Thanks gashnor321! So the bass drum is on the "and" of beat 9? I was thinking 9/8 also, but it's a time sig Paul hasn't used before as far as I can recall. Either way, it's a beautiful song both musically and poetically.
@72livewire It's in 9/8. The maracas are playing 16ths. Usually the bass drum in just on beat 1, but during those parts that it isn't, it plays on beat 8. :)
Does anyone know what time signature this song is in? It's been bugging me! The maracas act as eighth notes, but it throws off the back beat somewhat.
@72livewire Sounds like 9/8 to me. There's 9 beats in between each drum downbeat. The maracas are going in triplet eighths, so three triplets per measure. (3x3 = 9) It all evens out.
This song transports me back in time to a family trip we took to St. Kitts, when I was 13 years old (the year this album was released). I had a cassette tape and a Sony walkman. "Song dogs barking at the break of dawn, lightening pushes the edges of a thunderstorm." If you've been, I'm sure you'll understand this.
@JettRink50 any hairless old copy cat couldn't do it the same. I don't boogie to all of this guy's stuff but he certainly made his career his own and his music is never a vain attempt at repeating the success of past tunes. You try, wonder how mccartney and simon would react to your art.
"Hard times, I'm use to them. The speeding planet burns, I'm used to that. My life's so common, it disappears. And sometimes, even music, cannot substitute for tears."
And....this one too! Haha! Again....that voice!!! Especially @ 1:11 - 1:46, & 2:50 - 4:03. WOW!!!! He always does it with such ease. His voice is so soothing to listen to. GREAT song. Thank you for posting this MAGNIFICENT album.
I agree totally with you, Vaughan Williams ( you like Vaughan Williams? He's a GREAT composer, indeed!)...I left this CD in Argentina, when I came to live to Spain, in 2002...I've been looking for this album here, but couldn't find it anywhere. Thank a lot for posting it, Aqualung,...such a good song!
One of my favorite songs. Thanks for posting this! It's beautiful how the whole feeling of the song changes so dramatically when the chorus begins, with the acoustic guitar and Paul's voice. I think it's partly the contrast with the restless, "jagged" music of the verses in the odd 9/8 beat that makes the chorus sound especially beautiful.
This has to be literally one of the best albums of all time.
beachallstar 3 months ago
the rage of love turns inward into prayers of devotion
Mr. Stillwater, the face at the edge of the banquet
fredex426 5 months ago
These prayers are the constant road across the wilderness. These prayers are the memory of God...
tayloreh 7 months ago 2
just checking. yep. still the best song ever
jackhillty1 8 months ago 7
a fuckin prayer. bless us
jackhillty1 1 year ago 2
Thanks gashnor321! So the bass drum is on the "and" of beat 9? I was thinking 9/8 also, but it's a time sig Paul hasn't used before as far as I can recall. Either way, it's a beautiful song both musically and poetically.
72livewire 1 year ago
@72livewire It's in 9/8. The maracas are playing 16ths. Usually the bass drum in just on beat 1, but during those parts that it isn't, it plays on beat 8. :)
blahness013 9 months ago
Does anyone know what time signature this song is in? It's been bugging me! The maracas act as eighth notes, but it throws off the back beat somewhat.
72livewire 1 year ago
@72livewire Sounds like 9/8 to me. There's 9 beats in between each drum downbeat. The maracas are going in triplet eighths, so three triplets per measure. (3x3 = 9) It all evens out.
gashnor321 1 year ago
@72livewire Paul confirms the time signature is 9/8 in his Barnes and Noble interview which is in 7 parts here on youtube.
Ayess2008 10 months ago
As good a song as he ever wrote. Aging only makes me like it more.
tonywellington 1 year ago
This song transports me back in time to a family trip we took to St. Kitts, when I was 13 years old (the year this album was released). I had a cassette tape and a Sony walkman. "Song dogs barking at the break of dawn, lightening pushes the edges of a thunderstorm." If you've been, I'm sure you'll understand this.
miggerino 1 year ago
WE all prefer our own types of music. I listen to his very early records, folk music
which most people have never heard. Now that's what I like.
JettRink50 1 year ago
This was where I lose Paul Simon. Just like McCartney went downhill with
Wings.
JettRink50 1 year ago
Comment removed
wtfhah 1 year ago
@JettRink50 any hairless old copy cat couldn't do it the same. I don't boogie to all of this guy's stuff but he certainly made his career his own and his music is never a vain attempt at repeating the success of past tunes. You try, wonder how mccartney and simon would react to your art.
wtfhah 1 year ago
"Hard times, I'm use to them. The speeding planet burns, I'm used to that. My life's so common, it disappears. And sometimes, even music, cannot substitute for tears."
samiam64131 1 year ago 14
And....this one too! Haha! Again....that voice!!! Especially @ 1:11 - 1:46, & 2:50 - 4:03. WOW!!!! He always does it with such ease. His voice is so soothing to listen to. GREAT song. Thank you for posting this MAGNIFICENT album.
kailuabeach1 1 year ago
Thankyou so much for adding the tracks from this album ♥
marseye05 1 year ago
I love the live version of this song from his 1991 album. Great stuff!
Ilissill 1 year ago
I agree totally with you, Vaughan Williams ( you like Vaughan Williams? He's a GREAT composer, indeed!)...I left this CD in Argentina, when I came to live to Spain, in 2002...I've been looking for this album here, but couldn't find it anywhere. Thank a lot for posting it, Aqualung,...such a good song!
ocsdct 1 year ago
One of my favorite songs. Thanks for posting this! It's beautiful how the whole feeling of the song changes so dramatically when the chorus begins, with the acoustic guitar and Paul's voice. I think it's partly the contrast with the restless, "jagged" music of the verses in the odd 9/8 beat that makes the chorus sound especially beautiful.
vaughanwilliams1 1 year ago