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Norah Jones — That's the Way That the World Goes Round (w/ Richard Julian)
Album: Live in 2004
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1896









Released: 2004
Length: 3:06
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I know a guy
that's got a lot to lose
he's a pretty nice guy
but he's kind of confused
he's got muscles in his head
that ain't never been used
thinks he own half of this town

starts drinking heavy
gets a big red nose
beats his old lady
with a rubber hose
then he takes her out to dinner
and buys her new clothes
that's the way that the world goes 'round.

That's the way that the world goes 'round
you're up one day
and the next you're down
it's half an inch of water
and you think you're gonna drown
that's the way that the world goes 'round.

I was sitting in the bathtub
counting my toes
when the radiator broke
water all froze
I got stuck in the ice
without my clothes
naked as the eyes of a clown

I was crying ice cubes
hoping I'd croak
when the sun come through the window
the ice all broke
I stood up and laughed
thought it was a joke
that's the way that the world goes 'round
Comments (83)add comment
 Kajukenbo wrote:

Seems to me these lyrics are normalizing domestic violence. Granted the violence suggested in these lyrics unfortunately isn't that unusual, but I don't think we should just chalk it up to "that's the way that the world goes 'round." Let's take a stand! And that may start by not playing this song. 

starts drinking heavy
gets a big red nose
beats his old lady
with a rubber hose
then he takes her out to dinner
and buys her new clothes
that's the way that the world goes 'round.


Domestic violence is indeed a terrible thing, but it's real.  It's important to realize that Mr Prine wrote this in 1976, and that may indeed have been his world -- or the world that he observed.  

If domestic violence were completely wiped out tomorrow, it would not change Mr Prine's view from 45 years ago, nor would it change my desire to hear this song.
 AlanNorth wrote:



Sorry but I think you missing the point...
I believe sarcasm and absurdist thought is the lens that was meant to view the Human condition.
Peace be with you ;)


I understand your point and thank you for a peaceful message! I seem to be personally familiar to too many situations in which this behavior is not sarcastic or absurd and instead is a fact of life. I'd like to look at this behavior as absurdist, but experience has taught me otherwise. I thank you for your explanation, but to me these lyrics condone domestic violence, and I'm thinking other people may understand these lyrics from a similar literal viewpoint. For those people, this isn't a very fun song at all.
Great rendition but, start with almost any John Prine song and your start at 7 and go up!
"it's half an inch of water
and you think you're gonna drown"
 PLEASE!!! Raindrops have been spotted in Central Illinois!!!
 Kajukenbo wrote:

Seems to me these lyrics are normalizing domestic violence. Granted the violence suggested in these lyrics unfortunately isn't that unusual, but I don't think we should just chalk it up to "that's the way that the world goes 'round." Let's take a stand! And that may start by not playing this song. 

starts drinking heavy
gets a big red nose
beats his old lady
with a rubber hose
then he takes her out to dinner
and buys her new clothes
that's the way that the world goes 'round.




Sorry but I think you missing the point...
I believe sarcasm and absurdist thought is the lens that was meant to view the Human condition.
Peace be with you ;)
Seems to me these lyrics are normalizing domestic violence. Granted the violence suggested in these lyrics unfortunately isn't that unusual, but I don't think we should just chalk it up to "that's the way that the world goes 'round." Let's take a stand! And that may start by not playing this song. 

starts drinking heavy
gets a big red nose
beats his old lady
with a rubber hose
then he takes her out to dinner
and buys her new clothes
that's the way that the world goes 'round.
 mrtuba9 wrote:
John and Colbert with a special intro...

Never would have come across his music anywhere else.



Thank you for reminding me of this performance. Moist eyes....

"We'll probably to this for the Internet, unless, you know, something terrible happens and we have to cheer the world up on TV show..."
Sweet!!! 2 John Prine songs in a row, first John himself with Fish and Whistle and this cover of the "Happy Enchilada Song"

RIP John, you are sorely missed  

thanks BillG
 Wardleader wrote:

Hey kid be careful, you could drown in half an enchilada!!



Only if you drink way too much tequila with it.
Thank you John.... & Norah!
 stanohlohovec5 wrote:
Too much American style...
 
Obviously, American music is third rate. Let's hear some of that modern German, Slovak, Czech, Egyptian, Ukranian, etc. music that resonates worldwide. How about some modern Chinese music. How about that modern Mongolian music. My point has nothing to do with your perspective, but if you are tuned into a free music stream that originates in America but plays an extremely wide array of music from across the planet, you should be able to take a little bit of Americana. It's World music, isn't it?
 unclehud wrote:
John Prine followed by a John Prine tune done by this duo ... nice work, Mr Disk Jockey!

Like the sparse instrumentation and production.  Methinks Mr Prine would approve.
 

Methinks you're right.
On "John Prine Live" he tells a story of a little girl who thanked him for her favorite song, about a "happy enchilada." He said he didn't recall ever singing about an enchilada, happy or otherwise, but she said it was the one with "it's a happy enchilada and you think you're going to drown." So he said "I'm glad you like the song" to the girl and then sang the verse with "happy enchilada" just for kicks at the concert.
Bill you did it again a JP song by the man and then a JP song by Norah. Thanks I'm in a very John Prine mood tonight. Thank you
 WhiteWater wrote:
It's the "Half an Enchilada" song!
 
Henceforth, I will never hear this song without thinking of this comment 
 mrtuba9 wrote:
 Shotoverplain wrote:
sounds worst every time im subjected to this durge
 
worse, I'm, dirge

And no, I do not agree. 
 

LOL!  Mean neither.........
 stanohlohovec5 wrote:
Too much American style...
 
To much American style!
c.
 WhiteWater wrote:
It's the "Half an Enchilada" song!
 
Nope, "Happy Enchilada" per Mr. Prine.
Love Norah!
Too much American style...
John and Colbert with a special intro...

Never would have come across his music anywhere else.

 danthebeachman wrote:
Artists will be performing and singing the songs(poetry) of John Prine long after he leaves us.
 
John Prine lyrics and compositions are unmistakable and uniquely his.
What sjccroquet said below

  RIP John
 danthebeachman wrote:
Artists will be performing and singing the songs(poetry) of John Prine long after he leaves us.
 
And indeed they are.  Rest in peace, John.
These folk songs all sound the same. Ho Hum.
John Prine followed by a John Prine tune done by this duo ... nice work, Mr Disk Jockey!

Like the sparse instrumentation and production.  Methinks Mr Prine would approve.
i hear too much norah jones
 Shotoverplain wrote:
sounds worst every time im subjected to this durge
 
worse, I'm, dirge

And no, I do not agree. 
sounds worst every time im subjected to this durge
Artists will be performing and singing the songs(poetry) of John Prine long after he leaves us.
 lazylemming wrote:
I love John Prine's story of how this became "The Happy Enchilada" song!
He starts talking about it at 2:10.
https://youtu.be/cNu46mpJC60

 
Thank you lazylemming this is enriching, simple beauty  : )
Norah Jones is lovely. Thanks for this version. New to me. 
 lizardking wrote:
6→7 simply b/c of the imagery of NJ in the bathtub, esp. needing immediate assistance with that ice problem.  I'm sure I could help you out of this, Norah. 
 
7-->8 for that imagery from you! I'd let her sing to me with that image any day!

There should be a law prohibiting Notah Jones from touching a John Prine song. 
6→7 simply b/c of the imagery of NJ in the bathtub, esp. needing immediate assistance with that ice problem.  I'm sure I could help you out of this, Norah. 
Nice but ... why?  Give me Prine.
 WhiteWater wrote:
It's the "Half an Enchilada" song!

 
Hey kid be careful, you could drown in half an enchilada!!
It's the "Half an Enchilada" song!
OMG.  This is wonderful.  

All the way from Kuwait!

Graham 
"naked as the eyes of a clown"    : )          Thank the almighty powers for John Prine  (this versions lame-o)
Made me stop and see who was dueting with Norah - GREAT version! 
 
I prefer the version where John tells a story about a woman at one of his gigs requesting the song about the "happy enchilada".  I can't listen to this song without hearing "its a happy enchilada and you think your gonna drown" now.  

This versionisn't bad... but hopefully we can hear some Prine soon too. 
 MilesW wrote:
I kinda like this version.  Original is great, of course, but this is nice too...

 
Yeah, it is a pretty good version.  It's interesting to hear how different people cover Prine's material, though I always like his versions best.  "Half an enchilada".
boy that's not john
oh well that's the way the worl goes round.  
There ought to be a law, maybe the 11th commandment, Norah Jones is not allowed to cover a John Prine song. Like the laziest, most unoriginal artist doing the most unique. Just shouldn't be permitted. 
Me thinks only John Prine can do this song justice.
Play the happy enchilada song!
Bless you, Bill.  Such a sweet song.
Cant believe that I'm hearing this tune! Loved it when John Prine did it. Love it now!
I love John Prine's story of how this became "The Happy Enchilada" song!
He starts talking about it at 2:10.
https://youtu.be/cNu46mpJC60
I kinda like this version.  Original is great, of course, but this is nice too...
nice musiv
 
One of the very few artist from who i can stand this music!
Nothing wrong with either of these artists - but the orig is still better, IMHO
Muzak!
FallOutOfWindow wrote:
I guess JP is John Prine and NOT Judas Priest
Now that would be an interesting version of the song. I still think JP (John Prine) does it best though.
oufason wrote:
One of my all time favorites. Obviously I believe JP delivers this song best. I would like to hear Lyle do this on his own. I dont think NJ brings anything to it.
I guess JP is John Prine and NOT Judas Priest
Have really come to thoroughly dislike Nora Jones. I have what the Scientologists would call an engram about her. Her precious delivery just really grates on me. And on this song, too. I loves me some John Prine. But I take my headphones off for this version. Hurts.
Buzzardcheater wrote:
BZZZZT! Sorry, but thanks for playing. That, sir, is no Lyle Lovett. That much is certain.
You are correct sir!
One of my all time favorites. Obviously I believe JP delivers this song best. I would like to hear Lyle do this on his own. I dont think NJ brings anything to it.
Guess I'm easy. I don't have any of Norahs stuff and she doesn't get a lot or airplay around here so I like her voice, like Lyle L, like John P, and like this song - great tune while working.
Too popular, people? Tsk tsk... Snobbery will get you nowhere... And I don't even like country...
trekhead wrote:
The correct response is: LYLE LOVETT- End of SUBJECT!
BZZZZT! Sorry, but thanks for playing. That, sir, is no Lyle Lovett. That much is certain.
Fat_Man_Flo wrote:
This is a John Prine song right?
So it was. And so it should remain.
This is a fairly lame cover of a classic Prine tune. Stick with John's original, please.
If it is the Live in 2004 DVD as I posted earlier, Amazon lists the male singer as Richard Julian.
randomprime wrote:
Is it Ravi Shankar?
that would be dad to her... Norah... mmmm... me like.
I like John Prine, and I like Norah Jones. And I don't like this recording. It makes a fun song less fun, and it makes a good singer sound lame.
I am a John Prine fan and this is one of my favorites from him. I also like some of Norahs work, but she doesnt bring anything to this cover. Please play the original
This song is NOT on "Come Away with Me". Since it's LIVE, I'll go see what I can find....
I gave this a '6', only because it's a John Prine song, and even Norah Jones can't ruin that. John's original is far better.
I heard the first few bars and thought, cool - I haven't heard from John Prine in awhile. Guess I'm just a purist at heart, but some songs should NOT be covered. Since Congress wants to legislate stuff they know nothing about, they should legislate that! :P
This is a John Prine song right?
I like it..
When I first heard it I thought it was Rickie Lee Jones, but alas it's the wildly overated (and overhyped) Norah Jones. Maybe they are related ;>
sans wrote:
Thank you for removing all of the humor from this great tune.
really. this is dry. it's a half enchilada...
Jimhrguy wrote:
Anybody know who the male vocalist is?
The correct response is: LYLE LOVETT- End of SUBJECT!
Anybody know who the male vocalist is?
This appears to be on the "Live in 2004" DVD, FYI.
I was hooked on Norah for awhile, but after playing her debut CD eighteen times, it struck me that her stuff kinda all sounds the same. I DO like her paired with someone, though...keeps it from sounding so similar to her previous work.
First thought: Jesus, Norah's been drinking too much whiskey.
Thank you for removing all of the humor from this great tune.