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Ellis Paul — Maria's Beautiful Mess
Album: The Speed Of Trees
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 924









Released: 2002
Length: 4:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
She fell to the mattress
with the grace of an actress
You're falling like a thief from a roof.
She's asking for proof , "Are you staying?"
Outside you hear mission bells.

Welcome to Maria's beautiful mess,
In a cluttered apartment on the West Side.
She pulls the blinds while,
You watch how her dress falls round her .

And the world slows, a clock shows
A wrinkle in the flow of time
And she steps close, her eyes glow,
Lips pop open like a bottle of wine

And she loves like it's thirst
Like she's never been hurt,
She dances just like nobody's watching.
Is this love? Is this cursed?
It feels like the first time falling
Nobody's watching, Nobody's watching,
Nobody's watching, watching

Now she puts on some music,
She asks you to choose it
You sang her back a Gershwin line.
Now Ella is singing holy, soulfully
Bringing up better times

And beneath the tunes,
She's smiling on an unmade bed
She says, "What's in the middle that scares you,
Does it dare you
To take a moment and just slow down?"

And the world slows, a clock shows
A wrinkle in the flow of time
And she steps close, her eyes glow,
Lips pop open like a bottle of wine

And she loves like it's thirst
Like she's never been hurt,
She dances just like nobody's watching.
Is this love? Is this cursed?
It feels like the first time falling
Nobody's watching,

Pull the curtains all down
The stars fall round you,
She's smiling like the Mona Lisa.
You could conquer this town.
If your feet touched the ground,
But you're falling boy
I know, I see you
I see you, I see, I see,
I see you
Comments (192)add comment
I've hosted Ellis a few times and aside from being a talented song writer, he is also a super nice guy.
 OHMish wrote:
New project from James Blunt? {#Sorry}


That' is exactly who I thought it was
I've always liked this song. Maybe you need to have known a "Maria" or have been her to understand the message. I married a "Maria" and 20 years on, my life has never been better. 
Eek.  Meh.  
just awful
Wimpy crapola.
https://soonerman.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ronmilk.jpg
 AndrewKoransky wrote:
LOL... I love the comments on this song.  I have to agree, Ellis Paul's lyrics aren't terribly deep, especially on this song, but he does paint a picture with them.  He's one of those obscure American classic folk artists, but I think his innovative music and voice makes him stand out more than his lyrics.  Great to see live in an intimate setting if you have the opportunity.


 
Well said - I concur.
 crispynz1 wrote:
Make it stop!! {#Frustrated}
 
Amen
Still better than Floyd
Make it stop!! {#Frustrated}
 peterneorr wrote:
"...Like shes never been hurt, 
She dances just like nobody's watching. . ."

What the hell is this?  Junior high school poetry club? ick!
 
What?!!!?
New project from James Blunt? {#Sorry}
LOL... I love the comments on this song.  I have to agree, Ellis Paul's lyrics aren't terribly deep, especially on this song, but he does paint a picture with them.  He's one of those obscure American classic folk artists, but I think his innovative music and voice makes him stand out more than his lyrics.  Great to see live in an intimate setting if you have the opportunity.

"...Like shes never been hurt, 
She dances just like nobody's watching. . ."

What the hell is this?  Junior high school poetry club? ick!
Sounds nice, but I had to resort to Dave Mathews to get me through the rest of the work day (Monday)...thanks RP.
Sounds a lot like any other pop-rock track. Nothing stands out, sorry.
lyrics are a bit trite...at first blush. never really heard of him/listened to him before.
 clive369 wrote:
Sounds a bit like James Blunt - not a good thing  {#Zip-lip}
 

James Blunt is a complete and utter James Blunt*

*Cockney Rhyming Slang
Sounds a bit like James Blunt - not a good thing  {#Zip-lip}
Only caught part of this song, but great to hear Ellis on Radio Paradise.   His "Georgia" live album is excellent, and engaging to see live.
Just awful.....awful voice, awful song, awful arrangement
lips pop open like a bottle of wine . . . huh?
This is awful.
Bad!
Really?
Ugh.
 fncll wrote:
A little too much James Blunt; a few too many woooo ahoooooo ooooooos
 
I thought it was James Blunt too......melanchol,y at the top of his register....

He writes "like" an email chain letter
Ugh... probably one of the worst songs I've ever heard. Reminds me of "Wildfire" from the 1970s. Terrible lyrics, dull music.
Beautiful
 Cynaera wrote:
Gawd, I miss Eugene, Salem, and Portland - what a wonderful atmosphere!
 
I would love to visit that area.  I've never been that far west.  I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I have not exactly left the eastern side of the US.  Ever.

The farthest west I've ever been is Chicago.  I've traveled all over the east coast, but never west.  Now that I have a real job I might be able to do some traveling with the wife.

 Hippostar wrote:

 
Except with talent.

 Cynaera wrote:
I have a version of "3,000 Miles" on cassette, glommed through the miracle of technology. I got it from "A View From the Front Porch"  out of Eugene, Oregon about a million years ago. I can't translate it to MP3 - I can't even FIND it anymore - but it's a really good representation of Ellis Paul. If anyone has it (and anyone from the Eugene area who happened to record "A View..." - it'd be SO appreciated!)

Gawd, I miss Eugene, Salem, and Portland - what a wonderful atmosphere!
 
Try this: https://www.amazon.com/3-000-Miles-Ellis-Paul/dp/B00008RUI6?

9>10. I have had this on my playlist since 2002 and have never tired of it. Sublime musically, excellent arrangement, and eloquent lyrics. Plus the ending is fantastic.
Hmmm what is this? Never heard of but quite nice {#Smile}
I have a version of "3,000 Miles" on cassette, glommed through the miracle of technology. I got it from "A View From the Front Porch"  out of Eugene, Oregon about a million years ago. I can't translate it to MP3 - I can't even FIND it anymore - but it's a really good representation of Ellis Paul. If anyone has it (and anyone from the Eugene area who happened to record "A View..." - it'd be SO appreciated!)

Gawd, I miss Eugene, Salem, and Portland - what a wonderful atmosphere!
 shayde wrote:
This is lovely...
 
that is why I can't like it
15 seconds is enough, too much
These lyrics seem relatively clear to me when compared to most rock songs. In fact, I can pretty much understand everything he's saying. Ditto for the other song you mentioned. Perhaps you simply have lost your hearing.

 Rooney wrote:
I AM SHOUTING.  WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO PRONOUNCING LYRICS SO YOU CAN FREAKING UNDERSTAND THEM?  Between this song, and "Cathedrals", I thought I'd slowly but surely lost my hearing, or something vital to comprehension.
 

This is lovely...
yuk over this stuff.
A little too much James Blunt; a few too many woooo ahoooooo ooooooos
 Rooney wrote:
I AM SHOUTING.  WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO PRONOUNCING LYRICS SO YOU CAN FREAKING UNDERSTAND THEM?  Between this song, and "Cathedrals", I thought I'd slowly but surely lost my hearing, or something vital to comprehension.
 
When were the majority of rock'n'roll or pop music lyrics ever clearly pronounced?

{#Skull}    {#Stop}    {#Snooty}  {#Sleep}
GREAT!!!
 MojoJojo wrote:
I rate this a deuce. 

"The speed of trees"? Really? 
 
The growth rate of trees is measurable. . . 
 
I can't help it.  Trite—but I really like it.  8.
I really find this grating. When I discovered I had already rated this a 3 I pushed it down to 2. Ugh.
 Rooney wrote:
I AM SHOUTING.  WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO PRONOUNCING LYRICS SO YOU CAN FREAKING UNDERSTAND THEM?  Between this song, and "Cathedrals", I thought I'd slowly but surely lost my hearing, or something vital to comprehension.
 
Dood - I'd think about going a little easy on those espressos. Why so wound up?
 
I AM SHOUTING.  WHAT THE HELL EVER HAPPENED TO PRONOUNCING LYRICS SO YOU CAN FREAKING UNDERSTAND THEM?  Between this song, and "Cathedrals", I thought I'd slowly but surely lost my hearing, or something vital to comprehension.
I rate this a deuce. 

"The speed of trees"? Really? 
 aelfheld wrote:
Sounds like a poor man's Rod Stewart.
 
Perhaps Rod Stewart and James Blunt's lovechild?

 tnt_thomas wrote:
ziggytrix wrote:


and cliche and trite



Put away your logic and critiquing and go fall in love. {#Yell} Then this will hammer the HELL out of your insides. {#Kiss} Gave it an 8, despite my degree in English Lit.
 
I'm very much in love and its still formulaic and pedestrian

 aelfheld wrote:
Sounds like a poor man's Rod Stewart.
 
very poor

Sounds like a poor man's Rod Stewart.
 Marley wrote:
The words are a little cliche, but the hook is SO good I don't care!
 

exACTly.

I had to sit on my hands to keep from rating this an 8 ... my heart was saying 8! 8! and my head was saying "you idiot, this is nowhere near that." I had a real schizophrenic moment, and wound up with a 7.


homer simpson

For me this song has a little TOO much "...woooohooo whoooo...."


 Bodhisattva wrote:
My neighbor!!  On RP!  I feel famous too now for some reason....  {#Crown}

Oh, and all you naysayers go suck an egg.  {#Moon}
 
Yes, I was very surprised to see this name.  My sister is good friends with your neighbor :-)

RP is the most amazing musical experience... Bill is truly a hero in this world, and I'm thankful he digs out an endless array of beautiful music to share. I love this simple Ellis Paul song for the pleasantness I feel listening to it, and 80% of other songs on RP make me feel so much because they're beautiful. RP rocks!!!
My neighbor!!  On RP!  I feel famous too now for some reason....  {#Crown}

Oh, and all you naysayers go suck an egg.  {#Moon}
 lawman wrote:
What the hell gets into me? Having listened to this too-earnest drivel for too long, I switched in irritated impatience to the RP site, in order to score it 2 ...and found that I'd already scored it 7, some time in the past. 2! 2!! 2!!!!!! dammit

Oh and godammit here come those two nancies from the 60s Simon & Garfunkel twinkling about bloody "Emily". Hey Bill - if you're gonna play girls names, stick G-L-O-R-I-A on, willya!

 

This is the funniest post EVER.  Well done!
The words are a little cliche, but the hook is SO good I don't care!
 ptooey wrote:
Just for the record - James Blunt's debut album was released in 2004.  Ellis Paul's was released in 1989.
 
IMHO, blunt is a poseur. . .


Just for the record - James Blunt's debut album was released in 2004.  Ellis Paul's was released in 1989.
 vandal wrote:

And she loves like its thirst,
Like shes never been hurt,
She dances just like nobody's watching. . .

 
bump


Blunt sound ruins it for me
"lips pop open like a bottle of wine". Oh please, what flat embarrassing rubbish. That's not what lips do, that's something a puerile songwriter writes when he wants to sound clever. But really, really isn't.

 punkbot wrote:
Sounds like James Blunt's twin sister  :(
 

You beat me to it....
Both were clearly absent the day they were handing out testosterone...& I'm just now getting the syrupy falsetto. 
To keep an "Ellis" theme, how's about replacing all Ellis Paul selections with Tinsley Ellis?
 lawman wrote:
Oh and godammit here come those two nancies from the 60s Simon & Garfunkel twinkling about bloody "Emily". Hey Bill - if you're gonna play girls names, stick G-L-O-R-I-A on, willya!

 
Hahahahahhhhaaaahahahaha! Nancies! That made me pee my pants a little.

Sounds like James Blunt, but not bad!  (Wrote this comment, and then read the other ones, and i know, I am not alone)!!
 wenatchee wrote:
A James Blunt Clone?
 
James Blunt would be an Ellis Paul clone.

Even James Blunt dislikes this.
Y'ever notice how many songs have lyrics about dancing like nobody's watching?
agakkk
A James Blunt Clone?
Sounds like James Blunt's twin sister  :(
James Blunt-like.....aaaaaaaararrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh
My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.

The first line of this song reminded me of the James Blunt song. Very similar vocal quality I guess. Lyrics are better though.


coffee house amateur night
 bletch
sorry bill
RadioDoc wrote:

She fell to the mattress
With the grace of an actress
You're falling like a thief from a roof.

While the entire song doesn't keep up with the pace these three opening lines set, I would say that they beat the snot out of much from the 70's.

I'm secure enough of a man to admit I kind of like this one.




Sounds romantic.


 Grammarcop wrote:
Further evidence of my argument that lyrics today are not as good as they were 30 years ago.
 
She fell to the mattress
With the grace of an actress
You're falling like a thief from a roof.

While the entire song doesn't keep up with the pace these three opening lines set, I would say that they beat the snot out of much from the 70's.

I'm secure enough of a man to admit I kind of like this one.

What the hell gets into me? Having listened to this too-earnest drivel for too long, I switched in irritated impatience to the RP site, in order to score it 2 ...and found that I'd already scored it 7, some time in the past. 2! 2!! 2!!!!!! dammit

Oh and godammit here come those two nancies from the 60s Simon & Garfunkel twinkling about bloody "Emily". Hey Bill - if you're gonna play girls names, stick G-L-O-R-I-A on, willya!

 Grammarcop wrote:
Further evidence of my argument that lyrics today are not as good as they were 30 years ago.
 
I think I read your paper in the journal "Boomer - Scientific Studies of How the Younger Generation Just Doesn't Cut It"
Further evidence of my argument that lyrics today are not as good as they were 30 years ago.
wow.
Really terrible. 
 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:
Perhaps this is what James Blunt had in mind? {#Eh}
 
You mean if James Blunt had some real talent?

Perhaps this is what James Blunt had in mind? {#Eh}
This set is not helping with my post-lunch blahs...
He was here at Stoney Brook University last month and I missed him - first heard him here on RP, and have listened to the youtube video every day since, I'm changing my 8 to a 9, this is a wonderful song.....
 marthadusty wrote:
This Ellis Paul album was released in 2002. James Blunt wasn't even shaving yet (if he even does now) Saying that Ellis Paul is copying James Blunt is way off base. Ellis has been writing songs and touring the world for 20 years and has 14 albums to his credit, with hundreds of extremely well written songs. James Blunt has one song which is marginally decent the rest are marginally bad. The only reason JB made it big is because Elton John loves him and put millions of dollars behind getting that one song to be a hit. It's cool if you don't like the music, but Ellis was making his career...a very successful one I might add, years before JB came onto the scene.
 
trekhead wrote:
I'll be blunt...no, wait.
Mr. Paul will , I guess.
 

  there is a wonderful acoustic version of this on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX85HXIvTbg
I'd love to get a recording of him live...
wonderful song, tremendous singer/writer/performer


This Ellis Paul album was released in 2002. James Blunt wasn't even shaving yet (if he even does now) Saying that Ellis Paul is copying James Blunt is way off base. Ellis has been writing songs and touring the world for 20 years and has 14 albums to his credit, with hundreds of extremely well written songs. James Blunt has one song which is marginally decent the rest are marginally bad. The only reason JB made it big is because Elton John loves him and put millions of dollars behind getting that one song to be a hit. It's cool if you don't like the music, but Ellis was making his career...a very successful one I might add, years before JB came onto the scene.
 
trekhead wrote:
I'll be blunt...no, wait.
Mr. Paul will , I guess.
 

I remember in oh Day of the Dead was it, they had captured a zombie and proven that small vestiges of their humanity remained. For instance one zombie when offered a razor began shaving its face off. I think that proof that zombies can perform some simple tasks is further evidenced by this song. It would just help if next time the zombie had all of its teeth and lips.
Amazing artist and song that would have flown under my radar for the duration of my life if it wasn't for RP.. so thanks again!
I'm with Bill; this is a well-constructed and beautiful piece of pop music that speaks to a lot of human experience.
 lionessrk wrote:
Amazing song, great story telling and fantastic pictures being painted with the words. This song has a sense motion, time and place, great narrative.
 
I couldn't agree more.

Feel in love with this song a month or so ago.  Absolutely beautiful.

Amazing song, great story telling and fantastic pictures being painted with the words. This song has a sense motion, time and place, great narrative.
 tnt_thomas wrote:
ziggytrix wrote:


and cliche and trite



Put away your logic and critiquing and go fall in love. {#Yell} Then this will hammer the HELL out of your insides. {#Kiss} Gave it an 8, despite my degree in English Lit.
 

I can see the cliche and trite in the song but I still like it.  This song is new to me .. but I have another song of his from the Me, Myself and Irene soundtrack (which I bought for the fun Steely Dan covers) .. and boy do I have a guilty pleasure enjoyment of that song ... I put it on a mix I made for a former co-worker and I still have this concern that they might judge my musical taste based on the Ellis Paul song I chose ... and I just googled/goodsearch.commed the song I refer to:  The World Ain't Slowin' Down .. good I love it's corny-ness .. over-the-top sincerity .. triteness .. I just love it .. and I like his voice ..
Lips pop open like a bottle of wine.

Hard to argue with those lyrics! Sweet.
ziggytrix wrote:


and cliche and trite



and whiney and lame

an adam duritz clone... great. just what we need. puke.


ziggytrix wrote:


and cliche and trite



Put away your logic and critiquing and go fall in love. {#Yell} Then this will hammer the HELL out of your insides. {#Kiss} Gave it an 8, despite my degree in English Lit.


lemmoth wrote:
totally formulaic and pedestrian






and cliche and trite

And she loves like its thirst,
Like shes never been hurt,
She dances just like nobody's watching. . .
totally formulaic and pedestrian
Doctor Hooey - how cool! I heard him for the first time when I was living in Salem, Oregon and was listening to "View From the Front Porch" on a Eugene station. The song was "3,000 Miles," and it happened to be on the day I decided to just record the whole VFTFP program on cassette. Man, did I ever luck out. That cassette went the way of all good things in my life - it got donated or lost, but I can still remember all the lyrics, and the way his voice can make me cry...
Very nice, quite sultry.
I jammed with this dude. Great guitarist. Awesome improviser.
jjbix wrote:
a solid entry. a rock staple; powered percussion, strong vocals, tight loud chords. Yes, i like this rock song. .
yes! I have no Blunt bias, this is really sweet
I'll be blunt...no, wait. Mr. Paul will , I guess.
oh dear my first rating of 1 reminds me of James Blunt with tonsillitis
You could probably do a successful mashup with this and Beth Orton's "Stolen Car"
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Am I the only one who's hearing echoes of Rod Stewart?
You hear echos? When did this start? Is it just Rod who's talking to you? What's about Elvis?
maLeFunKtion wrote:
At first listen I thought this was James Blunt
LOL I just wanted to write that I expected the singer to be.......Mr. Blunt....
At first listen I thought this was James Blunt
a solid entry. a rock staple; powered percussion, strong vocals, tight loud chords. Yes, i like this rock song. .
Shades of Rod Stewart. Maggie May!
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Am I the only one who's hearing echoes of Rod Stewart?
Yes, and that can never be a good thing.
denizenusa wrote:
Does anybody else want to gag?
I just did
Did I just go to the dentist. That song was like a nasty drilling to the head that never ends. Odyzzeuz wrote:
Only in the way one gags on a big gulp of syrup.
Am I the only one who's hearing echoes of Rod Stewart?