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Porcupine Tree — Piano Lessons
Album: Stupid Dream
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 820









Released: 1999
Length: 4:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I remember piano lessons
The hours in freezing rooms
Cruel ears and tiny hands
Destroying timeless tunes

She said there's too much out there
Too much already said
You'd better give up hoping
You're better off in bed

You don't need much to speak of
No class, no wit, no soul
Forget you own agenda
Get ready to be sold

I feel now like Christine Keeler
Sleepwaking in the rain
I didn't mean to lose direction
I didn't want that kind of fame

(Take your hands off my land)

Credit me with some intelligence (if not just credit me)
I come in value packs of ten (in five varieties)

And even though I got it all now
My only stupid dream
Is you and me together
And how it should have been

I remember piano lessons
Now everything seems clear
You waiting under streetlights
For dreams to disappear

Credit me with some intelligence (if not just credit me)
I come in value packs of ten (in five varieties)

(Take your hands off my land)

Credit me with some intelligence (if not just credit me)
I come in value packs of ten (in five varieties)
Credit me with some intelligence (if not just credit me)
I come in value packs of ten (in five varieties)

Credit me with some intelligence
I come in value packs of ten
Comments (140)add comment
 WonderLizard wrote:

Never had much to do with PT until I started listening to RP. A convert. The vocal harmonies are wondrous.




Same Here!!  Now, they are one of my favorite bands.  GREAT TUNE!! Thanx RP!  
Never had much to do with PT until I started listening to RP. A convert. The vocal harmonies are wondrous.
 eveliko wrote:
Really LOVE the well-cared bassline.

 
Colin Edwin - a classic progressive bassist.  Show me a "well-cared" bass line - I'll show you a catchy tune.
I love that...well-cared. 
 Highspirits wrote:

yeah, I heard a faint, very faint resemblance in the beat to the 'What I am' song by Edie. that's about it.
But this song rocks it, love PT!

 
Oddly, someone else brought that up earlier in the thread.  If I were to try, I could make myself hear that, but really, it's a pretty standard rock drum beat - probably in hundreds of songs.  I guess the wah-wah guitar is reminiscent as well.  As far as the melody, the chord progression, and the other instrumentation, this song is entirely different.  Everyone hears different things.
porcupine trees most poppy song a 7 for that cant give higher because of the obvious eddiebrickell influence that is either blatant to make a catchy song or else its subcobsciously unnoticed
PT always puts me in the right mood, this song I diodn't know thanks B&R!
Really LOVE the well-cared bassline.
 kingart wrote:

What? 

 
yeah, I heard a faint, very faint resemblance in the beat to the 'What I am' song by Edie. that's about it.
But this song rocks it, love PT!
 danmaiullo wrote:
Great song. Sounds like Edie Brickell.

 
What? 
Great song. Sounds like Edie Brickell.
Always great to hear PT. Thanks again RP for the  intro to this great band.
Well my ears are liking porcupine tree{#Daisy} so {#Ass} to those that don't...instead of moaning about it ...just press the off button
 Hoosfoos wrote:

totally agree

 
I beg to differ, there is NEVER too much PT on RP  {#Naughty}
 oceansurf wrote:
Sorry, but RP plays WAY too much Porcupine Tree.  And I'm sorry but they were never cool nor all that great... =/

 
totally agree
Sorry, but RP plays WAY too much Porcupine Tree.  And I'm sorry but they were never cool nor all that great... =/
 westslope wrote:

Interesting idea. The mid- to late 1960s psychedelic feel was made all the better by the vocal harmonies.  I think Steven lost a willing harmonizing fellow band member when the former drummer left.

I'll add a please to that too.   And the liquid kazoo-like guitar is fabulous as always.



 

The man plays a mean slide guitar (if you can get him to even pick up a guitar these days).


PT fun fact-


The weird little copper thing that Wilson always uses as a slide is a napkin ring he made for his mum in school when he was 10 or so.   
If it is one artist or group that I can thank RP for the introduction it is PT. But this is just one of many new musical lovers that RP has turned me on to. Thanks Bill for being my pimp.
fff
zczcz
I thought I knew all of the tunes on this album, but don't remember this one.  I'll open with a 7.

Lacks a piano lead, but other than that, this song rocks...  love it...
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Excellent segue from Strawberry Alarm Clock, dude!
{#Notworthy}
 
Yes indeedy. Sequence repeated in February to great effect.
 SinisterDexter wrote:
Are they channeling Strawberry Alarm Clock?
 
Most people might call it segueing.
aha only available on CD i see
curse you itunes 
fits my mood perfectly
Excellent segue from Strawberry Alarm Clock, dude!
{#Notworthy}
 azdcryan wrote:
I'm not aware of too many things, but I know what I know if you know what I mean.
 
Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians!  Did I win?  Did I?  Did I?
 PeteyGreens wrote:
Come back to harmonies like this on PT's future stuff, Steve, please. 
 

Interesting idea. The mid- to late 1960s psychedelic feel was made all the better by the vocal harmonies.  I think Steven lost a willing harmonizing fellow band member when the former drummer left.

I'll add a please to that too.   And the liquid kazoo-like guitar is fabulous as always.


 helgigermany wrote:
Nice!
 
Very nice.

 
rtrudeau wrote:
This is without a doubt the only station on Earth where Strawberry Alarm Clock is followed by Porcupine Tree.

I love it.
 
I  agree wholeheartedly!{#Yes}  It's so awesome!

Come back to harmonies like this on PT's future stuff, Steve, please. 
This is without a doubt the only station on Earth where Strawberry Alarm Clock is followed by Porcupine Tree.

I love it.
I'm not aware of too many things, but I know what I know if you know what I mean.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Well, our friend Bill just played Strawberry Alarm Clock and I am astonished at how it segued into this.

One of the many reasons I switched my radio donations from NPR to Radio Paradise! 
 
Like

Nice. This rocks!
Well, our friend Bill just played Strawberry Alarm Clock and I am astonished at how it segued into this.

One of the many reasons I switched my radio donations from NPR to Radio Paradise! 
 SinisterDexter wrote:
Are they channeling Strawberry Alarm Clock?
 
Isn't that a bit like saying that Leonard Cohen is channeling Rod McKuen? But I hear it too, lol.     {#Propeller}

But, I see that the Strawberry Alarm clock hasn't been heard from on RP since 2004.  I wouldn't mind hearing that song, just once more. (Bill, if you are reading this, note: just ONCE more, please!) 

Are they channeling Strawberry Alarm Clock?
Nice!
 Propayne wrote:
So different from there current stuff.

Love it all tho.... 
 

I think its correct to write ; So different from their current stuff. But I'm not sure, I'm from Germany. But it's real different and I love it also.
So different from their current stuff.

Love it all tho.... 

Doing may part to raise the rating!!!!!
Nice!

Thanks Slope!     {#Cheers}
Best of the season to the fans!
 westslope wrote:

Thanks equinoxus.  Makes me weary just glancing over it!  What a work ethic.

Great photo of Wilson in the studio.

I reckon In Absentia is his best Porcupine Tree effort to date so his Forward urges me to listen to his other favourites (as of 2002):  No-Man's Returning Jesus, IEM's Arcadia Son, Bass Communion II, Anja Garbarek's Smiling and Waving, and Opeth's Blackwater Park.

Sigh.  So little time and so much music.


  My son and I listened to Blackwater park yesterday while we were sorting his legos and bionicles into two large containers that go up into the attic forever (okay, until I have grandchildren or find the perfect "new drug"). It is an amazing album and while their music isn't really right for RP, it is perfect for any true PT fan that loves the harder material that PT is currently pushing.

Opeth are awesome!!!


If I'm correctly informed Porcupine Tree will play in my home town in October. Together with Robert Fripp !?!?
{#Ask} {#Dance}

I thought this was some obscure Moody Blues till I clicked the playlist


Old man, look at my life...
this chord progression shows up on many amazing places...is that Sweet Home Alabama hiding in the background?
 westslope wrote:

Funny, when I want some easy-listening, low-demand Porcupine Tree, I reach for this CD.

This song has to be one of the more poppy tunes on the CD.  I'm just amazed that this hasn't received wider airplay.


 
That is so funny- Stupid Dream is always my "I Don't Know I Want To Listen To Right Now" PT CD followed closely by Deadwing. Deadwing is chillingly perfect to me.

Moviewise it's always Twister... Regardless of my mood- Twister is always amusing.

Funny, when I want some easy-listening, low-demand Porcupine Tree, I reach for this CD.

This song has to be one of the more poppy tunes on the CD.  I'm just amazed that this hasn't received wider airplay.


{#Bananapiano}  {#Bananajam}

A big hello and Valentines greeting to all the fellow Porcupine Tree fans across the globe!

Received in the mail just recently PT's keyboard player Richard Barbieri's solo CD projects Stranger Inside and Things Buried.

 

Experimental, mostly instrumental, ambient.  Both the wife and I quite like it.  They work well for active listening and background music while concentrating on more difficult tasks.   Perhaps it is an acquired taste.

Should be able to order through one of the on-line Amazon stores without difficulty:  Click-thru Radio Paradise


One of the best songs on one of the best albums EVER!!!{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bounce}
lol thanks RP I never would have heard PT if it wasn't for yall and song delivers for me
 alux wrote:
Like a lot of PT tunes, this one promises a lot and delivers substantially less.  Ho hum.

 

I adore it   {#Bananapiano}

 alux wrote:
Like a lot of PT tunes, this one promises a lot and delivers substantially less.  Ho hum.
 
Nailed it with this.
 alux wrote:
Like a lot of PT tunes, this one promises a lot and delivers substantially less.  Ho hum.

 

Wow, I couldn't possibly disagree more with this assessment.

 equinoxus wrote:
Steven Wilson loves music and it seems like he never sleeps. Look at this discography, amazing! —> here (huge pdf-file)

 

Thanks equinoxus.  Makes me weary just glancing over it!  What a work ethic.

Great photo of Wilson in the studio.

I reckon In Absentia is his best Porcupine Tree effort to date so his Forward urges me to listen to his other favourites (as of 2002):  No-Man's Returning Jesus, IEM's Arcadia Son, Bass Communion II, Anja Garbarek's Smiling and Waving, and Opeth's Blackwater Park.

Sigh.  So little time and so much music.


I remember piano lessons
The hours in freezing rooms
Cruel ears and tiny hands
Destroying timeless tunes
{#Mrgreen}
Like a lot of PT tunes, this one promises a lot and delivers substantially less.  Ho hum.

Steven Wilson loves music and it seems like he never sleeps. Look at this discography, amazing! —> here (huge pdf-file)

I have become a huge PT fan over the last couple of years, and this CD is shaping up to be my favorite. Musically and lyrically, it is superb.
westslope wrote:
In fact the whole CD rocks.
westslope wrote:
Gettin' the groove on for 2008! Wish RP would play the lead cut to the Stupid Dream CD Even Less more.
I wish he'd play "Slave Called Shiver" even once!!!
If you like Piano Lessons, the first cut on the CD -- Even less -- is a powerful, moving song. In fact the whole CD rocks.
Well said. Amen
Who invited you to the argument that I didn't start?
No more sniping or I'll bring up the political economy of Penguin colonialism as a subject for discussion. I mean, if the Antarctica breed X lobs nuclear weapons at the Falklands Islands breed Y, shouldn't the US intervene and massively retaliate against the Antarctica Penguins Y err X?
WonderLizard wrote:
Gee whiz, PG sure gets his (IMHO) unfair share of ab hominem attacks. Y'all oughta check out his posts back-to-back. Yeah, he's got a point of view, but it's utterly consistent, and he's honest and unapologetic about it. And he's never called anyone else a "clueless anal wart," "dickhead," "pussyfart," or any of the less than flattering epithets hurled by those--this is you, Deadwing--who simply can't rise to his level of criticism or erudition. Now, I probably disagree with PG about 90% of the time (Which makes 81% of what I think crap? Fuzzy about the math...), but I respect his POV and his right to express it. Besides, even the stuff I really disagree with is thigh-slapping, LOL funny. So, y'all loosen up. Besides, all that name calling says more about you than your intended victim. Okay, I'm sitting down. Now you can really let me have it...
Well said. Amen
One of my favorite PT songs.
Great song btw I'm ignoring the trolls
I actually enjoy some of his posts as well. Even when I don't agree with him he is still very funny and extremely astute at times. He and I just don't agree on everything 100%. Why should we? And what makes it your business anyway? PG is a big boy and he can take care of himself. Can you please point out to me in what posts I ever used the phrases "dickhead," or "pussyfart" ? I would love to see that. What made you decide to attack me out of the blue btw? Thanks for starting my weekend off in such a dreary "why do I ever come to RP anymore?" fashion. Troll
Deadwing wrote:
Does "physicsgenius" even post here anymore? Gawd he is such a clueless anal wart.
Gee whiz, PG sure gets his (IMHO) unfair share of ab hominem attacks. Y'all oughta check out his posts back-to-back. Yeah, he's got a point of view, but it's utterly consistent, and he's honest and unapologetic about it. And he's never called anyone else a "clueless anal wart," "dickhead," "pussyfart," or any of the less than flattering epithets hurled by those--this is you, Deadwing--who simply can't rise to his level of criticism or erudition. Now, I probably disagree with PG about 90% of the time (Which makes 81% of what I think crap? Fuzzy about the math...), but I respect his POV and his right to express it. Besides, even the stuff I really disagree with is thigh-slapping, LOL funny. So, y'all loosen up. Besides, all that name calling says more about you than your intended victim. Okay, I'm sitting down. Now you can really let me have it...
The video to this is pretty brilliant.
Niiice! I was already a fan...they're all over the place with their sound but I'm really hoping to see some more like the beginning of this one kicky!
Gettin' the groove on for 2008! Wish RP would play the lead cut to the Stupid Dream CD Even Less more.
Deadwing wrote:
I'm not sure about Red Rocks but they have definitely played in Boulder a few times.
OK now they got my attention!
I'm not sure about Red Rocks but they have definitely played in Boulder a few times.
A snappy little number!!
h_in_bristol wrote:
Saw them in Bristol last night -- what a great show!
I would love to see this Band, in Denver. Does anyone know if they ever play Red Rocks???
I agree Steven Wilson (the vocalist/songwriter/guitarist) has never made it a secret that he just LOVES music, listens to a myriad of bands constantly, and is pretty obsessive about it. I can hear elements of hundreds of different bands in his songs. Listen to his song "Lips of Ashes" and tell me CSNY isn't lurking in the background =] It's not that he is trying to copy anyone- all of his songs are unmistakenly Steven Wilson compositions to me but I can always hear little stylistic snippets of other bands I love now and again in PT's music. If you check out his my space in the music section he lists about 1100 bands that he loves
If you listen to the slide guitar in the background through this song, you can hear the prog rock influences of Steve Howe (Yes) and the Pink Floyd harmonies. Incredible stuff---they stand on the shoulders of giants.
Deadwing wrote:
Does "physicsgenius" even post here anymore? Gawd he is such a clueless anal wart.
His last "statement" was Jan 07. I sorta miss him, sorta.
Does "physicsgenius" even post here anymore? Gawd he is such a clueless anal wart.
i found their video https://www.bolt.com/pekepeke/video/Porcupine_Tree__Piano_Les/2462286 they're definately not subtle.
The point of that video is to show how shallow commercial radio has become and what a small part creativity and passion for music has to do with it now. Musicians/Bands are "packaged" and sold like McDonald's quarter pounders as if they are a product and not the living feeling human beings that they are. It's called "tongue in cheek" for those of you with brains or senses of humor (which hopefully is most of you). The title of the CD is "Stupid Dream" if you bothered to look and it's called that because Steven Wilson considers his hopes of actually making a living with music that doesn't conform to the Clear Channel definition/requirements these days as a stupid dream. The cover of the CD is actually a factory mass producing CDs. Irony- it's the other white meat.
h_in_bristol wrote:
Saw them in Bristol last night -- what a great show!
And indeed it was. Great to see the Academy packed too. Remember seeing them like 10 years ago at the Trinity with not more than a couple of dozen in the audience.
Hello! I like this one even more than their other stuff mmmm another one added to my BUY list thanks RP
Saw them in Bristol last night -- what a great show!
Love this band!!!! Hey bill, any idea when you'll get advances from the new album?
i found their video https://www.bolt.com/pekepeke/video/Porcupine_Tree__Piano_Les/2462286 they're definately not subtle.
The Tree rocks and so good to hear them played on the radio!!
I'm with ya on the doubleshot of YES and P Tree.
I love these guys' harmonies. Pretty awesome sound. I heard these guys on RP before I heard it anywhere else; thanks RP!
Totally kicks. Great Yes/Tree doubleshot.
Jeez. Some guy's just got it - you know? These guys got it. Can NOT believe I never heard of them before RP. Kickass!
anniebear wrote:
"I come in value packs of 10" WTF?!?!?!?!? bleh
In five varieties
This was the album that turned me on to PT. Bought it five years ago and have steadily been adding to the collection. A very fine band indeed.
Great followup to Yes.
This is quite sweet for PT... poppy and pleasant, yet not cloying and cheezy. Me likey. No complaints.
Hmmm. First PT tune I've heard that has a pulse. I like it!
This is my FAVORITE Porcupine Tree tune! Thanks for playing it.
Great stuff. I'll agree that Porcupine Tree was the absolute BEST find I had during the old napster days, before they were taken down a few years back. Downloaded Lightbulb Sun, and then had to buy their stuff. Their stuff never ceases to amaze me (with perhaps the exception of one or two songs that didn't wow me over).
Another great tune from 'Tree. Another 'Tree album I have to find.
Essentially Muzak!
lizardman_tcs wrote:
I come in value packs of ten, in five varieties...
i think it's cute. :-k
"I come in value packs of 10" WTF?!?!?!?!? bleh
I had never heard Porcupine Tree before RP. Now I hear them way too much.....
I just got a copy of Stupid Dream from a lady in Russia for $16... it was in good condition and I am elated with the album!!!
I talked to Steven Wilson after P-T's show in Anaheim. I asked him about the reissue of Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun. He said they should be done soon but no timeline was given.
The video to this track is absolutely brilliant, but can be damn near impossible to find. After seeing the video, my appreciation of this track has gone up tremendously. There's a quicktime version of it on the 2nd disc of the Lightbulb Sun special edition. (out of print--I paid $30 on eBay) I don't know of anywhere else to find it. If it weren't illegal, I'd post it on my website for everyone to see.
I come in value packs of ten, in five varieties...
New CD "Deadwing" due out on April 26!!!!!!!
Cling-n-Clang wrote:
Not bad, but, anyone else notice you can replace the first verse with the words from Neil Young's "Old Man..." and not miss a beat?
Exactly. I couldn't get it out of my head.
Sounds good. I should do my own editing here in the studio.