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Cake — Guitar
Album: Prolonging the Magic
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1308









Released: 1998
Length: 3:33
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I'm sitting by the window
of your 32nd floor apartment
Waiting for your phone calls all to end
I'm sitting, watching wind blow
Watching time go, watching cars go by
I'ma waiting for these memories to begin

If I threw my guitar
Out the window so far down
Would I start to regret it?
Or would I smile
And watch it slowly fall, fall, fall?

Garbage trucks and taxi cabs
Don't seem like they can reach me here
The clamor of jackhammers seems so faint
Well, the way you treat me
Like the only slightly brings me down a lot
I don't think that I'll ever be the same, yeah

If I threw my guitar
Out the window so far down
Would I start to regret it?
Or would I smile
And watch it slowly fall, fall, fall,
Fall, fall, fall
Fall, fall, fall?
Fall, fall, fall
Comments (121)add comment
i think this is my favorite cake song. i just love it!

this was always my fav lyric:


Well, the way you treat me
Like the only slightly brings me down a lot
I don't think that I'll ever be the same, yeah

 lizardking wrote:

<snip>

My favorite lines in this track:

Well, the way you treat me, like the only, slightly brings me down, a lot


The opening lines set up the entire monologue:

I'm sitting by the window
of your thirty-second-floor apartment,
Waiting for your phone calls all to end.

I'm hearing a ghost in the studio.
 BillG wrote:

Actually, the poster below that said it sounds like a hand saw is correct.  It's a musical saw — an ordinary hand saw played with a violin bow, by Richard Lyman in this case.  I thought it was a theremin also, which is a testament to the artistry of the saw player — 'taint an easy instrument. Thanks a bunch to the listener who emailed me about it.


In high school one of the teachers had a musical saw, it even said "Musical Saw" on it.  Looked just like a regular ol' hand saw. The teacher said you tuned it up by cutting wood with it.  :-)
 dmcanany wrote:

There is a "stupid question" for someone here to knock out of the park.  (Sorry for the mixed metaphor). 

What is the difference between Cake and Cracker? It seems they both originated in the Central Valley of California at the beginning of the 1990s. They both seem to have humor and satire as an element of their music. And, obviously, they both named themselves after baked goods. I get them mixed up all the time, and I'm sure certain listeners here would roll their eyes at my ignorance. Fair enough. Inform me. 


It's been said that the only really stupid question is one that doesn't get asked. I'd qualify that to require that it should be asked to learn something, and with some humility. You nailed it on both.  I learn a lot by asking experts "dumb questions" versus being afraid to admit and display my ignorance. (Others have answered your question better so I won't attempt to.)  So there you go. Well asked IMHO.
 dmcanany wrote:

There is a "stupid question" for someone here to knock out of the park.  (Sorry for the mixed metaphor). 

What is the difference between Cake and Cracker? It seems they both originated in the Central Valley of California at the beginning of the 1990s. They both seem to have humor and satire as an element of their music. And, obviously, they both named themselves after baked goods. I get them mixed up all the time, and I'm sure certain listeners here would roll their eyes at my ignorance. Fair enough. Inform me. 



Clearly, you have Cracker before dinner and Cake after dinner.

They sound nothing alike to me, but I see your point about the satire, the baked goods, and don't forget... I love them both.  I would say that Cracker has a more "Americana" sound, sometimes flirting with country, and Cake often features a trumpet and a janky-sounding (in a good way) acoustic guitar.

Bon Appetit!
 dmcanany wrote:

There is a "stupid question" for someone here to knock out of the park.  (Sorry for the mixed metaphor). 

What is the difference between Cake and Cracker? It seems they both originated in the Central Valley of California at the beginning of the 1990s. They both seem to have humor and satire as an element of their music. And, obviously, they both named themselves after baked goods. I get them mixed up all the time, and I'm sure certain listeners here would roll their eyes at my ignorance. Fair enough. Inform me. 



Cracker originated in Redlands, CA. Lots of people there would slap you hard if you accused them of being from the Central Valley :-).

And I agree with the poster who said they don't sound at all alike. Just bakery fans, I guess.
 dmcanany wrote:

There is a "stupid question" for someone here to knock out of the park.  (Sorry for the mixed metaphor). 

What is the difference between Cake and Cracker? It seems they both originated in the Central Valley of California at the beginning of the 1990s. They both seem to have humor and satire as an element of their music. And, obviously, they both named themselves after baked goods. I get them mixed up all the time, and I'm sure certain listeners here would roll their eyes at my ignorance. Fair enough. Inform me. 



To me, their music sounds quite different from each other.  But it would take a more detailed discussion to try and explain why, and I'm fighting work deadlines.  So, regarding the fundamental difference between Cake and Cracker, this was the yeast I could do... 
Time for some more Cake! Yum. 
Every song on this album is amazing.
There is a "stupid question" for someone here to knock out of the park.  (Sorry for the mixed metaphor). 

What is the difference between Cake and Cracker? It seems they both originated in the Central Valley of California at the beginning of the 1990s. They both seem to have humor and satire as an element of their music. And, obviously, they both named themselves after baked goods. I get them mixed up all the time, and I'm sure certain listeners here would roll their eyes at my ignorance. Fair enough. Inform me. 
 expatlar wrote:
Cake. I like 'em. They sure don't seem to be trying to sound like anybody else.
 
Yep! said "Cake" then looked. 
Cake. I like 'em. They sure don't seem to be trying to sound like anybody else.
Theramin:

Musical saw (on the right):

I agree with Bill. I think I hear a saw. (Looks odd put like that...)
Rated 1 (aka Sucko-Barfo!) and that's faaaar too generous.  These one-note-wonders are among the worst bands on the face of our planet.  GACK.
Who put all the commas in the lyrics section? Are they getting paid by the International Typesetters Association?

It's like the Shatner Comma Convention... 
 Proclivities wrote:

There is no theremin in the theme to Star Trek - that wavering tone is a woman's  soprano voice - a professional studio singer.  "Wordless vocalizations" by female singers were a popular thing in the late 1950s into the '60s.  I know, nerdy, Star Trek details.
 

A modern example being this video of Spanish opera soprano Laura Ruhí Vidal warmimg up the Rainer Hersch Orkestra audience with a surprise performance of the Theme from Star Trek.
Absolutely love the style of this band, it's simply original. Came across this band when watching Me Myself and Irene, instant love at the first sight.
Cake was introduced to me by RP, and I was so impressed I bought two of their CDs. This, from a guy who's bought about four CDs in the last ten years. Also, I dig the discussion about the theremin which is actually a saw. Checkout the cult movie Delicatessen for some cool saw playing.
 rhlrstn wrote:
Is that a saw or a theremin?
 
Not sure.  They use weird instruments, so there's no telling.

Theremin 101: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QgTF8p-284
I'm sitting by the window
of your thirty-second-floor apartment,
Waiting for your phone calls all to end.

A great opening line, eh?
Is that a saw or a theremin?
 lizardking wrote:
Prolonging the Magic, when I first heard it, was such an "ear' opener.  It's seems amazing to me now how esoteric this album has become.  Nonetheless, there's a haunting beauty to this song (and "Never There" and my fav "Walk on By") that I feel is emphasized by the monotone vocal delivery, interesting instrumentation, and lyrics dripping with dry humor. 

My favorite lines in this track:

Well, the way you treat me, like the only, slightly brings me down, a lot

And to all the haters....thankfully this isn't your internet radio station and BillG will CONTINUE to play Cake.  Long Live RP and PEACE!


 
Absofeckinglutely lizardking
 Proclivities wrote:

There is no theremin in the theme to Star Trek - that wavering tone is a woman's  soprano voice - a professional studio singer.  "Wordless vocalizations" by female singers were a popular thing in the late 1950s into the '60s.  I know, nerdy, Star Trek details.
 
Who the fuck gave you a thumbs down vote on this explanation?  UGGG to the non-Star Trek fans!  LLRP!!
 tomingersoll wrote:
The instrument on "Guitar" is called the Theramin - made famous by its use in the Star Trek theme!  Love it!
 
There is no theremin in the theme to Star Trek - that wavering tone is a woman's soprano voice - a professional studio singer.  "Wordless vocalizations" by female singers were a popular thing in the late 1950s into the '60s.  I know, nerdy, Star Trek details.
 jsn65 wrote:
Townes Van Zandt has a quote that goes something like, "there are two kinds of music. There is the blues and there is zipity do da. I don't do zipity do da." Cake=zipity do da. 

 
By that standard, there must be an awful lot of music that falls into the "zippity-do-da" category.
 lizardking wrote:

Prolonging the Magic, when I first heard it, was such an "ear' opener.  It's seems amazing to me now how esoteric this album has become.  Nonetheless, there's a haunting beauty to this song (and "Never There" and my fav "Walk on By") that I feel is emphasized by the monotone vocal delivery, interesting instrumentation, and lyrics dripping with dry humor. 

My favorite lines in this track:

Well, the way you treat me, like the only, slightly brings me down, a lot

And to all the haters....thankfully this isn't your internet radio station and BillG will CONTINUE to play Cake.  Long Live RP and PEACE!



 Agreed.


Prolonging the Magic, when I first heard it, was such an "ear' opener.  It's seems amazing to me now how esoteric this album has become.  Nonetheless, there's a haunting beauty to this song (and "Never There" and my fav "Walk on By") that I feel is emphasized by the monotone vocal delivery, interesting instrumentation, and lyrics dripping with dry humor. 

My favorite lines in this track:

Well, the way you treat me, like the only, slightly brings me down, a lot

And to all the haters....thankfully this isn't your internet radio station and BillG will CONTINUE to play Cake.  Long Live RP and PEACE!


Regarding the complainers...

Let Them Eat Cake
Awful!
Sonofabitch.  Make this go away.
This has always been one of those songs that can catch you singing along even though you might have thought you wouldn't... I can tell you that seeing them do it live, like I did a couple months ago from the balcony in The Boulder Theater, brought us all to our feet!
{#Bananajam}
 OHMish wrote:
No more cake for you!

 
Promise?
No more cake for you!
Horrible on so many levels. The crowning of this mess is that awful singing saw.
Townes Van Zandt has a quote that goes something like, "there are two kinds of music. There is the blues and there is zipity do da. I don't do zipity do da." Cake=zipity do da. 
Consistently stupid, like most of Cake's output. Not a fan. 
 kcar wrote:

Progress...or a sign of Huntington's chorea. 

Well then, a musical saw and not a theremin. Certainly more entertaining than Cake's singer. 

As an antidote to this band, I give you Peter Capaldi, the anti-Cake.

Peter Capaldi looking like a velociraptor 
Scottish actor Peter Capaldi. ..

 
He's the 12th Doctor now.  He's probably a fan of Cake.
reminds me of Woodstock folk .. another time and place.
If this is the "best" Cake song; how bad are the rest?
Bill is playing his usual awesome line ups on this Friday afternoon, very mellow, am smiling......
I gave this an 8.  I think the best Cake song for me...
 iam_overlord wrote:
I hate this less than I hate most Cake songs. Hmm.

 
Progress...or a sign of Huntington's chorea. 

Well then, a musical saw and not a theremin. Certainly more entertaining than Cake's singer. 

As an antidote to this band, I give you Peter Capaldi, the anti-Cake.

Peter Capaldi looking like a velociraptor 
Scottish actor Peter Capaldi. Or a velociraptor. He's going to rip a you a new asshole either way. 
 
I don't know why, but Cake always makes me bounce in my chair
 tomingersoll wrote:
The instrument on "Guitar" is called the Theramin - made famous by its use in the Star Trek theme!  Love it!
 
Actually, the poster below that said it sounds like a hand saw is correct.  It's a musical saw — an ordinary hand saw played with a violin bow, by Richard Lyman in this case.  I thought it was a theremin also, which is a testament to the artistry of the saw player — 'taint an easy instrument. Thanks a bunch to the listener who emailed me about it.
 bseib wrote:
There is also the famous appearance of the Theramin in pop music in the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations".
 
Electronic music geek trivia:  the "theremin" in Good Vibrations was an imitation theremin created by a trombonist and an actor/inventor!
you got me cookin, I'm a hard boiled egg in the HUMDRUM....dull ; monotonous
 timc wrote:
Inclusion of theremin is worth at least a point or two.
 
The movie about Leon Theremin is pretty interesting. With Rob't Moog, Brian Wilson (sad), a bit of Todd Rundgren (?). But the guy's story was worth it. Not a "great" documentary by any stretch but kept me going "hmm" for a couple of hours.

The guy was press-ganged by the KGB. 
 tomingersoll wrote:
The instrument on "Guitar" is called the Theramin - made famous by its use in the Star Trek theme!  Love it!

There is also the famous appearance of the Theramin in pop music in the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations".

I like the irony of Cake naming this song "Guitar". But here's another case: My wife & I went to see a musical group called "Polygraph Lounge", and they performed this Beach Boys song. They included playing the Theramin, aptly playing it with a dildo. That was funny enough. But the funniest moment was seeing the elderly woman sitting near us squinting and asking her husband a bit too loudly, "What are they playing with?"  I could hardly contain myself.



The instrument on "Guitar" is called the Theramin - made famous by its use in the Star Trek theme!  Love it!
I like the tune but it just sounds like someone is playing a hand saw.
I hate this less than I hate most Cake songs. Hmm.
 miahfost wrote:
Cake are so lame. Stop with the tepid irony already, you're not funny stupid cakeheads.
 
oh, you silly swedish meatball...you are more than welcome to go listen to some flergen de glergen music anytime. Let us enjoy our Cake!
I saw CAKE at the Mann in Philly last night - always entertaining and generous. They gave a Fuji Apple Tree to some lucky man in the front row.
Seeing them tomorrow in Danbury, CT! Woot!
Zep wrote:
Don't understand the frequent appearance of Cake in the playlist here at RP...
It's all the people asking...

Please, Sir; may I have some more CAKE?

 wilcogirl11 wrote:
I love Cake! I don't what it is about these guys, you either love or hate them. You either get them or don't.
 

I don't see that there's all that much to get.

Either you like them, or you're a bit uptight about music! {#Eyes}
 Inclusion of theremin is worth at least a point or two.

vit wrote:


I had to look. Best quote from the article: "Lenin was so impressed with the device that he began taking lessons in playing it ..." Now I have a picture in my head of Lenin in some crazy evil-overlord stance making eerie creepy sounds using an instrument he doesn't even touch.

 
I had to look too.  Too cool, learn something new every day.

 wilcogirl11 wrote:
I love Cake! I don't what it is about these guys, you either love or hate them. You either get them or don't.
 
I don't understand much of anything these days, but I loves me some Cake. {#Dance} 

"...and the award for the best use of the singing bow saw goes to..."

timc wrote:
Inclusion of theremin is worth at least a point or two.


I had to look. Best quote from the article: "Lenin was so impressed with the device that he began taking lessons in playing it ..." Now I have a picture in my head of Lenin in some crazy evil-overlord stance making eerie creepy sounds using an instrument he doesn't even touch.

 rtrudeau wrote:

Definitely not for everyone.

But that's exactly what make CAKE great.
 
What's not to like? {#Dancingbanana}

 rshackleford67 wrote:
CAKE ROCKS EVERYONE'S SOCKS!
 
Definitely not for everyone.

But that's exactly what make CAKE great.


This is one of those songs that is good for a listen or two, and that's it.
I love Cake! I don't what it is about these guys, you either love or hate them. You either get them or don't.
keller1 wrote:
They really are melodically challenged, aren't they? Mute ... back when it's over.
If you've ever met McCrea, you'd understand CAKE. Comfort Eagle will change that tone. CAKE ROCKS EVERYONE'S SOCKS!
keller1 wrote:
They really are melodically challenged, aren't they? Mute ... back when it's over.
Man, I was just about to say that this song should prove to the naysayers that Cake can indeed do a sweet melody. Perhaps the guy doesn't have American Idol, pop-friendly vocals, but perhaps that's not what makes a great melody?
Strange for me... Feel like I shouldn't like these guys... But... keep listening to them
timc wrote:
Inclusion of theremin is worth at least a point or two.
++ ...two, definitely...
Inclusion of theremin is worth at least a point or two.
Gotta Love Cake
fredriley wrote:
Is that a theramin in the background, or just a synth emulating one?
I vote for real. It's even harder to fake one than to find the real thing. I've seen guys do a pretty good job faking it with a pedal steel, but you can't get the unlimited sustain that a real one has.
sub-arctic wrote:
And there's Cake again. Cannot stand it. Signing out.
They really are melodically challenged, aren't they? Mute ... back when it's over.
Thanks Bill! You read my mind (once again).
sub-arctic wrote:
And there's Cake again. Cannot stand it. Signing out.
Auf Wiedersehen, auf Wiedersehen, die Zeit mit Dir war wunderschön.... Can't get enough from Cake.
And there's Cake again. Cannot stand it. Signing out.
Is that a theramin in the background, or just a synth emulating one?
Don't understand the frequent appearance of Cake in the playlist here at RP... average at best. Sorry big Sac, you'll have to do better.
The most aptly named band ever. I mean it in a bad way.
My doctor, who has a local family practice, actively plays the theremin and has a couple of them in the examination room. It was a little uncomfortable at first, but it's a unique instrument and he rocks it.
I likes this cake, can I have another piece?
Cake is the stuff that makes me go YEAH I am sure that Bill will be playing Mexico tomorrow what with cinco de Mayo and all... though I don't know much about it.
rush-2112 wrote:
...best band from Sacramento IMHO.
And that includes Tesla! lol
Any rock song with a saw should be an automatic 10.
Cake are so lame. Stop with the tepid irony already, you're not funny stupid cakeheads.
I always thought I liked this band. The magic is over. Thanks RP for keeping me from making the mistake of buying this.
can't stand their melodies, can't stand their rythym, can't stand his voice, blech on this band!!!!!!!!!! THE WORST
It's funny that a song titled "Guitar" has a saw in it for an instrument.
Need to give this one another 10! Somehow it just works for me, not sure why.
I don't like the way his voice seems to sound far-away.
masterhead wrote:
Please rethink what you just sayd...please... In my scale ..cake is around 8...Giants is about 6...
Hey, I'm a Cake fan, but there's more talent in the Johns' little fingers than in all of Cake. TMBG rocks.
BOW BEFORE THYE THEREMIN !!!
Personally I like "Sheep Go to Heaven," but a good song...best band from Sacramento IMHO.
Despite liking some of their music, I have come to the final realization that Cake doesn't do much for me anymore......I have a hard time differentiating song to song and album to album these days.....what a shame..
suec wrote:
Listen... they're playing that crazy sound that was part of the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest movie soundtrack... hear it? weeeeoooowweeeeooooo
Ooh, you got it first! According to 'relayer' it is aTHEREMIN... nifty 'Juicy Fruit'
An automatic 9.
Any song that has a Theremin is an automatic 7 from me...
What a charming, interesting band. First heard Cake years ago in a strip bar with some cuite on stage shakin' it to their music.
detertj wrote:
reminds me a little of They Might Be Giants
Please rethink what you just sayd...please... In my scale ..cake is around 8...Giants is about 6...
I thought Cake was a Lou Reed tribute band.
mrtyler wrote:
Alternately, you could think it was a stylistic decision, and one of the reasons why Cake has a distinctive sound. Do you think music with syncopation is the work of people who don't know where measure lines are?
That cracks me up. I love that you said that! - CAKE is truly one of the few distinctive modern bands out there who always gets me going!
more cake.... MORE CAKE!!!!!!!
this whole cd is fab!
Saw them live one time and I liked the fact that the only instrument the lead singer played was the vibraslap. A very distinctive sound IMO. Kinda cool.
We got a promo Cake CD back when I was working for my college newspaper. The music reviewer hated it so much, he used it as a frisbee, and it became embedded in the drywall near the celing where it stayed for a couple of years... I don't like (or dislike) 'em all that much, but the music's kinda growing on me.
RP seems to like Cake. Which is just fine with me!
MEH!! :roll:
Originally Posted by the_jake2: I agree with the "oral constipation" comment. It happens so often, you have to think the guy just can't sing in time with the music.
Alternately, you could think it was a stylistic decision, and one of the reasons why Cake has a distinctive sound. Do you think music with syncopation is the work of people who don't know where measure lines are?
The 'Scooby Doo' sound running through the tail of this song is, as pointed out, a theremin, a truly cool device. It's perfectly suited for cool-as-a-cucumber Cake. You play a theremin without touching it. For a great interactive demo, you can https://www.bbc.co.uk/science/playground/theremin1.shtml .
Dude! It\'s Cake with a Theriman. How can you beat that?! :D
My favorite track off of Prolonging the Magic. Cake is amazing.