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Shearwater — Whipping Boy
Album: Winged Life
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 733









Released: 2004
Length: 4:41
Plays (last 30 days): 1
If I told you once, then I told you twice
That I would have paid just about any price
Just to see him jump, just to see him laugh
I would have washed in the blood of an innocent man

Let the whipping boy ride (x4)

The boy says to the wolf, "You're gonna be my dog"
The boy ties the wolf to a fence post
The wolf says, "Boy, if you're gonna be my man
Let's see how you fit in those britches"

I found a river doesn't run to the sea
I found a river through the dead lands
I found a river been beaten by the sun
But a river that never did surrender to the sands

Let the whipping boy ride (x4)
Comments (91)add comment
Play ger eyes.
 n4ku wrote:
There's a little black spot on the sun today.

Wait What?

 
yeah I heard a little bit of it
 n4ku wrote:
There's a little black spot on the sun today.

Wait What?

 
No, that was yesterday! 😀😀
"That was Shearwater, from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack..."
The West London jury is totally out still on this one, cannot decide if it's a repetitive plagiarism of my least liked Police track or something good. Have to wait for it to play again...
There's a little black spot on the sun today.

Wait What?
 WonderLizard wrote:

What's fascinating about the time we live in and the vast amounts of information that can be transmitted and accessed is that we get to listen to young bands today who were influenced by their parents' music: Led Zep, Fleetwood Mac, Tony Orlando--without necessarily being aware of the chain of influences that preceded them. For example, Robert Randolph, the pedal steel blues guitarist, tells this one on himself.

One day he's noodling away at "Voodoo Chile," and someone comments how much like Hendrix he sounds. He sez, "No, man, this is a Stevie Ray (Vaughan) song." The other guy then tells him that Stevie Ray got the song from Hendrix, and Randolph is like dumbstruck, "No shit?" Randolph had heard of Hendrix, but had no idea who he was, his recordings, and so on. Now this perhaps is an extreme example, but when you first heard "Crossroads," did you know it was an update of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads Blues?"

 
Shame on Robert Randolph...

As I've written on other RP song comment pages, it still puzzles me that Eric Clapton quit The Yardbirds in March 1965 because he was a blues purist and the band was experimenting with pop songs like "For Your Love." Yet by July '66 he's in Cream which did not exactly adhere to standard blues styles. Yes, "Crossroads" was a 1969 update of "Crossroads Blues" but I think Robert Johnson would have had trouble recognizing his song...
 Proclivities wrote:
It sounds pretty much like a traditional "folk" song; the style is hundreds of years old.  Does anyone here realize that there were people making music before the 1960s?  However, it wouldn't surprise me if these guys did listen to Zeppelin and been inspired, many musicians have.

 
What's fascinating about the time we live in and the vast amounts of information that can be transmitted and accessed is that we get to listen to young bands today who were influenced by their parents' music: Led Zep, Fleetwood Mac, Tony Orlando--without necessarily being aware of the chain of influences that preceded them. For example, Robert Randolph, the pedal steel blues guitarist, tells this one on himself.

One day he's noodling away at "Voodoo Chile," and someone comments how much like Hendrix he sounds. He sez, "No, man, this is a Stevie Ray (Vaughan) song." The other guy then tells him that Stevie Ray got the song from Hendrix, and Randolph is like dumbstruck, "No shit?" Randolph had heard of Hendrix, but had no idea who he was, his recordings, and so on. Now this perhaps is an extreme example, but when you first heard "Crossroads," did you know it was an update of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads Blues?"
It sounds pretty much like a traditional "folk" song; the style is hundreds of years old.  Does anyone here realize that there were people making music before the 1960s?  However, it wouldn't surprise me if these guys did listen to Zeppelin and been inspired, many musicians have, but Led Zeppelin certainly did not invent this genre or sound.
I just read the message in a bottle: "They stolen my song - Sting".
Bill's on a very dark roll.....
 LOL!!
BWGunner wrote:
I think it's really nice that Robert Plant is still doing really relevant music. Oh, oops. 
 

 


I think it's really nice that Robert Plant is still doing really relevant music. Oh, oops. 
 
Excellent! And this was back in 2004....

https://shearwatermusic.com/ 
 Matyx wrote:




I was thinkin this iz kool n i Like it!
 

Was thinkin' I would agree.

But for the purists, there is far too much style borrowed from Led Zepplin.  


Just noticed this... Nice sound
FANTASTIC > 9!
I honestly thought this was a Joe Strummer cut I had never heard before.
This has nothing in common with Mumford and Sons. It does use a banjo, but it doesn't beat us over the head with it.

WonderLizard wrote:

Bingo. There's a lot of something going around: Mumford and Sons, The National, Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes. Wait! Let's stick a label on it/them before Rolling Stone does! {#Lol}

 


Not my favorite from Shearwater, but love this band!!
Cool!
 LizK wrote:
UGH
 

{#Whipit} {#Arrowu}  speaking of whippin'
7—>8
 Carl wrote:
a_genuine_find wrote:

I was thinking Gotye ... {#Think}
 

 
RoelantSiekman wrote:


I was thinking Radiohead..
 
I was thinking Okkervil River.
 



I was thinkin this iz kool n i Like it!
I'll kick you out of this home
If you don't CUT THAT HAIR!
a_genuine_find wrote:

I was thinking Gotye ... {#Think}
 

 
RoelantSiekman wrote:


I was thinking Radiohead..
 
I was thinking Okkervil River.
 jhorton wrote:
Ooops, for a minute there, I thought Robert Plant had finally done something post LZ that I didn't hate.

Nope, still waiting. 
 

HA!
 a_genuine_find wrote:

I was thinking Gotye ... {#Think}
 

I was thinking Radiohead..
 sajitjacob wrote:
The Maori eat the Sooty Shearwater they call it the Muttonbird; It tastes like very very salty and fatty mutton. An acquired taste.
Also, this is a great song. {#Angel}

Edit. Hey Bill just followed this with "Salt of the Earth" from the 'stones. The Maori harvest the birds by grabbing them from their underground burrows. The mutton bird is the salt of the earth! Spoooky.
 
This is another reason I find this place so compelling. Bill often links songs in his '5 piece sets'. . . . sometimes obvious - sometimes obscure, sometimes with words, sometimes with style of music, sometimes with humour. . . sometimes not at all. 
As a birder, I approve of this band's name.
bup bup didoo bup bup ba didoo boop
bup bup didoo bup bup ba didoo boop
bup bup didoo bup bup ba didoo boop
bup bup didoo bup bup ba didoo boop
What a terrific lead-in to something really exciting!

Hey! . . . . Sheeeeit!   Where's the really exciting bit?


Shearwater is now 2 for 2 in my book. Second tune I've heard from this that I like. On a roll, boys!
I like it, in fact quite likeable!
 pianocomposer wrote:

Banjo can be okay. But this is very repetitive. Did I mention it seems to repeat itself? OMG. Downgrade to a 6.
 
ever listen to bela fleck, or the late earl scruggs? repetitive? hardly!
 westslope wrote:

Almost sounds like Porcupine Tree...... 

 
I was thinking Gotye ... {#Think}
The Maori eat the Sooty Shearwater they call it the Muttonbird; It tastes like very very salty and fatty mutton. An acquired taste.
Also, this is a great song. {#Angel}

Edit. Hey Bill just followed this with "Salt of the Earth" from the 'stones. The Maori harvest the birds by grabbing them from their underground burrows. The mutton bird is the salt of the earth! Spoooky.

Grown to a 7.

It is like.... she's out of bounds but you just can't help looking all the same.


UGH
But it does sound like No Quarter so I strongly suggest that everybody not like this song.  Seriously.  
Hi, Bill! If you insist playing this song, I'll call The Police.

Almost sounds like Porcupine Tree...... 


 oldviolin wrote:
uh oh, a banjo...what is the world coming to? Stay tuned...
 
Banjo can be okay. But this is very repetitive. Did I mention it seems to repeat itself? OMG. Downgrade to a 6.
Ooops, for a minute there, I thought Robert Plant had finally done something post LZ that I didn't hate.

Nope, still waiting. 
 sirdroseph wrote:


There was a big flare a couple of days ago too. The weather is fine here today though! All of these comments are interesting, but have nothing to do with this song.{#Stupid}

No, I do not hear The Police at all.{#No}
 
Really?  Other than this song having different chords and a different melody, it sounds just like "King Of Pain".
{#Wink}

Besides Tori Amos, another King of Pain copy? Call The Police!!!
uh oh, a banjo...what is the world coming to? Stay tuned...
 Baby_M wrote:

Someone should swat you for that one.  {#Cheesygrin}
 
But in a GOOD way.... This is the ONLY place a set like that would ever fly. I loves me my RP. Commercial-free, FCC-free.... FREEEEEEEEEE! 

This IS a good one!{#Guitarist}
 Hannio wrote:
There's a little black spot on the sun today...

 
But soooo much better.

 Hannio wrote:
There's a little black spot on the sun today...
 
Correct.  {#Curtain}
diggin it {#Yes}
 xkolibuul wrote:

C'mon, Fred, that album cover alone warrants at least a '6'. 
 
True, and this song has grown on me, so 6 from the Nottingham jury it is.

 Hannio wrote:
There's a little black spot on the sun today...

 

There was a big flare a couple of days ago too. The weather is fine here today though! All of these comments are interesting, but have nothing to do with this song.{#Stupid}

No, I do not hear The Police at all.{#No}
Sounds a lot like Robert Plant...
that's a good thing!
Chillbanjo. . . nice.
There's a little black spot on the sun today...

Great! Some equally fine or even better cuts on that CD: "My Good Deed", "St. Mary's Walk", "Wedding Bells" and "The World in 1984". Awesome live band btw!


Banjo = {#Clap}
 Cynaera wrote:

{#Lol} It's probably too late.... But I agree - some VERY good music going around.  Has "Angsta-Rock" already been used?

Slinking away now.

 
{#Lol} "Angsta-Rock!" I like it! BTW, no need to slink away from great punmanship...

Gave this one a 7 as it really is 'quite likeable'.
This song embodies why I listen to R.P. I would have never found it any other way. Good stuff.
GOOD - yes!

Wishes from Ypsilanti, Michigan!


 The_Enemy wrote:
"Whipping Boy" follows "Flogging Molly". I love Bill's jokes in the playlist.

Maybe next we'll hear something from 'Rum, Sodomy and The Lash"?
 
Someone should swat you for that one.  {#Cheesygrin}
 fredriley wrote:
The bird on the cover looks to be a Manx Shearwater, a nocturnal seabird highly ungainly on land but adept in the sea. Which is rather more interesting than the music, particularly the singer who makes Thom Yorke sound exciting. A nailed on Ho-Hum from the Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
 
C'mon, Fred, that album cover alone warrants at least a '6'. 
 socalhol wrote:
This song just keeps getting better & better !  
  bump


It wouldn't fit the tune but I keep wanting them to go into double-time with that banjo.

I've been wondering how long it would be before Bill brought together Choir of Young Believers' "Hollow Talk" with "Whipping Boy."  Its such a natural pairing of two great songs. 

Thanks Bill!


 WonderLizard wrote:

Bingo. There's a lot of something going around: Mumford and Sons, The National, Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes. Wait! Let's stick a label on it/them before Rolling Stone does! {#Lol}

 
{#Lol} It's probably too late.... But I agree - some VERY good music going around.  Has "Angsta-Rock" already been used?

Slinking away now.

This song just keeps getting better & better !  

 meadowwoods wrote:

Very much a MMJ vibe...I like it!
 
Here in Boulder, MMJ means Medical Marijuana and it has that kinda vibe also. :)

 chyk5 wrote:


Thanks for the didactic review. Do they use the expression "the jury has retired" in the UK?
 
I think in the UK, it's "The jury has adjourned to the nearest pub." (I'm teasing,O valued Nottingham constituent.) {#Daisy}
How about (Cute) Nature Boys Singing in their Upper Register
 WayUpNorth wrote:
Nice, like Great Lake Swimmers kinda ...

 
Bingo. There's a lot of something going around: Mumford and Sons, The National, Avett Brothers, Fleet Foxes. Wait! Let's stick a label on it/them before Rolling Stone does! {#Lol}

from Scientific American

Jonathan Meiburg


They are both too cute.

i like this man's voice—-have another of their albums but haven't listened to all of it.
One of my favourite songs by Shearwater, I love the "haunting" melodic tone this song has!
"Whipping Boy" follows "Flogging Molly". I love Bill's jokes in the playlist.

Maybe next we'll hear something from 'Rum, Sodomy and The Lash"?
Shearwater is an Austin Tx band formed by Will Shef and Jonathan Meiburg of Okkerville River.  Shef is no longer with Shearwater, but Meiburg (a degreed ornithologist) continues to be the lead singer. . .
The bird on the cover looks to be a Manx Shearwater, a nocturnal seabird highly ungainly on land but adept in the sea. Which is rather more interesting than the music, particularly the singer who makes Thom Yorke sound exciting. A nailed on Ho-Hum from the Nottingham jury {#Sleep}
 Relayer wrote:
No idea who these guys are, but I like the song a lot.
 
Same same...

 socalhol wrote:
Oh yeah, I like this — nice vibe — kind of a My Morning Jacket / Fleet Foxes feel to it
 
Very much a MMJ vibe...I like it!


No idea who these guys are, but I like the song a lot.
 socalhol wrote:
Oh yeah, I like this — nice vibe — kind of a My Morning Jacket / Fleet Foxes feel to it
 
Better than FF, not quite as good as MMJ. . .


Another wicked banjo. . .

8

What a great song!!!!
Banjos make my world go round.
 socalhol wrote:
Oh yeah, I like this — nice vibe — kind of a My Morning Jacket / Fleet Foxes feel to it
 
I agree with you too.

Oh yeah, I like this — nice vibe — kind of a My Morning Jacket / Fleet Foxes feel to it
Cool! {#Music}
Very nice. It caught my attention at work.
Nice, like Great Lake Swimmers kinda ...