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The Yardbirds — Shapes Of Things
Album: The Yardbirds Greatest Hits
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 624









Released: 1965
Length: 2:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Shapes of things before my eyes,
Just teach me to despise.
Will time make men more wise?
Here within my lonely frame,
my eyes just heard my brain.
But will it seem the same?

(Come Tomorrow) Will I be older?
(Come Tomorrow) May be a soldier.
(Come Tomorrow) May I be bolder than today?

Now the trees are almost green.
But will they still be seen?
When time and tide have been.
Fall into your passing hands.
Please don't destroy these lands.
Don't make them desert sands.

Soon I hope that I will find,
Thoughts deep within my mind.
That won't displace my kind.
Comments (95)add comment
A song WAY ahead of its time.  That is one mark of genius. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I  truly rocked out to this when I was only 7
Posted 3 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Much happier than the Aimee Mann song we just heard, but then so is a rainy day in Middlesbrough.
Posted 8 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:


somehow I've never heard the Bowie version but the Jeff Beck (Rod Stewart vocals) version is incredible.

 
me too on both statements
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
I remember hearing this on the radio when it sure seemed different than almost anything else at the time! And I've loved it ever since...
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
This song was singularily responsible for kick starting me into a life of conscious radicalism.
Posted 9 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Joss sticks at the ready....
Posted 10 years ago by terryp17    [ Reply ]
What a great blast from the past!
 
Posted 10 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I find this song disjointed and clumsy...along with being rather sloppy and junky for Yardbirds. Oh well...a flurry of adjectives I suppose.

 
Agreed
Posted 10 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}   Has to be G O D L I K E +
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I find this song disjointed and clumsy...along with being rather sloppy and junky for Yardbirds. Oh well...a flurry of adjectives I suppose.
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:
Wow, first time I've ever heard the original of this - always thought it was a Bowie song!

It's good & so is Bowie's version. 

Also kinda predates the late 60's guitar sound by a good few years - very psychedelic.

 

somehow I've never heard the Bowie version but the Jeff Beck (Rod Stewart vocals) version is incredible.
Posted 11 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 Walt_tlaW wrote:
Thanks Bill & Rebecca, I needed to hear that one!  It's been a while.

Walt

 
I'll second that.
Posted 11 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill & Rebecca, I needed to hear that one!  It's been a while.

Walt
Posted 11 years ago by Walt_tlaW    [ Reply ]
Wow, first time I've ever heard the original of this - always thought it was a Bowie song!

It's good & so is Bowie's version. 

Also kinda predates the late 60's guitar sound by a good few years - very psychedelic.
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
So amazing that it was a Greatest Hits collection in 1965 !

The YB's GH was one of two 4 track albums everyone seemed to have back then.  The other was The Doors Strangedays.
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
One of my anthems in 1965. Great band.
Posted 12 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 Sjaaks wrote:


I would so love to do that! Given the chance i'd do it right now! Living in the boring Netherlands, AM radio, an old airconditioning-lacking car and a trip from the east to the west of the states sounds amazing!! So... ANYTIME if i could! Consider yourself lucky that was (or is) within your grasp of doing...

Cheers! 
 
As others have mentioned, it must have been only an AM radio way back in 65', I did say I was old......

And thanks Sjaaks, it was a trip worth a thousand memories and probably just as many stories amongst my brother, sister and I everytime we get together.  Still, as great as those memories are, it is a time gone by and a trip I've never dared to try and replicate with my own kids.  They're probably thankful for that.
Posted 12 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:
I'll always remember this song as one of the staples of AM radio when our whole family did a cross country trip in the summer of 65'.

Is it possible to even imagine a family of five driving all the way from Maryland to California (and back!) with nothing in the car for entertainment other than the AM/FM radio?  Damn I'm old.
 

I would so love to do that! Given the chance i'd do it right now! Living in the boring Netherlands, AM radio, an old airconditioning-lacking car and a trip from the east to the west of the states sounds amazing!! So... ANYTIME if i could! Consider yourself lucky that was (or is) within your grasp of doing...

Cheers! 
Posted 12 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
my first love
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Your car radio had FM in 1965?  At least you had that much more to listen to than most others, but that is certainly a long ride, especially for an entire family.
 
AM used to play this. FM was unheard of or needed then.
Posted 12 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:
I'll always remember this song as one of the staples of AM radio when our whole family did a cross country trip in the summer of 65'.

Is it possible to even imagine a family of five driving all the way from Maryland to California (and back!) with nothing in the car for entertainment other than the AM/FM radio?  Damn I'm old.
 
Your car radio had FM in 1965?  At least you had that much more to listen to than most others, but that is certainly a long ride, especially for an entire family.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Yes, "Shapes of Things" song features a psychedelic-style guitar solo by Jeff Beck. And a live version recorded in 1968 with the Jimmy Page line-up was released on the 1971 album Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page.

.
 felix_the_man wrote:
 
Tthis is Jeff Beck's yardbirds, not Jimmy Page.  This song was unlike anything else when it was released !!
calypsus_1 wrote:

Jimmy Page by ~JoniGodoy
Jonathan Godoy N.  ©2007-2010 ~JoniGodoy



 

 


Posted 12 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
always thought this was the Moody Blues.
Posted 12 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
{#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by pdjpirate    [ Reply ]
{#Jump}
Posted 13 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
 pmnixa wrote:
I logged on to complain, but then I saw the album cover. The font alone is worth it. Funny!!
 

Complain about this tune?  Whatever.  That typography is quite cool, really.  It's not that unusual of a typeface for the mid-1960's and it's a lot more inventive than a lot of what alleged "designers" consider "typography" these days.


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I'll always remember this song as one of the staples of AM radio when our whole family did a cross country trip in the summer of 65'.

Is it possible to even imagine a family of five driving all the way from Maryland to California (and back!) with nothing in the car for entertainment other than the AM/FM radio?  Damn I'm old.
Posted 13 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 ChrisInCT wrote:
This band had a some crappy guitar players...These guys probably never made another album...bunch of hacks. 

 
You are SUCH a cut-up! {#Bounce}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 
Tthis is Jeff Beck's yardbirds, not Jimmy Page.  This song was unlike anything else when it was released !!
calypsus_1 wrote:

Jimmy Page by ~JoniGodoy
Jonathan Godoy N.  ©2007-2010 ~JoniGodoy



 

Posted 13 years ago by felix_the_man    [ Reply ]

Jimmy Page by ~JoniGodoy
Jonathan Godoy N.  ©2007-2010 ~JoniGodoy

Another illustration for "SWITCH", the music magazine in Mexico,
This work is about the guitar and legacy of Jimmy Page, the English guitarist and record producer.

James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, (born 1944) began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds, from late 1966 to 1968, before founding the famous English rock band "Led Zeppelin".

Jimmy is credited as a forefather of heavy metal by not only turning up the accepted volume of the electric guitar but also with his anthemic riffs and meticulous studio production. Page is widely considered to be the first producer to truly create the "heavy" sound of rock music with the combination of new drum recording methods and revolutionary room.

In 2003, "Rolling Stone magazine" ranked him #9 in their ranking of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Page also has the distinction of having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice as a member of both The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.

The Technique in the illustration is a mix-up: Pencil and photoshop effects.



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Terrific song from a terrific group.  One of the best rock groups of the 60s.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]

Ravi Shankar Interview, featuring Yardbirds Keith Relf and Jeff Beck (1966): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J__-K6EAfE
Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
What is it about some songs that have such an emotional impact 20, 30, 40 years later?

Like this one from my youth.  I liked it them, I like it now.

El Becko rocks on!
Posted 14 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
{#Good-vibes}
The Audreys - Long Ride
Aimee Mann - Humpty Dumpty
wreck
{#Eek}  {#Ask}  {#Eh}
Yardbirds - Shapes Of Things

Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Back in the days of 4 tracks (before 8 tracks) everyone had The Doors ~ Strange Days and The Yardbirds Greatest Hits.  Still sounds good to this day.
Posted 14 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 katerwynd wrote:
{#Motor} Nothing but memeories of days past.{#Bananajam}This was big when I was in high school - Class of '66 Rock on Jimi! {#Heartkiss}
 
I remember this band ,  but for details i was too young !!

Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Thank you for playing this! I love this record and had completely forgotten about it.
Posted 15 years ago by ugly    [ Reply ]
{#Motor} Nothing but memeories of days past.{#Bananajam}This was big when I was in high school - Class of '66 Rock on Jimi! {#Heartkiss}
Posted 15 years ago by katerwynd    [ Reply ]
 ChrisInCT wrote:
This band had a some crappy guitar players...These guys probably never made another album...bunch of hacks. 

 
{#Roflol}

Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
This band had a some crappy guitar players...These guys probably never made another album...bunch of hacks. 

Posted 15 years ago by ChrisInCT    [ Reply ]

 

remembering Mr. Keith Relf

** 8 **


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear again after many years!
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Came to this via Bowie's cover - then later my friends and I used to manipulate the juke box at Max's Kansas City - we would kill songs we didn't like with the reset button, and let songs like this play.
Posted 15 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
'66...a really great year!
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]

still rocks it!


Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
I logged on to complain, but then I saw the album cover. The font alone is worth it. Funny!!
Posted 16 years ago by pmnixa    [ Reply ]
birdland wrote:
Check the picture of Jeff on the cover. He's what, 17? Too funny. What a career. What a genius.
Almost 22.
Posted 16 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
RedGuitar wrote:
Did I miss something? Why is it you say that?
the quality is/was why.
Posted 16 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
Timeless brilliance
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
sharkartist wrote:
40 years+ ...It just never gets old, does it.
No, it doesn't! It is one of my all-time faves.
Posted 16 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
katzendogs wrote:
As crappy as this sounds (and I love crappy sound) we may very well likely not hear this on internet radio much longer.
Did I miss something? Why is it you say that?
Posted 16 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
xsrossiter wrote:
Witness the birth of electric rock
This track released February 1966 Like a Rolling Stone released July 1965
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Bowie does this song well also.
Posted 17 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
katzendogs wrote:
As crappy as this sounds (and I love crappy sound) we may very well likely not hear this on internet radio much longer.
Gee, And I was feeling really good about this song until cats and dogs slapped reality back in my face. Thanks!
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
As crappy as this sounds (and I love crappy sound) we may very well likely not hear this on internet radio much longer.
Posted 17 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
40 years+ ...It just never gets old, does it.
Posted 17 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
Wow! What an imagination. ktnsb wrote:
This was my favorite song when I was in second grade. I liked it so much that during "art" one day when the teacher told us to draw a picture that told a story, so I drew my 7-year old imagination's picture of this song, as if it were a comic strip. I had all the lyrics and separate panels with profiled faces with triangles and squares floating in front of them, sand dunes, soldiers, and even a big box with crazy curlicues for the guitar solo. I'll never forget the lumpy oatmeal paper and the giant #1 pencil. That's a fun memory.
Posted 17 years ago by frednic    [ Reply ]
fox on the run.
Posted 17 years ago by mrrmt    [ Reply ]
A lot of the transitions here are ultra-smooth, but that was just jarring (from U2 - Dancing Barefoot to this)
Posted 18 years ago by Chinju    [ Reply ]
This was my favorite song when I was in second grade. I liked it so much that during "art" one day when the teacher told us to draw a picture that told a story, so I drew my 7-year old imagination's picture of this song, as if it were a comic strip. I had all the lyrics and separate panels with profiled faces with triangles and squares floating in front of them, sand dunes, soldiers, and even a big box with crazy curlicues for the guitar solo. I'll never forget the lumpy oatmeal paper and the giant #1 pencil. That's a fun memory.
Posted 18 years ago by ktnsb    [ Reply ]
One of my faves from a long ago era.
Posted 18 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
segueman wrote:
Eric wishes he could play like Beck!
Check the picture of Jeff on the cover. He's what, 17? Too funny. What a career. What a genius.
Posted 18 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
majortom505 wrote:
Clapton on Guitar!!!!!
Eric wishes he could play like Beck!
Posted 18 years ago by segueman    [ Reply ]
Wow...
Posted 18 years ago by katzendogs    [ Reply ]
Some of my first LPs featured this music...thanks for the memories RP!
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Bowie also does a great cover on Pin Ups. The whole album is great covers.
Posted 18 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Witness the birth of electric rock
Posted 18 years ago by xsrossiter    [ Reply ]
Mari wrote:
...Woopee!...Dad's vinyls are comin' out of the cupboard again, I grew up listening to all this wonderful sixties stuff in the eightys! ( suppose lots of us did, does it excite you as much?)...love it!
Good Dad! Hey, careful with those albums...
Posted 18 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
Dave_Mack wrote:
Ooh, Yardbirds! Now play Over Under Sideways Down.
...Or Happenings Ten Years Time Ago from almost 40 years ago...
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
Gosh I only know this song from the Toronto formation "FM" - never knew they didn'T write it!!
Posted 19 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
raisedonCFNY wrote:
same playlist Mar 28, 2005 and Oct 6, 2005 hmmm.
Come on, same play list once in 6 months (although it probably is more than that), beats the hell out of once every three hours like you get on FM, no?
Posted 19 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
same playlist Mar 28, 2005 and Oct 6, 2005 hmmm.
Posted 19 years ago by raisedonCFNY    [ Reply ]
majortom505 wrote:
Clapton on Guitar!!!!!
Uh, I believe this was from the Beck era...
Posted 19 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
:D/ Classic. And I'd say it gets away with timeless as well. :D/
Posted 19 years ago by rainfairy    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
neilpeart wrote:
Rush has a cover album out with a great version of this included. Their version of For What It's Worth and The Seeker are absolutely wonderful
Perhaps a bit biased, Neil?
Posted 19 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
Clapton on Guitar!!!!!
Posted 19 years ago by majortom505    [ Reply ]
Fits right into this set perfectly!
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Good followup to the Stone Roses. For those who claim modern Britpop owes much to the Stone Roses, let's not forget the Stone Roses owe a lot to bands like the Yardbirds and their contemporaries.
Posted 19 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
Greg and Duane Allman also covered this as "The Allman Joys". Fun for a historical perspective if your an Allman Brothers fan, but they added pretty much nothing to it. The studio producer morons pretty much conned them into it for commercial play -- before the boys found Dickie and Barry.
Posted 19 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Oh... My... God... Stone Roses and Yardbirds back to back? I must have been better as a kid than I thought to deserve this. What a wonderful 10 minutes of music. Go Jeff!
Posted 19 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
This song was seminal in the formation of my world-view and choices as a young man, and expresses a perspective for which I am still indebted and in concert with.
Posted 19 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Lyrics are still relevant, musically very good. Yep - hangs in there as a classic.
Posted 19 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
Rush has a cover album out with a great version of this included. Their version of For What It's Worth and The Seeker are absolutely wonderful
Posted 19 years ago by neilpeart    [ Reply ]
LAfadeaway wrote:
Great song. BTW, the Jimmy Page w/ Black Crowes version of this song is AMAZING.
So is Bowie's from "Pinups"!! :)
Posted 19 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
rgj13 wrote:
I'd love to hear that and will have to hunt it down. In the meantime, I still like Gary Moore's version of this song more than the Birds'.
Oh yeah!! Well they think your version sucks!!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
Nice one...how about we step it up and add some New Yardbirds (AKA Led Zeppelin)?
Posted 20 years ago by ButterFingers    [ Reply ]
LAfadeaway wrote:
Great song. BTW, the Jimmy Page w/ Black Crowes version of this song is AMAZING.
Thanks for the tip. This song defines "classic." TEN!
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
One of those suprises on RP that makes me say, 'HAWAAAAAAAAAH!!!" NINE
Posted 21 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
LAfadeaway wrote:
Great song. BTW, the Jimmy Page w/ Black Crowes version of this song is AMAZING.
I'd love to hear that and will have to hunt it down. In the meantime, I still like Gary Moore's version of this song more than the Birds'.
Posted 21 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Ooh, Yardbirds! Now play Over Under Sideways Down.
Posted 21 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]