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Dar Williams — Are You Out There
Album: End Of The Summer
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 691









Released: 1997
Length: 3:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Perhaps I am a miscreation
No one knows the truth, there is no future here
And you're the DJ speaks to my insomnia
And laughs at all I have to fear
Laughs at all I have to fear
You always play the madmen poets
Vinyl vision grungy bands
You never know who's still awake
You never know who understands and

Are you out there, can you hear this?
Jimmy Olson, Johnny Memphis,
I was out here listening all the time
And though the static walls surround me
You were out there and you found me
I was out here listening all the time

Last night we drank in parking lots
And why do we drink? I guess we do it 'cause
And when I turned your station on
You sounded more familiar than that party was
You were more familiar than that party
It's the first time I stayed up all night
It's getting light, I hear the birds
I'm driving home on empty streets
I think I put my shirt on backwards

Are you out there, can you hear this
Jimmy Olson, Johnny Memphis
I was out here listening all the time
And though the static walls surround me
You were out there and you found me
I was out here listening all the time

And what's the future, who will choose it?
Politics of love and music
Underdogs who turn the tables
Indie versus major labels
There's so much to see through
Like our parents do more drugs than we do
Oh...

Corporate parents, corporate towns
I know every TV set that has them lit
They preach that I should save the world
They pray that I won't do a better job of it
Pray that I won't do a better job
So tonight I turned your station on just so I'd be understood
Instead another voice said I was just too late
And just no good...

Calling Olson, calling Memphis
I am calling, can you hear this?
I was out here listening all the time
And I will write this down
and then I will not be alone again, yeah
I was out here listening
Oh yeah, I was out here listening
Oh yeah, I am out here listening all the time
Comments (94)add comment
26-ish yrs since release &, still sounds "freshly" produced! Amazing! Thnx B & R! LLRP!! 
Posted 1 year ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
This would play before or after Springsteen's Radio Nowhere. 
 

what he said
Posted 3 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]

I saw Dar years ago at a Lilith Fair - suffice to say she blew the crowd away.  Her warmth, charm, and stage presence is amazing.  
Posted 3 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
"I think I put my shirt on backwards"

This happens to me all of the time-- especially with tank tops that have the bigges neck opening in the world 
Posted 3 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
This would play before or after Springsteen's Radio Nowhere. 
Posted 3 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:
This is a mess.

 
I like the lyrics.
Posted 8 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I love this song, but not the studio album version of it.  It's much better live.
Posted 8 years ago by membeth    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:
This is a mess.

 
yep, so stressful and frantic, like a mom with kids in a minivan or a dad with money on a losing football team
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]

         I Knew You Even Before I Saw You.
                 
               
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
This is a mess.
Posted 9 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Sorta cool that Bill played a song by 'Cry Cry Cry' a little bit ago. Ms. WIlliams is in that group. Coincidence? Unlikely.
Posted 9 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:

She's on my list of songwriters whose songs have more influence than the singer did.  I hope she continues to write songs, even if she doesn't want to perform them.  
 
Looking back with hindsight of 4 years, I think that 2011 just happened to have been a period when Williams was busy writing In the Time of the Gods and taking care of her 2 small children.  She's toured extensively since In the Time of the Gods came out in 2012, including a tour promoting the 20th anniversary of the release of The Honesty Room and she's touring right now in support of her new album, Emerald.
Posted 9 years ago by pallasathene82    [ Reply ]
First class songwriter and performer. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
good stuff
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
Aaaa, gotta dig this CD out of storage.
Thanks for playing Dar again.
/Now, if only she could tour in Canada again, I'd be a happy boy.
Posted 12 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Listening to this earlier this evening, I felt compelled to raise my rating from 8 to 9.  And then, Bill segued from this song to Regina Spektor's ON THE RADIO!  What a treat!

Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 PeaceInIraq wrote:

Dar Williams is most excellent. I've had the pleasure of meeting her, and she's very down-to-earth. Sadly, she hasn't done much musically since she done got married. I think she's now writing childrens' books.


 
She's on my list of songwriters whose songs have more influence than the singer did.  I hope she continues to write songs, even if she doesn't want to perform them.  

Posted 13 years ago by james_of_tucson    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
painful
 
A comment with no hint of irony...  not sure what to make of that!  As for me, this unfamiliar tune perked me up!  Love it!
{#Bananasplit}

Posted 13 years ago by Aegean    [ Reply ]
painful
Posted 13 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
lol, that is exactly what i thought as well and was wondering if Bill would ever do that do us....{#Headache}

 rtwingo wrote:
Shakira-ish...
 


Posted 13 years ago by moonsaura    [ Reply ]

I still have my t-shirt from a Dar concert that reads I think I put my shirt on backwards. {#Mrgreen}


Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
It's lyrics-time again...
Perhaps I am a miscreation
No one knows the truth there is no future here
And you're the DJ speaks to my insomnia
And laughs at all I have to fear
Laughs at all I have to fear
You always play the madmen poets
Vinyl vision grungy bands
You never know who's still awake
You never know who understands and

Are you out there, can you hear this?
Jimmy Olson, Johnny Memphis,
I was out here listening all the time
And though the static walls surround me
You were out there and you found me
I was out here listening all the time

Last night we drank in parking lots
And why do we drink? I guess we do it cause
And when I turned your station on
You sounded more familiar than that party was
You were more familiar than that party
It's the first time I stayed up all night
It's getting light I hear the birds
I'm driving home on empty streets
I think I put my shirt on backwards

Are you out there, can you hear this
Jimmy Olson , Johnny Memphis
I was out here listening all the time
And though the static walls surround me
You were out there and you found me
I was out here listening all the time

And what's the future, who will choose it?
Politics of love and music
Underdogs who turn the tables
Indie versus major labels
There's so much to see through
Like our parents do more drugs than we do
Oh....

Corporate parents, corporate towns
I know every TV set that has them lit
They preach that I should save the world
They pray that I won't do a better job of it
Pray that I won't do a better job
So tonight I turned your station on just so I'd be understood
Instead another voice said I was just too late
And just no good....

Calling Olson, Calling Memphis
I am calling, can you hear this?
I was out here listening all the time
And I will write this down
and then I will not be alone again yeah
I was out here listening
Oh yeah I was out here listening
Oh yeah I am out here listening all the time


Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Love me some Dar. It's been way too many years since I've seen her perform in person.
Posted 14 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
I'm a total admirer of Dar Williams. She always makes me listen more closely, because her lyrics take so much room in the song that she could probably just sing a cappella.  Still trying to decipher "Alleluia," and there are a half-dozen other songs I love, but haven't had time to really hear in detail, so I just go to the darned lyrics-search page to read what she's singing, and then I realize that the fact that she puts these amazing lyrics to music is just icing on the cake and....

I'm babbling, aren't I?  I should have just stopped with the first sentence, but I so love Dar Williams' music that I feel like I should explain myself in detail and... Guh. Doing it again.

Shutting up now. (And where is that stupid DOH icon?) {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
No, I think not.  Sorry, Dar.
Posted 14 years ago by rluking    [ Reply ]
an horrendous assault on my senses... —-> 1
Posted 14 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]
The lyrics are either obnoxious or brilliant, I can't tell which.
Posted 14 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
Shakira-ish...
Posted 15 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
Wow...she talks too much.
Posted 15 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Its Dat Der Dar Williams again...Good song though :)
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
She has a good pirate name...Darrrrrr. 
 
{#Lol}

Posted 15 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
She has a good pirate name...Darrrrrr. 
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Just saw her at Bele Chere here in Asheville, NC. Lovely.
Posted 15 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
 beardp wrote:
driving to work at 5am on a saturday with the aurora blazing across the sky and no one else (except for maybe a moose) on the road
 
I can relate to that! {#High-five}
Posted 15 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
Bill must not play this very often!  I like it but I swear I have never heard it before!  I think I would have noticed had it come on!
Posted 15 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]

Dar Williams is most excellent. I've had the pleasure of meeting her, and she's very down-to-earth. Sadly, she hasn't done much musically since she done got married. I think she's now writing childrens' books.


Posted 15 years ago by PeaceInIraq    [ Reply ]
Probably one of my favorite Dar songs of all time!!!  {#Hearteyes}
Posted 15 years ago by sporkster    [ Reply ]
Wash your hands before dinner!
Posted 16 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
This isn't doing so well on the first impression.
Posted 16 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Just an all-around good old girl. No sexism implied. {#Angel}
Posted 16 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
This blows.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
I don't know what it is about this one, but it gives me chills. Think I'll bump it up to 9. A remarkable song.
 

i agree. driving to work at 5am on a saturday with the aurora blazing across the sky and no one else (except for maybe a moose) on the road helps...
Posted 16 years ago by beardp    [ Reply ]
Die-aye-aye-aye, ay carumba, my head hurts :(
Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Yup.  A girl I like.  It's a miracle.
Posted 16 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
I don't know what it is about this one, but it gives me chills. Think I'll bump it up to 9. A remarkable song.
Posted 16 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
burdell wrote:
Does anyone else hear Shakira? That mini-chorus sounds awfully familiar.
Ay. Ay. Ay. Ay. Whenever! Wherever! -yeah i hear it too.
Posted 16 years ago by pugifat    [ Reply ]
Dar, she blows. Arrrr.
Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This is the Soundtrack of RP =)
Posted 16 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Does anyone else hear Shakira? That mini-chorus sounds awfully familiar.
Posted 16 years ago by burdell    [ Reply ]
...i think i figured out whose hands are on the cover of jeff beck's last album...
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Fantastic song. First heard it driving I40 between Tucumcari and Amarillo years ago around sunset. Its an amazing tune for those attached to the radio....and says a lot about RP too. Great album.
Posted 17 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
stevo_b wrote:
Real good in concert...
bragger!!
Posted 17 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
enidualc wrote:
i bet she's good in concert
Real good in concert...
Posted 17 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
Contaminator wrote:
Great lyrics!!!
the intro on "out there live" adds to them....
Posted 17 years ago by beardp    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Contaminator    [ Reply ]
pannaramma wrote:
I like the song, especially the lyric. But not the "eye yi yi eye yiiii"
I thought that was the best part of this otherwise unnotable song.
Posted 17 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
i bet she's good in concert
Posted 17 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
I like the song, especially the lyric. But not the "eye yi yi eye yiiii"
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
We always go see Dar when she's in town. Always an enjoyable evening. She looks like she should have a pair of little shiny wings.
Posted 17 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
As someone below mentioned as well, I keep thinking she's Suzanne Vega...
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Love this album. Great for driving.
Posted 17 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Generally, I get burned out on the "chicks with guitars" genre pretty quickly (mostly because my wife listens to it obsessively) but I gotta say that Dar is very talented, both musically and lyrically. Took my wife to see her last summer when she was in Portland, and it was a great show. And nothing's worse than saying you don't care for something, only to later develop an appreciation for it and have your wife razz you about it... hopefully she won't read this sinful little confession...
Posted 17 years ago by roseap    [ Reply ]
Please Listen to her... "out There Live" was the only album I'd ever had of hers. What she slightly lacks in pitch or strength of voice is made up for in melodic sensibility and sincere phenominal lyrics!
Posted 18 years ago by Wadro13    [ Reply ]
topherg87 wrote:
im not 100% sure, but i think i really liked that. I think it'll take a second listen to be absolutely positive.
yeah-- I'm right with you on that.... it just seeeped into my brain and demanded attention! A lot going on there..... I think.... !
Posted 18 years ago by chucklesalmon    [ Reply ]
im not 100% sure, but i think i really liked that. I think it'll take a second listen to be absolutely positive.
Posted 18 years ago by topherg87    [ Reply ]
they preach that i should save the world they pray that i won't do a better job of it pray that i won't do a better job
Posted 18 years ago by TobiMc3    [ Reply ]
I always love to hear some Dar.
Posted 18 years ago by pixidrizzl    [ Reply ]
Go Dar Go! I'm glad any time I find a woman's singing voice I like
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
Cool song with great vocals. The guitar sounds like a Robert Fripp/Andy Summers-influenced soundscape.
Posted 18 years ago by Kevstar    [ Reply ]
she's a world of talented.
Posted 18 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
magicnumber wrote:
Are you out there, can you hear this, Jimmy Olsen, Johnny Memphis I was out here listening all the time, And though the static walls surround me You were out there, and you found me, I was out here listening all the time.
Welcome to the River Sound Cafe, I'm Johnny Memphis. The first question I ask all my guests is, 'what did you have for breakfast this morning'?
Posted 18 years ago by Chunnamark    [ Reply ]
Granted, I haven't actually heard this song on RP but I have listened to it many many times, one of my favorites by her. I also have very little of her music, though it's not really intentional... Dar went to my university a few years before I did, and then lived out in western MA. This song is about her finding a radio station that specialized (still does) in folk, indie, acoustic, progressive music, not too unlike RP, music she probably didn't hear much of anywhere else at the time. Maybe I like it so much because it reminds me of my own years in college in that area: feeling rough at dawn after a long night out, not sure if anyone else thought like you did, having the weight of a forthcoming future on your mind, finding a refuge in music... Perhaps I am a miscreation, No one knows the truth, There is no future here. And you're the deejay speaks to my insomnia And laughs at all I have to fear, Laughs at all I had to fear. You always play the madmen poets, Vinyl vision grungy bands, You never know who's still awake, You never know who understands and Are you out there, can you hear this, Jimmy Olsen, Johnny Memphis I was out here listening all the time, And though the static walls surround me You were out there, and you found me, I was out here listening all the time. Last night we drank in parking lots, And why do we drink, I guess we do it cause. And when I turned your station on, You sounded more familiar than that party was, You were more familiar than that party, It's the first time I stayed up all night, It's getting light, I hear the birds, I'm driving home on empty streets, I think I put my shirt on backwards, Are you out there, can you hear this, Jimmy Olsen, Johnny Memphis I was out here listening all the time, And though the static walls surround me You were out there, and you found me, I was out here listening all the time. What's the future, who will choose it, Politics of love and music, Underdogs who turn the table, Indie verus major labels, There's so much to see through, Like our parents do more drugs than we do. Corporate parents, corporate town, I know every TV set that has them lit. They preach that I should save the world They pray that I won't do a better job of it, Pray that I won't do a better job, So tonight I turn your station on, Just so I'd be understood, Instead another voice said I was just too late and just no good. Calling Olsen, calling Memphis, I am calling, can you hear this? I was out here listening all the time. And I will write this down and then I will not be alone again, yeah, I was out here listening, I was out here listening, I am out here listening all the time.
Posted 18 years ago by magicnumber    [ Reply ]
Bocephus wrote:
that's EASTERN Iowa that's hilly...most of Western IA is flat as a pancake.
No offense, Bocephus, but Western Iowa is well known for being very hilly, esp. along the Western border...the Loess Hills region is actually well known...and pretty scenic, for Iowa.
Posted 18 years ago by Ender43    [ Reply ]
What an oddity this track is. It's like I'm listening to Alanis Morissette, The Corrs and Sinead 'O Connor after they've all been in the same wash cycle together. oooh this is so surreal
Posted 18 years ago by maLeFunKtion    [ Reply ]
fatport wrote:
Two points. Western Iowa is actually quite hilly, and in the song in question (Iowa) the hills of Iowa are a metaphor for womens' breasts. Some lesbian thing.
that's EASTERN Iowa that's hilly...most of Western IA is flat as a pancake.
Posted 19 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
I have to say, that was truly horrid! I'm trying to erase it from my mind!
Posted 19 years ago by JGD    [ Reply ]
fatport wrote:
Two points. Western Iowa is actually quite hilly, and in the song in question (Iowa) the hills of Iowa are a metaphor for womens' breasts. Some lesbian thing.
Well, you're half right. That's what the song's about, but according to Dar (who's straight - not that it matters) there's nothing lesbina about it, and she was rather surprised that people had read that into the song.
Posted 19 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
What can I say - this songs sucks !
Posted 19 years ago by JGD    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by podaddy: Ooof. Whatever you do, don't listen to the words. Come to think of it, don't listen to the music either. Is there an instrument that does not have an "on" switch in this track?
Ooof is right.
Posted 21 years ago by wildflower    [ Reply ]
Have two tix for tomorrow night to see her in concert here in little ole Fairbanks - I CAN\'T WAIT!
Posted 21 years ago by marycrichards    [ Reply ]
Ooof. Whatever you do, don\'t listen to the words. Come to think of it, don\'t listen to the music either. Is there an instrument that does not have an \"on\" switch in this track?
Posted 21 years ago by podaddy    [ Reply ]
I don\'t know Dar Williams as well as some posters here, so I have to accept the general consensus that her other stuff is better than this - which intrigues me, since I just dropped in to rate this song \"Quite Likeable\"!
Posted 21 years ago by horseplayer    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ThirdRail_33: Dar Williams - the only singer song writer I know who has wriiten a beautiful song about a flat state - Iowa. Please play.
Two points. Western Iowa is actually quite hilly, and in the song in question (Iowa) the hills of Iowa are a metaphor for womens' breasts. Some lesbian thing.
Posted 21 years ago by fatport    [ Reply ]
Dar Williams - the only singer song writer I know who has wriiten a beautiful song about a flat state - Iowa. Please play.
Posted 21 years ago by ThirdRail_33    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by great_one: Ay yai yai yuck! This is kinda painful.
Agreed. I like some of her songwriting but unfortunately her voice is really grating.
Posted 21 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
Not bad... not outstanding .... but not bad
Posted 21 years ago by Heathen    [ Reply ]
I\'ve decided this song is Outstanding! :)
Posted 21 years ago by Mot    [ Reply ]
:D
Posted 22 years ago by mytongue    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by jsjacob: Her voice reminds me of Suzanne Vega. I like Suzanne Vega. I like this, too. I haven't heard much Dar, though.
That's who I thought it was until I came and looked at the site. There's a little bit of Delores O'Reirdon in there as well. Great song though.
Posted 22 years ago by zaknafein    [ Reply ]
Her voice reminds me of Suzanne Vega. I like Suzanne Vega. I like this, too. I haven\'t heard much Dar, though.
Posted 22 years ago by jsjacob    [ Reply ]