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Camper Van Beethoven — Life Is Grand
Album: Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1052









Released: 1988
Length: 3:18
Plays (last 30 days): 2
And life is grand
And I will say this at the risk of falling from favor
With those of you who have appointed yourselves
To expect us to say something darker
And love is real
And though I realize this is not a deep observation
To those of you who find it necessary
To conceal love or obscure it, as is the fashion
Comments (85)add comment
Hell yeah! I love how this instantly puts me into a bowery trance, makes me want to get up and dance!
Raw beauty from a true artist thank you David!
Sounds kinda like Billy Bragg meets Biffy Clyro.
 reallylost wrote:

It's Christmas Day 2021 and we're dancing to this. 



OK - so it's March 4th 2022 and we're still dancing. 

This album is a delight to listen to in its entirety (a must to really absorb it imo). And this song is a 'grand' closer as well.  Cheers to David and CVB for an album I will always cherish. And cheers to RP as well for playing songs off of it, of course!

It's Christmas Day 2021 and we're dancing to this. 
 justlistening wrote:

Guess I'm i'm in the minority here. I really don't enjoy this song. A little pop sounding and repetitive. Unremarkable lyrics. Other than that I can tolerate it!




Are you still there?
This may be the most idiotic rating on this entire massive collection of songs.  CVB was such an excellent band and showed it here on steroids.  
Now here we have a song with some verve to it. 
 lizardking wrote:

I was thinking the same thing...and decided to help out the cause with a +1 to 7....not a great tune though a 7 fits...Long Live RP!!
 
Another+1 to 8 now. Love the guitar on this, the message too, and even the vocals seem to impart the "life IS grand, right?" and I say it is if you believe it so. LLRP!
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
 
Spot on. and I agree
Those are some of the best lyrics in rock and roll.  Also a great song.
Long Live RP!
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
 
I was thinking the same thing...and decided to help out the cause with a +1 to 7....not a great tune though a 7 fits...Long Live RP!!
Fond memories of college years and interesting indie rock outside the Madonna/Milli Vanilla type schlock playing on FM radio at the time.  A sign of 90's indie rock to come
Not my favorite CVB, but still good memories of college years seeking out alternative music and escaping the Madonna/MIlli Vanilli/Debbie Gibson type stuff loading up the local airwaves
 FatPants wrote:
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?

 
ha ha ha!

I love Cracker and CvB, but this is so spot on.
I saw a couple guys from this band play as Cracker Van Beethoven with Shawn Colvin at a show in Boulder about 15 years ago.  Fun times!
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
The day after this was released, Camper Van Beethoven was fired from Google
I just stopped by to add the obligatory: "sounds like cracker" post... your welcome.
This disc is sheer brilliance. Especially cranked up in the car cruising down the highway.
 FatPants wrote:
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?

 

Just saw CVB and Cracker a couple days ago and waited for Mr. Lowery to say something about the lawsuit, but nary a peep.
Incidentally, they played this entire album from start to finish and it was a great way to kick off 2016.
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?
 Seahunt wrote:
I friggin' love this song.  Flame on haters {#Bananajam}

 
{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Bananajam}
Relentlessly happy. Which is okay. 
I friggin' love this song.  Flame on haters {#Bananajam}
 LPCity wrote:
God, for as much grief as Neil Young gets about his singing voice...  This guy's voice drives me up the friggin' wall.
 
reminds me of cracker a bit.
God, for as much grief as Neil Young gets about his singing voice...  This guy's voice drives me up the friggin' wall.
 davyjrshort wrote:
Other than some of the guitar work...I'm not really certain where to begin with this one....someone said middle school? Yup, that fits it, makes total sense for target market.
 
I said middle school because that's how old I was when this album came out and when I started listening to it, courtesy of a friend's older sister who knew about the "cool" bands like The Pixies and The Sugarcubes and The Cure and They Might Be Giants.  You know, the ones we never heard on commercial radio in our town.

I still like it, partially because of nostalgia and because I still find the hook in most of the songs.  

I also randomly find myself (in my head)snarling at a certain type of woman and thinking, "Take off your turquoise jewelry."


 oilydwarf wrote:
Holy Moses! Haven't heard these guys for years and years! Not their strongest and they weren't brilliant even at their best but great to hear them. Couldn't work without RP, thanks Bill!
 
I'd argue that Key Lime Pie is brilliant through and through. One of the best albums released in the late 80's, and their cover of 'Pictures of Matchstick Men' is raw and powerful and never to be equaled. Saw them touring for this one in Dec. '89, live on the campus of San Diego State University. After the show, they signed autographs at a local laundrymat (see track titles if you don't get this joke). Great show, and got to meet them afterwards. Fan for life. {#Clap}

 More_Cowbell wrote:
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
I think Cracker is even better........Where's your cowbell anyway.  This is a good time for it.


 ! Cripes !     ...  {#Stop}
 More_Cowbell wrote:
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
 

And that's not a compliment to either band.
Yes it is!
Fooled me again.  I thought it was Barrier Reef by the Old 97's.
I think I'll keep Ludwig instead
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
 mamerjamer wrote:
Did anyone ever see that awards show when David Cassidy got up on the podium with Susan Dey to present an award, and he decided to break into a rousing chorus of C'mon - Get Happy?  You could see Susan Dey saying to herself "Well, there goes 15 years of hard work trying not to be perceived as Laurie Partridge!"

His "Live365" concert was better.

He screamed obscenities at the audience and complained about how low his career was that he could only get some internet gig.

 Proclivities wrote:
Oddly enough, this album was released over 20 years ago.  The term "indie" wasn't tossed around as much back in 1988.
 
If at all. Back then, these guys were just known as "weirdos."

Hate his voice.{#Arghhh}
20 years later and this band still makes me smile. I saw them live in Chicago also and was impressed by their versitility and talent. Talk was they were arrogant and caustic and would never last. Was that true?
 superfido wrote:


Yes and too wanna be indie.  Not genuine enough. imho of course
 

Oddly enough, this album was released over 20 years ago.  The term "indie" wasn't tossed around very much back in 1988.

Other than some of the guitar work...I'm not really certain where to begin with this one....someone said middle school? Yup, that fits it, makes total sense for target market.


I wore this album out in middle school.  Wore it out.
 physastro2050 wrote:
boring :(
 

Yes and too wanna be indie.  Not genuine enough. imho of course
Long live CVB — dig deeper for some Monks of Doom and you'll really get me excited!
Loved this song the first time I heard it.  I am a big Cracker fan, but not as familiar with the Camper Van Beethoven stuff, although I have heard the band name kicked around for years.  This is a great song.  I rarely ask for more of a song, but I hope this one gets back into the rotation a bit more like it was for a while.  Kind of makes me think of the Partridge Family - C'mon - Get Happy!

Did anyone ever see that awards show when David Cassidy got up on the podium with Susan Dey to present an award, and he decided to break into a rousing chorus of C'mon - Get Happy?  You could see Susan Dey saying to herself "Well, there goes 15 years of hard work trying not to be perceived as Laurie Partridge!"

So C'mon all you naysayers!  Get Happy! 

boring :(
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
I like some of their stuff but this just feels like Billy Bragg without the bite.
Billy Bragg without the bite sounds exactly -this- trite.
This - right after Django???
omg, how craptastic is this?! Love it
Great way to start the morning! Life is Grand by CVB!
So... did they rip off "About a Boy", or was it other way around?
Holy Moses! Haven't heard these guys for years and years! Not their strongest and they weren't brilliant even at their best but great to hear them. Couldn't work without RP, thanks Bill!
I like some of their stuff but this just feels like Billy Bragg without the bite.
Borderline ~ one of my favorite tunes...
Yes, another vote for "Take the Skinheads Bowling" because I'm too lazy to put the vinyl on. Mozart wrote:
Life is Grand indeed with Camper Van How about playing some more? Take the Shinheads Bowling!!
More college flashbacks please.
love the old cracker van wilco
Ah... CVB... great album. Let's hear the rest of it!
This song deserves more frequent airtime, I feel. It never fails to brighten my day. Right on, CVB!
Good song, but the band could've been better named. How about Camper Van Mozart?
Expecting me to say something darker? Nuh-uh! One of their "heigh" points!
this song was in a movie...anyone know which one?
funny thought it was billy bragg at first idiot me Camper is good...and now it is BB...god I am good
Life is Grand indeed with Camper Van :sunny.gif: How about playing some more? Take the Shinheads Bowling!!
This song just kicks butt. :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif:
laprincessa wrote:
These guys sound like The Old 97's.
I think you have the chronology reversed there.
cvb is heaven sent
These guys sound like The Old 97\'s.
Originally Posted by Douglas L-H: Good song, but how 'bout some more CVB. The self titled CD (the third, I think) is great. Une Fois, We Saw Jerry's Daughter, Still Wishing to Course...
I'll second that one! my all-time favorite CVB tunes are all from that album. especially "Still Wishing To Course". for some reason I could never really get into the rest of their stuff very much.
Hmmm, Camper Van Beethoven eh? I thought it was Status Quo! :D
Aw man, what an irony that you play the most boring and mundane song on an otherwise great, not-mundane album. Hmph!
Life IS grand. This was a great live band and this tour was the last time I saw CVB. Never saw Cracker live but I think David Lowery needs to not be a dictator. Most of Cracker\'s stuff doesn\'t have as much fun going on. -scott
Originally Posted by justlistening: Guess I'm i'm in the minority here. I really don't enjoy this song.
Hey Justy...I might agree with you on that, but as the album closer on an otherwise dark collection, this upbeat number was just the icing on the proverbial cake. :D
Guess I\'m i\'m in the minority here. I really don\'t enjoy this song. A little pop sounding and repetitive. Unremarkable lyrics. Other than that I can tolerate it!