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Neko Case — Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
Album: Middle Cyclone
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 557









Released: 2009
Length: 2:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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When she's on her best behaviour
Don't be tempted by her favours
Never turn your back on mother earth

Towns are hurled from A to B
By hands that look so smooth to me
Never turn your back on mother earth

Grasp at straws that don't want grasping
Gaze at clouds that come down crashing
Never turn your back on mother earth

Three days and two nights away from my friends
Amen to anything that brings quick return to my friends
To my friends

I'll admit I was unfaithful
From now I'll be more faithful
Never turn your back on mother
Never turn your back on mother
Never turn your back on mother earth
Comments (76)add comment
I adore Neko's singing, but this is perhaps one song she should have walked on by. It doesn't work for her.
Posted 3 years ago by ipestell    [ Reply ]
 TheKing2 wrote:


Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
It's lost the energy of the original, and has an overpowering ploddy rhythm section with odd breathing and vocal delivery. The original was just that - original. This seems formulaic.

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 TheKing2 wrote:

I'm afraid I have to disagree. 
 

And I, in turn, with you.

Now where's that got us?
Posted 3 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
Never turn your back on a Cop
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
There was a Cyclone, but that is definitely a 1967 Cougar.
Posted 4 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Love Neko. Love Mother Earth. This song, not so much. 
Posted 4 years ago by teeyodi    [ Reply ]
 SweTex wrote:
ahhh an old Sparks song on RP. This song is WAY better with the Sparks, though. A 4. Would've been an 8 with the Mael brothers.
 
I'm afraid I have to disagree. 
Posted 4 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
I find this lovely tune very appropriate for our time here and now. 
Posted 4 years ago by Tam_P-town    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

yeah, mad...loved them.

 
Still worth every penny, check out the live videos from UK tour.
Posted 6 years ago by pifat    [ Reply ]
https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/senate-confirms-prominent-opponent-of-epa-as-head-of-epa.htmlSenate Confirms Leading Opponent of Environmental Regulation As Head of the EPA

Scott Pruitt will spearhead the Trump administration’s anti-environmental agenda. 

McConnell explains why he didn't delay Scott Pruitt's vote: "Because I choose not to."
 

 


Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Blimey, Sparks.  I saw them live here in the mid 70's and thought they were great.  A bit mad, though.

 
yeah, mad...loved them.
Posted 8 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
 Romeo, you just wanted to show off her wonderful attributes. Cheap plug.
 
You say that as if it were a bad thing.  {#Twisted}
Posted 8 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Blimey, Sparks.  I saw them live here in the mid 70's and thought they were great.  A bit mad, though.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:
love her... sigh...

Neko Case   

Romeo, you just wanted to show off her wonderful attributes. Cheap plug.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Love this song and the whole album, too.
Posted 12 years ago by RKeaton    [ Reply ]
Yum
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Neko can do no wrong.
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
LOVE Neko.  Not this song.
Posted 13 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
I have to turn Radio Paradise off when you play this.
Posted 13 years ago by PatsyMat    [ Reply ]
 JanioV wrote:
This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
 
That's an interesting, 21st Century interpretation of song lyrics that were written in 1974.  Ron Mael's lyrics have been called a lot of things, but "preachy and boring" did not come up much.  "As murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia"?!


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Not the best for Neko, but still likeable. Especially after passing through a police roadblock, as I just did.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 BioChamp wrote:
Then I'd hate to see what Mother Earth was plotting for that big chunk of space rock that smacked her so hard when she was young that it knocked the moon right out of her.
 
Actually Mother Earth came out the winner in that smack down as most scientists think that the space rock was destroyed in the collision and became part of the moon. Don't mess with the Mother! {#Angel}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:

After what we've done to Mother Nature, if she did strike back I would say it was self-defense or (understandable) revenge.

 
Then I'd hate to see what Mother Earth was plotting for that big chunk of space rock that smacked her so hard when she was young that it knocked the moon right out of her.

Posted 14 years ago by BioChamp    [ Reply ]
 cirruss wrote:
bummer... first "God is an Astronaut" and now this... I'm tuning out.
 
I know what you mean, but most times Bill is coming back with something really nice, and thats why i keep on listening!!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
bummer... first "God is an Astronaut" and now this... I'm tuning out.
Posted 15 years ago by cirruss    [ Reply ]
 keller1 wrote:
Just back from her show here in Toronto tonight.

Elegant, understated, left you wanting more ...

Best song intro was one about her first love, an imaginary boyfriend, " ... and I couldn't live up to his expectations either."
 
Great on record, great live....the consummate artist. Never turn your back on misguided Neko haters, show them how wrong they are.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
I don't normally trash songs on here, but this is such drivel. Never turn your back on an audience that you are making vomit.
Posted 15 years ago by wycado    [ Reply ]
 JanioV wrote:
This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
 
After what we've done to Mother Nature, if she did strike back I would say it was self-defense or (understandable) revenge.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
This song is preachy and boring, and what the lyrics actually say is that Mother Earth is as murderously treacherous as Lucretia Borgia. If this were a parody of earnestly clueless environmentalist "art," it could not be more perfect.
Posted 15 years ago by JanioV    [ Reply ]
This would be a perfect song for someone like Annie Haslam from Renaissance to do a cover of...
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 Exene wrote:
This song was amazing live. When she and Kelly hit those high notes, "...a quick return to my friends...," I actually got chills, and said to my friend next to me "oh my god I think I just came." A highlight of an all-around fantastic show. 
 
{#Eek} With Neko, I believe that's possible! {#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Bill- Agreed there has to be variety —- Please temper down on the level of  rotten vocals and bad lyrics .. this one really hurts
Posted 15 years ago by sunita    [ Reply ]
Makes me think of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrTPrp-fW8 
Posted 15 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I'm sort of overwhelmed by the number of cliche sounding chords
making me uncomfortable and cringing a little bit.  I normally don't have that response to NC
 
Cliche sounding chords? Care to elaborate? I mean, this is not avant guard jazz.

And I can't believe people are so ridiculous as to complain about photoshopped cover art.
Posted 15 years ago by PeorgieTirebiter    [ Reply ]
This song was amazing live. When she and Kelly hit those high notes, "...a quick return to my friends...," I actually got chills, and said to my friend next to me "oh my god I think I just came." A highlight of an all-around fantastic show. 
Posted 15 years ago by Exene    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
"Mother Earth - The Ultimate MILFTM"
 
Hehehe, worn out but still beautiful. :)

Btw.: Is this the official greenpeace hymn?


Posted 15 years ago by Mnemo    [ Reply ]
I'm sort of overwhelmed by the number of cliche sounding chords
making me uncomfortable and cringing a little bit.  I normally don't have that response to NC


Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Bill, you need to follow this with anything from Sparks just like you do with other covers. ;)
It is a sad thing that there is no sparks in your playlist.
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
"Mother Earth - The Ultimate MILFTM"
Posted 15 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
yup, 'cause if you turn your back on mother earth she will cut you. So no no.
Posted 15 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
Even her voice is Photoshopped.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Just back from her show here in Toronto tonight.

Elegant, understated, left you wanting more ...

Best song intro was one about her first love, an imaginary boyfriend, " ... and I couldn't live up to his expectations either."
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 diazo wrote:

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


 


"Middle Cougar" would have implied a confusing message...


Posted 15 years ago by firefly6    [ Reply ]
 Incarnadine wrote:

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.

 
i was quoting XKCD :P



Posted 15 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I like Neko Case but this song makes me {#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
boom, boom-boom, boom, boom-boom . . . seems like a grain of sand in the salad . . .
Posted 15 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
 MCKY wrote:
Great cover (album art and Sparks tune) -and she's way better looking than Ron and Russell.
  There is a troubling absence of any Sparks tunes here, especially given their influence on so many later artists.  It would be great to hear something from "Kimono My House", "Propaganda" or "Indiscreet".  I'll try to upload maybe.  Oh, great version, Neko.


Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Incarnadine wrote:
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.


 
Rather have her in the "Driver's Seat" ... oh yeah ....


Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Great cover (album art and Sparks tune) -and she's way better looking than Ron and Russell.
Posted 15 years ago by MCKY    [ Reply ]
Like the message, song is so-so.
Posted 15 years ago by Radio_Dweeb    [ Reply ]
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
 
Tough to tell.  You can see the indentation is showing up around her right foot.  Also the seam for the hood is slightly dipped compared to the fender.  (I hope everything popped back up ok.)  I like the gravel reflection in the bumper and speaking of which I don't see the sword reflection on the bumper.  Maybe it's beyond the curve of the hood for the reflection to pick it up.  Does anybody know what state that license plate that belongs to?
Neko Case
Picture taken from https://www.senbaltimore.com/bm~pix/86973-2_20081203_153201.jpg

Posted 15 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
{#Hearteyes}

Posted 15 years ago by aquadonia    [ Reply ]
ahhh an old Sparks song on RP. This song is WAY better with the Sparks, though. A 4. Would've been an 8 with the Mael brothers.
Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  

"It looks Photoshopped. Yeah, the reflections are all wrong. Definitely Photoshopped."

 

Um... I think you're both missing the point here.  I would be *honored* to have the likes of Neko Case beautify just by being there... any vehicle I have ever owned, or will own one day.


Posted 15 years ago by Incarnadine    [ Reply ]
Fun to hear this. I stumbled across my old Sparks vinyl(s) a couple of weeks ago.
Man, those were weird album covers...
Posted 15 years ago by Darrooon    [ Reply ]
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
 
"It looks Photoshopped.  Yeah, the reflections are all wrong.  Definitely Photoshopped."

Posted 15 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 TheKing2 wrote:


Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
 
Fully agree, King2{#Music}.
Bill, please let us her THE SPARKS again, please
haven`t heard of them for ages, they were thrilling.


Posted 15 years ago by Beinte    [ Reply ]
 snitramc wrote:
This is a cover of a song by Sparks, a late '70's GlamRock band. They were absolutely BRILLIANT (although everyone I played them for pretty much hated them). I saw them on American Bandstand, believe it or not. Dickie was actually cuttin' edge once. Look up Sparks. THEY TOTALLY ROCK!
 

Unfortunately Neko's cover does not really add anything to the original. Even the background vocals are exactly the same as I remember them. I wonder what Neko's version of "This town ain't big enough for the both of us" will sound like...
Posted 15 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
This is a cover of a song by Sparks, a late '70's GlamRock band. They were absolutely BRILLIANT (although everyone I played them for pretty much hated them). I saw them on American Bandstand, believe it or not. Dickie was actually cuttin' edge once. Look up Sparks. THEY TOTALLY ROCK!
Posted 15 years ago by snitramc    [ Reply ]
 inindian wrote:

Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
  She seems awful big (or the Cougar seems mighty small).

Posted 15 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 diazo wrote:

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


 
Yeah, and I was kinda concerned about what effect her knee and foot were having on the hood o' that beautiful Merc'ry unless she's just kinda superimposed there! But no it looks like she's really on it! Ouch!
Posted 15 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:

pyroclastic flow
 
Gotta watch out for those Pryoclastic Flows.

Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Her voice doesn't seem as smothered by studio effects on this one, sounds more natural.

Posted 15 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
great shot
pyroclastic flow
 


Posted 15 years ago by orthomd    [ Reply ]

pyroclastic flow


Posted 15 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
Nice take on the Sparks' song.  (Now that's a band with a history!)

 
Too bad we won't hear the original and are stuck with this mess.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]

Cyclone?  That's actually a Cougar she's standing on.  Better-looking than a Cyclone, though.


Posted 15 years ago by diazo    [ Reply ]
Nice take on the Sparks' song.  (Now that's a band with a history!)

Posted 15 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}
Posted 15 years ago by BillJ    [ Reply ]