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Sam Phillips — I Need Love
Album: Martinis & Bikinis
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1022









Released: 1994
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 1
i left my conscience like a crying child
locked the door behind me put the pain on file
broken like a window i see my blindness now

i need love
not some sentimental prison
i need god
not the political church
i need fire
to melt the frozen sea inside me
i need love

driving into town tired and depressed
like a flare the streetlight bursts into an s.o.s.
peace comes to my rescue i don't know what it means
i need love
Comments (119)add comment
Nice Beatles vibe!
 silby wrote:


I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"


Definitely If I Needed Someone, No Day Tripper, not even close kojiroh
I think those background harmonies are more complex than they sound.

put your ears up real close to your speakers.
Love how this song is so hummable. Funnily, the repetitive hook just makes it all that better for me!
its a simple pop rock song but its executed perfectly

I think she has great ear for great songs
Sexy Sultry Sam!!
 Skydog wrote:
 I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone" 

Yes you are and I suspect it is on a Rickenbacker 12 string too.  But then  again George "borrowed' from the Byrds "Bells Of Rymney" , and they sourced and "rearranged" an old English folk song. 
Not as great as some of her earlier stuff (i.e. The indescribable Wow) but quite nice.
For a second I thought this was Julie Miller.  Speaking of her I noticed "Out In The Rain" was pulled from the RP playlist several years ago.  I guess looking at the ratings, it wasn't very popular.
ahhh...another good guitar singer

more guitars
 bokey wrote:

I'd forgotten all about this chic.



I suppose you could call it stylishly fashionable, but it's an odd term for a song.
About 12 years ago I was recovering from major surgery and watching a lot of daytime TV. Came across this lady via The Gilmore Girls! What fun!
A great opening line, but then it kind of drones on.
Until RP, I didn't know Sam Phillips - must have been busy with kids in the 1990's, but I just love this album, so I bought it via RP and Amazon. Thanks RP!
Bill, today's stream rocked the decky—er, I mean the phatty. 
 silby wrote:


I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"

 
yep
What a voice!
 kojiroh wrote:
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.
 
 silby wrote:
I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"
 
Call the lawyers!!!!
{#Propeller}
So glad to hear Sam on RP. One of my favorite artists. Thanks Bill
 comusicman wrote:
Sam Philips had T-Bone Burnett produce this album. They subsequently married and divorced. He later came back to produce an album she did I believe 2008.

 
They subsequently married and divorced.   
And she's singing about love? Someone please explain the apparent disconnect that they sing about in captivating songs and that they live in apparent discord. 
Sam Philips had T-Bone Burnett produce this album. They subsequently married and divorced. He later came back to produce an album she did I believe 2008.
 kojiroh wrote:
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.

 

I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.
 linz_bobinz wrote:
was this on a movie soundtrack?
 
Yep!  Stealing Beauty from 1996.

Stealing Beauty

This is an outstanding soundtrack - introduced me to a lot music I wouldn't otherwise have listened to.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/NaxqGO

1. 2 Wicky - Hoover
2. Glory Box - Portishead
3. If 6 Was 9 - Axiom Funk
4. Annie Mae - John Lee Hooker
5. Rocket Boy - Liz Phair
6. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
7. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
8. I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holiday
9. Rhymes Of An Hour - Mazzy Star
10. Alice - Cocteau Twins
11. You Won't Fall - Lori Carson
12. I Need Love - Sam Phillips
A beautiful song. Best of Sam.
 tphord wrote:

Yes... I thought I couldn't be the only one to hear the influence of the George Harrison's guitar riff.
           I think also hear some influences from the Bangles too.
             Nice sound this !

 

Hadn't thought of it, your right! The guitar and vocals are reminicant of beatles.
 Alpine wrote:
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
 
You too??  I NEVER heard this song on FM radio in this buttpick town - a crazed friend of mine sent me the CD on MP3. It was the first time I'd ever heard of Sam Phillips, and now I'm very impressed with her voice. 

 shawshank wrote:
I get a  'If I Needed Someone' by the Beatles vibe from the guitar piece here.
 
Yes... I thought I couldn't be the only one to hear the influence of the George Harrison's guitar riff.
           I think also hear some influences from the Bangles too.
             Nice sound this !

This whole album is very good.
 Alpine wrote:
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
 

It did get some, but they didn't ruinate it which is why it is still enjoyable!

What a great melody! Always have loved this song!{#Clap}8
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
Darn sexy...............
Never heard about this movie! Looks steamy to me! Thanks!
>^_^<

 
a_genuine_find wrote:
sam phillips in die hard 3 (33?)
 

i like how rp plays all kinds of women artists on here. most rock stations play just a few,
 yes, this whole album is Beatlesque—-very, and i have a pet peeve regarding folks saying something sounds like the Beatles, that' too easy most of the time.
we got to hear her and her ex-hubbie (t.bone burnett, criminal album) on same day today.
I get a  'If I Needed Someone' by the Beatles vibe from the guitar piece here.

I have always loved this cd....great lyrics.....


sam phillips in die hard 3 (33?)
 BKardon wrote:

They are both great. 

 
Edge to Neko for more good songs, but otherwise, ditto.
I worked clothing retail for several years and this song was included on the corporate soundtrack. We heard it 5 or 6 times a day, every day for 2 years. Any joy I would have taken from this song evaporated after about 24 listenings...
was this on a movie soundtrack?
 earthbased wrote:
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
 
Yes. Used name Leslie Philips. Then she left the church, disavowed all her previous work, took the name Sam, and recorded The Indescribable Wow. This album is the third of her reinvented career.

 Excelsior wrote:
Absolutely. Whoever her songwriter is should have sold it to a different vocalist.
 
Sam wrote this song. Maybe you should buy it from her and show us how it should be done.


 gjeeg wrote:
A forgotten Revolver track.
Her voice is eccentric.
The guitar breaks give me chills.
 
Yeah, the voice and lyric is hers but the guitar lick is all T Bone Burnett.


Mary Chapin Carpenter.... Bonnie... Nina Gordon...  Chrissy...

 
smehan55 wrote:
OK all you Sam Philips voice haters ... WHO should sing her songs? WHO are these mysterious other wonderful singers you'd rather hear? Telling us that would be helpful. ABBA? Michael McDonald? Celine Dion? Mariah Carie? Steve Perry? Really, I'm curious. 
 


A forgotten Revolver track.
Her voice is eccentric.
The guitar breaks give me chills.
Tuneless song, crass lyrics, screetchy voice, and she's not even wearing a bikini
mwsteele79 wrote:

That's because Neko can sing.

EDIT: To me, the beauty of the music is most important... not originality, not technical artistry, but beauty, which is of course completely subjective. I find Neko's music and her voice to be beautiful, that's all. This to me sounds like a bad American Idol audition.

And to my ears Neko Case has zero control, subtlety, nuance or creativity in her voice. Unless she's singing background vocals she screeches and yodels and seems to think that if she sings loud enough it'll cover for the lame songs. She really needs to learn to use her voice as a precision tool and not a jackhammer. Most of her stuff sounds like drunken karaoke at a broken down country bar.

Since you brought up the comparison, I've seen Sam Phillips a half dozen times in various small venues and she is light years ahead of Neko in style, control, emotion and depth.

I need love, not some sentimental prison,
I need god, not the political church.


Indeed.. 10
 RadioDoc wrote:
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

 
That's because Neko can sing.

EDIT: To me, the beauty of the music is most important... not originality, not technical artistry, but beauty, which is of course completely subjective.  I find Neko's music and her voice to be beautiful, that's all.  This to me sounds like a bad American Idol audition.

 RadioDoc wrote:
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

 
They are both great.  Nothing wrong with either.

OK all you Sam Philips voice haters ... WHO should sing her songs? WHO are these mysterious other wonderful singers you'd rather hear? Telling us that would be helpful. ABBA? Michael McDonald? Celine Dion? Mariah Carie? Steve Perry? Really, I'm curious. 
mwsteele79 wrote:
Nasal, annoying, and repetitive... not a good combo...
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

Nasal, annoying, and repetitive... not a good combo...
IMO, her very best song.
I just adore her horriblebeautiful voice, the arrangement, the electric riffs (I f I Needed Someone!) the hooks, the overlays!
traysza wrote:
Wow. Her voice is really awful. Would be a good song otherwise.
Absolutely. Whoever her songwriter is should have sold it to a different vocalist.
Wow. Her voice is really awful. Would be a good song otherwise.
Anyone else hear a twinge of Dixie Chix?
KathySmith wrote:
...needs love *AND* a functioning pitch pipe.
Good one!
I suspect that most of the comments about similarities to Beatles riffs and interesting phrasing are due in large measure to the T Bone Burnett influence. It seems a bit similar to the effect that Daniel Lanois has. Both these producers add considerably to what the artists are doing. That said, Sam Phillips does have something unique, even if her singing can abrade ones' inner ear.
What a fun tune, I like it in spite of or perhaps because of the bold-faced "borrowing." Definite Beatles / Byrds even Monkees jangly-guitar pop going on there.
...needs love *AND* a functioning pitch pipe.
PopKombo wrote:
Yes, ... I'm sure it is a musical tip of the hat ... the drums and the strong rim shot back beat of the snare is also reminicent of Ringo.
Wise observation re: Mr Starkey. I had failed to connect those dots other than on a subliminal level. Thanks
I know its been mentioned, but man, that riff is almost a direct quote of Harrison's "If I Needed Someone." Given Phillips's song title, that might be deliberate. But we'd have to check the liner notes and look deeper into the song to see if she was deliberately invoking Harrison and The Beatles there.
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
indeed it does. I went to request "If I needed someone" in the library and didn't see it. Wonder why. I love that tune (IINS). This is ok.....
I like this a lot. Somebody did a decent cover... that Christian chick band, can't think of the name right now. . .
I really need to dig into Sam Phillips more, this is good stuff.
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
Yes, ... I'm sure it is a musical tip of the hat ... the drums and the strong rim shot back beat of the snare is also reminicent of Ringo.
bokey wrote:
Wasn't this chic in Penthouse?I swear I remember her for something besides this song,which I like.
That's a different Sam Phillips.
Wasn't this chic in Penthouse?I swear I remember her for something besides this song,which I like.
I'd forgotten all about this chic.
A great song from what's probably her best album.
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
Very much so
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
I noticed that, too!
not something i'd usually listen to, but that's what i like about RP
Mediocre song but the cover is cool!
You know what's great about the chorus? How she "jumps the gun" with her vocals a little bit at the beginning of each phrase, coming in just a little bit ahead of the first beat of the measure. Keeps it driving, rhythmically.
imagine - Sheryl Crow + Frente..
reality BITES.
honeygirl wrote:
baby, we all need sweet love
Hehehee, we sure do :) I do!!! The best song from Sam...whohooooo :)
You need voice lessons
baby, we all need sweet love
redeyespy wrote:
Prototypical Sam chorus, and a really quality song and disc. Plus, an undeniably great album cover!
Agreed! Cover: what semi-secrets do we all keep beneath our beds? RP convinced me to buy this CD, and this was my favorite song. Ditto comments on the hook below, the chorus does rock, I can listen to it over and over, both the jingly-jangly Beatle-ish music and the wonderful lyrics ("I need fire to melt the frozen sea inside me"). My wife does think Sam is nasal, guess that is what I like.
can't really decide whose voice is more nasal and whiney Sam's or Stevie Nicks..... irritating
Prototypical Sam chorus, and a really quality song and disc. Plus, an undeniably great album cover!
She's leaning to whine but misses it and comes off sounding fine. Lyrics are interesting too
aflanigan wrote:
Don't know for sure but if it's not Sam I would not be surprised if it was her husband T Bone Burnett.
If we are talking about 'Circle of Fire' I think it is Marc Ribot.
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
stubbsz wrote:
Who is that on guitar. That riff sounds a lot like one from Television. Tom Verlaine or the other dude.
Don't know for sure but if it's not Sam I would not be surprised if it was her husband T Bone Burnett.
I got this album its great! It has a lot of musical references to the Beatles.
earthbased wrote:
great guitar lead in this tune. Dan
Who is that on guitar. That riff sounds a lot like one from Television. Tom Verlaine or the other dude.
Nice little pop ditty with depth. I'm a little hestitant about the Beatle-istic production but I think it works pretty well on this one. The whole CD is quite good, actually.
earthbased wrote:
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
Yes.
frenchdenis wrote:
she looks Blondie after a face list...
I once had my face listed, too ... on the Post Office wall.
she looks Blondie after a face list...
I really like the vocals on the chorus. It's enough to make me buy into the whole song just to get that 3-seconds of bliss when the chorus comes in. I guess that's why they call it a hook, watchout, you might get hooked.
this song is also in the soundtrack of bertolucci's stealing beauty.
radiojunkie wrote:
It's so hard to tell the difference between a deliberate tribute and a stolen (or "borrowed") lick -- the borders have been completely obliterated since sampling became an accepted practice -- but it's hard to imagine this wasn't meant as an homage to George.
What he said. IMHO the whole album is T-Bone Burnett's (Sam's hubby and producer) homage to George, Ringo, and the Nurk Twins. Overt (like this cop from "If I Needed Someone") and subtler references abound.
It's so hard to tell the difference between a deliberate tribute and a stolen (or "borrowed") lick -- the borders have been completely obliterated since sampling became an accepted practice -- but it's hard to imagine this wasn't meant as an homage to George.
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
Now play 'Circle of Fire'; great guitar lead in this tune. Dan
she sounds like Princess Anne Claire
Her voice is nausiating to me.
coding_to_music wrote:
Cool, like someone said, great minds thinking alike... you get the award for persistance ;-)
What a diplomatic response....and wise one.
rasta_tiger wrote:
Huh? Not that it matters but this wasn't in the library till I uploaded it recently.
Cool, like someone said, great minds thinking alike... you get the award for persistance ;-)
coding_to_music wrote:
Yay, my upload! Sam Phillips - I Need Love sorry 12/2
Huh? Not that it matters but this wasn't in the library till I uploaded it recently.
Great minds, thinking alike.
Freebish wrote:
Nice borrowed riff from George--If I Needed Someone.
The whole disc is very "beatlesque." (if that's the correct way to spell that word).
Aww, this guitar lick - the 12 string one - lifted directly from Georgie's "If I Needed Someone". Yikes!
Nice borrowed riff from George--If I Needed Someone.
Didn't I hear a Beatles guitar lick in there? "If I Needed Someone"?
Yay, my upload! Sam Phillips - I Need Love sorry 12/2
This is a FANTASTIC CD. One of the few I own with nary a bad song on it. Highly recommended.
Major Whining Here :!: