Monday, January 21, 2008

if I knew the tunes I might join in...

I'm feeling a bit melancholy these days. And when I'm feeling blue, I turn to music. Tonight I downloaded an album from iTunes that I have wanted forever. The Indigo Girls have long been one of my favourite bands and until today, I have not owned their brilliant 2005 release, Rarities. It's the perfect recording for my current mood. The album is a collection of originals and covers, each full of the beautiful harmonies and gut-wrenching interpretations that make the Indigo Girls the musical force that they are. Their rendition of Elton John's Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters really struck me and reminded me how brilliant the lyrics of Bernie Taupin are.

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

And now i know

Spanish harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought i knew
But now i know that rose trees never grow in new york city

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And i thank the lord there's people out there like you
I thank the lord there's people out there like you

While mona lisas and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

This broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If i knew the tunes i might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in new york city

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And i thank the lord for the people i have found
I thank the lord for the people i have found

2 comments:

Pel said...

Never heard the Indigo girls before but I hope they helped you feel a little less blue :)

vivian said...

The Indigo Girls always cheer me up. Thanks.:)

BTW, I think you would really like them. Amazing vocals, guitars and songwriting. Kind of folky I guess. Brilliant musicians. they have a huge following in the U.S. They've been a favourite of mine for a long time.