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Gregory Alan Isakov — Amsterdam
Album: The Weatherman
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2247









Released: 2013
Length: 3:14
Plays (last 30 days): 4
all inside our Amsterdam she hides
watery-eyed
that howling wind, she's waving hi
her other hand's in mine

oh silhouette
she's growing tall and fine
she's got my back
she'll follow me down every street
no matter what my crime

all inside our Amsterdam she flies
hoarding the kites
that howling wind, she'll take everything
but she's easy on the eyes

churches and trains
they all look the same to me now
they shoot you some place
while we ache to come home somehow
Comments (81)add comment
There are songs you're being fond of listening to every day; this is one of them!
Like so many of his, this is such a lovely, meditative song! Yeah, Amsterdam... I love how it is such a great metaphor...from Guster to Mr. Isakov, it evokes so much in me... I count myself lucky and blessed to have been there for the Millennium Party....but it's also the last trip my ex- and I ever made together, although I had barely a clue at the time... It's also an incredibly cool place where one could, at that time, at The Grasshopper, order some AK-48 or Northern Lights, choose between three kinds of Heineken, or perhaps a fabulously tasty bottle of Grolsch, or one of those tiny but deadly Belgian raspberry-flavored ales, all at the same time as you purchase mushrooms from Hawaii or Mexico...and where a bottle of exquisite Rioja was $5... but anyway, hey, I'm so very glad that Mr. Isakov lives nearby and makes his soul-soothing music here now!
I'm an American living in Amsterdam for almost a decade now. This song really captures walking along the canals on a dreary, rainy day. Makes me "pre-nostalgic", savoring the memory for when I one day leave this beautiful, historic town. 
The brief moment where it lifts ("churches and trains") gets me every time.
 Dapps wrote:

So reminds me of the wonderful Mark Kozelek, especially in his days with the Red House Painters.

And for those out there that like melancholy, happiness, sadness, all mixed up, then check them out.


The opening of this song is very similar to Red House Painters cover of All Mixed Up by The Cars. (amazing cover, IMHO).
 kingart wrote:

Lovely. Wistful. A sweet spot between happy and sad. 




Yes, a spot that many inhabit. I still love you Jennifer.
So reminds me of the wonderful Mark Kozelek, especially in his days with the Red House Painters.

And for those out there that like melancholy, happiness, sadness, all mixed up, then check them out.
See you at The Gorge July 2022!!!
 kingart wrote:

Lovely. Wistful. A sweet spot between happy and sad. 



"Melancholy mixed with happiness" That's how Strauss's music was described.

It's in 3/4 time, as with all of the Strauss waltzes.
Love this song. 
My only complaint is that it should be longer. I'd love to hear another 2 or 3 verses.
going to see him with Patty Griffin Thursday - I hope they sing together. This is my favorite album of his (admittedly I haven't heard them all...)
 SteveInVa wrote:

Another stellar set by programming gods, Bill and Rebecca. Thank you. You are kicking the algorithms arses.


I've beenlistening to RP for about 20 years.

Wondering whether music.youtube.com is a threat to RP.

After consideration I don't think it's any threat at all - AI just isn't that "I" yet

+ I love that FLAC quality

Make sure you donate to RP, it's unique
would like to hear a non-reverb version of this, great song, just a tad too much engineering
 kingart wrote:
Lovely. Wistful. A sweet spot between happy and sad. 
 
Yeah, wistful... Sums it up a treat!

Kinda dreamy, relaxed, nice. Like an acoustic rocking chair
Fellow RP listeners i am really more and more impressed with this station how much great music i can hear, and with OWOW giving up the ghost very soon, i for am glad this station is still hanging in there
Another stellar set by programming gods, Bill and Rebecca. Thank you. You are kicking the algorithms arses.
Gorgeous.
I recently discovered Isakov's music ( thanks to RP) and I've spent the past couple of quarantined months listening to his beautiful catalogue of music. He has a wonderful talent for evoking a melancholy vibe that sounds fresh and contemporary. He's like an old soul in a modern world.
 dziebell wrote:
I bumped the rating +1 because I like the album title and art work. 
 
Then you will probably like the video:
AmsterdamOfficialVideo
Beautiful .. will I ever get to visit Amsterdam?  
not only love this song, also dig the video
amsterdam still has it...in a wat.
Brings me back to a wonderful time living in A Dam 69 and 70.Zep and the Stones live . Dutch are the coolest people in Europe.
I just love this song
*sigh* Amsterdam, studied there as a 19 year old in 1993. Fell head over heels in love with that city and even though I love where I live in Alaska, my heart still yearns for Amsterdam from time to time. 
One of our hometown greats....
VERY Nice!
how nice - working at home in Amsterdam and then treated by this song! thx RP
Been to Amsterdam 3 times, I love shrooms 
love this !!
Lovely.  My office votes an 8 today.  Thanks again, RP.
Lovely. Wistful. A sweet spot between happy and sad. 
 Elroweho wrote:
Another great artist I owe RP for introducing me to. Bought 2 of his albums after hearing this cut! 

 
His 2007 That Sea, The Gambler album was my intro. His voice, lyrics, instruments are amazing.
All mixed up...Red house painters...
 gmichaelt wrote:
Makes me want to be there. The whole thing.

 
Couldn't have said it better,  this song just send us somewhere ? Don't know where, but it feels good.

Thanks Bill and Rebecca.
Makes me want to be there. The whole thing.
Fleet Foxes related?
 
Not a bad song.. not bad at all..

Could 've been a lot better though..

{#Wink} )
Beautiful song... Greetings from Amsterdam!
Saw Isakov at a tiny artist loft several years ago, and have been utterly enamored with his voice ever since! Amsterdam is a good song, but the first I ever heard was "Big Black Car", and it's still my favorite...
Psychedelic Furs >>> Black Rebel Motorcycle Club >>> This track... 

Still works. BTW, hadn't heard him yet. Liking it a lot.  
Cracker (Infirmary), then Radiohead (High&Dry) and now this...nice run, Bill. A fine example of the art of DJing. Thanks!
Beautiful song and album art, enchanting
Can't wait to see him later this month!  
 Sloggydog wrote:
I like it more every time I hear it and I already liked it a lot.
 
Me2.
This guy just writes purdy songs.
..love this, first time to the ears...{#Daisy}
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Ratings have been increased for far less valid reasons. It is rather nice work, except for the dyslexic A(s).

 
Yes, very nice cover.  Only the first "A" is reversed, in terms of its wider stroke being on the 'wrong' side, but it mirrors the second "A".  Some of the other letters are 'unconventional' in terms of where the wider strokes should be; they are quirky details which lead me to believe that the title typography was probably hand-lettered — which is always good to see.
 Dutch_girl wrote:
Beautiful song and nice to see a song about the capital of the Netherlands that is not about drugs and prostitutes! Love from the Nethelands!

 
I've just got back from a little weekend trip to this beautiful place.  If there weren't so many tourist trips and coach parties wandering round giggling like schoolgirls the place would probably be talked about less in that context, but I don't think many of us think that the red light stuff is the main place of interest.
I like it more every time I hear it and I already liked it a lot. 
Beautiful song and nice to see a song about the capital of the Netherlands that is not about drugs and prostitutes! Love from the Nethelands!
she's easy on the eyes

churches and trains
all look the same
they shoot ya when you come home

***

is that correct? 
Another great artist I owe RP for introducing me to. Bought 2 of his albums after hearing this cut! 
the background music is a total ripoff of red house painters all mixed up.  but is a good sound to rip off.
Never heard of him but very much enjoying this one!
Having my morning coffee in the Jordaan as this plays. Mokum has become a third home to me, a gentle and cultured place.
just what the doctor ordered.. {#Music}
Most under-rated talent today. Listen to his 'Master and the Hound'; it's the most beautiful song ever, yes ever.
This song puts me in a happy place.
Beautiful in simplicity
Saw him open for Josh Ritter just a couple weeks ago. He was so good, can't wait to see him as the headliner
How coincidental, that I was just looking at Amsterdam on google earth for images of dykes... no the lesbians...
As always, a good offering from G. A. I. 

This so reminds me of Red House Painters "All Mixed Up"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQSUIRDs6VE.  Both great grooves.
 
 fredriley wrote:
The dozey delivery of this dirge makes me think that yer man had indulged in one of Amsterdam's famous coffee houses before recording. Aural Mogadon {#Sleep}

 
Like the song, but this comment made me laugh.  Thank you, FredRiley!  {#Lol}
The dozey delivery of this dirge makes me think that yer man had indulged in one of Amsterdam's famous coffee houses before recording. Aural Mogadon {#Sleep}
 johncartlidge wrote:
11

 
........ and me  {#Clap}
This song really needs to be listened to in the dark..Very nice.
11
 dziebell wrote:
I bumped the rating +1 because I like the album title and art work.
 Ratings have been increased for far less valid reasons. It is rather nice work, except for the dyslexic A(s).
Love, Love! {#Good-vibes}
Ahhh, musical opium.  {#Meditate}
 Hortense wrote:
Seeing him in concert tonight!  â˜ºïž
 
Hey, me too! Perhaps I'll see you there ;)
Seeing him in concert tonight!  â˜ºïž
Me likey.
wow, so happy to hear a new song from this guy. beautiful. thanks Bill!

 
Once again RP introduces me to a artist I never heard before and I am glad they did!
What great song and even better album.  Keep up the good work RP.
 
Great song from the new album!  Also love St Valentine.  Bill, please play that one too!!
Love this new Album.
 
I bumped the rating +1 because I like the album title and art work.