Joan Osborne — Mongrels
Album: Love & HateAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1101
Length: 4:04
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Whatever happened to this
it was an island of bliss
in this ridiculous place
But now the river runs black
and I don't know the way back
I feel it going to waste
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
tearing up the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
I reach across the divide
I want to take you inside
but something's holding me bound
There is a thorn in my side
that's coming on like a tide
these tender feelings do drown
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
tearing up the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
This is a chance for the prize
it's waiting here in my eyes
you hardly look at me now
With every beat of my heart
I want to make a new start
but I don't seem to know how
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
rolling on the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
it was an island of bliss
in this ridiculous place
But now the river runs black
and I don't know the way back
I feel it going to waste
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
tearing up the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
I reach across the divide
I want to take you inside
but something's holding me bound
There is a thorn in my side
that's coming on like a tide
these tender feelings do drown
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
tearing up the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
This is a chance for the prize
it's waiting here in my eyes
you hardly look at me now
With every beat of my heart
I want to make a new start
but I don't seem to know how
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing us to shreds
We are the mongrels
rolling on the floorboards
unaware of the banquet
up above our heads
Comments (51)add comment
She's got a great voice. She just needs some better material.
timmus wrote:
well i just had to laugh at that 
Hey hey, we're the mongrels
And people say we mongrel around
well i just had to laugh at that fredriley wrote:
That sounds like a reasonable interpretation, though as you write the song is metaphorical enough to have multiple meanings. Your Occupy reference puts me in mind of the old joke:
A Banker, a School Teacher, a Tory MP and a Daily Mail reader are sat around a table. In front of them is a plate, on which there are ten biscuits. The Banker scoffs nine of the biscuits, then the Tory MP turns to the Daily Mail reader and whispers in his ear "watch out, that teacher is after your biscuit"
Adapt to your own tastes/prejudices ;-)
That was my first thought.... "the 99%" or the majority of Americans who happen to be living on about 5% of the wealth produced in this country.
That sounds like a reasonable interpretation, though as you write the song is metaphorical enough to have multiple meanings. Your Occupy reference puts me in mind of the old joke:
A Banker, a School Teacher, a Tory MP and a Daily Mail reader are sat around a table. In front of them is a plate, on which there are ten biscuits. The Banker scoffs nine of the biscuits, then the Tory MP turns to the Daily Mail reader and whispers in his ear "watch out, that teacher is after your biscuit"
Adapt to your own tastes/prejudices ;-)
That was my first thought.... "the 99%" or the majority of Americans who happen to be living on about 5% of the wealth produced in this country.
Proclivities wrote:
You get a better resonance when you play percussion instruments under a table. As a bonus, if someone else "drinks you under the table", there's always a set of castanets or bongos down there for you to noodle around with.
Been there? Hit that?
You get a better resonance when you play percussion instruments under a table. As a bonus, if someone else "drinks you under the table", there's always a set of castanets or bongos down there for you to noodle around with.
Been there? Hit that?
Great!! I really love Joan, but I never heard this tune before. Thank You RP!
pyocin wrote:
rolling on the floorboards
I think she sings:
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing THEM to shreds
tearing us to shreds does not make sense...
rolling on the floorboards
I think she sings:
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing THEM to shreds
tearing us to shreds does not make sense...
We are the mongrels
underneath the table
fighting for the leavings
tearing THEM to shreds
tearing us to shreds does not make sense...
Together we stand, divided we fall.
Laptopdog wrote:
And the award for Most Unnecessary Song Comment goes to..
It's likely spam or just trolling disguised as a song comment - note that the user only has one song comment (posted soon after signing up) and has not rated any songs..
And the award for Most Unnecessary Song Comment goes to..
It's likely spam or just trolling disguised as a song comment - note that the user only has one song comment (posted soon after signing up) and has not rated any songs..
Laptopdog wrote:
And the award for weirdest and most unnecessary song comment goes to..
So true...and that's from the owner of an admittedly perverted mind; still, I'll refrain from commenting on the odd comment. This tune is an 8 to me despite the mental image of matthews28 (a bible loving perv!) having unusual sensations during sex. Weird is right (as I look up the product and think about ordering it!)
Long Live RP and consensual sex acts with or without lube. (sorry....couldn't help myself)
And the award for weirdest and most unnecessary song comment goes to..
So true...and that's from the owner of an admittedly perverted mind; still, I'll refrain from commenting on the odd comment. This tune is an 8 to me despite the mental image of matthews28 (a bible loving perv!) having unusual sensations during sex. Weird is right (as I look up the product and think about ordering it!)
Long Live RP and consensual sex acts with or without lube. (sorry....couldn't help myself)
matthews28 wrote:
And the award for Most Unnecessary Song Comment goes to..
cool song, I recently had sex listening to this song)) That sex was especially unusual since the first time in my life I had an intimate lubricant that calls Titan gel. If you want to get same unusual feelings from sex just order it now) [ spam link deleted ]. This is really good product!
And the award for Most Unnecessary Song Comment goes to..
westslope wrote:
Likely Clavinet.
Gotta ask.
What is the instrument that sounds like a classic ringing telephone?
What is the instrument that sounds like a classic ringing telephone?
Likely Clavinet.
Saw Joan recently, what a nice woman! After the gig she went out to the lobby for signatures etc...
What’s not to like?!
Gotta ask.
What is the instrument that sounds like a classic ringing telephone?
What is the instrument that sounds like a classic ringing telephone?
Loved seeing her do this at the MIM in Scottsdale...so good to see her coming back and thanks for playing it!
More Joan please
I really like this track, good beat, cool organ, Joan's freaking awesome, and a song about us 99%; insta 8 from me.
LLRP!
LLRP!
philinnz wrote:
You get a better resonance when you play percussion instruments under a table. As a bonus, if someone else "drinks you under the table", there's always a set of castanets or bongos down there for you to noodle around with.
without looking at the lyrics or title, I thought she was singing
we play the bongos
underneath the table
we play the bongos
underneath the table
You get a better resonance when you play percussion instruments under a table. As a bonus, if someone else "drinks you under the table", there's always a set of castanets or bongos down there for you to noodle around with.
Soooo catchy!
Great artist, great voice and smart song (imo : )
ploba wrote:
it's blandness is annoying
so sick and tired of this song ugh!
it's blandness is annoying
without looking at the lyrics or title, I thought she was singing
we play the bongos
underneath the table
we play the bongos
underneath the table
bam23 wrote:
Clearly, silly is in the mind of the listener. In much the same way that the blindly religious will see the influence of some sort of diety in everything, one way or another, anti-religious nonbelievers may read religious statements into innocuous statements, works of art, offhand statements, etc. These comment sections are often revealing in ways not intended by the poster.
Clearly, you've made assumptions you shouldn't have, at least about my comment. She has several songs with religious connotations, such as One Of Us, Shake The Devil, Holy Waters, Man In The Long Black Coat, and so on. I didn't read religious statements into them.
I don't go about trying to convince religious believers on atheism or agnosticism or a religion different from theirs. I don't appreciate when they try to convince me of their religion or to tell me how wonderful they think it is.
Clearly, silly is in the mind of the listener. In much the same way that the blindly religious will see the influence of some sort of diety in everything, one way or another, anti-religious nonbelievers may read religious statements into innocuous statements, works of art, offhand statements, etc. These comment sections are often revealing in ways not intended by the poster.
Clearly, you've made assumptions you shouldn't have, at least about my comment. She has several songs with religious connotations, such as One Of Us, Shake The Devil, Holy Waters, Man In The Long Black Coat, and so on. I didn't read religious statements into them.
I don't go about trying to convince religious believers on atheism or agnosticism or a religion different from theirs. I don't appreciate when they try to convince me of their religion or to tell me how wonderful they think it is.
Way too POPpy.
Love the backing vocals and the discrete offbeat organ chord.
gets a bit repetitive, eh?
But I heard that guitar and knew immediately it was Nels Cline, so that was sweet.
But I heard that guitar and knew immediately it was Nels Cline, so that was sweet.
ploba wrote:
It would be more apt if this were The Mongrels singing their smash hit "Joan Osborne"
so sick and tired of this song ugh!
It would be more apt if this were The Mongrels singing their smash hit "Joan Osborne"
2020sk wrote:
It's not. Then again Daft Punk isn't any "better" than this song or any other. I happen to enjoy both D'Punk and Joan.
Please someone tell me why this is any better than Daft Punk!
It's not. Then again Daft Punk isn't any "better" than this song or any other. I happen to enjoy both D'Punk and Joan.
so sick and tired of this song ugh!
Please someone tell me why this is any better than Daft Punk!
Grammarcop wrote:
Bark Bark Bark
Woof!
Bark Bark Bark
Not a bad tune but disagree with the sentiment contained within...
I would have sworn this was Poe.
hansk wrote:
Here is a good illustration of what Joan is singing about. The word canaille, ultimately from the Latin for the common people, the masses.
Ha! And all that's good, that arises out of the human species, comes from us mongrels. Unfortunately so, too, all that's bad. WOOF!
So it goes.
Here is a good illustration of what Joan is singing about. The word canaille, ultimately from the Latin for the common people, the masses.
Ha! And all that's good, that arises out of the human species, comes from us mongrels. Unfortunately so, too, all that's bad. WOOF!
So it goes.
Here is a good illustration of what Joan is singing about. The word canaille, ultimately from the Latin for the common people, the masses.
LowPhreak wrote:
Clearly, silly is in the mind of the listener. In much the same way that the blindly religious will see the influence of some sort of diety in everything, one way or another, anti-religious nonbelievers may read religious statements into innocuous statements, works of art, offhand statements, etc. These comment sections are often revealing in ways not intended by the poster.
Osborne is a very good singer, but I don't want to hear her silly religious beliefs in every other song.
Clearly, silly is in the mind of the listener. In much the same way that the blindly religious will see the influence of some sort of diety in everything, one way or another, anti-religious nonbelievers may read religious statements into innocuous statements, works of art, offhand statements, etc. These comment sections are often revealing in ways not intended by the poster.
Maybe it's just the beat, but I'm reminded of Carole Pope and Rough Trade. In a good way.
Kongos to Mongrels. I see what Bill did there.
Very good. I'd like to hear more from this release.
Everybody in my homeless camp loves this song... we be dancing...
marci28 wrote:
That sounds like a reasonable interpretation, though as you write the song is metaphorical enough to have multiple meanings. Your Occupy reference puts me in mind of the old joke:
A Banker, a School Teacher, a Tory MP and a Daily Mail reader are sat around a table. In front of them is a plate, on which there are ten biscuits. The Banker scoffs nine of the biscuits, then the Tory MP turns to the Daily Mail reader and whispers in his ear "watch out, that teacher is after your biscuit"
Adapt to your own tastes/prejudices ;-)
She said:
When I was writing that one, there was this image that kept coming to mind of this couple that is constantly locked in these battles. I saw them as two dogs under the table fighting over table scraps, so intent in their conflict that they could not see the world around them.
But I brought in these background singers to work on it, and they heard it as a very political song. I played it for my niece, who’s 20 years old and involved in the Occupy movement, and she heard it as political, too. We’re the 99 percent struggling against each other to grab the leavings of what the one percent allows us to have.
So maybe it does have a political aspect to it. It’s one of those times when a song can be written to mean one thing but can be read as something entirely different.
https://www.cmtedge.com/2014/04/18/joan-osborne-branches-out-in-love-and-hate/That sounds like a reasonable interpretation, though as you write the song is metaphorical enough to have multiple meanings. Your Occupy reference puts me in mind of the old joke:
A Banker, a School Teacher, a Tory MP and a Daily Mail reader are sat around a table. In front of them is a plate, on which there are ten biscuits. The Banker scoffs nine of the biscuits, then the Tory MP turns to the Daily Mail reader and whispers in his ear "watch out, that teacher is after your biscuit"
Adapt to your own tastes/prejudices ;-)
She said:
When I was writing that one, there was this image that kept coming to mind of this couple that is constantly locked in these battles. I saw them as two dogs under the table fighting over table scraps, so intent in their conflict that they could not see the world around them.
But I brought in these background singers to work on it, and they heard it as a very political song. I played it for my niece, who’s 20 years old and involved in the Occupy movement, and she heard it as political, too. We’re the 99 percent struggling against each other to grab the leavings of what the one percent allows us to have.
So maybe it does have a political aspect to it. It’s one of those times when a song can be written to mean one thing but can be read as something entirely different.
https://www.cmtedge.com/2014/04/18/joan-osborne-branches-out-in-love-and-hate/ LowPhreak wrote:
This sure sounds like a relationship-gone-bad song to me. I can only think of one song of hers that could be labeled "religious" -- & I doubt highly that "One Of Us" is a big hit on Christian radio...
Osborne is a very good singer, but I don't want to hear her silly religious beliefs in every other song.
This sure sounds like a relationship-gone-bad song to me. I can only think of one song of hers that could be labeled "religious" -- & I doubt highly that "One Of Us" is a big hit on Christian radio...
LowPhreak wrote:
(1) I'm not sure we're listening to the same song. (2) I've been listening closely to Joan since, yes, the days of "St. Theresa," and I think I can count on one hand the overtly faith-based songs. (3) Where does anyone get off with calling anyone else's religious beliefs "silly?"
Osborne is a very good singer, but I don't want to hear her silly religious beliefs in every other song.
(1) I'm not sure we're listening to the same song. (2) I've been listening closely to Joan since, yes, the days of "St. Theresa," and I think I can count on one hand the overtly faith-based songs. (3) Where does anyone get off with calling anyone else's religious beliefs "silly?"
Woof!
LowPhreak wrote:
Um, what? It's about economic inequity.
Osborne is a very good singer, but I don't want to hear her silly religious beliefs in every other song.
Um, what? It's about economic inequity.
Osborne is a very good singer, but I don't want to hear her silly religious beliefs in every other song.
Oh! A song about us 99%.
Unaware of the banquet going on up above our heads.
Unaware of the banquet going on up above our heads.
Yeah ! Nice first listening
Nice... good driving beat, interesting lyrics.
"We are the Wombles..."