10,000 Maniacs — Like The Weather (live)
Album: MTV UnpluggedAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1339
Length: 4:05
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Color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
Shiver in my bones, just thinking about the weather.
Quiver in my lip as if I might cry.
Well by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe.
Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
Shiver in my bones, just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,
What a cold and a rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
Hear the sound of a noon bell chime.
Well I'm far behind.
You've put in 'bout half a day
while here I lie
With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as if I might cry,
What a cold and rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
Do I need someone here to scold me
or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
For it is such a long time since my better days.
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.
The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as if I might cry,
A cold and a rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
A cold and a rainy day I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
Shiver in my bones, just thinking about the weather.
Quiver in my lip as if I might cry.
Well by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe.
Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
Shiver in my bones, just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,
What a cold and a rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
Hear the sound of a noon bell chime.
Well I'm far behind.
You've put in 'bout half a day
while here I lie
With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as if I might cry,
What a cold and rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
Do I need someone here to scold me
or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
For it is such a long time since my better days.
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.
The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as if I might cry,
A cold and a rainy day.
Where on earth is the sun hid away?
A cold and a rainy day I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.
Comments (156)add comment
She makes up for singing flat (she really hits notes on the flat side!) with sincerity and a good back up band. But she is annoyingly flat in pitch! Awful.
Yeah I don't get the Natalie hate train either. I will admit her stuff in the 2000s/2010s is a bit too slow and dreary for my taste, but she has always been a first rate musician. About that Beatles comparison downthread, her best work beats the Beatles' crappier tracks hands down.
One of the poppiest, most upbeat songs about a thoroughly depressing topic. And a perfect encapsulation of all that I loved about the 90s. Love 10,000 Maniacs and this song and this era. 
Bill and I share a love for all things Natalie Merchant. Ignore all the haters and keep playing her songs.
the tribes album is a very good one
The live version is so much better than the studio version. Wise decision to have this one in your rotation. Love the drumming and guitar work. One of my favorite modern pop songs.
The guitar playing is a bit sloppy on this one. Instead of masking the grating vocals it unfortunately draws attention to them.
really where is this hate coming from... she is great.... what's not to like! keep playing Bill!
WHAT A BLAST FROM THE PAST! LOVE THIS SONG!PSD
In this case, GrooveSalad.
In this case, GrooveSalad.
ivanaus wrote:
Saw her and this band live in Charlottesville, VA in late 80's. They were wonderful and Natalies energy and musical soul were captivating,.. now she has matured as a solo artist and her albums from last 12 years have been wonderful, and YES, up there with things the Beatles have done, and I love the Beatles. . And in addition, even great , talented singers and instrumentalists can hit a clunker, or sound different when playing live.
Most boring singer ever. I almost fell off my chair with the Beatles comparison. Stop already!!!
Saw her and this band live in Charlottesville, VA in late 80's. They were wonderful and Natalies energy and musical soul were captivating,.. now she has matured as a solo artist and her albums from last 12 years have been wonderful, and YES, up there with things the Beatles have done, and I love the Beatles. . And in addition, even great , talented singers and instrumentalists can hit a clunker, or sound different when playing live.
Most boring singer ever. I almost fell off my chair with the Beatles comparison. Stop already!!!
h8rhater wrote:
1. Yes she really is THAT good. Also, this is not a Natalie Merchant song. It is a 10,000 Maniacs song.
2. No she is not better than the Beatles, nor does it make any sense to compare the two.
3. She gets the airtime she gets because BillG programs this station, not you.
4. No you can't have a moratorium.
Any more pointless questions?
Saw her and this band live in Charlottesville, VA in late 80's. They were wonderful and Natalie\s energy and musical soul were captivating,.. now she has matured as a solo artist and her albums from last 12 years have been wonderful, and YES, up there with things the Beatles have done, and I love the Beatles. . And in addition, even great , talented singers and instrumentalists can hit a clunker, or sound different when playing live.
1. Yes she really is THAT good. Also, this is not a Natalie Merchant song. It is a 10,000 Maniacs song.
2. No she is not better than the Beatles, nor does it make any sense to compare the two.
3. She gets the airtime she gets because BillG programs this station, not you.
4. No you can't have a moratorium.
Any more pointless questions?
Saw her and this band live in Charlottesville, VA in late 80's. They were wonderful and Natalie\s energy and musical soul were captivating,.. now she has matured as a solo artist and her albums from last 12 years have been wonderful, and YES, up there with things the Beatles have done, and I love the Beatles. . And in addition, even great , talented singers and instrumentalists can hit a clunker, or sound different when playing live.
The version of "Because the Night" that's on this album is an abomination, but this one's pretty good.
So many sour notes. NM constantly sings flat, and the band seems to be negatively influenced.
gjr wrote:
1. Yes she really is THAT good. Also, this is not a Natalie Merchant song. It is a 10,000 Maniacs song.
2. No she is not better than the Beatles, nor does it make any sense to compare the two.
3. She gets the airtime she gets because BillG programs this station, not you.
4. No you can't have a moratorium.
Any more pointless questions?
ok - thats less than THREE HOURS between natalie merchant songs. is she really that good? better than the beatles? how in the name of god does she get the airtime she does? you have thousands and thousands of artists in your library, how about a moratorium on her for a few days, weeks or even years?
1. Yes she really is THAT good. Also, this is not a Natalie Merchant song. It is a 10,000 Maniacs song.
2. No she is not better than the Beatles, nor does it make any sense to compare the two.
3. She gets the airtime she gets because BillG programs this station, not you.
4. No you can't have a moratorium.
Any more pointless questions?
Nickleback of alternative rock :).
Absolute gold. Such a unique voice and a great band and it sounds like a live recording done right.
Simply delightful.
mschnagl wrote:
A stunning discovery, after so many years and records. Congratulations to you!
Or maybe you're just wrong.
She's sings not right in tune. She is flat.
A stunning discovery, after so many years and records. Congratulations to you!
Or maybe you're just wrong.
Bakaretsu wrote:
I vote for forever.............
Natalie Merchant just might be all that.
But I can listen to Ophelia straight through and then do it again.
Even so the Beatles last recording was 45 years ago and they had 3 songwriters, (Ringo notwithstanding). Natalie's self titled release in May 2014 might call for a second helping just outside of 60 songs on this occasion.
if only to bring to light her work to end domestic violence, particularly voilence against women, she's got verve.
I vote for forever.............
Natalie Merchant just might be all that.
But I can listen to Ophelia straight through and then do it again.
Even so the Beatles last recording was 45 years ago and they had 3 songwriters, (Ringo notwithstanding). Natalie's self titled release in May 2014 might call for a second helping just outside of 60 songs on this occasion.
if only to bring to light her work to end domestic violence, particularly voilence against women, she's got verve.
gjr wrote:
I vote for forever.............
ok - thats less than THREE HOURS between natalie merchant songs. is she really that good? better than the beatles? how in the name of god does she get the airtime she does? you have thousands and thousands of artists in your library, how about a moratorium on her for a few days, weeks or even years?
I vote for forever.............
She's sings not right in tune. She is flat.
Connecticut agrees
ok - thats less than THREE HOURS between natalie merchant songs. is she really that good? better than the beatles? how in the name of god does she get the airtime she does? you have thousands and thousands of artists in your library, how about a moratorium on her for a few days, weeks or even years?
Love the Maniacs!
unclelonghair wrote:
I was thinking some lady's singing w/ marbles in her mouth while her poor guitarist is trying to play over her w/ a crappy piezo acoustic pickup.
Sounds like someone is sawing a guitar in half while Natalie Merchant is trying to sing.
I was thinking some lady's singing w/ marbles in her mouth while her poor guitarist is trying to play over her w/ a crappy piezo acoustic pickup.
love her voice - she is so relaxed and confident, however also rich and warm! 
if she's shivering in her bones just thinking, she should put on a sweater.
unclelonghair wrote:
I actually laughed out loud when I read that. Guess I should have typed "LOL," but I hate that.
Sounds like someone is sawing a guitar in half while Natalie Merchant is trying to sing.
I actually laughed out loud when I read that. Guess I should have typed "LOL," but I hate that.
Ya'll freak me out I just turned this beautiful station on started looking saw a album cover with 10,000 maniacs
then BOOM ! came this music
Most Happy Holidays to Radio Paradise and all those "connected"
then BOOM ! came this music
Most Happy Holidays to Radio Paradise and all those "connected"
Just the right song for today...
wow when you turn it up really loud the drums jump right out
great song from a great album.
nochesdad wrote:
Oh I don't know it depends on what you get payed for. She gets payed to sing and puts herself and product to the masses to be judged by buying or not buying. I think criticism is just as fair and valid as subjective praise.
If the music buying public who supports her career cannot judge her, just who can?
I love her voice—-
I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
Oh I don't know it depends on what you get payed for. She gets payed to sing and puts herself and product to the masses to be judged by buying or not buying. I think criticism is just as fair and valid as subjective praise.
If the music buying public who supports her career cannot judge her, just who can?Oh, Seasonal affective disorder. You are why I live in the Deep South.
jagdriver wrote:
Part of my soundtrack to the end of a long, turbulent romance many years ago.
Still sets my teeth on edge.
Just say 
Part of my soundtrack to the end of a long, turbulent romance many years ago.
Still sets my teeth on edge.
nochesdad wrote:
In my humble opinion, this gal's voice is just hard on the ears. There's something "nasal" that just throws me. Wonderful artist and songs, but in short doses. That's all.
I love her voice—-
I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
Perfectly understood, 'dad'. But the opinions of some here are purely personal opinions - not necessarily intelligent ones. Also, I imagine some (like myself) have an extensive musical background in playing/singing - and not just in the shower. So I tend to read some comments with interest, but I pretty much know if someone's saying something with substance attached.I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
In my humble opinion, this gal's voice is just hard on the ears. There's something "nasal" that just throws me. Wonderful artist and songs, but in short doses. That's all.
It's a rich, warm and confident vocal. I'm a fan of Merchant's vocals. My wife and I saw the Maniacs in London in November 1990 a couple of years before we became husband and wife. They were awesome.
I love her voice—-
I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
I have a difficult time listening to people who cannot sing or don't have the courage to produce music trashing someone else's singing.
10,000 Maniacs, Natalie Merchant By northforksound
https://www.flickr.com/photos/26412141@N05/
howard thompson/northforksound.com
All rights reservedJust say
1. So glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks her vocals are oddly stylized. The voice trembling is insufferable.
2. I haven't listened to much of this band's live sets, but does she ever sing off-key! She's singing flat throughout.
2. I haven't listened to much of this band's live sets, but does she ever sing off-key! She's singing flat throughout.
Sounds like someone is sawing a guitar in half while Natalie Merchant is trying to sing.
It is funny how songs can pull you back,exlovers kissing in the night, the bermuda triangle, I never want to back there, but without going there I would never have learned about that part of life.....
Good memories of this song from New Orleans in the 80's...
Have to concur that the studio version of this song is so much better than this.
...i think ten thousand maniacs offered much stronger and dynamic composition for natalie merchant's vocal range than her solo endeavors...
I never liked this woman's voice! 
Ahhhh, one of my faves. Natalie— music to my own ears.
Saw John & Mary at the Nighteagle, a coffee shop which consists of two coffee pots and about half a dozen tables--you get close to the artists. Also met this drummer. Great night for me.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Allright, there quite a lot of idiots posting here, but what on earth was this one thinking?
Yup, he's with stupid, they're both equally awful 
Makes Tori Amos look good.
coentje wrote:
Allright, there quite a lot of idiots posting here, but what on earth was this one thinking?
Shimmer wrote:
I like the band, but after hearing them live like this I can understand why Natalie decided to leave. They're really just not up to her abilities.
-- Brian
The band was a great "accompaniment" a "backing band". Without Nat they were just another bunch of musicians without a leader.
My 2 cents worth, having heard them to many times to date in both studio and live.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Allright, there quite a lot of idiots posting here, but what on earth was this one thinking?
Makes Tori Amos look good.
Allright, there quite a lot of idiots posting here, but what on earth was this one thinking?
dolfan wrote:
I wish the weather here would turn to some cold rain...we desperately NEED it with the fires raging out of control for the 2nd week now. Schools closed for fears of fire, homes burned down, over 95 square miles of forest gone...RAIN PLEASE!!
And I still like the song and this vintage of Natalie.
Don't mean to sound insensitive (or cruel), but maybe that's the price Americans pay for living in swamps or deserts - places they don't properly belong in from an ecological perspective.
Natalie and I both are from the great state of New York where it is both rainy, sunny, snowy and we don't have to drain the wetlands to build our homes or divert rivers to take a shower or water our lawns!
Oh, and the song is great! Love her voice.
Too cheerful of a rendition at odds with the subject matter. Need more gloom, less chipper beat.
RobK wrote:
I found your soulmate
No, just someone else who has somewhat of a clue.
I love the lyrics.
dolfan wrote:
I wish the weather here would turn to some cold rain...we desperately NEED it with the fires raging out of control for the 2nd week now.
If I could, I would send you some of Scotland's cold rain in exchange for some Florida sunshine. In fact we could probably supply half the word with rain if we had some way of exporting it.
ThirdRail_33 wrote:
This take is rather anemic. Please stick with the studio version.
I found your soulmate...
redeyespy wrote:Original. Studio. Version. Only. Please.
This one's pretty anemic by comparison.
I wish the weather here would turn to some cold rain...we desperately NEED it with the fires raging out of control for the 2nd week now. Schools closed for fears of fire, homes burned down, over 95 square miles of forest gone...RAIN PLEASE!!
And I still like the song and this vintage of Natalie.
Another dog pile below. I have all the 10K Maniacs cds and have purposely labeled them with NM if she appears so I can tell the good from the bad. Before NM, they were just another band. Are they still around? Don't know. I know that I do like NM. Quirky. Interesting. Pretentious? Not sure how to tell. But I like the sound. Thank you and good day.
Makes Tori Amos look good.
So many negative comments, but why do the ratings not reflect that? Just curious.
It just reminds me that they did much, much better stuff.
bergjr wrote:
Came back tot he computer after having a nooner with my wife and missed this song. Oh, thank God, it would have ruined the day.
Rumor has it the recording engineer, in the middle of a session walked out and stood in front of a train.
Ha Ha Ha
You
have a wife, Too funny
I guess if this is the first sound you hear upon waking it's best to just keep any comments to your self,although I would like to point out that the previous posters who said "horrible", "barf" and "hate"were exteremely kind and generous in their evaluations. Their comments were much kinder than mine would be.
I'd give this a one if it was a lot better.
Horrible. Especially that piezo-y acoustic guitar sound.
bergjr wrote:
Came back tot he computer after having a nooner with my wife and missed this song. Oh, thank God, it would have ruined the day.
Rumor has it the recording engineer, in the middle of a session walked out and stood in front of a train.
baaaaaarrfffffffff
Came back tot he computer after having a nooner with my wife and missed this song. Oh, thank God, it would have ruined the day.
Rumor has it the recording engineer, in the middle of a session walked out and stood in front of a train.
Hate. 
Love the song.
Dislike this version of it.
aussiepaul wrote:
Out of all RP's playlists, I'm afariad I just can't stand this woman's voice, sorry. 10K maniacs seem to be on pretty high rotation too.
Out of all RP's playlists, I'm afariad I just can't stand this woman's voice, sorry. 10K maniacs seem to be on pretty high rotation too.
This take is rather anemic. Please stick with the studio version.
If you know the weather of Upstate NY, you appreciate this song......
whew!
This sucks so bad its exhausting to listen to. Next time I will press mute I guess.
This sucks so bad its exhausting to listen to. Next time I will press mute I guess. 
10,000 Replays.
Thistle wrote:
*groan*
too much vagina music today...
Bwawahahahahahaaa! I concur!
*groan*
too much vagina music today...
Original. Studio. Version. Only. Please.
This one's pretty anemic by comparison.
Oh geez, I haven't heard this band in years.
cptbuz wrote: 
LOL! I do think more cowbell would improve it. ;)
barf, barf, barf.......everytime this comes on I remember why I hate 10,000 maniacs. 
I personally like tihs version and the acoustic guitar. I also enjoy Natalie Merchant as a vocalist, so what does that tell ya?
Yep, never understood the appeal!
YUCK !!!!!!
Stop playing this Giant Piece O CRAP!!!!!!!!!
PLZ
Paradisiac indeed. 10/10 
Well, I like Natalie's voice!
Get over it.kismet700 wrote:
There! I'm glad someone finally said what I've been thinking for years! Every time I hear "because the night" I cringe and I have to get out my Patty Smith version. Natalie is just down right passion-less!!!
rkread wrote:
I was always annoyed by Natalie Merchant and her pretentious-sounding off-key voice. Still am. Give me Madonna over her any day!!!!!
There! I'm glad someone finally said what I've been thinking for years! Every time I hear "because the night" I cringe and I have to get out my Patty Smith version. Natalie is just down right passion-less!!!
I was always annoyed by Natalie Merchant and her pretentious-sounding off-key voice. Still am. Give me Madonna over her any day!!!!!
halcatus wrote:
I stopped working just to get my password sent to me... logged in, just to say AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Make this STOP!!!.... well.. back to work. Jeez this is awful.
agree...I hate this song with a passion.
I've got a number of Maniacs live recordings. For the most part, their live shows are copies of their studio work with no real variation. This album is a nice change of pace. Good song, good disc.
Natalie could make a shopping list sound wonderful if she was to sing it...
Thank god for her!
I stopped working just to get my password sent to me... logged in, just to say AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Make this STOP!!!.... well.. back to work. Jeez this is awful.
Sometimes, you just need to take life a little less seriously.... I like the CD version much better.
coldatlantic wrote:
I don't mind NM's voice, but the energy of this song totally dissipates in those little breaks. Feels like it falls apart about a dozen times. Whoever wails away on the cowbell about 10 feet away from the mic doesn't help.
"I got a FE-ver, and the only prescription . . . is more cowbell!
Always loved this verion, sharp playing, no hiding under the studio credo of "We'll fix it in the mix"
Also, eight straight days of rain here in RI make for a good fit. How about Zep's "rain Song" next?
Great guitar work. It was fun to watch him play during the MTV performance.
mig7 wrote:
I am so over this woman.
Can you give me her phone number then?
Johray63 wrote:
No, you didn't and I find your description also very fitting, though I think it also has "a certain" charm to it, because of that. Lets say it sounds disarming, but thank god for them there's a remedy for things like this in the studio!
If those Unplugged series proofed one thing, it's that those sixties and seventies artists can rÚally sing and play, while more contemporary artists often seemed to miss the studio environment!
The Sex Pistols (or punk movement in general) ended the era where bandmembers needed to be skillfull musicians/singers in order to be successful. I think punk was more about attitude/expression than about musical skill, they didn't care if they didn't sound good or only knew 3 chords. Nowadays it's different indeed because technology can mask lack of skill.
physicsgenius wrote: 
So tired of that voice.
Oh me too. Sounds very ordinary (I'm being polite, I mean booooring)
physicsgenius wrote:Also, how can this song be from an unplugged album when it clearly has a (cheesy Casio) keyboard in it?
I guess it runs on batteries!!
physicsgenius wrote:
So tired of that voice.
Glad you repeated that. It's such an insightful comment, it clearly needed to be reiterated...
So tired of that voice.
Also, how can this song be from an unplugged album when it clearly has a (cheesy Casio) keyboard in it?
Like this song but not this version - too slow. the original is peppy.
:headshake: 8O I don't mind NM's voice, but the energy of this song totally dissipates in those little breaks. Feels like it falls apart about a dozen times. Whoever wails away on the cowbell about 10 feet away from the mic doesn't help.
a song from the good old days, before Natalie Merchant's voice began to grate on my ears...
I am so over this woman.
Yow... is she pitch deaf or something?
Johray63 wrote:
No, you didn't and I find your description also very fitting, though I think it also has "a certain" charm to it, because of that. Lets say it sounds disarming, but thank god for them there's a remedy for things like this in the studio!
If those Unplugged series proofed one thing, it's that those sixties and seventies artists can rÚally sing and play, while more contemporary artists often seemed to miss the studio environment!
Agreed - having actual "craft" and talent seemed to take a back seat long ago to studio (and now live) tricks and hype. Classic style over substance.
And yes, she is off key and missing notes for much of this Unplugged album Guess you had to be there....?
This sond is so over played on most radio stations. It is best relegated to the easy listening stations. 8-<
Hopedaddy wrote:
I am a 10K Maniacs fan, believe me, but my god the woman misses notes all over the Unplugged disc. This song especially-- sounds like a middle school talent show entry. Am I the only one hearing it?
No, you didn't and I find your description also very fitting, though I think it also has "a certain" charm to it, because of that. Lets say it sounds disarming, but thank god for them there's a remedy for things like this in the studio!
If those Unplugged series proofed one thing, it's that those sixties and seventies artists can rÚally sing and play, while more contemporary artists often seemed to miss the studio environment!
I am a 10K Maniacs fan, believe me, but my god the woman misses notes all over the Unplugged disc. This song especially-- sounds like a middle school talent show entry. Am I the only one hearing it?
I would have to call this song one of the most overplayed songs of all time, therefore completely destroying my enjoyment of it. Believe me, I love "In My Tribe" as one of the best albums of the 80s, but nothing like hearing one of the lesser songs played ad nauseum to really make it suck!