[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Heather Nova — Island
Album: Oyster
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1756









Released: 1995
Length: 5:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
There are parts of me he'll never know,
My wild horses and my river beds,
And in my throat voices he'll never hear.
He pulls at me like a cherry tree,
And I can still move, but I don't speak about it.
Pretend I'm crazy, pretend I'm dead.
He's to scared to hit me now, he'll bring flowers instead.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go.

And the dogwoods shimmer in October sun,
"Oh sweet thing" he sings to me, "You're the only one."

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere
I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere to go.

And I don't know why I can't tell my sister,
He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
you want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me. He steals it from me.
It shines like sweat, like jewels,
Like something that has died to soon.
He fucks with the beauty.
A kiss, a kick, a kiss, a kick, a kiss kiss kick.
He steals it from me.
It's out of my hands again.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go, to go...
Comments (170)add comment
sweet! and the song is good too!
très jolie voix
 Legaziofunk wrote:

Why did you CUT  the bridge out of this song? /(played on Dec. 10th, at app. 23:30 GMT +1)
Is it,  because the term "fuck" appears (better: WOULD appear)?

I am sorry, I am REALLY disappointed by this move.

Cheers




Indeed, best part of the song removed :-(
Why did you CUT  the bridge out of this song? /(played on Dec. 10th, at app. 23:30 GMT +1)
Is it,  because the term "fuck" appears (better: WOULD appear)?

I am sorry, I am REALLY disappointed by this move.

Cheers
 vandal wrote:

Never read all of the lyrics until now. Chilling and moving. 

"He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
you want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me." 

As the husband of someone who was terribly abused in past relationships, I have the deepest sympathy and highest respect for anyone who has struggled with and survived abuse. 




We hold the dubious distinction of possessing the highest rate of domestic abuse in any state in the US at 25%. Nobody talks about the sudden appearance  of black eyes. It's none of our business. It's a personal matter. Boundaries. Our silence tolerates domestic violence.
A 10 for me. The album is excellent.
Never read all of the lyrics until now. Chilling and moving. 

"He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
you want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me." 

As the husband of someone who was terribly abused in past relationships, I have the deepest sympathy and highest respect for anyone who has struggled with and survived abuse. 
 jah_blessed wrote:
Siren call... can't resist...


Use vax 🙂 
Another singer I never heard of before. Thanks bill LLRP
it's like having a nightmare and then waking up into another one with Kim Gordon. I like them both
perfect coping mechanism. write a song.  a really good one at that !  love her intensity as she spirals out of control 
 prophetzarquon wrote:
 
save us all from mournful women....a trope that needs to move on
 
Amen-"ahhhhaaaaahhhhaaaahhhhhhaaaahhhhhahhhhh"  That's all I hear in the background with this...Friggin'creepy, makes me sleepy, too.
 
save us all from mournful women....a trope that needs to move on
Soooo nice !!!!    
She needs more than an island.
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Words like this get nicked from other disciplines and used inappropriately.  "Bandwidth" is my pet hate, but knowing it from audio engineering, not the computing term.

By the way, I think the word "overcook" would apply to her style.

 
I have overclocked the CPU on a few personal computers but never expected to see the term as a metaphor for singing.  For folks on caffeine-filled energy drinks or methedrine, I get it.

"Overcook", now that is funny.
 Proclivities wrote:

...why did people start using the word "overclock" as a verb to describe singing?...

  
Baby_M wrote:

I don't know about anyone else, but I picked the word up from my son the computer engineering major.

 
Words like this get nicked from other disciplines and used inappropriately.  "Bandwidth" is my pet hate, but knowing it from audio engineering, not the computing term.

By the way, I think the word "overcook" would apply to her style.
mysteriously provocative  ..unimaginable abuse visited
 aelfheld wrote:

And bury her on it.

 
Pure Hilarity!
 oldfart48 wrote:
Hope it's not a true story........

 
in her concert she said it was.
Cats fighting at 2am
 PeaceInIraq wrote:
Her voice is haunting, and makes me want to find her that island A.S.A.P.
 
And bury her on it.
 
oldsaxon wrote:

 oldfart48 wrote:
Hope it's not a true story........

  
It's a million true stories.

 
bump.
Her voice is haunting, and makes me want to find her that island A.S.A.P.
Not to be confused with the Chevy Nova:
https://wikicars.org/images/en/thumb/1/1d/477.jpg/300px-477.jpg
I dont show, and' I need somewhere to hide myself, I am on an beatiful island, and no hiding for the things can't be lost.
God she's so color friendly, with an amazing  unique style. Ttimekeeper picture is beatiful,  wasn't a coincidence,
What a coincidence! I played this song 15 minutes ago!!! :D :D Beautiful!
 LizK wrote:
Thought at first that this is Sarah McLaughlin.  Listening closer, Heather Nova has her own voice.

 
agreed
Thought at first that this is Sarah McLaughlin.  Listening closer, Heather Nova has her own voice.
 Baby_M wrote:

I don't know about anyone else, but I picked the word up from my son the computer engineering major.

 
{#Yes} That makes sense - I hear the word coming more from programming and engineering people.
Love this song love this albom
 
She reminds me a bit of Mary Margaret O'Hare...
 Proclivities wrote:

...why did people start using the word "overclock" as a verb to describe singing?...

 
I don't know about anyone else, but I picked the word up from my son the computer engineering major.
 oldsaxon wrote:

Do you know what she's singing? I suspect the "overclocking" was intentional and probably required to make this song the scary little gem it is. 

 
Yes, the style is relevant to the lyrics, and when and why did people start using the word "overclock" as a verb to describe singing?   I'm sure some "journalist" from Rolling Stone magazine used it to describe someone, but I've seen it in these comment threads a few times.  Aside from the word being a computer term, it means to speed up performance or processes at a rate faster than recommended.  I can see how one could translate the term as meaning "intensify", but still, it refers to speed not audible volume.  I guess it's just a stylistic annoyance to me.
Das ist sehr gut !
 jasonv wrote:
Amazing album.

 
Definitely! She's great live too. I love Heather!
Beautiful song that leaves you punch-drunk!
Amazing album.
 oldfart48 wrote:
Hope it's not a true story........

 
It's a million true stories.
nice
 
Beautiful merging of lyrics and music. Hauntingly powerful and honest.
Hope it's not a true story........
 {#Clap}TJS wrote:
Bump for lyrics

 
Cynaera wrote:
At great cost (pop-up ads that wouldn't go away), here are the lyrics...

There are parts of me he'll never know,
My wild horses and my river beds,
And in my throat voices he'll never hear.
He pulls at me like a cherry tree,
And I can still move, but I don't speak about it.
Pretend I'm crazy, pretend I'm dead.
He's too scared to hit me now, he'll bring flowers instead.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go.

And the dogwoods shimmer in October sun,
'oh sweet
thing' he sings to me,
'you're the only one.'

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere
I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere to go.

And I don't know why I can't tell my sister,
He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
You want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me.

He steals it from me.
It shines like sweat, like jewels,
Like something that has died too soon.
He fucks with the beauty.
A kiss, a kick, a kiss, a kick, a kiss kiss kick.
He steals it from me.
It's out of my hands again.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go, to go...

Holy crap - what powerful lyrics... I liked her "Heart and Shoulder," but this eclipses it by miles. Wow.  And lattalo - I hope you meant that you love the words and music, and not that you could actually physically relate to the subject. If the latter - my heart goes out to you.  Please reach out for help - it's there, and there are places that can protect you.  If it's the former, the music has done what it set out to do - move a listener to react.

Whatever the case, I'd never listened to this song with the attentiveness with which I just listened to it now, based on posted comments. I'm reeling from it all. Quite a bit to process - and at one time, I was ready to write off Heather Nova as a less-than-stellar Canadian artist (like Celine, and before anyone attacks me for that, I have friends in Toronto and Montréal who swear that Celine Dion is NOT the best of Canada.) Now, I'm forced to revise my opinion of Nova.  That, and put Kevin Parent or Paul Piché in my CD player, and then chase it with Zachary Richard's "Cap Enragé" if I can find it....

 




 



 


{#Headache}
Sweet and sorrowful.
this is bad. hurts the ears.
I was really diggin' this tune until her weird little tirade like digression toward the end here but then recovers well....hmm..?
Bump for lyrics

 
Cynaera wrote:
At great cost (pop-up ads that wouldn't go away), here are the lyrics...

There are parts of me he'll never know,
My wild horses and my river beds,
And in my throat voices he'll never hear.
He pulls at me like a cherry tree,
And I can still move, but I don't speak about it.
Pretend I'm crazy, pretend I'm dead.
He's too scared to hit me now, he'll bring flowers instead.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go.

And the dogwoods shimmer in October sun,
'oh sweet
thing' he sings to me,
'you're the only one.'

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere
I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere to go.

And I don't know why I can't tell my sister,
He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
You want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me.

He steals it from me.
It shines like sweat, like jewels,
Like something that has died too soon.
He fucks with the beauty.
A kiss, a kick, a kiss, a kick, a kiss kiss kick.
He steals it from me.
It's out of my hands again.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go, to go...

Holy crap - what powerful lyrics... I liked her "Heart and Shoulder," but this eclipses it by miles. Wow.  And lattalo - I hope you meant that you love the words and music, and not that you could actually physically relate to the subject. If the latter - my heart goes out to you.  Please reach out for help - it's there, and there are places that can protect you.  If it's the former, the music has done what it set out to do - move a listener to react.

Whatever the case, I'd never listened to this song with the attentiveness with which I just listened to it now, based on posted comments. I'm reeling from it all. Quite a bit to process - and at one time, I was ready to write off Heather Nova as a less-than-stellar Canadian artist (like Celine, and before anyone attacks me for that, I have friends in Toronto and Montréal who swear that Celine Dion is NOT the best of Canada.) Now, I'm forced to revise my opinion of Nova.  That, and put Kevin Parent or Paul Piché in my CD player, and then chase it with Zachary Richard's "Cap Enragé" if I can find it....

 




 


Interesting needs more time! Liking the voice.
 cShaggy wrote:
..hits home & especially good after "I Am a Rock"..
 

Exactly why I don't need to hear this right now...
Yes to angsty, Kate-Sinead-Tori-alike ghostiness.
Always love hearing this gal's voice...and her musical arrangements are pretty good, too...thanks, RP, for turning me onto her!
..hits home & especially good after "I Am a Rock"..
Superb cover to cover!
 Baby_M wrote:
I really like it, up to the point at the start of the second verse where she starts overclocking her voice.  Average those two reactions out and I end up sort of liking it.
 
Do you know what she's singing? I suspect the "overclocking" was intentional and probably required to make this song the scary little gem it is. 
A real beaut.
 mrdak wrote:
Damn nice song.................... Imogen Heap'ish
 
....good point.....{#Yes}
great, feel i should have paid more attention to the lyrics, sound reminded me of Robert Smith/ Cure kind of tempo
He fucks with the beauty.

{#Bananajam}
Yuck.. That is all.
I adore this song.  It's haunting, sad, and beautiful in its pain.  I love Heather Nova's music; I have pretty much all of it and she's consistenly amazing.  This is a great song to play on the guitar too.  We definitely need more Heather Nova on RP.
 Baby_M wrote:
I really like it, up to the point at the start of the second verse where she starts overclocking her voice.  Average those two reactions out and I end up sort of liking it.
 
Pretty much what I came on here to say.  A bit too much angst for me ...


Listening while sunbathing with a the lovely bride and a pitcher of marguaritas ...   was floating away on Nova's tune,  then you chased it with It's a Beautifuil Day's  'White Bird'    .....  we're gone... ;P      Thanks !


A thread about alienation, isolation and fear. "I am a Rock", then this.  Nice.
Hysteric Nova
Damn nice song.................... Imogen Heap'ish
 The_Shrike wrote:

Yep, why would you ever listen to this when you could just put on the Cranberries?
 
Because this doesn't suck. . . 
 
 Baby_M wrote:
I really like it, up to the point at the start of the second verse where she starts overclocking her voice.  Average those two reactions out and I end up sort of liking it.
 

{#Lol} (@ overclocking)...
 Jelani wrote:
Sounds more like she needs a therapist and the police than an island.
 
A lot of good art and music has been created by people who could use a therapist.

The commenters who dislike this song are not commenting on its merits. Having never heard it before, my respect for Heather Nova has increased considerably. As another commenter noted (more or less), writing something that expresses things so well is not easy and I think this is powerful writing, and music.
Lovely voice, clear  Reminescent. of Sara McLachlan.  
I really like it, up to the point at the start of the second verse where she starts overclocking her voice.  Average those two reactions out and I end up sort of liking it.
 Cynaera wrote:
...chase it with Zachary Richard's "Cap Enragé" if I can find it....
 Glad the Québécois love Zachary, a product of Cajun South Louisiana. He just keeps getting better with age.

Well, I like it!

omg. please let it stop! this is annoying!!
Sounds more like she needs a therapist and the police than an island.
Not sure how I ever heard Heather Nova in the days where the internet was just getting started... this certainly wasn't played on FM radio.

Regardless... had this album all the way back to 1995 and loved it from beginning to end.  This got a lot of play in my CD player. 
Bumping this up to 9. The more I listen, the more I think my Canadian friends have slighted her talent (Stephane, shame on you!)  She has depth and perception, and a lot of pain.  This song proves that.
Awesome...This album is a gem cover to cover.........play more Heather Nova.

 alanthecowboy wrote:

The song is fine.  Trying to pass your opinion off as fact, however, does suck.  You think it sucks, that's fine.

 

Ok, I still think this songs sucks. Better?
At great cost (pop-up ads that wouldn't go away), here are the lyrics...

There are parts of me he'll never know,
My wild horses and my river beds,
And in my throat voices he'll never hear.
He pulls at me like a cherry tree,
And I can still move, but I don't speak about it.
Pretend I'm crazy, pretend I'm dead.
He's too scared to hit me now, he'll bring flowers instead.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go.

And the dogwoods shimmer in October sun,
'oh sweet
thing' he sings to me,
'you're the only one.'

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere
I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you, somewhere to go.

And I don't know why I can't tell my sister,
He spat in my face again, and I don't want to die here.
You know that dream when your feet won't move,
You want to come but your body won't let you.
He steals it from me.

He steals it from me.
It shines like sweat, like jewels,
Like something that has died too soon.
He fucks with the beauty.
A kiss, a kick, a kiss, a kick, a kiss kiss kick.
He steals it from me.
It's out of my hands again.

I need an island, somewhere to sink a stone
I need an island, somewhere to bury you,
Somewhere to go, to go...

Holy crap - what powerful lyrics... I liked her "Heart and Shoulder," but this eclipses it by miles. Wow.  And lattalo - I hope you meant that you love the words and music, and not that you could actually physically relate to the subject. If the latter - my heart goes out to you.  Please reach out for help - it's there, and there are places that can protect you.  If it's the former, the music has done what it set out to do - move a listener to react.

Whatever the case, I'd never listened to this song with the attentiveness with which I just listened to it now, based on posted comments. I'm reeling from it all. Quite a bit to process - and at one time, I was ready to write off Heather Nova as a less-than-stellar Canadian artist (like Celine, and before anyone attacks me for that, I have friends in Toronto and Montréal who swear that Celine Dion is NOT the best of Canada.) Now, I'm forced to revise my opinion of Nova.  That, and put Kevin Parent or Paul Piché in my CD player, and then chase it with Zachary Richard's "Cap Enragé" if I can find it....

 



My RealPlayer feed got stuck in a loop with her singing "go."  I had better wait to rate this as it began to drive me nuts.  Time for a bathroom break.

 sirdroseph wrote:


Oh, of this I have no doubt which is why I am not a songwriter by profession. BTW, this song still sucks.
 
The song is fine.  Trying to pass your opinion off as fact, however, does suck.  You think it sucks, that's fine.

 lattalo wrote:
I can really relate to the words of this song.  Very different and good.
 

I'm so sorry to hear that.  What tough times.  Be strong...heal....

lovely song indeed
I can really relate to the words of this song.  Very different and good.
 hippiechick wrote:
My brother used to have an indecent imaginary relationship with this woman.
 
Don't all man who have been within 20 miles of Heather Nova fall for her?

 out4mike wrote:
People are real critical about songs.  Unless you've taken the time to try to write one, practice it and then produce it.  It's harder then you think.  This was a nice song! Keep it up!
 

Oh, of this I have no doubt which is why I am not a songwriter by profession. BTW, this song still sucks.
People are real critical about songs.  Unless you've taken the time to try to write one, practice it and then produce it.  It's harder then you think.  This was a nice song! Keep it up!
 newwavegurly wrote:
I usually like Heather Nova, but I'm not diggin' on this song. It's verging on that annoying vocal style that has me reaching for the mute button when Vienna Teng and Loreena Mckennitt come on.
 

Preach it sistah! I'm with you on all counts!{#Lol}
 greentini wrote:
I have found Heather wonderful only when she collaborates with ATB. But for some reason electronic music never gets played on RP. Sad.
 

Seriously? No electronic music on RP? You just need to listen longer, its there... Not a lot, but it's there often enough.

Heather Nova is quite beautiful, perhaps she should go into modeling.{#Puke}{#Headache}


Shades of Dido and Eminem's "Stan"....
Most unusual.  I like it.
I have found Heather wonderful only when she collaborates with ATB. But for some reason electronic music never gets played on RP. Sad.
That alternates chorus/verse between okay and really really bad.  Not sure which is which.  Can't force myself to listen hard enough to figure it out.
 billynyc wrote:
melodramatic crap
 
Yep, why would you ever listen to this when you could just put on the Cranberries?

my ears are bleeding....{#Headache}
melodramatic crap
there's so much happier things to wail about...
 newwavegurly wrote:
I usually like Heather Nova, but I'm not diggin' on this song. It's verging on that annoying vocal style that has me reaching for the mute button when Vienna Teng and Loreena Mckennitt come on.
 
You mean strong, smooth, sensual and on-key? Yeah, I can see how that would be annoying.

hippiechick wrote:
My brother used to have an indecent imaginary relationship with this woman.

And how would you become privy to this information?
{#Curtain}

I usually like Heather Nova, but I'm not diggin' on this song. It's verging on that annoying vocal style that has me reaching for the mute button when Vienna Teng and Loreena Mckennitt come on.
Hey, on first listen, I like this.

The vocals sound like they should annoy me, but somehow, they don't.

...And every time I think she's starting to sound like someone else, she does something that makes that thought suddenly seem silly.

Nice...
 hippiechick wrote:
My brother used to have an indecent imaginary relationship with this woman.
 

thank you so much for sharing.....
I Do like this song, as I do with any song that inspires inner reflection and emotion.
lophrequa wrote:
i do not like this song


She sings out of key and flat, and I find her painful to listen to. It would be a good song if sung by someone else.


i do not like this song
Pyro
Posted: Feb 16, 2007 - 12:13 < Reply >

radiozep wrote: Cool except towards the end when she starts rambling/screaming/falsetto-ing... Nice guitar work.

Exactly!

My brother used to have an indecent imaginary relationship with this woman.
Brutal.
Haven't followed her since this came out, but this is a great CD.
crazyossi wrote:
Boring , Boring ! Then you realize that you ve forgotten your mp3 player - to listen to good music which is totally absent here !



So why the f*ck are you listening RP if good music is totaly absent here? And what a waste of energy by posting this kind of message...?


Quite lovely.  Beautiful and haunting.
wow ,,,, never heard of this, me like!

OScar 
If this isn't originally a Sarah McLaughlan tune, she has one that is very similar.  Great stuff.
starfishNcoffee wrote:
Isn't this song about a woman whose man is beating her?
I would say yes.
Boring , Boring ! After this song - you really need an Island . Then you realize that you ve forgotten your mp3 player - to listen to good music which is totally absent here !
Ah, cheer up Heather. It'll be OK.
First decent song I've heard all day today.