Oi Va Voi — Refugee
Album: Laughter Through TearsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3056
Length: 3:33
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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You ask me,
Why it is I come to you,
When someone else is just as good.
I asked them but they said the same,
Didn't even ask my name.
Explain to me,
Just what it is you have to lose.
Take a minute in my shoes,
Don't it feel like you've paid your dues
Already.
I'll show you,
That all our fates are so entwined.
Don't lose your faith in humankind.
Just don't forget my state of mind
Is fragile.
Together,
We can enjoy the taste of dignity.
As long as you believe in me,
I'll show you my reality,
I've seen a few.
You ask me,
Why it is I come to you,
When someone else is just as good.
I asked them but they said the same,
Didn't even ask my name.
Another refugee.
Why it is I come to you,
When someone else is just as good.
I asked them but they said the same,
Didn't even ask my name.
Explain to me,
Just what it is you have to lose.
Take a minute in my shoes,
Don't it feel like you've paid your dues
Already.
I'll show you,
That all our fates are so entwined.
Don't lose your faith in humankind.
Just don't forget my state of mind
Is fragile.
Together,
We can enjoy the taste of dignity.
As long as you believe in me,
I'll show you my reality,
I've seen a few.
You ask me,
Why it is I come to you,
When someone else is just as good.
I asked them but they said the same,
Didn't even ask my name.
Another refugee.
Comments (175)add comment
I've always thought that this was a spectacular use of KT's angelic voice, marrying it with some of the most haunting, heartbreakingly powerful music and lyrics...
Thought it was ...
Why compare? Why let others know that a band or song sounds like something else. What's the sense behind it?
Why compare? Why let others know that a band or song sounds like something else. What's the sense behind it?
charbo wrote:
I thought Skye Edwards
More Anna than Skye, but very pleasant, none the less.
I thought Skye Edwards
More Anna than Skye, but very pleasant, none the less.
Anatol wrote:
... or Anna Ternheim
I thought Skye Edwards
... or Anna Ternheim
I thought Skye Edwards
The 1st LP I re-purchased when I bought my new turntable a few years back. The first song I played on it too.
Anatol wrote:
... or
Béatrice Martin, or Anna Ternheim
... or
Béatrice Martin, or Anna Ternheim
srv9863 wrote:
Hummm - I thought this was Celeste! Who cares - this is really lovely
Thought it was Ani de Franco. Nice.
Hummm - I thought this was Celeste! Who cares - this is really lovely
srv9863 wrote:
... or Anna Ternheim
Thought it was Ani de Franco. Nice.
... or Anna Ternheim
Thought it was Ani de Franco. Nice.
Beautiful, fits my mood!
Firth thing I heard this morning, was not disappointed, this is great!
gmichaelt wrote:
Is this an example of 'women-worsting'?
How does KTT know that it's "hard" — somehow defined — for one class of people in one context? A parallel life in the industry? A parallel universe at one end of KT's commutes? Isn't everything you will do in life "hard" the first time? Would you expect commiting to a career and succeeding in a month or two to ... Wait! That never happens. Isn't everything you do in life "hard" the first time?
Is there an established benchmark (on the 'easy-hard' dimension) for the given industry that serves as a point of comparison?* There is no such benchmark possible, not even one that allows meaningful comparisons and contrasts between, say, "young" and "middle-aged" people in that same context.
There being no benchmark, there is no way to make comparisons within groups. There is, similarly, no way to make comparisons across different groups.
When you invoke the comparative, by making the leap to "harder", you have no possible foundation for it; doing so is completely unsupportable. The only basis for doing so is prejudice.
On "even", I can't even ...
*(Rhetorical question, obviously; the answer is "no", just in case you've read this far and are steadfastly obtuse.)
So, you're just pretending that the music industry doesn't generally treat women as a sexual product that can also maybe make music (but if not, we'll fix it in studio)? I mean, to your point, no, no two stories are the same, but generalizations exist for a reason, or so I am often told.
Is this an example of 'women-worsting'?
How does KTT know that it's "hard" — somehow defined — for one class of people in one context? A parallel life in the industry? A parallel universe at one end of KT's commutes? Isn't everything you will do in life "hard" the first time? Would you expect commiting to a career and succeeding in a month or two to ... Wait! That never happens. Isn't everything you do in life "hard" the first time?
Is there an established benchmark (on the 'easy-hard' dimension) for the given industry that serves as a point of comparison?* There is no such benchmark possible, not even one that allows meaningful comparisons and contrasts between, say, "young" and "middle-aged" people in that same context.
There being no benchmark, there is no way to make comparisons within groups. There is, similarly, no way to make comparisons across different groups.
When you invoke the comparative, by making the leap to "harder", you have no possible foundation for it; doing so is completely unsupportable. The only basis for doing so is prejudice.
On "even", I can't even ...
*(Rhetorical question, obviously; the answer is "no", just in case you've read this far and are steadfastly obtuse.)
So, you're just pretending that the music industry doesn't generally treat women as a sexual product that can also maybe make music (but if not, we'll fix it in studio)? I mean, to your point, no, no two stories are the same, but generalizations exist for a reason, or so I am often told.
Saw them live several times. What a party!!
Segue wrote:
Is this an example of 'women-worsting'?
How does KTT know that it's "hard" — somehow defined — for one class of people in one context? A parallel life in the industry? A parallel universe at one end of KT's commutes? Isn't everything you will do in life "hard" the first time? Would you expect commiting to a career and succeeding in a month or two to ... Wait! That never happens. Isn't everything you do in life "hard" the first time?
Is there an established benchmark (on the 'easy-hard' dimension) for the given industry that serves as a point of comparison?* There is no such benchmark possible, not even one that allows meaningful comparisons and contrasts between, say, "young" and "middle-aged" people in that same context.
There being no benchmark, there is no way to make comparisons within groups. There is, similarly, no way to make comparisons across different groups.
When you invoke the comparative, by making the leap to "harder", you have no possible foundation for it; doing so is completely unsupportable. The only basis for doing so is prejudice.
On "even", I can't even ...
*(Rhetorical question, obviously; the answer is "no", just in case you've read this far and are steadfastly obtuse.)
Quite right! Which means it's even harder for young women, which was the original point.
Is this an example of 'women-worsting'?
How does KTT know that it's "hard" — somehow defined — for one class of people in one context? A parallel life in the industry? A parallel universe at one end of KT's commutes? Isn't everything you will do in life "hard" the first time? Would you expect commiting to a career and succeeding in a month or two to ... Wait! That never happens. Isn't everything you do in life "hard" the first time?
Is there an established benchmark (on the 'easy-hard' dimension) for the given industry that serves as a point of comparison?* There is no such benchmark possible, not even one that allows meaningful comparisons and contrasts between, say, "young" and "middle-aged" people in that same context.
There being no benchmark, there is no way to make comparisons within groups. There is, similarly, no way to make comparisons across different groups.
When you invoke the comparative, by making the leap to "harder", you have no possible foundation for it; doing so is completely unsupportable. The only basis for doing so is prejudice.
On "even", I can't even ...
*(Rhetorical question, obviously; the answer is "no", just in case you've read this far and are steadfastly obtuse.)
pinto wrote:
I imagine it's not a piece of cake for young guys in the music business either
Quite right! Which means it's even harder for young women, which was the original point.
I imagine it's not a piece of cake for young guys in the music business either
Quite right! Which means it's even harder for young women, which was the original point.
Stupid lyrics
calypsus_1 wrote:
KT Tunstall
"KT Tunstall leaving the BBC studios in Maida Vale. KT is wearing a Tee shirt with a skull and crossbones bearing the logo "Clean Up Or Die". .../... Earlier today KT did an interview with The Daily Record newspapers saying how hard it was for young girls in the music business."
London, England - 22.08.07
I imagine it's not a piece of cake for young guys in the music business either
KT Tunstall
"KT Tunstall leaving the BBC studios in Maida Vale. KT is wearing a Tee shirt with a skull and crossbones bearing the logo "Clean Up Or Die". .../... Earlier today KT did an interview with The Daily Record newspapers saying how hard it was for young girls in the music business."
London, England - 22.08.07
I imagine it's not a piece of cake for young guys in the music business either
fredriley wrote:
This is pretty apposite in these days of massive refugee flows, caused by immensely destructive wars, and causing xenophobic reaction in the countries that the refugees are fleeing to and through. Perhaps it should segue to Sivert Høyem's very moving "Prisoner of the Road". Those who curse refugees should bear in mind that today's smug bourgeois is tomorrow's refugee with barely the shirt on his back.
On a tangent, this reminds me of the very good Paolo Bacigalupi novel "Water Knife", where the US Southwest has been turned into a dustbelt by climate change, and the refugees and most despised are Texans. A dystopia, for sure, but based on fact.
On a tangent, this reminds me of the very good Paolo Bacigalupi novel "Water Knife", where the US Southwest has been turned into a dustbelt by climate change, and the refugees and most despised are Texans. A dystopia, for sure, but based on fact.
Dunno Fred, currently with 11 million illegal aliens, most of whom aren't going anywhere, and likely more legal asylum seeking residents than anywhere else on the planet, it is hard to say the US is not doing more than its fair share. That many feel the process should be orderly, secure, and follow the laws passed by our congress is not an unreasonable expectation, IMHO.
Is "Water Knife" based on the dust bowl from the '30s in the last century?
Great tune, BTW.
This is pretty apposite in these days of massive refugee flows, caused by immensely destructive wars, and causing xenophobic reaction in the countries that the refugees are fleeing to and through. Perhaps it should segue to Sivert Høyem's very moving "Prisoner of the Road". Those who curse refugees should bear in mind that today's smug bourgeois is tomorrow's refugee with barely the shirt on his back.
On a tangent, this reminds me of the very good Paolo Bacigalupi novel "Water Knife", where the US Southwest has been turned into a dustbelt by climate change, and the refugees and most despised are Texans. A dystopia, for sure, but based on fact.
On a tangent, this reminds me of the very good Paolo Bacigalupi novel "Water Knife", where the US Southwest has been turned into a dustbelt by climate change, and the refugees and most despised are Texans. A dystopia, for sure, but based on fact.
JUST TURN IT UP!
Devaplan wrote:
Did you get that pic from Brogues Gallery?
Did you get that pic from Brogues Gallery?
Proclivities wrote:
You forgot to add in your other exit line: "I'll get me brogues..."
You forgot to add in your other exit line: "I'll get me brogues..."
I'm more partial to the Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers version, but this is pretty nice.
KT Tunstall on this? Really? Cool.
Skid_Mark wrote:
Heh heh heh. This song kicks more ass than a butt tattoo!
If you ass me... It's like pretty cool
Heh heh heh. This song kicks more ass than a butt tattoo!
Bert7 wrote:
I really really liked it.
How is the rest of this album?
I really really liked it.
Skydog wrote:
(Beavis and Butthead imitation),......heh heh heh she said air instrument
Heh heh heh. This song kicks more ass than a butt tattoo!
(Beavis and Butthead imitation),......heh heh heh she said air instrument
Heh heh heh. This song kicks more ass than a butt tattoo!
Mobius_Girl wrote:
(Beavis and Butthead imitation),......heh heh heh she said air instrument
Smooth and want to sip a cup of something smooth now, and maybe sway a bit too, maybe even belly dance or play along with my air instrument? ;)
(Beavis and Butthead imitation),......heh heh heh she said air instrument
Smooth and want to sip a cup of something smooth now, and maybe sway a bit too, maybe even belly dance or play along with my air instrument? ;)
nice
How is the rest of this album?
fredriley wrote:
You forgot to add in your other exit line: "I'll get me brogues..."
"Spend a minute in my shoes". That reminds me of the old saying:
"Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes."
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
"Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes."
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
You forgot to add in your other exit line: "I'll get me brogues..."
Anyway, I love this song 
.
."Spend a minute in my shoes". That reminds me of the old saying:
"Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes."
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
"Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you insult him, you'll be a mile away, and have his shoes."
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
Just love this, but oops notice quite a few neg comments. Apply "different strokes" philosophy….
KT Tunstall
"KT Tunstall leaving the BBC studios in Maida Vale. KT is wearing a Tee shirt with a skull and crossbones bearing the logo "Clean Up Or Die". .../... Earlier today KT did an interview with The Daily Record newspapers saying how hard it was for young girls in the music business."
London, England - 22.08.07
pretty godlike. 
Twerp it!!!
Very nice song, very nice album!
ekin wrote:
Shaming is so destructive. Can't we just let our freak flags fly, even if the flagpole is a little inappropriate?
Our lively friend here is third cousin to Studs Terkel, several times removed...
...or maybe Tim Blake Nelson:
Squirrel: Taste it Again for the First Time.
really really really bad song !!
Shaming is so destructive. Can't we just let our freak flags fly, even if the flagpole is a little inappropriate?
Our lively friend here is third cousin to Studs Terkel, several times removed...
...or maybe Tim Blake Nelson:
Squirrel: Taste it Again for the First Time.
iNo. With this pace I never finish my dissertation. Flee. To the modern version of the corner bar.
I've never heard a song so out of sync with itself.
Banal lyrics over an increasingly unnecessary arrangement.
Banal lyrics over an increasingly unnecessary arrangement.
coloradojohn wrote:
it's KT Tunstall here...
and you STILL can't get this song off iTunes... (take my money already!)
wow, how that voice (Sophie Solomon?) just gets under my skin and boils my blood in a very good way,but it's a weird good, to be sure...
it's KT Tunstall here...
and you STILL can't get this song off iTunes... (take my money already!)
really really really bad song !!
wow, how that voice (Sophie Solomon?) just gets under my skin and boils my blood in a very good way,but it's a weird good, to be sure...
Love how the composition adds a new layer as it builds.
..wonderous..
Definitely godlike. KT Tunstall: beautiful woman, beautiful voice.
I like the rithm and the change of it during the song...
Oh, wow ... another facet of Oi Va Voi ...
like Midnight oil, but voice is horrible to be honest
yep. do not like.
I keep expecting to hear Nancy Sinatra say "Bang Bang!"
At first I thought it was Morcheeba. Nice song. I want to hear it again.
Great song!
Excellent tune
Great tune.
9...to...10
This song is serious
gatorade wrote:
I play them every single day. Great band.
Never tire of any of their incarnations.
I play them every single day. Great band.
KT has a gorgeous voice.
Yes, I'm going to see her on May12 nigelr wrote:Refreshing, intriguing, envigorating.
And the lovely KT...........
And the lovely KT...........
Never tire of any of their incarnations.
great song, great album!
DaveInVA wrote:
She is on 3 songs on this CD. I really like this but I can't take their newer stuff. Sophie Solomon was on some of their older stuff and I like those songs also.
I thought I recognised KT's voice. There's a long but interesting review of this album on the UK Independent website. An important song topic too, in these days of vast people movements and growing xenophobia. Refugees are people too.
She is on 3 songs on this CD. I really like this but I can't take their newer stuff. Sophie Solomon was on some of their older stuff and I like those songs also.
I thought I recognised KT's voice. There's a long but interesting review of this album on the UK Independent website. An important song topic too, in these days of vast people movements and growing xenophobia. Refugees are people too.
HAting these stupid !!! lyrics !!!!! aarrrrgh. annoying rhythm. no redeeming qualities. urp
Outstanding band, with all the various female vocalists. Love this song! Another one introduced to me by RP. Thanks!
I love the flow of this song, how it gradually builds and adds layers. Fantastic.
Mandible wrote:
She is on 3 songs on this CD. I really like this but I can't take their newer stuff. Sophie Solomon was on some of their older stuff and I like those songs also.
Is this the only song KT Tunstall recorded with them? Is it the whole CD?
She is on 3 songs on this CD. I really like this but I can't take their newer stuff. Sophie Solomon was on some of their older stuff and I like those songs also.
HarrO wrote:
I agree! It's hard to believe the two songs are by the same artist, with or without KT Tunstall .. I rated "Yuri" 1, and this song 8. I miss seeing your comments, HarrO, where are you?
This ones much, much,much, much better than "Yuri". 7
I agree! It's hard to believe the two songs are by the same artist, with or without KT Tunstall .. I rated "Yuri" 1, and this song 8. I miss seeing your comments, HarrO, where are you?
dorkmeister wrote:
Just to piss you off,,,,,
Why are there so many emoticons in the RP comments? I want to gnaw at their creepy nanite innards.
Just to piss you off,,,,,
KT at her best. I love the swelling sound in the chorus.
Is this the only song KT Tunstall recorded with them? Is it the whole CD?
HarrO wrote:
I agree. It's hard to believe both songs are by the same artist. I can't stand "Yuri" but this is a great song.
This ones much, much,much, much better than "Yuri". 7
I agree. It's hard to believe both songs are by the same artist. I can't stand "Yuri" but this is a great song.
I love this song and every time I hear it, I like it more. I've never heard it anywhere other than RP. Once again, you guys are awesome! Thank you, RP!
great tune. pure 8.
Well I voted this group down on another album. But heck, this is quite likable and original...Hmmm.
redstorm wrote:
Damn! this woman can really sing! really pure, pure vocals. More please!
KT Tunstall
Damn! this woman can really sing! really pure, pure vocals. More please!
KT Tunstall
Damn! this woman can really sing! really pure, pure vocals. More please!
This is fantastic. RP rules.
Darn! I was hoping this was another cut from Drastic Fantastic. I may have to buy 2 albums featuring KT Tunstall, if the rest of this one is as good as this song.
This ones much, much,much, much better than "Yuri". 7
AvoidingWork wrote:
It's sad when the mind goes. I was just about to add the same comment again because I didn't read through all the other comments. And a little voice said to check again. Wow! I would have been double posting!!! How embarrassing.
The few notes of this song reminds me of one of the "School House Rock" songs that I can't quite remember. I think it was the one about the number 8 with the figure skater doing the number 8 in the ice.
It's sad when the mind goes. I was just about to add the same comment again because I didn't read through all the other comments. And a little voice said to check again. Wow! I would have been double posting!!! How embarrassing.
MiMa wrote:
There's more on here, but you'd never know from listening it's the same folks. I like them both but for very different reasons...
Interesting sounds...please more, Bill.
There's more on here, but you'd never know from listening it's the same folks. I like them both but for very different reasons...
gandalfbmg wrote:
OK...that was just the coolest comment I ever read. I give your comment a 9!
I would listen to KT sing the phone book. And this is even better.
OK...that was just the coolest comment I ever read. I give your comment a 9!
I would listen to KT sing the phone book. And this is even better.
Interesting sounds...please more, Bill.
P.S.: followed by Massive Attack, perfect mix, as ever
P.S.: followed by Massive Attack, perfect mix, as ever
This is good, really good.
love oi va voi!!!Nice. It's a palette cleanser.
Refreshing, intriguing, envigorating.
And the lovely KT...........
Delboy77 wrote:
wonderful lyrics, very descriptive of what is going wrong in asylum and migration politics here in europe,
f***in' xenophobia on the rise!
always good to hear this song...
d.
I love the steady "Enter The Dragon" bass beat back there.
wonderful lyrics, very descriptive of what is going wrong in asylum and migration politics here in europe,
f***in' xenophobia on the rise!
always good to hear this song...
d.
Is this some doudouk flute we can listen to into this song? Anybody can tell me? THX!
Either that, or no one's listening...
oops, did i just say that?
Zep wrote:
So the connection with Radiohead would be what, specifically?
Zep's Rule of Posting #3: A response to one's own post means you have nothing to say.
carbonatom wrote:
This is realy growing on me... 
Yep. One of a few songs on RP that I like more each time I hear it. (There's a few that work the other way for me to ;-) )
Why are there so many emoticons in the RP comments? I want to gnaw at their creepy nanite innards.
128kb/s AAC is no different to 192kb/s, I swear, I know this song intimately and love it so much, so as far as missin' 192kb/s 
128kb/s AAC
128kb/s AAC very slick...they should change their name to Oil of Oley.
lame lame lame
This is realy growing on me...
AvoidingWork wrote:
The few notes of this song reminds me of one of the "School House Rock" songs that I can't quite remember. I think it was the one about the number 8 with the figure skater doing the number 8 in the ice.
I love that figure 8 song!
AvoidingWork wrote:
The few notes of this song reminds me of one of the "School House Rock" songs that I can't quite remember. I think it was the one about the number 8 with the figure skater doing the number 8 in the ice.
Woah, you're right! I totally hear it! I haven't thought about that song in ages, but remember being totally mesmerized by it as a kid.
KT Tunstall: Greater Than the Sum of Her Sounds
The few notes of this song reminds me of one of the "School House Rock" songs that I can't quite remember. I think it was the one about the number 8 with the figure skater doing the number 8 in the ice.
This album rules....great find thanks to RP
It has a lot going for it, but it's smooth bordering on slick.
crockydile wrote:
Outstanding. Great progressions and layers. 
Yeah. That's what I wanted to say.
vickiand_graham wrote:
Kt Tunstall, the vocalist, does a mean cover of Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees" recently on JO WHiley, a British radio show. It is on her recently released British single, Another Place to Fall. I highly reccomend it and also see her live as she uses a loop pedal with great aplomb!
Well I didnt know it was her singing this, you learn something new every day dont you...Good song.
Kt Tunstall, the vocalist, does a mean cover of Radiohead "Fake Plastic Trees" recently on JO WHiley, a British radio show. It is on her recently released British single, Another Place to Fall. I highly reccomend it and also see her live as she uses a loop pedal with great aplomb!
alot of good write ups, but i found myself waiting for something good to happen, even if accidental. something good never happened
Super fine track. Glad to hear it. Gives me the stamina needed to endure Thievery Corporation.
kickin
Outstanding. Great progressions and layers.
Nice!
UltraNurd wrote:
Or perhaps they? Physicsgenius might be a committee!
Or a flash mob. That's my working theory.
groovy . . .
Mugro wrote:
Two startling facts:
1. Physicsgenius has returned from points unknown to impart his/her wisdom upon us.
2. Physicsgenius has posted a POSITIVE comment about an artist/song!!!
Coding to Music: We may not have found out where Phsyicsgenius has been, but we know that he/she is back!
Or perhaps they? Physicsgenius might be a committee!