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Guster — Careful
Album: Keep It Together
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1044









Released: 2003
Length: 3:37
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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You walked out when I asked you to stay
As usual you'll get your way
You closed the door and stumbled down to the street
Where you wring your hands
And you drag your feet

Where the words can't find you
To crawl inside you

I'm ringing all the warning bells
Careful or you'll hurt yourself
Others lie, lie, lie, they adore you
I'll be the one to tell
Careful or you'll hurt yourself
Gonna try, try, try 'til the morning comes

But you can't hide standing under these stars
They know everything, they know where you are
You're in your head, you're all turned around with it
And they're shining down their light to bring you back again

Back where I can find you
To crawl inside you

I'm ringing all the warning bells
Careful or you'll hurt yourself
Others lie, lie, lie, they adore you
I'll be the one to tell
Careful or you'll hurt yourself
Gonna try, try, try 'til the morning

All you want to see is make-believe, it's nothing
But way down underneath

I'm ringing all the warning bells
Careful you don't hurt yourself
Others lie, lie, lie, they adore you
I'll be the one to tell
Careful, you'll hurt yourself
Gonna try, try, try 'til the morning comes
Comments (109)add comment
This song makes me think of what I love about Crowded House, the Shins, The Beatles; the singing, the harmonies, the rhythms are exquisite, and their message so clever and uplifting, even when melancholic. They make me smile, every time.
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I gave this a 3, and I like Guster!
Posted 1 year ago by pbouchar    [ Reply ]
I have loved Guster since I first heard them here as far back as I can remember. bought cds back then
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 sans wrote:

These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.


Seventeen years after posting, the comment has lost most of its intended sting:

"These guys sound like they have respectable grooming standards that are also fiscally sustainable."
Posted 2 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Excellent band!  
Posted 2 years ago by Coreus    [ Reply ]
Refreshing and uplifting.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Bonjour bien RP bonne musique
Posted 2 years ago by fmirka59300    [ Reply ]
 Greenman wrote:

Underated band. Underated album. Underated song.


Underrated cover art too; hummingbirds rule!  LLRP!!
Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 Al_Koholic wrote:
sans wrote:
These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.
I only pay $10 for mine.
 

I mean... is that a lot?
Posted 4 years ago by muschik    [ Reply ]
Underated band. Underated album. Underated song.
Posted 4 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
 chyk5 wrote:
That is one catchy little ditty. 
 

Ditto about this ditty.
Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
 Boxie wrote:
Insipid comes to mind.
 
Careful....and Keep it Together there Boxie - though my 7 reflects some of what you said, I've probably thought about an 8 on this and haven't...still the 7 is a good range for this and a lot of Guster tracks are great (might have to spin a disc or two now I think of it....) Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Insipid comes to mind.
Posted 5 years ago by Boxie    [ Reply ]
That is one catchy little ditty. 
Posted 6 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 wxman wrote:
Not too bad of a song, just a bit bland though. It doesn't really provoke any feeling or emotion. At least for me.
 
Yet it "provoked" you to write a comment about it.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
The instrumentation makes me think early Eagles hired Elvis Costello.
Yes, I know that's weird and possibly even not defendable, but that's that. 
Posted 7 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
 MJdub wrote:

I see that similarity, but that's a stretch, and it's not nearly close enough to make a legal case.

Edit: Reading through the comments I see a lot of people somehow think this song is exactly the same as the Cure song.  Take some music lessons people!

 
Really. Too bad it'll never happen.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
So reminds me of Jim Cuddy & Greg Keelor with Blue Rodeo. That said it's still really good.
Posted 8 years ago by Asa001    [ Reply ]
I remember hearing this the first time.  I had already been a fan of Guster for over five years and was shocked at how big a change they had made on this album.  I almost lost interest in them, thinking they had "sold out," or lost what was special about their early work.  I eventually grew to love this album and appreciate the ways they developed their style.  I also became familiar with Joe Pisapia and realized how much he contributed to this album as well as the following album.  Guster and Joe have since parted ways but I loved the effect he had on Guster while they collaborated.  You can hear him all over this album, and when I hear it I miss him being part of the band.  He has a solo album which in my opinion takes a while to grow on you but is awesome.  
Posted 10 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Love it!!!!!!!!
Posted 10 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
Whats wrong with a bouncy ikkle tune ...I like to bounce{#Jump}
Posted 11 years ago by paradisepig    [ Reply ]
Catchy tune. I like the simplicity and the little ear candy stuff that's added as stanzas are added. Great chords and melody.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
{#No}  this song is like a mundane Bodeans song.....
 
Ouch! It is ok not to like the song, but that is downright cruel!{#Eek}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
oh oh, call the attornies. these tools ripped off the Cure's In Between Days.
 
I see that similarity, but that's a stretch, and it's not nearly close enough to make a legal case.

Edit: Reading through the comments I see a lot of people somehow think this song is exactly the same as the Cure song.  Take some music lessons people!


Posted 14 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]

I love, love, love Guster. If that makes me uncool or an inappropriate music person, THEN SO BE IT.

(she said defensively {#Tongue-out})
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
{#No}  this song is like a mundane Bodeans song.....
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
New Guster CD out October 5! Can't wait.
Posted 14 years ago by stub30    [ Reply ]
oh oh, call the attornies. these tools ripped off the Cure's In Between Days.
Posted 14 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

True, this. And I usually really like Guster.
 
Thirds. Can't really remember the song I just heard five minutes ago. Can't hit a home run every time. 
Posted 14 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
Nice, but not very interesting.
 
True, this. And I usually really like Guster.

Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Nice, but not very interesting.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 milchschnitte wrote:
no more to say.
 
Careful.....

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 milchschnitte wrote:
{#Puke}no more to say.

 
We must not be listening to the same song?

Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}no more to say.

Posted 15 years ago by milchschnitte    [ Reply ]
This has always reminded me of "Inbetween Days" by the Cure.
Posted 15 years ago by dbenwen    [ Reply ]
 bindi wrote:

I am just picking up on this band - this tune has such an infectious chorus and great jiggle jangly byrdseque guitar - love it.  How's the rest of the CD?  I may start my Guster collection here.


 
An excellent place to start your Guster collection. But then you will also want to buy Lost And Gone Forever, and Ganging Up On The Sun. Those are their 3 best, IMO, most especially Lost, and Keep It Together.

Posted 16 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]

I am just picking up on this band - this tune has such an infectious chorus and great jiggle jangly byrdseque guitar - love it.  How's the rest of the CD?  I may start my Guster collection here.


Posted 16 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
Ain't it the TRUTH?  And everything from Lost And Gone Forever!

 paloeguevo wrote:
Great song.
No matter what the music critics say here at RP
guster has the power to always make me happy.
If you liked this song try listening to
Come Downstairs & Say Hello from this CD. Great tune.
Or watch the video from ACL here
https://www.chimehosting.com/guster/video/acl_comedownstairs.html
 

Posted 16 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
i give all songs a 10
i like to be nice
it takes alot to make a song
i would give you a 10 if you made one if it was sincere

rp on my iphone
Posted 16 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
I have come to LOOOOOOOOOOVE GUSTER
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
My personal favorite Guster song, from a great album
Posted 16 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
Great song. No matter what the music critics say here at RP guster has the power to always make me happy. If you liked this song try listening to Come Downstairs & Say Hello from this CD. Great tune. Or watch the video from ACL here https://www.chimehosting.com/guster/video/acl_comedownstairs.html
Posted 17 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
what about "One Man Wrecking Machine?" Not rubbery at all.
Posted 17 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
skooney wrote:
Rubber stamp sound of the last 10 years or so
It's too bad this song and Amsterdam are the only Guster some people will be exposed to...alot of their stuff is non-rubber stamp material in my opinion.
Posted 19 years ago by dirtroosters    [ Reply ]
Rubber stamp sound of the last 10 years or so
Posted 19 years ago by skooney    [ Reply ]
Isn't the theme song for the new TV show, "Friends II"?
Posted 19 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
brando wrote:
This is garbage :(
No unfortunately is Guster
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
For about 5 seconds I thought this was the Cure. Then it started to suck.
Posted 19 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
upinya wrote:
Pete Yorn + Gin Blossoms + (Shameless rip off of) The Cure = This Trash.
I think the Gin Blossoms was the biggest target of the rip off By the way..I don't see Gin Blossoms on the list...Too bad
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
Al_Koholic wrote:
I only pay $10 for mine.
$10 cut for a bald smiley sems a bit exorbitant. Try au naturel and drop the $10 on a good used cd... Works for me.
Posted 19 years ago by theAntiBob    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
At the risk of being lynched by the RP masses, I must express my support for this song. Perhaps I am merely a sucker for melody and harmony, but I think this song is great despite being played on Clear Channel media. Just because a song is played on FM does not mean that it is bad. So there. Let the beatings begin!
Not played on any FM in Atlanta..... great song from a fantastic CD.
Posted 19 years ago by Mark1970    [ Reply ]
upinya wrote:
Pete Yorn + Gin Blossoms + (Shameless rip off of) The Cure = This Trash.
Hey if a band can mix all that up into a toe tapper, more power to them! Better than yet another ashlee simpson (why is she still being promoted?!) pile of ofal on the radio.
Posted 19 years ago by AlanCE    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.
I cut my own hair. *crap* maybe that's why I'm not in a band.
Posted 19 years ago by LLMikeJ    [ Reply ]
At the risk of being lynched by the RP masses, I must express my support for this song. Perhaps I am merely a sucker for melody and harmony, but I think this song is great despite being played on Clear Channel media. Just because a song is played on FM does not mean that it is bad. So there. Let the beatings begin!
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
This is garbage :(
Posted 19 years ago by brando    [ Reply ]
CONTRIVED....
Posted 20 years ago by lovetractor24    [ Reply ]
upinya wrote:
Pete Yorn + Gin Blossoms + (Shameless rip off of) The Cure = This Trash.
You missed Crowded House there. Still, it's not bad I think: a 6.
Posted 20 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
Pete Yorn + Gin Blossoms + (Shameless rip off of) The Cure = This Trash.
Posted 20 years ago by upinya    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.
I only pay $10 for mine.
Posted 20 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.
That's funny. :)
Posted 20 years ago by ee_    [ Reply ]
These guys sound like they have $40 haircuts.
Posted 20 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
wxman wrote:
Not too bad of a song, just a bit bland though. It doesn't really provoke any feeling or emotion. At least for me.
and me. Totally forgettable.
Posted 20 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
Sweet little song! Where are all the horrible comments coming from?
Posted 20 years ago by coentje    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
Sorry--My local clearchannel ruined this song for me. It's like their anthem or something.
There's such a thing as "local clearchannel"? My heavens, that's as much an oxymoron as "George Bush Center for Intelligence." But you have my sympathies. I can see how that would happen.
Posted 20 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
in a way it's a shame they moved off their minimalist arrangement (just guitars and hand drums, IIRC), but I still like them a lot.
Posted 20 years ago by keemun    [ Reply ]
Sorry--My local clearchannel ruined this song for me. It's like their anthem or something.
Posted 20 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
Radio Paradise should be called Radio Guster, all the friggin time, it's just not necessary, now if it was Julio Eglasias all the time, that would rock!!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
This stuff is OK, but not as good as their older stuff. Seems like they've tried to go more "Poppy" to sell more.
Posted 20 years ago by valerama    [ Reply ]
Guster is great. Lost & Gone Forever is my favorite album from them, too, but I really like this song.
Posted 20 years ago by serenity5    [ Reply ]
Bootsy wrote:
When I heard the opening riffs of this track I turned up the speakers because I thought it was that great Cure song...."come back come back don't walk away, come back come back come back to stay".....but then I was only disappointed when it was this top-40ish sounding tune by a band with a lead singer that has an annoying voice.
Yeah, I'm hearing The Cure too. Wish it was them, but....
Posted 20 years ago by SonOfSam    [ Reply ]
i could've swore it was Lifehouse?
Posted 20 years ago by stratrjb    [ Reply ]
When I heard the opening riffs of this track I turned up the speakers because I thought it was that great Cure song...."come back come back don't walk away, come back come back come back to stay".....but then I was only disappointed when it was this top-40ish sounding tune by a band with a lead singer that has an annoying voice.
Posted 20 years ago by Bootsy    [ Reply ]
I've loved Guster for quite a while, but this album is a bit of a departure of the sound I fell in love with. If you want a treat, listen to Lost and Gone Forever. From front to back the album amazes me everytime I hear it.
Posted 20 years ago by Stuntcheeks    [ Reply ]
Mmm, not my style. I can't handle his voice.
Posted 20 years ago by littleblueriver7    [ Reply ]
I like this band. This is my first exposure to them, RP and this CD. I like Jesus on the Radio, and Amsterdam. Previous Discs good?
Posted 20 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]
stubbsz wrote:
Yeah, every bit as bland and ordinary as The Gin Blossoms. How can you compare them to REM or the Cure?
I was not comparing them, but I was actually quoting previous comments and wondering about that too...
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
This song isn't their best, neither is the CD. The past ones were great, especially Parachute. Check them out for some great music!
Posted 20 years ago by Stevo    [ Reply ]
masterhead wrote:
More than the Cure Or REM, I can hear Gin Blossoms..a forgotten band
Yeah, every bit as bland and ordinary as The Gin Blossoms. How can you compare them to REM or the Cure?
Posted 20 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
Not too bad of a song, just a bit bland though. It doesn't really provoke any feeling or emotion. At least for me.
Posted 20 years ago by wxman    [ Reply ]
More than the Cure Or REM, I can hear Gin Blossoms..a forgotten band
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
kept hearing these guys here...and kept wondering who they were...so much, I bought the disc...nothing groundbreaking, but very pleasant, tight arrangements...like the lead's voice...kind of a guilty pleasure...couldn't say exactly WHY I like them, i just do...'nuff said
Posted 20 years ago by EleventhMan    [ Reply ]
Tarquin wrote:
Interesting comments regarding who Guster sounds like. I've never heard this song before, but when it first came on, it sounded to me a lot like... well, Guster. It's always funny to me how we always try to label newer music in terms of older music rather than just accepting a song or a band for what they are. (Also funny how that while I was typing this, RP went into a Cure song. And yeah, the songs sound similar, but there's no way I'd mistake one band for the other.)
Well, I'm hardly an expert, having only heard this album and a few other Guster tracks, but I think they have their own sound, which is synthesized from a lot of other older sounds (sorry, I buy into the theory that there's really not much that hasn't been done before to some extent). Anyway, on most of their songs, I tend to notice some 'influence' sticking out above the crowd. But if the song in reminiscent of early REM or the Cure or whoever, it sitll is noticable as Guster.
Posted 20 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
and sick of it too! :)
Posted 20 years ago by heyho    [ Reply ]
I'm seek of this song already.
Posted 20 years ago by heyho    [ Reply ]
Interesting comments regarding who Guster sounds like. I've never heard this song before, but when it first came on, it sounded to me a lot like... well, Guster. It's always funny to me how we always try to label newer music in terms of older music rather than just accepting a song or a band for what they are. (Also funny how that while I was typing this, RP went into a Cure song. And yeah, the songs sound similar, but there's no way I'd mistake one band for the other.)
Posted 20 years ago by Tarquin    [ Reply ]
OK... a local radio station played this the other day (which was SO COOL, I love this song), but whoever says that station programmers these days are completely clueless is jumping the gun, cause they followed this with Sister Hazel song. So I'm not the only one who thinks this song sounds a LOT like Sister Hazel.
Posted 20 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
i have had this song stuck in my head ALLLLL day... wow -- and i had to check to make sure i'd clicked into the right song when i read all the Cure comparison stuff -- the Cure?? -- seriously? where does anyone hear the Cure in this? Jayhawks: sure, Toad: sure -- CURE? ya'll must be into the GOOD crack... (ha ha ha -- and of course it segues into "letter to elise" -- maybe ya'll didn't notice when the song changed over...?)
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
DBCinCA wrote:
Pleasant enough in small amounts. As noted below, there is definitely a Cure ripoff/homage in the tune, but the comparison to Toad the Wet Sprocket doesn't work for me. This song reminds me more of the Gin Blossoms... anyone else?
Right on DBC. To me it sounds like Cure without the talent. Based on your comment and others it definately takes the prize for derivative song of the week!
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
to sum it up quickly... it sounds like some other songs. just not as good. and unfortunately the slight resemblance to Toad makes me dislike it.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Funny, now when I hear this, I hear similarities to the Jayhawks in this tune... not a bad thing, but strange how what your ear is attuned (sp?) to changes from the time you initially hear a song to the subsequent times you hear it...
Posted 20 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
Pleasant enough in small amounts. As noted below, there is definitely a Cure ripoff/homage in the tune, but the comparison to Toad the Wet Sprocket doesn't work for me. This song reminds me more of the Gin Blossoms... anyone else?
Posted 20 years ago by DBCinCA    [ Reply ]
Pusherman wrote:
You are indeed correct. I went to college at Tufts and lived down the hall from Brian, the bongo player, and he was a big Toad fan. TWS very likely influenced the music of the band. Nevertheless, I don't really care too much for the tune...so it goes.
Toad rocks so much...and I like this song...its their new Single even, but I realy like Guster...finally got them to come play at my college since I'm president of the concert board, and got to hang ou with them...fun stuff, esp Brian
Posted 20 years ago by BoFiS    [ Reply ]
Boring at first, then irritating. Ripped off my earphones.
Posted 20 years ago by Miles    [ Reply ]
drH wrote:
Sounds like the ToadtheWetSprocket of the '00's.
You are indeed correct. I went to college at Tufts and lived down the hall from Brian, the bongo player, and he was a big Toad fan. TWS very likely influenced the music of the band. Nevertheless, I don't really care too much for the tune...so it goes.
Posted 20 years ago by Pusherman    [ Reply ]
drH wrote:
Sounds like the ToadtheWetSprocket of the '00's.
whatever. it just sounds lame to me. i gave it a "2" for "marginal."
Posted 20 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the ToadtheWetSprocket of the '00's.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
I saw these guys live in Seattle and I was really blown away. The drummer plays everything with his hands... even the snare! This song is really catchy but I am going to have to check out the Cure song... I didn't pick this up as a ripoff.
Posted 21 years ago by CeleryStalksMe    [ Reply ]
Too much of a ripoff !!
Posted 21 years ago by iggy33    [ Reply ]
DavidCarrico wrote:
The "Curish" guitar riff is similar to the song "Without You": Go on go on Away from here And I know I was wrong When I said it was true That it couldn't be me and be her Inbetween without you Without you ...
it's actually called "In Between Days"
Posted 21 years ago by streetsintherain    [ Reply ]
Coming to St. Louis on Dec. 7. Going to have to check them out. Local radio station having their annual "River of Toys" charity concert. Also playing are Barenaked Ladies, Wilshire, Hootie & Blowfish, and Gavin DeGraw. Should be good.
Posted 21 years ago by LEFTY6    [ Reply ]
Thought I recognised the riff from somewhere. Still a great song though. With or without the riff. Love the vocals.
Posted 21 years ago by mindless    [ Reply ]
The "Curish" guitar riff is similar to the song "Without You": Go on go on Away from here And I know I was wrong When I said it was true That it couldn't be me and be her Inbetween without you Without you ...
Posted 21 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
newwavegurly wrote:
There's a guitar riff in here that sounds suspiciously like The Cure... anyone else hear it?
Definitely! Jumped right out at me.
Posted 21 years ago by tfast    [ Reply ]
Just got this album last week, and Careful has been in my head ever since!!!! I've been a Guster fan for a long time, and this album certainly doesn't compare to Guster's older material, but taken as is....it's not half bad.
Posted 21 years ago by streetsintherain    [ Reply ]
newwavegurly wrote:
There's a guitar riff in here that sounds suspiciously like The Cure... anyone else hear it?
Funny...I feel like the opening riff sounds like the end of "All Apologies" by Nirvana. I love Guster...great song.
Posted 21 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]
There's a guitar riff in here that sounds suspiciously like The Cure... anyone else hear it?
Posted 21 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by mafe    [ Reply ]
Pleasant pop. This group seems to be at a fork in the road: one way leads to interesting artistic output, and the other leads to inoffensive musical filler. Choose wisely, grasshopper.
Posted 21 years ago by the_om    [ Reply ]
Great choice! Guster is a fantastic band. Let's hear more!
Posted 21 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]