The Decemberists - Down By The Water

[Ldale11]

This is yet another example of quality music being made today. Far too many old farts get on Youtube and rant about how "today's music is garbage". Rawr, rawr, blah, blah, mar, mar, mar. Now those people sound like their parents and grandparents did when their kids were young.

[jmelchor29]

this is good song but its in no way Rock. stupid Grammys are so out of touch.

[carlisooflyx7]

this is great.

[MrSpicyburito]

Nice band but not super diffrent. :)

[jennythemuggle]

Gillian Welch. She did the song everything is free now.... right?

[LaneTechStef]

When i heard their nomination i freaked. <3

[alexmcfly94]

The Decemberists Ft Dolores from The Cranberries! Please

[nickwashere26]

whos the girl who sings in the chorus?

[onlygoesdutch]

@nickwashere26 gillian welch

[CWATZ]

i thought this was a 60's song... an amazing one, but still lol!

[KateMonet1]

I first heard this song when I saw them live last summer! I was blown away, and good lordy Colin Meloy sounds amazing live. I've been a fan for years, but I'm so happy they were nominated for this powerful song.

[wassupdoc319]

Yeeaass!!*

[wassupdoc319]

Treads!!

[oobietime8]

Shouldn't this be country?

[MrticTac921]

@oobietime8 Folk, I rather have it be called folk than country.

[oobietime8]

@MrticTac921 good call

[MrRayChampagne]

Love this song!

check out my stuff...just a click away!

[mckennayoshi]

I like it a lot, I think music is changing, like more people are listening to Adele than lmfao and folk is becoming popular again. Cool.

[mckennayoshi]

@mckennayoshi at least i hope it is, but -shrugs- who knows?

[AzraJay]

shit, fuck my ears hurt.. WTF grammys..

[dubdub024]

this is a great song but the acoustic version from NPR Tiny Desk series is so much better

[trencher4lifeee]

These guys sound awesome!!!!

[ThePreacherWoody]

You guys kinda sound like REM

[darkt0aster]

@ThePreacherWoody That's probably because they brought in one of R.E.M.'s guitarists for this track. :-)

[seasonedsevencolors]

Thumbs up if you were born in December and love that month the most.

[Patriciazhou]

@seasonedsevencolors nope.

[seasonedsevencolors]

@Patriciazhou in that case, thumbs up if you were not born in December and have no special liking for that month.

[HorusDMDA]

Neil Young / R.E.M mix



[evanch100]

Actually, it kind of reminds me of Neil Young.

[bananastoopidfish]

Is it 1992 again already?

[Argelia3]

This sounds like a hipster faggot castrated (Sorry for the pleonasm) garage band imitating REM.

[yeahrob100]

these kids are the irish decemberists!

the same folky heart and lyrical elegance

/watch?v=_7ldbyFFJ1c

[Rdog1507]

The Grammys have a strange definition of rock...

[cardinals426]

@Rdog1507 And pop, Adele is pop?

[harryf200]

@Rdog1507 They're Indie Rock

[AlchemyxAngel]

@harryf200 I always thought of them more as Folk-Rock

[harryf200]

@AlchemyxAngel Perhaps but I'd not for a moment think THIS track fits that category.

[jchawes23]

@Rdog1507 this is what would have been called folk-rock back in the '60s, i.e. bands like the Byrds

[ksol1460tv]

@jchawes23 It also sounds a whole lot like early R.E.M. Listen to "The One I Love", then listen to this.

[chrisnauman]

@ksol1460tv I think Peter Buck co-produced it.

[greghmn]

@Rdog1507 Well, have you ever been to Portland? A good friend of mine made a shirt that said in Portland, you're either a hippie or hipster. Folk music is actually pretty popular here.

[michael1234144]

@Rdog1507 this is rock/folk rock at its finest. 

[mrbigkmurray]

@Rdog1507 the grammys have a very twisted definition of music. not taking away this is a good song + band

[MerlinAmbrosius17]

@Rdog1507

I would call this folk.

[Ldale11]

@MerlinAmbrosius17 It's not folk. You don't just sit down and write a folk song. By definition it cannot be folk. The idea of what is 'folk' has been corrupted by the music industry's (& Walmart, Amazon, etc.) need to put everything in a box. Folk music is based in oral tradition. This is by no means folk.

[aidyquinn]

TITS AND FANNY! now that i have you're attention...it sounds a bit like 'the revelates - rising son' !

[Notatrollsrry]

@aidyquinn faggot

[chiangmai700]

Wonderful song!



[TrackMasterAsh]

i love how they use instruments that you dont hear anymore, like the harmonica and mandolin

[AgentNeko]

@TrackMasterAsh Theirs groups that still use those instruments, City and Color use them frequently in there songs.

[nickwashere26]

whats the name of the girl who sings back-up in this song?

[ainttheolddays]

@nickwashere26 gillian welch

[twinchomckeith]

Mindfuck. REM?! 

[wahoo056]

WOW!

[studiodad86]

This one goes out to the one I love. But in a really good way.

[g7thsus]

sound so much like Credence

[wahoo056]

@g7thsus And REM too

[wahoo056]

@wahoo056 And timbuck 3 also. This band is great.

[890Kevasia]

I first heard this while driving along a backroad of Vermont. It adds to the feeling I get when I hear this song...sometimes that's what it's all about with a song, a feeling that is brought about when hearing it.

[japinvt]

@890Kevasia No such thing as a coincidence. I heard it driving down Main Street Barre. My first listen about 1 month ago and the song really promoted the atmosphere of that little scene I must say! It did not seem real for a few moments.

[890Kevasia]

@japinvt Nothing better than shared experience. I've been an expat American for 5 years now and it's times like these when I really miss being home. Thanks for responding -

[anonymous9075]

best band ever! :P

[vtech961]

sounds like the who so much to me

[homer25jay]

i hate this song !!!!

is what 37 foolish people said

[Brockashock]

holy shit, i was cleaning out my mailbox and found this song in an email from a year ago.

Shit ya. Big. Big.win. Sometimes life pretty cool i guess

[evacoolio]

How does one dislike the Decemberists?

[SimsPrincess12]

i found this song while watching jeopardy 0.0 ..... lol

[ambulancechaos]

The Decemberists sound like ... The Decemberists! Please don't take away from this band's unique style by comparing them to other bands! ps, Colin, I love you and your new book! :)

[youngamerican95]

I like classic rock. This song came on a variety station I was listening too. I thought that it was REM until the DJ annouced what the song was. I guess some new music is ok....

[GOOCHMASTER15]

@youngamerican95 Apparently you haven't listened to Cage The Elephant.

[HEYOUCNTDOTHT]

@GOOCHMASTER15 I think it's quite apparent he has. I wouldn't have included it in "Good modern music" either, honestly.

[jeremycohen96]

they're basically the new R.E.M.

let the flaming begin

[JackLeonardoDaVinci]

@jeremycohen96 I respectfully disagree good sir, but both bands are excellent in their own respective ways. I hope you have an excellent day wherever you are in the world.

[isumford]

This is great they sound somewhere between R.E.M. and Neil Young, This is my first time listening to this thumbs up.

[DoctorBeardface]

This vid has 888,888 views. It's a broken calculator.

[kikegif115]

8888888 views :D



[tthorpe11b]

i fucking love this song!!!!!

[theplaya71]

"I was just some tohentine" - what is a tohentine ?!?

[danifreakadora]

@theplaya71 *towhead teen.

[hypergoofup]

@theplaya71 tow head teen meaning blonde teen. at least its not guarded by sycorax, and patagon in parallax (the island's lyrics are awesome).

[tanner4114]

you 36 people can go F*ck your selves

[Dais1995]

so these are the guys doing a song for the hunger games? cool.

[remycoteMM]

GRAMMY....

[bruce1chubb]

@remycoteMM It deserves it. But walk by the foo fighters will prolly win. The Foo Fighters have always been Grammy gold

[hypergoofup]

@bruce1chubb at least walk is a good song its not like its going to get beaten by some horrible @%#$.

[lapinchiloca]

reminds me of "Follow you down" of the Gin Blossoms at the beggining

[nuordr]

This is the first song I have ever heard by this band and at first I was like, "is this R.E.M.?"

[Zachbro39]

This song makes me wannna make straw hats under water with my bare feet while i play the banjo.

[AshamedPants]

It's no Musket Sea Family.

[DrownTonight]

i watch jeopardy all the time and dont recall the episode this was on, was it really?

[metalheadandgamer]

clever bot told me about them and i like them 

[poop36005]

Hipster kitty brought me here

[weinerdvm]

"This one goes out to the one I love, this one goes out to the one I've left behind."

[TheTestingGrounds]

@weinerdvm Very close, but REM is faster, and Peter Bucks guitar on that one is more racuous than anything on this song. I say this is One I Love meets Neil Young accoustic Hey Hey My My as far as the melody is concerned.

[arfurlife]

I hope this band does well. They are a breath of fresh air in a stagnant music scene. Excellent

[Noff80]

@arfurlife lol, this is off their 6th album I think they have done fine....

[poopwaffle]

LISTEN TO DREDG

[fathermulcahyisrad]

I currently work in retail. 90% of our store music is garbage. This is one of but a handful of tunes that I really dig. Though I have to admit that before tonight I had no idea it was a Decemberist tune. That wouldn't be so bad except I am a Seattle resident. Now I will go hang my head in shame.

[eternalpoet]

@fathermulcahyisrad Do residents of Seattle not like The Decemberists?

[fathermulcahyisrad]

@eternalpoet Actually, they are really popular out here. I am just a little out of the loop apparently, lol!

[Bogshaaleighar]

@eternalpoet People in the suburbs of Seattle have no idea what good music is... Which is horrible, because some of the greatest indie music comes from here!! Ahh. It just depends where you go in Seattle.

[mik912]

Reminds me of an REM song.

[mws604]

@mik912 Agreed - countrified REM with acoustic guitar instead of electric guitar. Big money record companies don't stray to far from a working formula.

[Xproserp1na]

0:20 down by the water, down by the old men in drag...

[reezykeezy]

@Xproserp1na old MAIN drag

[Xproserp1na]

@reezykeezy I know, I'm just being silly.

[ghostofperdition1030]

The problem with bands like The Decemberists is that they actual sing about stories and things of artistic value. This is not acceptable by the modern standards for popular music. Even very radio friendly bands get no/minimal airplay. See: The Dead Weather or AFI or Arcade Fire.

It's hardly a matter of opinion if you are discussing the artistic qualities of this song compared to a Lady Gaga song. Depth, meaning, long-lasting are not words that could describe Katy Perry or Lada Gaga's music.

[CloudGirl8]

@ghostofperdition1030 Bands like this don't get played nearly enough radio. However, you said "depth, meaning, long-lasting are not words that could describe Katy Perry or Lady Gaga's music" which I disagree with, to an extent. They don't have nearly as much depth or meaning as this song, but I think that Lady Gaga in particular has some songs that have a tiny bit of meaning (Judas). Also they will (unfortunately) probably be remembered longer than the Decemberists by the general public.

[ghostofperdition1030]

@CloudGirl8 You do make a good point. Lady Gaga is legitimately talented and she has produced songs that are worth listening to whether you (I) like the genre or not.

[CrawdaddyJoe]

@ghostofperdition1030 Actually, AFI, Arcade Fire, and the Decemberists aren't that uncommon on the radio... but hey. whatever music elitism rocks your boat. Wanna get into an obscure music pissing contest?

[ghostofperdition1030]

@CrawdaddyJoe Evidently radio play differs significantly based on geography. Here, in Central CA I have very rarely heard AFI and Decemberists and never heard Arcade Fire on any major radio stations. What I do hear on the radio stations between and including LA and Sacramento is, frankly, crap with few exceptions. It's fortunate that good music is getting airplay elsewhere and I hope that it continues to trend that way. I'm no elitist, I'm just commenting on my perception of modern music.

[TheHopelessHobo]

The Decemberists should be getting way more recognition for their music, they are amazing <3

[WarGreyDan]

I like this song because it sounds like a 90s song.

[SuperRhysevans]

tom milson brought me here with his cover of crane wife 3

[PapaHeffer]

somebody oughta explain to the Grammy people the difference between rock and country.

[melovedeflep]

@PapaHeffer why explain it to them as far as i know this got a nomination in the rock category. if you knew what rock really is you would know this is rock. actually its more commonly called Rock n Roll, but the point remains, its as far from county as the earth is from the stars. only those ignorant of such a great genre of music would not know that.

[WinnersCircleHD]

this isnt really rock that i listen to but i came here since it is a nominee for a grammy thumbs up if you did the same!

[mansoldworld]

@WinnersCircleHD damn right... 

[Draganover]

@ElliieeTandy 0_o

[Snuckdoodle]

Good song

[adamwestoration]

Friend forced me to listen to Death Metal. This is a sweet recovery.

[TheSpygrrl]

If any of you commenting on the REM aspects of the song had bothered to do some reading, you would know that Colin Meloy was listening to a lot of old REM (Reckoning) and decided to try his hand at writing some "faux REM" songs. He was so pleased with the results he recruited Peter Buck of REM to play on the album.

[hp7pt2]

Even if you dont like the style of music they play the stories that their songs tell are incredible.

[Alexanderish777]

I was still hesitate to call them hipsters until I saw the name of their album. I'm pretty sure that "The King is Dead" is a play off of The Smith's "The Queen is Dead". It might just be me though xD.

[pentecost95]

@Alexanderish777 Hipster is a relevant statement just like your dislikes aren't my dislikes, so calling them "hipsters" is hardly a good judgement call. Not to mention that there are so many coincidences out there, with as many bands, songs, and albums, there's bound to be some similarities. For instance, many songs share the same name, many albums have the same gist of the statement, and many bands have the same look. I'm not trying to start an argument, just inform you of my logic.

[johniwilliams]

Sounds like X



[SuperJayson75]

i live in portland the shins death cab modest mouse the decemberists have given my fair city a musical identity i can relate to please if yur reading this and looking to expand yur musical palate look up built to spill

[docholliday1958]

Listening to this band takes me back to the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Atlanta-Athens area when I was young and life was great. Thanks to the Pacific Northwest for sharing its bounty with us! I teach high-school English in southwest Florida and one of my students is a huge fan of The Decemberists. I cannot tell you how my stock rose with him and his friends when they heard me humming this song! I have been elevated from decrepit middle-aged man to "hipster!" Life again is good!

[FollowYourLogic]

@docholliday1958 thats fucking awesome AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

how does it feel to be a middle aged hipster \m/

[farnishk]

@FollowYourLogic What's a hipster? Why would anyone care what someone is?

[FollowYourLogic]

@farnishk cuz its its either u make it or not

u make it ur a some one

not ur not a fucking soul to care for

Durrrrr

pft nub cake

[SurvivingApt261]

@FollowYourLogic Lol. You just made fun of someone for having a life and a taste for good music. You are irony incarnate.

[FollowYourLogic]

@SurvivingApt261 oh wow if u havnt notic im mocking ppl here a duurrrrr

[LoveMyHorseShazam]

@docholliday1958 Thats awesome!!! I didn't grow up in the 70s, but my parents did (60s and 70s) and though it sounds stupid, I feel like I myself have memories from the era just from seeing all their pictures and hearing all their stories....and the melody of THIS song sums up the mood! Its so good!!

[reezykeezy]

@docholliday1958 That is so awesome! Good for you Doc. Great song too.

[xBonaFideFlailx]

@docholliday1958 dude, its not good to be a hipster

[SuperShoplifter]

@docholliday1958 dont listen to the person saying being a hipster is bad in ways its a form of creativity and being orginal

[EchoXxMcLovin]

@docholliday1958 Imagine if your students read this, it's all good(:

[DoctorBeardface]

@docholliday1958 I'd rather be a decrepit middle-aged man than a fucking hipster any day.

[copperheadsif]

@DoctorBeardface aren't you just a bucket full of sunshine.

[waldomustbehiding]

I always find youtube arguments so entertaining.

[SamuraiMitsukai]

@waldomustbehiding I'm glad im not the only one.

[rammyrider]

jagermeister

[Macombofy]

this band is awsome!

[WisemistFtw]

Did anyone else hear this on jeopardy?

[yahirwao]

They kinda sound a little bit like REM in this song.... It is still good! :)

[azurelunatic]

@yahirwao That would be because they have Peter Buck from R.E.M. as a guest on guitar for this song.

[DeclanTKatt]

@yahirwao I'm glad someone thinks the same way I do this. This song IS R.E.M.

[adamwestoration]

@Imfrgsn No, they don't. And what they don't realise is that no matter how articulate or important their point, it's still an argument under a Youtube video that no-one will ever care about. Tragic really.

[m3tal100]

So I really like this song... Sounds a tad bit like Bruce Springsteen in the beginning with the harmonica guitar mix :3 But then of course, they bust out in awesome lyrics, and capture me in one swoop. Woah. Thanks for the upload. Great song great band :) Don't argue, enjoy the music.

[lmfrgsn]

Do people honestly have nothing better to do than argue with strangers on YouTube about stupid shit that doesn't matter?

[jacobthelioneater]

@MetalHeadized I don't really give a shit if coldplay meant it or not.... These songs, perhaps out of random chance or perhaps out of unintentional borrowing, sounded a LOT alike in a variety of musical level. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding: Coldplay DID settle out of court.... perhaps they knew they couldn't win? Its rare that music cases ever come to fruition, but obviously coldplay was worried. I'm not judging coldplay or anything, just stating the facts.

[liamd27]

There's so much /good/ music out there. Coldplay, Broken Bells, The Decemberists. So why do radio stations and- people in general- play all the crap? Why? It could make me sad. But, you know? That's opportunity. :)

[jacobthelioneater]

@liamd27 Its ALL subjective, please don't call other people's music crap. I really don't like coldplay, but I respect your right to like them (all their songs, that is, except the stolen "viva la vida" song....)

[MetalHeadized]

@jacobthelioneater

Viva la Vida is not stolen... you've never heard a song that sounded like another song? Lucky you, music must be more entertaining for you than it is for anyone else since you apparently never hear the same sound more than once.

[jacobthelioneater]

@MetalHeadized Maybe sometimes its okay to make blanket assertions about songs about youtube, but please do a little research before you post. Try watching the video "Did Coldplay copy Joe Satriani? Let's Do the Music Theory" pts 1 and 2 by someone who went to a prestigous guitar school and who runs a studio on guitars ( a little bit more qualled than you)... The two songs don't just "sound alike", they share RYTHM and HARMONY.

[talldarkandmexican]

@jacobthelioneater Well, you should of gone to a prestigious Education school to learn how to spell lol

[jacobthelioneater]

@talldarkandmexican I love how when people lose an argument on its merits the first thing they turn to is ad hominems. Yes, I do misspell things. No, the person in the video does not. Are spelling things wrong a reason that my arguments about coldplay are not valid? Clearly not. Now you have two choices: A. Think of a coherent argument. B. Go post on forum where people give a shit about grammar and you can rant about "speling" all your want there. Ironically, you spelled "prestigious" wrong.

[talldarkandmexican]

@jacobthelioneater ahaha I could care less about your arguments about Coldplay...I don't even know what you're arguing...so whatever you're stating in the beginning means nothing to me. I was just reading the comments and picked on the dumber of the group. So YOU have two choices: A. learn how to spell, or B. keep looking like a jack wagon...I assume you will choose B. Plus, "prestigious" is spelled right. Look it up, if you know how to do that.

[jacobthelioneater]

@talldarkandmexican In other words, if spelling is a measure of intelligence you lose because you misspelled something while you were TRYING to have good grammar, whereas I didn't really care and misspelled things. Please post a response - I won't answer it because there would be no point, but it will help me anyway because the more you speak the more stupid you look.

[jacobthelioneater]

@talldarkandmexican While we're on the subject of grammar, I'd like to mention that "Education" would not be capitalized when used generically, your sentence should have a period at the end, and "should of" isn't grammatically correct because the word "of" denotes that something is a component of something else, which is clearly not what you were getting at. I'm not trying to put you down here; I'm merely showing you that youtube is not a forum on which people care about grammar.