Crowded House — Amsterdam
Album: IntriguerAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 216
Length: 3:29
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You and me got the whole day off
Take a trip to Vincent Van Gogh
But the line went halfway round the block
And we're looking for a place to rest
Every seat in every bar was set
So we turned back to The Grand Hotel
And the rain came hard
A million people on a protest march
Every choice, every path was mistaken
You and me got the whole thing sussed
Gray man is shadowing us
Wild conspiracies turn to dust
Hear the sound of cathedral bells
Cash ringing at the gates of Hell
And fairground hooligans push and swell
They're the darkest days of a free man
Lying in the streets of Amsterdam
Nearly fell underneath the tram
But I picked myself up
Every temptation and device
All the diamonds and the spice
I would give anything for the sight
Of an honest man (Hey)
Eyes swim in emptiness
I was looking at a hotel guest
He blew me a big sarcastic kiss
And the Lord walked in
With a monocle and lips so thin
Saw the barman wink as he poured his brandy
They're the darkest days of a free man
Lying in the streets of Amsterdam
Nearly fell underneath the tram
But I picked myself up
Every temptation up in lights
all the diamonds and the spice
Could take profit from the vice
Of another man
Amsterdam
Cold, cold
Cold, cold
You belong
Take a trip to Vincent Van Gogh
But the line went halfway round the block
And we're looking for a place to rest
Every seat in every bar was set
So we turned back to The Grand Hotel
And the rain came hard
A million people on a protest march
Every choice, every path was mistaken
You and me got the whole thing sussed
Gray man is shadowing us
Wild conspiracies turn to dust
Hear the sound of cathedral bells
Cash ringing at the gates of Hell
And fairground hooligans push and swell
They're the darkest days of a free man
Lying in the streets of Amsterdam
Nearly fell underneath the tram
But I picked myself up
Every temptation and device
All the diamonds and the spice
I would give anything for the sight
Of an honest man (Hey)
Eyes swim in emptiness
I was looking at a hotel guest
He blew me a big sarcastic kiss
And the Lord walked in
With a monocle and lips so thin
Saw the barman wink as he poured his brandy
They're the darkest days of a free man
Lying in the streets of Amsterdam
Nearly fell underneath the tram
But I picked myself up
Every temptation up in lights
all the diamonds and the spice
Could take profit from the vice
Of another man
Amsterdam
Cold, cold
Cold, cold
You belong
Comments (31)add comment
jasonv wrote:
Much of the regrouped CH has been a letdown for me. When this song started and I heard the lyrics below, I thought it was a lame Neil Finn copycat:
You and me got the whole day off
Take a trip to Vincent Van Gogh
But the line went halfway round the block
And we're looking for a place to rest
Every seat in every bar was set
So we turned back to The Grand Hotel
I don't have enough education to adequately describe the music, but it's pretty awkward too.
I find this song really painful to listen to.
The verse construction feels really awkward.
The verse construction feels really awkward.
Much of the regrouped CH has been a letdown for me. When this song started and I heard the lyrics below, I thought it was a lame Neil Finn copycat:
You and me got the whole day off
Take a trip to Vincent Van Gogh
But the line went halfway round the block
And we're looking for a place to rest
Every seat in every bar was set
So we turned back to The Grand Hotel
I don't have enough education to adequately describe the music, but it's pretty awkward too.
Alexandra wrote:
Amen!
Amen to that amen.
Amen!
Amen to that amen.
WonderLizard wrote:
Amen!
I for one am grateful that Finn decided to reopen the House. Lovely disc.
Amen!
I for one am grateful that Finn decided to reopen the House. Lovely disc.
I find this song really painful to listen to.
The verse construction feels really awkward.
The verse construction feels really awkward.
Ah, great photos to accompany this song — much appreciated.
Businessgypsy wrote:
Thanks for the clarification Businessgypsy...funny how that happens sometimes. Yeah...I'm now kind of disappointed...I liked mine better too...Ha.
It's "Saw the barman wink as he poured his (the monocled Lord's) brandy",but I like your lyrics better.
Love Crowded House, love Amsterdam - but this song scares me.
Because it might be true.
Love Crowded House, love Amsterdam - but this song scares me.
Because it might be true.
Thanks for the clarification Businessgypsy...funny how that happens sometimes. Yeah...I'm now kind of disappointed...I liked mine better too...Ha.
unclelonghair wrote:
It does in the UK and Ireland. They say "van goff" in my experience.
Hey, "Van Gough" doesn't rhyme with "off"...
It does in the UK and Ireland. They say "van goff" in my experience.
Sjaaks wrote:
I'm a Dutchman so i know how to pronounce it, but it always makes me laugh when someone says it in English "van Go". I think it's almost impossible to pronounce when you haven't mastered the Dutch language.
Since Vincent van Gogh was born and raised in Brabant, it is quite likely that he used the "ICH"-laut pronouncing his own name.
"Quite likely - in the sense of 'maybe not'" - because his parents had an "ACH"-laut origin.
"Quite likely - in the sense of 'maybe yes'" - because he used in his letters "ge" and "gij" for
"je" and "u" as Second Person Personal Pronouns.
"Ge" and "gij" are typical for the Brabant dialect.
"Je" and "u" are typical for the Holland dialect.
So, it is quite likely that most Dutchmen pronounce his name incorrectly if we take his own pronunciation as a benchmark.
https://www.vggallery.com/misc/pronunciation.htm
I'm a Dutchman so i know how to pronounce it, but it always makes me laugh when someone says it in English "van Go". I think it's almost impossible to pronounce when you haven't mastered the Dutch language.
Since Vincent van Gogh was born and raised in Brabant, it is quite likely that he used the "ICH"-laut pronouncing his own name.
"Quite likely - in the sense of 'maybe not'" - because his parents had an "ACH"-laut origin.
"Quite likely - in the sense of 'maybe yes'" - because he used in his letters "ge" and "gij" for
"je" and "u" as Second Person Personal Pronouns.
"Ge" and "gij" are typical for the Brabant dialect.
"Je" and "u" are typical for the Holland dialect.
So, it is quite likely that most Dutchmen pronounce his name incorrectly if we take his own pronunciation as a benchmark.
https://www.vggallery.com/misc/pronunciation.htm
Sjaaks wrote:
Another "Amsterdam"...
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
Box Set has an "Amsterdam." Dirty Martini (out of Portland, Oregon) also has one.I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
fredriley wrote:
It sure is. Whilst I've never been myself, I know a few folk who've been for the high culture and art, and more than a few who've been to the city for 'earthier' pleasures, which sounds like what yer man's singing about here. So many folk go for long weekends to get pissed, stoned and gawp at the sex workers, that Amsterdam natives must be royally narked at the 'tourism' the city attracts.
A few visitors do go to the Dam for 'enriched' weekenders it must be said (and I have had a few of those there over the years), but it is no more than many cities. In fact I live in a 'Party' City and as a local, one puts up with the tourist antics - its all part of living in a vibrant place.
Mind you, as I grow older, I am starting to shout at the tourists to 'get orffff my land' and poke them with a stick to get out of the way.
It sure is. Whilst I've never been myself, I know a few folk who've been for the high culture and art, and more than a few who've been to the city for 'earthier' pleasures, which sounds like what yer man's singing about here. So many folk go for long weekends to get pissed, stoned and gawp at the sex workers, that Amsterdam natives must be royally narked at the 'tourism' the city attracts.
A few visitors do go to the Dam for 'enriched' weekenders it must be said (and I have had a few of those there over the years), but it is no more than many cities. In fact I live in a 'Party' City and as a local, one puts up with the tourist antics - its all part of living in a vibrant place.
Mind you, as I grow older, I am starting to shout at the tourists to 'get orffff my land' and poke them with a stick to get out of the way.
Wow, love the chord change at the start of the chorus. Bridge too. Didnt expect it to go there. Very nice. 7 for now but this could go up.
my Mekka
wow wow wow ... nice! 
fredriley wrote:
It sure is. Whilst I've never been myself, I know a few folk who've been for the high culture and art, and more than a few who've been to the city for 'earthier' pleasures, which sounds like what yer man's singing about here. So many folk go for long weekends to get pissed, stoned and gawp at the sex workers, that Amsterdam natives must be royally narked at the 'tourism' the city attracts.
There's always the multiple choice alternative. I've been doing a home exchange in het Jordaan for years, my friends there are fine with the tourism. Eventually the novelty wears off and the tourist becomes a traveler, wandering into the Rijksmuseum and the Concertgebouw to have their consciousness raised in new and unexpected ways. A lovely, civilized place. Sjaaks wrote:
Ian McEwan's Amsterdam won the Booker Prize in 1998. IMHO—too clever by half for the Booker, but what do I know?
Another "Amsterdam"...
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
Ian McEwan's Amsterdam won the Booker Prize in 1998. IMHO—too clever by half for the Booker, but what do I know?
Sjaaks wrote:
It sure is. Whilst I've never been myself, I know a few folk who've been for the high culture and art, and more than a few who've been to the city for 'earthier' pleasures, which sounds like what yer man's singing about here. So many folk go for long weekends to get pissed, stoned and gawp at the sex workers, that Amsterdam natives must be royally narked at the 'tourism' the city attracts.
Another "Amsterdam"...
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
It sure is. Whilst I've never been myself, I know a few folk who've been for the high culture and art, and more than a few who've been to the city for 'earthier' pleasures, which sounds like what yer man's singing about here. So many folk go for long weekends to get pissed, stoned and gawp at the sex workers, that Amsterdam natives must be royally narked at the 'tourism' the city attracts.
bwlang wrote:
Hmm - meet mister pronunciation
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/321174/van_gogh_the_pronunciation/
Mildly amusing, especially where he corrects himself.
I'm a Dutchman so i know how to pronounce it, but it always makes me laugh when someone says it in English "van Go". I think it's almost impossible to pronounce when you haven't mastered the Dutch language.
Hmm - meet mister pronunciation
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/321174/van_gogh_the_pronunciation/
Mildly amusing, especially where he corrects himself.
I'm a Dutchman so i know how to pronounce it, but it always makes me laugh when someone says it in English "van Go". I think it's almost impossible to pronounce when you haven't mastered the Dutch language.
:-)
Glad to hear Crowded House is still around.
Sjaaks wrote:
And one from Kevin Welch:
Another "Amsterdam"...
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
And one from Kevin Welch:
unclelonghair wrote:
Hmm - meet mister pronunciation
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/321174/van_gogh_the_pronunciation/
Mildly amusing, especially where he corrects himself.
Hey, "Van Gough" doesn't rhyme with "off"...
Hmm - meet mister pronunciation
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/321174/van_gogh_the_pronunciation/
Mildly amusing, especially where he corrects himself.
Another "Amsterdam"...
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
i had NO idea they were doing a new album! righteous.
Hey, "Van Gough" doesn't rhyme with "off"...
ziakut wrote:
Love Crowded House, love Amsterdam - but this song scares me.
Because it might be true.
.... "Saw a blind man wink...as he poured his brandy..." excellent irony and emptiness.
It's "Saw the barman wink as he poured his (the monocled Lord's) brandy",but I like your lyrics better. Love Crowded House, love Amsterdam - but this song scares me.
Because it might be true.
Freakingly phenomenal lyrical content on this one!
I've been there!
I didn't even know this new CH album was coming out. I immediately clicked on the Amazon link. Neil Finn? All I need to know. Sold.
Excellent track from a great album! Nice honesty about a trip to Amsterdam. Hmm.... "Saw a blind man wink...as he poured his brandy..." excellent irony and emptiness.
I know Coldplay has a song called Amsterdam, Shane Alexander has one, Jacques Brel wrote one, Guster has one and i know there are a couple more... Must be an inspiring city for artists... :-)
I'm embarrassed to admit that I know Van Halen has a song called Amsterdam as well... it's terrible.