Like if he stood there long enough that dog'd get up and run
It struck me kind of funny, seemed kind of funny sir to me
Still at the end of every hard day people find some reason to believe

Now Mary Lou loved Johnny with a love mean and true
She said, "Baby I'll work for you every day, bring my money home to you"
One day he up and left her and ever since that
She waits down at the end of that dirt road for young Johnny to come back
Struck me kind of funny, funny yeah indeed
How at the end of every hard earned day you can find some reason to believe

Take a baby to the river, Kyle William they called him
Wash the baby in the water, take away little Kyle's sin
In a whitewash shotgun shack an old man passes away
Take the body to the graveyard and over him they pray
Lord won't you tell us, tell us what does it mean
At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe

Congregation gathers down by the riverside
Preacher stands with his bible, groom stands waiting for his bride
Congregation gone, sun sets behind a weeping willow tree
Groom stands alone and watches the river rush on effortlessly
Wondering where can his baby be
Still at the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe

Very nice!

Some voices go together like a horse and carriage. These two go together like a horse and cabbage :(

I like the Springsteen version, I like Aimee and Michael as solo artists, but this doesn't quite work. The voices really don't blend together very well. The music is nice, though. 

this whole album is strong, new twists on an entire Bruce album...

unique... i dig.

 Lusiano wrote: 
Thanks for the anti-recommendation. I'll beware of it.

Sounds like old santana...

yawn!!!!

I'm not generally a fan of Aimee Mann but this and that Static on the Radio song really works for me.

meh

Love Aimee, don't like the lyrics at all.

Not my favorite version of this song, but it's a great song and their take on it is growing on me.

great voices, pretty good melody ~ totally wasted on pathetic lyrics!!!!

yaaaaaaah!

>^..^<

Daveinbawlmer wrote:

Matteo Lavaselli, an Italo-american songwriter (probably I'm the only one that knows him) make a very bad cover of this song

Well, I'll give this a solid "4" because for once Aimee isn't singing about some asshole that screwed her over and dumped her. So I guess the trend is positive.

rockstarbro wrote: Great story. I gotta agree with you about this version--Bruce's original is more wistful and appealing. It'd be nice to hear more duets from Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, though.

What a great song

Thanks for reminding me on the great soundtrack. It's been awhile! copymonkey wrote:

strawtarget wrote: Just as an FYI: The Holy Rollers were actually a clearly identifiable group. This music fits more into Folk Music, or the music that common people sung on the front porch and possibly at tent revivals. I don't know that the Holy Rollers even had much music or if they did, how well they could sing while rolling on the floor which is where the term originated.

I saw Michael Penn in a small joint in downtown Denver about 20 years ago. Great show. He signed autographs at the end. Since I didn't have any paper he signed a saucer. I lost the saucer but I still have a great memory of the night. This song, however, could do something more to give me reason to believe I could rate it higher than a 6.

joyjoy wrote: They do a really good version of the Beatles "Two of Us" on the I am Sam movie soundtrack. (Get it--cuz it has a bunch of other good Beatles covers too)

Beats the hell out of Captain & Tenille.

Very nice. Such as might be as no surprise given their talent and abilities, but certainly always appreciated. Music itself having a spiritual quality to so many of us, you just can imagine that which Aimee and Michael experience through their superlative singing and song-writing.

I discovered this song at RP--love it.

sandpebble wrote: I really like this song, and further the request to hear beat farmers? I'm missing Country Dick and Jerry.

danimal3114u wrote: I'm 'just' a Christian, but love the song and your comments!

Obviously not as good as the Nebraska track, but still a good rendition. I really enjoy the song as a testament to the human condition of always finding a way to move forward despite tough circumstances. I wouldn't call this song holy roller at all, as I think it speaks more to people's choices (independent of God or religion) to move through their life instead of focusing on how God allows them to move forward. I'm an athiest and still find this song very powerful and moving.

Great version of a great song.

Not really my cup of tea

Not an exceptional fan of this song, but I can appreciate it. It\'s cool to hear a duet between the couple...it\'s the first one I\'ve heard by them so far.

This version is a little dull. Gimme some Beat Farmers!!!

dolfan wrote: Wow, I didn't even realize it was spiritual until you mentioned it, then I started listening to the words. To me it just sounds like some morbidly depressed man singing with an out of phase, high-pitched singing woman. They don't mesh. The overall ambience/feel of the song is depressing to me to the point I didn't even listen to the words. Maybe if Allison Krauss sang it, it might have a chance....

sparkyc wrote: Probably because holy roller music has had a huge impact on the tradition of American music. Even artists who would not call themselves religious are often influenced by it just because it was so pervasive.

mrzipmann wrote: Yeah; I like it too. Why all the hate? Anything wrong with a little spirituality?

mrzipmann wrote: Fact is, most of us don't - look at the ratings.

Why do you all hate this so much?

this one isnt worth the royalties.

this has to be the worst track on nebraska, and this rendition makes it more so. why does RP have to play so much holy roller music?

Shesdifferent wrote: Odd, I like it.

Can I tell you again how much I hate this song?

hope their marriage is better than their harmony

This is a great Springsteen song and this is a real nice cover of it. A fitting tribute indeed. Thanks RP!

Johnski333 wrote: Wow! Bill should play this more often....

This is the second time this track made me turn Radio Paradise off.

"At the end of every hard earned day people find some reason to believe". Still as true as when Bruce sang the original. It sounds a bit odd taken out of its stark "Nebraska" context, but the song stands well on its own. And I have to agree Aimee and Michael's voices compliment each other perfectly.

okelle wrote: You sure you're not thinking of his brother?

How utterly cool when a real-life couple can sing together and their voices are SO complimentary with one another!

Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote: Digital is the new vinyl.... Check it out HERE

I like this...don't know why exactly...soothing I guess..

If I was listening to a duo in apub covering Springsteen songs, I think it would sound like this. I'd be kinda glad to hear it, but I wouldn't expect anyone to record it. Pretty pointless cover, really.

Count me in as both a Michael Penn and Aimee Mann fan

This is the only rendition of any Springsteen Song that I have ever found meaningful.

okelle wrote: They're married. To each other.

Surprising: I never thought Aimee Mann would end up collaborating with a wanker like Michael Penn. I like his music. But he's still a wanker.

Just wnet from 7 to 8. Next time, maybe a 9?

love this song.

Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote: RIP Country Dick

Hope the first lines of the song isn't a hint...

babygirl614 wrote: Ben Harper's "My Father's House" kills on that album.

Oh my gosh, I have this album, I got it as a gift! I'll have to check it out again.

Sympathy to Michael Penn on the loss of his brother Chris. Always so sad to lose one so young (40). RIP.

Christian88 wrote: I'm the inverse- but both should be on RP!

Nighthawk wrote: It is from the Album Badlands - A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen. You can get it on sale at: https://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=2145579

I especially like the parts of this song where they harmonize rather than singing octaves. Wish they'd sing the whole song that way!

bmo wrote: Agreed!!

mach-hog wrote: ... and I had no idea he was married to Aimee Mann. Great combination.

Aaaa... this is nice! Had no idea Michael Penn was a singer. Thanks RP and fellow listeners...

However this was recorded, I wish more artists/producers would use the technique. Love that intmate voice quality.

Like the version. Where can I buy it? I haven't been able to find it on iTunes or Amazon.

Liked the original. LOVE this version. :D

trekhead wrote: Is that the one they nicknamed 'Ballpoint'? Frankly, I think this rendition's as good as Bruce whatshisname's. It exposes a raw quality and intimacy I really like.

This whole tribute to Springsteen's classic "Nebraska" is wonderful. An inspired concept, and also a fine match of singer/song. Not all of them go down easy but that's the nature of this album anyway.

Not quite my bag but kinda nice...

This is just a great song!

trancefussion wrote: I have to agree with you - I really like this.

Y'all be nice to Michael! He's the most talented Penn.

mkd wrote: I prefer Bruce.

Liking the lyrics, paying attention. 9.

i'd prefer aimee alone

Sweet. :chillpill.gif:

Chunnamark wrote: Guys, guys... I know that was a Penn but I think it was the lesser known 'Bic'.

I like the combination of these two voices a lot. Delicious mix of male and female voice on a great song.

hitz wrote: I am sorry but this is just purely gorgeous, exposed heartfelt music. IMO both Aimee and Michael are luminous collectively by the way they interlace their harmonies over their guitars.

While Aimee Mann is extremely talented Penn is Awful. He needs to get off his wife's coat tails and realize he sucks at music! I could do without this song.

jkamm14 wrote: boy, i could have written that myself. the addage about the prophet not being recognised in his own land was probably never truer than in coastal NJ, where the Boss is more than likely to be standing in line at the A&P, or ducking into the dark booth at the back of the restaurant. i had no appreciation of him at all until i heard Nebraska. then i realized what it was every one was talking about.

I grew up in NJ, and was practically force-fed THE BOSS on a daily basis. Well, I resisted the urge to listen to him for many years, but I eventually bought "Nebraska" and it's an excellent disc. So this soulless version of "Reason to Believe" is not my favorite. Michael Penn sounds like he's asleep and just reading the words. Blech.

I like this. And that's amazing, because I usually hate covers of songs I like. Springsteen's version isn't the best cut on Nebraska, but even the not-the-best cut on that album is damned fine. And this, hard as it is to say, might be better. . . .

haoleboy wrote: or during the George W. years for that matter...

civ_pro wrote: These are fighting words!

rah wrote: Agreed. RP also has the Ben Harper tune. Would like to see a few others.

GolfRomeo wrote: I thought he was better in Reservior Dogs...

haoleboy wrote: sooo true. nebraska is my favorite of his albums, and i've never understood why it's always been overlooked in favor of the more "standard" springsteen stuff. and this from someone who grew up running in to The Boss at the A&P every now and again... that said, this cover (and the album of springsteen covers this comes from) is outstanding. highly recommended.

GolfRomeo wrote: Ummm......never mind. Won't swallow that bait. :ziplip: Nice song, though. A really different feeling from Springsteen, but equally good, in its own way. Solid 7.

I like the Springsteen verion better. I remember when the Live 75-85 set came out and there was a radio station in Chicago that played the whole set straight through. I hadn't heard most of the songs and I stayed up late to record it....when I heard this song it gave me chills.

Hush hush. Keep it downdown.

Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote: One of my favorite BF songs!!!.... ROCKS sooooo good, makes this mellow version a real let down for me - even if it is okay

Michael Penn was great in Fasttimes at Ridgemont High, though.

Springsteen's "Nebraska" (1982) was an acoustic tribute itself to the Folkways recordings, Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams (i.e. Luke the Drifter), and even Bob Dylan publicly praised Springsteen's writing. Springsteen said in DoubleTake magazine (1998): > Guthrie was one of the few songwriters at the time > who was aware of the political implications of the music > he was writing - a real part of his consciousness. He set > out intentionally to address a wide variety of issues, to > have some effect, to have some impact, to be writing > as a way to have some impact on things: playing his > part in the way things are moving and things change. Springsteen's "Nebraska" is a singer/songwriter's gem and such an anomaly for 1982. I was coming out of punk/new wave, and hearing this album changed everything. It wasn't a slick album; it was one-take, stripped down acoustic, and didn't have any radio hits. It lead me away from everything that's bad about the music industry and towards music where you could hear the lyrics and the truth hurt. Imagine all that during the Reagan years. :-k

Thanks for the liner notes! (Remember, some folk still think Born in the USA is a patriotic song, including one of our Presidents) ScottFromWyoming wrote:

reindeer wrote: Okay. At the start of the song, a guy's poking a dead dog with a stick, like he thinks that dog'll get up and run. People find some reason to believe. Then a husband leaves. She waits at the end of the road for him to come back. People find some reason to believe. Then a guy gets stood up at the altar. People find some reason to believe. Then there's a funeral. People find some reason to believe. Do you really think Bruce is promoting religion as rational behavior and we all should get into it? It must suck to not be able to hear thru all that noise in your head.

Posted 20 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]

if you want to hear a really rockin' version of this song ... the beat farmers first album (and i do mean vinyl!) "tales of the new west" has the best version of all! one of these days :? i"ll send a upload to bill. will he be to scared to play it? i surely hope not!!!

This song is stunningly beautiful. I gave it an 8 last ime, but it's going up to a 10.

There is just no such thing as too much Aimee Mann. This is really a nicer arrangement than Bruce's Nebraska version.

reindeer wrote: grrr... just because the words "preacher", "bible", "sin", and "pray" appear in the lyrics doesn't make it a song with a religious theme. The song is about faith for sure, but faith in what is not specified, and the writers opinion on that faith is likewise uncertain (except that he finds it kinda "funny"). Your predjudice speaks loudly on your behalf.

I don't like the overly religious them of this song. It mars an otherwise wonderful playlist. Sorry Bill, but I don't like this song at all, despite the sweet voices. Religious crap is still religious crap, no matter how much sugar you pour on top of it.

IMHO Aimee and Michael's voices blend wonderfully. I haven't heard the Springsteen version, but this is very satisfying.

civ_pro wrote: Ugh, no.

When I first heard this i thought Penn was dull, but the more I listen to it the better it gets. Thanks for playing it RP

While Aimee Mann is extremely talented Penn is Awful. He needs to get off his wife's coat tails and realize he sucks at music! I could do without this song.

Beautiful.

i absolutely love this version of this song. Better than Bruce's even.

Fantastic version, but it'd be great to hear the original. The Boss is good food.

Lovely husband and wife piece!