This is the best recording of this song I have yet found. Better than all album versions and the 10 or so other live performances I have found on youtube.
I've been chasing ghosts and I don't like it I wish someone would show me where to draw the line I'd lay down my sword if you would take it And tell everyone back home I'm doing fine I was with you down in Acapulco Trading clothing for some wine Smelling like an old adobe woman Or a William Burroughs playing for lost time I was thinking about my mother I was thinking about what's mine I was living my life like a Hollywood But I was dying on the vine Who could sleep through all that noisy chatter The troops, the celebrations in the sun The authorities say my papers are all in order And if I wasn't such a coward I would run I'll see you me when all the shooting's over Meet me on the other side of town Yes, you can bring all your friends along for protection It's always nice to have them hanging around I was thinking about my mother I was thinking about what's mine I was living my life like a Hollywood But I was dying, dying on the vine
Nice to see somebody discovering the Welsh Wizard. This is on his album Artificial Intelligence from 1985. If I may recommend you some lp's try Paris 1919 from 1973, Vintage Violence from 1970, or his 1990 collaboration with Brian Eno Wrong Way Up. Those are his most accessible albums. I luckily discovered him in the early 80's, and since then went onto an aural and sonic journey of different musical styles ranging from rock, pop, country, classical, jazz, avantgarde, punk,, electronica, world music to what ever genre there is. He's possibly the most versatile musician/producer alive, skilled in more than 20 instruments, a musical chameleon, permanently looking for new ways to express his music. Some of his music can be very gentle and soothing, like in a sweet, and slightly surreal daydream, as on the whole of the Paris 1919 lp. On the other hand some of his music has been the total opposite, such as dark, menacing, abrasive, chaotic, or violent as in your worst nightmares. I call him the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of modern music, always something new to discover, whether to like or not, but never boring and predictable. You surely know the song Hallelujah written by Leonard Cohen, made popular by Jeff Buckley and covered by numerous artists. Yet it was John Cale who actually rearranged the structure and melody of this song in 1991, to it's now so popular format. If you like DOTV, you could possibly like his cover of Hallelujah, with him solo on piano. Here's the link, hope you enjoy: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--gi3J8nPKPE.html
Jesus Christ what talent. So sad that people today prefer wriggling bodies over stuff like this. John Cale is so gifted and we are blessed to have him.
it was nick cave night a few years ago on one of the bbc channels. this was one of the programmes put on. Wasn't too arsed about the other song writers on there, but this Song Stuck with me and i now have four different versions on my mp3 player years later....good song.
Well, John Cale was more or less the blueprint to Nick Cave. Cale is easily one of the most influential persons around in Rock music, being the main creative force behind the Velvet Underground's groundbreaking sound. He then went on to produce the debuts by Iggy's Stooges, Patti Smith and The Modern Lovers. With Nico he invented Goth on her albums The Marble Index, Desertshore and The End in the late 60's and early 70's by producing and arranging her work. So, John Cale is definitely somebody one should seriously be arsed about.
There are moments around 2:50 +/- when Nick's expression could pass for a look of sheer loathing. The caption "You are a worm and I greatly wish to CRUSH YOU!" wouldn't look out of place under Nick's face. Guess that's just me, or it's resting-Nick-face. ;-) I've got the same kind of face, and people often steer clear of me when I'm thinking about nothing more serious than reruns and snack food. Figures that I write the same kind of songs. :-D
There was a live version with John singing with a Dutch orchestra. He walks out from backstage and joins the orchestra at his vocal cue. It's now been f***ing deleted. If you know of it then please feel free to contact me.
It might be blasphemous and of course not my most important observation - having said that - I love how John’s and Nick’s noses are each other’s inverses
Its not all about a front man .guys like john and nick mcabe. johnny marr.mani.no one knows them. i find it sad that people walk around with t_shirts of bands on it.and they cant name song
Wonder when you Wander Don't Wander when you Wonder I have an idea that I wonder about and I'll try not to wander We say helllo John and get others to say it Then they'll have to ask themselves why am I saying helllo John Then they'll have to give his music a spin and find out what we already know An astonishing unparalleled contribution to musical history uniquely his own I want this to happen while Cale's still alive and not just on social media like the 15 minutes of fame Andy Warhol said I want children to say it at school Have you said hello John today Way not I want people to say it at work helllo John, Dave, John, Dave and laugh I want people to say it nearly anywhere helllo John My name isn't John Heh heh heh Don't we know it William Burroughs said Tone It Down What could be more humble than turning a helllo into artistry Even if you shout it Laurie Anderson said Speak My Language hello hello I am the You Tube Cube With Teeth and I say let's go viral, viral with teeth and let's get greedy, greedy as dirt on who's having the most fun Long Live John Cale !
