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Grant-Lee Phillips — See America
Album: Mobilize
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1029









Released: 2001
Length: 4:59
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Sleeping in a yellow cab
My head against the barrier
Lost 'em as we touched St. Anne
Stepped from the ferryboat there
Looked around the terminal
Paid the toll
And split the fare
Wake me up
Oh, wake me before Union Square
Got a couple numbers to call
Tryin' to wrack my brains
But I can't think of the name
Or the hotel at all
We're off to see America
We're asking for directions, yes
We're off to see America
We're tumbling in our chariot
Speeding over soaking streets
Tides of the destitute wail
Coughing up a lung of steam
Rise from the underground rail
Never felt so far away
Up till now
I was green
Wake me up
Oh, wake me before Union Square
Got a couple numbers to call
Tryin' to wrack my brains
But I can't think of the name
Or the hotel at all
We're off to see America
We're asking for directions, yes
We're off to see America
We're tumbling in our chariot
What a slender thread
I've been clinging to
All these cracks for me
To slip into
We're off to see America
Comments (127)add comment
 gabbadar wrote:

Is this the lead singer from Travis?



No Grant Lee Buffalo
Posted 6 months ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Travis; I like Travis so I like this as well
Posted 11 months ago by Canal145    [ Reply ]
...big fan since his get go.
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:
Oh no, not the C-chord to Em intro -- NO!! -- as when you first learn to play guitar 


You mean tonic chord to the minor chord on the mediant?  A staple of sad songs since time immemorial.  Rather nicely done here, I thought.
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Is this the lead singer from Travis?
Posted 2 years ago by gabbadar    [ Reply ]
Oh no, not the C-chord to Em intro -- NO!! -- as when you first learn to play guitar 
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
Someone might have listened to Imagine too many times!
Posted 3 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Wish my parents had named me Grant-Lee.

That might have prevented many people from getting my name the 'wrong' way around and calling me Philip.

I might have had the same problem if my name was Philip Stephens.
 
Anybody else have to put up with this sort of thing over the years... having a surname very similar to a given name? 


 

You may have to ask Keith Richards or Rod Stewart.  
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Wish my parents had named me Grant-Lee.

That might have prevented many people from getting my name the 'wrong' way around and calling me Philip.

I might have had the same problem if my name was Philip Stephens.
 
Anybody else have to put up with this sort of thing over the years... having a surname very similar to a given name? 


Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Lee Diamond Phillips, uh? Lou, the album cover that is.
Posted 6 years ago by sfomike    [ Reply ]
This is one of my favorite lesser known albums - great songs, and interesting production end to end. It also reminds me of another favorite in the same vein: Richard Butler’s self titled solo album.
Posted 6 years ago by Synth80s    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Which Union Square? Is there another that's not in Manhattan?

 
SF Grant-Lee is from the Bay Area
Posted 6 years ago by Cachatons    [ Reply ]
Which Union Square? Is there another that's not in Manhattan?


Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
5.9? are you f.. kidding me?
Posted 7 years ago by topcat99    [ Reply ]
 PurplePrincess wrote:

Hmmm...I kinda like the slidey way he hits the notes, and he does eventually hit them...and I like his breathy delivery.

 
{#Yes}
It's his schtick and he's a bit too fond of it (every song of his that I've heard has this technique) but what the hey. I like his voice and the music behind it. Starts at 8.
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Luv me some GLP
Posted 7 years ago by jjparadise    [ Reply ]
 Andybob wrote:

and then there were the Italians 


 


Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
 twoplain2sea wrote:
People thought the earth was flat, so farming and sightseeing became easier   

 


Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
People thought the earth was flat, so farming and sightseeing became easier   
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:


Because despite what you think of it (or what I think of it, for that matter), the ratings would seem to indicate that more people here like it than hate it.

It is the very height of narcissism to think that your taste, and yours alone, should determine the playlist here. 


 
The ratings aren't impressive.  I did not rate it, I try not to rate things negatively.  But I have an attitude about my time and pleasure.  Why waste precious moments on musical dreck which does nothing for my endorphins. To quote Auntie Mame, "Life is a banquet, and most people out there are starving.")
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
S&G did it MUCH  better..
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Okay, bye-bye, don't forget to write.
Posted 13 years ago by scmerriam    [ Reply ]
 Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:


Because despite what you think of it (or what I think of it, for that matter), the ratings would seem to indicate that more people here like it than hate it.

It is the very height of narcissism to think that your taste, and yours alone, should determine the playlist here. 
 


Posted 13 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
 ssg wrote:
This is ground control to Major Tom.
I have new lyrics, over.
 

{#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
 Ando wrote:
This just keeps getting worse and worse.
 
I feel your pain.  6ish

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 meloman wrote:

You got that right! Why is this junk still in rotation?
 

Because despite what you think of it (or what I think of it, for that matter), the ratings would seem to indicate that more people here like it than hate it.

It is the very height of narcissism to think that your taste, and yours alone, should determine the playlist here. 
Posted 14 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
Never heared this before, but its not good for the winter depression, i guess!!( That means, i am not sure!)
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]

I thought it was a pretty good song. America is a beautiful country.
  Anybody beside me get the feeling he hears Simon and Garfunkel and decides to write a song?


Posted 15 years ago by tom-kenna    [ Reply ]
To follow this with "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens would be sublime!
Posted 15 years ago by kimacho    [ Reply ]
This just keeps getting worse and worse.
Posted 15 years ago by Ando    [ Reply ]
 xs9095 wrote:


Excelsior .... have you had your klonopins today?? remember, three a day @ 2mgs,will keep you right on track.. {#Chillpill}
 
The troll needs a strong spliff and a few Es, and only then will the faintest ghost of a smile appear on his miserable chops. As for this song, it really is awful DULL...

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Good God. How about hitting at least ONE of the notes you're supposed to?  And you're allowed to go straight to them, instead of sliding from one note to the next, EVERY NOTE.

 

Excelsior .... have you had your klonopins today?? remember, three a day @ 2mgs,will keep you right on track.. {#Chillpill}


Posted 15 years ago by xs9095    [ Reply ]
What a gorgeous track{#Umbrella}
Posted 16 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Good God. How about hitting at least ONE of the notes you're supposed to?  And you're allowed to go straight to them, instead of sliding from one note to the next, EVERY NOTE.
 
Hmmm...I kinda like the slidey way he hits the notes, and he does eventually hit them...and I like his breathy delivery.
Posted 16 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
7 or maybe 8 ... 
Posted 16 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
Good God. How about hitting at least ONE of the notes you're supposed to?  And you're allowed to go straight to them, instead of sliding from one note to the next, EVERY NOTE.

Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
 ssg wrote:
This is ground control to Major Tom.
I have new lyrics, over.

 
{#Roflol} Nicely done.

Posted 16 years ago by not-a-fish    [ Reply ]
someone get him to the departure lounge... soooon! Don't come back now...!
Posted 16 years ago by Montyontherun    [ Reply ]
schrodingersdog wrote:
The song's ok, but its a bit long considering how repetitive it is.
Agreed.
Posted 16 years ago by BluSound    [ Reply ]
schrodingersdog wrote:
The song's ok, but its a bit long considering how repetitive it is.
Posted 16 years ago by BluSound    [ Reply ]
This is ground control to Major Tom. I have new lyrics, over.
Posted 16 years ago by ssg    [ Reply ]
The song's ok, but its a bit long considering how repetitive it is.
Posted 16 years ago by schrodingersdog    [ Reply ]
Decent song. He may have done it on past setlists, but the only thing to follow the past three songs up with is Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie. Now that would be Proper. Notice the capital P. -Incarnadine
Posted 16 years ago by Incarnadine    [ Reply ]
I don't see why everybody is slamming this song. It's not mind-blowing but kinda cool nonetheless.
Posted 16 years ago by Geo_orc1    [ Reply ]
So goodbye already.
Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
wake me up before union square.
Posted 16 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Everyime I hear this song, I imagine Shemp, from the Three Stooges, sleeping and making his classic snoring noise.....
Posted 16 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
rKokon wrote:
Yes, boring, even more than the two before it. Three derivative songs in a row, with this singer both whiny and breathy (two death knells) . . . I can't stand this.
You got that right! Why is this junk still in rotation?
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Puke.
Posted 17 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
It sounds good to me. Good singer.
Posted 17 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
I thought it was a pretty good song. America is a beautiful country.
Posted 17 years ago by olsaltybastard    [ Reply ]
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I don't see why so many haters. Maybe just America haters and lord knows we have plenty of those around. Seems a lot of people hated the Romans also. Nice song though, IMO.
Don't be silly... At least this is a place for MUSIC not for politics, and most of the comments regarding this song meet my opinion: This is a lame song.
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Yes, boring, even more than the two before it. Three derivative songs in a row, with this singer both whiny and breathy (two death knells) . . . I can't stand this.
Posted 17 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
BOOOORRRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!1!1!1!1!
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
I don't see why so many haters. Maybe just America haters and lord knows we have plenty of those around. Seems a lot of people hated the Romans also. Nice song though, IMO.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
themotion wrote:
america sucks ... don't bother
Parts of it are quite pretty. Intelligent comment, though. Thanks!
Posted 17 years ago by Narty    [ Reply ]
Lonestar wrote:
In order to slow dance to this you'd have to be standing still.
You say that like it's a bad thing. Excellent transition from The Shins' "Gone for Good" to this, btw. Guess that's why Bill gets the big bucks.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
america sucks ... don't bother
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
I feel bad for people that don't dig this. Gives me goosebumps.
Posted 17 years ago by webslinger48    [ Reply ]
Hope I'm not in the car behind you...coma-inducing song.
Posted 17 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
In order to slow dance to this you'd have to be standing still.
Posted 17 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
milehighYinzer wrote:
Thats what I thought also.
me too
Posted 17 years ago by civey    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
I always think this is going to be "ground control to major Tom" when it starts.
Thats what I thought also.
Posted 17 years ago by milehighYinzer    [ Reply ]
Please go back
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
I see that others regard this song as slow and uninteresting, but I couldn't disagree more. Love it, love his voice, think he's a sexy-sounding dude, love the pace, love the chorus. . .love it.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
I feel like he's just trying too hard to be cool.
Posted 17 years ago by allisonscola    [ Reply ]
His new CD ninteeneighties is great. Interesting mix of covers of 80s songs, yeah there actually were some good ones.
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
I always think this is going to be "ground control to major Tom" when it starts.
Posted 18 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
We're off to buy some caffeine to keep us awake.....
Posted 18 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
its garfunkel, not garfunkle. and this song sounds nothing like them, they just simply have "america" in the title. big whoop.
Posted 18 years ago by jubilantme    [ Reply ]
Yuck. Somebody please wake him up.
Posted 18 years ago by strick    [ Reply ]
This sounds like about 5 other bands.
Posted 18 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
Johnny_Wave wrote:
https://www.grantleebuffalo.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Lee_Buffalo Grant Lee Buffalo was his band prior to going solo
I guess they never made it to Europe, or I was busy doing other things. Thanks for the info, but this song is still lame as hell.
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
I was just thinking how much better it would be to hear Simon and Garfunkle 'To Find America'. And, look....a Paul Simon song. Well it's close.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
Who the hell are the Buffalos?
https://www.grantleebuffalo.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Lee_Buffalo Grant Lee Buffalo was his band prior to going solo
Posted 18 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Bravo, well done chaps!
Posted 18 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
make it stop!
Posted 18 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
I hear Travis.
Posted 18 years ago by baboo    [ Reply ]
luin wrote:
I can just put this album on repeat and be content.
I agree - When I first heard this CD, I couldn't stop playing it - over and over. I never get tired of it.
Posted 18 years ago by soozbc    [ Reply ]
tiddalick wrote:
Muzak my hairy Polish arse. This is a fantastic album - the best thing he ever did was to ditch the Buffalos.
I think that's MY hairy Polish arse, not yours. Okay, you got me with the obscure musical reference. Who the hell are the Buffalos? I'd never heard of this guy either pre-RP. (However, I still don't like this draggy-whiney song.)
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
luin wrote:
I can just put this album on repeat and be content.
Ah, masochism. Ya gotta love it...
Posted 18 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
dango wrote:
Ugh . . what blah.
Ditto!
Posted 18 years ago by TBD    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
Yeah, it's a much better and insightful song. This is just a bunch of oblivious whining.
Sounds like a dirge to me. A perfect "Ho-Hum" dee dum.
Posted 18 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
This is just not a morning song. It's like anti-coffee.
Posted 18 years ago by pleseq    [ Reply ]
Soporific
Posted 18 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
we should hear Simon & Garfunkle after this one. you know the one i mean.
Yeah, it's a much better and insightful song. This is just a bunch of oblivious whining.
Posted 18 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
I can just put this album on repeat and be content.
Posted 18 years ago by luin    [ Reply ]
freeone1 wrote:
Is everything he does so good? I love this!
this album and the next one, Virginia Creeper, are terrific
Posted 18 years ago by flandersdog    [ Reply ]
we should hear Simon & Garfunkle after this one. you know the one i mean.
Posted 18 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Not inconsequential!
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
Three thumbs up!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Audimage    [ Reply ]
a 6 ...
Posted 18 years ago by princeofpeoria    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
Muzak for the new millenium.
Muzak my hairy Polish arse. This is a fantastic album - the best thing he ever did was to ditch the Buffalos.
Posted 18 years ago by tiddalick    [ Reply ]
Muzak for the new millenium.
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Is everything he does so good? I love this!
Posted 19 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
woozurdaddy wrote:
More like ELO.
Or perhaps ... "Ground control to Major Tom ..." Edit: Well I see from previous comments that I was not the first! And now I'm hearing that #9 Dream thang too.
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
help! I'm dying of sameness sameness sameness sameness">
Posted 19 years ago by earkat    [ Reply ]
hearing faint echoes of John Lennon's #9 Dream
Posted 19 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
The chorus is like a kick in your teeth - painfull and ugly.
Posted 19 years ago by swelements    [ Reply ]
beauty. A 7
Posted 19 years ago by cassano18    [ Reply ]
Queue wrote:
I REALLY thought that I was gonna hear "Ground Control to Major Tom..." Queue
Too right. I was about to start singing along and then Bowie's lyrics suddenly changed... hmm.... This now gets a slightly lower score for having a rip-off intro...
Posted 19 years ago by maLeFunKtion    [ Reply ]
Like a swim in the ocean, this song is great!
Posted 19 years ago by coentje    [ Reply ]
Geez - I think he hurt himself on those high notes. They sound painful. Not enjoyable...
Posted 19 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
If it wern't for the cheesey drum programming, this'd be a 10. Love the song.
Posted 19 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
Queue wrote:
I REALLY thought that I was gonna hear "Ground Control to Major Tom..." Queue
Yeah, no joke.
Posted 19 years ago by upinya    [ Reply ]
What a slender thread I've been clinging to All these cracks for me to slip into So pefectly fitting for my mood. More, please?
Posted 19 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
Not one his best efforts. A better choice from that album would be "Lazily Drowning" Lazily drowning Without a care in the world Not a caring world...
Posted 19 years ago by liebe    [ Reply ]
Ugh . . what blah.
Posted 19 years ago by dango    [ Reply ]
mmmm.... tasty music.... I have no problem admitting my GLP addiction (one of the few things I am not in denial about)..... not only is it beautiful melodically.... but lyrically just as impressive.... have a great day!! SEE AMERICA: Sleeping in a yellow cab My head against the barrier Lost 'em as we touched St. Anne Stepped from the ferry boat there Looked around the terminal Paid the toll And split the fare Wake me up oh wake me before Union Square Got a couple numbers to call ah Tryin' to wrack my brains But I can't think of the name Of the hotel at all We're off to see America We're asking for directions yes We're off to see America We're tumbling in our chariot Speeding over soaking streets Tides of the destitute wail Coughing up a lung of steam Rise from the underground rail Never felt so far away Up 'till now But I was green Wake me up oh wake me before Union Square Got a couple numbers to call ah Tryin' to wrack my brains But I can't think of the names Of the people at all We're off to see America We're asking for directions yes We're off to find America We're tumbling in our chariot What a slender thread I've been clinging to All these cracks for me to slip into We're off to see America We're off to see America We're asking for directions yes We're tumbling in our chariot Ooh see America America We're off to see America
Posted 19 years ago by beautifuldreamer    [ Reply ]
This is the first song I've heard by this guy and I'm impressed!
Posted 19 years ago by mbop    [ Reply ]
I love the engineering, the instrumentation, and the vocals. Good song.
Posted 19 years ago by DMay    [ Reply ]
8)
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
It is indeed a pretty song :sunny.gif: And it's moving my mood from :( to :)
Posted 20 years ago by Jovica    [ Reply ]
adi wrote:
ditto
Same here!!! But the song transfoprmed into something very enjoyable
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
So is his maiden name Phillips, or Buffalo? Just kidding, I actually like his stuff. 9.
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
This is just gorgeous! Couldn't love it more.
Posted 20 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
Queue wrote:
I REALLY thought that I was gonna hear "Ground Control to Major Tom..." Queue
ditto
Posted 20 years ago by adi    [ Reply ]
I REALLY thought that I was gonna hear \"Ground Control to Major Tom...\" Queue
Posted 21 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
ok...i\'m a big fan of grant lee....phillips or buffalo...but for some reason this is really draining my energy. i agree - play some more from jubilee. hell, play the whole cd! :)
Posted 22 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
please play some grant lee buffalo, from jubilee, tracks like testimony etc.
Posted 22 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]