Amazing and chilling. Brilliant lyrics and chord changes that leave me in a state of strange contentment. Gratefully accepted as a 48 yr old man living in the bedroom he first occupied at the age of 11. John, keep it coming brother.
Only heard this through " Brassic ", but became an instant earworm. What a song. Thought at first it may have been Neil Hannon and , or Divine Comedy. Would it it be acceptable as a funeral song ?
This is the performance that made me a John Grant fan, I bought both albums then available before he got to the end of the song! Awesome show at Hammersmith Odeon last night - thanks again to John and his guys and gals!
Thankfully they didn't make him change the lyrics in this version. That "Greatest Living Creature" change up just does not translate. I love this guy to pieces.
+TheYorkMan Because that's that nature of commenting online. Nobody should have to feel that they need to answer people's challenges. Why are you trying to be so conforntational?
For what it's worth, I think it's a powerful lyric as it switches up from something he has control over, which is a minor thing, and objectively a good idea (practising scales)
To something he has no control over, is a major part of his character and is caused only his own internalized homophobia (caused in turn by everyone else's homophobia and his desire to please). The switch from one small thing to one large thing in two lines is where the power comes from. (Sorry I accidentally posted this in two halves, hope it is still comprehensible).
You could probably say I'm difficult. I probably talk too much. I over analyze and overthink things. Yes, it's a nasty crutch. I'm usually only waiting for you to stop talking So that I can. Concerning two-way streets, I have to say That I am not a fan. But I am the greatest motherfucker That you're ever gonna meet From the top of my head Down to the tips of the toes on my feet. So go ahead and love me while it's still a crime, And don't forget you could be laughing 65 percent more of the time. You could be laughing 65 percent more of the time. Half of the time I think I'm in some movie. I play the underdog of course. I wonder who they'll get to play me. Maybe they could dig up Richard Burton's corpse. I am not who you think I am. I am quite angry--which I barely can conceal. You think I hate myself, but it's you I hate Because you have the nerve to make me feel. But I am the greatest motherfucker That you're ever gonna meet From the top of my head Down to the tips of the toes on my feet. So go ahead and love me while it's still a crime, And don't forget you could be laughing 65 percent more of the time. You could be laughing 65 percent more of the time. I should've practiced my scales. I should not be attracted to males. But you said that I should learn to love myself. Well, make up your mind, Dr. Frankenstein. 'Cause I am the greatest motherfucker That you're ever gonna meet From the top of my head Down to the tips of the toes on my feet. So go ahead and love me while it's still a crime, And don't forget you could be laughing 65 percent more of the time. You could be laughing 63 percent more of the time. You could be laughing 25 percent more of the time.
I wish that the drummer and the guitarist could get reasonably on the beat 65% of the time. Sloppy drumming. I love this song but the playing here let’s this performance down, and for such a prestigious show too…
