Post by Triple J on Apr 29, 2004 22:16:59 GMT -5
Sting - Mercury Falling
Released in 1996. Believe it or not, this is my favorite Sting album. It didn't sell very well, and there were no Top 40 singles. But I think it's worth notice, because it has some darn good music. I love every track! One unique thing about the album is that the title "Mercury Falling" is the opening words of the first track, and the closing words on the final track. I don't think that's ever been done before! And now, the track list...
1. The Hounds Of Winter - Mercury falls when it gets cold, so that sets the tone for the opening song. Sting said that when he wrote it, he was imagining himself as an old man, feeling the loss of a companion, and used winter as a metaphor for loneliness.
I still see her face, as beautiful as day... it's easy to remember... remember my love that way. All I hear is that lonesome sound, and the hounds of winter... they follow me down
2. I Hung My Head - The tune sounds happy, but the lyrics are far from it. The story of a man who accidentally killed someone with a rifle. Sting says that "there are no accidents around guns."
I saw a lone rider, crossing the plain... I drew a bead on him, to practice my aim... my brother's rifle, went off in my hand... the shot rang out, across the land... the horse he kept running, the rider was dead... I hung my head... I hung my head
3. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot - This was the 1st single. Sting goes back to his roots, performing the kind of soul music he enjoyed when he was a teenager.
When there's no... information... and the compass turns... to nowhere... just let your soul... be your pilot... let your soul guide you... he'll guide you well
4. I Was Brought To My Senses - Described as an English folk melody that jumps to a Brazilian feel. Sting said he's using nature as a metaphor for human relationships and patterns of behavior. This has some great lyrics.
If nature's red in tooth and claw, like winter's freeze and summer's thaw... the wounds she gave me, were the wounds that would heal me
5. You Still Touch Me - 2nd single. Intentionally opens with the same two notes as Sam & Dave's "Soul Man." Probably the most catchy track.
Another night finds me alone... in my dreams... you still touch me. Your picture by my telephone... and that smile... you still thrill me.
6. I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying - 3rd single. Sting takes another crack at country and western. Story of a father whose wife left him, took the kids, found another guy. Yup, it's a country song all right.
She says "Are you OK? I was worried about you... Can you forgive me? I hope that you'll be happy." I said, "I'm so happy that I... can't stop crying... I'm so happy, I'm laughing through my tears."
7. All Four Seasons - Another catchy one. Cool jazzy beat. Sting wrote it about his daughter Coco. "She'll treat her dad like crap one day, and then the next day I'm suddenly the greatest guy on the planet." The music is almost exactly like the last part of "When We Dance."
She can change her mind like she... changes her sweaters, from one minute to the next it's... hard to tell, she blows hot and cold just... like stormy weather, she's my gift from the Lord, or a... fiend from hell, that's my baby... she can be all four seasons in one day
8. La Belle Dame Sans Regrets - "The beautiful lady without regrets." Song is written entirely in French, with a bossa nova beat. GREAT piano solo by the late Kenny Kirkland. I tried to translate the first verse as best I could:
Let us dance, you say... my steps have left me, you mow down my feet... I fear the fools... In vain I look for the words to explain your life to me.
9. Valparaiso - No, it's not about the university in Indiana.
It's a sea epic about a voyage through the treacherous stretch of ocean to Valparaiso, which means "the valley of paradise." This song is so pretty.
If I should die and water's my grave... she'll never know if I'm damned or I'm saved... see the ghost fly, over the sea... under the moonlight, there she can safely go round the cape horn to... Valparaiso
10. Lithium Sunset - A short closing number. Harmonica playing to a folksy rhythm. Sting compares the yellow light of sunset that goes straight to the brain as having the same effect as lithium, a medication for depression.
I've been scattered, I've been shattered... I've been knocked out of the race, but I'll get better... I feel your light upon my face
Please add your thoughts.
Released in 1996. Believe it or not, this is my favorite Sting album. It didn't sell very well, and there were no Top 40 singles. But I think it's worth notice, because it has some darn good music. I love every track! One unique thing about the album is that the title "Mercury Falling" is the opening words of the first track, and the closing words on the final track. I don't think that's ever been done before! And now, the track list...
1. The Hounds Of Winter - Mercury falls when it gets cold, so that sets the tone for the opening song. Sting said that when he wrote it, he was imagining himself as an old man, feeling the loss of a companion, and used winter as a metaphor for loneliness.
I still see her face, as beautiful as day... it's easy to remember... remember my love that way. All I hear is that lonesome sound, and the hounds of winter... they follow me down
2. I Hung My Head - The tune sounds happy, but the lyrics are far from it. The story of a man who accidentally killed someone with a rifle. Sting says that "there are no accidents around guns."
I saw a lone rider, crossing the plain... I drew a bead on him, to practice my aim... my brother's rifle, went off in my hand... the shot rang out, across the land... the horse he kept running, the rider was dead... I hung my head... I hung my head
3. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot - This was the 1st single. Sting goes back to his roots, performing the kind of soul music he enjoyed when he was a teenager.
When there's no... information... and the compass turns... to nowhere... just let your soul... be your pilot... let your soul guide you... he'll guide you well
4. I Was Brought To My Senses - Described as an English folk melody that jumps to a Brazilian feel. Sting said he's using nature as a metaphor for human relationships and patterns of behavior. This has some great lyrics.
If nature's red in tooth and claw, like winter's freeze and summer's thaw... the wounds she gave me, were the wounds that would heal me
5. You Still Touch Me - 2nd single. Intentionally opens with the same two notes as Sam & Dave's "Soul Man." Probably the most catchy track.
Another night finds me alone... in my dreams... you still touch me. Your picture by my telephone... and that smile... you still thrill me.
6. I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying - 3rd single. Sting takes another crack at country and western. Story of a father whose wife left him, took the kids, found another guy. Yup, it's a country song all right.
She says "Are you OK? I was worried about you... Can you forgive me? I hope that you'll be happy." I said, "I'm so happy that I... can't stop crying... I'm so happy, I'm laughing through my tears."
7. All Four Seasons - Another catchy one. Cool jazzy beat. Sting wrote it about his daughter Coco. "She'll treat her dad like crap one day, and then the next day I'm suddenly the greatest guy on the planet." The music is almost exactly like the last part of "When We Dance."
She can change her mind like she... changes her sweaters, from one minute to the next it's... hard to tell, she blows hot and cold just... like stormy weather, she's my gift from the Lord, or a... fiend from hell, that's my baby... she can be all four seasons in one day
8. La Belle Dame Sans Regrets - "The beautiful lady without regrets." Song is written entirely in French, with a bossa nova beat. GREAT piano solo by the late Kenny Kirkland. I tried to translate the first verse as best I could:
Let us dance, you say... my steps have left me, you mow down my feet... I fear the fools... In vain I look for the words to explain your life to me.
9. Valparaiso - No, it's not about the university in Indiana.
It's a sea epic about a voyage through the treacherous stretch of ocean to Valparaiso, which means "the valley of paradise." This song is so pretty.If I should die and water's my grave... she'll never know if I'm damned or I'm saved... see the ghost fly, over the sea... under the moonlight, there she can safely go round the cape horn to... Valparaiso
10. Lithium Sunset - A short closing number. Harmonica playing to a folksy rhythm. Sting compares the yellow light of sunset that goes straight to the brain as having the same effect as lithium, a medication for depression.
I've been scattered, I've been shattered... I've been knocked out of the race, but I'll get better... I feel your light upon my face
Please add your thoughts.
