Love — You Set the Scene
Album: Forever ChangesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 433
Length: 6:45
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Where are you walking, I've seen you walking
Have you been there before?
Walk down your doorsteps, you'll take some more steps
What did you take them for?
There's a private in my boat and he wears
Pins instead of medals on his coat
There's a chicken in my nest and she won't
Lay until I've given her my best
At her request she asks for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you want she brings you water
If you don't then you will burn
You go through changes, it may seem strange
Is this what you're put here for?
You think you're happy and you are happy
That's what you're happy for
There's a man who can't decide if he should
Fight for what his father thinks is right
There are people wearing frowns who'll screw you up
But they would rather screw you down
At my request I ask for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you're nice she'll bring me water
If you're not then I will burn
This is the time and life that I am living
And I'll face each day with a smile
For the time that I've been given's such a little while
And the things that I must do consist of more than style
[1: There are places that I am going
4: There'll be time for you to start all over]
This is the only thing that I am sure of
And that's all that lives is gonna die
And there'll always be some people here to wonder why
And for every happy hello, there will be good-bye
There'll be time for you to put yourself on
Everything I've seen needs rearranging
And for anyone who thinks it's strange
Then you should be the first to want to make this change
And for everyone who thinks that life is just a game
Do you like the part you're playing
I see your picture
It's in the same old frame
We meet again
You look so lovely
You with the same old smile
Stay for a while
I need you so, oh, oh, oh, oh
And if you take it easy
I'm still teethin'
I want to love you, but
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Where are you walking, I've seen you walking
Have you been there before?
Walk down your doorsteps, you'll take some more steps
What did you take them for?
There's a private in my boat and he wears
Pins instead of medals on his coat
There's a chicken in my nest and she won't
Lay until I've given her my best
At her request she asks for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you want she brings you water
If you don't then you will burn
This is the time and this is the time and
It is time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time
Have you been there before?
Walk down your doorsteps, you'll take some more steps
What did you take them for?
There's a private in my boat and he wears
Pins instead of medals on his coat
There's a chicken in my nest and she won't
Lay until I've given her my best
At her request she asks for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you want she brings you water
If you don't then you will burn
You go through changes, it may seem strange
Is this what you're put here for?
You think you're happy and you are happy
That's what you're happy for
There's a man who can't decide if he should
Fight for what his father thinks is right
There are people wearing frowns who'll screw you up
But they would rather screw you down
At my request I ask for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you're nice she'll bring me water
If you're not then I will burn
This is the time and life that I am living
And I'll face each day with a smile
For the time that I've been given's such a little while
And the things that I must do consist of more than style
[1: There are places that I am going
4: There'll be time for you to start all over]
This is the only thing that I am sure of
And that's all that lives is gonna die
And there'll always be some people here to wonder why
And for every happy hello, there will be good-bye
There'll be time for you to put yourself on
Everything I've seen needs rearranging
And for anyone who thinks it's strange
Then you should be the first to want to make this change
And for everyone who thinks that life is just a game
Do you like the part you're playing
I see your picture
It's in the same old frame
We meet again
You look so lovely
You with the same old smile
Stay for a while
I need you so, oh, oh, oh, oh
And if you take it easy
I'm still teethin'
I want to love you, but
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Where are you walking, I've seen you walking
Have you been there before?
Walk down your doorsteps, you'll take some more steps
What did you take them for?
There's a private in my boat and he wears
Pins instead of medals on his coat
There's a chicken in my nest and she won't
Lay until I've given her my best
At her request she asks for nothing
You get nothing in return
If you want she brings you water
If you don't then you will burn
This is the time and this is the time and
It is time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time
Comments (70)add comment
We veered back to 60's junk. This is pretty bad. Bill does this sometimes.
The distribution on the ratings histogram for this track is fairly amazing....its just about as "flat" as any track I've ever seen on RP..."one man's trash is another's treasure...or meh or ....pretty okay..." apparently its everything...lol...
Alexandria wrote:
You had to be in L.A. in the late sixties to understand.
I'm also quite surprised (shocked?) that so many fellow RP listeners don't share the enthusiasm that some of us have for this influential yet highly underrated band. Arthur Lee & Co really pulled out all the stops on this one, a fitting finale for a tremendous LP. Just gorgeous, well deserving of repeated listenings and, for some folks, reconsideration.
You had to be in L.A. in the late sixties to understand.
fatcatjb wrote:
The power is all yours.
hoping this stops soon. Really soon
The power is all yours.
greiffenstein wrote:
It was 1967. A lot of music then had a similar sound, style and vibe. It's a long list of tracks and subgenres that brought in strings and horns--Beatles, the Stones, American Breed, many more--for melodies and hooks. For the love of experimentation.
Bill, for the love of God...
It was 1967. A lot of music then had a similar sound, style and vibe. It's a long list of tracks and subgenres that brought in strings and horns--Beatles, the Stones, American Breed, many more--for melodies and hooks. For the love of experimentation.
Proclivities wrote:
Either your speakers are at a very low volume or you are employing some sort of alternative or personal definitions for the words "rhythm" and "melody" - because both elements are very present in this song. They may vary at different points, but they are there.
You're right. They're in there. Resplendant in their glorious lameness.
Either your speakers are at a very low volume or you are employing some sort of alternative or personal definitions for the words "rhythm" and "melody" - because both elements are very present in this song. They may vary at different points, but they are there.
You're right. They're in there. Resplendant in their glorious lameness.
Bill, for the love of God...
Moody Blues on Qualudes.
hoping this stops soon. Really soon
What a trip hearing another song from this band other than Little Red Book ! bizarre tune, actually.
This is a grower. From my all time favourite album I now conclude that its a deserving 10.
SOOOOO '60s. So earnest. Wanting to be innocent, forced to be worldly. The music is almost disjointed, like two separate tracks. At times it's weird, but also almost sweet. Feel the yearning for better times to come. And those Sergeant Pepper horns, so in vogue in those years.
mrmagoo wrote:
Sorry mr Tuttle but you are out of your league. Perhaps something more soothing is to your taste?
Sorry mr Tuttle but you are out of your league. Perhaps something more soothing is to your taste?
tuttle99 wrote:
Brutal. And I agree....if there's a melody here, I can't find it....no idea how the singer can duplicate it from one performance to the next 
Brutal. And I agree....if there's a melody here, I can't find it....no idea how the singer can duplicate it from one performance to the next
Shesdifferent wrote:
Either your speakers are at a very low volume or you are employing some sort of alternative or personal definitions for the words "rhythm" and "melody" - because both elements are very present in this song. They may vary at different points, but they are there.
60's? Not loving this..it has no rhythm or melody
Either your speakers are at a very low volume or you are employing some sort of alternative or personal definitions for the words "rhythm" and "melody" - because both elements are very present in this song. They may vary at different points, but they are there.
I'm also quite surprised (shocked?) that so many fellow RP listeners don't share the enthusiasm that some of us have for this influential yet highly underrated band. Arthur Lee & Co really pulled out all the stops on this one, a fitting finale for a tremendous LP. Just gorgeous, well deserving of repeated listenings and, for some folks, reconsideration.
60's? Not loving this..it has no rhythm or melody
jadewahoo wrote:
This song has wonderful lyrics, it's beautifully sung, it has great arrangements, the playing is top notch and the production is superb! This is the sound that the Moody Blues were shooting for. It's as good as anything released by the Beatles, or the Stones but look at the rating. The RP rating audience has dropped the ball on this one.
Part 2 of this song is what makes it so great... the lyrical shift, the musical cadence that accompanies it... evocative, emotional, powerful.
This song has wonderful lyrics, it's beautifully sung, it has great arrangements, the playing is top notch and the production is superb! This is the sound that the Moody Blues were shooting for. It's as good as anything released by the Beatles, or the Stones but look at the rating. The RP rating audience has dropped the ball on this one.
Is this for real or is it supposed to be a parody?
The horror. The horror.
Simply. Awesome.
Love these cats.
Love these cats.
Ughh. Just not into the vibe of this band.
Another great song from a critically acclaimed great album.
Part 2 of this song is what makes it so great... the lyrical shift, the musical cadence that accompanies it... evocative, emotional, powerful.
—- Part II (2:20) —-
Verse 1:
This is the time and life that I am living
And I'll face each day with a smile
For the time that I've been given's such a little while
And the things that I must do consist of more than style
<1: There are places that I am going
4: There'll be time for you to start all over>
Verse 2:
This is the only thing that I am sure of
And that's all that lives is gonna die
And there'll always be some people here to wonder why
And for every happy hello, there will be good-bye
There'll be time for you to put yourself on
Verse 3:
Everything I've seen needs rearranging
And for anyone who thinks it's strange
Then you should be the first to want to make this change
And for everyone who thinks that life is just a game
Do you like the part you're playing
Bridge (4:03):
I see your picture
It's in the same old frame
We meet again
You look so lovely
You with the same old smile
Stay for a while
I need you so, oh, oh, oh, oh
And if you take it easy
I'm still teethin'
I wanna love you, but
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is the time and this is the time and
It is time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time...
—- Part II (2:20) —-
Verse 1:
This is the time and life that I am living
And I'll face each day with a smile
For the time that I've been given's such a little while
And the things that I must do consist of more than style
<1: There are places that I am going
4: There'll be time for you to start all over>
Verse 2:
This is the only thing that I am sure of
And that's all that lives is gonna die
And there'll always be some people here to wonder why
And for every happy hello, there will be good-bye
There'll be time for you to put yourself on
Verse 3:
Everything I've seen needs rearranging
And for anyone who thinks it's strange
Then you should be the first to want to make this change
And for everyone who thinks that life is just a game
Do you like the part you're playing
Bridge (4:03):
I see your picture
It's in the same old frame
We meet again
You look so lovely
You with the same old smile
Stay for a while
I need you so, oh, oh, oh, oh
And if you take it easy
I'm still teethin'
I wanna love you, but
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is the time and this is the time and
It is time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time, time...
Has kind of a Bright and Shiny Cult feel to it.
trancefussion wrote:
Save they were 20 years ahead of their time.
nothing unique here.
Save they were 20 years ahead of their time.
Great band, great album. This, however, isn't the best on that piece of vinyl.
I don't comment often,
but this is song is cruel an unusual punishment.
but this is song is cruel an unusual punishment.
Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but this song sucks.
This is lame even for 1967.
When prog-rock goes tragically wrong . . .
BLAH!
rocket5150 wrote:
I'm not high enough
Great, great, great. One of the best albums of all time. I feel sorry for those dismissing it as outdated. Open your minds.
I'm not high enough
Great, great, great. One of the best albums of all time. I feel sorry for those dismissing it as outdated. Open your minds.
jagdriver wrote:
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
There's plenty os psychodelia I enjoy. This I don't dig.
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
There's plenty os psychodelia I enjoy. This I don't dig.
bronorb wrote:
I guess it just seems a little too flower-powery. They used too many of the hooks of the time all in one song. The horns, the strings, the poetic lyrics, etc.
I just can't get behind it and I am old enough to remember this music.
Know exactly what you mean. I own it and it hasn't come out of the sleeve for a long while. And this is one of the weaker tracks on the album
I guess it just seems a little too flower-powery. They used too many of the hooks of the time all in one song. The horns, the strings, the poetic lyrics, etc.
I just can't get behind it and I am old enough to remember this music.
Know exactly what you mean. I own it and it hasn't come out of the sleeve for a long while. And this is one of the weaker tracks on the album
I have probably seen this album more than any other in the second hand record store. Some things are best left in the dust bin.
really bad...
jagdriver wrote:
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
I guess it just seems a little too flower-powery. They used too many of the hooks of the time all in one song. The horns, the strings, the poetic lyrics, etc.
I just can't get behind it and I am old enough to remember this music.
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
I guess it just seems a little too flower-powery. They used too many of the hooks of the time all in one song. The horns, the strings, the poetic lyrics, etc.
I just can't get behind it and I am old enough to remember this music.
jagdriver wrote:
It's sad isn't it? Too complex for many to get their head around? Yes, the song is elaborate with strings and horns, but everything fits together very well.
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
It's sad isn't it? Too complex for many to get their head around? Yes, the song is elaborate with strings and horns, but everything fits together very well.
Proclivities wrote:
For some reason, in the six years since this eloquent comment's appearance, no one has made note of the fact that "it's outdated" is two words, not one. The comment is outdated, not this song. Sorry kids, your lack of knowledge of this band and their place in history doesn't render them "outdated".
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
For some reason, in the six years since this eloquent comment's appearance, no one has made note of the fact that "it's outdated" is two words, not one. The comment is outdated, not this song. Sorry kids, your lack of knowledge of this band and their place in history doesn't render them "outdated".
Roger that!
(PS: I can't believe all of the low scores! A 4.9 for this masterpiece?)
Joyfulchristine wrote:
For some reason, in the six years since this eloquent comment's appearance, no one has made note of the fact that "it's outdated" is two words, not one. The comment is outdated, not this song. Sorry kids, your lack of knowledge of this band and their place in history doesn't render them "outdated".
In a word, it's outdated.
For some reason, in the six years since this eloquent comment's appearance, no one has made note of the fact that "it's outdated" is two words, not one. The comment is outdated, not this song. Sorry kids, your lack of knowledge of this band and their place in history doesn't render them "outdated".
robbinewman wrote:
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
Upload it.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
Upload it.
One of my old FM favorites
This isn't the best song on the LP but this is one of the few LPs I still play all the way through....Good stuff and brings back memories..
WAY underrated and I never get tired of hearing this track. Arthur Lee has quite a history, and at least one account has it that Jimi learned how to dress in a psychedelic (read: colorful) manner from him.
Netflix offers an interesting video of AL (Love) in concert in 2000. Fully orchestrated, it's worth viewing for Love fans. Sadly, Arthur died a few years afterward.
Netflix offers an interesting video of AL (Love) in concert in 2000. Fully orchestrated, it's worth viewing for Love fans. Sadly, Arthur died a few years afterward.
robbinewman wrote:
Brilliant band! Apparently most listeners here have never even heard of them.
The entire Forever Changes album is a classic....take time to listen to the depth of instrument blends.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
Brilliant band! Apparently most listeners here have never even heard of them.
Thanks, Bill.
I feel like I should like this one, but I just can't. Sorry. 
wow... make it stop please
robbinewman wrote:
Well said. I don't understand the hate. Maybe you had to be there to realize how unique they were.
The entire Forever Changes album is a classic....take time to listen to the depth of instrument blends.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
Well said. I don't understand the hate. Maybe you had to be there to realize how unique they were.
i've said it before and i'll say it again: love stinks.
The entire Forever Changes album is a classic....take time to listen to the depth of instrument blends.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
Love were cutting edge from the psychedelic era. They had blues and jazz roots and were the first group to blend race and brass in a flowing manner...perhaps too mature for the lollipop stuff on popular radio at the time.
The lead Arthur Lee had the sweetest tremolo voice and all the band were Uber cool.
Personally I think Forever Changes got a little introspective in lyrics and I much prefer the purity of the previous album Da Capo.
Don't understand why its not on the playlist? The track Revelation in particular is the greatest interpretation of an act of Love since Bolero.....I defy RP to play it!!!
There are many great musicians who know how edgy and polished Love were, despite the fact that their albums were never adopted by 'public' radio at the time....they were too hard to categorise.
'She comes in colors' was perhaps an exception.
DH wrote:
Good thing its real late and not many are listening!
Well, without crappy songs we wouldn't enjoy the good so much. 
This song makes me feel like I am in a bad Cowsill's video! Good thing its real late and not many are listening!
DH wrote:
Well, without crappy songs we wouldn't enjoy the good so much.
'fraid i have to agree with this one. our esteemed dj is a little older than me and i can't get into this stuff.
Originally Posted by thrazzle:
Ha. It doesnt even HAVE an AMG entry!
Check again, it's there as the lead entry. As for the Moody Blues similarity, I hear it too. I'm not sure but I think the Love sound predated the the whole Knights in White Satin phase (Days of Future Past)of the M.B.s.
Along w/ some others, this is the kind of stuff I listen to RP for. Dated, yes, but a date I enjoyed anyway.
Well, without crappy songs we wouldn\'t enjoy the good so much. :roll:
In a word, it\'s outdated.
Yay!
Hey, did you know about the Calexico version of Alone Again Or? It's been played on BBC Radio 2 over here in the UK.
Hey, did you know about the Calexico version of Alone Again Or? It's been played on Way too long. This went from a 5 to a 3 to a 1 over its course. Blech
nothing unique here.
Ha. It doesnt even HAVE an AMG entry!
But this does sound a whole lot like the MOODY BLUES.
hint...
Remember Ross Perot, and what he said you\'d hear if NAFTA was ratified? It\'s this song. 
blech :(
Wow!
Can\'t say I\'ve even heard of this group prior to RP.
The verdict is still out on them for me at this point.
does it ever end?
Yep. It's an almost perfect end to an almost perfect album.
:)
Man this is bad... does it ever end? 
OK, this is a song that\'s a bit beyond its time but it was an excellent song way, way, back then. In fact, it got relatively little air play even 30-35 years ago. But hearing it again now is a true testament to the quality of RP. Where else would one hear this song during all these years? No where.
Thanks RP!! Playing songs like this one solidifies my listening loyalty.
They lost me with the line \"The snot has caked against my pants.\" Does anyone remember which Love song that is?