Today's Expand Your Musical Horizons Suggestion


You may know Ben Folds as the hip purveyor of piano-based rock with a slacker's air of irony and ennui. The again you might know him for his biggest hit to date..."Brick" a wry, poignant ballad about teenage abortion.

Either way, you should hear his live, solo version of what was originally recorded as an upbeat rock song, "Emaline."

The lyrics start:
"I wish it was last September, when we could lose ourselves in crowds every day."

Given that this version of the song was released in mid-2002, that opening lyric always, but always, reminds me of the weekend I spent in New York on a beautiful September weekend in 2001. Just a couple of days before all hell broke loose.

And that sense of wishing you could turn back time...to an easier, warmer time.

Listening to the song again I'm not sure it really evokes all of that specifically. But for me, hearing those opening piano chords, that opening lyric and the general wistful tone of the song puts it in that context.

It may not do the same for you, but it's still a great song.

Track Artist Album Genre Duration Size
Emaline (Wash Dc 6/12/02 Xm Satellite Radio Performance Facility) Ben Folds Ben Folds Live Rock 3:48 3625 KB

Posted: Thu - October 27, 2005 at 12:00 AM        

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