The Be Good Tanyas — It's Not Happening
Album: ChinatownAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1143
Length: 2:34
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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The way your mind works
Travelling so fast
Carving your way
Through the city
And you can tell me
You get what you want
You figure it out
And you're just fine
Cause you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
We all go up, down
Fend for ourselves,
Or fend for each other
Fend for each other sometimes
But you keep on racing me
Like something's chasing you
Like something's gonna get you
Something's gonna get you
One day
And you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
And you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
Travelling so fast
Carving your way
Through the city
And you can tell me
You get what you want
You figure it out
And you're just fine
Cause you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
We all go up, down
Fend for ourselves,
Or fend for each other
Fend for each other sometimes
But you keep on racing me
Like something's chasing you
Like something's gonna get you
Something's gonna get you
One day
And you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
And you're talking to yourself
Don't hear a thing
Now history unfolds before you
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
You just shut your eyes
You just shut your eyes
It's not happening
Comments (107)add comment
I used to know Tanya. She worked for me as a young lady some years ago. Infectious smile. Became a nurse, a wife to a nice fellow from the village we called home and a mother to two young girls.
Last year Covid took her from this world. She worked in a long term care home and exposed herself to that "it's just the flu" every shift...just to be there for her charges. She gave her life in service of others.
So, screw the deniers...and be good, Tanya. Be good, indeed.
Last year Covid took her from this world. She worked in a long term care home and exposed herself to that "it's just the flu" every shift...just to be there for her charges. She gave her life in service of others.
So, screw the deniers...and be good, Tanya. Be good, indeed.
PeterMC3 wrote:
I am not sure if they are the best, but they are good. I am not sure if they are the best even in this genre. Ian and Sylvia are pretty good as well.
Anyone who doesn't like the BGTs should listen to another station, cos they are the best Canadian band ever!
I am not sure if they are the best, but they are good. I am not sure if they are the best even in this genre. Ian and Sylvia are pretty good as well.
drictor wrote:
Funny, I feel the whole album was tight. This is one of the more uptempo tunes but their sad songs are moving. I love her version of the House of the Rising Sun - her voice is perfect for it.
I love these guys, but this is not their best tune. So many better ones.
Funny, I feel the whole album was tight. This is one of the more uptempo tunes but their sad songs are moving. I love her version of the House of the Rising Sun - her voice is perfect for it.
Hannio wrote:
Well, that's just kind of sad, actually.
Only if they are over 16.
PeterMC3 wrote:
Well, that's just kind of sad, actually.
Anyone who doesn't like the BGTs should listen to another station, cos they are the best Canadian band ever!
Well, that's just kind of sad, actually.
PeterMC3 wrote:
Even better than The Poppy Family?!
Anyone who doesn't like the BGTs should listen to another station, cos they are the best Canadian band ever!
Even better than The Poppy Family?!
mefrombrazil wrote:
From an old article in the UK Independent: "The sleeve notes come with an excerpt from an Obo Martin McCrory song about a gypsy man whose desire to sing and travel leads him to leave his love behind. As he departs, he exhorts her to "Be good Tanya, Tanya be good" – hence the band's name".
why does the band have this name?
From an old article in the UK Independent: "The sleeve notes come with an excerpt from an Obo Martin McCrory song about a gypsy man whose desire to sing and travel leads him to leave his love behind. As he departs, he exhorts her to "Be good Tanya, Tanya be good" – hence the band's name".
jone_ston wrote:
Amazingly, the sound engineers were able to filter out the sound of the washing machine she is sitting on during the spin cycle.
What I meant is that she slides all over the place, never seeming to really find the note she's singing. Additionally, see seems to have no enunciative ability at all. It makes my ears want to explode.
Amazingly, the sound engineers were able to filter out the sound of the washing machine she is sitting on during the spin cycle.
I love these guys, but this is not their best tune. So many better ones.
Frazey Ford is filling houses as a solo (plus backing group) performer now, but I hope she'll still do another BGT tour.
Canadian set here—love it!
Anyone who doesn't like the BGTs should listen to another station, cos they are the best Canadian band ever!
That's right—this isn't happening.
PSD
PSD
Another "really good 'live' group.
Bill just referred to them as being from BC, no superfluous qualification required 
How cool is that?!?!
How cool is that?!?!
This just isn't my set.This may be one of the worst bands to come out in the last 10 years.
please don't eat while you sing
...and here's a very touching performance of another great songs of BGT...
(click here)
I first got their music whilst I was in re-hab and they've kind of stuck since then. Very much a healing balm through some difficult times if I remember correctly.
I'd like to meet that Ruben they sing about and shake his hand.
mefrombrazil wrote:
why does the band have this name?
oh, they could call themselves mefromcanada? personally i prefer The Be Good Tanyas
Fabulous! Nothing like this anywhere. Thank god for the Tanyas.
why does the band have this name?
pannaramma wrote:
WAAAAAY too much BGT lately.
yep, they're like the Fergie of Radio Paradise...
Not nearly as good as "Light Enough to Travel". Sorry ladies, you can't win 'em all.
Lucked it again! 
Woo! Love them gals! Just got a bran new Blue Horse from Canada today as I keep givin' away copies, to avid fans? 
Maybe?
Woo! Love them gals! Just got a bran new Blue Horse from Canada today as I keep givin' away copies, to avid fans? Maybe?Hmm! Nice, did I mention? 
love love love!
love love love!WAAAAAY too much BGT lately.
Wadro13 wrote:
new convert, yea!!!
WTF.. Nice new find. Thanks again RP!
WooHoo! new convert, yea!!!
WTF.. Nice new find. Thanks again RP!
sadsack wrote:
The BGTs twice in two days. Can there be such a thing as better than paradise? Discuss.
dundidit wrote:
rated my fave album of 2005,06, and am now gettin my teeth stuck into the rest of their stuff, would dig to see them jam with Cat Power. Their wavering voices haunt me beautifully. Phk Yea. . .
I really like BGT. I think Cat Power is some kind of progressive comedy act that is pretending to be a really horrible musician and I am just lacking in sufficient intellect to grasp the nuances.
rated my fave album of 2005,06, and am now gettin my teeth stuck into the rest of their stuff, would dig to see them jam with Cat Power. Their wavering voices haunt me beautifully. Phk Yea...
I mean, what a fantastic voice. I love the Be Good Tanyas and only hear them on Radio Paradise. Truth be told, I was introduced to them by WRVG in KY a long time ago, but the station went kaput. I love Radio Paradise!
The BGTs twice in two days. Can there be such a thing as better than paradise? Discuss.
Sure, It's a Happenin' Thing That's my Girls!
That's my Girls!
Meantime check ém out at the Thirsty Ear Festival in New Mexico on September 1 2 & 3
shevek wrote:
'Imprecise singing'? That is a new one!
What I meant is that she slides all over the place, never seeming to really find the note she's singing. Additionally, see seems to have no enunciative ability at all. It makes my ears want to explode.
you're all nerds.
... Hmm, think I'll have to go Po'Girl if I want to keep up ...?
Still play this and the other album blue horse at least twice a week, can't wait for another release
... Oh yes it is! ... 
...
...Lazy8 wrote:
They're on Prairie Home Companion this weekend. Worth a listen if you can handle the filler in between.
Hey, I like PHC!
Yummy mando!!
I love the Tanyas! Their new tune "Opal's Blues" is good. Her so called imprecise voice is one of my favorites.
Megahertz wrote:
This group does a killer version of "In My Time of Dying"
As in the Led Zeppelin song?? Whoa. How dare they?? Just kidding I'd like to see what they made of it.
Great album, great group of women. My favorite track is "In spite of all the damage". Really a knockout, tear your heart out of your chest kind of feeling. Why do I always like this kind the best? 
This group does a killer version of "In My Time of Dying"
"Just accessorize, just accessorize..." 
jone_ston wrote:
Oh god, please make it stop! I mean, I like the instrumentation all right but I just can't stand her imprecise singing. I need notes! I need the vocals to be in tune with the instruments!
Clearly it's just my opinion, since some many other people seem to like the BGTs so much, but her singing grates on me to the point that this is one of the few songs that gets me to jump up and turn off RP as fast as I can.
'Imprecise singing'? That is a new one!
Oh god, please make it stop! I mean, I like the instrumentation all right but I just can't stand her imprecise singing. I need notes! I need the vocals to be in tune with the instruments!
Clearly it's just my opinion, since some many other people seem to like the BGTs so much, but her singing grates on me to the point that this is one of the few songs that gets me to jump up and turn off RP as fast as I can.
Lazy8 wrote:
They're on Prairie Home Companion this weekend. Worth a listen if you can handle the filler in between.
What Lazy8 said...
They're on Prairie Home Companion this weekend. Worth a listen if you can handle the filler in between.
An absolutely beautiful album. I like this one and Ship especially well....
while many are bitching about this that and the other... i'm kicking back enjoying this tune...
.
MrSpaz wrote:
Yeah, these people goin' on about Canadien accents ya know. What's this all aboot anywho? Canada's a fine country. Ya know what I'm gettin' to, eh?
Sorry, couldn't resist. :)
'Th'heck'ya talkin' about? Oh-fer-gawsh-sakes! I'm doin' Fargo nawt Caneeedian! Well they booth go ewt and abote in a boot!
8)
MrSpaz wrote:
Yeah, these people goin' on about Canadien accents ya know. What's this all aboot anywho? Canada's a fine country. Ya know what I'm gettin' to, eh?
Sorry, couldn't resist. :)
LOL!!
I had this CD out from the library and I *forgot* to rip and burn it before it had to be back! :grumpy.gif:
Great song, great album. And look for Jolie Holland's solo album Escondida, also terrific. 
This reminds me of early Dixie Chicks
This is one of several good tracks on the album.
UncleRemus wrote:
I can't deal with people who complain about Canadian accents....
And while I'm at it, I can't stand intolerant people either!
WTF are you aboot, eh?
UncleRemus wrote:Sorry, couldn't resist. :)
I can't deal with people who complain about Canadian accents....
And while I'm at it, I can't stand intolerant people either!
Yeah, these people goin' on about Canadien accents ya know. What's this all aboot anywho? Canada's a fine country. Ya know what I'm gettin' to, eh?
Art_Carnage wrote:
"Oh I've got a brand new pair of roller skates, you've got a brand new key."
Is she channeling Melanie on purpose?
Oh - is Melanie pushing up daisies? I didn't know that.
rgrace wrote: And while I'm at it, I can't stand intolerant people either!
I guess that is true. I just can't deal with the Canadian accents - they get annoying to me after awhile. Blue Horse did not last too long on our CD rack. Oh well, to each their own.
I can't deal with people who complain about Canadian accents....
brighthue wrote:
What are bad Tanyas like? :-k
Their name is from a Bluesy/Jazz song (by T-Bone Burnett?) about a musician who has to/wants to go on the road again adn leave his girl. As he leaves he says "Be Good Tanya, Be Good". This is my recollection from their album jacket. I love the BGTs. It is pure, homey and yet complex enough to be interesting. My girls love it to - I find good music knows no generation - it's a good test if they sing a long in the car too and they do. Sometimes I hearthem singing the BGTs just walking around the house.
Enjoy.
rgrace wrote:
I guess that is true. I just can't deal with the Canadian accents - they get annoying to me after awhile. Blue Horse did not last too long on our CD rack. Oh well, to each their own.
Is that a common thing in the States, to dislike Canadian accents? From a foreigners perspective this is quite funny. I can't really hear the difference...
Well, whatever, I think they're great....
tonyp2 wrote:
I like their sound!
I do too, but there's a little too much verbrado in her voice. It IS possible to control that. (I never liked it with Stevie Nicks or Belinda Carlisle either!)
I like their sound!
What are bad Tanyas like? :-k
beelzebubba wrote: 
To quote something I wrote earlier today, regarding the Kennedys
"homophobes , misogynists and barely post pubescent
headbangers, ya know your basic testosterone crazed swine, don't much care for empowered women. Seems we have a few in Paradise. I like to drop in when I hear a potential red flag to examine the feces they like to smear. Got a few beauts here."
fatport wrote:
Normally I consider RP listers to be pretty sophisticated, so where did all of the cretins who commented on this song come from? Chinatown is probably the best album I've bought in the last two years. I like their funky low-key style. Not all music has to come from the crotch.
Righton "fatport". These girls are great! They not only have wonderful harmony but they all play their own instruments. Its OK to like musicians who sing from the heart. Be Good Tanyas did well at Austin's South By Southwest this spring. Also check out the band Po Girl for a similar sound. They share talent with Be Good Tanyas.
beelzebubba wrote:
Normally I consider RP listers to be pretty sophisticated, so where did all of the cretins who commented on this song come from? Chinatown is probably the best album I've bought in the last two years. I like their funky low-key style. Not all music has to come from the crotch.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Rounder vowels. More deliberate enunciation. That's what I think of, anyway. Of course there are many regional accents in Canada, just like the US. None of them are anything to protest.
The lead singer, Samantha Parton, has an unusual voice/delivery ---- it's not a "Canadian" accent that's making her sound the way she does....eh.
coldatlantic wrote:
Canadian accent? What's that?
Rounder vowels. More deliberate enunciation. That's what I think of, anyway. Of course there are many regional accents in Canada, just like the US. None of them are anything to protest.
coldatlantic wrote:
Canadian accent? What's that?
Ah, ya hoser, eh?
Oh heck, I can't convey it in print. But I do love the new emoticons, which eloquently convey the shades and range of human emotions....
Originally Posted by rgrace:
I guess that is true. I just can't deal with the Canadian accents - they get annoying to me after awhile. Blue Horse did not last too long on our CD rack. Oh well, to each their own.
Canadian accent? What's that?
The drums sound like they were recorded on a crappy four track, but the other instruments and the vocals sound clear. That\'s not right.
Originally Posted by Johray63:
The sort of music that makes me realize (again) how overstrained and fake lots of popmusic is.
I guess that is true. I just can't deal with the Canadian accents - they get annoying to me after awhile. Blue Horse did not last too long on our CD rack. Oh well, to each their own.
Originally Posted by Art_Carnage:
"Oh I've got a brand new pair of roller skates, you've got a brand new key."
Is she channeling Melanie on purpose?
Yeah, I hear it too, particularly in the very beginning.
What a refreshing group of singers! Their Chinatown and Blue Horse CD\'s are a great deviation from the mainstream norm. You can\'t keep your feet still. Love \'em... play more!
Light enuff to travel...!
Originally Posted by Johray63:
The sort of music that makes me realize (again) how overstrained and fake lots of popmusic is.
You know, you're right. I won't rush out and buy it but it's very refreshing, compared to the overproduced goop on commercial radio & cable TV.
The sort of music that makes me realize (again) how overstrained and fake lots of popmusic is.
Obviously when they named this tune \"It\'s Not Happening\" they knew what they were on about....this is icky. 
Geez, you guys are harsh.
I\'m kinda likin\' \'em.
\"Oh I\'ve got a brand new pair of roller skates, you\'ve got a brand new key.\"
Is she channeling Melanie on purpose?
What is this? The Dixie Chicks on valium? Yawn.
Be Bad Tanyas...or Sing Bad Tanyas...or Sound Bad Tanyas...
nope, its not happening.
can\'t get into this band at all.
They\'re right. It\'s not.
An aptly named song.
I think this is an interesting group. I started hearing their stuff on NPR a while ago. Thanks for playing it here. You have an awesome mix of everything!
I am starting to like their stuff more and more!! Love it!
Some good ole\' blue grass for winding down this afternoonl! I really enjoy this group.
I used to know Tanya. She worked for me as a young lady some years ago. Infectious smile. Became a nurse, a wife to a nice fellow from the village we called home and a mother to two young girls.
Last year Covid took her from this world. She worked in a long term care home and exposed herself to that "it's just the flu" every shift...just to be there for her charges. She gave her life in service of others.
So, screw the deniers...and be good, Tanya. Be good, indeed.
may she rest in peace 🕊️