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Grant Lee Buffalo — Mockingbirds
Album: Mighty Joe Moon
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 975









Released: 1994
Length: 4:26
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Devastation at last, finally we meet
After all of these years out here in the street
I had a feeling you would make yourself known
You came along just to claim your place on the throne
Now I have been overthrown, overthrown

And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine

Devastation, my door was left open wide
You brought me into your heart and you swallowed my pride
I had a feeling you were hiding your thoughts
I made a note to myself, I nearly forgot
Now I'm overwrought, I'm overwrought

And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine

One day this ground will break and open up for me
I hope it will, I hope it will

Salutations at last, I'm down on my knees
I heard the bugle this morning blast Reveille
Woke from a dream where I was in a terrible realm
All my sails were ablaze, I was chained to the helm
Now I'm overwhelmed, overwhelmed

And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
And I thought if I toe the right lines
But these mockingbirds won't let me shine
Comments (80)add comment
Nice!  The coda and other parts of this song remind me of the lengthier coda from a little-known, early Bowie tune ("Memory of a Free Festival") that repeats the sun machine is coming down and there's gonna be a party over and over.  That would be a cool song to segue into or out of with this.
Posted 2 years ago by QuantumShaman    [ Reply ]
Hope their music arrangers are paid well.

Love this arrangement.
Posted 2 years ago by jacopo777    [ Reply ]
 Bat wrote:

Nothing to due with this song – just wondering how common it is to hyphenate a given name, such as Grant-Lee rather than Grant (first name) Lee (middle name)?

I remember that Mary-Chapin Carpenter used to do it but has dropped the hyphen and is now Mary Chapin Carpenter.

No judgement, just wondering. On the other hand, Elon Musk just named his kid “X Æ A-12”, including a hyphen.


Well, Grant Lee Buffalo lead singer Grant-Lee Phillips was born Bryan G. Phillips so you'd probably have to ask him. 
Posted 2 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
Nothing to due with this song – just wondering how common it is to hyphenate a given name, such as Grant-Lee rather than Grant (first name) Lee (middle name)?

I remember that Mary-Chapin Carpenter used to do it but has dropped the hyphen and is now Mary Chapin Carpenter.

No judgement, just wondering. On the other hand, Elon Musk just named his kid “X Æ A-12”, including a hyphen.
Posted 3 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
I used to work at Largo in LA for many years in the 90s and early 2000s. This brings back good memories of watching Grant perform
Posted 3 years ago by Soopertimes    [ Reply ]
 Isabeau wrote:
 rdo wrote:


He was replying to his own post. 
 

 

When I saw your user name, I was immediately reminded of Michelle Pfeiffer's character in the movie Ladyhawke, Isabeau d'Anjou. Not a critically great film, but certainly one of my favorites.
Posted 4 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:


He was replying to his own post. 
 

Posted 4 years ago by Isabeau    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:
"she's leaving home bye bye"
 
Yeah, sounds exactly like it.  Call the lawyers!
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Weirdly enough (and no mind altering substances are in use, save for 2 Ibuprofen and some amoxicillin for a dental abscess (ow!!)), when I hear this tune, I keep hearing the Bruce Campbell intonation of "Klaatu barada nikto" from "Army of Darkness".
Posted 6 years ago by eeastridge    [ Reply ]
Sorry, really not my thing. Tiresome, self indulgent stuff. {#Rolleyes}
Posted 6 years ago by PockettVenus    [ Reply ]
Grant Lee Phillips playing this weekend here at the Avalon In MD, very small audience of about 80.  Should be a great show.
Posted 7 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
early in the day and this quite suave song is very much appreciated  : )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
Love it.  Great song, band and album.  Had the privilege of seeing them live in Brisbane on the tour for their final album as a band Jubilee and still have very fond memories of the guy on the keyboards going absolutely mental during my favourite song off that album My, My, My.  Also remember vividly the performance of my 2 favourite Grant Lee Buffalo songs It's the Life and Sixie Drug Store.  So damn good.  Weird to think how long ago it was and how fresh it seems in my mind. 

 
jealousy 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
brings me back to when i first discovered glb... strange to see that was over 20 years ago, seems like 10. big love. 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I heard this song for the first time when a DJ played it before a set. We were waiting for my friends band to play at The Viper Room in LA. I remember loving it.

Neil Young is dead-on - every kid should get to feel cool - at least once!!! 😄
Posted 9 years ago by izycrzy    [ Reply ]
 rushed wrote:
Echoes of "Dear Prudence."

 

Echoes of Echo and the Bunnymen!
Posted 9 years ago by subgyro    [ Reply ]
Echoes of "Dear Prudence."
Posted 11 years ago by rushed    [ Reply ]
Love it.  Great song, band and album.  Had the privilege of seeing them live in Brisbane on the tour for their final album as a band Jubilee and still have very fond memories of the guy on the keyboards going absolutely mental during my favourite song off that album My, My, My.  Also remember vividly the performance of my 2 favourite Grant Lee Buffalo songs It's the Life and Sixie Drug Store.  So damn good.  Weird to think how long ago it was and how fresh it seems in my mind. 
Posted 11 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
I keep expecting the chorus to turn into "Dear Julia"
Posted 12 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
 Land_Shark wrote:


Lighten up, Francis!
 

He was replying to his own post. 
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 agbar713 wrote:


Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
 

You tell 'em.  {#Lol}
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Please grant Lee that buffalo - it'll keep him busy so he'll not have time to record more lullabies {#Sleep}
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
LOVE love LOVE this song !!!  {#Notworthy} 

Grant Lee's voice is like Tiramisu — smooth & complex.  I was fortunate enough to see him perform at the Belly Up in San Diego a couple years ago, and even got to meet him after the show to compliment him for his great performance.


Posted 13 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this song in years! 
Posted 14 years ago by lootunes    [ Reply ]
To me, sounds like Bono. When he's doing that annoying falsetto.

Posted 14 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
love the Buffalo
 

Me too, and that's no Bull.
Posted 14 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
love the Buffalo
Posted 14 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear this. Why do I always forget about the existence of Grant Lee Buffalo when he's clearly so wonderful?
Posted 14 years ago by Carissa    [ Reply ]
 curtkare wrote:
I need to hear this more than once a year.

 

^ agree and have added to my ridiculously long RP inspired purchase list....sigh
Posted 14 years ago by raerae333    [ Reply ]
I need to hear this more than once a year.

Posted 15 years ago by curtkare    [ Reply ]
agbar713 wrote:
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
Lighten up, Francis!
Posted 16 years ago by Land_Shark    [ Reply ]
this guy is AWESOME - I lOVE THIS SONG!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by out_to_lunch    [ Reply ]
I like Grant Lee. My wife can't stand him, describes it as nails on a chalkboard. Maybe she is overly sensitive, or maybe my hearing is going. You say tomatoe and I say tomatow.
Posted 16 years ago by mgoldman    [ Reply ]
Some higher vocal intonations are reminiscent of Supertramp.
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
agbar713 wrote:
Idiot!!! Get outa here with that crap.
Posted 16 years ago by agbar713    [ Reply ]
Phillips voice and talent once again kick my ass. I bought his nineteeneighties after hearing his cover of Killing Moon here on RP. An excellent CD. I guess I'm going to have to buy this one as well.
Posted 16 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan, but this sounds like the the Beatles which is good!
Posted 16 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by agbar713    [ Reply ]
I saw GLB open for R.E.M. back in the mid 90s or so. They played this great song. Highlight of the whole night.
Posted 16 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
"she's leaving home bye bye"
Posted 16 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
wow...never heard that before gave me goose bumps, very emotional.
Posted 17 years ago by stratrjb    [ Reply ]
fontainemusic wrote:
LOVE IT....
Yeah, me too.
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
LOVE IT....
Posted 17 years ago by fontainemusic    [ Reply ]
honeygirl wrote:
Robert Plant kinda feel. Or is it just me?
yeah i got it too. good range.
Posted 17 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Robert Plant kinda feel. Or is it just me?
Posted 17 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
I just can't get enough of this song. Almost spellbinding.
Posted 17 years ago by Land_Shark    [ Reply ]
great song - one of his best....
Posted 17 years ago by fontainemusic    [ Reply ]
If you liked that song, check out the entire album. It's best listened to cover to cover. A complete masterpiece and one of my all time favorites.
Posted 17 years ago by brookap    [ Reply ]
terrific.... one of the best from the 90s
Posted 17 years ago by siloco    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this in ages and I never knew who did it - thanks, RP!!
Posted 17 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
A modern classic.
Posted 18 years ago by raelic    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by fungus6507    [ Reply ]
..great song, one of his best. love that long, drawn out voice.....ahhh..
Posted 18 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
I just love Grant's silky, smooth voice
Posted 18 years ago by sassy_carbon    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
This is an awesome tune....you can also find it on the Mad Love soundtrack. The soundtrack has some killer tunes as well.
Posted 18 years ago by vonniepoo    [ Reply ]
Devastation at last finally we meet After all of these years out here on the street I had a feeling you would make yourself known You came along just to claim your place on the throne And I have been overthrown Overthrown
Posted 18 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
A never-before-heard gem
Posted 18 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
Indeed some great tracks playing today :D
Posted 18 years ago by NutsyUK    [ Reply ]
Fantastic. Excellent line-up today!
Posted 18 years ago by damien    [ Reply ]
In my opinion (I have been warned against using the word "humble"), this is Grant Lee Buffalo's finest tune.
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
ChardRemains wrote:
Hmmm. Interesting. Cellos nice.
Cellos nice indeed. There's a band name...Cellos nice
Posted 18 years ago by Friend    [ Reply ]
Looove this song...
Posted 18 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
ebhp wrote:
For anyone who enjoyes Grant Lee Buffalo the band, make sure to check out Grant Lee Philips the solo artist. He's released a handful of solo albums - each one pure bliss from start to finish. ebhp
amen!! you took the words right out of my mouth!! and you are so lucky to be in the same state as the majority of his live bookings... have you made it to any of the Largo shows? I've had the pleasure of seeing him live three times in Louisville... just fantastic...
Posted 19 years ago by beautifuldreamer    [ Reply ]
That key change is the best.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
For anyone who enjoyes Grant Lee Buffalo the band, make sure to check out Grant Lee Philips the solo artist. He's released a handful of solo albums - each one pure bliss from start to finish. ebhp
Posted 19 years ago by ebhp    [ Reply ]
Hmmm...... T.Rex anyone?
Posted 19 years ago by namesbenny    [ Reply ]
BRILLIANT! This is one of my desert island discs.
Posted 19 years ago by stevebeaver    [ Reply ]
:sunny.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Hmmm. Interesting. Cellos nice.
Posted 19 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
cycleman wrote:
first time for these ears...at first I thought it was an obscure Roxy Music project...I like!
You must be kidding....Light years distant from Roxy Music...Thematically and musically
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
Really love this song - and what a nice guy as well - I had the fortune to meet him (briefly) in Amsterdam! Grant is great :-)
Posted 19 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
Let's have a little less Grant Lee and a little more Donna the.
Posted 19 years ago by CheskyBevo    [ Reply ]
SUCH A GREAT SONG!!! THANKS FOR PLAYING THIS! :)
Posted 19 years ago by lovebuzz    [ Reply ]
jbwiv wrote:
Ahhh man...haven't heard this in awhile. Chills down the spine. GREAT SONG!!!!
Yes, whoever's responsible for getting this on here, THANKS.
Posted 19 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
first time for these ears...at first I thought it was an obscure Roxy Music project...I like!
Posted 20 years ago by cycleman    [ Reply ]
pretty. :daisy.gif: :sunny.gif: :sunny.gif: :daisy.gif: what a way to end the workday. we need more grant lee phillips
Posted 20 years ago by cyndromeda    [ Reply ]
Woah! What a groove!
Posted 20 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
I whole-heartedly agree...a great song from a band we don't often hear in our day-to-days! thanks RP...keep the great music going!
Posted 20 years ago by crink51    [ Reply ]
Ahhh man...haven't heard this in awhile. Chills down the spine. GREAT SONG!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by jbwiv    [ Reply ]