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Post by Lori on Jul 31, 2003 23:32:41 GMT
One more step to the top of the city Where just a couple of pigeons are living Up on the angel's shoulders
I don't know if I'm closer to Heaven but It looks like Hell down there These streets have never been paved with gold Welcome to the loneliest city in the world It's no good for you baby It's no good for you now Keep looking up for the ladder
I don't know if you'll love me for it But I don't think we should suffer this There's just one thing we can do about it
Take me up to the top of the city Take me up to the top of the city Take me up to the top of the city And put me up on the angel's shoulders
See how that building there is nearly built There's a big fire over on the north of the city I see you walking down the street with her I see your lights going on and off She's no good for you baby She's no good for you now Look I'm here with the ladder
I don't know if you love me or not But I don't think we should ever suffer There's just one thing we can do about this
Take me up to the top of the city Take me up to the top of the city Up to the highest point of the city One more step to the top of the city Put me up on the angel's shoulders
And I don't mind if it's dangerous I don't mind if it's raining Take me up to the top of the city
And put me up on the angel's shoulders Take me up to the top of the city Mmm yes, one more step to the top of the city And put me up on the angel's shoulders
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Post by Sto on Sept 8, 2003 19:59:05 GMT
I always feel this one is overlooked a bit. It has great atmosphere.
Anyone care to share any ideas about the lyrical content of the song?
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Post by Sto on May 9, 2004 21:25:07 GMT
"We're waiting" I still don't get the lyrics
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Post by strabley on May 26, 2004 16:38:13 GMT
River Phoenix died 2 days before this album was released. When I first heard this song, I actually got misty. To this day this song reminds me of him. Why this one? I'm still not sure. Maybe a bit. Picturing him convulsing fatally at the tender age of 22 out in front of the Viper room in Los Angeles makes me wish an angel could have raised him above his entrapments (addiction, early fame, insecurity, etc), maybe if he met the right person, maybe if someone took HIM to the top of the city, on to the angel's shoulders, he could have gotten beyond his addictions and survived. I was born, raised, and still reside (OH GOD get me out of here!! ) in the 3rd largest city in the States. I also used to work at the Top of the city as it were. (I worked on the top [45th] floor of the Prudential building) Funny, I never really thought of this song when I worked there. But now I'm starting to wax on it. (thanks for the nudge, Sto, only took me several months to notice the nudge. : The view was beautiful, yet you could see all the hustle and bustle of the busy expressways and flashing lights all signifing someone rushing to do something that didn't involve caring or love. "Don't know if I'm closer to heaven but it looks like hell down there" I can't really at this time go line by line, but I believe in general the song is about the distractions of the city and day to day life distracting us from the realization that it's all about love in the end. I challenge you to listen to these 3 songs in this order and imagine they are all connected: And So is Love You're the One Top of the City I have to wonder if Top of the City is about Del. Perhaps. This isn't a real planned interpretation. More of a smattering of thoughts. But something to maybe get the ball rolling?
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Post by Xanadu on May 26, 2004 17:44:06 GMT
I'm glad you have begun discussion here again. And I agree with your interpretations here Sheila, I'd like to talk about it more with you (and I can relate on the Chicago level & the city, as close to NYC as I can get). We had started a long while ago. Your thoughts fit in well with my theories about the album, well, all the albums in progression. I have been long away from this, both put off and frustrated. I have continued to try, in my own time, to assemble my thoughts in a concise way. I have never felt that I hold any actual knowledge of her intentions... I only hoped to give to others what I have felt in the songs, since I think they might be more complex and uplifiting that even she intended. Based on a mess of actual facts about her, inteviews, etc., and my self.... A search for spirituality, a calmer spirit, a higher understanding, etc. I read a lost fairy tale about this, I have in my collection. About the desire for greatness of a caterpillar, the will and strength inside him that draws him to the sky, hurting all in his path.... while another learns the power is so much more simple and within her always. It's no good for you now, keep looking up for the ladder... look I'm here with the ladder (the understanding, the power, the answers).... find me the man with the ladder and he might lift me up to the stars.... The ultimate understanding of love of another being, be that of a lover, a friend, and relative, a child, whatever... is the answer. One searches all the faiths, looks for the answers everywhere, and false religions play on your loyalty and need. It is within you always. Nothing will ever feel as strong or be as fulfilling, and few ever really understand it. Some artists have drawn on this, Kate does, do does Leonard Cohen, and Gabriel. Love begin the revelation of a higher power, your religion. Listen to the songs the Sheila suggests with this in mind. Listen to it all and try to see her quest. Each album is another step overall in her understanding. Think of what TRS is, and how it ends. Here's another song (just a few lines) that works well with Top of the City and these theories: Peter Gabriel, In Your Eyes love I get so lost, sometimes, days pass and this emptiness fills my heart.... but whichever way I go, I come back to the place you are.... all my instincts, they return and the grand facade, so soon will burn without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside in your eyes, the light the heat in your eyes, I am complete in your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches in your eyes, the resolution of all the fruitless searches in your eyes, I see the light and the heat love, I don't like to see so much pain so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away I get so tired of working so hard for our survival I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive This was written for a specific relationship. As for whether TOTC about Del... who knows. Probably. She is the sort of songwriter that is very intuitive and introspective... if it's not specifically about her, I'm sure she drawns on some close experience. Just to add a little to the discussion....
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Post by Sto on May 26, 2004 17:48:58 GMT
Sheila, thnank you for your very touching and interesting interpretation. I bet you do get a good feel of the song, on the 45th floor of a busy city. I wonder if it's about Del because of the line "She's no good for you baby". Assuming "You're The One" is about Del, they seem to link pretty well (even if just because of the raw emotion). I listen to those 3 songs in order later and tell you what I think! And River Phoenix was a bit before my time (how young do I sound??) but I've heard about him, and the whole thing was so tragic - did he have a big following?
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Post by Xanadu on May 26, 2004 17:52:47 GMT
And River Phoenix was a bit before my time (how young do I sound??) but I've heard about him, and the whole thing was so tragic - did he have a big following? He would be close to our age, right Sheila? He was the most talented young actor around at the time, so much promise and very attractive and terribly popular. Too senstive and complex to survive long in Hollywood at such a young age... they just ate him alive, I suppose. Such a tragedy... I wonder if we would have become all they hoped if he had lived? It's an interesting connection Sheila, the angels lifting him from the despair.
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Post by strabley on May 26, 2004 18:31:15 GMT
You're right Sto, this song does tend to get overlooked. I'm not sure why.
Great interp Zan! I totally see the In Your Eyes connection.
It's strange to me how she threaded the songs in The Line the Cross and the Curve when the thread we have been coming up with is TOTALLY different. Hmm.. 2 (or more?) concepts intertwined? The more I think about The Red shoes, the more complex it gets.
River Phoenix was a year younger than me. To this day I think of him when I hear this song. Strange how things stick in your mind and attach themselves to sounds, scents, tastes, etc.
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Post by Xanadu on May 26, 2004 19:53:46 GMT
Great interp Zan! I totally see the In Your Eyes connection. It's strange to me how she threaded the songs in The Line the Cross and the Curve when the thread we have been coming up with is TOTALLY different. Hmm.. 2 (or more?) concepts intertwined? The more I think about The Red shoes, the more complex it gets. Thanks Sheila. What's the other theme you're thinking about for TLTC&TC? I don't see that this is totally different from where that leads, but maybe another theme hadn't occured to me. It is really more complex, I believe, than usually considered. I don't think she may have realized how much of her was really in that album. But there were many changes in her life, and the choices for theme, lyric, and melody came from somewhere within her. She tried to not over think this album, and created her most open and personal.
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Post by Sto on May 26, 2004 19:56:51 GMT
I have been long away from this, both put off and frustrated. I have continued to try, in my own time, to assemble my thoughts in a consise way. Does anyone else think this is how Kate feels about the recording process for her nowadays? Zan, another great interpretation. I like the idea of love being the ultimate, the religion, the purpose. "I don't mind if it's raining", love has its ups and downs, but in the end, it's worth it. To shift a little towards what Sheila was saying about "TLTCATC", I think all the songs on "The Red Shoes" could have fitted onto the video. "The Song Of Solomon" and "Top of The City" are just screaming to have a visual interpretation added to them. I'm sure she could have fitted "Constellation" on there too, maybe in the "path" section. It would also mean a longer film than just 45 minutes, and hence more Kate!
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Post by Al Truest on May 26, 2004 22:50:18 GMT
River Phoenix died 2 days before this album was released. When I first heard this song, I actually got misty. To this day this song reminds me of him. Why this one? I'm still not sure. Maybe a bit. Picturing him convulsing fatally at the tender age of 22 out in front of the Viper room in Los Angeles makes me wish an angel could have raised him above his entrapments (addiction, early fame, insecurity, etc), maybe if he met the right person, maybe if someone took HIM to the top of the city, on to the angel's shoulders, he could have gotten beyond his addictions and survived. I was born, raised, and still reside (OH GOD get me out of here!! ) in the 3rd largest city in the States. I also used to work at the Top of the city as it were. (I worked on the top [45th] floor of the Prudential building) Funny, I never really thought of this song when I worked there. But now I'm starting to wax on it. (thanks for the nudge, Sto, only took me several months to notice the nudge. : The view was beautiful, yet you could see all the hustle and bustle of the busy expressways and flashing lights all signifing someone rushing to do something that didn't involve caring or love. "Don't know if I'm closer to heaven but it looks like hell down there" I can't really at this time go line by line, but I believe in general the song is about the distractions of the city and day to day life distracting us from the realization that it's all about love in the end. I challenge you to listen to these 3 songs in this order and imagine they are all connected: And So is Love You're the One Top of the City I have to wonder if Top of the City is about Del. Perhaps. This isn't a real planned interpretation. More of a smattering of thoughts. But something to maybe get the ball rolling? River Phoenix appeared as a child in one of my son's favorite movies "Explorers" I watched it over and over with him. The talent was apparent right away. The success he had at such an early age, as you said, swallowed him up. Often when I here of similar tradgedies I am reminded of the Don McClean song "Starry, Starry Night" (specifically about Vincent VanGogh, but generaaly about the sensitive nature of artists') The lyric, "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you" puts a lump in my throat. I can feel the sentiment in these words. They are relevant to this artist as well.
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Post by Adey on May 27, 2004 2:38:38 GMT
I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments tonight. I haven't much to add, Sheila's comments made me think about the song again and Xan gave us her usual comprehensive and insightful remarks.
I always thought of the song as perhaps belonging on The Hounds of Love, musically if not lyrically. I think it's the rising piano chord sequence on the " It's no good for you baby, it's no good for you now " part - straight out of the 9th Wave. I love some parts of the interpretations, many of which had not occurred to me before. I like the idea of the Ladder as a metaphor; I should have twigged that one years ago.
Interesting the way folks have linked songs from The Red Shoes tonight. I guess I've always been influenced by the way Kate linked some of them on TLTC&TC, and never really considered linking the others by theme.
AT, Vincent is one of my favourite songs - supremely emotional and sensitive, songwriting at it's best. With this song and American Pie (of course) McClean' s reputation is secure. I can't pick a favourite line, the whole is just so moving.
Xan, In Your Eyes maybe my favourite Gabriel track - I'll think about the connection you have proposed.
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Post by Al Truest on May 30, 2004 1:31:10 GMT
Zan, you live in a very large city as well. (#6 in the US right?) Anyway, the 'thousand churches' metaphor has always captured my sentiments regarding spirtuality and being connected. By chance, I watch a special on NPT today about the "Unitarian Universalist" church. Although, I knew alot about the philosophy (can't really call it a theology necessarily) I felt connected in a spirtual/intellectual way. I may attend tommorrow. Would anyone care to share their insight into this sect? I just feel compelled to become a part of a community that can resist the evangelical wave that is overtaking our society.
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Post by Adey on Jun 1, 2004 12:30:07 GMT
Sorry Al. I know nothing of this sect or what it's beliefs and emphasis are. Generally speaking, it seems that the British are very conservative about their religeon. Discounting the classic 'other religeons' like Sikhism, Muslim and Budhist, we seem to practice a vanilla form of Christianity referred to as Church of England, Catholicism, some Baptist, a little Jehova's Witness a few Mormonism and the occasional Mooney. Rarely we hear of some bizarre cult flourishing in the countryside somewhere, as in " I was the master's sex disciple " or " they made me a hooker for Jesus " etc, that just seems to be about control and fleecing the initiated of their cash.
I haven't mentioned the practice of pre-christian religeons - usually pagan druid or wicca etc. I understand there are a few. If I've missed any Brit's particular brand of Hallelujahdom - then I apologise. I'm no expert and usually actively avoid any form of organised religeon. I'm a believer, that's enough for me. Give me St Thomas perhaps, who states that God needs no organised house to worship him - " lift a stone and I am there " - I like that..
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Post by Sto on Sept 13, 2004 21:24:52 GMT
I was just listening to this song, and noticed something I never had before (I love how Kate allows us to hear new things even though we've heard the songs thousands of times).
At 0:55 seconds into it, if you put the volume up, there's a siren. Doesn't that fit in so well with the whole urban city theme - it's Hell down there, they need police cars and ambulances and fire engines because they're destructive...but we "should never suffer" and we won't here at the top of the city, in a utopia of sorts...
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