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Natalie Merchant — Motherland
Album: Motherland
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2569









Released: 2001
Length: 4:38
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Where in hell can you go
far from the things that you know
far from the sprawl of concrete
that keeps crawling it's way about
1,000 miles a day
Take one last look behind
commit this to memory and mind
Don't miss this wasteland,
this terrible place
When you leave keep your heart off of your sleeve

Motherland cradle me, close my eyes
lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go
Don't you go
Oh my five & dime queen tell me what have you seen
The lust and avarice
The bottomless, the cavernous greed
Is that what you see

Motherland cradle me, close my eyes
lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go

It's your happiness I want most of all
and for that I'd do anything at all
Oh mercy me
If you want the best of it
or the most of it all
if there's anything I can do at all

Now come on shot gun bride
what makes me envy your life
Faceless, nameless, innocent
blameless and free
what's it like to be

Motherland cradle me, close my eyes
lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe, lie with me
Stay beside me don't go
Don't go
Comments (246)add comment
Her voice sounds even better on her live Tiny Desk performance of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
I don't know how they do it, but that studio sounds amazing.
Personally, I love her voice. Wonderful singer and songwriter.
this woman’s voice always bring me back to my younger years,  thank you rp
loss of country….loss of parent
Oh, don't you go
We don't see protest songs like this too often.  Good ones that is. 
Very pleased to hear that she's recovered from her medical problems and has a new album coming out.  A wonderful, evocative and expressive artist.
This is a very nice set - 'Motherland' is the first song played.  Stick around for 'Weeping Pilgrim' at the end. Tiny Desk - Natalie Merchant 
I just came here to like 20 year old comments. 
 mgkiwi wrote:

Just love this song and Merchant's voice is majestic. I'd love to hear a duet with Eddie Vedder, would complement each other perfectly.




Call their agents. It's a good idea.
Just love this song and Merchant's voice is majestic. I'd love to hear a duet with Eddie Vedder, would complement each other perfectly.
Nice song... 
 pk53 wrote:

Is Natalie still performing or active?


Saw her a few years ago in Brighton (England) and she was so so good. Get to see her if you can. 
Delightful in every respect
Love her voice and instrumentation on this song. I never tire of it, even if it is a waltz. 
Kazoo is strumming on the uke - we loved this and old standards. I am singing solo...
Is Natalie still performing or active?
 MsJudi wrote:

So it's fashionable to hate Natalie Merchant? Is there a good reason for it? Tell you what I see. People complain about "girl bands" and "girlie" pop stars (and rightly so) but when a woman comes along who plays real music, she has to work ten times as hard to gain acceptance from listeners and the media and in the meantime she has to endure the rocks and spears of everyone over ~everything~ she writes and plays. Why? Honestly, I get fed up with it.



Look into her activism. You probably know how some people love to hate musicians, actors, and athletes who use their fame to promote politics that those folks don't like.
This is a great album, beginning to end. So much resonance in it and beautifully paced. We tend to forget albums taken as a whole in these click a track days, but I almost always put on an album and play it beginning to end. 
I love Natalie's voice. Call me a sissy, but I cannot help weeping when I hear "Eat for Two". Being the father of two, and having an inkling of what she sings about.
Epic, beautiful, what more do you need ? God Bless her and keep her safe from trolls ....
lovely.
 joelbb wrote:
That song was gorgeous.  Don't know what problem you guys have with her voice.  Probably the same folks dissin' Van Morrison:  just lack the sophistication required to appreciate the subject

 

 dsd wrote:
Again, thank you for knowing when to ignore your audience and play what you think is good.   
 

As of today, it gets a 6.9. Solid enough for most listeners. 
Come on folks, this is beautiful...
Her voice is in my top 5 for female vocalists for sure. So talented.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, good song.
 Relayer wrote:
The fact that my computer was out of reach and I had to listen to this whole song means that the universe owes me something big.  Like $10M lottery ticket. I have the equivalent of PSTD for music after hearing that song. Thank God S&G was played next, that helped sooth the pain.
 
You ok hun?

 sirdroseph wrote:


Hey, I am a big fan of deliberately thumbing your nose at the great unwashed believe me however if I owned and operated an internet radio station that at least partially required listener donations to assist in operating costs, I would have more than a passing interest in whether my listeners liked what they are hearing.  Just a thought.
 
What's the name of your radio station?
How long has it been broadcasting?

 changodelaplaya wrote:
Natalie Merchant. Arrogant and highly overrated. My wife has a better voice.
 
What's her best album?
"My husband's a dork"

What a beautiful song. There is something very intimate about a slow, melancholy waltz that brings forth the pain and longing for those parts of life long ago passed into barely remembered sentiment.
Truly a lump in my throat listening to this today.
 lizardking wrote:
Before being a regular listener of RP (circa 2005) I NEVER would have thought I'd rate a Natalie Merchant track above a 4 or 5.  Now that I've been re-programmed (or re-tuned) I can easily say "this one's pretty good" and I've rated it an 8.  Long Live RP!!
 
Evolution, is it called? 
Anyway, welcome to the club. 
  
I've been listening to a lot of Natalie Merchant lately. I'm appreciating her unique and beautiful voice more than ever.
Before being a regular listener of RP (circa 2005) I NEVER would have thought I'd rate a Natalie Merchant track above a 4 or 5.  Now that I've been re-programmed (or re-tuned) I can easily say "this one's pretty good" and I've rated it an 8.  Long Live RP!!
 Relayer wrote:
The fact that my computer was out of reach and I had to listen to this whole song means that the universe owes me something big.  Like $10M lottery ticket. I have the equivalent of PSTD for music after hearing that song. Thank God S&G was played next, that helped sooth the pain.
 
Oh, you Poor Suffering, Tortured, Distressed Soul. It's only music and I'm guessing you enjoy most of what you hear on RP. Some folks out there have it really bad. Relax.
 sirdroseph wrote:
Hey, I am a big fan of deliberately thumbing your nose at the great unwashed believe me however if I owned and operated an internet radio station that at least partially required listener donations to assist in operating costs, I would have more than a passing interest in whether my listeners liked what they are hearing.  Just a thought.
 
Judging by the overall ratings scores for most of her songs (including this one at 6.8) , one could assume that most listeners here like her music.  The carping in the comments sections, for most "polarizing" artists (e,g, U2, Talking Heads, Dylan, Foo Fighters, etc.) usually doesn't reflect the opinions of majority of the listeners.
 dsd wrote:
Again, thank you for knowing when to ignore your audience and play what you think is good.   
 

This is not good, though.
For some reason this wonderful song by Natalie reminds me of her Italian Family in Jamestown,NY….Southern Tier of WNY
Cover reminds me of Benton's Persephone.
LOVE Natalie's music. Always had and always will. What a voice!
damn nice. I get it. I'm gonna donate monthly because of the foriegn shit! Amazon music like "60's" is fair at best. love stuff from other countries!!!!!
Thanks to Bill for hanging with Natalie. Love this song. 
 ShamanManu wrote:

Yup {#Grumpy}

 
blah
Have always liked Natalie Merchant ,but I wish she had more range in her voice, or in the songs she chooses to sing. This one is pleasant enough, and like the music score accompanying.
Relayer wrote:
The fact that my computer was out of reach and I had to listen to this whole song means that the universe owes me something big.  Like $10M lottery ticket. I have the equivalent of PSTD for music after hearing that song. Thank God S&G was played next, that helped sooth the pain.
 
ODAD wrote:

PSTD? — Post Strumming Tinnitus Disorder ?

Potato Sexually Transmitted Disease ?

Partially Staged Tamale Dyam ?

{#Roflol}
 

Potentially subject to delirium?
{#Drunk}
 Relayer wrote:
The fact that my computer was out of reach and I had to listen to this whole song means that the universe owes me something big.  Like $10M lottery ticket. I have the equivalent of PSTD for music after hearing that song. Thank God S&G was played next, that helped sooth the pain.

 
PSTD? — Post Strumming Tinnitus Disorder ?

Potato Sexually Transmitted Disease ?

Partially Staged Tamale Dyam ?


See ON hea.
 dragon1952 wrote:
Definitely not something I would listen to on purpose.

 
Yup {#Grumpy}
Pah! to the negatives comments. I do like this one, reminds me of Oh Susanna, especially Forever at Your Feet track. One for my lullaby playlist
The fact that my computer was out of reach and I had to listen to this whole song means that the universe owes me something big.  Like $10M lottery ticket. I have the equivalent of PSTD for music after hearing that song. Thank God S&G was played next, that helped sooth the pain.
Natalie Merchant. Arrogant and highly overrated. My wife has a better voice.
Ahhhh motherland! (NSFW language)
Definitely not something I would listen to on purpose.
Bill, you play too much Natalie Merchant and Indigo Girls. But then again, I think any of those two is too much.
Natalie' one of the finest singer/songwriters going. if you do not care for strong women, not my fault.

 TerryS wrote:

People confuse their taste with good taste.

NM's voice is no worse than many others', but her efforts are more demeaned than many played here.



 
When I use the term good taste, it means someone who has been exposed to a decent amount, of a certain breadth, of music.  They need to have some sort of thought process of evaluating going on inside.
can handle Nat's voice in this way better than when she was with 10K Maniacs.  Mellowed some.  Like the lyrics.  Sad, but well who doesn't like sad sometimes?

Have a grand day world. 
 TerryS wrote:

People confuse their taste with good taste. 

Succinctly put!

People confuse their taste with good taste.

NM's voice is no worse than many others', but her efforts are more demeaned than many played here.


Gorgeous voice - reminds me of Toni Childs
 dsd wrote:
Again, thank you for knowing when to ignore your audience and play what you think is good.   

 

Hey, I am a big fan of deliberately thumbing your nose at the great unwashed believe me however if I owned and operated an internet radio station that at least partially required listener donations to assist in operating costs, I would have more than a passing interest in whether my listeners liked what they are hearing.  Just a thought.
 vandal wrote:


I can't - she sounds like a sheep singing into a fan and all I can focus on are her unnaturally large breasts. . .


 

Strangely there are a few singers like that, but to me Eddie Vedder is the preeminent example.  However if you want to get chronological I suppose Belinda Carlisle would be the earliest example I can think of off the top of my head.
The sound of her voice is wonderful.
dsd wrote:
Again, thank you for knowing when to ignore your audience and play what you think is good.

BillG replies: 

Actually 69% of the 2,100+ of you who rated this song gave it 7 or higher. I pay a lot more attention to data like that than the opinions (especially negative ones) posted here.

My favorite kind of posts: interesting facts or stories about the artist or song -- particularly those that involve the poster's personal experiences.
impossible to state how much this warbling irritates me!!!!!
A big 1 from me 
Christy Moore does a much better version.
 Not really, she has much nicer shoulders  {#Biggrin}
joeydalts wrote:



 


 Sjaaks wrote: yes they do. seperated at birth

I know it's totally irrelevant but i'd like to share this very annoying "looks like" opinion with you all. To me she totally looks like a female version of Mark Wahlberg.
 

Sorry for the spam, but doesn't she?!   



 

tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.



 
tipper, good expressed! 

And, I never heard "a sheep singing into a fan" What happened with the ears of these guys - blocked of her own drivel?! {#Lol}
 vandal wrote:


I can't - she sounds like a sheep singing into a fan and all I can focus on are her unnaturally large breasts. . .

 
Look pretty natural to me or do you mean for an american? 
 joelbb wrote:
That song was gorgeous.  Don't know what problem you guys have with her voice.  Probably the same folks dissin' Van Morrison:  just lack the sophistication required to appreciate the subject

 
sing over her...the song itself is wonderful.  I just spent it slow waltzing with myself in the house
what a beautiful voice

Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes
Lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe
Lie with me
Stay beside me
Don't go, don't you go
 vandal wrote:


I can't - she sounds like a sheep singing into a fan and all I can focus on are her unnaturally large breasts. . .

 
Probably the funniest song comment I have ever read.  {#Yes}
Like nails scratching on a chalkboard.{#No}
 Hannio wrote:


I think they are naturally wonderful.  But you are right about the sheep singing into a fan.
 
Hahahahah. That's the funniest thing I ever heard!
That song was gorgeous.  Don't know what problem you guys have with her voice.  Probably the same folks dissin' Van Morrison:  just lack the sophistication required to appreciate the subject

{#Hug}
 Cynaera wrote:
"even her worst material is bearable because she's got such an awesome voice..."

*Let the bashing begin.*
 
Nope, no bashing here.  Absolutely right, and thanks for everything.
 vandal wrote:


I can't - she sounds like a sheep singing into a fan and all I can focus on are her unnaturally large breasts. . .

 

I think they are naturally wonderful.  But you are right about the sheep singing into a fan.
 negativity sucks
gjr wrote:

 marky-mark can sing a LOT better........her voice has all of the soothing qualities of sandpaper on a sunburn
 


Junkies Snoozefest followed by "Froginnerthroat"??!!!!!?

Bill?   Rebecca??? Why are you doing this to us?   {#Wall}
 gjr wrote:

 marky-mark can sing a LOT better........her voice has all of the soothing qualities of sandpaper on a sunburn
 
So did Dylan and Rod Stewart and it didn't hurt their careers. I love Natalie, she has things to say that I want to hear, in whatever voice she uses.
 Sjaaks wrote:

I know it's totally irrelevant but i'd like to share this very annoying "looks like" opinion with you all. To me she totally looks like a female version of Mark Wahlberg.
 

Sorry for the spam, but doesn't she?!   

 
 marky-mark can sing a LOT better........her voice has all of the soothing qualities of sandpaper on a sunburn

I know it's totally irrelevant but i'd like to share this very annoying "looks like" opinion with you all. To me she totally looks like a female version of Mark Wahlberg.
 

Sorry for the spam, but doesn't she?!   


 elevator music
Her voice over time is becoming almost comical. I liked her back in the 90's but wow, time has not been good to her voice. I can envision as I listen to this - a SNL skit with one of the cast members impersonating her.
I'm embarrassed to admit that her physical appearance in 2001 has made me raise my, erm, vote from 7 to 8. I beg forgiveness for the blatant sexism and wish my RP brethren blessings throughout 2012!
 tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.



 

You are right.  I need to get another look at Mark Knopfler's breasts.
Her voice is no more peculiar than many of the male songwriters and singers played here..........but, as has been pointed out ad nauseum, she has boobs. SFW?
Enjoy the song.
 zschubert wrote:

Not nearly one of her best but still.. that voice and that spirit.


 

And those boobs!

Not nearly one of her best but still.. that voice and that spirit.


 Proclivities wrote:
 tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.


The overwhelming majority of comments about Natalie Merchant on RP concern her voice - especially from those who vehemently dislike it.  The comments about songs from this album may refer to her bosom more than those from other albums, since that part of her anatomy is somewhat noticable on the cover photo.
While "tits don't sing" or "write", they have certainly inspired a great deal of songwriting...among other things.

 
Mark doesn't actually seem to be sporting any...
Singing tits on the other hand probably would do really well...


On this song she is a warbler...
I knew right away it was Natalie Merchant. I just came in from watering my garden, arguing with my brother, and scritching on a couple of cats - and this song was playing on my computer. I'm not sure I like the song, but at least I knew it was Natalie. I  might need a couple more listens to make a rating. I can say, though, that even her worst material is bearable because she's got such an awesome voice...

*Let the bashing begin.*
 tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.


The overwhelming majority of comments about Natalie Merchant on RP concern her voice - especially from those who vehemently dislike it.  The comments about songs from this album may refer to her bosom more than those from other albums, since that part of her anatomy is somewhat noticable on the cover photo.
While "tits don't sing" or "write", they have certainly inspired a great deal of songwriting...among other things.

If it weren't for breasts, you wouldn't be here Mr. "Big Boobs"

 sirdroseph wrote:


She has really big boobs.
 
OMG, you really crazy guys!!

 songbirdfemme wrote:
I dont know why y'all would complain about Natalie Merchants voice, she sings just like Eddie Vedder. (I like them both though)
 

That is what you call a self answering question.
 tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.



 

She has really big boobs.
 pcicatar wrote:

For me, this has always been the lack of entry point for her music - I can't understand what she's singing!  She has a perfectly fine speaking voice but, as soon as she adds a melody, Natalie begins to sound as if she's hearing impaired.
 
She has a very peculiar singing voice, but I've never had trouble parsing her lyrics, and I tend to have that problem with a lot of singers.  I do think that her voice was clearer back in the Maniacs days, though.  I think it's a common thing with singers, that they accentuate the distinctive parts of their sound as time goes by.
I don't get her popularity. She has the worst voice, the droniest tune/tone, and she's just all around a major BLAH!!!
She is a warbler!
Extract the marbles from your g-d throat!
 tipper wrote:

I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.



 
Hey, I'm a big fan of her tits (and I wish we could see more of them), but I like her voice and songwriting more. 


I don’t understand RP listeners. Happy to soak up hours of pretentious, same style, I’m a poor working lad, drivel from the likes of Mark Knofler but all the comments about Natalie Merchant seem to concentrate on her tits.

Bad news people; tits don’t sing, don’t write and the milk don’t taste that good.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand can write excellent music, produce innovative and interesting albums.




Interesting interview about the turn in her career in local paper today:
https://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/300953
She will be here in a few days.
The Motherland called.....
David Gray and Natalie Merchant... separated at birth.

 
Does anyone else hear Tracy Chapman's voice here? Not a bad tune.
 haresfur wrote:

I like her music very much but a little more enunciation would help me actually hear the words.  As it is even the tunes I've listened to a lot fall into the category of "Well, it sure seems the lyrics would be profoundly meaningful if I knew what they were."

 
For me, this has always been the lack of entry point for her music - I can't understand what she's singing!  She has a perfectly fine speaking voice but, as soon as she adds a melody, Natalie begins to sound as if she's hearing impaired.

And yes, she does have a nice rack.


 ch83575 wrote:

I think "decent breasts" might be a bit too polite to sound sardonic.  Perhaps next time you should try: "She has nice tits, but a flat voice."  And see how that goes over. 
 

 
Wouldn't "She has a big chest but a flat voice" be a better juxtaposition?

I like her music very much but a little more enunciation would help me actually hear the words.  As it is even the tunes I've listened to a lot fall into the category of "Well, it sure seems the lyrics would be profoundly meaningful if I knew what they were."

twice in one afternoon? {#Frustrated}

(earphones out)

Natalie Merchant - Motherland, Live-Acoustic (2010)


"Natalie Merchant is such a beautiful gifted person, her music and voice touches me deeply. This video is and example of how deep and feeling she is. I am in Boston, in the last few years her charitable work in the Boston area has been amazing. It's one thing to have talent but to feel and care so much to is true beauty."

"Ah, the archangel of sonic art. Her voice enters the brain, fills it with the sweet beautiful ecstasy of vocal and lyrical perfection, then buries itself so deep that it can't be dismissed before permanently entwining itself round every synapse, just slightly out of reach til you hear her once again. You can stumble round for years without her, but only the slightest and shortest exposure to that voice and your mind is flooded with the beauty this angel was born to create."     Martel1946

Where in hell can you go
Far from the things that you know
Far from the sprawl of concrete
That keeps crawling its way
About 1,000 miles a day?

Take one last look behind
Commit this to memory and mind
Don't miss this wasteland, this terrible place
When you leave
Keep your heart off your sleeve

Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes
Lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe
Lie with me
Stay beside me
Don't go, don't you go

O, my five & dime queen
Tell me what have you seen?
The lust and the avarice
The bottomless, the cavernous greed
Is that what you see?

Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes
Lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe
Lie with me
Stay beside me
Don't go

It's your happiness I want most of all
And for that I'd do anything at all, o mercy me!
If you want the best of it or the most of all
If there's anything I can do at all

Now come on shot gun bride
What makes me envy your life?
Faceless, nameless, innocent, blameless and free,
What's that like to be?

Motherland cradle me
Close my eyes
Lullaby me to sleep
Keep me safe
Lie with me
Stay beside me
Don't go, don't you go

 




She's similar to Buffy St. Marie. You either liked her or you didn't. I did and do.


Natalie Merchant at Le Poisson Rouge by Bumss!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bumss/




Natalie Merchant - "Motherland" Live (2009)

"Natalie Merchant performing live at the Perkins School for the Blind Possibilities Gala on May 7, 2009 with The Perkins Trio, accompanied by Livingston Taylor (James Taylor's brother) on guitar and Brian Maes on piano."

"This is the kind of music that sends chills up and down your spine in this world that is hard to do."

"Qualcosa di eccessivo che ti prende e ti porta via, tanto semplice quanto tangibile, profonda.Ogni volta che si ascolta sembra aumentare di intensità.Una performance Incredibile.Una delle poche canzoni che brilla di luce propria e che una volta che ti entra dentro l'anima non va più via.Natalie sei immensa.Grazie di esistere."