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Joan Baez — Play Me Backwards
Album: Play Me Backwards
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1036









Released: 1992
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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You don't have to play me backwards
To get the meaning of my verse
You don't have to die and go to hell
To feel the devil's curse

Well I thought my life was a photograph
On the family Christmas card
Kids all dressed in buttons and bows
And lined up in the yard
Were the golden days of childhood
So lyrical and warm
Or did the picture start to fade
On the day that I was born

I've seen them light the candles
I've heard them bang the drum
And I've cried Mama, I'm cold as ice!
And I got no place to run

Let the night begin there's a pop of skin
And the sudden rush of scarlet
There's a little boy riding on a goat's head
And a little girl playing the harlot
There's a sacrifice in an empty church
Of sweet li'l baby Rose
And a man in a mask from Mexico
Is peeling off my clothes

I've seen them light the candles
I've heard them bang the drum
And I've cried Mama, I'm cold as ice!
And I got no place to run

So I'm paying for protection
Smoking out the truth
Chasing recollections
Nailing down the proof

You don't have to play me backwards
To get the meaning of my verse
You don't have to die and go to hell
To feel the devil's curse
I'll stand before your altar
And tell everything I know
I've come to claim my childhood
At the chapel of baby Rose

I've seen them light the candles
I've heard them bang the drum
I've seen them light the candles
I've heard them bang the drum
Comments (44)add comment
Album cover tells the sad story of a traumatic pogo stick injury...
Posted 2 months ago by snowcone    [ Reply ]
That voice … shivers
Posted 1 year ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
I've been a fan of hers since I first heard her sing. I had never heard a voice as 'pure' as hers.
Posted 3 years ago by hdavid7    [ Reply ]
My parents brought home Joan's debut album on Vanguard in 1960. I was just a kid but loved it. Saw her live at Club 47 in Cambridge. Epic performance. She remains relevant and courageous.   
Posted 3 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
I have always and will always admire Joan.
She is the real deal, regardless of whether you like her music or not. 
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 mizreardon wrote:
Love it. Check out Michelle Shocked for more of this vibe.
 
You bet!...Michelle Shocked is always a 10 for me! ...I wish RP would play more of her!
Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Love it. Check out Michelle Shocked for more of this vibe.
Posted 4 years ago by mizreardon    [ Reply ]
7 -=> 8
Posted 4 years ago by SpencerAR    [ Reply ]
 Tippster wrote:
Who was playing the dobro?

(edit) Well thanks Google... Jerry Douglas of course.
 
Jerry's the man. RP plays a song or two from an album he did with two friends called "Skip, Hop and Wobble."
Posted 5 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Lyrics sound like the basis for a movie!
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Precious to play the Smiths, with so much whining over Morrissey's politics in the comments, back to back with Joan Baez
Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
 Tippster wrote:
Who was playing the dobro?

(edit) Well thanks Google... Jerry Douglas of course.
 
I thought it had to be JD. He may be the best there ever was.
c.
Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
more like this !
Posted 5 years ago by lindaurq    [ Reply ]
I think it would be ok to play the 'Diamonds And Rust' cover by Judas Priest after this, no? Even a more recent acoustic one.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
Who was playing the dobro?

(edit) Well thanks Google... Jerry Douglas of course.
Posted 5 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
How have I reached the age of 58 and never heard this song?  Really good start to me day.
 
Wait until you discover her full discography.

There are singers who could sing the phone book and it would sound tremendous - think Joan Baez

There are others who only sang the phone book (all front and no back) - think David Bowie
Posted 6 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
 gatorade wrote:
I was 15, and I ran away to SF to see Joan Baez in concert. That was 49 years ago, and I'm still that 15 year old mesmerized by her voice.
 
Saw her at the Sydney Showground maaanny years ago - sensational

There was a group of blind teenagers nearby - they were transfixed by the beauty of her voice.
Posted 6 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
How have I reached the age of 58 and never heard this song?  Really good start to me day.
 
Try the whole album...she does a great version of MCCs Stones In The Road !
Posted 6 years ago by Ayejoe    [ Reply ]
How have I reached the age of 58 and never heard this song?  Really good start to me day.
Posted 6 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
I was 15, and I ran away to SF to see Joan Baez in concert. That was 49 years ago, and I'm still that 15 year old mesmerized by her voice.
Posted 6 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
Has anyone actually tried playing this backwards?  Let us know.
 
I tried it once and was beset by atrocious nightmares for the next several nights.  Worst of all, the melody terrifyingly resembled Bent Fabric's ghastly classic "The Alley Cat".
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Has anyone actually tried playing this backwards?  Let us know.
Posted 6 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Well I'm buying this, how incredible.  I have a 2 album of her singing Dylan during their relationship.  This is so exciting
Posted 6 years ago by LAwolf8    [ Reply ]
Quite different from that what I know from her, but this one is really really good IMO
Posted 6 years ago by rommesw    [ Reply ]
First I've heard of Joan out here.
Let's hear some beautiful ballads: Nottamun Town etc
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 allenrudd wrote:
I think it is Jerry Douglas.
 WunderLizard wrote:
 
          >>Yep

Never heard this tune before but I figured it was Douglas as soon as I heard it. 
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
Just saw Joan Baez a few days ago at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. She was wonderful, as always. But my favorite Joan Baez memory is when I heard her in about 1996 at Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley campus, where she came out on stage for the encore, put down the microphone and sang Amazing Grace a capella. It sent shivers up my spine.
Posted 8 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
 gstark33 wrote:
I've been a fan of Joan's for decades - knew her in the 70's etc. This song is OK, but the story represents a peculiar phenomenon in late 20th century America. I don't think there has ever been a well documented case of Satanists ritually molesting children. Maybe some twisted teens tried to act out these stupid stories somewhere but I have never heard of it. I think these silly scenarios, played out so luridly, lay the groundwork for future 'recovered memory' narratives. It is not worth listening to never mind singing about or broadcasting.
 
Is there a genuine domestic case of a Satanic cult crimes?  Other than the Texas student who disappeared on spring break in Mexico. Otherwise, seems like a lot of speculative fiction by local police..

I, too, have always loved Joan. 
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Goddess
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
cool story about this classy lady
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/08/13/765667/-Joan-Baez-diffuses-right-wing-protest-at-Idaho-concert# 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 allenrudd wrote:
I think it is Jerry Douglas.
 
Yep.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 lily33 wrote sometime in 2001:
i think i get it.
i've always loved joan. & i hope i look as good as she does when i'm her age.
 
Dang, a rare lily33 sighting! {#Wink}
Posted 9 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]

Joan Baez1 by ~anastazijavrzina
Anastazija Vrzina  ©2008-2010 ~anastazijavrzina


.
Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Wonder what Bob thinks about this?
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Coppertop: Not a big fan of Joan's, ( too much exposure as a kid I suppose ). I love this though. Who plays the dobro ? Great sound.
I think it is Jerry Douglas.
Posted 21 years ago by allenrudd    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan of Joan\'s, ( too much exposure as a kid I suppose ). I love this though. Who plays the dobro ? Great sound.
Posted 21 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
I\'ve been a fan of Joan\'s for decades - knew her in the 70\'s etc. This song is OK, but the story represents a peculiar phenomenon in late 20th century America. I don\'t think there has ever been a well documented case of Satanists ritually molesting children. Maybe some twisted teens tried to act out these stupid stories somewhere but I have never heard of it. I think these silly scenarios, played out so luridly, lay the groundwork for future \'recovered memory\' narratives. It is not worth listening to never mind singing about or broadcasting.
Posted 21 years ago by gstark33    [ Reply ]
This has to be one of her kickier tunes.....
Posted 21 years ago by CompuTech    [ Reply ]
I listened to Joan in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and now in the new century, no matter how much I might try to avoid her. She keeps on. I wish I liked her, but I would rather listen to Cher.
Posted 21 years ago by dugjohnson    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Platypus: we should get Joan to kick Natalie's arse... this rocks.
ROFL Platy, but we already have Rag and Cagey kicking her arse on Paradise Lost. :D I like this song too. Joan and her music have aged quite well.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
we should get Joan to kick Natalie\'s arse... this rocks.
Posted 22 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
more baez!
Posted 22 years ago by red    [ Reply ]