Album: Back To BlackAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 4737
Length: 3:58
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Kept his dick wet
With his same old safe bet
Me and my head high
And my tears dry
Get on without my guy
You went back to what you knew
So far removed
From all that we went through
And I tread a troubled track
My odds are stacked
I go back to black
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
I go back to us
I love you much
It's not enough
You love blow, and I love puff
And life is like a pipe
And I'm a tiny penny
Rolling up the walls inside
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
Black, black, black, black...
Black, black, black...
I go back to...
I go back to...
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to...
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black
Context is always relevant. Your mood, the weather, who is listening to the music with you, your relationship status....it all matters. Every single thing. No human lives in a vacuum. So, I'd dare counter that no art exists to appeal to the completely objective; since it cannot exist.
Understanding the artist consistently adds to the pallet of their art.
You seem to have wilfully misrepresented what I wrote. I didn't touch on "context" - in your screed, weather, mood, relationships etc., which I agree might inform how you react to the art. I simply pointed out that knowing about the artist should not influence what you feel about their art. For example, very little is known about Johannes Vermeer - that doesn't prevent him being one of the greatest artists ever to pick up a paintbrush. And what about those who decorated the caves at Lascaux? We don't need to understand those anonymous artists - in fact we can't. We merely enjoy, or not, their art. The same goes for Ms Winehouse, although I'd say it's even more important in her case, since there's a possibility of maudlin sentiment clouding one's judgment. And, for the avoidance of doubt, I think she's one of the greatest singers of her era.
She's one of the few losses that I miss the most.
Listening to Amy Winehouse, in any capacity, seems exploitative and slimy, regardless of the quality of the music or voice or whatever. I just feel icky.
I think she would prefer to be listened to than not. Why create in the first place?
Playing this straight after an 'OK' cover of You Know I'm No Good just highlights for me that the 'died at 27' curse took such an amazing talent from us when Amy Winehouse left the building. Such a tragic waste
On the contrary, I think Coeur d pirate's version shows that Winehouse's musical legacy is being honored appropriately.
some of those around her contributed greatly to her issues
Bad news all around
Like far too many artists, exploited by those she should have been able to trust. See also - Freddy, Elton, Elvis. Probably countless others.
Talent taken too young. Tragedy.
Nothing new to add to what has already been commented a hundred times. What a song, what a voice.
AGREED!
Yes there is, it'd be you!
It's not about her music. It's about everything that surrounded her life, the tragedy of her all-too-soon death, and the inability of literally anyone around her to help her to straighten herself out. The music is very good, but as a person her story is tragic and enraging.
some of those around her contributed greatly to her issues
Bad news all around
This makes no sense. Do you like her music or not?
It's not about her music. It's about everything that surrounded her life, the tragedy of her all-too-soon death, and the inability of literally anyone around her to help her to straighten herself out. The music is very good, but as a person her story is tragic and enraging.
I die a hundred times , missing her voice.
But you shouldn't have to know anything about the artist to appreciate the art.
Context is always relevant. Your mood, the weather, who is listening to the music with you, your relationship status....it all matters. Every single thing. No human lives in a vacuum. So, I'd dare counter that no art exists to appeal to the completely objective; since it cannot exist.
Understanding the artist consistently adds to the pallet of their art.
Listening to Amy Winehouse, in any capacity, seems exploitative and slimy, regardless of the quality of the music or voice or whatever. I just feel icky.
This makes no sense. Do you like her music or not?
Listening to Amy Winehouse, in any capacity, seems exploitative and slimy, regardless of the quality of the music or voice or whatever. I just feel icky.
Before she was a drug-addled caricature of herself, she was a brilliant young singer. Addiction is a powerful thing that some cannot shake
Listening to Amy Winehouse, in any capacity, seems exploitative and slimy, regardless of the quality of the music or voice or whatever. I just feel icky.
Why? Do you feel the same about Hendrix? Janis Joplin? Prince?
But you shouldn't have to know anything about the artist to appreciate the art.
Maybe not in a vacuum, but that doesn't apply to many people.
I had a very different view of Amy Winehouse before I watched the documentary "Amy." Changed my view and led me to appreciate her music so much more. It's like looking at art, you miss out on so much if you don't know the backstory. Her music is not nearly as haunting as her story. Granted, the documentary makers would ostensibly be part of the "media" as a whole, but it's truly discouraging what mainstream media did to Amy, aided and abetted by truly disgusting people in her life (boyfriends, managers, father...) who exploited her and then discarded her. The haunting melodies are a sliver of what a haunting memory she left behind. And so the music now has a depth I never would have expected and I'm suddenly, unabashedly, a big fan. On a personal and professional level, I'm more compassionate towards people with addiction now than I was before. Thanks, Amy.
But you shouldn't have to know anything about the artist to appreciate the art.
documentary "Amy." Changed my view and led me to appreciate her music
so much more. It's like looking at art, you miss out on so much if you
don't know the backstory. Her music is not nearly as haunting as her
story. Granted, the documentary makers would ostensibly be part of the
"media" as a whole, but it's truly discouraging what mainstream media
did to Amy, aided and abetted by truly disgusting people in her life
(boyfriends, managers, father...) who exploited her and then discarded
her. The haunting melodies are a sliver of what a haunting memory she
left behind. And so the music now has a depth I never would have
expected and I'm suddenly, unabashedly, a big fan. On a personal and
professional level, I'm more compassionate towards people with addiction
now than I was before. Thanks, Amy.
Love your comment and I wholeheartedly agree. On a related note -- kinda the same thing happened to Britney Spears. And while I am totally not a fan of her music I now have a heart for her just because for what she was and still is suffering through.
God be blessing Radio Paradise. Two in a row...The Doors...followed by Amy!
And Freddie before that... Doctor, I keep hearing voices of the dead!
I had a very similar path to becoming a fan of Amy Winehouse, but from a different perspective.
I was diagnosed with chronic depression at the tender age of 52, and followed the same self-treatment as my father had - drink more alcohol.
I listened to Amy Winehouse on commercial radio, watched her collect her mittfull of Grammies, and then followed her gradual collapse through the media "reports", including the jokes made about her on late night talk shows. I now remorsefully regret, that I even bought into their message, that Amy was just another self-destructive talented spoiled-by-success music idol.
Needless to say, my own humbling crash in my 50's changed my perspective on both depression (which I had always thought was just a great excuse to get time off work) and alcoholism (which I had also thought was just a self-imposed problem caused by a lack of self-discipline). I now know that they are both very debilitating ( and often compatible) diseases. Some of us respond to treatment (I'm now 3 years sober), while others suffer longer and die with, or because of, these diseases. Amy was one of the celebrities who succumbed to her diseases and left this planet while still in her prime.
Her music now means much more to me, especially this song. My hope is that her life and her music serve as a lesson to others going forward, so that we learn to treat others with more love and compassion than she was shown.
I was running the Vienna marathon one year and I hadn't been feeling well the day before and I certainly wasn't feeling well around kilometer 30. This song started playing though the loudspeaker system and it instantly changed my mood to hope. So that is another reason why I have a special affection for this song. Amy picked me up and got me going.
Terrific story. I never really listened to the words that closely, since I'm mostly busy being enthralled listening with wonder at Amy's voice and the instrumentation of this beautiful song. Reading the lyrics here, I see what you mean. They are even tougher and sadder than the music suggests on the surface.
[EDIT: I've tried MANY times to post the link to the video of this performance with no luck, for those interested. Trying again. Here's the URL, delete the X's and hyphens: xx-https://youtu.be/WbVp09E1LRg-x...
I was running the Vienna marathon one year and I hadn't been feeling well the day before and I certainly wasn't feeling well around kilometer 30. This song started playing though the loudspeaker system and it instantly changed my mood to hope. So that is another reason why I have a special affection for this song. Amy picked me up and got me going.
Absolutely ordinary voice
The preceding song was Billie Eilish, and reading the comments speculating on her future, my mind went to "I hope she doesn't join the 27 club."
Then bill comes on introducing Amy as a member!
Seconded. They fuck you up, your mum amd dad...
What was I thinking only rating this an 8?
Quickly correcting that underestimation and bumping from 8 > 9.
And life is like a pipe
Same here Amy, Same here ...RIP Girl, see you again in the Black Heart in the sky.
I as well!
TY RP for playing
Did they have "high ceiling limos" written into their concert riders?
Only after Marge joined
:origin()/pre10/0a9c/th/pre/f/2013/306/c/6/marge_simpson_as_fritzi_ritz_by_paulibus2001-d6sa1ml.png)
Did they have "high ceiling limos" written into their concert riders?
9s from me for both of these sadly deceased singers
darkness in that strength
sweetness in that dark strength
and let me say it again and again
like a voice like a refrain like a release
This is lovely and haunting. Thank you.
I'm lucky to have a FABULOUS live version of this song, recorded at SXSW 2008, that even blows away this studio version.
Excellent but sad, of course.
She was already dealing with depression and substance abuse issues before she became famous.
When "Back to Black" pushed her into the media spotlight, the paparazzi sleaze and the endless demands of fame were the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.
Yet another great talent silenced.
R.I.P.
Yes, but you forgot the one big influence on her way into the downwards spiral: Despicable Blake Fielder-Civil, and her parents are just as guilty. Her weak mother, thinking that bulimia "will go away by itself somehow, i didn't think it dangerous" and her self obsessed shister of a father, who was just interested in milking her for money.
One of her biggest hits "Rehab" was written, because she was using and an addict, needed help and her father said "oh no your'e ok, you got a tour to think of you do not need rehab"!
When I saw the docu, I was so angry I could have killed this SOB!
And the most despicable thing: Her father is now dating a very young women who looks excactly like her, including bee hive hair do, tattoos and all.
If that is not sick, I do not know what sick is! Shagging a look-a-like like his own daughter, that is one sick bastard!
Excellent but sad, of course.
She was already dealing with depression and substance abuse issues before she became famous.
When "Back to Black" pushed her into the media spotlight, the paparazzi sleaze and the endless demands of fame were the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.
Yet another great talent silenced.
R.I.P.
Mark Ronson - Fresh Air
Their discussion of this album was very interesting. It's a real shame Amy couldn't get past her demons:(
Thanks Peter, if I may use your first name only!
"Pseudo-intellectual"? Uoch! "Claptrap", though, I couldn't agree more. However, this is the only forum I feel comfortable writing on - there are no other "sites like this". Anyone who listens to RP can't be all that bad!
When I write anything here, it's just to get away from my work for a minute or two, there's no way I would submit this to a stricter forum, I'm aware by now I will never be a writer. I merely thought the poster I was responding to was a bit over the mark (i.e. it's not "incredibly bad"). Similarly, a "musical genius, full stop" is a comment that doesn't help me understand Amy Winehouse's overwhelming appeal. While I respect both opinions as valid, if extreme, my feelings are tempered by the experience that surveys of the "Best song of the year", "Best singer of the year", and so on, are usually won by the same artists who come top in the "Worst song of the year" category. But I believe it's possible to have a more balanced view. The music I like is a subject I am the world authority on. Another such subject is the set of reasons why I like or dislike particular music - personal opinions, of course, I wouldn't dare tell anyone else what to think, only try to express what I think. So I don't believe I'm exceeding my remit. My own tastes can change, not only according to age or mood, but also depending on new ways of seeing that may come to light. And that's all I'm waiting for: some reasoned debate.
I really would love to share your passion for Amy Winehouse. I feel like I'm missing out - like so many times before (I never understood Nirvana till after Cobain died. Yeah, go ahead, slaughter me!). But I'm open to finding out why Amy is considered a genius. There must be something more than just a feeling - that you either get it or you don't - mustn't there?
I had a very different view of Amy Winehouse before I watched the documentary "Amy." Changed my view and led me to appreciate her music so much more. It's like looking at art, you miss out on so much if you don't know the backstory. Her music is not nearly as haunting as her story. Granted, the documentary makers would ostensibly be part of the "media" as a whole, but it's truly discouraging what mainstream media did to Amy, aided and abetted by truly disgusting people in her life (boyfriends, managers, father...) who exploited her and then discarded her. The haunting melodies are a sliver of what a haunting memory she left behind. And so the music now has a depth I never would have expected and I'm suddenly, unabashedly, a big fan. On a personal and professional level, I'm more compassionate towards people with addiction now than I was before. Thanks, Amy.
Rate
And gratefully received
Thanks Peter, if I may use your first name only!
"Pseudo-intellectual"? Uoch! "Claptrap", though, I couldn't agree more. However, this is the only forum I feel comfortable writing on - there are no other "sites like this". Anyone who listens to RP can't be all that bad!
When I write anything here, it's just to get away from my work for a minute or two, there's no way I would submit this to a stricter forum, I'm aware by now I will never be a writer. I merely thought the poster I was responding to was a bit over the mark (i.e. it's not "incredibly bad"). Similarly, a "musical genius, full stop" is a comment that doesn't help me understand Amy Winehouse's overwhelming appeal. While I respect both opinions as valid, if extreme, my feelings are tempered by the experience that surveys of the "Best song of the year", "Best singer of the year", and so on, are usually won by the same artists who come top in the "Worst song of the year" category. But I believe it's possible to have a more balanced view. The music I like is a subject I am the world authority on. Another such subject is the set of reasons why I like or dislike particular music - personal opinions, of course, I wouldn't dare tell anyone else what to think, only try to express what I think. So I don't believe I'm exceeding my remit. My own tastes can change, not only according to age or mood, but also depending on new ways of seeing that may come to light. And that's all I'm waiting for: some reasoned debate.
I really would love to share your passion for Amy Winehouse. I feel like I'm missing out - like so many times before (I never understood Nirvana till after Cobain died. Yeah, go ahead, slaughter me!). But I'm open to finding out why Amy is considered a genius. There must be something more than just a feeling - that you either get it or you don't - mustn't there?
One of the cornerstones of great music is the emotional response it provokes in the listener. You are approaching it a bit too intellectually I think. I'm not advocating that you go out and suffer a bit more in order to experience Amy's music more, but just get out of your head and learn a bit more empathy for the experience her music conveys.
Profane sadness? Interesting concept.
Also a good band name, though I guess the author of that post meant "profound sadness".
more music. Can you imagine what she would have created if she was still alive? Just like
Janis, Hendricks, Morrison and so many more. We are only left to wonder.
Profane sadness? Interesting concept.
I agree...haunting yet familiar..
more music. Can you imagine what she would have created if she was still alive? Just like
Janis, Hendricks, Morrison and so many more. We are only left to wonder.
Steely_D wrote:
But opinions about people? "You're an idiot." "So are you" - frankly, that's boring and juvenile.
If you've got a critique ("That drummer sounds like it's his first gig!") I'm totally with you.
And it would be even great to respond with "Not for me; I really love that laid back drumming."
But it's wrong to attack each other when we express our opinion.
But opinions about people? "You're an idiot." "So are you" - frankly, that's boring and juvenile.
If you've got a critique ("That drummer sounds like it's his first gig!") I'm totally with you.
And it would be even great to respond with "Not for me; I really love that laid back drumming."
But it's wrong to attack each other when we express our opinion.
You must have a problem with Billie Holiday then too...
I am pretty sure this song would be played here irrespective of her biography.
Enough is enough!
You've really missed your calling as a music critic. So sad you're reduced to writing psuedo-intellectual claptrap on sites like this. You really should limit yourself to subjects you know something about. Amy was a musical genius, full stop.
Thanks Peter, if I may use your first name only!
"Pseudo-intellectual"? Uoch! "Claptrap", though, I couldn't agree more. However, this is the only forum I feel comfortable writing on - there are no other "sites like this". Anyone who listens to RP can't be all that bad!
When I write anything here, it's just to get away from my work for a minute or two, there's no way I would submit this to a stricter forum, I'm aware by now I will never be a writer. I merely thought the poster I was responding to was a bit over the mark (i.e. it's not "incredibly bad"). Similarly, a "musical genius, full stop" is a comment that doesn't help me understand Amy Winehouse's overwhelming appeal. While I respect both opinions as valid, if extreme, my feelings are tempered by the experience that surveys of the "Best song of the year", "Best singer of the year", and so on, are usually won by the same artists who come top in the "Worst song of the year" category. But I believe it's possible to have a more balanced view. The music I like is a subject I am the world authority on. Another such subject is the set of reasons why I like or dislike particular music - personal opinions, of course, I wouldn't dare tell anyone else what to think, only try to express what I think. So I don't believe I'm exceeding my remit. My own tastes can change, not only according to age or mood, but also depending on new ways of seeing that may come to light. And that's all I'm waiting for: some reasoned debate.
I really would love to share your passion for Amy Winehouse. I feel like I'm missing out - like so many times before (I never understood Nirvana till after Cobain died. Yeah, go ahead, slaughter me!). But I'm open to finding out why Amy is considered a genius. There must be something more than just a feeling - that you either get it or you don't - mustn't there?
She is overblown, I agree, and I personally would not miss her much if I never heard another note from her, but we cannot redress the balance with hyperbole. "Bad", maybe, but "incredibly bad", when there is so much out there that is genuinely incredibly bad (you should hear me on a mouth organ!), seems a tad unfair. She has vocal talent, the melody is casually rocky, and the production is slick. Time has been spent making this recording, and there is a certain amount of art in it. Still, I can't say I regret never seeing her in concert.
Fortunately, even the music I disparage most ferociously on RP is a cut and a slice above the average paid-for filler on most of the commercial channels I know, and we should erect a statue to the folks who bring it to us, even if we do have to tolerate some Amy Winehouse now and then. (I've heard that some people actually like her! Never met one though!)
You've really missed your calling as a music critic. So sad you're reduced to writing psuedo-intellectual claptrap on sites like this. You really should limit yourself to subjects you know something about. Amy was a musical genius, full stop.
An episode of the BBC TV series "Other Voices" featured Amy Winehouse performing in Dingle, Ireland, December 2006. The show was recorded just before "Back to Black" was released in America. It was shown last year on a big screen as part of a film festival. In the interview portions she's so girlish, funny. Especially charming was her story about the first time she heard Ray Charles coming through the wall from her brother's room. Her performance was electric, her creative peak.
Clips are currently on the BBC website.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l4929
...this music is incredibly bad...
She is overblown, I agree, and I personally would not miss her much if I never heard another note from her, but we cannot redress the balance with hyperbole. "Bad", maybe, but "incredibly bad", when there is so much out there that is genuinely incredibly bad (you should hear me on a mouth organ!), seems a tad unfair. She has vocal talent, the melody is casually rocky, and the production is slick. Time has been spent making this recording, and there is a certain amount of art in it. Still, I can't say I regret never seeing her in concert.
Fortunately, even the music I disparage most ferociously on RP is a cut and a slice above the average paid-for filler on most of the commercial channels I know, and we should erect a statue to the folks who bring it to us, even if we do have to tolerate some Amy Winehouse now and then. (I've heard that some people actually like her! Never met one though!)
...this music is incredibly bad...I am not
I'm with you!
But you shouldn't have to know anything about the artist to appreciate the art.
sfoster66 wrote:
Context is always relevant. Your mood, the weather, who is listening to the music with you, your relationship status....it all matters. Every single thing. No human lives in a vacuum. So, I'd dare counter that no art exists to appeal to the completely objective; since it cannot exist.
Understanding the artist consistently adds to the pallet of their art.
Brilliantly stated, sfosster66! I have loved music and art pieces without knowing anything about the artist, but my appreciation for the same piece nearly always increases when I learn some of the back story behind it.
I agree with you, in part, too, Edweirdo - FIRST the art piece has to appeal to you for you to appreciate it. But, I agree totally with the statement, "Context is always relevant." In the case of this particular song, I probably would have rated it an "8" when it first received airplay. Knowing Amy Winehouse's story, and having now been sober for over 6 years, after having battled depression and alcoholism most of my life I now rate this song at "10" with no hesitation! For me context is VERY important!