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Tim Buckley — Sweet Surrender
Album: Greetings from L.A
Avg rating:
5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1169









Released: 1972
Length: 6:40
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Now you wanna know the reason
Why I cheated on you?
Well I had to be a hunter again.
This little man had to try
To make love feel new again.

'Cause there's just a few things, honey
I'm not old enough to do for you. Ohh.
And they're the things, momma
You just never care to show me. Ohh.

So this flim-flam lover boy
Found him a flamingo.
And his flamingo
Showed him how to tango.
And when they tangoed
It'd send their heart's a 'flutter.
Teased him 'till he'd stutter.
Made him so young and tender.
Sweet to surrender
And so sweet surrender.
In sweet surrender.
Ahh, sweet surrender to love.

But now you're gonna go out
And get yourself
A reputation.
But I'm gonna have to show you
Where to start.
And then you're gonna bring back
Your little reputation
And prove to me
What I could not prove to you.

'Cause I was just too young at heart.
I'm just too cold, honey.
Just too hard to care.
Just too hard, 'right
To surrender.
Surrender to love.

Sweet surrender
Surrender to love.

If we could
Just surrender
Love would heal the mess we've made.
So give it up, momma, ahh.
It 'aint gonna be no good
It keeps goin' 'round and 'round.
You hurt me.
Then I hurt you again.
All that's left to do, ah.
Is give it up, Ahhhhhh,
No, no, give it up
And surrender, Ahhhhhh, momma.

Sweet surrender.
Sweet surrender.
Surrender your love.
Surrender love.
Ohhhhhh, Surrender momma.
Ohhhhhh, Surrender that love.
Sweet.
Sweet, sweet, sweet su-rre-rren-der, momma.
In to love.
To love.
To love.
Comments (226)add comment
💜
Amazing falsetto. Complex arrangement. Not boring. 
 paolosatta2 wrote:

I like this curious situation: a rare art song (I would also add that for me the artistic value is very high) is inundated with negative votes. Why? Without a doubt Tim Buckley doesn't bother to sing in a pleasant voice and the result is heartbreak and moaning!
Emotionally intense and disturbing.
Exactly like what the artist wants to communicate to us: suffering, labor, passion. So I ask myself: don't the friends who gave the low rating love music that transports us into pain? Do they prefer that music should always be pleasure and lightness? Or has Tim Buckley failed in communication and his artistic message is incomprehensible? Please help me understand.
P.S. My rate is 9


It is, as you say, "emotionally intense and disturbing" and you're asking why it is "inundated with negative votes."

I'm guessing these votes come from listeners who aren't expecting to get themselves - and whoever else is nearby - *randomly* attacked by screaming and wailing, whether it's in the middle of a workday, at home in the evening, on a roadtrip, wherever.

Sure there's a lot of artistic value here, I'll never argue that, but there's a time and a place and a mood for this intensity. I'll put money that the low votes come from listeners who come here to Radio Paradise for it to be a paradise of radio, and have been disappointed when it momentarily became a screaming tortured hell.
Any song where I get a little Al Green soul, a touch of Morrison madness and the low sultry Tom Jones all at the same time, well that is one wicked tune. Thanks RP!
 cc_rider wrote:

I don't know if I like this or not, but it is Tim Buckley.
What I do like is, Bill played it.
c.

Update: On second listen, I like it. A lot.
Tim (and his son) were tortured souls - it came out in their music.
c.

 paolosatta2 wrote:

I like this curious situation: a rare art song (I would also add that for me the artistic value is very high) is inundated with negative votes. Why? Without a doubt Tim Buckley doesn't bother to sing in a pleasant voice and the result is heartbreak and moaning!
Emotionally intense and disturbing.
Exactly like what the artist wants to communicate to us: suffering, labor, passion. So I ask myself: don't the friends who gave the low rating love music that transports us into pain? Do they prefer that music should always be pleasure and lightness? Or has Tim Buckley failed in communication and his artistic message is incomprehensible? Please help me understand.
P.S. My rate is 9


Thank you paolosatta2; I agree 100%.
Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and yes, Tim Buckley. All great artists (as you said, "the artistic value is very high") who do not have "pretty" or "commercial" singing voices, and as such get dumped on by so many RP listeners. 
OK, this particular song pushes the artistic and vocal boundaries a little farther than most, but for me, that's what makes it great. If you find it too challenging, don't say "This song sucks", just say something like "It's not working for me". Nobody's saying you have to like it, but please don't say it's sh*t just because it's not your cup of tea. 
Thank you. Rant over.

I like this curious situation: a rare art song (I would also add that for me the artistic value is very high) is inundated with negative votes. Why? Without a doubt Tim Buckley doesn't bother to sing in a pleasant voice and the result is heartbreak and moaning!
Emotionally intense and disturbing.
Exactly like what the artist wants to communicate to us: suffering, labor, passion. So I ask myself: don't the friends who gave the low rating love music that transports us into pain? Do they prefer that music should always be pleasure and lightness? Or has Tim Buckley failed in communication and his artistic message is incomprehensible? Please help me understand.
P.S. My rate is 9

Quite possibly the most annoying and ear destroyingly terrible singing I've heard in my life. I would prefer being executed using the bamboo torture method over hearing this song again.
 iloveradio wrote:

Not RO, but of course RP! I can’t type on this phone and I can’t see anymore. Getting old is a real bitch.

And, just to add to your age comment... Getting old ain't for sissies, either! 

This song caught my attention when it came out & still stop what I’m doing when I hear it again. 
 Akazungu wrote:

1) I like this song
2) I love your name (I'm a big Christopher Moore fan)
3) Your comment is  hilarious :)


4) You like making lists......
This is soul...
 KlingKlang wrote:
I can't understand the bad rating for this song. To push it up I gave a 9.
 

For me it's the caterwauling. Just can't take it.
I don't know if I like this or not, but it is Tim Buckley.
What I do like is, Bill played it.
c.
 abbey_normal wrote:
In the video game Borderlands2 there is a mission where you put the intelligence of an evil robot into a radio at Moxxxi's Bar and it tries to kill you with a really bad song with really bad singing. This song sounds quite similar to that song...

 
1) I like this song
2) I love your name (I'm a big Christopher Moore fan)
3) Your comment is  hilarious :)
I tried, but I don't get it. I'm sorry.
 KlingKlang wrote:
I can't understand the bad rating for this song. To push it up I gave a 9.
 
I gave it a 10.  It's awesome.
I have never written a negative comment here.  But I think this song is just about 6 minutes and thirty seconds too long.  
I too am a great fan of Jeff, but starting to appreciate the old man as well now that I get to know him better.
As is often the case, I do think context is important for appreciating a song like this. 
We're talking the early 70's and as it goes for slightly genius people, it's possible that Mr. Buckley was experimenting with something new here.
I hear some very unexpected vocal actions and a composition that is 'not like his most known work'. The fact that one would take a risk to record and polish and show this to the world is a merit in its own right, especially when one threads outside of comfort.

I might not have liked this song much from a musical perspective, I most certainly loved its humor, its experimental aspects wrt the vocals and accompaniment and well... Mr. Buckley as a phenomenon starts from a 6 any day of the week  
I can see the appeal of this song and performance but I don't really like it or how it makes me feel. I rated it a 5 and I can understand people that rate this even lower. 
I can't understand the bad rating for this song. To push it up I gave a 9.
My ex-wife hated this album and this song in particular.  I however really like both the album and this song.  Maybe that was part of the problem.

I want to like this, and while I certainly respect Mr. Buckley, I just can't rate this very high. It's not something I find pleasurable; more a thing I have to endure than enjoy.  
Viele Grüße aus Deutschland, Hessen, Wetterau!

Ihr macht super, super Musik!!!

Herzliche Grüße
Petra
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
We really, REALLY do not need to do this again. Feels like an American Idol audition or something. My fillings hurt.
 

We agree. Too many One ratings. Average 4.8.
Bill, Please take out the garbage, it's starting to stink.
The name of the song is Sweet Surrender.

Okay, I give up! 

PSD. 
 lizardking wrote:

--------------------------------------------------
rednred wrote:
I generally have a very high opinion of RP listeners. But there are some songs, and some artists, that get such low ratings, this 4.7 being a prime example, that all I can think is: "It must be a generational thing". I am 67, and my 30 year old daughter, like her Dad, loves all kinds of music. But she thinks the rock from the 60s-70s is the best. I think she has very good taste in music. When I see some great Bob Dylan songs from the 60s get low ratings on RP, I think it must be that different sounds from different time periods don't translate well. But when a song like this gets a 4.7 I think, "too many
RP listeners have been listening to too much rap and hip hop for too many years"!
--------------------------------------------------

80% agreed!  The 20% disagreement is because I'd bet the average RP listener is not a are rap/hip-hop fan and/or hasn't listened to too much of it to give this track a higher than 4.7 rating. 

I might be a good example since I am a fan of (old school) Rap and Hip-Hop and I have this Buckley track rated at 7.  I'm also a high rater of Zimmie's songs too.  And the jazz and classical tracks BillG spins are highly rated by me too.  In fact, about he only music I rate low are the grunge "classics" that came out when I was in HS (class of 95!) which is when I was listening to Rap/Hip-hop....so there's that too.  Oh well....I can still say Long Live RP!!  

 

I am a fan of some of Tim Buckley's tunes on here (and completely adore his son Jeff's works), but this particular song is grating to me & I'd rather not listen to it that often. The same thing is true for Bob Dylan; some of it "clicks" for me & I enjoy when it comes on, some of it doesn't & I will skip past it. I won't rate it low because I only rate songs that I want to hear more of (7+); if I don't want to hear something, I'll skip it, but it's not necessarily indicative of the quality of the music - maybe I'm just tired of it.

The time period in which a song comes from has little to no impact on whether I like it; whether it's big band, old blues, classic rock, contemporary folk, alternative rock, or current electronic acts, it only matters if it grabs my attention & hits that sweet spot of enjoyment. I'm only a few years older than lizardking, so I was exposed to many of the same artists in my formative years. A lot of the rap & hip hop music holds no interest for me, but I'd love to hear some quality selections from those genres on here very occasionally because I think they are as important as Bombino or Madrugada or Dengue Fever or First Aid Kit or any of the other foreign artists that have expanded my musical horizons over the many years of listening to Radio Paradise.
with just about every songs comments here, I get more discouraged / see clearly what bunch of snobby haters so many of you are
I’ve never been moved to comment on a song until now. But this song literally made me laugh out loud! 😄
 abbey_normal wrote:
In the video game Borderlands2 there is a mission where you put the intelligence of an evil robot into a radio at Moxxxi's Bar and it tries to kill you with a really bad song with really bad singing. This song sounds quite similar to that song...

 I like this song, but I LOVE this comment.

 BCarn wrote:
Well, I'm sure someone listening to RP likes this. Odds are. Maybe.
Even "Globe of Frogs" is more listenable.
 
Yeah, the frog globes have too many eyes staring back. 
Well, I'm sure someone listening to RP likes this. Odds are. Maybe.
Even "Globe of Frogs" is more listenable.
Wow.... seriously didnt like that one...
Not RO, but of course RP! I can’t type on this phone and I can’t see anymore. Getting old is a real bitch.
More Tim Buckley RO please, especially anything from Happy Sad eg Gypsy Queen
I don't understand all the negative comments. Just heard this song for the very first time while taking a short nap. Hearing the song I thought "let it go" but then I got too curious who it was, so I forced myself to look at the screen and I am happy I did: would like to hear it again and now I can search for it. Think I'll rate the song a 7.
 rednred wrote:
I generally have a very  high opinion of RP listeners. But there are some songs, and some artists, that get such low ratings, this 4.7 being a prime example, that all I can think is: "It must be a generational thing". I am 67, and my 30 year old daughter, like her Dad, loves all kinds of music. But she thinks the rock from the 60s-70s is the best. I think she has very good taste in music. When I see some great Bob Dylan songs from the 60s get low ratings on RP, I think it must be that different sounds from different time periods don't translate well. But when a song like this gets a 4.7 I think, "too many
RP listeners have been listening to too much rap and hip hop for too many years"!
 
80% agreed!  The 20% disagreement is because I'd bet the average RP listener is not a are rap/hip-hop fan and/or hasn't listened to too much of it to give this track a higher than 4.7 rating. 

I might be a good example since I am a fan of (old school) Rap and Hip-Hop and I have this Buckley track rated at 7.  I'm also a high rater of Zimmie's songs too.  And the jazz and classical tracks BillG spins are highly rated by me too.  In fact, about he only music I rate low are the grunge "classics" that came out when I was in HS (class of 95!) which is when I was listening to Rap/Hip-hop....so there's that too.  Oh well....I can still say Long Live RP!!  

I generally have a very  high opinion of RP listeners. But there are some songs, and some artists, that get such low ratings, this 4.7 being a prime example, that all I can think is: "It must be a generational thing". I am 67, and my 30 year old daughter, like her Dad, loves all kinds of music. But she thinks the rock from the 60s-70s is the best. I think she has very good taste in music. When I see some great Bob Dylan songs from the 60s get low ratings on RP, I think it must be that different sounds from different time periods don't translate well. But when a song like this gets a 4.7 I think, "too many
RP listeners have been listening to too much rap and hip hop for too many years"!
When I was 5 years old, I had a tonsillectomy

I was promised ice cream when I woke up.  I was so happy when the nurse brought me that ice cream; my throat was so sore from the surgery.  I took the spoon in my hand and placed that first delectable scoop of creamy goodness on my tongue. 

Then I tried to swallow it...and discovered it was chunky butter pecan.  I remember looking at my mother and thinking, "Why, mommy?  Why did you let them give me this?"

This song reminded me of that moment.  When I looked at the screen and thought 'Tim Buckley; cool.'  And then I heard this song. 

Why, Bill?  Why did you give me this?
Thanks. Now I've got a headache.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
We really, REALLY do not need to do this again. Feels like an American Idol audition or something. My fillings hurt.
 
We really wish you'd not speak for the rest of us.
I can appreciate this song, namely his amazing vocal range & skill, but I don't like it at all.
Over the top singing... Me likes!
Outstanding, from an outstandingly funky album. I just love this...
 maggierob wrote:
I usually like Tim Buckley, but this is really awful.
 

Amen....
We really, REALLY do not need to do this again. Feels like an American Idol audition or something. My fillings hurt.
Why are there bats flying in my room? Plus the dog is going nuts
In the video game Borderlands2 there is a mission where you put the intelligence of an evil robot into a radio at Moxxxi's Bar and it tries to kill you with a really bad song with really bad singing. This song sounds quite similar to that song...

Terminally overwrought.
oof.  Bad premise, bad lyrics, sung badly.  I do like Tim Buckley, but this one gets the PSD treatment.
Diet Dr Pepper?  Sweet!
Tim Buckley channels Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
Entering "Chopping Broccoli" territory.
 agkagk wrote:
WOW! The vocals caught my attention, so I logged on to see who it was. I was surprised to find out it was Tim Buckley. But my brain immediately went to "that makes sense". He was a very talented vocalist. Always experimenting and evolving. Who knows where he could have taken us if he hadn't departed so early.
 
The vocal caught my attention right away and I came here thinking it was his son, Jeff. Amazing singers, both.
Finding myself shouting "Alexa NEXT" a lot today.
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
I still hate this song.  Can we lose it for good?
 
This song is awesome and Bill knows it, so sorry, he'll keep playing it.
I still hate this song.  Can we lose it for good?
That was ear-injurious hideous. I hope this isn't going to be one of those chronic "Alexa, skip this song" kinda days on RP. 
WOW! The vocals caught my attention, so I logged on to see who it was. I was surprised to find out it was Tim Buckley. But my brain immediately went to "that makes sense". He was a very talented vocalist. Always experimenting and evolving. Who knows where he could have taken us if he hadn't departed so early.
This .... this is one of the incredibly few 1s I've given.  I can usually find at least some redeeming quality in just about anything.  nope, just nope.  musical genius? maybe, but not on this.
 idiot_wind wrote:
I'm sorry. This sucks. 

Some constraint would have been good. 

 


Well, I wouldn't say "sucks" but "over the top" and "dated" come to mind. Sounds like Will Ferrell channeling Bill Murray's lounge-lizard character. 
I agree with the prior comment. The music of Tim Buckley was terrific and he deserves a much higher rating than 4.5. Like Frank Zappa said, most people don't recognize good music if it bite them on the ass.
gatorade wrote:
Seriously?? A 4.5 overall rating? This is still way before it's time, as was lots of his stuff. I guess it's like Jazz. You either get it or you don't. At 15 yrs old, or 60, this still turns me on. Tim easily gets a solid 9 from me on this Sweet Surrender.

Absolutely. I was a big fan of Jeff and not aware of his father until Radio Paradise. Thanks Bill!!


Now all I hear is the Diet Doctor Pepper "Sweet!" ads.
I usually like Tim Buckley, but this is really awful.
I'm sorry. This sucks. 

Some constraint would have been good. 
 gatorade wrote:
Seriously?? A 4.5 overall rating? This is still way before it's time, as was lots of his stuff. I guess it's like Jazz. You either get it or you don't. At 15 yrs old, or 60, this still turns me on. Tim easily gets a solid 9 from me on this Sweet Surrender.
 
Agree completely.
Absolutely dire!!!
 deepwoodskev wrote:
Sounds like a cat in heat.

 
HAHAHA Hilarious! {#Cheesygrin}  
{#No}
Sounds like a cat in heat.
 TerryS wrote:
I was just wondering how much the rating would increase, had this been given a stripped down bluesy backing.

 
Unless it were given a different vocal track as well I don't think the rating would increase very much, but you never know.
The vast majority of Tim Buckley's music is excellent. 
this song, it's a John Waters production right?
I was just wondering how much the rating would increase, had this been given a stripped down bluesy backing.
Excellent ...
8 and not sure it's enough for this VERY GOOD piece of music. Surprised with the common rating...
 hallogallo wrote:
Tedious? Obviously not born in the 50's. I gave it a nine, but I bought the album when it first came out so nostalgia plays a role...  

Lordy, that was tedious.

 

 


I have a reasonably detached appreciation for how 'committed' his vocals sound, but that's as far as I can go. He makes Jim Morrison sound like Perry Como and that's not a good pairing in my world.

Lordy, that was tedious.

 
Jeez!  I rated this and 8.  Not usually that far out of the mainstream. But I stand by my rating.  Thanks, Bill, for playing this.
I heard another wailing song like this here not long ago and hated it.
Here though, right now, I can feel his pain, and if I could sing it would sound so much more painful than this.
Gets a 7 from me for now.
What did I just hear? I was distracted working on something else and just caught what was one. Egad!
Why does this make me think of Ron Burgundy?  Oh right, both are annoying.
Holy Batshit that is one of the worst songs on RP ever.
 nickshortie wrote:
simply annoying... {#Confused}

 

To think, I once liked his stuff.

This was on while I was away from my desk and I couldn't get back fast enough to turn the wailing/screeching down.... 
         Sweet Surrender
Proof of pudding is in the eating.
simply annoying... {#Confused}
I've always loved this album, the song and album are both 9's IMO. Heck, I even liked the film "Greetings from Tim Buckley". I guess that puts me in the minority. Frankly it's nice not to be in a crowd sometimes.
Ohhhhhh, Surrender momma.
Ohhhhhh, Surrender that love.
PSD
       I'm just too cold, honey.
            Just deserves.
   Please have a dessert first,
   Earth is an uncertain place.
Torturous!
 dwhayslett wrote:

Ah, yes, the "I like it so I must be one of the smartest in the room" comment.  Whatever gets you by, I guess.  I personally find it overwrought.  Maybe if I take a shower I'll like it more.

 

Dosequis wrote:
Vocal equivalent of the "Elaine Dance"...........

  
I was thinking of Steve Martin from "The Jerk" but yes this is really OTT. 

Steve  Martin from "The Jerk" jumping p and down up and down about the arrival of the phone book 
Vocal equivalent of the "Elaine Dance"...........
 SanFranGayMan wrote:

4.7? Seriously? I doubt a more heart-felt song than this. Your response answers how this is missed by the unwashed. And the orchestration...

 
Ah, yes, the "I like it so I must be one of the smartest in the room" comment.  Whatever gets you by, I guess.  I personally find it overwrought.  Maybe if I take a shower I'll like it more.


Wow.... 
Intriguing sound. Makes me start wondering...
Wow, this really exemplifies 'love it' vs. 'hate it'. But I fall to the former - this guy is really belting it!
 Finnbayer wrote:

Still love this song.  I just pulled out my original vinyl copy, and judging by the scotch tape holding the cover together, it got a lot of play!  My other favourite on this album is the chilling "Nighthawkin' ".


Acrobatic voice!  "Hong Kong Bar" on this album is fun, too.
This is just bad.

Still love this song.  I just pulled out my original vinyl copy, and judging by the scotch tape holding the cover together, it got a lot of play!  My other favourite on this album is the chilling "Nighthawkin' ".


Desperately bad.
Well, in the UK (as far as I was concerned anyway) Mr Buckley did not register anywhere. I simply did not know he existed.

In fact, I heard a couple of tunes here over the years and kind of registered the name.

The this just came on and gets an automatic 9. What a talent! 

Amazeballs.

:) 
Wow, that sucked!
I wrngly assumed that Tim Buckley was just a folk artist. This is a great song - timeless yet it also evokes a time and plce where artists were unafraid to draw from different genres and not wory about marketing or listener niches. 
 
 jazzdevil wrote:
When I saw 4.7 rating for this masterpiece I wanted to blow my brains out. Then I thought what Einstein said "Stupidity is bigger than Universe"

 
4.7? Seriously? I doubt a more heart-felt song than this. Your response answers how this is missed by the unwashed. And the orchestration...
 jazzdevil wrote:
When I saw 4.7 rating for this masterpiece I wanted to blow my brains out. Then I thought what Einstein said "Stupidity is bigger than Universe"

 
That rating really surprises me too.   I like the song.  Thanks, RP, for exposing me to it.  
OUCH!{#No}
When I saw 4.7 rating for this masterpiece I wanted to blow my brains out. Then I thought what Einstein said "Stupidity is bigger than Universe"
 idiot_wind wrote:
Is this a song...or a vocal exercise? 

 
if you knew about music you shouldn't do such an idiot question. Sorry, no affence.
Wikipedia Genres - Folk, experimental rock, psychedelia, jazz-rock, funk, soul.  
Yep about sums it up.  9 for me 
 gatorade wrote:
Seriously?? A 4.5 overall rating? This is still way before it's time, as was lots of his stuff. I guess it's like Jazz. You either get it or you don't. At 15 yrs old, or 60, this still turns me on. Tim easily gets a solid 9 from me on this Sweet Surrender.

 
It's not about "getting it or not" - perhaps this song (especially the vocal) just sounds disagreeable to some folks. 
Is this a song...or a vocal exercise? 
WOW...again, a tune that I haven't heard in ages.  Had this album many years ago.  I forgot how good it was.  Thanks for the reminder and I will try and find it.  Love when you find these !!!
 
I've never seen so many 1 ratings on a Paradise track.  I've never heard this artist before but on first listening it sounds pretty good to me. What's going on?
 
 Hannio wrote:
'Tis the tune that killed the cow.

 

For some reason I kinda like it today.


I've enjoyed this album ever since it debuted back when. Thanks to RP for turning me on to earlier TB works.
Can always count on RP to play Tim Buckley. That's what I love about RP, it always surprises you. I would prefer another TB choice, however. Like Gypsy Woman.
 Bobert_ParkCity wrote:
Dead at 28 and his son Jeff at 31.

Tough stuff.

Both quite talented at the falsetto.

I'm going to rate it a 10 just because of all the miserable whining.

Would have been fun to see Tim and Janis in a bar, drunk, doing karaoke.  I guess the drunk part goes without saying... 

 
Tim and Janis doing karaoke would totally be epic. Made me smile, smile, smile.