I'm really falling in love with this song. However, I've heard a bit of the original via Enzology and I didn't care for the drum machines of course. But the two new live versions I've heard from Wellington & Auckland are gorgeous. I personally prefer most Enz songs in their newer reunion versions. Does anyone have any Enz gems they'd like polished off? I'd love a good recording of Neil doing Titus. Hopefully we'll get a CD/DVD of the new shows.
Matt

This is one of my favourite (if not my most favourite)Enz song ever, the the version in Auckland on the 29th certainly had something extra beautiful about it.It had me crying on poor Kazzah's shoulder actually, glad my make up was water proof !

This song is my DH's and mine, as we risk everything by jumping into a brand new country this year.

Having it sung at the dress rehearsal was soo special, as well as the shows we went to. We both love it.

The song is so much more powerful live than on any recording. And IMHO it's a really massively passionate, strong song - more so than I See Red. Give it a Whirl is another one that can be really strong, but Devil You Know is really brilliant.

There's nothing better than the way Neil releases this line live:

Live for the day we throw caution to the wind

You guys are making me jealous over here!!!

This is definitely one of my favourite SE tunes as well... gets me so emotional when I hear it. First heard it when I got Spellbound actually, made the mistake of putting it on in the car, and turned into a mushy, tear-stained mess. Funny how Neil's managed to do that to me many times in my poor car. A beautiful song, and I would love to see a live version (DVD...pretty pleeeeease?!?!?)

The song is great, I love it. But I always thought the bridge didn't fit, didn't help.

"To the city / to the city everyday..."

It just, for me, doesn't seem to work as well as the rest of the song. It almost ties the soaring longing of the verses down to one too-pedestrian interpretation of what it could mean.

That's just for me. I love the song itself. It's a minor quibble really. The song is not necessarily marred.

My niece fell in love with this song on tour also, and she said the same thing; she prefers the live version without the synthesiser, or extra melody, or whatever it is. (Her interpretation, not mine. I would have no idea).

I was used to the recorded version, but really did love it live.

Oh! I forgot to ask. For those at the Auckland show, before he starts Devil You Know, Neil laughs and says, "Thanks Scott...That was Scott from California". Anyone know what this was about? Paper airplane, perhaps?

I'm in California! I KNOW SCOTT!

I'll have to ask him. Weird, he doesn't even like Crowded House.

He's kind of a sociopath, too. But uh, that's not an official diagnosis or anything.

I just discoved this song as well, thanks to these live shows. I've been listening to it repeatedly these past few days.

Mr Sadly, I actually love the To the city part!

As for Scott, I suppose this is the Scott who gave Nick his hat. (first offered it to Neil, but he declined because he'd never wear it). On one of the live recordings of the US shows, there's a bit about Scott and I heard that he'd been mentioned at other shows as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Tine:
Mr Sadly, I actually love the To the city part!

I was thinking about this after I posted. It's not that it's not pretty! I think it's more a personal thing. When I first came to love this song, a lot of it obliquely spoke to a certain and particular situation in my own life. But MY feeling hung on a cliff paralyzed, wanting to see the other side of things had nothing to do with being imprisoned in factory/job decisions (back then anyhow).

That's why I felt it limited the interpretation a little too much. Because the rest of the song us very open and could be about a LOT of situations where you feel that way.

I certainly don't mean to criticize Neil's decision, he's free to make a song as specific as he likes and I'm sure the bridge is crucial to the way he wants the song to come across!

I didn't see it as criticism. We all have our own reasons for liking certain songs.

In the meantime, I've gone through the recordings I have of the US tour. If you want to know who Scott is, download Nails in My Feet from the Saratoga gig. The conversation is at the end.

mattdrum74 wrote:

quote:

Oh! I forgot to ask. For those at the Auckland show, before he starts Devil You Know, Neil laughs and says, "Thanks Scott...That was Scott from California". Anyone know what this was about? Paper airplane, perhaps?

Scott yelled out something inaudible (to us) to Neil, and Neil was answering.

But you could hear him I guess with varying degrees of distinction (depending on your location) across the whole stadium and it caused a smattering of laughter.

quote:

Originally posted by Tine:
I didn't see it as criticism. We all have our own reasons for liking certain songs.

In the meantime, I've gone through the recordings I have of the US tour. If you want to know who Scott is, download Nails in My Feet from the Saratoga gig. The conversation is at the end.

Aha! THAT Scott! I recall it. Man, he gets around! Is he on the board?

Such a shame this wasn't included on the One Out of the Bag DVD (along with Jamboree) as it was great on the Aus tour as well

quote:

Originally posted by Charlie's Mum:
There's nothing better than the way Neil releases this line live:

Live for the day we throw caution to the wind

That whole verse produces a big lump in my throat - I love this song!

One of my best friends wrote out the lyrics in beautiful calligraphy on a big piece of parchment for me once (it had been a year full of turmoil and change for me; fairly appropriate lyrics for my situation at the time). She gave it to me in the parking lot prior to a CH show in 1994. While I was reading it and having an emotional moment out there amongst the cars, some tour personnel guy was looking over my shoulder and told me "stay right there for a minute". Soon he returned with Neil, who signed my parchment. It's framed and hanging up in a prime location of my house now!

quote:

Originally posted by hyacinth:

quote:

Originally posted by Charlie's Mum:
There's nothing better than the way Neil releases this line live:

Live for the day we throw caution to the wind

That whole verse produces a big lump in my throat - I love this song!

One of my best friends wrote out the lyrics in beautiful calligraphy on a big piece of parchment for me once (it had been a year full of turmoil and change for me; fairly appropriate lyrics for my situation at the time). She gave it to me in the parking lot prior to a CH show in 1994. While I was reading it and having an emotional moment out there amongst the cars, some tour personnel guy was looking over my shoulder and told me "stay right there for a minute". Soon he returned with Neil, who signed my parchment. It's framed and hanging up in a prime location of my house now!

Holy cow, that's wonderful!!! Would you consider taking a picture of it (sans flash of course) and posting it here? If not, I understand that it is a fairly personal item!!! All the same, how great of your friend to do that, the tour guy to tell Neil, and Neil to sign it!

Hyacinth, please please take a photo if you have the resources and share with us. TDYK touched my heart 25 years ago when I bought "Conflicting Emotions". Every song a gem.

Mr. Sadly, I understand your P.O.V. - there are many Enz/Finn Bros. songs with different 'parts' that you can tell were written independently. Usually the surprise and juxtaposition seems to work beautifully. I like this one, but get your drift.

"The main obstacle in my way, is terminal indecision, I waver and I sway...."

quote:

Originally posted by Terabithia:
Mr. Sadly, I understand your P.O.V. - there are many Enz/Finn Bros. songs with different 'parts' that you can tell were written independently. Usually the surprise and juxtaposition seems to work beautifully. I like this one, but get your drift.

I do very much love the song. I think I tend though, to want every song I love to apply to ME! ME SPECIFICALLY! MY SITUATION!

That's not selfish is it...?

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Rose:
But you could hear him I guess with varying degrees of distinction (depending on your location) across the whole stadium and it caused a smattering of laughter.

Are you sure it was laughter and not groans, TR. Some of us know Scott only too well, more's the pity.

I meet Scott.
He is a good keen fan from L.A.
Well you would have to be a true fan to come from the other side of the world to N.Z. just to see Split Enz.
I know he comes here to F.F., but doesn't post.
Shout out to Scott.