Grant Lee Buffalo — Mockingbirds
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Length: 4:27
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Devastation at last, finally we meet
After all of these years out here in the street
I had a feeling you would make yourself known
You came along just to claim your place on the throne
Now I have been overthrown, overthrown
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
Devastation, my door was left open wide
You brought me into your heart and you swallowed my pride
I had a feeling you were hiding your thoughts
I made a note to myself, I nearly forgot
Now I'm overwrought, I'm overwrought
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
One day this ground will break and open up for me
I hope it will, I hope it will
Salutations at last, I'm down on my knees
I heard the bugle this morning blast Reveille
Woke from a dream where I was in a terrible realm
All my sails were ablaze, I was chained to the helm
Now I'm overwhelmed, overwhelmed
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
After all of these years out here in the street
I had a feeling you would make yourself known
You came along just to claim your place on the throne
Now I have been overthrown, overthrown
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
Devastation, my door was left open wide
You brought me into your heart and you swallowed my pride
I had a feeling you were hiding your thoughts
I made a note to myself, I nearly forgot
Now I'm overwrought, I'm overwrought
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
One day this ground will break and open up for me
I hope it will, I hope it will
Salutations at last, I'm down on my knees
I heard the bugle this morning blast Reveille
Woke from a dream where I was in a terrible realm
All my sails were ablaze, I was chained to the helm
Now I'm overwhelmed, overwhelmed
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
Comments (81)add comment
Nice! The coda and other parts of this song remind me of the lengthier coda from a little-known, early Bowie tune ("Memory of a Free Festival") that repeats the sun machine is coming down and there's gonna be a party over and over. That would be a cool song to segue into or out of with this.
Hope their music arrangers are paid well.
Love this arrangement.
Love this arrangement.
Bat wrote:
Well, Grant Lee Buffalo lead singer Grant-Lee Phillips was born Bryan G. Phillips so you'd probably have to ask him.
Nothing to due with this song – just wondering how common it is to hyphenate a given name, such as Grant-Lee rather than Grant (first name) Lee (middle name)?
I remember that Mary-Chapin Carpenter used to do it but has dropped the hyphen and is now Mary Chapin Carpenter.
No judgement, just wondering. On the other hand, Elon Musk just named his kid “X Æ A-12”, including a hyphen.
Well, Grant Lee Buffalo lead singer Grant-Lee Phillips was born Bryan G. Phillips so you'd probably have to ask him.
Nothing to due with this song – just wondering how common it is to hyphenate a given name, such as Grant-Lee rather than Grant (first name) Lee (middle name)?
I remember that Mary-Chapin Carpenter used to do it but has dropped the hyphen and is now Mary Chapin Carpenter.
No judgement, just wondering. On the other hand, Elon Musk just named his kid “X Æ A-12”, including a hyphen.
I remember that Mary-Chapin Carpenter used to do it but has dropped the hyphen and is now Mary Chapin Carpenter.
No judgement, just wondering. On the other hand, Elon Musk just named his kid “X Æ A-12”, including a hyphen.
I used to work at Largo in LA for many years in the 90s and early 2000s. This brings back good memories of watching Grant perform
Isabeau wrote:
When I saw your user name, I was immediately reminded of Michelle Pfeiffer's character in the movie Ladyhawke, Isabeau d'Anjou. Not a critically great film, but certainly one of my favorites.
rdo wrote:
He was replying to his own post.
![bounce](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
He was replying to his own post.
![bounce](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
When I saw your user name, I was immediately reminded of Michelle Pfeiffer's character in the movie Ladyhawke, Isabeau d'Anjou. Not a critically great film, but certainly one of my favorites.
rdo wrote:
He was replying to his own post.
![bounce](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
He was replying to his own post.
![bounce](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
cosmiclint wrote:
Yeah, sounds exactly like it. Call the lawyers!
"she's leaving home
bye bye"
Yeah, sounds exactly like it. Call the lawyers!
Weirdly enough (and no mind altering substances are in use, save for 2 Ibuprofen and some amoxicillin for a dental abscess (ow!!)), when I hear this tune, I keep hearing the Bruce Campbell intonation of "Klaatu barada nikto" from "Army of Darkness".
Sorry, really not my thing. Tiresome, self indulgent stuff.
![{#Rolleyes} {#Rolleyes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Grant Lee Phillips playing this weekend here at the Avalon In MD, very small audience of about 80. Should be a great show.
early in the day and this quite suave song is very much appreciated : )
Sloggydog wrote:
jealousy
Love it. Great song, band and album. Had the privilege of seeing them live in Brisbane on the tour for their final album as a band Jubilee and still have very fond memories of the guy on the keyboards going absolutely mental during my favourite song off that album My, My, My. Also remember vividly the performance of my 2 favourite Grant Lee Buffalo songs It's the Life and Sixie Drug Store. So damn good. Weird to think how long ago it was and how fresh it seems in my mind.
jealousy
brings me back to when i first discovered glb... strange to see that was over 20 years ago, seems like 10. big love.
I heard this song for the first time when a DJ played it before a set. We were waiting for my friends band to play at The Viper Room in LA. I remember loving it.
Neil Young is dead-on - every kid should get to feel cool - at least once!!! 😄
Neil Young is dead-on - every kid should get to feel cool - at least once!!! 😄
rushed wrote:
Echoes of Echo and the Bunnymen!
Echoes of "Dear Prudence."
Echoes of Echo and the Bunnymen!
Echoes of "Dear Prudence."
Love it. Great song, band and album. Had the privilege of seeing them live in Brisbane on the tour for their final album as a band Jubilee and still have very fond memories of the guy on the keyboards going absolutely mental during my favourite song off that album My, My, My. Also remember vividly the performance of my 2 favourite Grant Lee Buffalo songs It's the Life and Sixie Drug Store. So damn good. Weird to think how long ago it was and how fresh it seems in my mind.
I keep expecting the chorus to turn into "Dear Julia"
Land_Shark wrote:
Lighten up, Francis!
He was replying to his own post.
Lighten up, Francis!
He was replying to his own post.
agbar713 wrote:
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
You tell 'em.![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
You tell 'em.
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Please grant Lee that buffalo - it'll keep him busy so he'll not have time to record more lullabies ![{#Sleep} {#Sleep}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_sleep.gif)
![{#Sleep} {#Sleep}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_sleep.gif)
LOVE love LOVE this song !!!
Grant Lee's voice is like Tiramisu — smooth & complex. I was fortunate enough to see him perform at the Belly Up in San Diego a couple years ago, and even got to meet him after the show to compliment him for his great performance.
![{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
Grant Lee's voice is like Tiramisu — smooth & complex. I was fortunate enough to see him perform at the Belly Up in San Diego a couple years ago, and even got to meet him after the show to compliment him for his great performance.
I haven't heard this song in years!
To me, sounds like Bono. When he's doing that annoying falsetto.
thewiseking wrote:
Me too, and that's no Bull.
love the Buffalo
Me too, and that's no Bull.
love the Buffalo
Nice to hear this. Why do I always forget about the existence of Grant Lee Buffalo when he's clearly so wonderful?
curtkare wrote:
^ agree and have added to my ridiculously long RP inspired purchase list....sigh
I need to hear this more than once a year.
^ agree and have added to my ridiculously long RP inspired purchase list....sigh
I need to hear this more than once a year.
agbar713 wrote:
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
Lighten up, Francis!
this guy is AWESOME - I lOVE THIS SONG!!!!
![devil pimp](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/devil_pimp.gif)
![Mr. Green](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![not worthy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
I like Grant Lee. My wife can't stand him, describes it as nails on a chalkboard. Maybe she is overly sensitive, or maybe my hearing is going.
You say tomatoe and I say tomatow.
![whisper](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_whisper.gif)
Some higher vocal intonations are reminiscent of Supertramp.
agbar713 wrote:
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
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Phillips voice and talent once again kick my ass. I bought his nineteeneighties after hearing his cover of Killing Moon here on RP. An excellent CD.
I guess I'm going to have to buy this one as well.
Not a big fan, but this sounds like the the Beatles which is good!
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I saw GLB open for R.E.M. back in the mid 90s or so. They played this great song. Highlight of the whole night.
"she's leaving home
bye bye"
wow...never heard that before gave me goose bumps, very emotional.
fontainemusic wrote:
LOVE IT....
Yeah, me too.
LOVE IT....
honeygirl wrote:
Robert Plant kinda feel. Or is it just me?
yeah i got it too. good range.
Robert Plant kinda feel. Or is it just me?
I just can't get enough of this song. Almost spellbinding.
great song - one of his best....
If you liked that song, check out the entire album. It's best listened to cover to cover. A complete masterpiece and one of my all time favorites.
![clap](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
terrific.... one of the best from the 90s
I haven't heard this in ages and I never knew who did it - thanks, RP!!
A modern classic.
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
![bounce](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_bounce.gif)
..great song, one of his best.
love that long, drawn out voice.....ahhh..
I just love Grant's silky, smooth voice
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RichardPrins wrote:
![sunny](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/sunny.gif)
![daisy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/daisy.gif)
This is an awesome tune....you can also find it on the Mad Love soundtrack. The soundtrack has some killer tunes as well.
Devastation at last finally we meet
After all of these years out here on the street
I had a feeling you would make yourself known
You came along just to claim your place on the throne
And I have been overthrown
Overthrown
A never-before-heard gem
Indeed some great tracks playing today :D
Fantastic. Excellent line-up today!
In my opinion (I have been warned against using the word "humble"), this is Grant Lee Buffalo's finest tune.
ChardRemains wrote:
Hmmm. Interesting. Cellos nice.
Cellos nice indeed. There's a band name...Cellos nice
Looove this song...
![not worthy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
ebhp wrote:
For anyone who enjoyes Grant Lee Buffalo the band, make sure to check out Grant Lee Philips the solo artist. He's released a handful of solo albums - each one pure bliss from start to finish.
ebhp
amen!! you took the words right out of my mouth!! and you are so lucky to be in the same state as the majority of his live bookings... have you made it to any of the Largo shows? I've had the pleasure of seeing him live three times in Louisville... just fantastic...
![not worthy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
That key change is the best.
For anyone who enjoyes Grant Lee Buffalo the band, make sure to check out Grant Lee Philips the solo artist. He's released a handful of solo albums - each one pure bliss from start to finish.
ebhp
Hmmm...... T.Rex anyone?
BRILLIANT! This is one of my desert island discs.
:sunny.gif:
Hmmm. Interesting. Cellos nice.
cycleman wrote:
first time for these ears...at first I thought it was an obscure Roxy Music project...I like!
You must be kidding....Light years distant from Roxy Music...Thematically and musically
Really love this song - and what a nice guy as well - I had the fortune to meet him (briefly) in Amsterdam! Grant is great :-)
Let's have a little less Grant Lee and a little more Donna the.
SUCH A GREAT SONG!!! THANKS FOR PLAYING THIS! :)
jbwiv wrote:
Ahhh man...haven't heard this in awhile. Chills down the spine. GREAT SONG!!!!
Yes, whoever's responsible for getting this on here, THANKS.
![clap](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
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first time for these ears...at first I thought it was an obscure Roxy Music project...I like!
pretty. :daisy.gif: :sunny.gif: :sunny.gif: :daisy.gif:
what a way to end the workday. we need more grant lee phillips
Woah! What a groove!
I whole-heartedly agree...a great song from a band we don't often hear in our day-to-days! thanks RP...keep the great music going!
Ahhh man...haven't heard this in awhile. Chills down the spine. GREAT SONG!!!!
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Corrected that