Changes - Yes

Yes is an incredibly musically talented band, with solid drums, guitar and vocals and then thrown on top, some killer keys and bass. Yet, people seem to be almost unaware of their existence. Yes has a couple killer albums, but the best by far is 90125, although it didn't do as well in the UK, it was this album that really helped them become known all over the world. Released in 1983, it contained hits such as Owner of a Lonely Heart, Hold on, Leave It, and my favorite Changes. The opening to this song is just so incredible, and its powerful ending to close out the album side makes you go running to flip the album and listen to side 2. This is a true testament to how good 80s music could have been if it tried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLay7FMt3s&feature=related

Changes

I'm moving through some changes
I'll never be the same
Something you did touched me
There's no one else to blame

The love we had has fallen
The love we used to share
We've given up pretending
As if you didn't care

Change changing places
Root yourself to the ground
Capitalize on this good fortune
One word can bring you round
Changes

I look into the mirror
I see no happiness
All the warmth I gave you
Has turned to emptiness
The love we had has fallen
The love we used to share
You've left me here believing
In love that wasn't there

Change changing places
Root yourself to the ground
Word to the wise - well you get what's coming
One word can bring you round
Changes

When I look into your eyes and try to find out how
There's no way to save it now
And everything I feel
Changes
Keep looking for
Changes
Changes

For some reason you're questioning why
I always believe it gets better
One difference between you and i
Your heart is inside your head

One word from you
One word from me
A clear design on your liberty
Who could believe when love has gone
How we move on like everyone

Only such fools
Only such jealous hearts

Only through love changes come

Change changing places
Root yourself to the ground
Capitalize on this good fortune
One word can bring you round
Changes

One road to loneliness
It's always the same
One road to happiness
It's calling your name

Change changing places - changes
Root yourself to the ground
Capitalize on this good fortune
One word can bring you round
Changes

Change changing places
Changes
Root yourself to the ground
Word to the wise - well you get what's coming
One word - one word can bring you round
Changes

Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) - The Icicle Works

This is another weird little song, but one I've always loved because of the drumming. It is percussion driven to say the least, and well done at that, with two drummers banging out a driving tom beat that propels this song along. A weird fact about this song, was that it was first released with the title reversed, and that is how I first heard it, as Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream), and was changed because people identified with this second part more (I found this out on a drunken bet with a friend, needless to say we both won, so good on us). Written in 1983 and released in UK under Birds Fly, it wasn't reversed until released in the States, as Americans apparently found it easier to find the record in stores when it matched the more popular part of the chorus. It was apparently also used in the hit movie Scream, although I have not watched it lately to verify this fact. By the way, this is not the video I first saw for it, I believe I saw the British one but cannot find it now.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIxgHu5U1v4

Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly)

love comes
down upon us and it flows like water
burning with the hope of insight
feathered books the colors of the bright elation
stolen in the sight of love

we are we are we are we're just children
finding our way around indecision
we are we are we are rather helpless
changes forever
whisper to a scream

birds fly
in the eye of the pathos daughter
spoken
at the bitter end
wasted
sacrificed for the new nirvana
night time sends the sun away

we are we are we are we're just children
finding our way around indecision
we are we are we are rather helpless
changes forever
whisper to a scream
we are we are we are we're just children
finding our way around indecision
we are we are we are rather helpless
changes forever
whisper to a scream

Listen To The Radio - Tom Robinson / Pukka Orchestra

I'll be honest, I'm not familiar with the original on this song ( or at least wasn't), and didn't know Tom wrote it in 1983. He has a few decent songs though and I'll try to get to one next week. The version I'm familiar with is Toronto's own Pukka Orchestra. I dunno what to say about this song : it's Canadian, it's new wave, and it's pretty awesome. It's a guilty pleasure but definitely one of those catchy 80's songs that you'll find yourself singing for days. ( I include the first part in the video to show how lame the 80's were and how big tapes used to be, I mean "coming up right next"?....classic). Both versions are worth a listen, Robinson's is far slower and is excellent in it's own way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2q2yQnHP-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9qz_bnJVlw&feature=related


Listen To The Radio


Leave the bureau in the snow
Catch a tram to Onkel PO
Early evening ring around the moon
Slip in by the concierge
By the bikes and up the stairs
Snap the latch and creep into the room

You throw off your coat, pick up the post
And put a coffee on
Lie down on the bed, lay back your head
And smoke a cigarette

And listen to the radio
Listen to the radio

In the city late tonight
Double feature, black and white
"Bitter Tears" and "Taxi to the Klo"
Find a bar, avoid a fight
Show your papers, be polite
Walking home with nowhere else to go

You throw off your coat, pick up my note
Put another coffee on
Lie down on the bed, lay back your head
And smoke a cigarette

And listen to the radio
Listen to the radio

Atmospherics after dark
Noise and voices from the past
Across the dial from Moscow to Cologne:
Interference in the night
Thousand miles on either side
Stations fading into the unknown:

So throw off your coat, we'll butter some toast
And put a coffee on:
We'll lie down on the bed, lay back our heads
Smoke another cigarette

And listen to the radio
Listen to the radio

All night long...

Separate Ways ( Worlds Apart) - Journey

The first thing that brought Journey to my attention is their cover work. Seriously, the artwork on their covers is crazy, check it out. But after giving their music a chance I was equally impressed. They have risen to fame again lately with the resurgence of Don't Stop Believing, but in my opinion Separate Ways is 100 times better. Released in 1983 on the Frontiers album, it starts with a catchy synth/piano riff, and just rocks away from there. The chorus is extremely catchy, and Steve Parry's lyrical deliverance is incredible. There is also a rather humerous literal translation video worth checking out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQbZRMLKozk

Separate Ways(Worlds Apart)

Here we stand
Worlds apart, hearts broken in two, two, two
Sleepless nights
Losing ground
I'm reaching for you, you, you


Feelin' that it's gone
Can change your mind
If we can't go on
To survive the tide love divides


Someday love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you
How we touched
And went our separate ways
If he ever hurts you
True love won't desert you
You know I still love you
Though we touched
And went our separate ways


Troubled times
Caught between confusions and pain, pain, pain
Distant eyes
Promises we made were in vain, vain, vain


If you must go, I wish you love
You'll never walk alone
Take care my love
Miss you love


(chorus twice)


I still love you girl
I really love you girl
And if he ever hurts you
True love won't desert you
No, No