"Arent Bruce Hornsby and the Range just magical?"

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Er, not really....Have you overheard someone having a conversation about utterly crap music that made you want to scream John McEnroe style "You cannot be SERIOUS!!!"...For instance on the bus yesterday some guy who apparently was a DJ for some radio station blabbering on about how he played a pan-pipe version of "Unchained melody"..."Oooh, its lovely, very nice, very tasteful"...aarrrgh.

Michael Bourke, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

A friend of mine, who was a huge Manics fan back in the day, went to a gig of theirs' a couple of years ago. Walking out of it she overheard a couple talking. The girl was saying to the guy "Well, they weren't as good as M People". I found this rather amusing. She knew it was over. Of course she's still going to see them play tomorrow, I'm not sure why... This doesn't really have a lot to do with the question, sorry.

Ally C, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

"isn't the new Mariah Carrey tune wicked?"

jel, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Overheard to-day in queue at swimming pool :

13 year old A :"Your mate's into punk aint he? What's punk?"

13 year old B : " You know, you wanker! Fuckin' Slipknot and Limp Bizkit, innit"

I declined to educate them.

Dr. C, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I once encountered a ***Runrig*** fan who considered my taste in music to be somewhat laughable (and made inaccurate assumptions about it). Will that do?

Robin Carmody, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Ooh, Dr.C,...I feel your pain, and I admire your restraint. I have a hard time keeping my big opinions to myself. That episode would have sent me on a rampage.

Alex in NYC, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Well, they WERE only 13 or so. No doubt a Dr. C 'history of punk lecture' would've been met with blank stares and verbal hostility. No repect for their elders, kids these days...

Did I ever tell you when I saw the Sex Pistols at Cleethorpes Winter Gardens? Well, we bunked off school and.... Oh shut up you old bastard!

Dr. C, Sunday, 1 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I think Slipknot is about the coolest thing a 13 year old could listen to. Anyway, this kind of thing happens every day, pretty much. Happens just as much on I Love Music as anywhere else, actually.

Kris, Monday, 2 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Kris is absolutely right - the what the FUCK? element is totally important here and anywhere else music gets talked about.

When I hear somebody say something which strikes me as idiotic I tend to prick my ears up, because I'm really really interested to know why music I consider swill might be seen as good. This is one thing I loved about the American Psycho film - Bateman's eulogies to Huey Lewis et al seemed totally sincere and convincing at the same time as being really funny.

Tom, Monday, 2 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Dr C - if I was 13, I'd probably think Limp Bizkit and Slipknot were punk as fuck too. I think I had an Exploited album at that age (for my sins). No matter what we think of these bands, and I loath them as much as you seem to, their success does represent the fact that most teenagers these days are as alienated and pissed off as was ever the case. In a couple of years' time, this will translate into the "punk" flipside to acid house's "flower power" era. I think there's clues to what form that'll take in the music of Kid606 and his ilk...

As for the original thread, I was collared by this, admittedly really good natured and friendly, bloke at work who felt duty-bound to inform me of his ardent love of Coldplay and Radiohead when he found out I was into music. Cue forced smile and "They're not really my cup of tea, to be honest." Sheeesh.

Venga, Tuesday, 3 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but at a gig earlier this evening I overheard a snippet of conversation that included the words "...don't just want to know what they're like from Simon Reynolds...". Gah! That man again!

DG, Saturday, 7 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

'The Way It Is' is not exactly 'magical', but pretty seductive, if you ask me.

the pinefox, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Some things will never change...

Nicole, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

'Never Change' by MC Buzz B, which makes extensive use of samples from "The Way It Is", is a fabulous record, and is a very early example of depressive lyrics in hip-hop. I'll confess that's as far as I'm prepared to go with Bruce and his Range.

Tim, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Tim, I turned on the radio today and I think I heard the record you mean, and it was rubbish.

the pinefox, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Wow, I'm amazed and delighted that ten-year-old non-hits are getting played on daytime radio. But you wouldn't like it anyway, PF, that much at least is obvious. It's not rubbish, it's fabulous. I made that clear before.

Tim, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I know. Then I made it clear that it was rubbish.

the pinefox, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I stand corrected. But then, so do you.

Tim, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Pinefox: I think the record you heard may have been Tupac's "Changes", a big hit a couple of years ago which also samples heavily from "The Way It Is".

Robin Carmody, Thursday, 12 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

RC, I would practically make a bet on your being right on this point.

the pinefox, Sunday, 15 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Cheers.

Robin Carmody, Sunday, 15 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

eight years pass...

'The Way It Is' is playing here! Memories of Desmond Lynam reading scores over quite tasteful graphics at Saturday teatime in 1987 while the piano plays in the background.

the pinefox, Monday, 20 April 2009 12:24 (fifteen years ago) link

I don't really agree with the opening question of the thread - it was an attack on BH and his Range. I think they made some super pop records !! better than a lot of the crap that was then mentioned. Just over 8 years ago.

the pinefox, Monday, 20 April 2009 12:25 (fifteen years ago) link

I think they made some super pop records

plz to name one other BH & Range record, w/o checking wiki.

goddam seals get SO much pussy (stevie), Monday, 20 April 2009 12:59 (fifteen years ago) link

are you kidding? 'Valley Road', 'Look Out Any Window' - and BH, admittedly (maybe?) without Range, recorded 'The End of the Innocence' with Don Henley.

the pinefox, Monday, 20 April 2009 14:51 (fifteen years ago) link

okay, i am suitably chastened! were these radio hits in the UK or something?

goddam seals get SO much pussy (stevie), Monday, 20 April 2009 14:55 (fifteen years ago) link

(The? Old?) 'valley road' was a minor UK chart hit. so was the Henley song I think. 'look out any window' might have been.

I think I prefer 'valley road' to 'the way it is'. I admit I haven't named a LOT of hits here or anything.

Tons of BH is on spotify, including a song called 'Heir Gordon' (2004) which sounds very New Labour. that's on his HALCYON DAYS lp which seems like a jazz record.

the pinefox, Monday, 20 April 2009 15:02 (fifteen years ago) link

That little piano bit makes "The Way It Is" pleasant enough. And I have fond memories of my sister (who hated the song) making fun of the "Get a job!" part.

Myonga Vön Bontee, Monday, 20 April 2009 15:08 (fifteen years ago) link

I really, really need to hear Valley Road again. I bought that single and really loved it at the time, more than any of his singles. I have a memory, though, of it being one of a few records I took with me over to England to sell or trade, and I couldn't find anyone who even knew who he was.

Earl of Gothington Manor (Bimble), Monday, 20 April 2009 16:30 (fifteen years ago) link

I've always liked "Every Little Kiss" and "Across the River."

I'm crossing over into enterprise (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 20 April 2009 16:36 (fifteen years ago) link

listen to the MANDOLIN RAAAAIN

I can sit in my car all day, and that doesn't make me a car. (HI DERE), Monday, 20 April 2009 16:37 (fifteen years ago) link

Bruce's stint with the Dead back in 90-91 was sort of their last flash before becoming a complete waste of time. I've never heard his solo stuff though.

My Neighbor Toronto (kingkongvsgodzilla), Monday, 20 April 2009 16:40 (fifteen years ago) link

Also he wrote Jacob's Ladder for Huey Lewis, which is a jam.

My Neighbor Toronto (kingkongvsgodzilla), Monday, 20 April 2009 16:48 (fifteen years ago) link

I like 'the end of innocence', it is the only song aside from 'boys of summer' that don henley ever did that I can say that about.

akm, Monday, 20 April 2009 16:49 (fifteen years ago) link

I like the extended quote from Charles Ives' "Concord Sonata" at the beginning of "Every Little Kiss", which was a pretty big hit, getting Ives on pop radio means I can't ever hate on the guy

Milton Parker, Monday, 20 April 2009 19:35 (fifteen years ago) link

Another great Hornsby contribution: his piano fills on Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me.

Ari (whenuweremine), Monday, 20 April 2009 19:54 (fifteen years ago) link

one month passes...

Is this the thread where we discussed him before? "The Valley Road" just brings me to ecstasy. In my past lives I played piano. Did he play on a Bonnie Raitt record too??? Oh shit. Oh shit. I'm gonna seek that out right now. They could do magick together. Bonnie Raitt & him.

Sacriligiously Dead (Bimble), Sunday, 24 May 2009 21:25 (fourteen years ago) link

No! You're talking about the ultimate Bonnie Raitt record! You're saying he played piano on that! Oh my god. Oh no. Oh no.

Sacriligiously Dead (Bimble), Sunday, 24 May 2009 21:27 (fourteen years ago) link

Oh yes.

Ari (whenuweremine), Monday, 25 May 2009 03:44 (fourteen years ago) link

Oh, Bimb's gone off bang...

Mark G, Tuesday, 26 May 2009 08:30 (fourteen years ago) link

one month passes...

I forgot how "Look Out Any Window" & "Every Little Kiss" sounded. I didn't realize that I would remember these songs. Near the end of the latter, I got this lightbulb over my head - "oh I remember this!"

Fantastic stuff, in my opinion.

But there's a song on Scenes From The Southside ("Defenders Of The Flag", I think) where all of a sudden he sounds like he's trying to ape Dylan! I laughed on the bus. Well at least you can't say the album doesn't have variety! LOL

Where's All The Hippies? Fuck off! (Bimble), Friday, 3 July 2009 16:32 (fourteen years ago) link

"Look Out Any Window" & "Every Little Kiss", they're holding my skeleton upright.

I get lost sometimes, and I feel afraid, but if I just go back to those two Bruce Hornsby songs then I'm okay again.

Sleep Tundra (Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You), Saturday, 4 July 2009 20:05 (fourteen years ago) link

six years pass...

Every little kiss ....man that guitar lead.

Hammer Smashed Bagels, Tuesday, 21 July 2015 05:16 (eight years ago) link

Bruce Hornsby and the Range Against the Machine

rushomancy, Tuesday, 21 July 2015 12:11 (eight years ago) link

Ha!

"That's just the way it is, MOTHERFUCKER!"

On a rail replacement bus to London from Stansted airport, Magic fm on the coach driver's radio, first notes of a new song, woman in front of me turns excitedly to her boyfriend: 'Oh, I *love* this song'. It was this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IATz8ZVTALo

2011’s flagrantly ceremonious rock-opera (Bananaman Begins), Tuesday, 21 July 2015 14:20 (eight years ago) link

I remember when it felt important to snicker at other people for the music they enjoyed.

five six and (man alive), Tuesday, 21 July 2015 14:36 (eight years ago) link

So 'The Way It Is' and S'cenes From The Southside' are missing from Spotify, had to resort to Youtube to hear Mandolin Rain for the first time in 20 odd years.

MaresNest, Tuesday, 21 July 2015 14:52 (eight years ago) link

Plus, in the video BH looked like a weird hybrid of at least four actors, Paul Reiser, William Hurt and idk..?

MaresNest, Tuesday, 21 July 2015 14:55 (eight years ago) link

I remember when it felt important to snicker at other people for the music they enjoyed.

― five six and (man alive), Tuesday, July 21, 2015 3:36 PM (19 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

lol u just been made milk monitor or something?

2011’s flagrantly ceremonious rock-opera (Bananaman Begins), Tuesday, 21 July 2015 14:57 (eight years ago) link

two years pass...

bimble otm re: the valley road

cr.ht (crüt), Tuesday, 19 June 2018 06:17 (five years ago) link

One of my earliest memories is my parents playing Bruce Hornsby and the Range in the car during summer trips to visit family and me being almost unthinkably bored. To this day I associate "The Way It Is" with the Pennsylvania turnpike.

Sam Weller, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 08:20 (five years ago) link

Burn yr elbow if you lean on mm.

Mark G, Tuesday, 19 June 2018 10:52 (five years ago) link

three years pass...

RIP Ezra's hair

.@BruceHornsby's got a new album coming, and the lead single features @VampireWeekend's @arzE and @_BlakeMills https://t.co/TjIx1fA39l

— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) March 25, 2022

So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 25 March 2022 14:31 (two years ago) link

I'm a massive Blake Mills stan but I'm still not clicking on this track

sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 25 March 2022 18:23 (two years ago) link

Too many times in the waiting room of my dentist's office listening to "that's just the way it is" or "mandolin rain"

sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 25 March 2022 18:24 (two years ago) link

constantly mix up this dude with Bruce Cockburn

longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 25 March 2022 19:20 (two years ago) link

this isn't bad at all but it doesn't particularly do anything for me either

longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 25 March 2022 19:26 (two years ago) link

as an aside, Cockburn is great

sknybrg, Friday, 25 March 2022 19:32 (two years ago) link

A music writer ILXor once came to see my band, many years ago, and said he really liked it and it reminded him of Bruce Cockburn, which was good, because he really liked Bruce Cockburn. I was confused for a while and thought he meant Bruce Hornsby, and couldn't for the life of me figure out how my sort of thrill jockeyish alt country band sounded like Bruce Hornsby.

longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 25 March 2022 19:36 (two years ago) link

Bruce Hornsby’s last album SUCKED, there’s a song calls “pills” on it

brimstead, Friday, 25 March 2022 19:43 (two years ago) link

stealing fire is really solid

brimstead, Friday, 25 March 2022 19:44 (two years ago) link

Bruce Hornsby’s last album SUCKED, there’s a song calls “pills” on it

You mean "Meds"? I actually thought that album was decent, but the one he released after that was definitely worse.

a superficial sheeb of intelligence (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 25 March 2022 19:49 (two years ago) link

“meds”, yeah. he seemed to be doing some wack soulful thing I wasn’t feeling. But I only heard the album once.

brimstead, Friday, 25 March 2022 19:52 (two years ago) link

Ezra Koenig is now one degree of separation from Don Henley.

Expect an ill cover of "If Dirt Were Dollars" on the next VW tour.

Precious, Grace, Hill & Beard LTD. (C. Grisso/McCain), Friday, 25 March 2022 19:53 (two years ago) link

I like Bruce Hornsby, yes. Magical - sometimes.

the pinefox, Saturday, 26 March 2022 09:24 (two years ago) link

one year passes...

https://i.imgur.com/D159fY7.jpg

Just six guys in a room

calstars, Saturday, 10 February 2024 01:29 (two months ago) link

three weeks pass...

Bruce Hornsby on a dubby, ECM-influenced dance record >>>> Andre 3000 new age

Guerra / de Paiva / Hornsby / Konradsen: Contrahouse
https://ulyssa.bandcamp.com/album/contrahouse

Jordan s/t (Jordan), Wednesday, 6 March 2024 15:27 (one month ago) link

Ah interesting - 2 Brazilians, a Norwegian, and Hornsby

curmudgeon, Wednesday, 6 March 2024 17:39 (one month ago) link

three weeks pass...

song c, gut punch every time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTiMCE8Z32A

I Chet the Holmgren (Spottie), Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:05 (three weeks ago) link

on the flipside 'spider fingers' is some hot shit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svw_ExDoajs

I Chet the Holmgren (Spottie), Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:07 (three weeks ago) link


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