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The Smithereens — Blood And Roses
Album: Especially For You
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2613









Released: 1986
Length: 3:27
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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It was long ago
Seems like yesterday
Saw you standing in the rain
Then I heard you say

I want to love but it comes out wrong
I want to live but I don't belong
I close my eyes and I see
Blood and roses

Love flowers in the springtime
October we were wed
In wintertime the roses died
The blood ran cold
And then she said

I want to love but it comes out wrong
I want to live but I don't belong
I close my eyes and I see
Blood and roses

It was long ago
Seems like yesterday
Saw you standing in the rain
Then I heard you say

I need your love but it comes out wrong
I try to live but I don't belong
I close my eyes and I see
Blood and roses
Blood and roses
Blood and roses
Blood and roses
Comments (212)add comment
Great bass line!!!
Posted 11 months ago by Raretodd    [ Reply ]
Shame on me... I heard "The Doors" :)
Posted 1 year ago by Atombender    [ Reply ]
 ToddyWoddy wrote:

So sad about singer Pat DiNizio passing. Very uniqiue sound with them. Got to see them 3X...



same!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Long Live RP!  
Posted 1 year ago by waterwench21    [ Reply ]
This track, and  'Behind The Wall of Sleep', are absolute classics.
Posted 2 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
Pat and Jim Babjack were good friends.  Played with them onstage at Pat's house in Scotch Plains, NJ at one of Pat's epic Memorial Day gatherings.  

RIP Brother.  
Posted 2 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Jersey's finest...
Posted 2 years ago by jef    [ Reply ]
To me, these guys picked up where James Gang left off, just producing solid catchy unpretentious rock and rolls songs again and again.
Posted 2 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
ONE OF THE MOST BAD-ASS SONGS EVER! There is no way to turn this except way on up! The walls are rocking; Thanks, RP!
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
the smithereens - good groove… great voice
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 vincey wrote:
The bassline reminds me of Riders on the Storm... in a good way...
Is there a bad way to be reminded of the Riders on the Storm bassline?

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
The bassline reminds me of Riders on the Storm... in a good way...
Posted 3 years ago by vincey    [ Reply ]
Owned the 2nd and 3rd album, lost track after that, but I can play those two albums endlessly. Timeless.
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
Yeah, 34 years later  and they sound even worse. 
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
This album (yes, album. OK, maybe tape) was a huge part of my musical education in high school. I still know all the words. I miss music like this. I am also old.
Posted 4 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
At first listen with that bass line, I almost thought "Peter Gun" by Art of Noise with Duane Eddy was playing.Not familiar with the group but that was very listenable!!!
Posted 4 years ago by mediamarv    [ Reply ]
This is just a great song!
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
So sad about singer Pat DiNizio passing. Very uniqiue sound with them. Got to see them 3X...
Posted 5 years ago by ToddyWoddy    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by mashala84    [ Reply ]
Commercially grungy~~~~ Great vocal tones!
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
Damn. Almost never hear the Smithereens. Love that bass line.
Posted 5 years ago by ppeters914    [ Reply ]
Simply outstanding
Posted 6 years ago by tanyhon    [ Reply ]
 poetdancer wrote:
Saw these guys last in a club in San Francisco several years ago. The lead singer, Pat DiNizio, died December 12, 2017. He'll be missed.

 
Oh wow, I did not know he passed away.  Always liked that band.  Just really good basic ROCK & ROLL.
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
RIP Pat DiNizio.  You guys put on an amazing show.
Posted 6 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
The Man and The Band were freaking rock and roll geniuses! Pat, please reach down and help the young songwriters.
Posted 6 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Drop the hammer!
Posted 6 years ago by wagontent1902    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys last in a club in San Francisco several years ago. The lead singer, Pat DiNizio, died December 12, 2017. He'll be missed.
Posted 6 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
RIP, Pat DiNizio.

A talented song writer and a beautiful voice.
Posted 6 years ago by witowsky    [ Reply ]
{#Guitarist} LOVE THIS BAND ! saw them in a small club seattle apparently they were good friends with cobain talked a lot bout him at this show / very good no messing around tween songs just flat laid it out / outstanding
Posted 7 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
Always liked these guys.  Straight forward R&R with a good melodic sense.  Kind of like a more current James Gang.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Great song... Such an underrated band 
Posted 8 years ago by tanyhon    [ Reply ]
 baylees wrote:
Saw them live years ago  they were good.  What ever became of them?  Anyone Know? 

 
Still playing, after a time off for Pat to recuperate from a fall (slipped on ice & hurt his arm). You wouldn't recognize Pat tho. 
 
 
Posted 8 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Saw them live years ago  they were good.  What ever became of them?  Anyone Know? 
Posted 9 years ago by baylees    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

"Yes, I'm SURE about the haircut.
Mom says center-parts are where it's at. Now lay off."

 
Yes, but it's missing something:

Alfalfa from The Little Rascals, with cowlick 
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

Totally! I've spent many hours in the garage working on it. But it seems that he's tuned his bass down a half-step to play it in Eb. So it's a little hard to play along with the song. (I know I could retune it, but it was tuned at the factory and I don't want to spoil it {#Bananajam})

 
Buy a 5string.......Seriously, detuning to Eflat  is de riguer for a lot of tunes.
Posted 9 years ago by kurt_from_kanada    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
Best bass line ever!

 
Totally! I've spent many hours in the garage working on it. But it seems that he's tuned his bass down a half-step to play it in Eb. So it's a little hard to play along with the song. (I know I could retune it, but it was tuned at the factory and I don't want to spoil it {#Bananajam})
Posted 9 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

"Yes, I'm SURE about the haircut.
Mom says center-parts are where it's at. Now lay off."

 
Moe's nephew. Remind him to murder you later. 
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]

"Yes, I'm SURE about the haircut.
Mom says center-parts are where it's at. Now lay off."
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
yes this is rockin
Posted 10 years ago by Lauriea    [ Reply ]
Pure metalfittin' meaty driving rock. Feckin' brilliant! I love the bass line, as others do, but it's the lead guitar that really gets me. It's amazing how 3 simple instruments can combine so perfectly, such that your very heart beats in time with the song. 9 from the rockin' Nottingham jury {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 10 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
New Jersey's own! Always liked these guys.
Posted 10 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
"We can be Smithereens together!"
"I don't want to die:  I want to be alive.  Or, a cowboy."
Posted 10 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
I spent the 80's in a cabin, living off the grid.  Looks like I missed a few bands.  Good stuff.{#Bananapiano}
Posted 11 years ago by teleskialaska    [ Reply ]
best cut I've heard from this group....{#Dance}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
One of those bands that slipped through the cracks in the 80's. Better than most of their contemporaries.
Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
 angbb_matt wrote:
Oh yeah, the Bass line - this is *very* doors. Can't recall which song, possibly one on the album 'strange days' ?

 

"Riders on the Storm?"
Posted 11 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
  bb_matt wrote:
Wow, never heard this before. 

At first I thought, very current, then I thought a bit REM, then I thought Foo Fighters, then I thought, it's a bit grunge...

Then I looked at the date! 1986! - this sounds so much later than that date. 
Aud wrote:
Yeah, hard to believe it's this old! 

I thought this was retro when it came out in the mid 1980s - sounds like good 1960's music to my ears... so what does that say about grunge?
Posted 11 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
More Smithereens please!!!!!!!!{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananajam}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 11 years ago by JoepKoperdraat    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:
Wow, never heard this before. 

At first I thought, very current, then I thought a bit REM, then I thought Foo Fighters, then I thought, it's a bit grunge...

Then I looked at the date! 1986! - this sounds so much later than that date.

 

Yeah, hard to believe it's this old!
Posted 11 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Recently got to see (Smithereen's lead singer/songwriter) Pat DiNizio in a singing and storytelling show he has been doing in Vegas.

Highly recommended.



 

Yea he is a great guy and this was a most underappreciated band.
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 bb_matt wrote:
Oh yeah, the Bass line - this is *very* doors. Can't recall which song, possibly one on the album 'strange days' ?

 

I would say Riders on the Storm.  This is a great song.
Posted 11 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah, the Bass line - this is *very* doors. Can't recall which song, possibly one on the album 'strange days' ?
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Wow, never heard this before. 

At first I thought, very current, then I thought a bit REM, then I thought Foo Fighters, then I thought, it's a bit grunge...

Then I looked at the date! 1986! - this sounds so much later than that date.
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Great then great now
Posted 11 years ago by Gerbear    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
Best bass line ever!
 
Indeed!!!  long live this bass line {#Dance}{#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by JoepKoperdraat    [ Reply ]
GREAT SONG AND (LIVE-)BAND!
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Best bass line ever!
Posted 11 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
 merkin_muffley wrote:
I'm hearing Tragically Hip mainly the bass and guitar. Sounds a lot more recent than '86.
 
Yeah, early Hip. Last American Exit era.
Posted 11 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
Great song !!!
Posted 11 years ago by Raiko25    [ Reply ]
Met Pat years ago a the Metro in Chi......Hell of a nice guy......8
Posted 12 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
 JsDad wrote:
You had to have a certain level of cool to be able to listen to these guys.  I didn't qualify, but I'd occasionally be in someone's house who did when they were playing.
 
Perfect comment!
Posted 12 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
 JsDad wrote:
You had to have a certain level of cool to be able to listen to these guys.  I didn't qualify, but I'd occasionally be in someone's house who did when they were playing.
 
These guys played in relatively small bars and clubs all over the NY/NJ area for years - being 'cool' was never a requirement to see or hear them. I don't think anyone was prohibited from being 'able to listen' to them - well, unless they didn't pay a cover charge at the door.  Dover, New Jersey could be called a lot of things back then - "cool" was not often one of them.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing Tragically Hip mainly the bass and guitar. Sounds a lot more recent than '86.
Posted 12 years ago by merkin_muffley    [ Reply ]
How cool is Pat DiNizio? When founding member and bassist Mike Mesaros finally decided to hang it up, DiNizio hired Severo Jornacion—who was the bassist in a Smithereens tribute band (that I can't find the name of). Said Dinizio, "Hell, he knew all the songs..."
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
i will always love this song!
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]

When the first few notes play, I hear "Monkey Gone to Heaven" by the Pixies.


Posted 12 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
Mediocre.
Posted 12 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]

Recently got to see (Smithereen's lead singer/songwriter) Pat DiNizio in a singing and storytelling show he has been doing in Vegas.

Highly recommended.


Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
This song has also been one of my favorite rockers.  I remember back in 1986 waiting at the border of Arizona and Mexico all night for the border gate to open in order to drive to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) to spend a three day weekend camping on the beach.  I was playing this cassette tape on my boom box and rocking out my friends that were there with me. That wonderful bass line still always grabs my attention.

Posted 12 years ago by chedak    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
Love, love, LOVE that bass line!
 
Add the crack of the drums and the hairs stand straight up.
Posted 12 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
{#Yes} yup...serious kickin' goin' on!

 mandolin wrote:
kick.  ass.
 


Posted 12 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
You had to have a certain level of cool to be able to listen to these guys.  I didn't qualify, but I'd occasionally be in someone's house who did when they were playing.
Posted 12 years ago by JsDad    [ Reply ]
It's 1988. I'm hanging out with my college roommate in downtown New Haven, CT, and the Smithereens were due to play Toad's Place that night. As I'm on the pay phone across the street from Store 24, Chrissy tugs on my arms as white as a sheet. She mutters something barely understandable, then shouts, "OMG! The Smithereens are in Store 24!" I slam down the phone and we run over, and yup, there they are, the four tall dudes in black buying toothpaste. It was awesome! I grabbed a candybar and got in line right behind Pat (he's a BIG dude!) and had a fun 5 minute conversation. Nice guy. What a blast! We were too young to catch the show (Toad's was 21 and over, and we were 19), but at least we met Pat up close!
Posted 12 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
Dig me me Smithereens! Green Thoughts was one of my fave albums of the late-80's era at the time. Don't know how well it's aged, but it shore does bring back fond memories of (of all places) living in Orange County, CA...
Posted 12 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

I got the drum chair, k?  {#Drummer}

{#High-five}
 
By all means! Rock on!

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Really like the Smithereens - Thanks, RP
Posted 13 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
 liveinthewire wrote:

"Waiting for the Sun" was not on the Doors album of the same name, but rather on "Morrison Hotel."
 

Elvis Costello's song, "Imperial Bedroom" was not on his album of the same name, was not on a proper album, but appeared in the collection Out of Our Idiot.
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

Right!  You're in the band too.  I'll let you know when rehearsals start. {#Bananajam}
 
I got the drum chair, k?  {#Drummer}

{#High-five}
Posted 13 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 boober wrote:

I'll sing....our bass player has problems with this one.

 
Right!  You're in the band too.  I'll let you know when rehearsals start. {#Bananajam}
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Krispian wrote:
Love, love, LOVE that bass line!
 
Reminds me of early-ish R.E.M. Life's Rich Pageant?

Posted 13 years ago by Rabid_Engineer    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Love that bass riff.  Someday I'll have a band again and play this one.  I'll play bass {#Wink}
 
I'll sing....our bass player has problems with this one.

Posted 13 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:

Like ELP's song "Brain Salad Surgery" was not on the album of the same name.

 
"Waiting for the Sun" was not on the Doors album of the same name, but rather on "Morrison Hotel."


Posted 13 years ago by liveinthewire    [ Reply ]
{#Yes} Krispian wrote:
Love, love, LOVE that bass line!
 


Posted 13 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Love, love, LOVE that bass line!
Posted 13 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
The apex of their career . At least , for me it was .
Posted 13 years ago by btt    [ Reply ]
 mandolin wrote:
...it always confused the heck out of me that the song especially for you was on their next album, green thoughts, rather than this one...
 
Like ELP's song "Brain Salad Surgery" was not on the album of the same name.

Posted 13 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Saw Pat Dinizio doing a living room concert here in Champaign, IL.
What a great voice. He truly was entertaining.
Posted 13 years ago by blkstd    [ Reply ]
...it always confused the heck out of me that the song especially for you was on their next album, green thoughts, rather than this one...
Posted 13 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Classic 80s sound! Not bad!  {#Bananajam}{#Motor}
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Love that bass riff.  Someday I'll have a band again and play this one.  I'll play bass {#Wink}
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Seahunt wrote:
In the mid eighties flew from DC to London.  Saw these guys were playing that night at a place called Dingwall's.  They were awesome even after being up for 36 hours straight.  Funny to fly all the way across the big pond to see a band from New Jersey!
 
San Diego, 1986ish, small club, met the guitarist, it was cool.  {#Guitarist}
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
In the mid eighties flew from DC to London.  Saw these guys were playing that night at a place called Dingwall's.  They were awesome even after being up for 36 hours straight.  Funny to fly all the way across the big pond to see a band from New Jersey!
Posted 13 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
OH YEAH!!!!!  {#Bananajam}   {#Drummer}
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 frecko wrote:
Great song from a really good, underrated, band.{#Bananajam}
 
+1. Smithereens made many very good tunes.

Posted 13 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Is this the band that formed when the Smiths broke up ?

Posted 13 years ago by rez    [ Reply ]
 paulmack wrote:
Who cares? I mean, if one was to worry every time they came up with a new riff or something whether or not it just might sound like something else - really, what are the chances that it doesn't?! 
There are a finite number of tunes, riffs and bass lines, so its inevitable really.

Posted 14 years ago by Dillinquent    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:

Riders on the Storm. Now that you say that, it's pretty obvious.
 

Who cares? I mean, if one was to worry every time they came up with a new riff or something whether or not it just might sound like something else - really, what are the chances that it doesn't?!

Posted 14 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
 Bleyfusz wrote:
The intro bass line always reminds me of a certain Doors theme.... {#Stupid}
 
Riders on the Storm. Now that you say that, it's pretty obvious.
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
kick.  ass.
Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
 bronorb wrote:
Awesome song.

 

From an awesome album!!
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
The intro bass line always reminds me of a certain Doors theme.... {#Stupid}
Posted 14 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
Awesome song.

Posted 14 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
This reminds me a bit of the "MIghty Lemon Drops".  Speaking of which, does anybody have any of their songs to upload...BIll seemingly doesn't have any of their stuff.
Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
This song brings back a night in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd with Cristy in my pace car..a fine evening etched in my mind....

Posted 14 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:

This album was my first exposure to the Smithereens and I really like it.
But like peter_james_bond said "Why have they become a cover band?"  They've done two tributes to the Beatles and a recent one
to the Who.  How about some more of that good ol' Smithereens rock 'n' roll?

 
What he said!

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
I like this song almost as much as "Behind the wall of sheep". Good stuff.
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Great song from a really good, underrated, band.{#Bananajam}
Posted 14 years ago by frecko    [ Reply ]
 buddy wrote:
This song got me to buy their album.  I never liked another song by them except this one.
 
This album was my first exposure to the Smithereens and I really like it.
But like peter_james_bond said "Why have they become a cover band?"  They've done two tributes to the Beatles and a recent one
to the Who.  How about some more of that good ol' Smithereens rock 'n' roll?

Posted 15 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
 Lubrk8r wrote:
One of my favorite straight-ahead rock and roll songs. I also like "Behind a Wall of Sleep".
 
Same here. Good ol' basic rock 'n' roll. This song could have come from any time in the last 3 decades, and that's not a criticism - rock 'n' roll is timeless :). 8 from the Nottingham jury.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Quintessential bar band sound-what an old treasure!
Posted 15 years ago by divisionlane    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:
The Smithereens just released a tribute to the Who's "Tommy."  Many of the best songs from the rock opera are done
with respect and are pretty faithful to the originals.
 
First they cover the Beatles, now The Who. Why have The Smithereens become a cover band? {#Stupid}
https://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wxfixzu0ldhe

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
The Smithereens just released a tribute to the Who's "Tommy."  Many of the best songs from the rock opera are done
with respect and are pretty faithful to the originals.
Posted 15 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Oh thank you thank you for some Smithereens on a Friday morning! I was really in need of a jump start.
Posted 15 years ago by isayhoomhom    [ Reply ]
YAY! I Lovvvvve The Smithereens!!!

Follow this up with the Doors, Riders On The Storm... 
Posted 15 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
Damn!!  Haven't heard this in ages.  Saw them in concert in what was basically a garage, Orlando 1988.  Just a great, straight forward rock band.
Posted 15 years ago by bwcyclist    [ Reply ]
 Lubrk8r wrote:
One of my favorite straight-ahead rock and roll songs. I also like "Behind a Wall of Sleep". Same sensibility as some of Dada's work, to me.
 
"Behind the Wall of Sleep" is a cool tune.  My band used to play it.  Should bring it back!

Posted 15 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite straight-ahead rock and roll songs. I also like "Behind a Wall of Sleep". Same sensibility as some of Dada's work, to me.
Posted 15 years ago by Lubrk8r    [ Reply ]
My hometown band!   YEAAAA!
Posted 15 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]