2000s songs, words not needed

#210 Soon We’ll Be Found- Sia

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Let’s not fight, I’m tired, can’t we just sleep tonight?

Have you heard the expression that in a relationship you should never go to sleep angry? In “Soon We’ll Be Found” Sia argues that is nonsense. Sometimes there is just nothing left to say. A good sleep and happy dreams will solve the problems better then rehashing the issues over and over.

I am not sure which side of the fence I fall on. I suppose I am issue-specific. Some issues should be discussed before bed, sometimes it is better to sleep on it. Sometimes simple rules-of-thumb in life are contradictory.

Soon We'll Be Found Meaning
Sia

Sia is an amazing artist. I believe she is the most influential and prolific musician of the 2010s. This is one of her earlier songs—before she was SIA. She is great at creating memorable melodies. Later in her career, the melodies would be more catchy, and pop and dance inspired; “Soon We’ll Be Found” is a ballad. She is great at both. The one critique I have of her is that she does not enunciate when she sings—but that is kind of her style. Sometimes, I’d like to understand what she is saying without googling the lyrics.

The orchestration on the arrangement is fantastic. For a great experience, watch her perform this song live on the David Letterman show while she signs the lyrics (as in uses sign language). It is truly touching. Even Letterman—who is usually bored by musical acts–is moved.

Soon We’ll Be Found Lyrics

Come along it is the break of day
Surely now, you’ll have some things to say
It’s not the time for telling tales on me

So come along, it wont be long
‘Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let’s desert this day of hurt
Tomorrow we’ll be free

Let’s not fight, I’m tired, can’t we just sleep tonight?
Don’t turn away, it’s just there’s nothing left here to say
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found

Well it’s been rough but we’ll be just fine
Work it out yeah we’ll survive
You mustn’t let a few bad times dictate

So come along, it wont be long
‘Til we return happy
Shut your eyes, there are no lies
In this world we call sleep
Let’s desert this day of work
Tomorrow we’ll be free

Let’s not fight, I’m tired, can’t we just sleep tonight?
Don’t turn away, it’s just there’s nothing left here to say
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
(I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found)
Oh
Yeah, oh

Oh
Let’s not fight, I’m tired, can’t we just sleep tonight?
Don’t turn away, it’s just there’s nothing left here to say
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
Oh
Let’s not fight, I’m tired, can’t we just sleep tonight?
Don’t turn away, it’s just there’s nothing left here to say
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
(I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found)

Let’s not fight, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
Don’t turn away I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
(I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found)
Let’s not fight, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
Don’t turn away, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
Turn around, I know we’re lost but soon we’ll be found
written by Sia

1970s songs, epic rock songs

#209 Suite Judy Blue Eyes- CSNY

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Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now.

“Suite Judy Blue Eyes” was primarily written by Stills about the ending of his relationship with Judy Collins. The song appears to be a last hail Mary to save the relationship. He expresses that without her he is no fun and he doesn’t recognize himself. He is lonely and suffering. He wants to speak plainly. Why can’t they go away and just be together, alone?

Judy Collins Young Meaning
A young Judy Collins–with blue eyes

This song is unique because it sounds like three good songs could have been made from this one song. Instead, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young chose to combine the disparate pieces to make one great song. This has only happened a couple times in the history of rock. Two others that come to mind are A Day in the Life by The Beatles and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. So, there are not many songs like this.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes Meaning
CSNY

Like all CSNY songs, “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” delivers the great harmonies and great guitar work. This is perhaps their most intricate song. There is a lot of experimentation here: there is the combining of the three melodies into one song, the long song length, the Spanish Lyrics, the harmonics on guitar, long solo…Even with all this it was a radio hit.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes Lyrics
It’s getting to the point where I’m no fun anymore
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly, I must cry out loud
“I am lonely”

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Remember what we’ve said and done and felt about each other
Oh babe, have mercy
Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now
I am not dreaming

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Tearing yourself away from me now–you are free
And I am crying
This does not mean I don’t love you–I do, that’s forever
Yes and for always

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Something inside is telling me that I’ve got your secret
Are you still listening?
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
And I love you

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard

Friday evening, Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning, please be gone, I’m tired of you
What have you got to lose?

Can I tell it like it is? (help me, I’m suffering)
Listen to me, baby
It’s my heart that’s suffering, it’s a-dying (help me, I’m suffering)
And that’s what I have to lose

I’ve got an answer
I’m going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me Thursdays and Saturdays?
What have you got to lose?

Chestnut brown canary
Ruby throated sparrow
Sing a song, don’t be long
Thrill me to the marrow
Voices of the angels
Ring around the moonlight
Asking me, said she’s so free
How can you catch the sparrow?
Lacy, lilting lyrics
Losing love, lamenting
Change my life, make it right
Be my lady
written by Stephen Stills

1980s songs, story songs

#208 Atlantic City- Bruce Springsteen

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Well I guess everything dies baby that’s a fact/
But maybe everything that dies someday.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” tells the story of a poor couple who gather up their money and head to Atlantic City to try to make ends meet. They are aware that the city has an unsavory reputation–the city is being overtaken by the mob- but they have few options.

There are few jobs available there, and the man does end up getting involved with the mob by “doing a little favor for them.” He is sick of ending up on the wrong side, seeing everyone else wind up rich. The chorus is great. Springsteen discusses his hopes for the resurrection of the city that has died in the context of a man who hopes that this turn to the mob will not make him irredeemable.

Atlantic City Greatest Alltime Song Meaning
Bruce

That rawness of “Atlantic City” provides much of the appeal. Supposedly, Springsteen tried to make this into a rock song, but producer Jon Landau convinced him to keep it with the folkish sound. He has played it in concert with the full band and it never sounds the same.

The harmonica plays an essential part on this song. It is a great solo instrument here, and I think it is Springsteen’s finest harmonica work. I also like the mandolin. It brings the song together and brings home the Italian imagery.

Atlantic City Lyrics

Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night,
Now they blew up his house too.
Down on the boardwalk they’re gettin’ ready for a fight,
Gonna see what them racket boys can do.

Now there’s trouble busin’ in from out of state,
And the D.A. can’t get no relief.
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade,
And the gambling commission’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth.

Well now everything dies, baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Well I got a job and tried to put my money away,
But I got debts that no honest man can pay.
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust,
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I’ll stay.
We’re goin’ out where the sand’s turning to gold.
So put on your stockings baby
Cause the night’s getting cold.

And everything dies baby that’s a fact,
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Now I been lookin’ for a job but it’s hard to find-
Down here it’s just winners and losers,
And don’t get caught on the wrong side of that line.
Well I’m tired of comin’ out on the losing end.

So honey last night I met this guy
And I’m gonna do a little favor for him.

Well now everything dies baby that’s a fact.
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.
Put your hair up nice, fix your make up pretty,
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

written by Bruce Springsteen