[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Regina Spektor — All the Rowboats
Album: What We Saw from the Cheap Seats
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2946









Released: 2012
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 3
share tweet wikiwebsitesearchamg
cd
mp3
search
All the rowboats
In the paintings
They keep trying to row away
And the captains'
Worried faces
Stay contorted and staring at the waves
They'll keep hanging
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away

Hear them whispering
French and German
Dutch, Italian, and Latin
When no one's looking
I touch a sculpture
Marble, gold, and soft as satin
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing, how to sing
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
How...

First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public
Mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing

They will hang there
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away

First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
They will stay there forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
Comments (141)add comment
 youngers wrote:

This lyric is the real masterpiece.

First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence



Interesting, because she also wrote the theme song for the prison show Orange is the New Black.
Posted 10 months ago by Pound33    [ Reply ]
Saw her on a music documentry. She was charming! Sings good too!
Posted 2 years ago by BlackBetty    [ Reply ]
Kate Bush..like
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
This song changed the way I look at museums. A creative mind at work, Regina.
Posted 2 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
This woman is a genius. That's all I have to say.
Posted 2 years ago by njswede    [ Reply ]
Great song and the fact that she makes those noises herself even better
Posted 2 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
Just had to bump this up from an 8 to a 9, I just love it. 
Posted 2 years ago by ldevich    [ Reply ]
I love today's juxtaposition with Phillip Glass' "Opening". The piano in both have a lot in common (certainly influenced Regina Spektor if not licensed)
Posted 2 years ago by squakmtn    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics brilliantly sung!
Posted 3 years ago by hdavid7    [ Reply ]
I love the lyrics to this song. 
Posted 3 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
I've always enjoyed and sometimes even loved Regina's music...but this one is just outstanding! 
Posted 3 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics, sophisticated piano playing, great voice. This is a brilliant song.
Posted 3 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
This the hauntingly beautiful!
Posted 3 years ago by Meolla_Reio    [ Reply ]
Regina Spektor tickles my brain parts in a manner most delightful
Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Interesting to hear the similarities of this to the preceding Phillip Glass!
Posted 3 years ago by Tjerome    [ Reply ]
Cool song that I liked better on a second listen ...7
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
 youngers wrote:
This lyric is the real masterpiece.

First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
 
So brilliantly clever.
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
This lyric is the real masterpiece.

First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
Posted 4 years ago by youngers    [ Reply ]
 Carl wrote:
Regina Spektor is one singer/songwriter I'd like to see live some day. I think she's great.
 
I have more than once.  Get the best seats you can - NOT in the back of the bottom floor of the CHICAGO theater - the balcony overhang kills the sound!
Posted 4 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Sadly the website doesn't update fast enough to kill this off quick enough.  It takes a few seconds to hit the PSD but it feels much longer.
 
Aw, Crimea River! (Shorter than "Cry Me A River")
Posted 4 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by bkrans9    [ Reply ]
love the music  too bad  about the  FINGERNAILS ON A CHALKBOARD!!!  vocals.. wonder if I can find a way to cut out the HORRIBLE !!!vocals from this track? she should just go back to being  Phil's illegitimate  granddaughter ....
Posted 4 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
She is fabulous!
Posted 4 years ago by Sjsnyderjr    [ Reply ]
Love the music.
Posted 4 years ago by LawDude    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F9CVFjlEHA live on letterman with only a few view, what a waste
Posted 4 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
brava - bella canzono e musica non banale 
Posted 4 years ago by mario_1954    [ Reply ]
Regina Spektor yes, Tori Amos, no
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Huh. Two days in a row! 

Oh, well, love it....
Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:
Before watching Jakob Dylan's Echo in the Canyon,  I wasn't much a fan of Ms. Spektor's tunes played here; after watching it and the performances she was part of, boy, I'm a much bigger fan of her music and went +2 twice on this one...it's a 7 now...Long Live RP and changing tastes!!
 
Another +1 on this one....these lyrics are GREAT....LLRP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Perfect. Beautiful. Spooky, Poetic. Haunting. Artistic, Classical
Posted 4 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
Before watching Jakob Dylan's Echo in the Canyon,  I wasn't much a fan of Ms. Spektor's tunes played here; after watching it and the performances she was part of, boy, I'm a much bigger fan of her music and went +2 twice on this one...it's a 7 now...Long Live RP and changing tastes!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
What a terrific song. It's sinister and bold and disturbing and many things. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Brilliant. I will never again experience a museum the way I did before this song.
Posted 5 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
Halestorm-"I Miss The Misery" pretty similar both great
Posted 5 years ago by adyboy94    [ Reply ]
I think her songs reflect the parlance of out times.  
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Heck of a segue from Poe's "Control"
Posted 5 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
Such an original song. Love it.
Posted 5 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
Smooooth transition from Poe!
Posted 5 years ago by komainu    [ Reply ]
i like the Song, but not the end.
Posted 6 years ago by prodigy999    [ Reply ]
By far my favourite of hers.
Posted 6 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
After hearing this a few times I must admit my initial rating of 7 was too tentative.  I think she is more distinctive than I first thought and I really like this song so bumping up from 7 --> 8.
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Love her mind.
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
YES! Play more Regina! 
Posted 6 years ago by Jenny.lendrum1    [ Reply ]
delightful
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 RandomousJam wrote:
Although I feel a twinge of shame when I say it, I have to say that I love this piece.

 
Why a twinge of shame?  You should revel in what you love!  {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 6 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
Wow, so much hate in the comments. 

Don't worry Regina, I still like it.
Posted 6 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
wow, she really got into those paintings.
Posted 7 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
 PopKombo wrote:
Yeah, well, like that's just your opinion, man.

 

Posted 8 years ago by izycrzy    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Got it, Mr Henry.

 
Oh, I know what song you were probably referring to: "Cemetery Polka" from the "Rain Dogs" album. This tune has similar phrasing in spots, sort of an old cabaret/dance hall style.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 gvan wrote:
FREE THE PAINTED ROWBOATS AND UNUSED VIOLINS NOW!

 
Rise up!
Posted 9 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression.  It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though.  I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.

 
Got it, Mr Henry.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Yeah, well, like that's just your opinion, man.
Posted 10 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
not for frequent listening..... 4 times in the past 30 days is too much {#Think}
Posted 10 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 RoelantSiekman wrote:
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
 
I don't know, man, but she's amazing, right? PS: I think she came from Moscow.

Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
The phrasing of the lyrics are not well structured and the lyrics lean to the banal side...sorry to say.
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Although I feel a twinge of shame when I say it, I have to say that I love this piece.
Posted 10 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
Irritating at best
Posted 11 years ago by drcrnp    [ Reply ]
Sadly the website doesn't update fast enough to kill this off quick enough.  It takes a few seconds to hit the PSD but it feels much longer.
Posted 11 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I kinda like this tune, but it's quickly getting on my nerves.
 
It got on my nerves the first time I heard it, and now I have to either hot MUTE or PSD, as the case may be.

It's the sing-songy, nursery-rhyme structure that drives me nuts and—unfortunately—it quickly becomes an unwanted ohrwurm (earworm) that reverberates in my head hours afterward. Thus the need to immediately deal with it!

(To say nothing about her STUPID expression on the album cover!)
Posted 11 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I don't mind it... I just think it'd be better with just piano and maybe some strings and a tympani or something other than the electronic drums and effects. 
Posted 11 years ago by aquadonia    [ Reply ]
I kinda like this tune, but it's quickly getting on my nerves.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?

 
It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression.  It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though.  I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Very creative. 

 
Yeah, most of her music is like that. Very different, not cookie cutter at all. I like her
Posted 11 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Very creative. 
Posted 11 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
ok, but played too much for me...
Posted 11 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]
8 -> for awesome "mouth drums" at the end.
{#Sick} {#Drummer}
Posted 11 years ago by 80poundsOfFury    [ Reply ]
7 ~> 9
Posted 11 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
 rtwingo wrote:

An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.



 

As much as I like Regina, I have to agree.  This album wasn't great.
Posted 11 years ago by FluorideFreeMN    [ Reply ]
A very rare for me  1.
Posted 11 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 

 TerryS wrote:
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?

 zurcronium wrote:

Carefully done, all current music can be traced back to Tom Waits. 

 
My nipples are bursting with pleasure at the very thought. 

If Tom tried to sing a song with such a fast time as this one, his liver would fall out and shatter. 

 
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?

 
Carefully done, all current music can be traced back to Tom Waits. 
Posted 11 years ago by zurcronium    [ Reply ]
FREE THE PAINTED ROWBOATS AND UNUSED VIOLINS NOW!
Posted 11 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
 wintergaard wrote:
I'm sorry I just cannot get past the mind numbing electric guitar endless repeating the same jarring phrase.   It sets my teeth on edge and I cannot hear anything else.
 

I was thinking frantic but jarring works for me.
Posted 11 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry I just cannot get past the mind numbing electric guitar endless repeating the same jarring phrase.   It sets my teeth on edge and I cannot hear anything else.
Posted 11 years ago by wintergaard    [ Reply ]
Interesting great creativity Regina would have passed by me, if not radioparadise! Thank You!
Posted 11 years ago by gresua    [ Reply ]
Her phrasing is fantastic. Running back and forth among the notes.
Posted 11 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
My thoughts exactly!
 

bam23 wrote:
Absolutely, this song has grown considerably on me. This is a very talented and interesting person making music.
 


Posted 11 years ago by hsharp    [ Reply ]
Absolutely, this song has grown considerably on me. This is a very talented and interesting person making music.
Posted 11 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Talented and creative. Oddly enough she reminds me of Randy Newman, but with a much lighter sense of humor. Where Randy tears chunks out of your heart, Regina nibbles away at it. In the end the effect is the same, but Regina kills you softly.
Posted 11 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Regina Spektor -  3:37
"All The Rowboats"
by ReginaSpektor  1,755,145 views

A very cool woman and one of many very cool songs!
Posted 11 years ago by MTachyon    [ Reply ]
I like this more and more each time I hear it. The clever lyrics and the piano ... {#Bananapiano}
Posted 11 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
This is one I didn't like the first few times I heard it, it's grown on me.  Thanks, Bill.
Posted 11 years ago by jimys    [ Reply ]
 rtwingo wrote:

An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.

 
Some of the other songs are pretty good imho, but having listened to the album Far again recently, this album does rather pale in comparison...
Posted 11 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]

An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.


Posted 12 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
"Luke, I am your father..."

https://www.onlinesocialmedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/eastenders2.jpg
Posted 12 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
Did not understand all lyrics, but not very intersting music for my taste!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
That was crap. I take back my donation.
Posted 12 years ago by bogusname    [ Reply ]
ugh, i do not find the lyrics accessible at all. 
Posted 12 years ago by k8ling1114    [ Reply ]
Regina Spektor is one singer/songwriter I'd like to see live some day. I think she's great.
Posted 12 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
https://img.fotocommunity.com/photos/6936408.jpg
Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
Listening to the lyrics ... interesting poetry .. disturbing .. arousing .. depressing ....
 
The lyrics seem to be about a museum - possibly the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC (since she lived in NYC for a long time) - which has a musical instrument wing, with violins, in what could be described as being "glass coffins".
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Listening to the lyrics ... interesting poetry .. disturbing .. arousing .. depressing ....


Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
stevendejong
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 12:47 < Reply >
 t00lur wrote:
romeotuma = Bill
  
Why listen to a radio station that plays songs you mostly (46%) hate with a passion?

stevendejong has a solid point here toward t00lur!  {#Think}


Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
 RoelantSiekman wrote:
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
 
From Russia, of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Spektor 
Posted 12 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
The album for me is not as good as Far but then I think Far is really quite exceptional.  That said some songs and particularly this one are absolutely awesome.  10 the only possibile outcome for this one.
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 t00lur wrote:
romeotuma = Bill
 
Why listen to a radio station that plays songs you mostly (46%) hate with a passion?
Posted 12 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
 t00lur wrote:
romeotuma = Bill
 
Not even wrong. 

Please grow up.  
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
romeotuma = Bill
Posted 12 years ago by t00lur    [ Reply ]
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
Posted 12 years ago by RoelantSiekman    [ Reply ]
Oh, this has suddenly, totally unexpectedly gotten into my brain. I. Love. It.
Posted 12 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

Shall we start with that hat?

Just obnoxious all the way around. 
 
Looks like a pretty cool hat to me and that pic looks like a straight forward shot of a woman looking into the camera without posing, just being herself. But whatever, dude.
Posted 12 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
 SweTex wrote:
 And in what  way does she look "stupid"??...8, btw.
 
Shall we start with that hat?

Just obnoxious all the way around. 
Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
what we saw—my dear—was lovely you offering us this wonderfully sang song of yours ... marvelous! Mercy! {#Sunny}
Posted 12 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
  

And in what  way does she look "stupid"??...8, btw.
Posted 12 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
why does everyone love her so much. i so don't get it.
 
Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
Posted 12 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Seems to me that art hanging is museums probably is viewed and enjoyed by more people than the artist could ever have imagined when they created it.
Posted 12 years ago by edbollix    [ Reply ]
 docuplate wrote:
Yes, brilliant lyrics - exactly how I feel in art museums sometimes, well mostly (despite the fact that I am passionate about art) a confusing mix of muse-ing and mania because everyone is taking themselves so very damn seriously that I have no one to marvel with about the dog under the table keeping time with his tail while Picasso's Trois Musiciens play on.
 
What an interesting post. 
Posted 12 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
Regina Vega
 

Vegina?
Posted 12 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 docuplate wrote:
Yes, brilliant lyrics - exactly how I feel in art museums sometimes, well mostly (despite the fact that I am passionate about art) a confusing mix of muse-ing and mania because everyone is taking themselves so very damn seriously that I have no one to marvel with about the dog under the table keeping time with his tail while Picasso's Trois Musiciens play on.
 
I usually don't pay very much attention to other people when I'm in museums.  Quite an enjoyable tune.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
First there's lights out, then there's lock up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault for being timeless
There's a price to pay and a consequence
All the galleries, the museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins they keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing

They will stay there in their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day

I just think this is brilliant. A very unique way of looking at it.
Posted 12 years ago by g-rod    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
So much talent here, can't wait to hear where she goes next!
 
Why, to the Outside Lands Music Festival, of course!{#Bananapiano}
Posted 12 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
So much talent here, can't wait to hear where she goes next!
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
why does everyone love her so much. i so don't get it.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
See her on Colbert Report, if you're a fan.  Her music isn't for me, but the interview was interesting. 
Posted 12 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
Regina Vega
 

Your about two months late on that comp...but good try Ray.

sbegf
(Manchester, Maryland)
Posted: Mar 07, 2012 - 09:40 < Reply | Edit | Delete >
 prophetzarquon wrote:
OK - I'll kick this one off.

In traditional manner for RP reviews - who does it sound like?

Suzanne Vega? and in a good way.
 
Agree with Vega as a comp... the ending was odd.  Sounded like she was making play sound effects.
Posted 12 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
Regina Vega
Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
This is like the soundtrack to a frenzied bad dream.
One where I'm running around looking for something that can't be found.
And running as fast as I can through quicksand. Yikes !
Posted 12 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:

yeah what the hell were they thinking with those shitty voice-drum sounds?
 
I third that WTF. Seriously, how on earth did the producer think that going boosh, boosh, boosh, at the end of the song was appealing? Turns quirky into fromage.
Posted 12 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
This song was fun at first, but it's grown really really tiresome.
Posted 12 years ago by jehahn    [ Reply ]