For this Music Monday – it’s all Over the Rhine.
After experiencing another amazingly moving show on Saturday at the Highline Ballroom, I wanted to dedicate this Monday to two of the most talented songwriters I’ve experienced – Karin and Linford of Over the Rhine.
Although I’ll admit to being mildly disappointed they didn’t play my all time favorite song – I Don’t Wanna Waste Your Time, they did play my other favorite, Suitcase. After all, the concert was about debuting their new album, The Long Surrender. An album filled with so much raw emotion sung by Karin’s enchanting soul-filled voice, and accompanied by Linford on the piano, it’s not uncommon to literally be moved to tears.
If you like the songs – please support the band and purchase their new album, no stealing.
Set list:
1. Laugh of Recognition
*Come on boys, it’s time to let it go, everybody has a dream, that they will never own. Come on boys, it’s time to let her down you might be surprised how far she’ll get with her feet on the ground*
2. Rave On
*Bear down deep into the soul, the floorboard groans the rubber rolls, rock on, rave on*
3. Suitcase
*Why’d you love me in the first place, you were always closer than a brother, I can barely look at your face. I’ve said my, I’ve said my, I’ve said my piece, I’m on my, I’m on my, down on my knees, whatcha doin’ with a suitcase*
4. Sharpest Blade
*But you cut me quick, in the light of the shade, with the edge of the green, of the yard’s sharpest blade; when nothing I knew was all that it seemed. I still dreamed of a love to outlive us, I still prayed that this night would outlast us, and redeem some small thing*
5. Undamned
*Don’t count me out just yet I’m not your little lost lamb, God might still get my world, get it undamned*
6. I’m On A Roll
*This oyster is my world my oyster’s got a pearl, this ain’t no dress rehearsal I’m a very lucky girl, I’m on a roll*
7. Oh Yeah By The Way
*Oh yeah by the way, oh yeah by the way, what a waste that I still love you, after the mess you’ve made. What a waste that I’m not jaded, once in awhile I even smile, what a waste you’re just a stranger to me now*
8.The King Knows How
*Is that a jukebox altar call, or just a soft smoky place to fall? I’m thinkin’ I might be tempted to slide on over, slide on over. I’m thinkin’ I need a little somethin’ to tide me over, tide me over, till Memphis*
9. Infamous Love Song – (one of the most beautifully written & sang songs)
*This love’s the affirmation, of everything good, the oxygen coursing through the blood, the feel of being understood, the belief that, oh yes, somehow we could, and the milkyway looks, like a flimsy blouse, but now we’re gentrified in our civil war house, safe as a painting by Currier and Ives, baby our love song must survive*
10. Only God Can Save Us Now ♥Love. This. Song. Explained on the OtR website, “Set in a nursing home, where Karin has spent countless hours since her mom suffered a devastating stroke nine years ago, the humorous and heart-wrenching ‘Only God Can Save Us Now’ celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit. ‘We came to describe the nursing home as ‘a head-on collision between comedy and tragedy,’ says Karin. ‘Obviously, we’ve gotten to know many of the residents there and have found it impossible to ignore them and their stories. And we have our favorites. For example, once I leaned in to ask one of the residents, a little bird-like woman named Geneva, ‘How are you today, Geneva?’ She replied, ‘Only God can save us now…’ While listening to Karin explain this story in person, the majority of the venue looked visibly moved.
*When my time has come and it may be comin’ soon, don’t mind me if you come to find me howlin’ at the moon, I’ll need a busy apron and a half-sedated crowd, only God can save us now. A baby doll some chocolates and flowers made of silk, a clean room with a window and some Prozac in warm milk, and sneak us in some whiskey ‘cause it’s prob’ly not allowed, only God can save us now*
Karin explaining Only God Can Save Us Now
11. There’s a Bluebird In My Heart
*There’s a bluebird with a song with little effort how she sings it so well, like a lover with a broken-throated story to tell I’ve kept her secret for so long*
12. Trouble
*If you came to make some trouble, better make it good, your sexy cocktail hour stubble is doing what it should, looks may be sweet and subtle, I think it’s trouble honey, I think it’s good*
13. Days Like This
*Days like this you think about the ones that went before you days like this have you ever seen the sky it’s such a clear blue all I wanna do is live my life honestly*
14. All My Favorite People
*All my friends are part saint and part sinner, we lean on each other try to rise above. We’re not afraid to admit we’re all still beginners, we’re all late bloomers, when it comes to love*
15. Drunkard’s Prayer
*And in that motion, I long to drown and be lost not to be found, you’re my water, you’re my wine, you’re my whiskey from time to time*
16. No Kill Shelter
*I’m a no kill shelter I’ll say it again, I may never get best in show but then again one thing in my life I’ve found to never fail, if I’m feelin’ real good I’m gonna wag a little tail*
I hope you enjoy all the lyrics and music so clearly written from everything inside the heart and soul of Karin and Linford to create their latest album, The Long Surrender.
