Laura Nyro Sings "Save The Country"

[2XcrazymanX2]

Kanye west has an amazing taste in music holy crap...

[kub73158]

So great, this one musically and lyrically.

Strange, that it was decided to put in the off-key horn ending (@4:21 on this here) that didn't fit at all.

[stationranger]

one person does not want to 'Save the Country'.

[34153353]

Laura Nyro died? Any one know where, when, and how it happened??

[zachmasterzach]

@34153353 she died in 1997 of ovarian cancer.

[AZGWA]

I've been a long-time fan, and this has always been my favorite song of hers. So glad its being rediscovered. Anyone know of any quote of Laura's that mentions the last note of this song? It's so jarring. My interpretation was always that "we aren't there yet" so there's a sense of incompletion and instability after the big celebration of the previous vamp section. Like the morning after the great party and reality sinks in again. Just wondering what others might think.

[TampaChris4]

@AZGWA

I had not heard this version before with that strange note at the end. You are right - it is jarring, and you describe it well, like the reality setting back in after a great party! Very strange. I love this song. Those first piano happy notes just make you want to get up and dance.

[dukenasty95]

Kanye west is a lyrical genius

[LadyRaynbow]

Hmmm, only nly one 'unsaved' cyber-citizen in Laura's posthumous musical-mastery nation. Good.

This fantastically talented & nearly completely overlooked poet/singer/songwriter. . .sweet, gorgeous woman. . . brought me so much joy in college in the late 60's, that I was deliriously happy. (usuallly to the detriment of my studies,LOL) Goddess bless Laura & her Mom, hoping they found each other along the path on the other side.

[TrainerBra]

No one can write a song--a call to arms; a rallying cry--like her!! John Legend almost can, but not quite...yet.

[JMein13074]

kinda like carole king on helium

[RayiKiD]

Kanye West brought me here.

[Atomank68]

Who'd thought that li'l ol' homely-looking Laura Nigro from the notorious Belmont section of the Bronx would grow to become one of the greatest master composers of the 20th Century? And though her solo career went nowhere, her fame and immortality are assured.

R.I.P. princess.

[LadyRaynbow]

@Atomank68 Agree with all the rest of your post, definitely! OMG, I've always believed Laura to be exquisitely beautiful! Delicate features & such "winsome" smiles & soft shy ways...as a total contrast to her way of belting out her outrageously unique & powerful tunes! She was a stoned fox...and no, I'm a straight woman! LOL.

[Atomank68]

@LadyRaynbow. Thanks, "LadyRaynbow". She's in all our hearts, especially when we turn on one of her compos. rendered by such as "The Fifth Dimensions". What has irked me about these performers is that when they suspect that their careers are on the wane, they should consider going back to their old neighborhoods and regale both young and young-at-heart (some who may not have even heard of them, much). Instead, they are made to fly-off to the far regions and perform to ppl with strange accents!

[stinney87]

kanye west the glory...well done kanye for being able to create your sample from this as it is drastically different. what a revelation

[TheSinghFIRE]

@stinney87 listen to Alright by Jay Dee or the Visionaires. Dilla was ahead of kanye. then listen to the laura nyro sample.

[BlushingBull]

i just read she's a 2011 rock and roll hall of fame nominee

[11xzxzxz]

Laura come on back and wash me up and wash me down (esp down) in that glory river. Beautiful writer but then she seemed to have this outlandish idea that there is a god or a benevolent god but I forgive her. A benevolent god would have cured her cancer & we could have married. Yeah don't write me with all of your illogical ideas and myths or I will start a little tsunami near u. That is how god taught me to act. I got something to tell Laura I know she knows when she sings; I can really LOVE.

[mjs3888]

@11xzxzxz Sad but true.

[11xzxzxz]

@mjs3888 Very nice cover of Laura's "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp". Have a good new year !

[mjs3888]

@11xzxzxz Thanks! I enjoyed that cover very much, very well done. Have a good New Year, too!

[shorewoodisgay]

lol am i the only one who came here cause kanye west

[Virgina23]

@shorewoodisgay

Same exact reason I came here too hahaha

[kdd3051]

@shorewoodisgay  Yep

[wvnota]

@shorewoodisgay Not really. I first discovered this song because of him and I have been a hardcore fan of Laura ever since. I met recently a guy who used to attend her concerts in New York and he was surprised so many young people knew who she was. When I told him it was because of Kanye West he couldn't believe it!

[jmb92555]

@shorewoodisgay kanye who?

[TheDissentience]

I know this is the sample he used but it sounds totally different. There's note in the sample that she doesnt even hit here. And the "No More" is very different too. He must have warped it somehow to groove better.

[aboynamedmass]

kanye west the glory

[THE6STRINGCHURCH]

The world is a darker reality with out her...

[DaddyClb]

The 1st group to record this song was The Magnificent Men from York & Harrisburg, PA back in 1968. The single was released on Capitol Records, but failed to chart well. Just uploaded their version to my channel yesterday. Check it out... it's an interesting take on a wonderful song.

[MIKECNW]

@DaddyClb Funny because I think Nyro's version was 1969.

[DaddyClb]

@MIKECNW That may well be true. According to my friends in The Magnificent Men, theirs was the 1st recorded version of her tune. She licensed it to them and they released it in the fall of '68. It was their last single for Capitol, before signing to Mercury in 1969.

Love your photos...especially the one that follows the "It's Gonna Take A Miracle" LP.

[clucaspik]

Spirit of the '60's.

[Kirke182]

Damn, this song gives me chills!

[teale77]

Me too, Kirke.... but it's Laura's sterling vocal mastery that kills me. what an incredible talent... I'm awestruck.

[Kirke182]

@teale77 Yeah, I'm 51 and never married, When people ask why, I reply, "Because I never met anyone lke Laura Nyro."  Most of the time I get an uncomprehending look.

[bluehawiian1]

Laura was amazing.The only person I never met but can truly say I love her dearly. And you're right most people would go "WHO?"

[MIKECNW]

Unfortunatly people know you better when you have a hit single and probably more people know her songs through those who reocrded them.

The message in this song is probably more relevant today than when it was first recorded.

[tdell1275]

Kirke182, what a great sentiment. I fully get where you are coming from!

[smokelean]

laura nyro was a genius more talent than most singers today rolled into one

[SiriusNoTypo]

:47 kanye sample

[aboynamedmass]

@SiriusNoTypo dont know why you got negatives that was a kanye sample

[11xzxzxz]

they should have played this in No Country for Old Man .. for a laugh. Really nice song.

[prairierose1960]

she must have been a very beautiful girl because this is a very beautiful song!

[thesexybrownman]

I live in utica!

[maida1982a]

so original, so refreshing and powerful then and now. she was a gift to us.

[NaymzJaymz]

It's amazing that someone this brilliant isn't a household word.The paradox of Laura is that she had the "pipes". She wasn't one of those talented songwriters who couldn't sing. Listen to her original "Stoney End" and see if you ever bother with Streisands again. Laura should have been the superstar, not Barbara. All her originals are better than the more famous remakes.

[Folkhippie]

I think her live performance of this is better for the most part, but nothing can beat the upbeat ending this one has, it just makes you wanna get up and celebrate

[radiofstars]

I agree again.

[JimKF]

This is a great version, but nothing beats Laura's live 1969 TV performance. I think it's one of the best music videos on YouTube.

[radiofstars]

I agree.

[SDM305]

0:52

thats how that son a bitch did it

[MSDesign87]

LOL!

I think I know what you're talking about.!

[DatoFarid]

if he means kanye i think its at 2:11 :D

[MSDesign87]

I don't hear it. It sounds different from the kanye sample. There HAS to be another version of this song. Either that or He chopped together different parts of the song.

[DatoFarid]

no its this version i guess.

the other version is the one with drums etc.

he keeps repeating from 2:11 - 2:15 and the intro starts from 2:06. i mean the beginning of kanye's song.

and lastly, speed it up :)

but maybe ur right lol.

[MSDesign87]

Yea. I tried to chop and sample it up myself and it sounds different. She sais "War" differently, whichlead me to believe that there MUST be a different version somewhere. I'll find it!

And when I do, I will remake the track, and post it up on here for all to see.

[DatoFarid]

demn.

so where did kanye find it lo.

cant wait.

tell me when ur done.

ouh yes.

can i have this song.?

can u send it to my email.?

[MSDesign87]

Not a problem. When I post a video, I'll put up a download link so EVERYBODY can download.

[DatoFarid]

thanx alot :D

[DatoFarid]

and i wanan have laura nyro's song too lol :D

[RoyFive]

"We could build the dream with love." Laura really added some extra dimension to the gospel genre.

[dcg366]

thank you very much for sharing xcuse me wiping away from my eyes

she is amazing

[flintowndancer]

Thats crazy how fucking talented Kanye west is for sampling this!!!

[DatoFarid]

true that.

[redkubikrazy]

is this sarcasm?

just wondering.

because I think his song "the glory" is (while standing for less significant things than this classic) great.

[maida1982a]

uniquely talented writer and singer and player- nothing like her before or since.

[noraloo]

What a great song. She was so talented and unique. No one else like her and she left us so many great songs.

[70sbaby80schild]

KANYE!!!!

[Raidenfenix]

I finally got the sample that Kanye West got!

[BlazeThis93]

Kanye Actuallyy KILLEDD IT!!!

[carolinarhb]

Billy Bragg did this song in his set for his fall 2008 US Tour. He did a remarkable job and told the audience to make sure everyone checked out Laura Nyro. His version was more rock, but nice all the same.

[iwasanangryyoungman]

I'd like to see Paul Weller cover this...

[MysterEmmanuel]

It's a shame I had to hear about another great artist after their passing; I can see what Mr. West saw in this hit right here.

[buffetmonster]

Such relevance for today's America! Hauntingly lyrical, too - I truly miss her in ways yet to be fathomed.

[windstorm1000]

@buffetmonster You got it---the message is still needed. 'Hauntingly lyrical"--yes, yes. A great artist.

[Fetterchekker]

Kanye West - The Glory

[hesterpr]

Pass on to our daughters and sons..it goes forward...thank-you sister Laura

[hambuns]

This is probably one of the greatest pieces of music from the 20th Century.

Sadly, the message of this song may have fallen on deaf ears in the White House/10 Downing Street etc

Those in Zimbabwe and elsewhere will hope we are not all deaf.

[radiofstars]

Yes

[JeePic]

A truly wonderful artist and woman. She died before her time...

[freedom509rwk]

Amen.

[radiofstars]

I agree. Why did freedom509rwk get a thumbs down?!

[Badgerthegreat]

It's not there anymore.

[PRESTOTHECAT]

@JeePic She died before her time or just on time. I don't know, but this shows beauty of ideals and morals beyond any contrived ones and a lovely arrangement.