Carbon Leaf — The Boxer
Album: Echo EchoAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 869
Length: 3:17
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Couldn't ask for a better day, two by two
To the ring to the right point of view
Each retreat to the corner that's defined by you
To the ring to the right point of...
Chorus
Lonely Reign
She is the Boxer, she knows
when and where to strike
He is the Boxer, he knows,
no peaceful sleep tonight
Caught the downfall of Pete and May, Ryan too
(He did not approve of Kayleigh's mood)
Doctor Mike was 'fight or flight' at Dundrum School
To the ring to the right point of...
No return. No passion left to burn.
The Boxers grow weary.
Their eyesight...blurry view.
Chorus
All's quiet on the front. Smokey room.
Boxer standing tall, peering through
Finding no one left to fight
What to do?
To the ring to the right point of view...
Chorus
To the ring to the right point of view
Each retreat to the corner that's defined by you
To the ring to the right point of...
Chorus
Lonely Reign
She is the Boxer, she knows
when and where to strike
He is the Boxer, he knows,
no peaceful sleep tonight
Caught the downfall of Pete and May, Ryan too
(He did not approve of Kayleigh's mood)
Doctor Mike was 'fight or flight' at Dundrum School
To the ring to the right point of...
No return. No passion left to burn.
The Boxers grow weary.
Their eyesight...blurry view.
Chorus
All's quiet on the front. Smokey room.
Boxer standing tall, peering through
Finding no one left to fight
What to do?
To the ring to the right point of view...
Chorus
Comments (118)add comment
Great song! Gets me into a rocking, rollicking good mood! Gonna go for a long bike ride on the Creek Path in the stunning autumn sun!
Had to check RP weren't playing the Saw Doctors
Neo-REM.
Love the Carbon Leaf to Green Day transition. Shows what two different type of band can do with basically the same song.
Proclivities wrote:
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
Bill played a Green Day song after this one
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
Bill played a Green Day song after this one
Proclivities wrote:
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
Precedes both of em. They're mining the same vein.
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
Precedes both of em. They're mining the same vein.
Can't dislike it but pretty standard Big Country, Runrig, Saw Doctors.
LizK wrote:
These guys probably were not even born when that song came out. But yeah, I probably would have tried to come up with a different title, just to keep 'em separate.
Love this band, by the way. 'The War Was In Color' is a fave, very powerful.
Song's OK. Why did they use the name of my fav S&G song?
These guys probably were not even born when that song came out. But yeah, I probably would have tried to come up with a different title, just to keep 'em separate.
Love this band, by the way. 'The War Was In Color' is a fave, very powerful.
Song's OK. Why did they use the name of my fav S&G song?
I like Carbon Leaf, however I think one of the other tunes...that gets played from the same album is far better. I think it's called "Toy Soldier".
Totally underrated band.
Carbon Leaf is one of those bands I can't help liking, even when I hear one of their songs that doesn't particularly appeal to me.
I didn't care for this one at first, but it's grown on me.
I didn't care for this one at first, but it's grown on me.
arserocket wrote:
Hmmm...makes me want to have a crap, throw my stools around then swim in a bowl of Guinness...anyone care to join me?
Yawn. That's just another Tuesday 'round here, mate.Love those tubular bells
With the Carbon Leaf - Green Day Transition!
Bill you crack me up!
prairiedogj wrote:
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
2nd listening... I like it. change 5 to 7. Even in spite of the fact that this is Green Day, had they grown up in the Maritimes.
It seems like a pretty standard Celtic-style melody and arrangement. I don't hear Green Day at all; I'm not familiar with a lot of their material, but this type of chord structure long precedes their existence.
How silly and "nothingsaying".
This song is addicting, isn't it?
The Boxer is one of my favorite songs by the guys.
burdell wrote:
Yea, more Carbon Leaf is in order! What About Everything is another excellent song.
Great new Green Day song! Why is there a name and album cover for some band I've never heard of before?
Seriously though, I absolutely love this. Brilliantly done. Play more Carbon Leaf!
Seriously though, I absolutely love this. Brilliantly done. Play more Carbon Leaf!
Yea, more Carbon Leaf is in order! What About Everything is another excellent song.
prairiedogj wrote:
Absolutely! Instantly reminded me of Green Day's Minority.
This is Green Day, had they grown up in the Maritimes.
Absolutely! Instantly reminded me of Green Day's Minority.
Great new Green Day song! Why is there a name and album cover for some band I've never heard of before?
Seriously though, I absolutely love this. Brilliantly done. Play more Carbon Leaf!
Seriously though, I absolutely love this. Brilliantly done. Play more Carbon Leaf!
veloceleste wrote:
Reminds me of Bob Mould...
They remind me of the Frank & Walters. If you like Carbon Leaf, check them out.
Reminds me of Bob Mould...
Carbon Leaf, The Decemberists, Elbow mmm I like them but they all sound very similar. I wonder why?
More Carbon Leaf, please!
Wow, I really like this a lot — interrupted my work just to come and give it a 9.
Such a fun song! 
I'll give a high mark to any rock band that can incorporate a lap dulcimer into their lineup
prairiedogj wrote:
Nailed it!
this is Green Day, had they grown up in the Maritimes.
Nailed it!
They remind me of the Frank & Walters. If you like Carbon Leaf, check them out.
Rotterdam wrote:
Hey Arserocket, I would be really irritated by your rudeness if you weren't so funny.
Rude? Yes. Funny? No.
Hey Arserocket, I would be really irritated by your rudeness if you weren't so funny.
Rude? Yes. Funny? No.
arserocket wrote:
Hmmm...makes me want to have a crap, throw my stools around then swim in a bowl of Guinness...anyone care to join me?
Hey Arserocket, I would be really irritated by your rudeness if you weren't so funny.
Hmmm...makes me want to have a crap, throw my stools around then swim in a bowl of Guinness...anyone care to join me?
Hey Arserocket, I would be really irritated by your rudeness if you weren't so funny.
Pantagruel wrote:
Another meaningless band for no reason whatsoever to release an album or be played on RP
Not every song you listen to will be life changing, what do you want? It's just entertainment.
Carbon Leaf is totally awesome!! Thanks. Feel free to introduce us to more music by this group. I only know two of their songs and love them both.
Pantagruel wrote:
Another meaningless band for no reason whatsoever to release an album or be played on RP
I'm with you on that one - yuk
First I've heard of Carbon Leaf - I like!
rluking wrote:
I can handle the effervescent perkiness. It's the stupid a** lyrics I hate.
Ditto.
ndfan75 wrote:
Makes me wanna drink a crapload of Guinness and throw bar stools at people
Hmmm...makes me want to have a crap, throw my stools around then swim in a bowl of Guinness...anyone care to join me?
I can handle the effervescent perkiness. It's the stupid a** lyrics I hate.
I really like this band, especially the lead singers voice. Listen to more and you will too!
Another meaningless band for no reason whatsoever to release an album or be played on RP
meloman wrote:
I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who dislikes this band's sound. Their effervescent perkiness on this number is just plain annoying.
Icky, icky, icky. Creepy pseudo-Celtic-crap-pop.
meloman wrote:
Their effervescent perkiness on this number is just plain annoying.
Aw, you just can't handle your perk, now, can you?
Nuance wrote:
Carbon Leaf just makes me gag.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who dislikes this band's sound. Their effervescent perkiness on this number is just plain annoying.
I love this sort of stuff. It reminds me of The Oysterband, and that's a really good thing
first time i heard this song, I likes it! 
2nd listening... I like it. change 5 to 7. Even in spite of the fact that this is Green Day, had they grown up in the Maritimes.
ndfan75 wrote:
Makes me wanna drink a crapload of Guinness and throw bar stools at people
I think I'd settle for just the Guinness part of that equation.
Makes me wanna drink a crapload of Guinness and throw bar stools at people
Farquwaar wrote:
Such a great band. Would we ever know with out Radio Paradise?
Such a great band. Would we ever know with out Radio Paradise?
Both are great, but personally I feel this is their best.
ursus88 wrote:
Never heard of these guys ... really enjoyed the song a lot!! Thanks!! Does anybody have any CD recommendations? Which is their best?
pixidrizzl wrote:
OK, fFirst a disclaimer so I don't get a beat down:
I am not, by any means, comparing the two bands when I make the following statement.
This lead singer always makes me think of the lead singer of Eve 6 whenever I hear him. Vocally, strictly speaking.
I hear ya... Especially comparing Carbon Leaf's "Raise the Roof" with Eve 6's "Inside Out". The choruses on the two songs have a very similar rhythm and tone... vocally, strictly speaking.
Saw them live in Spokane at the Big Easy. Good time. They are nice guys stuck around after the concert to sign shirts and stuff.
mem_313 wrote:
some day to see this band live is my dream! 
Nuance wrote:
Carbon Leaf just makes me gag.
If this song makes you gag, you have a very weak stomach.
Kind of reminds me of Great Big Sea... except with a generic Green Day rip-off sound to it. 5.
I've only heard this one song though.
OK, fFirst a disclaimer so I don't get a beat down:
I am not, by any means, comparing the two bands when I make the following statement.
This lead singer always makes me think of the lead singer of Eve 6 whenever I hear him. Vocally, strictly speaking.
mem_313 wrote:
some day to see this band live is my dream!
Just come to Richmond, VA in the summer - they play Friday Cheers every year!
This song always makes me happy.
some day to see this band live is my dream!
randomprime wrote:
At one time this and Mary Mac were free downloads from Amazon.com. Worth every crown and then some.
actually, you can still download the entire (i think) album Echo Echo from amazon.com. It's a good one, too.
maelgwn wrote:
Cracking track.
Just bought the album from iTunes. Worth every one of Her Majesty's penny pieces.
At one time this and Mary Mac were free downloads from Amazon.com. Worth every crown and then some.
iiiindeed a great track, gets easily a 9/10. Good riddance.
(haha, got it? )
Cracking track.
Just bought the album from iTunes. Worth every one of Her Majesty's penny pieces.
maLeFunKtion wrote:
Is it just me or am I hearing the Pogues genetically intertwined with Greenday? :-k
Damn good ear!! I agree.
Hanna wrote:
This just makes me happy. :-)
I agree. Many people who are just discovering Carbon Leaf say this is their favorite song. Plus it won the American Music Award a few years back.
Is it just me or am I hearing the Pogues genetically intertwined with Greenday? :-k
Hanna wrote:
This just makes me happy. :-)
Carbon Leaf just makes me gag.
This just makes me happy. :-)
Aaaarrrggghhh...just missed hearing it on RP today. Love these guys! I can "echo echo" the comments of others that Carbon Leaf is a great live act.
TheBob wrote:
Well??? I have no idea how their show stands up in the limited format of an opening act, but they've put on outstanding musical performances in each of the four times I've seen them and I hear the same from most others, including multiple internet reviews. So flanders, what's your verdict?
I didn't run out and buy their CDs or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised by their live performance. the guitarist was excellent! and the singer sounded better than he does on radio...he does have an interesting voice. I went with a friend who is a big fan and a couple of the band members autographed her CD...they seem very down-to-earth.
flandersdog wrote:
I have only heard two or three Carbonleaf songs and I don't like either/any of them. I am going to see Carbonleaf in concert tonight, only because: 1) Big Head Todd also is playing, and 2) a friend gave me free tickets. perhaps hearing them live will change my opinion of their tunes? um, probably not. I will, however, keep an open mind.
Well??? I have no idea how their show stands up in the limited format of an opening act, but they've put on outstanding musical performances in each of the four times I've seen them and I hear the same from most others, including multiple internet reviews. So flanders, what's your verdict?
I have only heard two or three Carbonleaf songs and I don't like either/any of them. I am going to see Carbonleaf in concert tonight, only because: 1) Big Head Todd also is playing, and 2) a friend gave me free tickets. perhaps hearing them live will change my opinion of their tunes? um, probably not. I will, however, keep an open mind.
Not bad. Sounds like the Psychedelic Furs doing the songs the way their Mums would have wanted them to play.
klgs24 wrote:
I swear, as soon as i get some munny i'm buying these guys' CDs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love everything RP plays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
whew! I need to tone myself down a bit. I did buy both Echo Echo and Indian Summer and I do love them both, but I will spare you the exclamation points this time.
YEAH! a Richmond, VA band! I'm in Pittsburgh now, but it was in highschool in Richmond when these guys were playing every little tiny gig they could
Yea Carbon Leaf--Great to hear them tonight!
This song gets old real fast, but mary mac (especially live)- now that song will make you want to grab a pint or twelve.
You can download a free copy of this song, among others, at carbonleaf.com. Click on Media, then Downloads. There's also an in-studio version of The Boxer.
Never heard of these guys ... really enjoyed the song a lot!! Thanks!! Does anybody have any CD recommendations? Which is their best?
gntlemanartist wrote:
Without a doubt the best song from a great album. I remember seeing these guys performing on (I think) the MTV Music Awards as Best New Artists or something. It was the only reason I watched that pathetic popularity pageant. Strangely I haven't heard much out of them since then.
That was the American Music Awards! ;)
They're about to embark on a 6 week national tour, so they might be coming your way...
Without a doubt the best song from a great album. I remember seeing these guys performing on (I think) the MTV Music Awards as Best New Artists or something. It was the only reason I watched that pathetic popularity pageant. Strangely I haven't heard much out of them since then.
I swear, as soon as i get some munny i'm buying these guys' CDs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love everything RP plays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't know too much about these guys, but the little I know I like :) They have a show in Nashville in a few weeks -- thinking about checking it out.
(Psst -- this song and a few others are freebie downloads at the Washington Post's mp3 site. Registration required but still, some good tuneage imo.)
I guess it sounding irish/celtic/what have you, and being called "The Boxer" is why it makes me think of it.. but still odd... This makes me smile and think of Brad Pitt, in "Snatch" where he was speaking nearly unitelligible "ang-lish" saying "Perrywinkle Blue"
ok.. so maybe I should stop snorting, let alone sniffing; the glue... 
Patti_M. wrote:
Have to add this to my CD wish list....have heard 2 songs..so far, so good.
Anything with a pennywhisle in it, suits me. :)
pbm
8^)
Then you MUST buy "Desperation Song", or better yet the whole CD (Echo Echo). After you hear this one, your love for the pennywhistle will be cranked up a few more notches - I promise.
Enjoy :)
Boxer is a great song - their first to get much airplay - but they have better!
"DESPERATION SONG", is also from Echo Echo and also found on their Live CD. Both versions are superb <.
First cut on current CD (Indian Summer) deserves high rotation as well - Life Less Ordinary. If a song could ever be described as having a "snappy" beat and a catchy rythm, this one is it.
a bit of Celtic flavoring ala The Levellers, Proclaimers or Waterboys in this one...
This is an absolutely mind-blowing song from an amazing band.
HOWEVER, did any of you catch them performing live on the American Music Awards?
They did the Boxer, and completely failed. It was embarassing.
Definitely a great live band. I've seen them several times opening for bigger acts and you just don't see that kind of extremely positive crowd reaction for openers very often!
Great band, especially live. I saw them open in Charleston SC for Jump Little Children (also on the RP playlist) and they were fantastic. I was so smitten I went back to the merch stand and bought two of their discs. I can't remember the last time that happened, and no, I wasn't drunk or stoned.
They also sound like a group from Minneapolis called "Dazy Head Mazy".
This band... especially the singer... reminds me a lot of a New Orleans band called Cowboy Mouth. I actually thought that's who this is at first.
canna wrote:
glad to see this song in full rotation! These guys have a new album coming out July 13th. They've been playing a few of the new songs at their live show and it sounds to be delightful. I'll be sure to upload the new tracks once they are out!
Couldn't agree more. These guys are taking Celtic-influenced rock to new levels and new audiences. I first downloaded this tune because a friend of mine mentioned she was going to a wedding of a bandmember. I played it daily and never tired of it . . . glad to see the band is doing well and becoming an RP fave.
PS: If you like this and feel a yearning for pipe and whistle flavored rock, try my old favorite Celtic rock band Seven Nations -- especially the older, pre-Neil Anderson departure CDs.
Thanks...
Was running into the wall after lunch...
Sounds like someone has a case of the Monday's...
https://www.bullshitjob.com/officespace/mondays.wav
glad to see this song in full rotation! These guys have a new album coming out July 13th. They've been playing a few of the new songs at their live show and it sounds to be delightful. I'll be sure to upload the new tracks once they are out!
I've looked at the lyrics, and I know it's not what he says, but I always end up hearing "Meg Ryan, too". Fun song, though; --d
I like this. 
It kind of reminds me of Greenday a little.
It kind of reminds me of Greenday a little. awesome song - have another one!
Originally Posted by brucergtr58:
ok----thats an extremely familiar voice. Who is that singer?
Barry Privett is the lead singer of Carbon Leaf.
Originally Posted by coldatlantic:
I like this a lot. I was totally underwhelmed by their version of Mary Mac, though. Great Big Sea has the crown on that song, hands down. Sounds like these guys would go great with a pint of Guiness... Are they American?
The are from Richmond, VA. They have opened for GBS on 2 tours, 1 in the Northeast/Midwest in March of 2002 and for 3 weeks in the South this past Feb/March.
I used to be a fan of GBS Mary Mac only ( how can you not love Bob on the fiddle and the awesome Séan McCann? ) but, after seeing Mary Mac Carbon Leaf style a few times, it, too has grown on me. :)
And the Leaf goes VERY well with Guinness :)
coldatlantic wrote:
I was totally underwhelmed by their version of Mary Mac, though. Great Big Sea has the crown on that song, hands down.
Someone please upload. I'd like to hear that.
I happen to like the Carbon Leaf I've heard thus far.
I like this a lot. I was totally underwhelmed by their version of Mary Mac, though. Great Big Sea has the crown on that song, hands down. Sounds like these guys would go great with a pint of Guiness... Are they American?
Echo Echo (the CD that this song is from) is pretty good overall. I own it and enjoy it, but if I listen to the cd I don\'t find the second half (everything after Mary Mac) as good as the first half. I\'m going to try an experiment on the way home though...listen to only tracks 8+. 
This song makes me want to have a pint in a pub.
I Like it! 
Wow, if these guys ever teamed up with Hevia, it\'d be a collective Radio Paradise orgasm.
Yeah, Carbon Leaf is an awesome live band. Everyone should see them if they get the chance. I know they tour across much of the country. And their songs are available for download on amazon.com.
Btw, "bagpipes" is thoroughly acceptable when referring to one set. Mostly because there is more than one pipe on each instrument.I love Carbon Leaf -- they\'re even better live; see them if you have the chance. They play a song live (sometimes) with bagpipes! (well, bagpipe, but still!)
Different, almost original and that\'s very difficult now days.
wow! this is pretty good and different.
Another meaningless comment that in no way whatsoever enhances the dialogue on RP.