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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 10, 2005 11:11:58 GMT -5
As you all know "Road Ode" is one of my all-time top ten favorite Carpenters songs. I just love this dark soulful tune. Karen sings this with full voice. Her voice is dark and full-bodied on this one.
I'd like to hear what the rest of you think of this song. Do you love it? Do you skip over it? Is it one of your favorites? Is it your least favorite?
just curious...
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Post by enigma on Aug 10, 2005 13:34:42 GMT -5
Well Rick this is a no brainer for me I LOVE THIS SONG! Karen's dark soulful vocal on this song is among her best the lyrics are almost biographical and universal to anyone who has a job that takes them on the road for extensive period of time. Its a powerful number that always brings me up I definately do not skip this gem. It ranks among my favorites as well. Nice choice of song to discuss!
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Post by cam83 on Aug 10, 2005 15:54:41 GMT -5
It's not in my Top 10 or Top 20 favorites...or even Top 30 songs...It's an okay song. I guess the topic of this song never appealed to me...of someone complaining about success, of crowds, and hotel rooms etc...if you are complaining about it, why would you have gotten into it in the first place...my feeling is...KNOW what you want before you get involved. And plus, It was Tony Peluso and another band member who wrote this song....not John or Richard...Maybe it's just a me thing...the way I was raised by Mennonite mother...she is alot like me in those ways...or maybe I am a lot like her in those kinds of things...but it's a nice song...I will admit that...but then most of what the Carpenters did were NICE songs, with a few reaching GEM and CLASSIC status.
My thoughts, Cam
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Post by Ming on Aug 10, 2005 22:36:24 GMT -5
This is one of my favourites. This songs sometimes make me sad 'Rented cars and empty motel rooms Lead you everywhere but home Crowds of people shouting How they love the show They don't know '
I think it is one of the best sad songs that Karen sings.
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 11, 2005 1:04:22 GMT -5
It's not in my Top 10 or Top 20 favorites...or even Top 30 songs...It's an okay song. I guess the topic of this song never appealed to me...of someone complaining about success, of crowds, and hotel rooms etc...if you are complaining about it, why would you have gotten into it in the first place...my feeling is...KNOW what you want before you get involved. And plus, It was Tony Peluso and another band member who wrote this song....not John or Richard...Maybe it's just a me thing...the way I was raised by Mennonite mother...she is alot like me in those ways...or maybe I am a lot like her in those kinds of things...but it's a nice song...I will admit that...but then most of what the Carpenters did were NICE songs, with a few reaching GEM and CLASSIC status. My thoughts, Cam I've never looked at it that Karen was complaining but more so explaining the loneliness on the road. No matter which way you put it the road is a lonely place. If we looked at this as complaining than half the songs Carpenters recorded would be complaining. Look at "I Need To Be In Love", "Goodbye And I Love You", "This Masquerade", "Rainy Days And Mondays", "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore". I don't see it as complaining but just telling a story. Regardless, though there is no denying this is one of Karen's most chillingly soulful and full-bodied vocals of her entire recorded work.
The song was written by band members Gary Sims and Danny Woodhams.
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Post by JohnnyAngel on Aug 11, 2005 8:53:15 GMT -5
I love this song, and i completely agree with Rick, the song tells a story, and this story told with the spice of Karen's voice make it very beautiful. By the way, the remix done by Richard of this song is splendid!!
Regards
Jorge
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Post by cam83 on Aug 11, 2005 11:07:27 GMT -5
I suppose there is a lot of truth to what you say Rick. But ROAD ODE to me, seems more of a complaining song...but I can see how others will view it as a STORY...but I separate this song from I Need TO Be In Love/Rainy Days and Mondays etc...to me, they are not the same type of song in terms of storytelling...anyways...
My thoughts, Cam
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Aug 11, 2005 20:27:34 GMT -5
Rode Ode is one of my all time favorite songs, and, as I have explained in another thread, because I lived this life for a time. There is no way to know that the story behind this song is such a large part of being a celebrity, or being in a band, when one first sets out to lead this life. I was 17 when I went on the "road." I only knew I loved playing music, and had been doing so since I was able to reach the piano. I only knew that I wanted to make music in front of people and have them appreciate the music. I knew that getting paid for doing something I loved doing was going to be an awesome experience. Plus, what could have been better than to be out there, making music with my friends! Two of the guys in the band were good friends, and taught me a lot about various styles of music, just as I taught them a lot about pop music, in particular, Carpenters music. But, I had no idea what living on the road was like. It's exactly as it's described in Rode Ode, and Karen's low, smooth, gutsy, powerful and pleading vocal on this one gets me every single time. The endless crowds of faces just keep on wearing a smile. Of COURSE! Those people out there in the audience LOVE you - you're the entertainer - you've come to do a show - they want to be close to you because they've had too much to drink, and they think you ARE somebody - but you know you're just you. Why can't they leave me alone? Why do they continue to wear that stinking smile? Don't they know that I'm doing this because I love to do it, and not necessarily for them? Don't they know that I had a fight with my girl today, and things aren't as they seem? I'm ACTING, for crying out loud. Leave me alone..... The countless times and places lead me back - please take me back home. How many times did we go to the same place? How many new places did we go? Why? Because we loved to travel? No - because, in order to do what we loved to do - we had to go where our management booked us. Just as Richard and Karen did. But, after a while and a thousand miles, it all becomes the same. You play until the wee small hours of the morning, so you then learn how to sleep the day away - at least, until it's time to rehearse a new show - then you eat, and then you play, and then you sleep, and rehearse, and play and so on and so on. It's a great time on stage, most of the time - and that's only about 4 hours out of the day. For R and K, it was probably less than that. Then they had to travel, and then eat, and then rehearse, and then sound check - and meanwhile, it was in the back of their minds that they had an album to cut whenever they did get back home. I've been on this lonely road so long, does anybody know where it goes? It seems like, going from place to place, that you are going and going, and getting nowhere. Mostly, it goes EVERYWHERE, but HOME. Now, I didn't really complain when I was on the road - I was usually too tired. But these sentiments just hit you in your very soul if you've lived this kind of life and understand them in that way. It's a song about real life. And, it's okay to love one part of your real life, and then, there's that other side that you don't just like, but you're not crazy in love with. I think that's the side - --the story they were trying desperately to convey with this dark song. Just my ramblings, and I hope they make sense. Best to all. Tim
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Post by Rob813 on Aug 11, 2005 21:00:01 GMT -5
I certainly wouldn't call it my favorite song. I don't see it as a complaining song, just a yearning to be back in the comfort of one's home. Of course Karen's convey's all of the sadness and heartache of being out on the rode so long. Many times an artist doesn't even know what city they're in and have to be told by a member of their team.
What's interesting to me is how difficult it is for all of us to name a favorite song when almost every song is so wonderful in one way or another. The level of quality among Carpenter songs is so consistently high that it becomes nearly impossible to definitely grade them top to bottom. At one time or another, we've all named a long list of songs as our favorites.
What's so interesting about Rode Ode is how unique the subject is within the catalog of Carpenter recordings. Together, Karen and Richard nailed each song just about every time.
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 11, 2005 22:47:51 GMT -5
But, I had no idea what living on the road was like. It's exactly as it's described in Rode Ode, and Karen's low, smooth, gutsy, powerful and pleading vocal on this one gets me every single time. Tim Tim, your description of Karen voice on "Road Ode" is perfectly worded. What's interesting to me is how difficult it is for all of us to name a favorite song when almost every song is so wonderful in one way or another. The level of quality among Carpenter songs is so consistently high that it becomes nearly impossible to definitely grade them top to bottom. At one time or another, we've all named a long list of songs as our favorites. What an excellent insight Rob. It's true with very few exceptions the entire catalog of Carpenters/Karen music is of high quality. Even my lesser favorite songs of the Carpenters are still excellent in terms of musicianship and vocal performance. The Carpenters never recorded any true duds.
As for my ultimate favorite C's songs that list does change periodically. And I have favorites from their entire range of releases. Generally though "Only Yesterday", "Road Ode", "Superstar", "I Can't Make Music", "Desperado", "Two Sides", and Karen's "Making Love In The Afternoon" are always amongst my ultimate C's favorites.
just a few more thoughts...
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Post by smoothie2 on Aug 14, 2005 23:41:21 GMT -5
::)I know I have said it before, but Road Ode is really one of my very favorites..definitely within a top 10. It's one that sounds the best through the headphones...most do... Karen's voice seems to fit this perfectly...her voice as is the song, for the most part is low...almost like you're reading her thoughts, or like she's talking to herself...and that's appealing to me. The honesty of being lonely and alone and longing for home. Even the nicest and fanciest of hotels or performing a great show, can't replace home. ::)and when that song ends, seems I'm not ready for it to. >>>>><<<< These words also reflect exactly how Karen was feeling about "the road"..: "I wonder if these feelings ever change, How long I'll lift this load."
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Post by Moe on Aug 15, 2005 0:23:22 GMT -5
Not a favorite, but still a good song. I don't put it in the league of their classics, but a strong album track Karen sings the song beautifully, yearning and longing are her forte, but I don't care for the music towards the end of the song. It gets a little too bouncy/jarring for me, maybe to symbolize the hectic pace on the road. my 2 cents...
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Post by STEVE1975 on Aug 17, 2005 19:17:28 GMT -5
I love the song "Road Ode" I instantly loved it when I first heard it. I love the chorus and the beat. I never thought of it as a song about complaining. When I listen to it I think of how Karen must have felt being on the road. She obviously accepted the fact that being on the road is sometimes lonely and tiresome. From what I have read about Karen and Richard it seemed that they were the happiest when they were on the road. The pros definitely outweighed the cons. I don't think that anyone is completely satisfied with their profession 100% of the time. However, it was obvious that The Capenter's lived for their music and greatly appreciated their fans.
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Post by Rob813 on Aug 23, 2005 18:17:37 GMT -5
At the time of Road Ode, Karen and Richard were still very energetic and quite young. Several years later that would all change. Too much touring and recording took their toll on them. Richard's spiral into addiction and Karen's decline into anorexia came out of all of this. Too bad they didn't pace themselves. Perhaps they thought it was all going to end at any minute so they kept inccessantly working. From our perspective it all looks so clear, but when you're going through something it's never so evident how to lead your life.
Anyway, Road Ode is another example of the quality of the duos music. It's right at the top of the llist of the best in musicianship.
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Post by Rick Henry on Aug 24, 2005 11:38:17 GMT -5
Your comment of quality musicianship is so true Rob. With "Road Ode" and countless other songs Carpenters certainly prove they are more than just your average middle of the road group. They truly stood out amongst the others around during the 70's - golly they still stand out amongst the many many popular musicians on today's scene.
What I like most about "Road Ode" is the intense music arrangement. There seems to be a sense of urgency in the music and again Karen's very deep and personal heartfelt reading of the song. Karen really does pour every ounce of her emotions into this song.
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Post by JIM on Sept 5, 2005 12:29:34 GMT -5
Road Ode is just one of those songs that Karen sings that not only is a chill factor tune, for me its a soul factor tune. The lyrics are powerful but like most of you have said, Karens vocal on this tune is so intense. The urgency in her voice of loneliness and wondering if it will ever go away. She loves the crowds and the road but right now where does it go? She is home sick please take me home. For someone so young to express so much emotion and make you understand it is a rare gift that made so many ballads so personal. Another aspect that is unique to Road Ode I find makes the song interesting is where RC chose to place it on the album. As a delicate (sp) Chrystal Lullaby is ending RC uses an equally delicate (sp) segue to lead the listner from a pop lullaby into a Rock ballad via chimes and piano. If the song were any place else it would lose the climactic effect it draws from following Chrystal Lullaby. Following Road Oad is A Song For You reprise. I know at the time no one knew of the tragedy that would take Karen but that reprise made Road Ode even more personal after we lost her in 83. I rarely listen to Road Ode and SFY reprise as I always find myself in tears. The Road and reprise were recorded so unintentionally prophetic. Sorry that was a bit on the heavy side like Mrs Butterworths pancake syrup but thats how much I like the song. Mrs Butterworth
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Post by Rick Henry on Sept 5, 2005 20:30:53 GMT -5
You are so right Jim having placed "Road Ode" near the end of the album just after the sweet and innocent dreamy "Crystal Lullaby". It's almost like saying the child has woken up to a lonely reality or maybe to a disillusioned reality. "Road Ode" is a deep song. Songs like this are very rare and few and far between. I can't think of any artists today that can make a song as intense and soulfully dark as the Carpenters were able to do.
Hey, I love Mrs. Butterworth's also.
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Post by enigma on Sept 6, 2005 10:29:01 GMT -5
Well said Jim I agree the placement of this song was brilliant and segueing the three songs together was also brilliant after getting a break with two Richard leads and then this trio of songs taking you on an emotional rollercaoster with the final one bringing you back to the opening song makes the record all the more amazing. I never really looked at the song sequence in that way Jim amazing what a new perspective can do to make you listen to a song in a whole new way. I'm off to listen to ASFY thanks for the perspective Jim.
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