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John Hiatt — Cry Love (live)
Album: Shredding The Document
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1182









Released: 1987
Length: 4:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
A moment of steel
A dry-eyed house
Did he say goodbye to you
Or did you kick him out
I know you're not afraid
To go alone
But this was a marriage of spirit, flesh, and bone

Now whatcha gonna do
When the planet shifts
Whatcha gonna do
Gonna slit your wrists
And bleed all over the Milky Way
The stars in your eyes look red today

Cry love, cry love
The tears of an angel
The tears of a dove
Spilling all over, your heart from above
Cry love, cry love

The trust of a woman in his hand
But he was a little boy, not a man
You loved him stronger than he could feel
Yeah he was wrapped up in himself like an orange peel

Now whatcha gonna do
With the booze and the blush
Whatcha gonna do
When there's no rush
Cop a little misery
At the corner store
Well one day that train of pain won't stop no more

Cry love, cry love
The tears of an angel
The tears of a dove
Spilling all over, your heart from above
Cry love, cry love

Throwing up ashes on the floor
If this is a lesson in love
Well what's it for?
The heart will remember
The burning fire
The next time you feel the flame of desire

Cry love, cry love
The tears of an angel
The tears of a dove
Spilling all over, your heart from above
Cry love, cry love

Cry love, cry love
The tears of an angel
The tears of a dove
Spilling all over, your heart from above
Cry love, cry love

Cry love, cry love, cry love
Comments (101)add comment
 tinypriest wrote:

He's not the greatest singer, yeah, agree. It gets in the way when you hear someone (Bonnie Riatt?) sing one of his songs beautifully. But then, it's a toss up for me of worst singer of his own great songs -- John Hiatt or Tom Waits. I can barely get through a Tom Waits song after "Blue Valentine", where there was actual melody and he had to make an effort to sound like a blues singer. John Hiatt, on the other hand, always tries to sing it good, but he doesn't have the range and forces the high notes through his nose. Well, nothing to do but forgive them.
A LOT of famous vocalists have imperfect voices, but are still great!!  

 mamerjamer wrote:

I understand that John Hiatt is a beloved performer, but the singing on this live version sounds like a bunch of stray dogs howling in an alley in the middle of the night over a bitch in heat. John Hiatt can barely hit a note on pitch in the studio - so a live performance from him is no treat, as far as I am concerned.


He's not the greatest singer, yeah, agree. It gets in the way when you hear someone (Bonnie Riatt?) sing one of his songs beautifully. But then, it's a toss up for me of worst singer of his own great songs -- John Hiatt or Tom Waits. I can barely get through a Tom Waits song after "Blue Valentine", where there was actual melody and he had to make an effort to sound like a blues singer. John Hiatt, on the other hand, always tries to sing it good, but he doesn't have the range and forces the high notes through his nose. Well, nothing to do but forgive them.
Like how John's voice is miked in this recording!
I saw him live at a Folk Fest once.  He did not disappoint, fantastic!  Still one of my favs. 
John Hiatt is a national treasure.  
 AhhtheMusic wrote:

I love him.  Saw him in concert last year and it is his passion that is beautiful to watch.  He can pick up any tune with that mandolin or guitar and improvise it while playing with the other performer.  And the man can whistle!!!!  Fantastic songwriter, performer, musician and well, a singer (not so much) but as I said, his passion makes that last piece irrelevant.  The folks that find it off putting just don't get it.  :) 
 

Larry King:  What's your question?
 Proclivities wrote:


He generally sings in key (or "on pitch" as you said), but it's the screechy quality of his voice that some people find unpleasant.
 
I love him.  Saw him in concert last year and it is his passion that is beautiful to watch.  He can pick up any tune with that mandolin or guitar and improvise it while playing with the other performer.  And the man can whistle!!!!  Fantastic songwriter, performer, musician and well, a singer (not so much) but as I said, his passion makes that last piece irrelevant.  The folks that find it off putting just don't get it.  :) 
 mamerjamer wrote:
I understand that John Hiatt is a beloved performer, but the singing on this live version sounds like a bunch of stray dogs howling in an alley in the middle of the night over a bitch in heat. John Hiatt can barely hit a note on pitch in the studio - so a live performance from him is no treat, as far as I am concerned.
 

He generally sings in key (or "on pitch" as you said), but it's the screechy quality of his voice that some people find unpleasant.
 kingart wrote:
Great lyrics:

You loved him stronger than he could feel 
Yeah he was wrapped up in himself like an orange peel 

 
yeah, that's my ex to a "T"
{#Dancingbanana}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}
Great lyrics:

You loved him stronger than he could feel 
Yeah he was wrapped up in himself like an orange peel 
Going to see him Wednesday in San Francisco with Sonny Landreth!
More John Hiatt please...
 junebaby65 wrote:
Cry Uncle!!!

 
Or just cry, if you prefer.  {#Cry}
The album version is much better, something is off key or something.
 
 iam_overlord wrote:

Now THAT'S an awful shirt!

 
You're right, never did like white shirts, still, that may be better than the black shirts.
Oh hell, this is a good tune. Yes. 
{#Good-vibes}
 papersitter wrote:
wasn't this song used in the original run of Arrested Development? Background music in S1, I think.

 
Yep, when GOB was sitting in the hospital, right after me made a huge mistake.
wasn't this song used in the original run of Arrested Development? Background music in S1, I think.
Cry Uncle!!!
was lucky enough to see him live in Lincoln, NE at the Rococo Theater last year.  Fantastic performance from a fantastic artist.
very nice!
I just finished ranting on how much I hate the Stones.

 

Canlistener wrote:
A great artist! You don't have to like him but that doesn't mean he s**t.  I despise the Rolling Stones with every ounce of my being, but millions would disagree and that fine.
 


 Papernapkin wrote:

'You are a douche.' Yeah, that's enlightened criticism.
 

In Dutch "douche" is the exact meaning of the word "shower". So let's keep it fun here:

Man! You are a shower!
 nate917 wrote:
...But this much is true:  opinions about songs are more relevant than opinions about commenters.
Nate, that's good enough to be engraved on every page!

I like John Hyatt..I like this tune...I'm just a likable guy!
 CoYoT51 wrote:
6/4... interesting.
 
Hey, good catch. It seems so natural in this song I didn't notice the irregular meter.

6/4... interesting.
True !  HazzeSwede wrote:
It´s LIVE who cares,the feeling is there!#9!
 


 spigolli wrote:
 

{#Clap}
 
Now THAT'S an awful shirt!


cry love
 Papernapkin wrote:

'You are a douche.' Yeah, that's enlightened criticism.
 
Not my best to be sure.  But I'm not sure I could have found a better way to describe you, disposable one. 

 h8rhater wrote:

Actually you are a douche.  "Trolling" (or whatever you want to call it) is for tools with no life who enjoy annoying others for their own personal vanity. 

This does not include reasonable well thought out and written criticisms, which most of you "trolls" seem incapable of.
 
'You are a douche.' Yeah, that's enlightened criticism.
 robco1 wrote:
Trolling is stupid and childish. Stop.

Nobody cares if you don't like the song (I don't either), but those who do don't care to read your snarks. Quit yer bitchin' and find the mute button. Golden rule, people!
 

Oh now that is just silly! Song comments are for opinions; good and bad, this is still America for the time being, it should not be like criticizing a Wagner opera in Nazi Germany!{#Rolleyes}
I love this song!{#Cheers}
solid 8+. the studio version is a 10
You can always count on John to deliver the goods. {#Dance}
A great artist! You don't have to like him but that doesn't mean he s**t.  I despise the Rolling Stones with every ounce of my being, but millions would disagree and that fine.
 j7 wrote:
Cry.....END PLEASE (live)
I'm having convulsions from the sounds coming from this guy's pie hole.

 
I'm with you!

 j7 wrote:
Cry.....END PLEASE (live)
I'm having convulsions from the sounds coming from this guy's pie hole.

  {#Roflol}


 

{#Clap}
 Misterfixit wrote:
OK, all you complainers ... go out a stage and sing a song — any song — to a crowd of fans...

Uh huh, I thought so.

BTDT
 
Well, I'm in a couple of rock bands, and I can assure you that singing to a crowd of fans has no effect whatsoever on the validity of my opinions, unless we're talking about stage fright, monitor mixes, or something related to live performance.  It lends no credence at all to my opinions about John Hiatt's voice, which, IMHO, (i) is not that good, and (ii) is well-suited to certain types of songs, as exemplified by "Solar Sex Panel" on the Little Village CD (collaboration of John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner).

BTW, trolls are allowed to have ugly opinions, and Robco is allowed to disagree with them.  But this much is true:  opinions about songs are more relevant than opinions about commenters.

 Excelsior wrote:
Yes folks, just remember: your opinion is only valid if it is positive! If you don't like a song and dare to say so, you are a troll. There's no other explanation.
 
Actually you are a douche.  "Trolling" (or whatever you want to call it) is for tools with no life who enjoy annoying others for their own personal vanity. 

This does not include reasonable well thought out and written criticisms, which most of you "trolls" seem incapable of.

Cry.....END PLEASE (live)
I'm having convulsions from the sounds coming from this guy's pie hole.

 mamerjamer wrote:
I understand that John Hiatt is a beloved performer, but the singing on this live version sounds like a bunch of stray dogs howling in an alley in the middle of the night over a bitch in heat. John Hiatt can barely hit a note on pitch in the studio - so a live performance from him is no treat, as far as I am concerned.
 
I generally agree.   He writes great songs and arranges them splendidly but he is not much of a singer.     I saw him during his tour with Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and Joe Ely.   Great opportunity to contrast vocal styles.   Hiatt and Lovett and Ely all work hard on their individual vocal styles.   All very different from how they talk.   Guy Clark, on the other hand, was completely natural.   His singing is completely unaffected and just musical version of his normal voice.  

Hiatt is better in a band setting where the other instruments can distract from that voice! 

But to be clear,  I really, really like John Hiatt and many of his songs.    "Bring the Family" is a classic.   

 robco1 wrote:
Trolling is stupid and childish. Stop. Nobody cares if you don't like the song (I don't either), but those who do don't care to read your snarks. Quit yer bitchin' and find the mute button. Golden rule, people!
 
You're tilting at windmills, Rob. Embrace criticism, trolls, bugaboos, and ogres. They add interest to the story line.
Also, this song really sucks. 
 mrmojorisin wrote:
Love it!! And love the live version!!!
 
Love the song, but not the live version. (Too bad, because he's great live, just not this time).

One of America's greatest contemporary songwriters putting his talent on display with this one. Bravo Hiatt!
 Excelsior wrote:
Yes folks, just remember: your opinion is only valid if it is positive! If you don't like a song and dare to say so, you are a troll....
 
No, only if you're Excelsior! {#Rolleyes}
 Papernapkin wrote:
This is the second worst song I've ever heard.
 
Good lord you don't get out much do you?
This is the second worst song I've ever heard.
robco1 wrote:
Trolling is stupid and childish. Stop. Nobody cares if you don't like the song (I don't either), but those who do don't care to read your snarks. Quit yer bitchin' and find the mute button. Golden rule, people!
Yes folks, just remember: your opinion is only valid if it is positive! If you don't like a song and dare to say so, you are a troll. There's no other explanation.
savoyard wrote:
My ears are bleeding. Terrible!!
Trolling is stupid and childish. Stop. Nobody cares if you don't like the song (I don't either), but those who do don't care to read your snarks. Quit yer bitchin' and find the mute button. Golden rule, people!
Love it!! And love the live version!!!
Ya know, folks, if you don't like music there are a number of talk radio stations out there. You may want to try one of those.
OK, all you complainers ... go out a stage and sing a song -- any song -- to a crowd of fans... Uh huh, I thought so. BTDT
savoyard wrote:
My ears are bleeding. Terrible!!
Use your mute if don't like it. Some of us do like John Hiatt.
My ears are bleeding. Terrible!!
It's LIVE who cares,the feeling is there!#9!
I understand that John Hiatt is a beloved performer, but the singing on this live version sounds like a bunch of stray dogs howling in an alley in the middle of the night over a bitch in heat. John Hiatt can barely hit a note on pitch in the studio - so a live performance from him is no treat, as far as I am concerned.
junebaby65 wrote:
Please stop singing....
We'll give you a cookie!
Please stop singing....
Totally agree, I just don't see the attraction On_The_Beach wrote:
Nope, this ain't workin' for me. Sounds like Richard Thompson, another one of those over-rated artists we're supposed to like.
ireneect wrote:
This song is in Season 1 of Arrested Development. Therefore it rules. And all you John Hiatt fans out there should rent the DVDs! "I've made a huge mistake." Hee!
I was JUST mentioning this to someone in my office! Hahahahaha.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Nope, this ain't workin' for me. Sounds like Richard Thompson, another one of those over-rated artists we're supposed to like.
+100
Nope, this ain't workin' for me. Sounds like Richard Thompson, another one of those over-rated artists we're supposed to like.
Sometimes Sonny Landreth works in his touring band.
This is kicko-asso! Where can you get this version?! Wait, I see it's "Shredding the document". Never mind :).
Sucko-Barfo!
Cry out "this is awful".
This song is in Season 1 of Arrested Development. Therefore it rules. And all you John Hiatt fans out there should rent the DVDs! "I've made a huge mistake." Hee!
Just saw John in Orlando a few weeks ago with North Mississippi Allstars, outstanding show.
Mandolin in a rock song is always a welcome diversion from the ordinary!
John Hiatt plays a "Perfectly Good Guitar" and if you get a chance to see him " Bring the Family"!!!!
wayneoh wrote:
As far as I can tell there isn't an album called "Shredding the Document". It is, however, a song on "Walk On", tho it's not live. Maybe it's from one of the live cds; "Live at the Budokan" or the one from Sweden whose name escapes me. Great tune though...
Credit to wayneoh. This is either from The Best of Sessions at West 54th, Vol. 1 or KFOG Live from the Archives, Vol. 3. Given RP's locale, I'd vote for the latter. "Shredding the Document" is, in fact, a song, not an album. Nice touch, Bill, following this with the Kinks' Budokan classic. I guess you DO read the posts from time to time. Excellent tune.
As far as I can tell there isn't an album called "Shredding the Document". It is, however, a song on "Walk On", tho it's not live. Maybe it's from one of the live cds; "Live at the Budokan" or the one from Sweden whose name escapes me. Great tune though...
best Hiatt song EVER.
nice live version! Although i'm not a big john hiatt fan this is such a brilliant song!
Lovely little kickin' beat to get Monday going!
Love this song, the mandolin kicks and the line, "You loved him stronger than he could feel, he was wrapped up in himself like an orange peel." gets me every time. It's bittersweet for me because I understand it oh too well...
Not a Hiatt fan for the most part, but this song really suits his talents and his voice, pump it up!
Damn, another album to buy. Killer recording.
Pyro wrote:
Neither Hiatt nor Dylan can sing, but they can sure craft a clever tune or two.
I totally agree. However, I find myself liking them more and more as I am repeatedly sujected to them on this station. It's sorta like brainwashing....
John Hiatt, the singer songwriter with the golden pen. JH is my man!
Neither Hiatt nor Dylan can sing, but they can sure craft a clever tune or two.
Great live energy --- even better than an already excellent studio cut.
John Hiatt is one sexy fella
Great Hiatt song, but there are so many others that also deserve airtime (nettime). Deeper into the catalog please!
This may be the only Hiatt song I can stand. I give it a "6"
Monkeysdad wrote:
Great song, overplayed.
Definitely a great song. Overplayed is certainly subjective but I don't seem to hear enough John Hiatt and it doesn't seem like many folks know of john hiatt. He's a very wonderful song writer/artist so hopefully a little more over play will get the word out!
Great song, overplayed.
One of my favorite RP favorites.
Originally Posted by justlistening: ....Must have been a great show!!!!
John Hiatt live is jaw-dropping great. Funny too.
Hiatt rules! This isn\'t one of his best songs, imho, but it\'s got a good groove (particularly this performance). More!!
That\'s mandolin, isn\'t it? Good stuff, nice complement to Hiatt\'s singing (yelling?) abilities. Please don\'t play this one too often.
Wish I wasn't so hot and cold about his voice. Sometimes I just don't enjoy it, but I love the music he plays and I especially like the energy in this song. Must have been a great show!!!!
I love Hiatt. I don\'t know where you got this cut from, but I do know Hiatt offers mp3 downloads of live performances from his Web site. Particularly those in which he performs with his full band are worth checking out.
I love this version.....okay so IMHO Mr. Hiatt could sing this song anyway and I would still love it and him. Thanks for the new vista on an old favorite!!!