Easy Listening

80sU2isBest · 02-25-2002, 01:11 PM

Easy Listening
(by Steve Taylor)

Gather-me-grandchildren if you love a good mystery
Gather-me-grandchildren for a little church history
It's 2044
You're avoiding our turn-of-the-century ways

How did we strike it rich?
Kissing up to the powerful
How did we make our pitch?
Satellites by the towerful
Why do you young people have to go and get caught up in a radical phase?

My conscience was clear and my wallet was full
I didn't hear none of this "sacrifice" bull
Tough times call for a backtrack
Gimme that old-time easy listening

Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
12 hours, twice a day
Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
Simmer down
Attaway

Color me old-fashioned, but I still remember when
The sermons were affirming, 'cause the Lord liked us better then
It's 2044
And I don't want to be my brother's keeper no more

Color me chicken yellow if I liked it in the ozone
Call me lemon jello if I lacked a little backbone
We're King's Kids, dang it
And we used to know what a housekeeper was for

Tickle my ear and I'll pay for your show
Sing about stuff that I already know
Whisper sweet nothings
Pour a nightcap
Gimme that old-time easy listening

Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
12 hours, twice a day
Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
Simmer down
Attaway

Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
Order now, don't delay
Cuddle up, yeah, yeah
Sleep it off
Drool away

Gather-me-round children, 'cause your faith is a mystery
Gather me grandchildren for a little church history
It's 2044
And I miss our turn-of-the-century ways

How did we strike it rich?
Kissing up to the powerful
How did we make our pitch?
Satellites by the towerful
Why do you young hotheads have to go and get caught up in a radical phase?

I'm ok, you're ok, we're ok, so
I think I'm gonna buy my own radio show
Spread the good news and the Barry Manilow
Happy talk, no rock, non-stop easy listening

80sU2isBest · 02-25-2002, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by truecoloursfly:
WOW. Who is Steve Taylor and does that song sound half as good as it reads?? Say amen, somebody! Thanks, 80s.
Deb D

I'm glad you like it.
Steve Taylor is the producer of The Newsboys and Sixpence None The Richer. But, he started in the 80s as a solo artist, and had BIG hits in the Christian music industry (which is a slight bit ironic, since he has always been considered the "bad boy of Christian rock", and many of his satirical lyrics take aim at negative aspects within the church itself.
In the 80s, his music was new wave. In the 90s, it took a rock/alterntive feel. But the lyrical style is still the same as when he started.
You can still find some of his CDs at Christian record stores and Best Buy, but for the most part, I would try looking at used CD stores.

My favorite Steve Taylor CDs:
I Predict 1990 (1990)
Squint (1994)
On The Fritz (1984,5, or 6 -don't remember exactly)
Meltdown (1982?)

80sU2isBest · 02-25-2002, 03:22 PM

here's another one for ya:

Jesus Is For Losers
(by Steve Taylor)

If I was driven
Driven ahead by some noble ideal
Who took the wheel?

If I was given
Given a glimpse of some glorious road
When was it sold?

So caught up in the chase
I keep forgetting my place

Just as I am
I am stiff-necked and proud
Jesus is for losers
Why do I still play to the crowd?

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

If I was groping
Groping around for some ladder to fame
I am ashamed

If I was hoping
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool
I am a fool

Bone-weary every climb
Blindsided every time

Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

And if you're certain
Certain your life is some cosmic mistake
Why do you shake?

And if you're certain
Certain that faith is some know-nothing mask
Why do you still ask?

They don't grade here on the curve
We both know what we deserve

Just as you are
Just a wretch like me
Jesus is for losers
Grace from the blood of a tree

Just as we are
At a total loss
Jesus is for losers
Broken at the foot of the cross

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

MadelynIris · 02-25-2002, 08:59 PM

Who is Steve Taylor?

Wow - go forth and find out girl!

Mark

truecoloursfly · 02-26-2002, 02:23 AM

WOW. Who is Steve Taylor and does that song sound half as good as it reads?? Say amen, somebody! Thanks, 80s.

Deb D

------------------
I wanna walk with you on an unapproved road

the greatest frontman in the world - by truecoloursfly: http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=1575

truecoloursfly · 02-26-2002, 02:28 AM

as good as done, then. Thanks, guys!

Deb

mebythesea · 02-28-2002, 07:24 AM

Oh, I *love* Steve Taylor! What an excellent musician, and a witty lyricist. I keep wishing he would record again, but I sympathize with his giving up on the humorlessness of the CCM audience.

I was just listening to "Jesus is for losers" the other day. Another great one from that CD is "Bannerman," a sort of treatment of that John 3:16 guy who shows up at football games as if he was every Christian's beloved crazy uncle.

His early stuff, too, is wonderful. "I want to be a clone"... adn the one about the disco, what is the name of that one...? "we sold the altar to pay for the mirrorball." sort of ZooTV-y there!

mebythesea · 02-28-2002, 12:40 PM

Well here I am replying to my own post, how tacky, but --

I have been looking through all my Steve Taylor stuff, and am quite struck by how similar some of the lyrical themes (*not* the sound, *not* the overall spirit) are to things U2 has also shown preoccupations with. Some examples:

1) "You Don't Owe Me Nothing" and "Guilty by Association" - both satirize TV evangelists.

2) "Drive, He Said" - the sort of encounter with the devil, one's own hypocrisy:
"Let's get talking business, son
You ain't fooling anyone
I know just what you want to be-
Now it's time to work for me."
.....
and this Bono-esque line "double lives take half as long."

3) "Colour Code" and "You've Been Bought" both include anti-apartheid material

4) "This Disco" - I mentioned earlier, all about commericalism and image

5) "Over My Dead Body" - about Lech Walesa and Poland, right around the time New Year's Day came out

6) "Harder to Believe Than Not To" - enough said

7) "To Forgive" - nonviolence as a response to aggression

8) "What is the measure of your success?" -- has that Bono theme from both "New York" and "Surrender" of the irresistible lure of the city and its pleasures
"In this city I confess
I am driven to possess
God is mammon
More is less"

9) And ending the album "Meltdown" with "I Just Wanna Know" at the time he was getting flak for his music from his Christian buddies - like "Is That All" on October.

Perhaps this is just stuff any thoughful Christian would have been writing about in response to Western culture... but it's hitting me today, anyway.

80sU2isBest · 02-28-2002, 04:30 PM

Very thoughtful insights, mebythesea.

I think Steve is one of the most genius lyric writers ever.

02-25-2002, 01:11 PM	#1
80sU2isBest Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 4,970 Local Time: 01:52 PM	Easy Listening Easy Listening (by Steve Taylor) Gather-me-grandchildren if you love a good mystery Gather-me-grandchildren for a little church history It's 2044 You're avoiding our turn-of-the-century ways How did we strike it rich? Kissing up to the powerful How did we make our pitch? Satellites by the towerful Why do you young people have to go and get caught up in a radical phase? My conscience was clear and my wallet was full I didn't hear none of this "sacrifice" bull Tough times call for a backtrack Gimme that old-time easy listening Cuddle up, yeah, yeah 12 hours, twice a day Cuddle up, yeah, yeah Simmer down Attaway Color me old-fashioned, but I still remember when The sermons were affirming, 'cause the Lord liked us better then It's 2044 And I don't want to be my brother's keeper no more Color me chicken yellow if I liked it in the ozone Call me lemon jello if I lacked a little backbone We're King's Kids, dang it And we used to know what a housekeeper was for Tickle my ear and I'll pay for your show Sing about stuff that I already know Whisper sweet nothings Pour a nightcap Gimme that old-time easy listening Cuddle up, yeah, yeah 12 hours, twice a day Cuddle up, yeah, yeah Simmer down Attaway Cuddle up, yeah, yeah Order now, don't delay Cuddle up, yeah, yeah Sleep it off Drool away Gather-me-round children, 'cause your faith is a mystery Gather me grandchildren for a little church history It's 2044 And I miss our turn-of-the-century ways How did we strike it rich? Kissing up to the powerful How did we make our pitch? Satellites by the towerful Why do you young hotheads have to go and get caught up in a radical phase? I'm ok, you're ok, we're ok, so I think I'm gonna buy my own radio show Spread the good news and the Barry Manilow Happy talk, no rock, non-stop easy listening __________________

02-28-2002, 04:30 PM	#9
80sU2isBest Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 4,970 Local Time: 01:52 PM	Very thoughtful insights, mebythesea. I think Steve is one of the most genius lyric writers ever. __________________

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02-25-2002, 03:22 PM	#3
80sU2isBest Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 4,970 Local Time: 01:52 PM	here's another one for ya: Jesus Is For Losers (by Steve Taylor) If I was driven Driven ahead by some noble ideal Who took the wheel? If I was given Given a glimpse of some glorious road When was it sold? So caught up in the chase I keep forgetting my place Just as I am I am stiff-necked and proud Jesus is for losers Why do I still play to the crowd? Just as I am Pass the compass, please Jesus is for losers I'm off about a hundred degrees If I was groping Groping around for some ladder to fame I am ashamed If I was hoping Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool I am a fool Bone-weary every climb Blindsided every time Just as I am I am needy and dry Jesus is for losers The self-made need not apply Just as I am In a desert crawl Lord, I'm so thirsty Take me to the waterfall And if you're certain Certain your life is some cosmic mistake Why do you shake? And if you're certain Certain that faith is some know-nothing mask Why do you still ask? They don't grade here on the curve We both know what we deserve Just as you are Just a wretch like me Jesus is for losers Grace from the blood of a tree Just as we are At a total loss Jesus is for losers Broken at the foot of the cross Just as I am Pass the compass, please Jesus is for losers I'm off about a hundred degrees Just as I am In a desert crawl Lord, I'm so thirsty Take me to the waterfall

02-25-2002, 08:59 PM	#4
MadelynIris Refugee Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Craggy Island Posts: 1,504 Local Time: 01:52 PM	Who is Steve Taylor? Wow - go forth and find out girl! Mark

02-26-2002, 02:23 AM	#5
truecoloursfly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Wet Coast Posts: 299 Local Time: 10:52 AM	WOW. Who is Steve Taylor and does that song sound half as good as it reads?? Say amen, somebody! Thanks, 80s. Deb D ------------------ I wanna walk with you on an unapproved road the greatest frontman in the world - by truecoloursfly: http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=1575

02-26-2002, 02:28 AM	#6
truecoloursfly Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Wet Coast Posts: 299 Local Time: 10:52 AM	as good as done, then. Thanks, guys! Deb

02-28-2002, 07:24 AM	#7
mebythesea The Fly Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 173 Local Time: 02:52 PM	Oh, I love Steve Taylor! What an excellent musician, and a witty lyricist. I keep wishing he would record again, but I sympathize with his giving up on the humorlessness of the CCM audience. I was just listening to "Jesus is for losers" the other day. Another great one from that CD is "Bannerman," a sort of treatment of that John 3:16 guy who shows up at football games as if he was every Christian's beloved crazy uncle. His early stuff, too, is wonderful. "I want to be a clone"... adn the one about the disco, what is the name of that one...? "we sold the altar to pay for the mirrorball." sort of ZooTV-y there!

02-28-2002, 12:40 PM	#8
mebythesea The Fly Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 173 Local Time: 02:52 PM	Well here I am replying to my own post, how tacky, but -- I have been looking through all my Steve Taylor stuff, and am quite struck by how similar some of the lyrical themes (not the sound, not the overall spirit) are to things U2 has also shown preoccupations with. Some examples: 1) "You Don't Owe Me Nothing" and "Guilty by Association" - both satirize TV evangelists. 2) "Drive, He Said" - the sort of encounter with the devil, one's own hypocrisy: "Let's get talking business, son You ain't fooling anyone I know just what you want to be- Now it's time to work for me." ..... and this Bono-esque line "double lives take half as long." 3) "Colour Code" and "You've Been Bought" both include anti-apartheid material 4) "This Disco" - I mentioned earlier, all about commericalism and image 5) "Over My Dead Body" - about Lech Walesa and Poland, right around the time New Year's Day came out 6) "Harder to Believe Than Not To" - enough said 7) "To Forgive" - nonviolence as a response to aggression 8) "What is the measure of your success?" -- has that Bono theme from both "New York" and "Surrender" of the irresistible lure of the city and its pleasures "In this city I confess I am driven to possess God is mammon More is less" 9) And ending the album "Meltdown" with "I Just Wanna Know" at the time he was getting flak for his music from his Christian buddies - like "Is That All" on October. Perhaps this is just stuff any thoughful Christian would have been writing about in response to Western culture... but it's hitting me today, anyway.