Spirit — Nature's Way
Album: Twelve Dreams Of Dr. SardonicusAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1290
Length: 2:24
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It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you in a song
It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you, it's in the breeze
It's nature's way of telling you, dying trees
It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way, it's nature's way
It's nature's way, it's nature's way
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you in a song, oh
It's nature's way of receiving you (it's nature's way)
It's nature's way of retrieving you (it's nature's way)
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
Something's wrong
Something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you in a song
It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you, it's in the breeze
It's nature's way of telling you, dying trees
It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way, it's nature's way
It's nature's way, it's nature's way
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you in a song, oh
It's nature's way of receiving you (it's nature's way)
It's nature's way of retrieving you (it's nature's way)
It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
Something's wrong
Something's wrong
Comments (147)add comment
This Mortal Coil do a very respectful version !!
Hey, aren't these people that wrote Stairway to Heaven? Kidding, but I've never heard anything from this band. Sounds good.
Highlowsel wrote:
Your'e so right! This nine Negatives you got came from those who didn't hear the shot, for sure!
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Your'e so right! This nine Negatives you got came from those who didn't hear the shot, for sure!
Essbee63 wrote:
Totally! Everytime RP plays this, I jump on the comments section to read everyone's compliments to Macca. Only to find it's not him! Again!
Always amazed how much this sounds like Paul McCartney at first.
Totally! Everytime RP plays this, I jump on the comments section to read everyone's compliments to Macca. Only to find it's not him! Again!
Highlowsel wrote:
I see I wrote this 7 years ago, and baby is it ever pertinent today, eh? So it goes I suppose.
Yeah, it's like getting run over by a steamroller and realizing that they are heavy!
I see I wrote this 7 years ago, and baby is it ever pertinent today, eh? So it goes I suppose.
Yeah, it's like getting run over by a steamroller and realizing that they are heavy!
Surely one of the BEST albums to listen to on a boom-box tripping on good blotter around a campfire at the edge of a very surreal mountain meadow below Lizard Head Pass in the moonlight on a mid-summer's eve...
Essbee63 wrote:
and some of us have actually listened to the Beatles and Macca… This doesn’t sound anything like Paul..
Always amazed how much this sounds like Paul McCartney at first.
and some of us have actually listened to the Beatles and Macca… This doesn’t sound anything like Paul..
love it. one of my favs from this album.
still one of the coolest album covers
igotitmade2k wrote:
And, that is a Good Thing!!
One of the Granola standards. For Album Rock stations, along with "White Bird".
And, that is a Good Thing!!
Essbee63 wrote:
Sure does
Always amazed how much this sounds like Paul McCartney at first.
Sure does
Always amazed how much this sounds like Paul McCartney at first.
One of the Granola standards. For Album Rock stations, along with "White Bird".
Arguing the ecological politics of a brilliant song like this is like arguing about how illogical it is that Tommy , with his limitations, could play pinball.
Take a breath, let it go, and dig the tunes. Life's too short to miss something like this because you can't shut down the monkey brain for two minutes and thirty three seconds.
Take a breath, let it go, and dig the tunes. Life's too short to miss something like this because you can't shut down the monkey brain for two minutes and thirty three seconds.
Highlowsel wrote:
I see I wrote this 7 years ago, and baby is it ever pertinent today, eh? So it goes I suppose.
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
I see I wrote this 7 years ago, and baby is it ever pertinent today, eh? So it goes I suppose.
Bruce_AK wrote:
Too funny....
In light of this week's mega-storm hitting the East Coast and this summer's droughts this tune takes on prophetic proportions. Those who doubt that Climate Change is human caused, you are now on notice!
Too funny....
phlattop wrote:
Andy Partridge /Colin Moulding wrote better lyrics...the environmental song would have been CM's and he was simply elegant with words
wow, I thought that is an XTC outtake off of Skylarking (or whatever the album Dear God is on)
Highlowsel wrote:
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
I've never felt better.
shrugs
Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
I'm pretty sure back when this song came out it was about global cooling... the new Ice Age.
Nature’s way indeed. Something is definitely wrong. Science told us global warming was on the way…did folks believe it? How’bout now?
Highlowsel wrote:
It was the theme song of the 60's.
It was the theme song of the 70's.
It was the theme song of the 80's.
It was the theme song of the 90's.
It's been the theme song of the 2000's.
This earth has been degrading since the Garden of Eden.
BUT... were still here!
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
It was the theme song of the 70's.
It was the theme song of the 80's.
It was the theme song of the 90's.
It's been the theme song of the 2000's.
This earth has been degrading since the Garden of Eden.
BUT... were still here!
dublanica wrote:
And how... my all time fave!
"Twelve Dreams of..." is one of those few perfect albums from start to finish. Wonderful lyrics and wonderful sounds!
And how... my all time fave!
phlattop wrote:
Yeah, if you told me Andy Partridge was the singer on this song I would have believed you. Really nice song.
wow, I thought that is an XTC outtake off of Skylarking (or whatever the album Dear God is on)
Two tracks from Twelve Dreams one after another. You're spoiling us!
The production on this album was great for its time. It would be the first thing I'd play each time I upgraded my hi-fi.
wow, I thought that is an XTC outtake off of Skylarking (or whatever the album Dear God is on)
Randy California....
Man ! I wish I had that name. How different my life would be....
"Hi I'm Randy California for Big Bobs Car Sales how are you today?"
Great underrated band.
Ipse_Dixit wrote:
You Bet! A classic tune! Thanx RP!
Timeless.
You Bet! A classic tune! Thanx RP!
Timeless.
Highlowsel wrote:
Six years later, ever louder.
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Six years later, ever louder.
Nature’s way indeed. Something is definitely wrong. Science told us global warming was on the way…did folks believe it? How’bout now?
True 50 years ago, even more so today. When will we, the" selfish species" start to really care about the rest of the living things on our beautiful little planet- instead of our endless pursuit of more meaningless material "things".
"Twelve Dreams of..." is one of those few perfect albums from start to finish. Wonderful lyrics and wonderful sounds!
Sweet Thank you : )
Could of been written today...still really good.
Bruce Caturani out there somewhere: Do you remember front row for this in H-town?
Z
Z
great guitar player
great song
great album
great band
great song
great album
great band
VERY UNDER RATED ALBUM ....ONE OF THE TOP 10 OF ALL TIME !
Timeless.
Wooooo-hoooooo!!! : )
Earl Bailey told a story to his audience that this song was about having a cold. At the very end of the song, listen for the cough.
I don't think I've ever heard this version. Nice!
Well done RP for playing this excellent track.
DanFHiggins wrote:
catching it again
awesome
THANKS FOR THAT BACK TO BACK!
LOVE IT
LOVE IT
catching it again
awesome
Nope
Nachuhls way?
If people make fun of the way David Gray says sure, then I can make fun of Spirit. Heh.
just reading about Spirit's lawsuit against Led Zeppelin over Stairway to Heaven
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-03/led-zeppelin-rock-gods-deposed-in-stairway-to-heaven-lawsuit
see if you can tell which version is which
https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-05-15/the-stairway-to-heaven-game-did-led-zeppelin-steal-the-greatest-song-opening-in-rock-history
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-03/led-zeppelin-rock-gods-deposed-in-stairway-to-heaven-lawsuit
see if you can tell which version is which
https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-05-15/the-stairway-to-heaven-game-did-led-zeppelin-steal-the-greatest-song-opening-in-rock-history
Still as pertinent today (maybe more) than it was then...
great song, I feel this whole album works magically, timelessly
Propayne wrote:
...The simple, stripped back production - acoustic guitar and "everyman" vocals of the song's writer Randy California fits the song's subject matter sooooo much better to my ears.
This tune has a nice melody and chords and I like the production. I find the lyrics are a little too "simple and stripped back", but perhaps that was the general idea.
...The simple, stripped back production - acoustic guitar and "everyman" vocals of the song's writer Randy California fits the song's subject matter sooooo much better to my ears.
This tune has a nice melody and chords and I like the production. I find the lyrics are a little too "simple and stripped back", but perhaps that was the general idea.
This one endures, moving seamlessly from one decade to the next. .
coding_to_music wrote:
OMG — I somehow always thought this was Paul McCartney
Great song...
totally thought so too.
OMG — I somehow always thought this was Paul McCartney
Great song...
totally thought so too.
Propayne wrote:
Yeah, this one's better.
The simple, stripped back production - acoustic guitar and "everyman" vocals of the song's writer Randy California fits the song's subject matter sooooo much better to my ears.
Yeah, this one's better.
fredriley wrote:
Not me.
I applaud their taste for covering it, but I find TMC's version to be overblown and bloodless compared to the original.
The simple, stripped back production - acoustic guitar and "everyman" vocals of the song's writer Randy California fits the song's subject matter sooooo much better to my ears.
I very, very much prefer the cover by This Mortal Coil. This (original?) bores and irritates in equal measure.
Not me.
I applaud their taste for covering it, but I find TMC's version to be overblown and bloodless compared to the original.
The simple, stripped back production - acoustic guitar and "everyman" vocals of the song's writer Randy California fits the song's subject matter sooooo much better to my ears.
I very, very much prefer the cover by This Mortal Coil. This (original?) bores and irritates in equal measure.
Climate change. Environmental degradation of the land, sea and air that's accelerating along with some saying we're on the precipice of a 6th Mass Extinction, a possible hallmark of this the Anthropocene Era. This tune should be our era's theme song.
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Just sayin' is all.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Great example of an "album" - where all the songs fit together and the sequencing was carefully worked out.
Salt Lake City, many super concerts from the 60's, one of the standouts were a little known L.A. outfit "Spirit" sold out, damn fine! Featuring a father/son effort, dad a jazz drummer & son on guitar. Really deserved a bigger mark.
Yes, child, people used to think and talk like this!
THANKS FOR THAT BACK TO BACK!
LOVE IT
LOVE IT
marklaw wrote:
Better and better! Nature's Way is next.
II wanna be a hippie again. Take me back.
Better and better! Nature's Way is next.
QuestionMark wrote:
Indeed. Sounds so current.
Ahead of their time !
Indeed. Sounds so current.
II wanna be a hippie again. Take me back.
Ahead of their time !
idiot_wind wrote:
Yep.
Randy California - guitar, vocals
Jay Ferguson - vocals
John Locke - keyboards
Mark Andes - bass
Ed Cassidy - drums
Is this with the band members: Randy California and Jay Ferguson?
Yep.
Randy California - guitar, vocals
Jay Ferguson - vocals
John Locke - keyboards
Mark Andes - bass
Ed Cassidy - drums
Such the 60s ethos. But always time less
this has been the best set of songs this afternoon. i need to get a cup of tea.
I think the album is a 10 it's super cool, and in the near future (perhaps) RP will have a "Full LP" button where we can blast the entire album
Is this with the band members: Randy California and Jay Ferguson?
Segue wrote:
Solid 9 - always loved this song
be great to follow with Alvin Lee and Ten Year's After - I'd Love to Change the World
not quite godlike but an essential song. Thanks RP!
Solid 9 - always loved this song
be great to follow with Alvin Lee and Ten Year's After - I'd Love to Change the World
I simply love this song!
Bruce_AK wrote:
You will find no argument with me, but try to convince the whitebread republicans who deny the very existence of weather!
In light of this week's mega-storm hitting the East Coast and this summer's droughts this tune takes on prophetic proportions. Those who doubt that Climate Change is human caused, you are now on notice!
You will find no argument with me, but try to convince the whitebread republicans who deny the very existence of weather!
not quite godlike but an essential song. Thanks RP!
In light of this week's mega-storm hitting the East Coast and this summer's droughts this tune takes on prophetic proportions. Those who doubt that Climate Change is human caused, you are now on notice!
LOL.
kcar wrote:
Amazed your roomies didn't cattle-prod you into a coma.
It was good to hear this chestnut again, but halfway through the song you wish that the band had fleshed out the lyrics more. A lot more.
kcar wrote:
Amazed your roomies didn't cattle-prod you into a coma.
It was good to hear this chestnut again, but halfway through the song you wish that the band had fleshed out the lyrics more. A lot more.
stevematic wrote:
Amazed your roomies didn't cattle-prod you into a coma.
It was good to hear this chestnut again, but halfway through the song you wish that the band had fleshed out the lyrics more. A lot more.
VCU, richmond virginia 1972. i drove my roommates crazy playing this LP... repeatedly
Amazed your roomies didn't cattle-prod you into a coma.
It was good to hear this chestnut again, but halfway through the song you wish that the band had fleshed out the lyrics more. A lot more.
Absolutely wonderful song.
shakylegs wrote:
Musically it's stronger, but then again TMC's version is slow and melodic. I prefer the TMC version just because it's so much more passionate.
Of all This Mortal Coil's covers, I find this original to be stronger.
(Does that make sense?)
(Does that make sense?)
Musically it's stronger, but then again TMC's version is slow and melodic. I prefer the TMC version just because it's so much more passionate.
iTuner wrote:
Hahaha!
I always thought this was a shitty Who song. I guess its a shitty Spirit song.
Hahaha!
iTuner wrote:
I always thought this was a shitty Who song. I guess its a shitty Spirit song.
Coaxial wrote:
Bump.
10 then and now...
Bump.
I always think this song sounds so much like McCartney.
VCU, richmond virginia 1972. i drove my roommates crazy playing this LP... repeatedly
Spliff wrote:
Drowned in Hawaii saving his son. Sad.
Hey - Does anyone know the real story about Randy California?
Drowned in Hawaii saving his son. Sad.
I always thought this was a shitty Who song. I guess its a shitty Spirit song.
may the gods, both old and new, bless Randy California
Wow...what time machine did that come out of?
Of all This Mortal Coil's covers, I find this original to be stronger.
(Does that make sense?)
(Does that make sense?)
I love this,,,,,,THANKS BILL..... I remember the entire album, love it and as a landscaper I often sing this in some clients gardens while I work 
I love this! Never knew who it was before. Excellent old gem.
Wow! I haven't thought about this song in decades. This was one of my worst earworms in the 1970s.
This song was used in a commercial for a laxative about a million years ago. Jayzus, I am OLD. 
Absolutely one of the finest complete albums EVER.
Wow. Throwing it back a few years. Nice surprise, Bill. Yes, ONLY on RP.
Only on rp
This song is even more relevant today than it was back in the day...
Haven't heard this in over twenty years. Loved it then; love it now. And Animal Zoo too.........I had this album and spun it constantly..thanks for the memories!!
Nice, a double shot from one of The Great Albums of the late 60"s
DaveInVA wrote:
OMG — I somehow always thought this was Paul McCartney
Great song...
Still fantastic after all these decades 
OMG — I somehow always thought this was Paul McCartney
Great song...
omygod make it stop
Absolutely one of my favorite songs of all time.
And Randy's "every man" vocals are perfect.
And Randy's "every man" vocals are perfect.
Did Cheap Trick ever get called out for copying this tune when they penned "The Flame"?
This is one of those timeless tunes for me. It's fun to go back - for a sec.
Spliff wrote:
Hey - Does anyone know the real story about Randy California?
He was tought to play the guitar by Jimi Hendrix who wanted him to come to England to form the Experience and gain recognition. Randy's dad wouldn't let him come because he thought he was too young at 16.Man, haven't heard this in forever. 8-9
Was talking to my wife something about nature's way and she started singing this-been stuck in my head since then. Thanks!
Definitely a 10 for me.
jagdriver wrote:
Sorry I had some good times when that first hit it brings back good memories...10
So many fine tracks on this album. This one, however, I don't care if I ever hear again.
(Maybe it has somethin' to do with hearing it while on a bad trip..."Something's wrong," indeed!)
(Maybe it has somethin' to do with hearing it while on a bad trip..."Something's wrong," indeed!)
Sorry I had some good times when that first hit it brings back good memories...10
Spliff wrote:
The only story I know is that he drowned off a Hawaiian beach while saving his son from an undertoe. That story was published in Surfer magazine about 10 years ago (about the time I quit reading Surfer and switched to Surfer's Journal).
Hey - Does anyone know the real story about Randy California?
The only story I know is that he drowned off a Hawaiian beach while saving his son from an undertoe. That story was published in Surfer magazine about 10 years ago (about the time I quit reading Surfer and switched to Surfer's Journal).
So many fine tracks on this album. This one, however, I don't care if I ever hear again.
(Maybe it has somethin' to do with hearing it while on a bad trip..."Something's wrong," indeed!)
(Maybe it has somethin' to do with hearing it while on a bad trip..."Something's wrong," indeed!)
Still fantastic after all these decades
Great harmonic movement in this song, especially through the chorus. Starting minor then landing major - always very powerful!
fredriley wrote:
Amen to that, brother. They didn't use any feckin' cowbell, either.
but Cowbells were cool in 1972
Amen to that, brother. They didn't use any feckin' cowbell, either.
but Cowbells were cool in 1972
10 then and now...
helgigermany wrote:
Check out this CD and the three before it. Great stuff.
Nice, first time i hear this, but not bad stuff!!
Check out this CD and the three before it. Great stuff.
Nice, first time i hear this, but not bad stuff!!
DavidCarrico wrote:
Amen to that, brother. They didn't use any feckin' cowbell, either.
This Mortal Coil's version is better, can i get an amen?
Amen to that, brother. They didn't use any feckin' cowbell, either.
Notes down below suggest that This Mortal Coil does a better version of this song. I need to hear it. I can't believe you could do this song much better. Of course, I was a junior in high school when this came along, so my estimation is conflated with my recollection, but this still has legs.
Thanks for playing Animal Zoo in sequence. Just not right without the seque.
Thanks for playing Animal Zoo in sequence. Just not right without the seque.
OMG, I loved this song back in the '70s. I remember trading a backpack for the album!!! I actually picked up a used turn-table to listen to it a couple years ago, and it was as great as I remembered. It's thematic — good call playing more than one song from it RP!
laylabird wrote:
Ahhh....Michael McCloud was never a member of Spirit. Not this Spirit anyway.
If you want to hear Michael McCloud (member of the band Spirit)sing Nature's Way in person, he hangs out and sings in a bar in Key West. Schooners Wharf bar. A very very good time!
Ahhh....Michael McCloud was never a member of Spirit. Not this Spirit anyway.