Brian Eno - Backwater

[btreefingers]

what an amazing artist!

[webbytube]

Taking the lyric thing further, I've often found the words (as opposed to the voice) to be quite percussive in Eno's songs. Look at Miss Shapira on Phil Mananera's Diamond Head - "Shop Steward, Shop Shop Steward" is Eno's answer to "Doo Woop, Doo Woop"

[webbytube]

Many of you have commented on Eno's lyrics - just as Eno turned the tape recorder into an instrument, he also turned words into an instrument - ie using them for their sound rather than their meaning. When the two coincided - magic!

[webbytube]

When I first heard Dead Finks Don't Talk all those years ago I realised that good music didn't have to be in the "top 40" to be good - in fact, the contrary turned out to be the case. Thanks to Brian Eno I've been on a wonderful close to 40 year musical journey - even MGMT have a song dedicated to Eno.

[DonVanVliet83]

Jaki Liebezeit on drum

[ashcol47]

Seven people's minds rarely groove in a line.

[elem101]

I propose the the word "genius" be substituted with "ge-ENO-ius" !

(to be read with a thick british accent)

[801liveable]

played this for my wife when we were dating..listened and she asked "who is this?" and said i was strange and so is brian eno and then she listened to the bob medley by roxy music and shook her head..today, 28 years later her favorite eno song is here come the warm jets...

[Jason10225]

Eno has such way with his the lyrics. The bass i love and vocal and good looking, very tight!

[TheMaitreDCanalBar]

Ausgezeichnet. Danke für den Upload. Es gibt wenige Lieder (wie dieses), die genau das abscheulich-kokettes Lebensgefühl widerspiegeln wie Backwater ;) Wenn Du mal in der Nähe von Wiesbaden bist, gib Bescheid, lad' Dich auf nen Bier ein!

[omnoslord]

cara nao conhecia achei por aaso muito bom ja ta no meu mp3

[chriswr1]

Happy Birthday Brian! This song exemplifies his wit and originality, both musically and lyrically.

[SpoonFucked]

I was looking at Brian Eno songs and I was starting to think that he couldn't make a bad song, then I found this.

[Soulinisolation1]

@SpoonFucked na, it's brilliant haha...reminds me of 'Dead finks don't talk' or 'blank frank'...just daft

[ranmoshapt]

@SpoonFucked

Aww, I thought this was one of the best songs off of Before and After Science.

[3801cc]

@ranmoshapt

ME TOO - STILL LISTENING TODAY. SO GROOVY

[gen6k]

sounds like lady gaga

[kukulcan64OME]

@gen6k BRIAN ENO IS THE MOST IMPORTAN MUSICIAN OF DE LAST YEARS, THERE NO IMPORTANT GRUP WHO DON'T HAVE INFLUENCE, OF HIM, DON'T WRONG, GAGA IS ONLY A DIVA, ENO IS LIKE A MODERN BACH OF THE MUSIC.

[ScarlethCMerlo]

@gen6k Puta, que Tamaño Pendejada la que Decis, Maje!!!! ¿Cómo va a sonar a Lady Gaga? Que andabas Drogado Cuando Escribiste eso?!!! O qué?!!! >(

[atlantus10]

hehe.. thats brian eno..

[vivemaker]

oh what to do not a sausage to do

[Micky777]

I just love this song. Eno has a brilliant ability not only to write interesting melody but to also make his words musical...even if they are nondescript in some cases, it adds body to the song and gives it layers of musical interpretation for the listener.

[brayrrero]

i cant stop listening to this song

[ScarlethCMerlo]

Amo esta canción, es tan sencilla, honesta e inocente que no hace más que provocar una sonrisa cuando la escucho... Perfecta para empezar el día con ella... simplemente un encantador Eno... Y qué decir del Disco en general: Before and After the science... Se hace tan dificil con Eno determinar cuál disco es el más encumbrado, muchos dicen que es este... la verdad es que hay varios que rozan lo perfecto, pero este especificamete contrasta tan bien lo melancolico, lo divertido, lo complejoLo Amo!

[MordaciousFilms]

Don't get me wrong with this comment, as I am a big Eno fan, but couldn't you imagine this maybe being used in a Wes Anderson movie?

[btreefingers]

@MordaciousFilms yeah definitely

[elgrovez13]

@MordaciousFilms I don't see the need to be apologetic, this would be great in a Wes Anderson film.

[lisabudin]

801 live

[woodsworkciew]

Wow,this is so good,

I dont have to buy the album,i can just

listen to songs on youtube.

[ShopliftersUnite]

@woodsworkciew Still you should have Before and After Science, it will change your life!

[moxie96]

@woodsworkciew But if you see it under $5 you should... Not to be rude and tell you what to do I'm just a vinyl-holic...

[rbrlgs]

Great musician, brilliant composer and forward thinking genius. I had a cassette with a trumpet or horns blaring by Eno anybody know the name? 

[DeadWhiteButterflies]

"Not a sausage to do" may just be one of my favourite lines in a song ever :)

[MrGreeenGenes]

Jaki Liebezeit from CAN drums on this!

[TheKidsAreAllRed]

@MrGreeenGenes I knew somebody was going to point that MOST AWESOME fact out. :)

[gerberspace]

This was the first Brian Eno song to really draw me in, as my college room mate played them over and over oh so many years ago...

[spenckey]

I would gladly listen to these lyrics a thousand times to once of those whiny "poetry" or "message" or "story" songs that bloat the airwaves.

[miiiikku]

This is where that mercinary company ripped off its name. Only changed one latter. Huge Brian Eno fans.

[Questinia1]

FUN!!! Thanks for posting...

[seabeezz1]

The stench of humanity. Surface tension in a bottle.

[TheDouchesupreme]

@seabeezz1 lol

[MrSpringburn]

fuck me gently!!! claaaaasssss!!!

[Supernarchi]

como es de vuelo hace de cuenta q lo escribio hoy......

[Supernarchi]

como es de vuelo hace de cuenta q lo escribe hoyyyy.....

[gamester57]

sorry to rain on everyone's parade but Brian Eno has stated in interviews that the lyrics for this song were written entirely with a Rhyming Dictionary - first he just sang doo-doo la-la stuff over the instrumental backing track and then he came up with pairs of rhyming words (ecuador, conquistador) which he then put dummy lyrics in front of to make rhyming sentences.

[gamester57]

@gamester57In this way he shows us that anyone can write lyrics that sound good, even if they have no poetic ability. Also he shows us that something interesting or beautiful can come out of a mundane or paradoxical process. It makes me wonder how do so many people manage to write such bad lyrics?!

[Wanderlustus]

@gamester57 even so, I think you miss the point.

[gamester57]

@Wanderlustus which point?

[molaeri]

a genius. These pop songs somehow in their simplicity better their overproduced modern cousins

[rdnzl7878]

not a sausage to do!

[zaynzaynzayn]

i'm sad so sad yet happy childhood's loss

[julesphoto]

T O T A L M A S T E R ! ! !

[kirbygene]

I don't think the word "Heuristics" exists in any other song in all creation, lol. Love Eno

[Yimila]

I'm going to Peru!

[twolegsnotail]

Eno is English, he knows how to play with words. Try the Daily Telegraph Cryptic Crossword and you'll begin to understand.

[allanosterm]

I love this song. Man, his music stays with you for life.

[apotts60]

Company like Lou Reed who wrote the Original Rap Song. Andrew

[TreborRebore]

superb

[TreborRebore]

it's like,take this rhyming thing as far as we can,see where it goes

[apotts60]

@TreborRebore The next thing you have is RAP music. Thats how much of a genious he was but he had great company.

[feverdeanmg]

Rules.

[hannsdieterschulz]

great!

i have the lp

[BIGMC1300]

Ok its 1979 and im working in this dire small low paid furniture making business.

We used to have music via a radio cassette player.

One day one of the workers brings in a cassette of Brian Eno and belonged to his big Brother.

Backwater as always stood out and is one of those songs for me that instantly takes you back in time.

Great stuff and Eno is a genius !

[misspelledagain]

I like this album too.

[rallyur]

and that is a very kind tribute

[lukerdyson]

This album I play over and over again. I think it's amazing. I also like his ambient stuff but whoever said he's a genius with lyrics was damn right. Anyone like No One Receiving? That song kicks ass. I also play this song with my mom in loving memory of a good friend who introduced the two of us to Eno's music. :)

[rallyur]

it is one excellent song for sure. you have very good taste in music.

[mouseboy71]

me n my mom have an eno bond too i think... :7)

[TheBiomanic]

Man, Nostalgia-freak. I used to listen to this song so much as a kid, and now that I hear it again, it's like being hit with a face to my brick. I heart this song.

[Mygalej]

@TheBiomanic I really get the feeling you have but it's crazy that I'm now discovering this song at only 18 years old oh and it's really catchy

[btreefingers]

Eno should be recognized for his lyrics more often. he has the natural ability to make a song with or without lyrics... but when he makes a song with lyrics... the lyrics are BRILLIANT>

[rglovesu2]

So true... :)

[yoochoobb]

@btreefingers And his song titles, I've never heard anything like them - Sombre Reptiles, Here Come The Warm Jets, Kurt's Rejoinder, Burning Airlines Give You So Much More, The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch , Sky Saw...

Enigmatic and brilliant.

My favourite song is St. Elmo's Fire from Another Green World, with Robert Fripp's incredible guitar playing.

[rosscobosco]

@btreefingers ye "Not a sausage to do" love it

[TreborRebore]

this song changed my life

[shortofalength]

Half nursery rhyme half pot shot at authority sometimes he really gets me going. Interesting guy and amazing muso. Sydney recently had him as director of a festival and it was great.

[TheCanadianPrairies]

I thought The Big Ship was my favorite Eno song.

But I was wrong.

It is now my second favorite. THIS song is my all time favorite. =3

[monisiti]

eno has such a wide variety of great music that i think you'll be changing your mind still many more times.: ) try '801 live',where he teamed up with manzanera,or' my life in the bush of ghosts' with david byrne.

[TheCanadianPrairies]

@monisiti

That's one of the reasons I can't wait to hear Eno's work in Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones.

I am sure it will be just as awesome as his other work. =3

[monisiti]

oh,yes..i forgot about that film!that film be awesome,read the book and it' really good.eno's music will be perfect for it.

[monisiti]

there is a rnice site called 'enoweb'it's where i've got the lyrics from.

[monisiti]

His daughter

Was slated for becoming divine

He taught her,

He taught her how to split and define

But if you study the logistics

And heuristics of the mystics

You will find that their minds rarely move in a line

So it's much more realistic

To abandon such ballistics

And resign to be trapped on a leaf in the vine.

[monisiti]

Black water!

There were six of us but now we are five

We're all talking

To keep the conversation alive

There was a senator from Ecuador

Who talked about a meteor

That crashed on a hill in the south of Peru

And was found by a conquistador

Who took it to the Emperor

And he passed it on to a Turkish Guru...

[monisiti]

Backwater!

We're sailing at the edges of time

Backwater!

We're drifting at the water-line

Oh, we're floating in the coastal waters

You and me and the porter's daughters

Ooh, what to do? Not a sausage to do.

And the shorter of the porter's daughters

Dips her hand in the deadly waters

Ooh, what to do in a tiny canoe?

[mikeashleyinspace]

Do what you do, in a sausage canoe. Brilliant.

[daregularperson]

That's not what he says.

[mikeashleyinspace]

Who?

[daregularperson]

Why? And where did you go?

[TreborRebore]

it's not that,but doees it matter,nice comment!!

[TreborRebore]

*does

[rallyur]

you have struck the core of this song with a bolt of lightning !! are you a captain of a ship?

[kukulcan64OME]

don´t read me listen the music, the first them rythm and easy, and he then sum more instruments and sutil change like in expanded wave is the same but diferent o I´m wrong

[kukulcan64OME]

rarity but enyones , like in one movement of galaxi or pulsar star easy very easy or deliveryment complex? this music don´t have time, no tiene abuela!!

[TreborRebore]

sorry? read your reply 6 times,still did'nt get it

[hammbetta]

here come the warm jets

[heatherdaydream]

I can't stop adding eno!!!!!

[TreborRebore]

anyone who includes the line'ooh what to do,not a sausage to do'in a pop song and makes it work,as it does,must be a genius

[ronpaul2008rocks]

Man. I haven't heard this since I got rid of my turn table.  (Maybe 1989). But I still have the record.

[zebgalin]

Amazing!!!!!!

[bassomatic64]

Brilliant, brilliant record. Then again, 'Antoher Green World', 'Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)', and 'Here Come the Warm Jets' are all equally stunning in their own ways.

With supporting musos like Messrs. Fripp, Phil Collins, Percy Jones, Phil Manzanera, and the like, its not surprising that such heights were attained by one of the most gifted producers/writers of all time.

My personal fave at the moment is the punky and dark 'Tiger Mountain'.

[darbeel1]

haha is that a type writer in the music?

[jervtoto]

Yep! Brilliant!

[niclizard]

perfect

[throwpopcorn]

From one of the best albums ever: Before and After Science. It changed my musical life.

[juangregory]

agreed. Anytime I need to feel creatively recharged, this record totally rejuvenates. It's ageless.

[Scottieonfire]

Such a catchy song.

Love the piano.

[moogy77]

Your all right !!!!

[intozewild]

inégalable brian eno ; ma préférée

[jluke68]

Clearly, Brian Eno was cooked in the same English soup as XTC.

[fleshdoll]

i was totally thinking that. you kick ass!

[KMESSER555]

xtc doesn't compare to solo eno or fripp and eno

[mrbean022387]

This song makes me want to dance like David Byrne and do some acid.

[pianohbc]

oooohhh goody gumdrops- just love this - oh to be 18 and in love - still in love with the same guy 30 years on !!

[depechemodevilla]

Man this is funky in a Eno-ish way.

[hannsdieterschulz]

THE BEST EVER !

[levenj]

i just wish there was video what wrapt this all up....SO GLAD to have found this here, tho. i am warm now. warm.

[lerpwlambyth]

This song is brilliant.

[bartonone2005]

This recording proves Eno could write, arrange and deliver a pop song "with the best of them." Thirty-one years later, this catchy tune still fills me with optimism. I don't know why, it just makes me happy. Thanks nineric for this post!

[inko123]

I sing this song in the shower all the time!

[titaflynn]

his daughter was slated for to become devine

[entropoide]

thank you

very good energizing music and the nice voice of brian

[horsefd]

Backwater!

We're sailing at the edges of time

Backwater!

We're drifting at the water-line

Oh, we're floating in the coastal waters

You and me and the porter's daughters

Ooh, what to do? Not a sausage to do.

And the shorter of the porter's daughters

Dips her hand in the deadly waters

Ooh, what to do in a tiny canoe?

[muskndusk]

I used to exercise to this when I was in my first year at uni.....givin' away my age!

[bootheavy]

What recognition is that? He was awarded the MOJO award which is a prestigious award won only by two other artists - Elton John and Scott Walker. If you read his profile under wikipedia, he's had a pretty illustrious career. What more could anyone want?

[mauerblumchen]

This is one of those songs I listen to when I've had a bad day. Never fails to cheer me up.

[jimsimac]

Too bad Eno doesn't get the recognition he deserves.