Tame Impala — Elephant
Album: LonerismAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1803
Length: 3:29
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well he feels like an elephant,
Shakin' his big grey trunk for the hell of it.
He knows that you're dreaming about being loved by him.
Too bad your chances are slim
And it's not like Mr. Shuck to get shy
when they ask him who is on top.
There must be something deep down in the dark down there.
But he's not too easily scared.
He's got friends but they got the fear,
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared.
Oh look, hey, there he is now coming down the stairs.
Here he comes...
He pulled the mirrors off his cadillac,
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back.
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact.
Somebody grabbed his collar
He cried the whole way home
Nobody remembered a thing when they saw him again
That's how it is till the end.
Shakin' his big grey trunk for the hell of it.
He knows that you're dreaming about being loved by him.
Too bad your chances are slim
And it's not like Mr. Shuck to get shy
when they ask him who is on top.
There must be something deep down in the dark down there.
But he's not too easily scared.
He's got friends but they got the fear,
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared.
Oh look, hey, there he is now coming down the stairs.
Here he comes...
He pulled the mirrors off his cadillac,
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back.
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact.
Somebody grabbed his collar
He cried the whole way home
Nobody remembered a thing when they saw him again
That's how it is till the end.
Comments (152)add comment
TheKing2 wrote:
Like in John Lennon?
and with McCartney-esqu bass lines..
Like in John Lennon?
and with McCartney-esqu bass lines..
The album photo is a picture of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. One of my favorite places. 
vinylbob wrote:
For sure, and unlike their last album which was a big change for the worse in my view - lost their edge.
The entire LP is very good.
For sure, and unlike their last album which was a big change for the worse in my view - lost their edge.
Glad to hear this back in rotation, it's been a while.
stretcher wrote:
Or Claypool Lennon Delirium?
I like it.
I hear the Lennon in there, but only the voice.
Anyone else hear Them Crooked Vultures / Queens of the Stone Age?
Or Claypool Lennon Delirium?
On_The_Beach wrote:
Like in John Lennon?
Sounds kinda Lennon-y to me.
Like in John Lennon?
Few years back in Oakland... Crowd loved this song and Kevin remarked they never had that reaction before.
love hearing this right after blondie - call me.
coloradojohn wrote:
Great description. Thanks!
I love the T-Rex-like wall-of-guitars sound within this, the early Floyd-like keys, the shimmering Sweet-like vocal harmonies, the rumbling, sinister Black Sabbath-like bass, and the trippy Jeff Lynne/ John Lennon-like voice and production... When I saw them that tour at The Boulder Theater, at proper psilocybin canna-chocolate-boosted orbit -- with White Denim opening, to boot! -- they sent us aloft, and kept us all out there for the duration. See them jam if you can!
Great description. Thanks!
i could go for significantly more tame impala on RP. 8/10
Some of the guitar work sounds like it has been influenced by the Dr Who theme
ThePoose wrote:
or a Chevrolet
In the natural world, a tame impala is a dead impala.
or a Chevrolet
On_The_Beach wrote:
..or Tommy James
Sounds kinda Lennon-y to me.
..or Tommy James
Stomping, bass madness.....love it!
I love the T-Rex-like wall-of-guitars sound within this, the early Floyd-like keys, the shimmering Sweet-like vocal harmonies, the rumbling, sinister Black Sabbath-like bass, and the trippy Jeff Lynne/ John Lennon-like voice and production... When I saw them that tour at The Boulder Theater, at proper psilocybin canna-chocolate-boosted orbit -- with White Denim opening, to boot! -- they sent us aloft, and kept us all out there for the duration. See them jam if you can!
The Wiggles children's group covered this for Triple-J's "Like a version" and came in at #1 on the hottest 100 for 2021.
Love his voice like Lennon
The Wiggles covered this song very recently (March, 2021). It's a trip!
Here's the youtube link!
Here's the youtube link!
I heard this in a record store in Melbourne and bought the CD on that basis.
I was visiting the city for the first time since I'd lived there as a kid in the 1970s.
I remember being introduced to such great music by Ian Meldrum's Countdown, so I've always associated Australia with different (more interesting) music than than which was being played when I got back to the US.
So it was great to have that magical 'record store experience' and come across this song.
'Here he comes'
I was visiting the city for the first time since I'd lived there as a kid in the 1970s.
I remember being introduced to such great music by Ian Meldrum's Countdown, so I've always associated Australia with different (more interesting) music than than which was being played when I got back to the US.
So it was great to have that magical 'record store experience' and come across this song.
'Here he comes'
This song on his last tour.... Man, it was great... maybe it was the substances or maybe it was the laser eyes on the video projection or maybe it was both (yeah, it was definitely both)
I like these guys, but I'd never really listened to the lyrics of this one. Weird stuff!
Most definitely has a Dr. Who theme vibe.
Love this line! One of their best tunes IMHO.
"He pulled the mirrors off his cadillac,
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back."
"He pulled the mirrors off his cadillac,
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back."
BCarn wrote:
"Hatred"? Really? It's only a song. Chill. Now if it was Neil Young...well.
Or Phil Collins.
"Hatred"? Really? It's only a song. Chill. Now if it was Neil Young...well.
Or Phil Collins.
I like it.
I hear the Lennon in there, but only the voice.
Anyone else hear Them Crooked Vultures / Queens of the Stone Age?
I hear the Lennon in there, but only the voice.
Anyone else hear Them Crooked Vultures / Queens of the Stone Age?
Subconsciously, I’m thinking of watching a Dr Who episode ...
Nah, 3
ploba wrote:
"Hatred"? Really? It's only a song. Chill. Now if it was Neil Young...well.
my hatred for everything this band has done knows no bounds
"Hatred"? Really? It's only a song. Chill. Now if it was Neil Young...well.
my hatred for everything this band has done knows no bounds
Very Floydian...not a bad thing
Hannio wrote:
I remember now - Shake Hands With Beef.
Reminds me of something from Primus, but I can't think what.
I remember now - Shake Hands With Beef.
On_The_Beach wrote:
So rate it a little higher ~
Sounds kinda Lennon-y to me.
So rate it a little higher ~
Sounds kinda Lennon-y to me.
A nice 'shifting of gears' in this song
scaling down bassline reminds me of "Money" Pink Floyd...nice
Instant 7!! ...and the songs only begun, it may rate higher...
More Tame Impala sir please
Cannon wrote:
Me too.
Love that line.
Me too.
"He pulled the mirrors off his cadillac,
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back"
Love that line.
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back"
Love that line.
vinylbob wrote:
Sounds like somebody should get busy and upload a few more songs from this LP/CD/Album.
The entire LP is very good.
Sounds like somebody should get busy and upload a few more songs from this LP/CD/Album.
aspicer wrote:
Agreed. Reminds me a little bit of Metric.
Love this track! Groovy, cool, fun, interesting... 
Agreed. Reminds me a little bit of Metric.
Love this track! Groovy, cool, fun, interesting...
The entire LP is very good.
First time hearing this and not bad, although the middle section sounds like the opening tune to Airwolf the 80's TV shows with Jean Michel Vincent!!
misterbearbaby wrote:
Seems bill sees the White Stripes match too. he played them next
I had to get up from lunch to see if this was Pink Floyd's "Meddle" or "Ummagumma," or maybe a track from the video "Live at Pompeii." (which, by the way, is f*ing FANTASTIC - from when Pink Floyd was a percussion unit) - Couldn't quite remember which, figured those neurons must have gotten damaged and urinated away long ago. TAME IMPALA!? W.T.F.!?
I wouldn't say their drumming is 'rubbish.' Look at the White Stripes- now there's some drumming that despite being rubbish actually works quite well. Not every rock drummer is Bonzo or Cozy... Wanna see some Satanically-deranged drumming? Watch the 1972 video "Led Zeppelin"- Bonham was the Animal God of rock drumming; one must see him to believe him.
Yes, it's still 1972, baby.
I wouldn't say their drumming is 'rubbish.' Look at the White Stripes- now there's some drumming that despite being rubbish actually works quite well. Not every rock drummer is Bonzo or Cozy... Wanna see some Satanically-deranged drumming? Watch the 1972 video "Led Zeppelin"- Bonham was the Animal God of rock drumming; one must see him to believe him.
Yes, it's still 1972, baby.
Seems bill sees the White Stripes match too. he played them next
Originale.
maybe
I had to get up from lunch to see if this was Pink Floyd's "Meddle" or "Ummagumma," or maybe a track from the video "Live at Pompeii." (which, by the way, is f*ing FANTASTIC - from when Pink Floyd was a percussion unit) - Couldn't quite remember which, figured those neurons must have gotten damaged and urinated away long ago. TAME IMPALA!? W.T.F.!?
I wouldn't say their drumming is 'rubbish.' Look at the White Stripes- now there's some drumming that despite being rubbish actually works quite well. Not every rock drummer is Bonzo or Cozy... Wanna see some Satanically-deranged drumming? Watch the 1972 video "Led Zeppelin"- Bonham was the Animal God of rock drumming; one must see him to believe him.
Yes, it's still 1972, baby.
I wouldn't say their drumming is 'rubbish.' Look at the White Stripes- now there's some drumming that despite being rubbish actually works quite well. Not every rock drummer is Bonzo or Cozy... Wanna see some Satanically-deranged drumming? Watch the 1972 video "Led Zeppelin"- Bonham was the Animal God of rock drumming; one must see him to believe him.
Yes, it's still 1972, baby.
midigitguy wrote:
Tame Impala also do a neat cover version of Todd's song "International Feel".
Check out Todd's remix of this tune...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBaW1RyGUz8
or
https://soundcloud.com/modularpeople/tame-impala-elephant-todd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBaW1RyGUz8
or
https://soundcloud.com/modularpeople/tame-impala-elephant-todd
Tame Impala also do a neat cover version of Todd's song "International Feel".
Check out Todd's remix of this tune...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBaW1RyGUz8
or
https://soundcloud.com/modularpeople/tame-impala-elephant-todd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBaW1RyGUz8
or
https://soundcloud.com/modularpeople/tame-impala-elephant-todd
Reminds me of something from Primus, but I can't think what.
BillG wrote:
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
Probably not, but I don't even listen to radio stations at all except for WUSC and WRAS (who used to play Tame Impala before they became mainstream). I think I was more referring to those blasted commercials and just assumed mainstream radio played them as well, but of course I would have no idea.
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
Probably not, but I don't even listen to radio stations at all except for WUSC and WRAS (who used to play Tame Impala before they became mainstream). I think I was more referring to those blasted commercials and just assumed mainstream radio played them as well, but of course I would have no idea.
this song wouldn't be a 1/4 bad if it wasn't played every 10 minutes as a commercial for verizon
In the natural world, a tame impala is a dead impala.
Zep wrote:
(muttering/growling) "All you young punk whippersnappers that have never listened to a real radio. Why, back in my day ....."
(It's not that far-fetched, people.)
What is a "radio station?"
(muttering/growling) "All you young punk whippersnappers that have never listened to a real radio. Why, back in my day ....."
(It's not that far-fetched, people.)
lily34 wrote:
I have no clue, but I like them anyway.
i read the lyrics, too. i'm still unsure as to what they mean...
I have no clue, but I like them anyway.
BillG wrote:
What is a "radio station?"
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
What is a "radio station?"
One more retro sound. Reminds me some of Family.
sirdroseph wrote:
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
I remember when I first heard this song I thought it was pretty cool. Gawd that seems like a lifetime ago! My fervent hope is that I will be fortunate enough to never hear it again. As long as I don't listen to mainstream radio I should be safe.......right?
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
For me, the way these guys play -- especially on cuts like The Bold Arrow of Time and I Don't Mind (Innerspeaker album) calls up lots of wonderful associations, from Black Sabbath and Sweet to Hendrix and T-Rex, and I love the way they stay in pretty much full-on Barrett mode the whole time... I also think the cover's very Floydian -- the French palace (Versailles? or something like it) off-limits to outsiders.
I remember when I first heard this song I thought it was pretty cool. Gawd that seems like a lifetime ago! My fervent hope is that I will be fortunate enough to never hear it again. As long as I don't listen to mainstream radio I should be safe.......right?
unclehud wrote:
i read the lyrics, too. i'm still unsure as to what they mean...
8. Heard it enough times to decide, and read the lyrics. (Is the "Lyrics" button a relatively new addition?)
Yep, I like it.
Yep, I like it.
i read the lyrics, too. i'm still unsure as to what they mean...
I was planning on going to see them here in Richmond but the show sold out.
TI are big Todd Rundgren fans and they had him do a remix of this tune.
TI are big Todd Rundgren fans and they had him do a remix of this tune.
Impala are known as the McDonald's of Africa since everything and everybody eats them.
Beth Orton is a drag! Never heard a singer with such a boring voice.....
8. Heard it enough times to decide, and read the lyrics. (Is the "Lyrics" button a relatively new addition?)
Yep, I like it.
Yep, I like it.
Familiar and shameless copy of the descending and reoccurring riff in "Money" by Pink Floyd.
Holy Clear Channel repetition, Batman!
favrood wrote:
There were no Beatles in 1976.
Beatles circa 1976 after a few listens of Wind and Wuthering...
There were no Beatles in 1976.
Texture and timbre and cool ...
i like it more every time i hear it for some reason. always grabs me.
How to copy five or six different bands within one only song ... terrible !
Beatles circa 1976 after a few listens of Wind and Wuthering...
The rest of the album not so impressive, this one though - hits me every time!
9
9This Elephant?
https://youtu.be/gO60Gygw3W0
... and tonight Bill follows it with T Rex: "Girl, I'm just a Jeepster for your loooooooove."
Nice.
Nice.
joempie wrote:
Glad it's not Muse though... I like this song, you can hear the influences of Queens of the Stone Age I think, plus some typical glam influences. The rest of the album was not nearly as good I thought...
Yep. They came to our village. A bit lame really.
Glad it's not Muse though... I like this song, you can hear the influences of Queens of the Stone Age I think, plus some typical glam influences. The rest of the album was not nearly as good I thought...
Yep. They came to our village. A bit lame really.
... as if beatles and pink floyd met and traveled in time to years later and found body in this delicious body called Tamed Impala
I am digging these guys - nice tasty reinvention of the past, injected with some new post-modern rock sensibilities.
Like early Floyd. But not as good.
Boy this one sure got old fast, but it had a lot of help apparently here too!
nevar23 wrote:
You beat me to it.
I'm hearing Beatles + Suzi Quatro
And no, I'm not that old. ;-)
The Beatles + Kasabian + Oasis?
You beat me to it.
I'm hearing Beatles + Suzi Quatro
And no, I'm not that old. ;-)
I don't know why, but this song makes me want to buy a Blackberry. :-)
this one gets played daily, it seems.
channeling T. Rex!! love this tune from guys who probably weren't even born when Marc Bolan was stomping around in his platforms!
Definitely a very cool tune.
The Beatles + Kasabian + Oasis?
daedalus wrote:
I can hear that, too.
Ugh ! Gary Glitter...
I can hear that, too.
Every time I hear this, another layer, another nuance reveals and scintillates, making me like it even more...impeccable timing with the change-ups within this jamming gem, too!
Anybody want to identify the cover photo location? Looks like some James Bond Bad Guy is throwing a hell of a lawn party.
Pink Sabbath. 
Muse meets ELP..
I agree this is becoming a little overplayed now, but man I love this song. Especially love the breakdown mid-way with the keyboards.
richlister wrote:
Seriously??
What the Beatles should have sounded like.
Seriously??
LIKE! Thx for turning me on to these guys.
Boris the Spider by the Who
Proclivities wrote:
Good point, but this much more whimsical and fun than anything Sabbath ever did.
It's a cool song,and I agree with the whimsy part. It reminds me of Boris the Spider in that regard....
Good point, but this much more whimsical and fun than anything Sabbath ever did.
It's a cool song,and I agree with the whimsy part. It reminds me of Boris the Spider in that regard....
gypsyman wrote:
Yes!
but I like it!
I know. How about some Uriah Heep. Maybe from Magician's Birthday.
Yes!
but I like it!
They played a shortened (unfortunately!) version of this mad jammer on Jimmy Fallon a few nights back, and THEY ROCKED! Good to see them: With Hofner bass and Rickey guitar (Beatles' gear), sporting groovy old-school rocker clothes and hair...FELT LIKE A FLASHBACK, FOR SURE — DIGGIN' IT IMMENSELY!
What the Beatles should have sounded like.
lososs wrote:
Tend to agree. Seems like I've been hearing this song everyday for the past week.
played a bit too many times over the last couple of days though.. I know because I am starting to wear out the PSD button
(not that there's anything wrong with the song per se, it just doesn't work for me)
(not that there's anything wrong with the song per se, it just doesn't work for me)
Tend to agree. Seems like I've been hearing this song everyday for the past week.
played a bit too many times over the last couple of days though.. I know because I am starting to wear out the PSD button
(not that there's anything wrong with the song per se, it just doesn't work for me)
(not that there's anything wrong with the song per se, it just doesn't work for me)
Sounds like they lifted this directly from Doctor Who!
<iframe xx="560" yy="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VkcHgI_TIYQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe xx="560" yy="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VkcHgI_TIYQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
dig wrote:
Good point, but this much more whimsical and fun than anything Sabbath ever did.
Syd Barrett meets Black Sabbath. Love it!
Good point, but this much more whimsical and fun than anything Sabbath ever did.
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Glad it's not Muse though... I like this song, you can hear the influences of Queens of the Stone Age I think, plus some typical glam influences. The rest of the album was not nearly as good I thought...
Beginning of the song reminds me of a song from Muse (don't know which, but a recent one).
Glad it's not Muse though... I like this song, you can hear the influences of Queens of the Stone Age I think, plus some typical glam influences. The rest of the album was not nearly as good I thought...
Beginning of the song reminds me of a song from Muse (don't know which, but a recent one).
Overrated band. Boring track.
dig wrote:
Very interesting point....well done.
Syd Barrett meets Black Sabbath. Love it!
Very interesting point....well done.
Just received the album last week. Played it all week-end. Thank you Radio Paradise !
Wow! Holy underratings batman!
Suffering from hipster fatigue I guess.
Suffering from hipster fatigue I guess.
i like.
Syd Barrett meets Black Sabbath. Love it!
Ugh ! Gary Glitter...
Hey folks take my advice: never use a brush with thatmusic during having a shower! Sunday, bloody sunday!
gypsyman wrote:
Now that's a thought. Love Uriah Heep.....
I know. How about some Uriah Heep. Maybe from Magician's Birthday.
Now that's a thought. Love Uriah Heep.....
Who knew? The "Dr. Who" theme has lyrics! 
Kanuffen wrote:
And, erm, Garry Glitter. Stompety-stomp! This impala doesn't sound at all tame - I'll bet it would kick lion arse bigtime. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Anyone else having Black Sabbath flashbacks?
And, erm, Garry Glitter. Stompety-stomp! This impala doesn't sound at all tame - I'll bet it would kick lion arse bigtime. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Kanuffen wrote:
Black Sabbath, but with Ozzy replaced by Paul McCartney?I rather like it.
Anyone else having Black Sabbath flashbacks?
Black Sabbath, but with Ozzy replaced by Paul McCartney?I rather like it.
coloradojohn wrote:
I have — and it is a good one! This one, Why Won't They Talk to Me? and Mind Mischief are all pretty groovy rockers, but then there's Keep On Lying, which takes it to the level of downright trippy, and Sun's Coming Up is so out there it's a lot like Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast on Pink Floyd's Atom-Heart Mother...
Appreciate that response CO John! Thx. Looks like it will be added to the wish list....
I have — and it is a good one! This one, Why Won't They Talk to Me? and Mind Mischief are all pretty groovy rockers, but then there's Keep On Lying, which takes it to the level of downright trippy, and Sun's Coming Up is so out there it's a lot like Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast on Pink Floyd's Atom-Heart Mother...
Appreciate that response CO John! Thx. Looks like it will be added to the wish list....
Uh, where are these "mainstream" radio stations blasting out the Tame Impala? I'd like to meet them.
Our local radio station, Live 105, played them before disappearing and then miraculously coming back. Too many commercials, but they play great music with lots of new stuff.