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Shearwater — You As You Were
Album: Animal Joy
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1411









Released: 2012
Length: 3:34
Plays (last 30 days): 6
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When you fell on the rocks
At a bend in the river
With the blood from your nose
Running hot on your fingers
And through the rest of your life

The electric charge
Of a change in the weather
You are touching my arm
You are holding a feather
And then I open my eyes
And the world goes racing
Suddenly changed
As the shock of the exit leaves you trembling
Like a bursting shell
In the small of your back
Or a jaw bites hard
On a cast of your little line
And an animal life pulls, surging, away

And you are back on the road
Through the worst of the winter
Through the valley of light
Passing through like an arrow
With your vision collapsed
And a stone from the river
Like a holy medallion
Clutching tight in your fingers
But on the slope, at the edge
Where you recover your life

You could stand on the back of a shuddering beam
With a pistol, firing shots into the air
You could run in the blood of the sun's hard rays
You could drive the mountains down into the bay
Or go back to the East
(Where it's all so civilized)
Where I was born to the life
But I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving the life
I am leaving
Comments (91)add comment
TEST
Posted 5 days ago by fa880992    [ Reply ]
 cambuddyf wrote:

Nice - his singing style reminds me of Pete Townsend



Beat me to it, agree 100%
Posted 2 months ago by radiotoe    [ Reply ]
I really, really love this band.
Posted 4 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Drawing the lines by Porcupine Tree...
I'm taking control, I'm taking control !
I'm shutting you out !
I'm drawing the line !
Posted 6 months ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 goozer321 wrote:

A-ha - for those of you old enough.....

Exactly! I looked it up half thinking it was Morten's new band...

But I'm not hearing Billy Joel at all!
Posted 1 year ago by PinkSo    [ Reply ]
 goozer321 wrote:

A-ha - for those of you old enough.....



Ha ha, A-ha. 
Posted 1 year ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
Nice - his singing style reminds me of Pete Townsend
Posted 1 year ago by cambuddyf    [ Reply ]
I have come to enjoy this band...Thanks RP !
Posted 1 year ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 goozer321 wrote:

A-ha - for those of you old enough.....




I see your point  but me, being even older than A-ha, had association that voice is reminiscent of Richard Thompson .
Posted 1 year ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
Shearwater is one of my RP gold nugget finds. Keep dropping the nuggets, Bill and Rebecca.
Posted 1 year ago by mdnlsn    [ Reply ]
 mephistophelean wrote:

If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!


When are you holding your next Mass?
Posted 1 year ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
Billy Joel called and says he'd like his vocal cords back.
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Bonjour
Posted 2 years ago by fmirka59300    [ Reply ]
There are a number of sour tracks on RP that I endure to get to sweet stuff like this...

“Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and I know the sour.”
Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
Vocals reminiscent of Jake Thackray, anyone else getting that?

Posted 2 years ago by eamon3    [ Reply ]
This is lovely. Plus great image.
Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Their energy drags you into a good place...whether you want to go or not...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
The ending sounds a bit like a Billy Joel song...
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
My love for this song will never end.
Posted 3 years ago by derrylm1    [ Reply ]
God, I love this song <3
Posted 3 years ago by thorens    [ Reply ]
 derrylm1 wrote:
Always, ALWAYS, I crank this up.
 

Just did!  This band is so good.  
Posted 3 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
I could listen to Meiburg's voice all day.
Posted 3 years ago by odriscoll    [ Reply ]
Always, ALWAYS, I crank this up.
Posted 3 years ago by derrylm1    [ Reply ]
This is probably my favourite Shearwater album (and this one of my favourite songs), with Jet Plane and Oxbow coming a close second - big, bold, emotional, rousing and intelligent.  
Posted 4 years ago by Enness    [ Reply ]
Always loved the cover.
Posted 4 years ago by MarioMunoz    [ Reply ]
 mephistophelean wrote:

If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!
 
Your grace!!!
Posted 4 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
Get me the nail clippers, oh wait before that maybe the restrainer & muzzle.
Posted 4 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 davboz wrote:
Shlock! Jeez, settle down. All the build-up! About what? Lotta wasted energy here.
 
Coulda saved some, by keeping ur trap shut! Didn't say shit anyway. 
Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
What a brilliant song.  Reminding me of an amazing holiday in Iceland, when I had this on a playlist.
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
I love this song. I saw them live in Manchester, and it was a quite amazing gig. The guys voice sent shivers down my spine...or that might have been the speaker cabinet I was leaning on...
Posted 5 years ago by jpeaton    [ Reply ]
These guys make tax deadlines bearable!!  
Posted 5 years ago by raewah    [ Reply ]
 mephistophelean wrote:

If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!
 
Whatchu talkin bout Willis? This sounds VERY Townsendesque.
Posted 5 years ago by Slickamoe    [ Reply ]
Can tell this may be a can't get enough Shearwater kinda day. I'd not heard this gem before, but knew instantly who it was when I Alexa-on'd RP this morning. I think that's the beginning of hardcore fandom. 
Posted 6 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
a bill powerhouse. RP all the way. all hail RP. 
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
Shlock! Jeez, settle down. All the build-up! About what? Lotta wasted energy here.
Posted 9 years ago by davboz    [ Reply ]
That constant background plinking makes me want to be in Vegas playing the penny slots...
Posted 10 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
Bring me smile, on a sad day
Posted 10 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
YUCK ! REALLY?
Posted 11 years ago by daniel_rusk    [ Reply ]
Glad to hear Shearwater on RP. Their last few CD's have been very, very good.
Posted 11 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]

MO' TEXASS.....{#Dance}


Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 Zonkers wrote:
Wow, I thought this was Pete Townshend at first.

 
Me too.
 
Posted 11 years ago by jgaishin    [ Reply ]
I hear this way too often. Once a year would be enough.
Posted 11 years ago by daniel_rusk    [ Reply ]
REDUNDANT? TOP 40? NEW LOOPS PLEASE...{#Sunny}fun cover art tho, to much play/......
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Austin Texans?  this is really cool (Townsendy yup)!!!
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]

Holy 80's Montage Batman.


Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
The lyrics

But on the slope, at the edge
Will you recover your life?

You could stand on the back of a shuddering beam,
With a pistol, firing shots into the air
You could run in the blood of the sun's hard rays,
You could drive the mountains down into the bay 

 Are perhaps the greatest exhortation to life that I have ever heard in a song. A ten for these lines alone...
Posted 11 years ago by avatar71    [ Reply ]
Wow, I thought this was Pete Townshend at first.
Posted 11 years ago by Zonkers    [ Reply ]
7-->8.  It's moving up for me.
Posted 11 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 Kaisersosay wrote:
I nominate as a 3rd for a little Townsendish,,,,,,at times

  Townshend with his hands tied behind his back.
Posted 11 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
i had several albums of theirs on my ipod but would not often feel like hearing them----but he caught my ear on a couple of songs on Palo Santo, I think it was.
(They toured with Coldplay and with the piano doing it's thing on here it might turn people off)
but I've been majorly into them since seeing them on Tiny Desk Concert NPR. They're just such wonderful people: gentle, smart and creative ----definitely made me want to move to Austin as so much of what i hear about Austin does.
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
I nominate as a 3rd for a little Townsendish,,,,,,at times
Posted 11 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Sounds a bit like Paul Weller indeed, but only when he uses his power voice. Nice song... Thanks RP.
Posted 11 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
I got up to comment that this is the worst Billy Joel song I've ever heard.
Ooops.
Still bad. 
Posted 11 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
1/2 Damned Gross Couple!
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Sure am digging this song.
Posted 11 years ago by Ballzak    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:

Yep. I second that it has a Pete Townshend touch. Something off the 'Cowboys...' album.

 
I hear it.  Nothing wrong with that.
Posted 11 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Powerful - reminds me of Billy Joel at his best.
Posted 11 years ago by rtree    [ Reply ]
After hearing this song a few times I just grabbed the album @f iTunes. The whole album is a solid effort. Straight-up, well crafted and performed rock ain't dead quite yet.
Posted 11 years ago by joe12south    [ Reply ]
 mephistophelean wrote:

If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!
 
Oh, that's your triple tiara on the credenza; I was wondering who left it.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 mephistophelean wrote:

If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!
 
The new one or old?
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Was 7 - move to 8.
Posted 11 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
All right! More bold young rockers to file next The Decembrists.
Posted 11 years ago by rscherm    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:

Yep. I second that it has a Pete Townshend touch. Something off the 'Cowboys...' album.
 
If that's a Pete Townsend likeness I'm the Pope!!!
Posted 11 years ago by mephistophelean    [ Reply ]
Is this a cover?  I swear that last part I have heard by a female vocalist.
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Nicey....
Posted 11 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
A-ha - for those of you old enough.....
Posted 11 years ago by goozer321    [ Reply ]
Pete Townsend called...oh never mind, it's a good tune, I'll just sit back and enjoy it.
 
Posted 11 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]
I'm getting flashes of 80's dance movies. For some reason I'm perfectly ok with that.
Posted 11 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
I don't share the sense of urgency this song tries to create.

Its missing something.  or it missed me.


Posted 11 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
I stopped getting ready to play my online game just so I could listen to this song undistracted. Still pretty. :)
Posted 11 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
Nice track. More. 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP.  Another new group (to me) I can add to my playlist.
Posted 11 years ago by 84MacGuy    [ Reply ]
In the spirit of RT...everyone in my prison cell be dancin' right now!
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:
U2 wannabees.
 
Eh? Not based on this song surely?
Posted 11 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
Had to look to make sure this wasn't a Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend project. 
Posted 11 years ago by segueman    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

yeah! that's what i couldn't put my finger on. thanks! i totally hear that.
 
Yep. I second that it has a Pete Townshend touch. Something off the 'Cowboys...' album.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
U2 wannabees.
Posted 11 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
VERY POWERFUL! way to crank it with the voice and music! I like the hints of Earnest English Rocker in the voice; I can hear Hollis or Thompson and yes Townshend's "I Am an Animal" definitely comes to mind; the same kind of raw emotion and urgent expression is there behind it, too — and it's good stuff...
Nice set going tonight, RP!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I'm really diggin this. 
Posted 12 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
A touch of Pete Townshend in the voice and rhythm.  I like!
 
yeah! that's what i couldn't put my finger on. thanks! i totally hear that.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 Rockit wrote:
Hi there...have you met my Pa'?
 
A three legged dog walks into a bar and says, "I'm looking for the man that shot my paw!"
Posted 12 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
I love this,  makes me want to go back and hear that album again. They are also fantastic live!
Posted 12 years ago by jpeaton    [ Reply ]
Good energy, but kind of dull overall.
Posted 12 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Liked the intro, and the buildup.
Posted 12 years ago by fusionmuze    [ Reply ]
o/` I need a hero.... o/`
Posted 12 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
A touch of Pete Townshend in the voice and rhythm.  I like!
 
I hear it too. Like the tune but was really hoping for some big guitar power chords and a Townsend solo. Would have given the song arrangement more variation. Like to hear more from CD.
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
A touch of Pete Townshend in the voice and rhythm.  I like!
 
Yeah, I hear it too—although this guy's a better singer I think. 

For a second I thought it was the singer from The Killers...who doesn't really sing.  
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Interesting...
Posted 12 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
Singer's voice kind of reminded me of Paul Weller, so I stopped what I was doing to look. Not him, but not bad. Giving it a "7" for now...
Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
A touch of Pete Townshend in the voice and rhythm.  I like!
Posted 12 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
Hi there...have you met my Pa'?
Posted 12 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]