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Greg Laswell — Sing, Theresa Says
Album: Through Toledo
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1592









Released: 2006
Length: 3:57
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Go to sleep while I gather all my things
and I will Call you in a couple of days
I can hear the june bugs approaching
A god damn army of them in my brain

"Sing" , theresa says. "sing happy things"
"Sing" , theresa says if I do everything
One day a man will spring worth loving

all of my friends fall from the sky now
Many more than I ever thought I had
Everyone is sharpening up their angles
When all I really want is...

"Sing" , theresa says. "sing happy things"
"Sing" , theresa says if I do everything
One day a man will spring worth loving

ba da dum da dum da dum dum
ba da dum da dum da dum dum
ba da dum da dum da dum dum
ba da dum da dum da dum dum

"Sing" , theresa says. "sing happy things"
"Sing" , theresa says if I do everything
One day a man will spring worth loving
Comments (120)add comment
Yeah...Nice!
This is a good representation of how different people approach music. Some listen for the deep meaning of the lyrics, and some just enjoy how it all sounds.
This sounds like the band that does the music for the Smarter Everyday YouTube channel.
The appeal of this to me is that it's mesmerizing and a catchy tune. 

 
:+:_DL wrote:
What's the appeal of this? 
repetitive mediocre lyrics being mumbled in a lousy melody.   
 

ok happy things, 8 -> 9, thsnks RP
da na nah, na nah, na na nah
 Cueburned wrote:
Not doing it for me.  The inner groove on a vinyl LP repeating itself while mixed with eq'd audio to simulate or suggest something authentic screamed "bu//$hit" at me.   

 
Screamed? Try switching to decaf.
How could I have voted this a 5? Down to 3. 
I like the guitar, just this 
"I don't like fans singing along to my songs!"  Such an unfortunate concert experience for such a lovely voice.
For me, one of those songs that slowly rotates something ineluctable about being human into view.
Well, his CD Landline, is a masterwork; that's all I can say.
Piano-driven heartache revelation of melody.
 philinnz wrote:
the scraping of fingers on guitar strings spoiled it for me - maybe one of the hazards of old age and losing ones hearing

 
Laswell's fingers were so drunk that they were slurring their notes. It's the only explanation. 
the scraping of fingers on guitar strings spoiled it for me - maybe one of the hazards of old age and losing ones hearing
 Slarti wrote:
{#Sleep}{#Yawn}{#Sleep}{#Yawn}

 

Get your Bartfast on, m'man
What's the appeal of this? 
repetitive mediocre lyrics being mumbled in a lousy melody.   
Anyone else hear a similarity to one of Kaki King's?

Byronape...
 
I am fixing your link here.  The lovely Toledo...as per El Greco...


 


I've always quite enjoyed this, but I can barely make out most of the lyrics. He's a bit mumbly...
 nigelr wrote:
Fark, this is an awesome song!
 
Yeah, really.....those first couple of lines just make me die.
Bought this album after hearing this brilliant song…

The rest of it doesn't seem quite up to this level, but maybe it just needs to grow on me more.

Check it out though, it's good.
With that opening, I thought I had stumbled into a Ken Burns documentary.
 rdo wrote:
What about the El Greco's?  Don't forget the Cathedral too.
 
The Toledo I live in doesn't look anything like this.

El Greco - View of Toledo

Instead, it looks like this.
 
 Byronape wrote:
Going "Through Toledo" is the best way to see the city.  About the only thing Toledo has going for it is an abundance of restaurants.  There is a saying around here that "If you can run a successful restaurant in Toledo, you can be successful anywhere."  I don't know why that is, but it might have something to do with the fact that there is a restaurant, fast food joint, cafe, diner or sports bar in about every other corner.  Most if it is ok, some is crap, and some is very good.  Best BBQ I've ever had came from a place not far from where I live.  We also have Tony Packo's of MASH fame.  Good stuff.
 
 

What about the El Greco's?  Don't forget the Cathedral too.
Going "Through Toledo" is the best way to see the city.  About the only thing Toledo has going for it is an abundance of restaurants.  There is a saying around here that "If you can run a successful restaurant in Toledo, you can be successful anywhere."  I don't know why that is, but it might have something to do with the fact that there is a restaurant, fast food joint, cafe, diner or sports bar in about every other corner.  Most if it is ok, some is crap, and some is very good.  Best BBQ I've ever had came from a place not far from where I live.  We also have Tony Packo's of MASH fame.  Good stuff.
 
 Deadwing wrote:

Bill just played the same set    {#Music}

 


And again. Great!!


{#Music}dig it
Nice song, with or without squeaks.
Fark, this is an awesome song!
 WonderLizard wrote:
Greg Laswell - Sing, Theresa Says
Elliott Smith - Waltz #2
Chet Atkins - Take Five
Nick Drake - One Of These Things First

Neat set. At least Laswell is still alive. Gives you pause about the wonder of sound recording, that sublime performances like those of Smith, Atkins, and Drake are preserved forever. Not too long ago, say, 150 years, if you didn't hear it live—and on a good night {#Lol}—you didn't hear it at all. Man, are we ever lucky to live in this day and age. You can listen to Duke Ellington's orchestra in its prime one moment and the Dandy Warhols the next. Pretty cool.

 
Bill just played the same set    {#Music}

 Carl wrote:

Lucky to have the Internet and Radio Paradise and personal computers with speakers!

 
Amen corner

 WonderLizard wrote:
are we ever lucky to live in this day and age. You can listen to Duke Ellington's orchestra in its prime one moment and the Dandy Warhols the next.

 
Lucky to have the Internet and Radio Paradise and personal computers with speakers!

Greg Laswell - Sing, Theresa Says
Elliott Smith - Waltz #2
Chet Atkins - Take Five
Nick Drake - One Of These Things First

Neat set. At least Laswell is still alive. Gives you pause about the wonder of sound recording, that sublime performances like those of Smith, Atkins, and Drake are preserved forever. Not too long ago, say, 150 years, if you didn't hear it live—and on a good night {#Lol}—you didn't hear it at all. Man, are we ever lucky to live in this day and age. You can listen to Duke Ellington's orchestra in its prime one moment and the Dandy Warhols the next. Pretty cool.

some people have WAY too much time on their hands, and spend Way too much time in their head.  Pity.
Wow...Dig this. New artist to me.
 Monkeysdad wrote:
2006 = 7

2010 = 8!
 
Excellent!

Very nice!
And this whole album is very good as well, though a bit inconsistent.

Roy.
Vignale Gamine
Autobianchi A112
repetitiv bis bis

:-((
Maybe it's cause I know someone named Teresa? Maybe I just love this song...{#Jump}
{#Sleep}{#Yawn}{#Sleep}{#Yawn}
Greg "Cutie" Laswell and the Death Cabs!!
 coffee-eyes wrote:


Nope, not just you.  I've always liked hearing string-squeak too.
 

Yup it's you. Great song....ruined by those irritating guitar squeaks
2006 = 7

2010 = 8!
I just love this song. Have an 8 Greg!

 Hannio wrote:


You're old enough to know better.  All my records eventually sounded pretty scratchy, due to improper record handling in my younger days. One thing I noticed when radio converted to CD players was the sudden disappearance of crackle and popping, which surprised me because I had always assumed it was radio static.  I figured the DJs surely took good care of their music library and the static was not just scratchy records.

  

You could tell the popularity of the records we had in my late 60s college station DJ daze by their pops & crackles. More pops/crackles = more DJs playing the album. We'd wear out 4 or 5 Jimi Hendrix, Quicksilver, Who and Stones records in 6 months easy. On the other hand the Carpenters, Petula Clark and Cowsills albums were in pristine condition.
 Zevs wrote:
À bit to repetitive for me
 
funny to repeat your comment!!!

 cayenne wrote:
This ends up being a pretty cool song, but that fake dusty record pop stuff at the beginning is really annoying. No one's records ever sounded like that back in the day, seriously. That's just wrong.
 

You're old enough to know better.  All my records eventually sounded pretty scratchy, due to improper record handling in my younger days. One thing I noticed when radio converted to CD players was the sudden disappearance of crackle and popping, which surprised me because I had always assumed it was radio static.  I figured the DJs surely took good care of their music library and the static was not just scratchy records.

 Zevs wrote:
À bit to repetitive for me
 
haha pretty funny

        :)          <——  old school

À bit to repetitive for me
If you open a song with that kind of noise you better follow it up with something worthy...... and that just didn't happen.
That's it!  8.>9! Tres nice guit work!
never heard this guy before.  i love his voice.  it calms me.
 Danimal174 wrote:
I haven't heard this CD, but I just bought this guy's newest one ("Three Flights From Alto Nido"), and absolutely love it.
 
Through Toledo is good too.  Very similar in style.
I haven't heard this CD, but I just bought this guy's newest one ("Three Flights From Alto Nido"), and absolutely love it.

Don't care about squeaky strings or anything else - this is good and it's in a sequence that's building a really pleasant feeling in my chest, I guess that's my heart.... happy, still beating (no reason why not), but with a little extra zest. Theresa's right, just "sing happy things".
 velly wrote:

I meant to write about the irritating scratching noise at the beginning, it's hyper-real and full of high frequency components that never would have made it through older sound systems / speakers but on a modern system drill right through your brain but NOW after reading the comments about the string squeak there's something else to bug me that I hadn't noticed before.  Sheesh, why did I come here?  Other than that, I kinda like the song....

To those overly hypersensitive about the contents of the lyrics and making a career out of being offended by everything, Christ, get a life.  Oops, sorry.
 
{#Angel} yeah I mean WTF!

 fredriley wrote:

Ok, I give in - what's a "G-D"?

 

Must be "God Damn"  but gee, it's hard to understand how anyone can actually be bothered by some "bad" word in a song.  Never understood why it mattered.

But, I guess diversity is what makes the world an interesting place.{#Wave}
 surreal1221 wrote:

Perhaps I'm missing it. . .but I didn't hear one G-D through my listen this evening. 

 
Ok, I give in - what's a "G-D"?

 Tagish_girl wrote:
String squeak has to be purposely added in as part of the composition, I beleive. If the whole thing is squeaky, it makes me think the player is using a lazy affectation. Too much squeak makes me want to rip the strings off the guitar and smack the player upside the head. (whew, pant pant!.... glad there is enough other instrumentation in this song to cover most the string squeak!)
 
I meant to write about the irritating scratching noise at the beginning, it's hyper-real and full of high frequency components that never would have made it through older sound systems / speakers but on a modern system drill right through your brain but NOW after reading the comments about the string squeak there's something else to bug me that I hadn't noticed before.  Sheesh, why did I come here?  Other than that, I kinda like the song....

To those overly hypersensitive about the contents of the lyrics and making a career out of being offended by everything, Christ, get a life.  Oops, sorry.


 surreal1221 wrote:

Perhaps I'm missing it. . .but I didn't hear one G-D through my listen this evening. 

 
It's right at the beginning of the song. I'll say it again simply because it's a big sticking point with me: I really like the song and would quickly add it to my collection save for this turnoff.

 secretsauce wrote:
I love string-squeak.

Is it just me?
 

Nope, not just you.  I've always liked hearing string-squeak too.
 jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
 
Perhaps I'm missing it. . .but I didn't hear one G-D through my listen this evening. 

 cayenne wrote:
This ends up being a pretty cool song, but that fake dusty record pop stuff at the beginning is really annoying. No one's records ever sounded like that back in the day, seriously. That's just wrong.
 

Mine did. I was pretty violent with my vintage Speed Racer record player...

 jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
 

Ibid
Nice, simple, but kinda muddled up.  Cleaned up, it would sound pleasant.
*squeak* *squeak* *squeak* *squeak* *squeak* *squeak*

{#Frustrated}
this is a nice song, IT WOULD SOUND GREAT ON MY NEW CHUMBY  <<<< HINT HINT!!!!
 topherg87 wrote:
i like this, i think
yeah this is nice

 

Identical reaction
Stereophonic pablum.
ANYONE HERE ADVANCED TO THE CONCEPT OF TOILET PAPER?? OR BEER GASES AND BEANS
Monty likes this tooon!
cayenne wrote:
This ends up being a pretty cool song, but that fake dusty record pop stuff at the beginning is really annoying. No one's records ever sounded like that back in the day, seriously. That's just wrong.
Between that, the constant squeaking of the guitar strings, and the emotionless singing, there's very little about this track that is genuine.
This ends up being a pretty cool song, but that fake dusty record pop stuff at the beginning is really annoying. No one's records ever sounded like that back in the day, seriously. That's just wrong.
i like this, i think yeah this is nice
Really lovely album.
twangoosen wrote:
Andrew Bird?
Yes.
jenakle wrote:
this sounds like ..something...else....played on rp lol gee, I'm great at this
Andrew Bird?
Speaking of Jefferson Airplane, how about they play some today..........spraehbuer wrote:
funny . . . thought the same
jenakle wrote:
this sounds like ..something...else....played on rp lol gee, I'm great at this
funny . . . thought the same
jenakle wrote:
this sounds like ..something...else....played on rp lol gee, I'm great at this
Thanks for that! I needed to laugh after those overly intellectual comments at the Mazzy Star song.
Doesn't age well for me, I find the string squeak annoying now, actually grating, which kills the song. Changed from an 8 to a 5. Big change, but that's what it is for me.
secretsauce wrote:
I love string-squeak. Is it just me?
String squeak has to be purposely added in as part of the composition, I beleive. If the whole thing is squeaky, it makes me think the player is using a lazy affectation. Too much squeak makes me want to rip the strings off the guitar and smack the player upside the head. (whew, pant pant!.... glad there is enough other instrumentation in this song to cover most the string squeak!)
excellent! tori, then andrew bird, then greg laswell. keep it up!
keep em comin
secretsauce wrote:
I love string-squeak. Is it just me?
Sometimes I think a squeak at just the right moment, it can add. But normally, I like a clean attack. Mark Knoffler is a good example of someone who plays very clean. Trey did an acoustic song that is beautiful, but the squeak can be distracting (it sounds very difficult to play).
I love string-squeak. Is it just me?
Great song...wonderful voice..intelligent lyrics.. I really like it....
this sounds like ..something...else....played on rp lol gee, I'm great at this
fortyonejb wrote:
this has a great flow, i really like it.
I thought he was saying Saint Theresa!
this has a great flow, i really like it.
meydele wrote:
I'd guess you are not a fan of the Eels' "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues", then.
Goddamn right- I'm a fan
jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics.
I'd guess you are not a fan of the Eels' "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues", then.
It flows really well, I think.
it's been a little while since i've heard this one on RP...i love it!
Wow, somebody replace this record, it sounds all scratchy!
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
8 and approaching 9 I love this (right now)
Me too, but for now up from 7 to 8, 9 may yet happen. Fantastic song structure, great hook.
okobojicat wrote:
I'm as much an atheist as the next guy, but I don't see how that takes away from the song. He's using the imagery. I think you are over reacting.
i think the original poster was referring to God Damn not GoD. brad
On iTunes, one version spells it "Theresa", and another is "Teresa".
8 and approaching 9 I love this (right now) Sept.6th: back to 8
jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
Duh, prude you need a mo' liberal home. It's not hard core in this life of worlds. Lis ten to FM then. Sorry fo' the It's great
jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
You could do what I do most of the time. Just don't listen to the lyrics and listen to the music instead.
jagdriver wrote:
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
I'm as much an atheist as the next guy, but I don't see how that takes away from the song. He's using the imagery. I think you are over reacting.
Dig the percussion.
This would be a fine song, and I'd ordinarily rate it a 7 or 8, save for the G-D sprinkled in the lyrics. I find this quite objectionable, in much the same way that I'm bothered by the Dead's "Uncle John's Band." Like the obligatory sex scene in a film to obtain the R rating, there's simply no need for this. It's difficult enough getting RP airplay in my home without having to put up with lyrics like this. I'd sooner hear a sh*t or a f*ck.
pannaramma wrote:
I like this more every time I hear it.
Me too. especially today when work is very hectic, and I'm sleep deprived thanks to someone who is only 13 months old. Gives me a bit of peace.
fuh2 wrote:
Related to the great Bill Laswell?
doesn't seem to be, at least not according to amg...
I like this more every time I hear it.
Good tune.
Geecheeboy wrote:
Used for $1.30 on Amazon?! I am buying now. Man, I don't know why... all i do is listen to RP these days anyway. This compulsion to own the music is blowing my budget. If I had a budget. Note to self... make a budget.
I buy the downloads second hand... they're much cheaper then.
Used for $1.30 on Amazon?! I am buying now. Man, I don't know why... all i do is listen to RP these days anyway. This compulsion to own the music is blowing my budget. If I had a budget. Note to self... make a budget.
I love this song. I first heard it on a Paste Magazine sampler and bought his stuff on iTunes shortly thereafter. It is a great album and I'm looking forward to hearing more from him down the road.
OldFrenchie wrote:
This song is pretty cool! First time I've heard it on the first day of 2007 and this is the first post.
That's a case of beer dude!
Related to the great Bill Laswell?
Bad_Art wrote:
Dude on the cover looks like my step dad. Nice sound ir-regardless.
Must be about 10 years old, eh?
Dude on the cover looks like my step dad. Nice sound ir-regardless.
singable, listenable, danceable(huh?), likeable...good beat. Cool stuff.
Unique and very nice.
maryte wrote:
I liked it when I heard it on the LRC and I'm glad to hear it made the cut to the main!
Ditto. He has a distinctive sound that I like. Although the album is uneven, this song is a keeper.
I liked it when I heard it on the LRC and I'm glad to hear it made the cut to the main!
This song is pretty cool! First time I've heard it on the first day of 2007 and this is the first post.