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Sia — Academia
Album: Some People Have Real Problems
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 384









Released: 2008
Length: 3:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
You can be my alphabet and I will be your calculator
And together we'll work out on the escalator
I will time you as you run up the down
And you'll measure my footsteps as I blow through this town
The mean of our heights is divided by the nights
Which is times'd by the daggers and the route of all our fights
The pass of your poem is to swathe me in your knowing
And the beauty of the word is that you don't have to show it

Oh, academia you can't pick me up
Soothe me with your words when I need your love

I am a dash and you are a dot
When will you see that I am all that you've got?
I'm a binary code that you cracked long ago
But to you I'm just a novel that you wish you'd never wrote
I'm greater than x and lesser than y
So why is it that I still can't catch your eye?
You're a cryptic crossword, a song I've never heard
While I sit here drawing circles I'm afraid of being hurt

Oh, academia you can't pick me up
Soothe me with your words when I need your love

You're a difficult equation with a knack for heart evasion
Will you listen to my proof or will you add another page on
It appears to me the graph has come and stolen all the laughs
It appears to me the pen has over-analysed again
And if I am a number I'm infinity plus one
And if you are five words you are afraid to be the one
And if you are a number you're infinity plus one
And if I am four words then I am needing of your love

Oh, academia you can't pick me up
Soothe me with your words when I need your love

Oh, academia, academia, academia
Oh, academia, academia, academia
Comments (118)add comment
 Seems smart and fun to me - chock full 'o geeky goodness. 7 

zaknafein wrote:
This is trying very hard to seem smart, but just comes off as both pretentious and incredibly irritating.


Couldn't agree more! The annoyance meter is off the charts on this one!!! {#Headache}
School house rock?
Put her with Zero 7 and we've got something, this is uhhh, ok
Sorry, but no thanks.  {#Wall}
The cadence of her vocals in this one really bugs me.
sorry, I love Sia but this is one of her weaker numbers.
This is trying very hard to seem smart, but just comes off as both pretentious and incredibly irritating.

 jyoull wrote:
I have a nerdy crush on this song, but I'm too geek-shy to ever say it.
 

Hehehe, that's an awesome post.
Please.....just.....stop......singing.
Arrrgh, this is growing on me. 3 -> 6
Karma police, arrest this girl, she talks in math!
First time hearing this. I think I'm gonna' like this song 3 or 4 times, then I'll want to rip my own head off. We'll see!
Clever lyrics as anyone who has either studied or worked at a University will know.
 jyoull wrote:
I have a nerdy crush on this song, but I'm too geek-shy to ever say it.
 

Same here.  I'm such a dork, I love it.  Hey, I can't help it.  I'm an actuary.

It's a 7 —> 8 for me.

Yipes! The sing-song melody sounds like a children's song. Then the cover just drives it home.


DAH dah dah dah dah DAH dah dah dah dah DAH dah dah dah dah DAH dah dah dah dah
etc etc, ad nauseum...
 
I have a nerdy crush on this song, but I'm too geek-shy to ever say it.
Very quirky.... I like it simply because it's so different. 
...all this time i thought this was the pierces...
Yergh... I enjoyed her collaborations with Zero 7, but alone, she's not my cup of tea.


Yick. "Infinity plus one"? Isn't she precious.

{#Propeller}
 Excelsior wrote:

Don't complain about overplaying, or the RP police will come after you and tell you that your comments are not welcome.

 
Actually if you can back it up with hard numbers then I'll leave you to your complaints in all happiness. But most of the time you (Excelsior to be specific) just say that this song or that song is played "every day for months" or something like that with no facts to back you up. And when the playlist gets checked it turns out that you're just making s**t up. Actual "comments" are welcome. Unsubstantiated BS? Not so much.

    You can be my victim and I will be your torturer
    And together we'll frazzle your every aural nerve
    I will torment you as you listen to me sing
    And you'll measure my cruelty as your ears begin to ring

      


The_Enemy wrote:
y'know, there's so much music in the RP database and this got played yesterday and again today.

May I suggest that things be set up such that any song not be played more than once a week? Is that unreasonable? Do-able?

Don't complain about overplaying, or the RP police will come after you and tell you that your comments are not welcome.

y'know, there's so much music in the RP database and this got played yesterday and again today.

May I suggest that things be set up such that any song not be played more than once a week? Is that unreasonable? Do-able?
Plato is rolling over in his grave....
6 -> 5 -> 4 as I listen...

You know, I'm all for geek rock, but this gets annoying really fast.


This song sounds like it is sung by a girl who would mark all over her face with kid's markers.

Oh. 
The_Enemy wrote:
For some reason, she reminds me of Brian Wilson's attempt to elevate rap to the level of "real music". A lot of nursery rhymes about eating your vegetables set to music. But he's supposed to be a genius. I don't get Sia either.


Yeah, the text of "vegetables" isn't hot.
But making "someone biting a cookie" being the rythm section was (is that correct english? mesa no natif).
And that was waaaayyyyyy before there was rap. Or samplers. Or 16-track recording.

ack!
I was going to rate this a 4, but now I see she's kind of cute so 5. What can I say, I'm shallow.
God this tune bugs me.
Sounds like the theme to Mr. Show is buried underneath.
She blinds me with brilliance!

You're a difficult equation with a knack for heart evasion
Will you listen to my proof or will you add another page on
It appears to me the graph has come and stolen all the laughs
It appears to me the pen has over analysed again
And if I am a number I'm infinity plus one

If you are a number you're infinityplusone. I wish I could type that as awkwardly as it sounds.
This may be what Alannis would sound like if she were happy.
how to differentiate Sia and Feist? coupla wacky quirky cutesy creepy indie poppy chicks who are getting lost in the shuffle
RadioDoc wrote:
That certainly seems to be the case with you.
Touché.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
Or maybe there's just less humour and wit going on than you think there is.
That certainly seems to be the case with you.
sfListener wrote:
feisty
Dead on! Good call!
sharkartist wrote:
just annoying, that's all.
Quite.
girl music
Seems like it's trying too hard to be clever a la Laurie Anderson, or Tom Lehrer, or They Might Be Giants.
just annoying, that's all.
I'm in academia. And, yes, I have real problems.
RadioDoc wrote:
Wow. Given the negative comments I guess humor and wit are just lost on this crowd. Your loss.
Or maybe there's just less humour and wit going on than you think there is.
i like Sia but this song isn't very good, but she shows her nice vocals any way
Wow. Given the negative comments I guess humor and wit are just lost on this crowd. Your loss.
This reminds me of the parking lot scene in Jackie Brown where Bridget Fonda is following Robert De Niro around in a parking lot carping at him and he finally gets fed up and gut-shoots her.
rcurrier wrote:
OK, I've given it a chance. This is really annoying.
Same here. I hate the forced rhymes and that really irritating way her voice never pronounces the words at each couplet. Uggh.
I just have to say: I love the title of this album! lol The song is pretty good. It doesn't grab me like "Breathe Me", obviously, but it's good. Love the lyrics.
Pretty cool. Not nearly as bad as some here make it seem.
OK, I've given it a chance. This is really annoying. Not quite Cake annoying, but getting there. (And apparently the cover photo is very hot if you have an oral/lipstick fetish, something I didn't even know existed until I just had it described to me. Squick.)
wferrier wrote:
She blinds me with brilliance! You're a difficult equation with a knack for heart evasion Will you listen to my proof or will you add another page on It appears to me the graph has come and stolen all the laughs It appears to me the pen has over analysed again And if I am a number I'm infinity plus one
I agree..plus I love "Breath Me"....brilliant
For some reason, she reminds me of Brian Wilson's attempt to elevate rap to the level of "real music". A lot of nursery rhymes about eating your vegetables set to music. But he's supposed to be a genius. I don't get Sia either.
She fit so perfectly with Zero 7, but suffers as a solo artist.
5 -> 2
timc wrote:
Is it just me, or is this song getting way too much RP airtime?
You're spot on.
Is it just me, or is this song getting way too much RP airtime?
I liked it until the break. slurry background vocals not doing it for me, they dilute the interest that her vocals and the style of song provide.
A Solid HO-Hum 3
She blinds me with brilliance! You're a difficult equation with a knack for heart evasion Will you listen to my proof or will you add another page on It appears to me the graph has come and stolen all the laughs It appears to me the pen has over analysed again And if I am a number I'm infinity plus one
Great. Another crazy girl for me to fall in love with.
if you think she looks a fool on the album cover, you should see her video for "Buttons" (click here)
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
I find that the marker smeared over her face, combined with her hanging jaw makes her look like a fool. If you're into that kind of thing in your women, more power to you. It's not really a great album cover, and it's affecting my opinion of the music. Not rating it, because of the cover.
Acid trip gone real bad. Definitely looks doofus-like. I saw this cover before I heard the song and thought WTF? That's lame album art. The music makes up for it a bit, I guess.
Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:
I find that the marker smeared over her face, combined with her hanging jaw makes her look like a fool. If you're into that kind of thing in your women, more power to you. It's not really a great album cover, and it's affecting my opinion of the music. Not rating it, because of the cover.
Truer words have never been spoken...
She blinds me with brilliance!
nigelr wrote:
I'm a straight male, and I find the beauty shines from this young lady's eyes. And that beauty is the finest beauty of all. Interesting song also, great bass lines.
I find that the marker smeared over her face, combined with her hanging jaw makes her look like a fool. If you're into that kind of thing in your women, more power to you. It's not really a great album cover, and it's affecting my opinion of the music. Not rating it, because of the cover.
HOly christ, this chick's nuts. Awesome!
feisty
the female beck?
Sia, you were so great with Zero 7. What the hell happened?
Frater_Kork wrote:
Quirky, I dig. The album title answers most of the song comments in general on RP. =)
Agreed on all points. c.
This song is a complete mess. I like it.
5 for the song, + 1 for the title of the cd.
This girl has some serious talent.Pretty diverse styles for each album.
WTF is this?
Frater_Kork wrote:
Quirky, I dig. The album title answers most of the song comments in general on RP. =)
Agreed, and the cover is really nice IMHO, mmm i like :)
Quirky, I dig. The album title answers most of the song comments in general on RP. =)
Ain't many things that can make switch from RP, but this track is one.
radiomao wrote:
I kinda like the song, but she looks horrible on that album cover! I would not want to own it just because I wouldn't want that piece of art in my home. I realize not everyone should be required to be visually attractive, but c'mon! I'm a straight female and I don't even want to look at that picture! I guess it's good download material.
I'm a straight male, and I find the beauty shines from this young lady's eyes. And that beauty is the finest beauty of all. Interesting song also, great bass lines.
lathyris wrote:
This is so dumb. But I kind of like it.
I agree with the first part.
bobringer wrote:
Seen her 3 times in the past six months. I can assure you, they are some of the most fun shows you'll ever see. What a potty mouth she is! She goes from goofy pop stuff to these incredibly deep and introspective songs with ease.
Absolutely. Saw her at Park West (Chicago) on Feb 29. One of the best shows I've been to in years.
radiomao wrote:
I kinda like the song, but she looks horrible on that album cover! I would not want to own it just because I wouldn't want that piece of art in my home. I realize not everyone should be required to be visually attractive, but c'mon! I'm a straight female and I don't even want to look at that picture! I guess it's good download material.
I kinda don't like the song and agree with the rest.
ziggytrix wrote:
Sia is great! I heard her interviewed on the radio and she seemed so affable. I bet her concerts are a blast.
Seen her 3 times in the past six months. I can assure you, they are some of the most fun shows you'll ever see. What a potty mouth she is! She goes from goofy pop stuff to these incredibly deep and introspective songs with ease. I've been to over 400 shows and I don't think I've seen anyone who has more respect for her fans than Sia. It's a wonderful relationship between artist/audience. She monitors her messageboards and tries to work in songs that people want to hear from different cities. At times she almost seems embarrassed by the reaction of the crowd because she honestly just feels like one of "us". She's on tour now... go see her. Expect to get a good amount from the new album, a few tracks from her last album, and a few Zero 7 tracks.
I kinda like the song, but she looks horrible on that album cover! I would not want to own it just because I wouldn't want that piece of art in my home. I realize not everyone should be required to be visually attractive, but c'mon! I'm a straight female and I don't even want to look at that picture! I guess it's good download material.
Trying to sound Tori Amos-like in the second verse IMO. And it rankles me that she said "timesed by" (even though I know lyrically "multiplied by" wouldn't fit. I just hate when people say that.)
Sia is great! I heard her interviewed on the radio and she seemed so affable. I bet her concerts are a blast.
sweet sweet
I like this!
lol.. its a decent song. I just find it "curious" (as Hillary would say) that whenever I check in on RP this song is playing
THANK YOU!!!! xkcd has gotta be one of the best things i've gotten from radio paradise....besides the good music ;) Notelrac wrote:
Catchy tune, I can dance to it. For more math humor, (click here)
vandal wrote:
please, please make this stop. . .
I'll second that.
This is so dumb. But I kind of like it.
Year's best Album cover.
Jedzz wrote:
I hope Sia's record company fired well and good whoever thought up that bizarre album cover.
Really? I love the album cover! It's funny.
Jedzz wrote:
I hope Sia's record company fired well and good whoever thought up that bizarre album cover.
heh.
This is the most profound thing I ever heard.
please, please make this stop. . .
I hope Sia's record company fired well and good whoever thought up that bizarre album cover.
I like it OK now, but I sure can picture it getting real old, real fast.
Catchy tune, I can dance to it. For more math humor, (click here)
rocco1207 wrote:
i rate it an infinity plus 1
And here I thought it was one divided by infinity.
Wow... great song!
The local music rag in town gave this release a 1 star review out of 4.....I can see and hear their reason why...
michaelgmitchell wrote:
You'd want to bring her home to meet Mom?
Maybe to mommy, if you were four. She still colors on her face!
You'd want to bring her home to meet Mom?
Arithma- tech is so cool
i rate it an infinity plus 1
I just heard this song on a recent Paste Magazine sampler CD -- a strange alignment of the stars. A great song as I sit in my office grading Winter Term finals...
not bad . . . funny cover
Really nice to hear Sia on RP. I love her on the Zero 7 stuff.
inindian wrote:
I like it OK...so far
Yup... easy to listen to.
Funny, my first thought was that some of the verses of this have the sing-songy rhythm of a nursery rhyme, then I see the album cover. Hm...
Yeah, it kinda slides doesn't it. Catchy
I like it OK...so far