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Sonic Youth — New Hampshire
Album: Sonic Nurse
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2932









Released: 2004
Length: 5:07
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Trace paper flying word
Trace paper flying word break
City skoot hi
City skoot hi alert
Kill us your skum fight blooze
Kill us yourr skum fight blooze blues
Johnny winter
Johnny winter no show

B.B. King just turns on
The New Hampshire boys
Steve and Joe
Have gone beyond
Doing it for life

Unlike buddy guy who has
Decimated the riff bat with one
Hypertonic
Note lead on
Lead on
Comments (320)add comment
Just saw Kim has a solo album coming out soon, I heard the first track and liked it (very SY feel - surprise?!)
Posted 10 months ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Ja, it's something like this I'm needing this morning, to ride to my local park, watching the dogs.
Posted 1 year ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
Time for something of The Haunted Youth
Posted 1 year ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Such an awesome tune. Thanks!
Posted 2 years ago by FatPants2    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

Now I'm wondering how one reads an oral history.


It's not that uncommon actually. Many ancient stories have been told from person to person and then written down. The bible is a famous example. You could call it oral history.
Posted 2 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
Art Rock
Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Anyone else think Fink listened to Sonic Youth in his teens? 
Posted 2 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 martinc wrote:

I hear the foo fighters in this one.



Apparently Dave worried about that... https://loudwire.com/dave-groh...
Posted 2 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
This song always reminds me of going to see B.B. King at the Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, New Hampshire, April 27, 2002.  That was a fun show.  I'm glad we got to see him play before it was too late.
Posted 2 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
 Jakethemuss wrote:

+1 for responsible mask wearing.



So why not make it responsible and cool? Some ideas just make you smile.
Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:

We could definitely use more Sonic Youth on RP!



Was just going to say the same thing!
Posted 3 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
Gotta wonder if Mark Zuckerberg was playing this in his ear when he went electro-surfboarding on some lake (a New Hampshire one maybe) on the 4th of July (of this year) whilst waving a large American flag as he bounced along. Seems like it'd fit that, odd, occasion. 
Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
More Sonic Youth, please!  So glad I got to see 'em before they folded up their sonic tent.
Posted 3 years ago by moto848    [ Reply ]
Say...who is this up and coming band? 

I like their sound. 

Please play more. 
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
+1 for responsible mask wearing.
Posted 3 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
can't believe there is no Daydream Nation on Bill's SY list.
Or anything from Goo
or the Whitey album
Posted 3 years ago by salice    [ Reply ]
 Btravelen wrote:
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
i don't understand the lyrics.

 

Haha.. that was never a factor  in liking a song for me..😉
 
Yeah, the lyrics are the last thing I consider, too.
Posted 3 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:

Yes. New Hampshire natives.
 

Oops. They're not from New Hampshire though it looks like Tyler first saw Perry playing there.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Saw this lot maybe 1996/7 at Lowlands festival in Holland. They were awful. But then I read that they'd had all their instruments and gear stolen before the gig. But then I heard them on record.
Posted 4 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
Ich denke gerne zurück an ein Konzert Ende der 80er/Anfang der 90er Jahre in Nürnberg mit Nirvana als Vorgruppe. Speziell Kim Gordon, einfach  cool anzusehen.

Greetings from Bavaria to all the listeners outside. Stay safe!
Posted 4 years ago by ger-man    [ Reply ]
 dwhayslett wrote:

Now I'm wondering how one reads an oral history.
 
You'd have to ask Thurston Moore about that.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
... after reading the oral history of Aerosmith.
 
Now I'm wondering how one reads an oral history.
Posted 5 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
We could definitely use more Sonic Youth on RP!
 

Yeah! Kool Thing
Posted 5 years ago by NoLoTeks    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
New Hampshire Boys Steve and Joe. 

Let us speculate or deduce. 
I have no immediate answer, but the clues may be sufficient in a song that references Johnny Winter, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. 

Tyler? Perry? 
 
Yes. New Hampshire natives.
Posted 5 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Fantastic!  With 14" of snow on the ground and power out at home, RP is a bonus for coming in to the office!
Posted 5 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
New Hampshire Boys Steve and Joe. 

Let us speculate or deduce. 
I have no immediate answer, but the clues may be sufficient in a song that references Johnny Winter, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. 

Tyler? Perry? 
 

Here is a probable answer for you from an interview with Thurston Moore:

"'New Hampshire' is a song I brought in, written about.. sort of a sentimental thing after reading the oral history of Aerosmith. I grew up in the early '70s in New England, and this book was the first one I'd read to really capture what life was like up there during that time. Being in bands and trying to do something and driving down to New York.. that kind of lifestyle. At the same time, I'd gone to see this blues event at Madison Square Garden that Martin Scorsese did. [Aerosmith members] Steven [Tyler] and Joe [Perry] came out. It was a really genuine thing for these guys. After all the bullshit of fame, drugs and all this stuff, it came down to them being so happy to be in the same place as B.B. King. That really struck me. The song was basically noting certain things happening at this show."
  However, Tyler and Perry are not actually from NH, they are from NY and Massachusetts respectively.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Jeez, just die already !
Posted 7 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
New Hampshire Boys Steve and Joe. 

Let us speculate or deduce. 
I have no immediate answer, but the clues may be sufficient in a song that references Johnny Winter, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. 

Tyler? Perry? 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
1 -> 2....maybe in a year or 3 it'll get to a 5
Posted 8 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
i don't understand the lyrics.

 

Haha.. that was never a factor  in liking a song for me..😉
Posted 8 years ago by Btravelen    [ Reply ]
i don't understand the lyrics.
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Their single best song. Love this.
Posted 8 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
a lot of Sonic Youth lately and that's good, haven't listened for a long time, thanx Bill
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

This particular track is from 04, so it's newer than DCFC who "went mainstream" in the early 00's.  The Pumpkins got big in the early 90s tho a few Alternative fans already knew who they were in the late 80s.  And Radiohead had their first big hit around the same time, even if it took them the better part of the decade to get recognition beyond "oh that band that did that Creep song"...

If any of them were inspired by some older Sonic Youth tunes, that's very possible (especially some of Radiohead's weirder shit), since SY is the eldest of the 4, but this song (the whole album really) is a bit of a departure from SY's previous work, so there might just as well have been some back-influence going on too?

 
Uh, Sonic Youth formed back in 1981 so they have been around much longer than the other bands you are mentioning and were probably a much greater influence on those bands than you're giving them credit for.
Posted 8 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Nice! That crappy smashing pumpkin taste is out of my mouthears now....:)
Posted 8 years ago by Crumblebum    [ Reply ]
For me, this effort is right up there with some of the stellar stuff on (I think) their best, Dirty. Frenzied pulse, killer harmonics -- solid jam!
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Automatic 8 for New Hampshire! Bump to a 9 because it is a great Sonic Youth track!
Posted 8 years ago by JDoonan    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
"Kill us your scumbag blues"? Nurse! My eardrops, please!

 
A ruffian`s soundtrack for Clockwork Orange.
Just drink the wine ............
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
"...-Johnny Winter No-Show"... Just one of the SUMBLIME and SUBLIMINAL seminal moments in this fabulous improv masterpiece...
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Sonic   Nurse rhymes   with  orange.
Posted 9 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 eatingdesign wrote:

This is well before them all I believe. Excellent tune

 
This particular track is from 04, so it's newer than DCFC who "went mainstream" in the early 00's.  The Pumpkins got big in the early 90s tho a few Alternative fans already knew who they were in the late 80s.  And Radiohead had their first big hit around the same time, even if it took them the better part of the decade to get recognition beyond "oh that band that did that Creep song"...

If any of them were inspired by some older Sonic Youth tunes, that's very possible (especially some of Radiohead's weirder shit), since SY is the eldest of the 4, but this song (the whole album really) is a bit of a departure from SY's previous work, so there might just as well have been some back-influence going on too?
Posted 9 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
An album with great songs and horrible songs. Recommended.
Posted 9 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
Bill, I'm sure you could squeeze at least one or two more Sonic Youth tunes into the mix?! ....please.
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . with a sprinkling of Smashing Pumpkins.

 
This is well before them all I believe. Excellent tune
Posted 9 years ago by eatingdesign    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
A better tune than most of either, but this sounds like a hybrid of Death Cab for Cutie and Radiohead. Which one is inspired by whom?
 
. . . with a sprinkling of Smashing Pumpkins.
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
A better tune than most of either, but this sounds like a hybrid of Death Cab for Cutie and Radiohead. Which one is inspired by whom?
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:
This just dosen't get enough play...or maybe just enough. I fricken love it. 

 
+1   I agree totally.
Posted 10 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
Had to find out who this was ... Sonic Youth? ... and something more than noise?  I wish more of their stuff sounded like this.
Posted 10 years ago by GTT    [ Reply ]
This just dosen't get enough play...or maybe just enough. I fricken love it. 
Posted 10 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
This and several other tunes on Sonic Nurse are Godlike.
Posted 10 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]

Man, Bill&'Becca are on a roll tonight!

{#Bananajam}
Posted 10 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Close resemblance to Kashmir's album Zitilites from 2003.
Posted 11 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
"Kill us your scumbag blues"? Nurse! My eardrops, please!
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I started with a 8, just for the pleasure to let it grow. But actually, it's a 20. L O V E that tune
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
this sounds good---esp. in relation to my new menopause medicine!
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Another crankin' tune on an afternoon chock full of them! RP has to be The BEST PLACE TO BE in The Whole Freaking Universe today!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
This is such an awesome tune.
Posted 11 years ago by grant    [ Reply ]
This is a good rocker!  I've heard some earlier Youth from the early 90's, but this one really catches my attention.
Posted 11 years ago by chedak    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:
My little tube amp is getting a bit hot...these volumes! those voltages! OMG! just don't touch it....just dance....watch the glow and enjoy
 

:-)  You need one of those new Svetlana Tube amps with four 6146's in the final .. 1,000 watts RMS ..  and they don't even get warm.
Posted 11 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Good Lord this is as good as or better than anything they've done...YEAH, ROCKIN'!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Live Free or Die
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
We could definitely use more Sonic Youth on RP!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 ra990 wrote:
Thought this was Radiohead for a second...
 
I think Radiohead thought they were Sonic Youth for a second, probably longer.
Posted 12 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 Webfoot wrote:
Sounds a bit like Elvis Costello's voice.
 
Not even remotely to my ear, and that's a very good thing.

Pumpkins to Smiths to Sonic Youth.  Hope the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., or Husker Du are next!
Posted 12 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
 cohifi wrote:
The younger gens seem to be ahead of their times......Fred ?.....anyone
 

Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 ralphf wrote:
Pretty good tune.  Thinkin' the band may now need to be called, "Sonic Middle Age."
 
Great tune. We call 'em "Sonic Long in the Tooth."
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
so cool
Posted 12 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
Sounds a bit like Elvis Costello's voice.
Posted 12 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
My little tube amp is getting a bit hot...these volumes! those voltages! OMG! just don't touch it....just dance....watch the glow and enjoy
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
The surfer equivalent to Philip Glass.
 
My comment is, "That is a cool comment"!
Posted 12 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
The surfer equivalent to Philip Glass.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Bit of an Homage to Joy Division in the beginning, eh?
Posted 12 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Love the Sonic sound!
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
I really like this one.
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
i always think this is radiohead

Posted 13 years ago by triskele    [ Reply ]
Great track by the masters of beautifully harnessed noise, Sonic Youth.

Hope to see them live one day.
Posted 13 years ago by grant    [ Reply ]
YES!  Please more Sonic Youth on RP!
Posted 13 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
The younger gens seem to be ahead of their times......Fred ?.....anyone
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
2004, wow, sounded more like early 80's English band
Posted 13 years ago by carlos65    [ Reply ]
Pretty good tune.  Thinkin' the band may now need to be called, "Sonic Middle Age."
Posted 13 years ago by ralphf    [ Reply ]
To accurately capture New Hampshire, the song needs the roar of a Harley somewhere in the background. 
Posted 13 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
one of heaviest songs played on RP - and that's in a good way
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Heard this and remembered how much I love this song.
Posted 13 years ago by apaethy    [ Reply ]
This is such COOL electric-surfer music. I need this stuff to listen to while I'm getting chores done, and then afterward, I'd love it for a workout. Can't do crunches to it, but it's frenetic enough to keep me motivated until everything was accomplished.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
hey, that is the guitar piece!!!
Posted 13 years ago by petrfas    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
SY is a band I really liked until I bought their CDs and now I can't stand them.
 
Oh, you're just a hoot! {#Roflol} I think the word for you is "mercurial."  You know - like a thermometer - sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down, but you're always unpredictable.  {#Hug} Um, so, wanna send me the CDs, since you can't stand them? *g* {#Daisy}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Sonic Nurse is an all around great album and more accessible than some other of Sonic Youth's stuff.
Posted 14 years ago by shmuelman    [ Reply ]
I like this song more and more all the time. Kind of melodically dissonant. Wouldn't want them to completely give up their trademarks.
Posted 14 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
Like this tune!
Posted 14 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
My kind of nurse {#Chillpill}{#Devil_pimp}

NJ
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Still don't like you guys, sorry.
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2} This has such an infectious beat that I can't help tapping my foot and forgetting what I'm supposed to be doing. Fun song!{#Bananajumprope}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
SY is a band I really liked until I bought their CDs and now I can't stand them.
 
lol....anyone care to comment on this CD? How does the other songs compare to this one (excluding the other two featured on RP)?

Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
So great.
Posted 14 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Hmm...a Sonic Youth song I really like. Interesting.

Posted 14 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
definitely a sonic afternoon

check, thurston!

Posted 14 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
This is a classic, signature piece that expresses the vibe of RP for me.
Posted 14 years ago by petesoper    [ Reply ]
SY is a band I really liked until I bought their CDs and now I can't stand them.
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Thought this was Radiohead for a second...
Posted 14 years ago by ra990    [ Reply ]
play more of this!
Posted 14 years ago by rumblekg    [ Reply ]
Keep going B&R...the last 4 songs have been fantastic!  You're on a roll, and I have to join a conference call in 5 minutes...but I'm going to keep you playing to drown out the noise on the other end of the line.

Thanks RP...
Posted 14 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
This sounds quite a bit like Rain on Tin.
Posted 14 years ago by piefection    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite quotes is from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.

Reporter: "Why are your guitars out of tune?"
Moore: "They're in tune, they're just all tuned differently."
Posted 14 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
I love the word mondegreen. In the immortal words of CCR: "There's a bathroom on the right."

Also love Sonic Youth. Thanks to RP for getting me to buy this album. Excellent.

 fredriley wrote:
"kill us your scumbag blues"? Nice big noise, though - 7 from the mondegreen-afflected Nottingham jury.
 


Posted 14 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]
"kill us your scumbag blues"? Nice big noise, though - 7 from the mondegreen-afflected Nottingham jury.
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I'd like to hear this followed by matt pond PA's "New Hampshire". 
Posted 14 years ago by pinklife    [ Reply ]
 rtb wrote:

I hear Joy Division in the opening.

 

martinc wrote: I hear the foo fighters in this one.

I think I hear my girlfriend screaming "Turn It Down"  ...


Posted 14 years ago by UncleChig    [ Reply ]
...Unlike Buddy Guy who has decimated the riff bat with one hypertonic note lead on!
Posted 14 years ago by Fables85    [ Reply ]
Magic RP ! Today I could listen with fresh ears :) Such a great feeling
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
First time i have heard this track and i have to say i like it a lot.
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
I used to like them a lot - but then I came to China.
After 7 years of constant reference to Sonic Youth I can't stand them anymore. Almost idolized rock heroes, one thousand times copied, making the usual plain statement about the "chinese underground music scene" where there is no evolution whatsoever in lyrics or quality of the musicians. Yes there are exceptions. Too few. The fact that, yes china is not a democracy, and yes the pressure is huge on teenagers and young adults, doesn't make the bands musically interesting. Same with the lyrics. With the high patronage of some foreign bands who seem to make a confusion between political committement and musical creativity.
I guess they think it's necessary. And it only leads to smugness and complacency. Too sad, too bad, so wrong...
Hopefully the next generation has arrived. There are numerous bands in Beijing now (from all over China), lots of venue. And if the young people still only listen to mainstream music, it's changing. Further they are not as obssessed with the same western bands.
May be I'll be able to listen to this music again then.
I'll still give it a 6


Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
Incinerate
Posted 14 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 reindeer wrote:

I've done it ~45-50 mph, which is probably the top speed that the road can be driven safely with a car on dry pavement.
Maybe a motorbike could do better.  My car lifted off the ground at the top.  Seriously.  That road is insane.

BTW, what's a "Sonic Nurse" anyway?

 
Not advised, road is usually in less than perfect condition rocks and gravel at high speeds and hair pin turns are a recipe for road rash...but the straight aways and the Conway side are nice...
all in all, still don't like this song

Posted 15 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
 mjmurphy61 wrote:
Great production on this one. Love it. They made great use of the stereo spectrum with instument placement and separation.
 
Thanks, Mr. Spector, but, um, the song still sucks.

Posted 15 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
LOVE THIS SONG!  That guitar just makes my spine shiver!

{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Guitarist} 
Posted 15 years ago by SirLars    [ Reply ]
 ptooey wrote:

Every time I read a comment like this one, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to yell at some kids to get the hell off of my lawn.
 
Wow, having a bad day? When I read a comment like this it makes me want to throw my drink on the lawn and go make a fresh one. Let the kids play your grass it will grow back.{#Cheers}
Posted 15 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 ptooey wrote:

Every time I read a comment like this one, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to yell at some kids to get the hell off of my lawn.

 

{#Roflol}
Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
Great production on this one. Love it. They made great use of the stereo spectrum with instument placement and separation.
Posted 15 years ago by mjmurphy61    [ Reply ]
A Sonic Youth song that gets more than a meh from this cat. Mostly crappy noise, but this one isn't too bad.
Posted 15 years ago by rush-2112    [ Reply ]