked ground
build a dream
tear it down
o promised land
what a wicked ground
build a dream
watch it fall down
paradise is there
you'll have all that you can eat
of milk and honey over there
you'll be the brightest star
the world has ever seen
sun-baked slender heroine
of film and magazine
go west
paradise is there
you'll have all that you can eat
of milk and honey over there
you'll be the brightest light
the world has ever seen
the dizzy height of a jet-set life
you could never dream
your pale blue eyes
strawberry hair
lips so sweet
skin so fair
your future bright
beyond compare
it's rags to riches
over there
San Andreas Fault
moved it's fingers
through the ground
earth divided
plates collided
such an awful sound
San Andreas Fault
moved its fingers
through the ground
terra cotta shattered
and walls came
tumbling down
o promised land
o wicked ground
build a dream
tear it down
o promised land
what a wicked ground
build a dream
watch it fall down
Comments (160)add comment
Years ago, I was working in Japan as an architect and worked countless hours 6 days a week. I loved it but it was taxing and it was changing me. One day, with a relationship on a thread, I couldn't take it anymore and I took my hour journey home. When I got into my house I was spent, with everything in life. I was at a precipice looking into the abyss. I was completely hopeless. I remember I laid down on the floor and put this cd in. This song played. Something about it soothed me and lifted my hopelessness. I can't truly explain it, but I didn't know what was going to happen and what future may lay before me, and whether life was just too much for me before this song, but something about it soothed me and calmed me down. An hour and a half later, after just laying there, I went back to work and everything from then on was fine. The relationship thread eventually broke, but no matter, I was away from the precipice. I will forever be grateful for the serendipitous timing life has to offer.
Jenn’s guitar work. Perfection!
I so love this song. 10!
The more I hear Natalie Merchant, the more her voice enthralls me...
Theme song of many would-be artists and the siren song of Los Angeles?
Thunderbolt wrote:
Isn't it purely different English - British and American?
It's enough to make one's fanny tingle....
Isn't it purely different English - British and American?
It's enough to make one's fanny tingle....
what a great human being this person is.
tinypriest wrote:
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Isn't it purely different English - British and American?
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Isn't it purely different English - British and American?
I dig this entire album
tinypriest wrote:
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Because everyone in the world spells that the same way, you think?
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Because everyone in the world spells that the same way, you think?
kbs wrote:
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Alas to me it conjours up my my recent cycle ride ending up with 2 flat tyres...
Perhaps you should have got 'tires' instead, lol.
Hi Bill,
Please double check the release year for Tigerlily. My memory and Wikipedia state that the album was released in 1995. I remember because I wrote that entire summer with Tigerlily as background.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Please double check the release year for Tigerlily. My memory and Wikipedia state that the album was released in 1995. I remember because I wrote that entire summer with Tigerlily as background.
Keep up the fantastic work!
tomcool wrote:
Was there too!!
Eva and I saw Natalie and Toad the W.S. at Wolf Trap, Va., ca. 1995. Natalie danced barefoot on a Persian carpet. One reason the 1990s was a great decade.
Was there too!!
Alas to me it conjours up my my recent cycle ride ending up with 2 flat tyres...
Eva and I saw Natalie and Toad the W.S. at Wolf Trap, Va., ca. 1995. Natalie danced barefoot on a Persian carpet. One reason the 1990s was a great decade.
SECA_Alan wrote:
one of my go to HiFi test tracks, via MFSL 45 rpm pressing. An aural treat
A great track with great production values. Lush!
one of my go to HiFi test tracks, via MFSL 45 rpm pressing. An aural treat
jp33442 wrote:
Your right must have been in a bad mood that day my apologies
A hope for every change in the states of mind !
Your right must have been in a bad mood that day my apologies
A hope for every change in the states of mind !
dmcanany wrote:
Original post was a reasonable comment, even if I disagree with it. Your comment was totally out of line, even though I like Natalie Merchant and the Indigo Girls.
Your right must have been in a bad mood that day my apologies
Original post was a reasonable comment, even if I disagree with it. Your comment was totally out of line, even though I like Natalie Merchant and the Indigo Girls.
Your right must have been in a bad mood that day my apologies
I love this album. A front-to-back listen every time.
jp33442 wrote:
Original post was a reasonable comment, even if I disagree with it. Your comment was totally out of line, even though I like Natalie Merchant and the Indigo Girls.
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Frankly, if RP never played Natalie Merchant or the Indigo Girls again I wouldn't mind.
Frankly if you would shut the fuck up and never comment again I would not mind eitherOriginal post was a reasonable comment, even if I disagree with it. Your comment was totally out of line, even though I like Natalie Merchant and the Indigo Girls.
I do not hate this. Quite listenable.
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Frankly, if RP never played Natalie Merchant or the Indigo Girls again I wouldn't mind.
Frankly if you would shut the fuck up and never comment again I would not mind eitherReminds me of Sharleen Spiteri.
reminds me of Lucielle Ball
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Rating: 7.2 with 1208 ratings
The RP voters have spoken
Your opinion remains your opinion, for what it's worth.
Frankly, if RP never played Natalie Merchant or the Indigo Girls again I wouldn't mind.
Rating: 7.2 with 1208 ratings
The RP voters have spoken
Your opinion remains your opinion, for what it's worth.
Still her best album I think
No, please no, she was just on like 7 hours ago ("Goldenboy")
I loved this album when it came out. But Bill you should correct the year: Tigerlily was released in 1995 (not 1999).
h8rhater wrote:
Ophelia was a FANTASTIC disc. Easily as good, if not better, than Tiger Lilly. Motherland is also a very good disc but less commercial to be sure. One thing for certain is that she sustained her "level of artistry" thru all 3 offerings and is still a great artist.
Well well well, we all have our favorites do we not?
In agreement we are here too.
Ophelia was a FANTASTIC disc. Easily as good, if not better, than Tiger Lilly. Motherland is also a very good disc but less commercial to be sure. One thing for certain is that she sustained her "level of artistry" thru all 3 offerings and is still a great artist.
Well well well, we all have our favorites do we not?
In agreement we are here too.
Love this album!
jah
A great track with great production values. Lush!
Every good girl deserves a tiger lily&origami
How many fingers? You can guess twice.
( Injected some foreign code here)
How many fingers? You can guess twice.
( Injected some foreign code here)
So many great songs from her, hard to choose a favorite. "My Skin" is probably my all-time favorite.
PixelPushers wrote:
Hehe, made me smile, thanks for sharing.
So I'm sitting at work ( as I often do) with my left elbow on my desk, my chin resting on my palm, and my finger tips curled to my bottom lip. I decided to check the forum for this song...and there I am starring back at myself. This album cover was like a mirror image. Other than the fact that I'm male and have a beard. Anyway, it made me laugh and I thought I'd share.
Hehe, made me smile, thanks for sharing.
So I'm sitting at work ( as I often do) with my left elbow on my desk, my chin resting on my palm, and my finger tips curled to my bottom lip. I decided to check the forum for this song...and there I am starring back at myself. This album cover was like a mirror image. Other than the fact that I'm male and have a beard. Anyway, it made me laugh and I thought I'd share.
Say what you want about Natalie Merchant's vocal affectation - this song is a stunner.
The bass line and the tone achieved by the guitarist are not too shabby, either.
The bass line and the tone achieved by the guitarist are not too shabby, either.
YES! Thank you!
Frankly, if RP never played Natalie Merchant or the Indigo Girls again I wouldn't mind.
Stingray wrote:
LOVE YOU, MISS MERCHANT....
rdo wrote:
Enough about your sex life.
Very good
Cheers
Enough about your sex life.
Very good
Cheers
Proclivities wrote:
Actually I believe it was coined as a precursor to hypnosis being developed rather than animal magnetism.
Mesmer was one of the first to explore the realms of the subconscious in people. . . which is still (sadly) not given any credence by the scientific professions even though its bloody obvious that para normal activities associated with it exist.
Yes, "mesmeric" and "mesmerize" are both words which originated from the name of Franz Mesmer, describing aspects of his theories of "animal magnetism" and all-consuming attention.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
Actually I believe it was coined as a precursor to hypnosis being developed rather than animal magnetism.
Mesmer was one of the first to explore the realms of the subconscious in people. . . which is still (sadly) not given any credence by the scientific professions even though its bloody obvious that para normal activities associated with it exist.
ench wrote:
I feel like Radio Paradise is unique in it's ability to facilitate conversations across many years, in 2-4 minute bursts.
Enough about your sex life.
I feel like Radio Paradise is unique in it's ability to facilitate conversations across many years, in 2-4 minute bursts.
Enough about your sex life.
LOVE YOU, MISS MERCHANT....
Proclivities wrote:
Yes, "mesmeric" and "mesmerize" are both words which originated from the name of Franz Mesmer, describing aspects of his theories of "animal magnetism" and all-consuming attention.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
I feel like Radio Paradise is unique in it's ability to facilitate conversations across many years, in 2-4 minute bursts.
Yes, "mesmeric" and "mesmerize" are both words which originated from the name of Franz Mesmer, describing aspects of his theories of "animal magnetism" and all-consuming attention.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
I feel like Radio Paradise is unique in it's ability to facilitate conversations across many years, in 2-4 minute bursts.
A song like this is right in her wheelhouse. Always a good listen. Classic. 
10 years on and I just realized I lost the CD in the big D, and I don't mean Dallas. Hmmm...
10 years on and I just realized I lost the CD in the big D, and I don't mean Dallas. Hmmm...
Memories of California...
ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!!
Chi_Guy wrote:
I find Natalie enchanting(really). AND, I even like her music...BTW: Is "mesmeric" a word?
Yes, "mesmeric" and "mesmerize" are both words which originated from the name of Franz Mesmer, describing aspects of his theories of "animal magnetism" and all-consuming attention.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
I find Natalie enchanting(really). AND, I even like her music...BTW: Is "mesmeric" a word?Yes, "mesmeric" and "mesmerize" are both words which originated from the name of Franz Mesmer, describing aspects of his theories of "animal magnetism" and all-consuming attention.
I know - responding to a five-year-old post.
Great RP selection
Never was a fan of the Post-Maniacs Merchant, but this song does stand out.
frank-peter wrote:
bump
I could cry so much this moment! Natalie Mechant is nearer Jesus than I every time!
This song rule my world, since I hear it as the first time!
I'm so thankful!
This song rule my world, since I hear it as the first time!
I'm so thankful!
bump
Thanks RP. I didn't realize until now how much I've missed that voice.
I'm not even going to scroll through the standard Natalie hating. I'll assume it's down there and add a balancing argument of how much I absolutely adore this song and singer and her beautiful voice.
the perfect song for a wet and cold melancholy morning 
You know, this is really very good. I love the sparse arrangement, her delivery and the lyrics. It occurs to me that she was getting a bad rap all this time when it was really 10,000 Maniacs I hated. Sorry, Natalie!
lemmoth wrote:
she cannot be compared to anyone in your list as far as talent, no comparison, blasphemy. now tori amos, that's who she can be compared to.
I add this with some trepedation as I have posted many a post defending the vocal stylings of great songwriters like Neil Young, Dylan, Waits and others - they wrote the songs, its rock and roll not opera - the voice is another instrument in the mix.
But I really don't enjoy her monotone. Sorry.
she cannot be compared to anyone in your list as far as talent, no comparison, blasphemy. now tori amos, that's who she can be compared to.
Yea, ya know what? I am done with her too....scratch
I add this with some trepedation as I have posted many a post defending the vocal stylings of great songwriters like Neil Young, Dylan, Waits and others - they wrote the songs, its rock and roll not opera - the voice is another instrument in the mix.
But I really don't enjoy her monotone. Sorry.
I could cry so much this moment! Natalie Mechant is nearer Jesus than I every time!
This song rule my world, since I hear it as the first time!
I'm so thankful!
This song rule my world, since I hear it as the first time!
I'm so thankful!
7 -> 8
right kind of song at the right time
right kind of song at the right time
kyleminor wrote:
Ophelia was a FANTASTIC disc. Easily as good, if not better, than Tiger Lilly. Motherland is also a very good disc but less commercial to be sure. One thing for certain is that she sustained her "level of artistry" thru all 3 offerings and is still a great artist.
This song really set the tone for this whole album... no wonder it was the opening track. It's a great logical progression from her days with 10,000 Maniacs. Great album.
Too bad she couldn't sustain this level of artistry. Her next album Ophelia was a bit weird, and Motherland was... well, if you think she sucks on this album, you should NEVER EVER EVER listen to that one. Sounds like she is about to have her mega-swollen tonsils out. You have been warned!
Too bad she couldn't sustain this level of artistry. Her next album Ophelia was a bit weird, and Motherland was... well, if you think she sucks on this album, you should NEVER EVER EVER listen to that one. Sounds like she is about to have her mega-swollen tonsils out. You have been warned!
Ophelia was a FANTASTIC disc. Easily as good, if not better, than Tiger Lilly. Motherland is also a very good disc but less commercial to be sure. One thing for certain is that she sustained her "level of artistry" thru all 3 offerings and is still a great artist.
midreaming wrote:
Schwarzenegger.
this lady is frickin awesome. 'love her music, love her voice, espec the country apalacian stuff, she can sing to me anytime aNY where. Anybody know who she's singing to in this one?
Schwarzenegger.
AliGator wrote:
Ummm yeah it just kept getting better see the albums Ophelia and Motherland.
I like this song and associate the CD (yeah, I said CD, not album) with a particular time in my life. The next time I heard Natalie Merchant, it was on RP, and it was several years albums (yeah, I said album, not CD) later, and I wondered what had happened to her voice. Does anyone know?
Ummm yeah it just kept getting better see the albums Ophelia and Motherland.
AliGator wrote:
I don't know, but I know's that yer my nemesis. HAHA!
I like this song and associate the CD (yeah, I said CD, not album) with a particular time in my life. The next time I heard Natalie Merchant, it was on RP, and it was several years albums (yeah, I said album, not CD) later, and I wondered what had happened to her voice. Does anyone know?
I don't know, but I know's that yer my nemesis. HAHA!
I like this song and associate the CD (yeah, I said CD, not album) with a particular time in my life. The next time I heard Natalie Merchant, it was on RP, and it was several years albums (yeah, I said album, not CD) later, and I wondered what had happened to her voice. Does anyone know?
Natalie haunts me in my dreams.
8 up to 9, don't know really why, but great moment I'm having now 
Ew, Natalie Merchant.
Mmmmmmm! Yummy.
I heard my three favorite female vocalists today - Natalie, Sally (Hem) and Margo Timmins. Great paylist!
I heard my three favorite female vocalists today - Natalie, Sally (Hem) and Margo Timmins. Great paylist!
This song really set the tone for this whole album... no wonder it was the opening track. It's a great logical progression from her days with 10,000 Maniacs. Great album.
Too bad she couldn't sustain this level of artistry. Her next album Ophelia was a bit weird, and Motherland was... well, if you think she sucks on this album, you should NEVER EVER EVER listen to that one. Sounds like she is about to have her mega-swollen tonsils out. You have been warned!
Too bad she couldn't sustain this level of artistry. Her next album Ophelia was a bit weird, and Motherland was... well, if you think she sucks on this album, you should NEVER EVER EVER listen to that one. Sounds like she is about to have her mega-swollen tonsils out. You have been warned!
wow. sucking bad. she sucks.
Chi_Guy wrote: I find Natalie enchanting(really). AND, I even like her music...BTW: Is "mesmeric" a word?
No, but neither is "hypmatize", which is the way she pronounces the word in another song. I still love her, though.
I find Natalie enchanting(really). AND, I even like her music...BTW: Is "mesmeric" a word?No, but neither is "hypmatize", which is the way she pronounces the word in another song. I still love her, though.
I find Natalie enchanting(really). AND, I even like her music...BTW: Is "mesmeric" a word?powerful and captivating beginning after Bela Fleck's take on Moonlight Sonata
betsyroks wrote:
Mesmeric? When I snap my fingers you will regain consciousness (and realize Natalie Merchant songs are pretty terrible).
this woman has seen me through some mesmeric times and some not some great times too.10 just for being there
Mesmeric? When I snap my fingers you will regain consciousness (and realize Natalie Merchant songs are pretty terrible).
The inclusion of elements of classic music and folklore, in partcular the accordion, violin, banjo, mandolin, cello, clarinet, in songs, places in evidence the quality of this singer-author; Ms. Natalie Anne O'Shea Merchant treats music with respect.
** 8 / 9 **
(Edited: 21-07-2011)
eastcoast wrote:
Wait ... she's female. So what I gather from other song comments, it must be either Tori Amos or Aimee Man. By federal law, female singers are no longer allowed to sound like any other female singers safe those two (let alone themselves).
About the song: Anyone for a "I'm completely indifferent to Natalie Merchant" group? I just cannot bring myself to hate or adore her, though I'm convinced both must be very rewarding.
She sounds like someone else who sounds like someone else who sounds like someone else...but I can't figure out who
Wait ... she's female. So what I gather from other song comments, it must be either Tori Amos or Aimee Man. By federal law, female singers are no longer allowed to sound like any other female singers safe those two (let alone themselves).
About the song: Anyone for a "I'm completely indifferent to Natalie Merchant" group? I just cannot bring myself to hate or adore her, though I'm convinced both must be very rewarding.
this woman has seen me through some mesmeric times and some not some great times too.10 just for being there
I often feel like all female singers in this genre sound alike.
bokey wrote:
You mean you think she realizes how ridiculous she is but is striving onward as an inspiration for the musically handicapped?
As much as I love much of her music, egotist doesn't do her justice. As far as she is concerned, if God could sing, God would sound like her.
riffster wrote:
I'm not the biggest Natalie Merchant fan, but when she stops trying so hard to be a muse and just lets the song work like she does here . . . . she ain't half bad.
That's an interesting comment, but I'm not sure what it means.
You mean you think she realizes how ridiculous she is but is striving onward as an inspiration for the musically handicapped?
EssexTex wrote:
Aw it's always San Andreas fault..give the guy a break!
Andrew did it.
I'm not the biggest Natalie Merchant fan, but when she stops trying so hard to be a muse and just lets the song work like she does here .... she ain't half bad.
love her voice, 9
Aw it's always San Andreas fault..give the guy a break!
I love this song! I love her voice!
prickelpit96 wrote:
Ohhh ich hab' solche Sehnsucht,
ich verliere den Verstand!
Ich will wieder an die Nordsee,ohoho
ich will zurueck, ich will zurueck,
ich will zurueck, ich will zurueck,
nach Westerland!
A popular song that reminds me of 'our' westcoast
(click here)
ontopic:
wonderful music together with a great voice... 8
Krasser Vergleich!!
A popular song that reminds me of 'our' westcoast
(click here)
ontopic:
wonderful music together with a great voice... 8AlienRelic wrote:
A popular song that reminds me of 'our' westcoast
(click here)
ontopic:
wonderful music together with a great voice... 8
I think of this song every time I travel to the West Coast.
Ohhh ich hab' solche Sehnsucht,
ich verliere den Verstand!
Ich will wieder an die Nordsee,ohoho
ich will zurueck, ich will zurueck,
ich will zurueck, ich will zurueck,
nach Westerland!
A popular song that reminds me of 'our' westcoast
(click here)
ontopic:
wonderful music together with a great voice... 8
I'll be flying out there today to go to my Grandma's funeral. This song is disturbingly appropriate and affecting me emotionally in a way it hasn't before. I do love the sparseness of it.
Simply fantastic..... Thanks RP. 
Playing NM now is perfect timing. I have to go upstairs and fold laundry.
I miss her music, but only hope she's working on something new. Or, perhaps one of her other art muses. What a wonderful lady.
I think of this song every time I travel to the West Coast.
What beautiful music this afternoon! Hugs and kisses to the awesome DJ of the ONLY radio station I listen to! Thank you Bill : )
fa-reak.
Waybo wrote:
I cannot stand NM.
...But, for some strange reason I like this song, its melody, its mood.
I agree.
She got so overplayed in the early 90s that I really can't listen to her anymore except for this song.
Haven't heard anything from this CD since I lost it in High School. Thanks for the memories RP!
She sounds like someone else who sounds like someone else who sounds like someone else...but I can't figure out who
CBJr wrote:
Not a fan. 
Me neither neither neither. Glad this came on so I could vote it a 1. See, ya gotta find the positive aspect of everythin', right?
I cannot stand NM.
...But, for some strange reason I like this song, its melody, its mood.
It might be the first time I've heard it or was in mood to listen.
lmic wrote:
My favorite female vocalist since Joni.
Love love love Natalie Merchant. And Tigerlily is fantastic from beginning to end.
'fraid i have to disagree, the album is not that good. now her later stuff motherland & house carpenter's daughter is very good, bordering on excellent (just so you don't think i'm raggin'on natalie coz i also enjoy 10000 maniacs)
She really only has one song but it's a good one.
Natalie Merchant has beautiful music.
In another life she was probaly a beautiful exotic bird,singing the same notes over and over and preening all day.
physicsgenius wrote:
Annoying voice and why must we always be blaming San Andreas?
Smell the roses psycogenus.
Sheer Beauty!
First time I heard this song was during a visit to the Bay Area in 2000 and I was driving up 101 from SFO to the city centre. Thankfully, the San Andreas stayed put while I was visiting.
This is the first time I've heard the studio recording as the one I heard on the radio that afternoon was the live version and I have to say I like the live one more, maybe just 'cos I heard it first, but the guitar piece is so much stronger on the live cut.
Bummer to have just tuned in too late to hear the preceding Grey Eye Glances, The Lost Coast which I like too - anyone else used Google Earth to track the geography of the song? (?!?!)
Maybe there's something for Bill to enhance on RP.com : geotags for songs. Not that I'd always recommend it having tried to follow the locations of Van Morrision's Coney Island one Sunday afternoon - we criss-crossed County Down for miles.
lmic wrote:
My favorite female vocalist since Joni.
Love love love Natalie Merchant. And Tigerlily is fantastic from beginning to end.
agreed
consistently good and classy.
My favorite female vocalist since Joni.
Love love love Natalie Merchant. And Tigerlily is fantastic from beginning to end.
At least the hater quotient is fairly low in the comments for this song. I don't know why so many RP members just seem to sit back and wait for a song to come on that they don't particularly like so they can run to their keyboard and blather about how "oh this person sings terribly!" or some other nonsense. Seems like most people agree on this one, it's simply a good song. I like the Ophelia album even better but this was a nice start to her solo career.
One of my favorite Natalie Mechant songs.