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Neko Case — Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Album: Middle Cyclone
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 556









Released: 2009
Length: 2:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
When she's on her best behaviour
Don't be tempted by her favours
Never turn your back on mother earth

Towns are hurled from A to B
By hands that look so smooth to me
Never turn your back on mother earth

Grasp at straws that don't want grasping
Gaze at clouds that come down crashing
Never turn your back on mother earth

Three days and two nights away from my friends
Amen to anything that brings quick return to my friends
To my friends

I'll admit I was unfaithful
From now I'll be more faithful
Never turn your back on mother
Never turn your back on mother
Never turn your back on mother earth
Comments (77)add comment
I adore Neko's singing, but this is perhaps one song she should have walked on by. It doesn't work for her.
 TheKing2 wrote:


Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
It's lost the energy of the original, and has an overpowering ploddy rhythm section with odd breathing and vocal delivery. The original was just that - original. This seems formulaic.

 TheKing2 wrote:

I'm afraid I have to disagree. 
 

And I, in turn, with you.

Now where's that got us?
Never turn your back on a Cop
There was a Cyclone, but that is definitely a 1967 Cougar.
Love Neko. Love Mother Earth. This song, not so much. 
 SweTex wrote:
ahhh an old Sparks song on RP. This song is WAY better with the Sparks, though. A 4. Would've been an 8 with the Mael brothers.
 
I'm afraid I have to disagree. 
I find this lovely tune very appropriate for our time here and now. 
 oldsaxon wrote:

yeah, mad...loved them.

 
Still worth every penny, check out the live videos from UK tour.
https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/senate-confirms-prominent-opponent-of-epa-as-head-of-epa.htmlSenate Confirms Leading Opponent of Environmental Regulation As Head of the EPA

Scott Pruitt will spearhead the Trump administration’s anti-environmental agenda. 

 


 DaidyBoy wrote:
Blimey, Sparks.  I saw them live here in the mid 70's and thought they were great.  A bit mad, though.

 
yeah, mad...loved them.
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
 Romeo, you just wanted to show off her wonderful attributes. Cheap plug.
 
You say that as if it were a bad thing.  {#Twisted}
Blimey, Sparks.  I saw them live here in the mid 70's and thought they were great.  A bit mad, though.
 romeotuma wrote:
love her... sigh...

Neko Case   

Romeo, you just wanted to show off her wonderful attributes. Cheap plug.
Love this song and the whole album, too.
Yum
Neko can do no wrong.
LOVE Neko.  Not this song.
I have to turn Radio Paradise off when you play this.
 JanioV wrote:
This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
 
That's an interesting, 21st Century interpretation of song lyrics that were written in 1974.  Ron Mael's lyrics have been called a lot of things, but "preachy and boring" did not come up much.  "As murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia"?!


Not the best for Neko, but still likeable. Especially after passing through a police roadblock, as I just did.
 BioChamp wrote:
Then I'd hate to see what Mother Earth was plotting for that big chunk of space rock that smacked her so hard when she was young that it knocked the moon right out of her.
 
Actually Mother Earth came out the winner in that smack down as most scientists think that the space rock was destroyed in the collision and became part of the moon. Don't mess with the Mother! {#Angel}
 peter_james_bond wrote:

After what we've done to Mother Nature, if she did strike back I would say it was self-defense or (understandable) revenge.

 
Then I'd hate to see what Mother Earth was plotting for that big chunk of space rock that smacked her so hard when she was young that it knocked the moon right out of her.

 cirruss wrote:
bummer... first "God is an Astronaut" and now this... I'm tuning out.
 
I know what you mean, but most times Bill is coming back with something really nice, and thats why i keep on listening!!

bummer... first "God is an Astronaut" and now this... I'm tuning out.
 keller1 wrote:
Just back from her show here in Toronto tonight.

Elegant, understated, left you wanting more ...

Best song intro was one about her first love, an imaginary boyfriend, " ... and I couldn't live up to his expectations either."
 
Great on record, great live....the consummate artist. Never turn your back on misguided Neko haters, show them how wrong they are.

I don't normally trash songs on here, but this is such drivel. Never turn your back on an audience that you are making vomit.
 JanioV wrote:
This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
 
After what we've done to Mother Nature, if she did strike back I would say it was self-defense or (understandable) revenge.

This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
This would be a perfect song for someone like Annie Haslam from Renaissance to do a cover of...
 Exene wrote:
This song was amazing live. When she and Kelly hit those high notes, "...a quick return to my friends...," I actually got chills, and said to my friend next to me "oh my god I think I just came." A highlight of an all-around fantastic show. 
 
{#Eek} With Neko, I believe that's possible! {#Wink}
Bill- Agreed there has to be variety —- Please temper down on the level of  rotten vocals and bad lyrics .. this one really hurts
Makes me think of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrTPrp-fW8 
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I'm sort of overwhelmed by the number of cliche sounding chords
making me uncomfortable and cringing a little bit.  I normally don't have that response to NC
 
Cliche sounding chords? Care to elaborate? I mean, this is not avant guard jazz.

And I can't believe people are so ridiculous as to complain about photoshopped cover art.
This song was amazing live. When she and Kelly hit those high notes, "...a quick return to my friends...," I actually got chills, and said to my friend next to me "oh my god I think I just came." A highlight of an all-around fantastic show. 
 aelfheld wrote:
"Mother Earth - The Ultimate MILFTM"
 
Hehehe, worn out but still beautiful. :)

Btw.: Is this the official greenpeace hymn?


I've listened to this album about four times through since I bought it last week.  It's definitely softer than what she's done before and, while I'm not usually one to post negative comments on the songs here, I really feel this is the weakest song on the album and the least moving thing I've heard her do.

Sorry Neko.  I love you but you missed this time.

I'm sort of overwhelmed by the number of cliche sounding chords
making me uncomfortable and cringing a little bit.  I normally don't have that response to NC


Bill, you need to follow this with anything from Sparks just like you do with other covers. ;)
It is a sad thing that there is no sparks in your playlist.
"Mother Earth - The Ultimate MILFTM"
yup, 'cause if you turn your back on mother earth she will cut you. So no no.
Even her voice is Photoshopped.
Just back from her show here in Toronto tonight.

Elegant, understated, left you wanting more ...

Best song intro was one about her first love, an imaginary boyfriend, " ... and I couldn't live up to his expectations either."
 diazo wrote:

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


 


"Middle Cougar" would have implied a confusing message...


 Incarnadine wrote:

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.

 
i was quoting XKCD :P



I like Neko Case but this song makes me {#Puke}
boom, boom-boom, boom, boom-boom . . . seems like a grain of sand in the salad . . .
 MCKY wrote:
Great cover (album art and Sparks tune) -and she's way better looking than Ron and Russell.
  There is a troubling absence of any Sparks tunes here, especially given their influence on so many later artists.  It would be great to hear something from "Kimono My House", "Propaganda" or "Indiscreet".  I'll try to upload maybe.  Oh, great version, Neko.


 Incarnadine wrote:
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.


 
Rather have her in the "Driver's Seat" ... oh yeah ....


Great cover (album art and Sparks tune) -and she's way better looking than Ron and Russell.
Like the message, song is so-so.
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
 
Tough to tell.  You can see the indentation is showing up around her right foot.  Also the seam for the hood is slightly dipped compared to the fender.  (I hope everything popped back up ok.)  I like the gravel reflection in the bumper and speaking of which I don't see the sword reflection on the bumper.  Maybe it's beyond the curve of the hood for the reflection to pick it up.  Does anybody know what state that license plate that belongs to?
Neko Case
Picture taken from https://www.senbaltimore.com/bm~pix/86973-2_20081203_153201.jpg

{#Hearteyes}

ahhh an old Sparks song on RP. This song is WAY better with the Sparks, though. A 4. Would've been an 8 with the Mael brothers.
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.


Fun to hear this. I stumbled across my old Sparks vinyl(s) a couple of weeks ago.
Man, those were weird album covers...
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
 
"It looks Photoshopped.  Yeah, the reflections are all wrong.  Definitely Photoshopped."

 TheKing2 wrote:


Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
 
Fully agree, King2{#Music}.
Bill, please let us her THE SPARKS again, please
haven`t heard of them for ages, they were thrilling.


 snitramc wrote:
This is a cover of a song by Sparks, a late '70's GlamRock band. They were absolutely BRILLIANT (although everyone I played them for pretty much hated them). I saw them on American Bandstand, believe it or not. Dickie was actually cuttin' edge once. Look up Sparks. THEY TOTALLY ROCK!
 

Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
This is a cover of a song by Sparks, a late '70's GlamRock band. They were absolutely BRILLIANT (although everyone I played them for pretty much hated them). I saw them on American Bandstand, believe it or not. Dickie was actually cuttin' edge once. Look up Sparks. THEY TOTALLY ROCK!
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  She seems awful big (or the Cougar seems mighty small).

 diazo wrote:

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


 
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:

pyroclastic flow
 
Gotta watch out for those Pryoclastic Flows.

Her voice doesn't seem as smothered by studio effects on this one, sounds more natural.

 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
great shot
pyroclastic flow
 



pyroclastic flow


 ick wrote:
Nice take on the Sparks' song.  (Now that's a band with a history!)

 
Too bad we won't hear the original and are stuck with this mess.

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


Nice take on the Sparks' song.  (Now that's a band with a history!)

{#Bounce}