Robert Plant — Please Read the Letter
Album: Raising SandAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 561
Length: 5:44
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Caught out running
With just a little too much to hide
Maybe baby
Everything's gonna turn out fine
Please read the letter
I mailed it to your door
It's crazy how it all turned out
We needed so much more
Too late, too late
A fool could read the signs
Maybe baby
You'd better check between the lines
Please read the letter,
I wrote it in my sleep
With help and consultation from
The angels of the deep
Ah, ahahah ahah, ahahah
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Once I stood beside a well of many words
My house was full of rings and
Charms and pretty birds
Please understand me,
My walls came falling down
There's nothing here that's left for you
But check with lost and found
Ah, ahahah ahah, ahahah
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Oh!
One more song
Just before we go
Remember baby,
You gotta reap just what you sow
Please read my letter
And promise me you'll keep
The secrets and the memories
We cherish in the deep
Please read the letter
I mailed it to your door
It's crazy how it all turned out
We needed so much more
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Oh, oh, oh
Please read the letter
Please read the letter
Please read the letter
Oh, yeah, oh, oh, oh, oh....
With just a little too much to hide
Maybe baby
Everything's gonna turn out fine
Please read the letter
I mailed it to your door
It's crazy how it all turned out
We needed so much more
Too late, too late
A fool could read the signs
Maybe baby
You'd better check between the lines
Please read the letter,
I wrote it in my sleep
With help and consultation from
The angels of the deep
Ah, ahahah ahah, ahahah
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Once I stood beside a well of many words
My house was full of rings and
Charms and pretty birds
Please understand me,
My walls came falling down
There's nothing here that's left for you
But check with lost and found
Ah, ahahah ahah, ahahah
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Oh!
One more song
Just before we go
Remember baby,
You gotta reap just what you sow
Please read my letter
And promise me you'll keep
The secrets and the memories
We cherish in the deep
Please read the letter
I mailed it to your door
It's crazy how it all turned out
We needed so much more
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Please read the letter that I wrote
Oh, oh, oh
Please read the letter
Please read the letter
Please read the letter
Oh, yeah, oh, oh, oh, oh....
Comments (205)add comment
For some reason, in my head, the lyrics have morphed into "Please leave a message at the tone" or "Please leave a message, I'm not at home."
robco1 wrote:
A song that burrows into your head and stays is called an Ohrwurm (earworm) in german.
According to Wikipedia, the treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder can help with worm removal, although you have to spend months taking a selective seretonin reuptake inhibitor - Prozac, Seroxat - which might seem a little out of proportion to the problem. Or there is a web site called Maim that tune which offers worm replacements.
'Stranded on a peak in the Andes in 1985, mountaineer Joe Simpson - starved, dehydrated and in agony from a broken leg - suddenly found Boney M's song "Brown Girl in the Ring" playing in his head, for hours on end. "Bloody hell," he remembers thinking, "I'm going to die to Boney M."' From the UK Independent newspaper review of Touching the void, the 2003 film version of Joe Simpsons book.
Hum "The Girl From Ipanema" repeatedly; it will erase the most stubborn song stuck in your head. Of course, then you have "The Girl From Ipanema" stuck in your head, but nothing is perfect . . . 
A song that burrows into your head and stays is called an Ohrwurm (earworm) in german.
According to Wikipedia, the treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder can help with worm removal, although you have to spend months taking a selective seretonin reuptake inhibitor - Prozac, Seroxat - which might seem a little out of proportion to the problem. Or there is a web site called Maim that tune which offers worm replacements.
'Stranded on a peak in the Andes in 1985, mountaineer Joe Simpson - starved, dehydrated and in agony from a broken leg - suddenly found Boney M's song "Brown Girl in the Ring" playing in his head, for hours on end. "Bloody hell," he remembers thinking, "I'm going to die to Boney M."' From the UK Independent newspaper review of Touching the void, the 2003 film version of Joe Simpsons book.
Plant sounds like he stumbled into the orgasmatron at the end, there.
Some say that when played backwards at 78rpm, this track includes a subliminal message that encourages fifty-somethings to join the postal service.
despite mountains of accolades, this song/cd does very little for me, though I appreciate both artists a great deal....
Hannio wrote:
The ghost of Robert past looks on in horror at what he has become.
Check out the photos of him as he tours with Alisson singing the songs from Raising Sand; horror is not something you're not likely to see.
I bet this would get a lot more 8s if there were a few more lyrics/less repeats
andrewimft wrote:
They don't like it because it isn't what they're used to hearing from Robert and Allison, so that's not ok, Plant and Krauss need to get back into their little boxes and perform in the same format people are used to, like trained monkeys.
First off, I'd give them praise for trying something different as artists, and second it comes through that it's actually excellent music once you sit down and listen to the CD 2 or 3 times all the way through.
I've sat through the CD a couple of times and though I admire the musicianship and the blending of the vocals, it just doesn't work for me. Apart from that, I'm very capable of listening outside of the box, thank you very much.
madaxeman wrote:
Some of you don't like this?
W.T.F.?
They don't like it because it isn't what they're used to hearing from Robert and Allison, so that's not ok, Plant and Krauss need to get back into their little boxes and perform in the same format people are used to, like trained monkeys.
First off, I'd give them praise for trying something different as artists, and second it comes through that it's actually excellent music once you sit down and listen to the CD 2 or 3 times all the way through.
Some of you don't like this?
W.T.F.?
fredriley wrote:
This is one of those 'viral' tracks that sticks in your mind like superglue. When I wake up of a morning there's a juke box in my bonce which selects a random track, nearly always naff, and this bloody thing was on the decks this morning. It took an hour to get it out of my head ;-|.
Hum "The Girl From Ipanema" repeatedly; it will erase the most stubborn song stuck in your head. Of course, then you have "The Girl From Ipanema" stuck in your head, but nothing is perfect . . .
d00kie wrote:
Had to login and make sure I gave this a solid 1
Heck, I even registered just to do that.
And, for Bob's sake, if they have enough time to sing "Please read the letter" some freaking 500 times, why don't they just told her what's standing in it in between?
Here's some ways to be less annoying and singing about letters:
1. Singing the letter out loud (The Beatles)
2. Singing, that you got a letter (The Box Tops)
3. Singing about how you're trying to mail her the letter (The King)
Ok, I see, all interesting options where taken.
What can I say
My 4 year old daughter loves this whole album
Asks me to play it over and over in the car
Prefers Alison's voice, though
I hate every song on this ceedee.
I'm going to do myself an injury running for the mute one of these days.
Rockabobbie wrote:
Does anyone know for sure whether these two are an item--as in, romantically involved?
As my daughters would say, "Eeeewww."
He turns 60 this year, she turns 37. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just, why can't he be an item with, say, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins . . .
yeah, definitely a catchy tune--but I don't care much for it. . .thinkin' about catchy here as an unwilling participant with this song stuck somewhere in my head like a little "something" stuck between my teeth. . . 
Does anyone know for sure whether these two are an item--as in, romantically involved? Not that it affects my regard for the music, which I like, but, you know, I'm only human and want the scoop!
Kind of nice. Their voices blend well together.
Mute. Hurry. Mute Mute!
allison is as cute as a button and I don't mind hearing another side of plant.
The ghost of Robert past looks on in horror at what he has become.
Just saw these two in Stockholm last week with T-Bone. Amazing show. They did three Zepplin songs which were also fantastic.
I've done a complete turnaround on this...it's beaten me into submission and I must admit it pleases me now.
is like this chick that works here in my office ... she is cute but as soon she starts laughing i want kill her 
b/c annoys the cr*p out of me ....
OScar
b/c annoys the cr*p out of me ....
OScarThis is one of those 'viral' tracks that sticks in your mind like superglue. When I wake up of a morning there's a juke box in my bonce which selects a random track, nearly always naff, and this bloody thing was on the decks this morning. It took an hour to get it out of my head ;-|. 2 -> 1.
And will you please read the feckin' letter so we can get some peace?
Bill, for goodness sake stop torturing poor Colleen... please!
colleen wrote:
The bf and I had both voted this Sicko Barfo months ago......
...now that's he's just dumped my BY LETTER....
...imagine how i hate this now
...please Bill, I beg of you, stop playing this song or send us all some pepto bismal! 
Yes I can see how that would kind of cement your hatred of this dirge. A sort of double whammy :(
...please Bill, I beg of you, stop playing this song or send us all some pepto bismal! An excellent CD. Feels more like a Robert Plant solo album with Allison getting in a few tunes of her own and harmonizing. Robert goes folky and slightly bluegrassy, but it works, and it is beautiful. Great musicians with fine results to listen to. It's a grower, I've liked that CD more each time I hear it, there's a lot of subtle instrumental touches and the compositions and arrangements make more and more sense with each hearing, and it's beautiful music.
The bf and I had both voted this Sicko Barfo months ago......
...now that's he's just dumped my BY LETTER....
...imagine how i hate this now
...please Bill, I beg of you, stop playing this song or send us all some pepto bismal!
...please Bill, I beg of you, stop playing this song or send us all some pepto bismal! Jesus H C..this is painful....What happened to you mr Plant??
I had high hopes for this collaboration. It underwhelmed me more than I thought was possible.
Please read this letter and stop playing tunes from this album, it only dilutes the affection I have for both of these artists...
d00kie wrote:
Had to login and make sure I gave this a solid 1
Ouch!!
snowcat wrote:
Seriously though, great pairing. Robert proves once again his musical depth.
YES! Finally someone who gets it :)
2 chords. For too long.
This is a pretty decent album. I was impressed by the melodies and force of nearly all songs. "Read the Letter", "Stick With Me Babe", "Gone,Gone, Gone" are my favorites but the whole disc is whorth buying. This is pure Americana and it is great!
Good stuff by Robert Plant and Krauss. I guess Plant is pretty much better going solo than with Led Zepellin.
Bill, if you fail to follow this one by "The Letter" by the BoxTops you will receive a letter about it.
My favorite from this album. Love it!! 
No can do. You have to read the letter first.
pamohearn wrote:
OMG!!!! would people pleeeeaaasssee STOP PLAYING THIS SONG!!!!!! Enough Already!!!!!
I can't take it anymore!!!!
Nice Idea . . . but am not getting my chord in front of the music no matter how hard I try, just does not strike one.
pamohearn wrote:
OMG!!!! would people pleeeeaaasssee STOP PLAYING THIS SONG!!!!!! Enough Already!!!!!
I can't take it anymore!!!!
EXACTLY!!!!
not again...
PembrokeRoad wrote:
How does he know she got the letter ?
He seems to think she didn't read the letter, but I don't know how just the same.
The music and harmony are great, the cleverness of the lyrics seems to be lacking well behind the musical talent.
OMG!!!! would people pleeeeaaasssee STOP PLAYING THIS SONG!!!!!! Enough Already!!!!!
I can't take it anymore!!!!
SoCo wrote:
Seriously though, great pairing. Robert proves once again his musical depth.
They should just e.mail each other!
Seriously though, great pairing. Robert proves once again his musical depth.
We went out and bought the album because of RP. Thanks Bill!
...and mute. 
Had to login and make sure I gave this a solid 1
How does he know she got the letter ?
wandersahn wrote:
Agree, enough of it.
Please change, or have these two not made anything else worth listening to?
This song has reached "overplayed" status with me.
Agree, enough of it.
Please change, or have these two not made anything else worth listening to?
Not a hater; I own this CD and really like it; just getting tired of this particular track. . .
Not with me. Sweet. Lovin' it and the album!
This song has reached "overplayed" status with me.
I'm really liking what these two put together. It's on my ToBuy list for sure.
smehan55 wrote:
Gettin' there myself.
8 => 9.
OK, haters, I just gave it a 10. :-P
Gettin' there myself.
8 => 9.
After that opus by the Beatles, this is a real come down. Read the damn letter already!
They both have great voices...saying that Plant ruins the song is plain dumb.
rromulus wrote:
I respect them both, but the song is way too repetitive to listen to over long period of time. It is about time to retire it for a while, I think.
Agreed. It is a nice song but it does seem to be getting too much play on RP.
5 
4 getting kinda stale. . .
4 getting kinda stale. . .
I've heard this several times and always thought it was pretty ho hum. By chance I heard the full CD the other day at my sister's. It is way better than this track would indicate. Certainly worth a good listen.
I don't know why anyone would polute Alison Krauss' beautiful singing with Robert Plant.
OK, haters, I just gave it a 10. :-P
These two are playing Santa Barbara Bowl this season.
1 - Sucko-barfo 
Proud to be in the minority!!
Proud to be in the minority!!I respect them both, but the song is way too repetitive to listen to over long period of time. It is about time to retire it for a while, I think.
colleen wrote:
The bf and I both have radioparadisse playing in our apartments. We wince every time this song comes on. We call it that song. We hate it, unfortunately, we seem to be the only two people who voted it Sicko-Barfo.
Nope, I am with you!
They should just e.mail each other!
Grammarcop wrote:
If Death were to ever lower his hood, you'd see Robert Plant's face.
Have you seen a recent picture of Keith Richards?
Enjoying this song more after seeing them on Cross Roads.
dctrpunda wrote:
So you are saying that at the moment you die, you'll see Death as Robert Plant?
Just to clarify, will you be seeing the bulge jean no shirt Zep Plant, the 80's Honey Dripper Plant, the current Plant or perhaps some mulitheaded Plant (with a bluish hue dancing on one foot perhaps) that encapsulates all versions of Robert through time?
Just curious.
LOL
Maybe its a Cease and Desist letter...
Grammarcop wrote:
If Death were to ever lower his hood, you'd see Robert Plant's face.
So you are saying that at the moment you die, you'll see Death as Robert Plant?
Just to clarify, will you be seeing the bulge jean no shirt Zep Plant, the 80's Honey Dripper Plant, the current Plant or perhaps some mulitheaded Plant (with a bluish hue dancing on one foot perhaps) that encapsulates all versions of Robert through time?
Just curious.
This team-up has been getting a whack of press and air play in terrestrial radio. I'm just wondering if we've gone a bit overboard. The "Gone..." video was wildly stupid. I like some of what I've heard, but I wouldn't buy the tracks.
I like this song, I really do. But I am curious as to what Bill did and whether he is going to be forgiven considering how often it has been played :)
cutterjudd wrote:
Sorry folks...........but I like it.
Ditto............
Gross abuse of capital letters, that's what.
Fortunately reformation is just a lowercase click away.
OldFrenchie wrote:
NOT THIS AGAIN! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE YOUR WRATH?
pannaramma wrote:
Alright already - I'll read the damn letter. now shut up
That pretty much sums it up.
NOT THIS AGAIN! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE YOUR WRATH?
tdonovan wrote:
Am I listening to AM radio or some of the local dreck here in Bend? I think I've heard this song and others from this mediocre recording every day this year. Is the format of RP changing?
No, its still free. One can always ctrl-alt-delete if one so chooses.
Grammarcop wrote:
If Death were to ever lower his hood, you'd see Robert Plant's face.
Dude, that's harsh.
If Death were to ever lower his hood, you'd see Robert Plant's face.
Sorry folks...........but I like it.
Oh man, here we go again!
I read it already damnit!
...gettin' awful sick of this album already.
colleen wrote:
The bf and I both have radioparadisse playing in our apartments. We wince every time this song comes on. We call it that song. We hate it, unfortunately, we seem to be the only two people who voted it Sicko-Barfo.
Nope, I rated this sucko-barfo too.
atdoble wrote:
The more I hear this song the more I absolutely love it!
Dreck? I don't think so. Romantic? Yes.
--Frozen woman in Winnipeg
:
--Frozen woman in Winnipeg
This says it all......Robert keeps'em warm...
colleen wrote:
The bf and I both have radioparadisse playing in our apartments. We wince every time this song comes on. We call it that song. We hate it, unfortunately, we seem to be the only two people who voted it Sicko-Barfo.
While I don't think it's Suck-Barfo material (I reserve that for the truely awful) it certainly is quite tedious.
The bf and I both have radioparadisse playing in our apartments. We wince every time this song comes on. We call it that song. We hate it, unfortunately, we seem to be the only two people who voted it Sicko-Barfo.
The more I hear this song the more I absolutely love it!
Dreck? I don't think so. Romantic? Yes.
--Frozen woman in Winnipeg
:
Hmmmm... 
Am I listening to AM radio or some of the local dreck here in Bend? I think I've heard this song and others from this mediocre recording every day this year. Is the format of RP changing?
Happened to catch her 2002 Louisville concert on HDTV last night before the Grammys. While this seems yet another good duet album but short on inspiration, her pairing with Union Station is phenomenal. Last night was a great show and spectacular up close in HD.
Hannio wrote:
This song takes a long time to get nowhere.
Sad to say that I agree. I first heard this on the radio w/o any knowledge of who was performing (I like both artists), and all I could think was "Wow, what a lame and lifeless imitation of Gram and Emmylou."
justspokn wrote:
I think it's a plan to reduce the English language: find a word or phrase you hate, make a song about it, repeat it until it makes everybody listing to it is sick of it and presto you wont have to hear it any more. That is until you hear your own song.
Not much on lyrics...
I heard "Gone Gone Gone" the other day and that is the same way.
I think it's a plan to reduce the English language: find a word or phrase you hate, make a song about it, repeat it until it makes everybody listing to it is sick of it and presto you wont have to hear it any more. That is until you hear your own song.
Dull, the entire album feels a bit lacklustre imo.
Sad considering the towering skills of the artists involved.
Gak, my internet seems to skipping!
Primal, vulgar, leonard cohen ish. I really like this.
Not much on lyrics...
''With help and consultation from
The angels of the deep''
I want a letter like that!! :P)
I love the song! :)
Indeed.
Alright already - I'll read the damn letter. now shut up
Hug that big tree...enough down time now I gotta get back to scrapin' barnacles!
I like the chorus but the song's too long
NiceGuy2005 wrote:
Love Plant's little "outburst" at the end just to remind you that he was with Zepplin.
Indeed.
(and I had been switching to the LRC everytime this song came up in the rotation -- your comment prompted me to hear it out -- thanks)
SHE has a fabulous voice! WHY CAN'T WE HEAR HER HERE??
Wasted!
wferrier wrote:
That's the nature of roots music, which this is; it is designed to be repetitive for its hypnotic effects.
Sixteen times, he asks... 16 times, please read the letter. If you had to ask someone to do something 16 times, do you think it would get done?
And yes, at the end, Plant suddenly remembers his Led Zeppelin roots. It doesn't fit.
as a youngster i used to worship the very ground messers plant,page bonham and jones walked upon.
they could do no wrong.
but i can't stand this song.
does that mean i'm growing up?
will i have to start taking life seriously?
will i have to live up to my responsibilities?
mmmm. play it again bill!!
Yes, this song is repetitive and far from the best on the album. But it fits with the rest.
As I'm getting older I rarely have the attention span nowadays to listen to an entire album. But this one is best experienced that way. It's a fantastic album as a whole. When I listen to it, I listen to it all and it's one of the few I take the time to listen to like that anymore... this one and Kathleen Edwards' Back to Me as well as Grace Potter and The Nocturnals' This Is Somewhere (I wonder why they don't play here yet...)
If i read the letter, will you....
SHUT UP!!!!!!
EDIT: LOL...great minds think alike, smoove! You just think quicker!
Someone PLEASE read the letter that they wrote! Maybe that'll shut them up.
This song takes a long time to get nowhere.
EssexTex wrote:
This has grown on me and I'm bumping it up.
Precisely the opposite for me, I'm afraid - I'm getting heartily sick of Robert Plant singing "Please read the letter" after perhaps the 20th time, and the song is going on way too long. 3 -> 2.
This has grown on me and I'm bumping it up.
I like this song :)
ArgHH
I've had this ear worm ALL day, and I'd just got rid of it!
A is for Apple. There you've got a letter.
blueyedmerle wrote:
Why so brutal?.....Every "baby boomer" out there is that "Old man on the Beach!"
Brutal? me?....I'm a balding baby boomer myself...I am "The old man on the beach"
...and I've read the bloody letter.
What an incredibly intelligent and well thought out song. Really shows how Plant and Krauss have both matured. I think the word "treasure" best describes it.
Edit: :Love Plant's little "outburst" at the end just to remind you that he was with Zepplin.
W.T.F.?
Some of us don't like this b/c we just don't.
Is that ok?