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Norah Jones — Sinkin' Soon
Album: Not Too Late
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1402









Released: 2007
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 1
We're an oyster cracker on the stew,
And the honey in the tea,
We're the sugar cubes, one lump or two,
In the black coffee,
The golden crust on an apple pie,
That shines in the sun at noon,
We're a wheel of cheese high in the sky,
But we're gonna be sinkin' soon.

In a boat that's built of sticks and hay,
We drifted from the shore,
With a captain who's too proud to say,
That he dropped the oar,
A tiny hole has sprung a leak,
In this cheap pontoon,
Now the hull has started growing weak,
And we're gonna be sinkin' soon.

We're gonna be
Sinkin' soon,
We're gonna be
Sinkin' soon,
Everybody hold your breath 'cause,
We're gonna be sinkin' soon

We're gonna be
Sinkin' soon,
We're gonna be
Sinkin' soon,
Everybody hold your breath 'cause,
Down and down we go...

Like the oyster cracker on the stew,
The honey in the tea
The sugar cubes, one lump or two?
No thank you, none for me.
We're the golden crust on an apple pie,
That shines in the sun at noon,
Like the wheel of cheese high in the sky
Well ... we're gonna be sinkin' soon.
Comments (141)add comment
I wonder if this was playing on the Titan sub this week...
boring . . .sorry Norah you are a talented and lovely lady but . . . 
Hello, sis is Stephan from Germany ... what is she sinking about soon?
Reading back on comments going back 12 years…analogies were made to imperialism and surviving covid….now this song takes on a whole new meaning as we literally are sinking.
Hearing a bit of Toussaint's St James Infirmary...
 Jeff09 wrote:

Reminds me of something Tom Waits would write.  Cool, bohemian-sounding, funereal...



Ha, I was just thinking the same thing and hoping this song leads into a Waits tune.

Pretty sure there is a tuba, trombone and a trumpet involved here. Solo is trombone.
 rhlrstn wrote:
I can't quite make out if that's a trumpet with a harmon mute on it or someone doing an extremely good impression of one... 


It's a muted trombone.
 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:
Generally you'll come across a big button/dial on the front of your amplifier, this is the volume button - turn it anti-clockwise.Otherwise, look for a smaller button, generally found to one side of the device, that says "power" or possibly "off" or perhaps "on/off" - press it.Other methods if annoyances emanate closer to the head could be to reach up to your ears, there, if you find some items either sticking into your ears or perhaps on/over your ears - gently take them out or off your ears.If annoyances are coming form your pc / laptop, have a look down on the task bar (windows device) for a small 'thingy' that looks a little like a speaker - click on this device and a slider should pop up - slide the button down.If all the above fail:lean forwards, contract quadriceps whilst maintaining balance so as not to topple forwards - within a second or two you will notice your head in a more elevated position. Let things stabilise, then aim head for nearest doorway, lean forwards again, this time to prevent toppling, move one foot  / leg forwards, quickly followed by the other. Repeat whilst maintaining head towards doorway. Annoyances will slowly fade away with each cycle of movement. Repeat until no longer annoying!


Hahaha! Beautiful!
 3Chords wrote:
Love it. It sounds like something Tom Waits would sing.


Nice, I agree!
 h8rhater wrote:

This is mostly true but not exclusively so.

Especially true if your comment is one or two sentences long and includes such things as vomit icons, the word "ugh", a reference to the PSD button, the word hate, a complaint based on the politics of the artist in question, or a back handed insult to those who actually enjoy the song. 

I think the worst I've seen on these boards was some yob who equated a song/artist to a case of herpes.  Serious disgusting jackass stuff.  Nobody wants to read that.

On the other hand, if you've got a great and detailed story to tell about the technical weaknesses of a given song/artist; or about an ex or moment of your past that the song is a part of that lead to a negative feeling for the song... we are all ears.

 
Yob. Love it. 

And hate is indeed a very strong word. 
Great dress in the cover photo
interesting.!
Love it. It sounds like something Tom Waits would sing.
I can't quite make out if that's a trumpet with a harmon mute on it or someone doing an extremely good impression of one... 
"We're going to be sinking soon".   In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic these aren't the words you want to hear.  It's still an excellent song.
What a gem of an artist she is. There are a number of other artists on the rotation who try this reduxy stuff and they just don’t get it the way Norah does. Trying to pick up where Billie left off is, well uh, risky for subsequent artists.
Norah Jones is a true American gem. I still remember the first time I heard her - on NPR - on my way to work. I stopped my car, scrambled frantically for a pen and scrap of paper and waited expectantly for the name of this girl with the amazing voice and beautiful music. She never disappoints.
 Jeff09 wrote:
Reminds me of something Tom Waits would write.  Cool, bohemian-sounding, funereal...
 

It's got that New Orleans cabaret sound to it - a genre Tom Waits has often ventured into as well.
 sdn wrote:

Oh, I get it.  If you don't like a song on RP, you're not allowed to say so in the comments section.  You're supposed to mute your headphones and shut up.

 
This is mostly true but not exclusively so.

Especially true if your comment is one or two sentences long and includes such things as vomit icons, the word "ugh", a reference to the PSD button, the word hate, a complaint based on the politics of the artist in question, or a back handed insult to those who actually enjoy the song. 

I think the worst I've seen on these boards was some yob who equated a song/artist to a case of herpes.  Serious disgusting jackass stuff.  Nobody wants to read that.

On the other hand, if you've got a great and detailed story to tell about the technical weaknesses of a given song/artist; or about an ex or moment of your past that the song is a part of that lead to a negative feeling for the song... we are all ears.

 francesco_insyde wrote:
What a pleasure to sink like a sugar cube in company of Norah Jones...
 
No doubt ther is a more intellectuel and political sense to it...
But anyway, cause we are sinking, i prefer in your company, Norah.
What a pleasure to sink like a sugar cube in company of Norah Jones...
The last three songs, at least, have wheels in common, and sinking boats, and socio-political commentary as context. 
This must be the time of the day on RP to cast music with stark views on the current lot. 
That's a great song about the U.S. economy! Thanks!
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Thanks, wondered when somebody was going to correct that. Pretty fancy hat mute work by J. Walter Hawkes - especially while handling a slide.

 
Yup, I'll second that. Wah-wah-waaaahhhh! 8 from the Nottingham jury.

chucklesalmon wrote:
the 'talking trumpet' is a thing called a TROM-BONE.
Thanks, wondered when somebody was going to correct that. Pretty fancy hat mute work by J. Walter Hawkes - especially while handling a slide.

Going to see Norah Jones soon 8/7/10 in Bethlehem, PA - can't wait.  She is such a talent.
 Delawhere wrote:
The talking trumpet is amazing! Nice to hear the depth in Norah's music, nice choice Bill.

 
Blip wrote:
Good (6); the trumpet is amazing!
 
 
the 'talking trumpet' is a thing called a TROM-BONE.

 
 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:
 

You forgot the option that I prefer to advocate, which is to STOP the stream instead of hitting mute. Save Bill the bandwidth costs!
Cute tune...but she doesn't have any real soul...never cared much for Norah. A good segue after this would be 'Six Months In a Leaky Boat'...by Split Enz.
 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:

 
Oh, I get it.  If you don't like a song on RP, you're not allowed to say so in the comments section.  You're supposed to mute your headphones and shut up.

 crockydile wrote:

There for a second I thought you were saying something else...{#Cheesygrin}
 

Awe, one could only wish! {#Hearteyes}

 grungepuppy wrote:
I just saw Norah play last night at Dodge Theatre in Phoenix. Great show! She did a nice stripped down version of this song.
 
There for a second I thought you were saying something else...{#Cheesygrin}
Sing it like it is, sister!!  She just nailed that Imperialistic Vibe.....thanks Norah!!
I just saw Norah play last night at Dodge Theatre in Phoenix. Great show! She did a nice stripped down version of this song.
 GolfRomeo wrote:

No.  Or there will be a Murder in the Red Barn.

 
Exactly.

 rockstarbro wrote:
 CamLwalk wrote:
Tips for reducing your annoyance:

lol ... that's great

Yeah I was hearing Waits there too.


Please do not insult Tom Waits. 

 
No.  Or there will be a Murder in the Red Barn.

 Delawhere wrote:
The talking trumpet is amazing! Nice to hear the depth in Norah's music, nice choice Bill.

 
Blip wrote:
Good (6); the trumpet is amazing!
 


 


Su




Ditto points for that amazing trumpet.
The talking trumpet is amazing! Nice to hear the depth in Norah's music, nice choice Bill.

 
Blip wrote:
Good (6); the trumpet is amazing!
 


I initially rated this a 2 in a prior frame of mind. I'm in a really shitty mood today and I liked this. 2 > 6  {#Think}
 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance: (list below)

 

The last one of your list is fine for me.


 Jeff09 wrote:
Reminds me of something Tom Waits would write.  Cool, bohemian-sounding, funereal...
 
ie, barely tolerable
 CamLwalk wrote:
Tips for reducing your annoyance:

lol ... that's great

Yeah I was hearing Waits there too.


Please do not insult Tom Waits. 



Tips for reducing your annoyance:

lol ... that's great

Yeah I was hearing Waits there too.

 Jeff09 wrote:
Reminds me of something Tom Waits would write.  Cool, bohemian-sounding, funereal...
 
Exactly it!  Awesome.

Reminds me of something Tom Waits would write.  Cool, bohemian-sounding, funereal...
Good (6); the trumpet is amazing!

Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:
 
This has to be in the top 10 all time BEST RP Posts! {#Clap}
 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:

  NEIL 666 = devil = annoying the first and every time . . .   very funny!




 Neil66 wrote:

Tips for reducing your annoyance:
  • Generally you'll come across a big button/dial on the front of your amplifier, this is the volume button - turn it anti-clockwise.
  • Otherwise, look for a smaller button, generally found to one side of the device, that says "power" or possibly "off" or perhaps "on/off" - press it.
  • Other methods if annoyances emanate closer to the head could be to reach up to your ears, there, if you find some items either sticking into your ears or perhaps on/over your ears - gently take them out or off your ears.
  • If annoyances are coming form your pc / laptop, have a look down on the task bar (windows device) for a small 'thingy' that looks a little like a speaker - click on this device and a slider should pop up - slide the button down.
  • If all the above fail:lean forwards, contract quadriceps whilst maintaining balance so as not to topple forwards - within a second or two you will notice your head in a more elevated position. Let things stabilise, then aim head for nearest doorway, lean forwards again, this time to prevent toppling, move one foot  / leg forwards, quickly followed by the other. Repeat whilst maintaining head towards doorway. Annoyances will slowly fade away with each cycle of movement. Repeat until no longer annoying!


 
Dear Neil66,
you are very rude and very funny.
Kind regards,
Rotterdam

 jjbix wrote:
even more annoying than the last 100 times I have heard this song. . . 
 
Tips for reducing your annoyance:
  • Generally you'll come across a big button/dial on the front of your amplifier, this is the volume button - turn it anti-clockwise.
  • Otherwise, look for a smaller button, generally found to one side of the device, that says "power" or possibly "off" or perhaps "on/off" - press it.
  • Other methods if annoyances emanate closer to the head could be to reach up to your ears, there, if you find some items either sticking into your ears or perhaps on/over your ears - gently take them out or off your ears.
  • If annoyances are coming form your pc / laptop, have a look down on the task bar (windows device) for a small 'thingy' that looks a little like a speaker - click on this device and a slider should pop up - slide the button down.
  • If all the above fail:lean forwards, contract quadriceps whilst maintaining balance so as not to topple forwards - within a second or two you will notice your head in a more elevated position. Let things stabilise, then aim head for nearest doorway, lean forwards again, this time to prevent toppling, move one foot  / leg forwards, quickly followed by the other. Repeat whilst maintaining head towards doorway. Annoyances will slowly fade away with each cycle of movement. Repeat until no longer annoying!


 kaosmonkey wrote:
minnie the moocher? anyone? no? just me then
 
I just caught the end of it, and that's exactly what I thought it was.

even more annoying than the last 100 times I have heard this song. . . 
Love this funky stuff from Ms. Jones.

She and her band did a local interview awhile back, apparently they were doing small gigs around Dallas (?) using various aliases. One of them was 'The Well Hungarians', but eventually they had to quit using it 'cause there was already another band with the name. Too funny. She sounds like a fun person to hang out with.

c.
 bmeador wrote:
HI, I'm a mac...
 
Yeah we get it...no need to post it three times.

Tyipical RP'ers == wheelchair rockers from the 60's

...bumping up for severely under rated material here

The year before she won her first Grammy she was at SXSW Festival in Austin handing out flyers for her show. She personally handed me a flyer and invited me to her show. I'm so mad at myself for not going to see her. So much new talent at that festival that you never can decided who to see.
HI, I'm a mac...

Brings thoughts of my fav dive bar in town and all my firends just getting TOTALLED at the bar.{#Bounce}
Then later...{#Puke}


 Fourdawg wrote:

I can just see it: dark gloomy room, long line of investment bankers drowning their sorrows at the bar.. and captain hook playing the piano in the corner..

 
LOL! {#Roflol}

It's the 'wah-wah' effect with the mute that really makes this number. Classic blues. 7 from the Nottingham jury.

 mgkiwi wrote:
Very appropriate song given the current climate!
 
I can just see it: dark gloomy room, long line of investment bankers drowning their sorrows at the bar.. and captain hook playing the piano in the corner..

Dear America . . . .
Very appropriate song given the current climate!
 Kittee wrote:
I'm in love with the trumpet/trombone in this song.
 

Yeah, fantastic isn't it. Really gives atmospere to the song.
I'm in love with the trumpet/trombone in this song.
 jpfueler wrote:
lately, when this starts, I think it is Chocolate Jesus. . .
 

I hear you there!  I was so sure this was a cover of a Waites song when I first heard it.  It's no cover, but surely it's influenced by his music!

 jpfueler wrote:
lately, when this starts, I think it is Chocolate Jesus. . .
 
THAT is EXACTLY what I came to say

Yaaay folk song! =) {#Roflol}
no comment  -   8.

In a boat that's built of sticks and hay,
We drifted from the shore,
With a captain who's too proud to say,
That he dropped the oar,
Now a tiny hole has sprung a leak,
In this cheap pontoon,
Now the hull has started growing weak,
And we're gonna be sinkin' soon.

Hmm... wonder what that's about. A lot of the songs on this CD are about a similar subject... hmm... could it have something to do with the state of America? No, it couldn't be.


reason06 wrote:
I hear it!
You two aren't the only ones. What's really scary tho' is that the Zoot Suit is back.
I'm not a Norah Jones hater, but this is just awful. Maybe I'm not in the right mood.
kaosmonkey wrote:
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi!! minnie the moocher? anyone? no? just me then
I hear it!
Nice genre for her! 7
I've seen previous requests for a snapping fingers emoticon, the muted horn on this one demands it!
cupajoe wrote:
Anyone know who is on the horn?
My buddy J. Walter Hawkes is on the trombone! He also writes for the kids show, Wonder Pets. Live in NYC, originally from Mississippi, used to play together with Norah in a local Big Band. His site: blatomaster.com(click here)
Really bad song to be following Durutti Colum
Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-hi!! minnie the moocher? anyone? no? just me then
Well, if you like this stuff....
lately, when this starts, I think it is Chocolate Jesus. . .
this song reminds me kurt weill's "the ballad of the soldier's wife" which was also sang by marianne faithfull. that's why i like it and that's why i'd like to hear marianne faithfull on RP!!!
Jelani wrote:
Sorry doesn't mean I need to "take it back". What it means is that my intent isn't to offend anyone who may be sensitive to the language, BUT this is my opinion. "You can please some of the people some of the time...."
And one opinion is enough so how about STFU already? Thank you
jarrudy wrote:
right? for some reason, i picture her recording this in her red-accent walled room, in her beige suburban house, on her nice clean surburban street. in the suburb. is it just me?
In the basement. :)
xkolibuul wrote:
If you're really sorry, use the delete button. Barbarian.
Sorry doesn't mean I need to "take it back". What it means is that my intent isn't to offend anyone who may be sensitive to the language, BUT this is my opinion. "You can please some of the people some of the time...."
songbirdfemme wrote:
uninspired, i like the nod to another time and the idea behind it, but where's the soul? norah needs to be down and out before she can sing this type of stuff convincingly
right? for some reason, i picture her recording this in her red-accent walled room, in her beige suburban house, on her nice clean surburban street. in the suburb. is it just me?
When I hear those first notes i always think it's Chocolate Jesus (by ,uh, what's his name) and I'm thinking great! Then it continues and my Chocolate Jesus has a meltdown. :(
Snora Jones
OMG.....i love this song with my little earbuds on.........
I don't get the reason for the popularity of this chick. I have never heard anything I liked, and this sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where's that volume control?
nate917 wrote:
Maybe Norah is stripping for Charlie Brown's teacher.
That's funny. ^_^ I like the song. Not a lot, but it's good.
Ok, regardless what I think of this song on its own merits (I like it, incidentally), it *needs* to be paired with Chocolate Jesus, because EVERY D*%N TIME it starts I go "Oh, sweet! It's Chocolate Jesus!!!" And then it isn't, and I am sad. :(
I like it--it is a welcome diversion for her (though I like her loungy stuff as well), and I enjoy the Tom Waits vibe...
Man, Listen to that trombone talk...
If you're really sorry, use the delete button. Barbarian. Jelani wrote:
So fucking phoney. Contrived ,I mean. Same thing? Sorry for the "F"bomb, but....
open your ears to some different music...it's her own style, which is more than most copy cat groups are doing these days. Agree?
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Gimmicky muted talking trombone ventriloquism. Nice.
Maybe Norah is stripping for Charlie Brown's teacher.
So fucking phoney. Contrived ,I mean. Same thing? Sorry for the "F"bomb, but....
I'm suckin on my chocolate Jesus....
Snorah Jones.....
cupajoe wrote:
Anyone know who is on the horn?
According to Wikipedia, it's J. Walter Hawkes on the bone solo. Nice work.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Gimmicky muted talking trombone ventriloquism. Nice.
Agreed...not a big fan of this song, but kewl effect!
Leave this in the sink.
uninspired, i like the nod to another time and the idea behind it, but where's the soul? norah needs to be down and out before she can sing this type of stuff convincingly
EssexTex wrote:
I don't mean her music, she LOOKS hot
I know Tex. I was just being silly. She is pretty but I don't like this song at all.
pannaramma wrote:
but she'll be sinkin soon... that'll cool her off
I don't mean her music, she LOOKS hot
Anyone know who is on the horn?
EssexTex wrote:
She's HOT!
but she'll be sinkin soon... that'll cool her off
She's HOT!
I like Norah Jones, but I'm not sure her singing style is really suited to the honky-tonk feel this song has. She seems a bit too quiet for it.
Bakaretsu wrote:
Oh God stop the pain. Yetch every song puts me to sleep and sounds the same. nasal norah.
I'm with you my good friend from Burlington, VT near Johnson, VT I believe? A fine town indeed.
Is this some kind of disguised (and weak) social/political commentary?
Oh God stop the pain. Yetch every song puts me to sleep and sounds the same. nasal norah.
a good stripper song now!! Go Norah!! Shesdifferent wrote:
I don't like Norah Jones, but if she sang this back in the 20's or 30's it would be a great stripper song!
This makes me angry
stevo_b wrote:
This is annoying.
Yeh. Very annoying.
Hi, I'm a Mac.... and I'm a PC....
I don't like Norah Jones, but if she sang this back in the 20's or 30's it would be a great stripper song!
This is annoying.
ziggytrix wrote:
this one sounds like Tom Waites ...
I agree!