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Art of Noise — The Holy Egoism of Genius
Album: The Seduction of Claude Debussy
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 729









Released: 1999
Length: 7:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Comments (130)add comment
 Jennif wrote:

Gotta love a song about preferring cats to people.



me too!
Posted 1 day ago by vaulthouse9    [ Reply ]
 BobHeisler wrote:

I stumbled upon this CD in 1999 or 2000 in a record store where it was on display for listening with headphones and liked it enough to buy it on the spot.  It crosses through several different genres of music.



check out their earlier years releases!  cool stuff!
Posted 1 day ago by vaulthouse9    [ Reply ]
love this and it's been years since I've seen this artist!!!  Thanks RP!
Posted 1 day ago by vaulthouse9    [ Reply ]
Gotta love a song about preferring cats to people.
Posted 6 months ago by Jennif    [ Reply ]
I stumbled upon this CD in 1999 or 2000 in a record store where it was on display for listening with headphones and liked it enough to buy it on the spot.  It crosses through several different genres of music.
Posted 2 years ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
This song is goofy and supercilious. I give it an 8
Posted 2 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Brill! Is that John Hurt? 
Now play some Public Service Broadcasting
Posted 2 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
This track is an 8 off the bat, and damn I must hear the entire album, this is great sounding!  
LLRP!!

Debussy didn't believe in godHe didn't believe in the establishment
He didn't believe in bourgeois convention
He didn't believe in beethoven or
Wagner he believed in debussyDebussy understood that a work of art
Or an effort to create beauty, was
Always regarded by some people as a personal attackHe hated to appear in public
Hated to conduct
Hated to play the piano at concerts
He preferred cats to people
No one was ever sure whether the spites
With which debussy armed his
Volatile senibilities were activated by
A savage insensitivity, or by the
Holy egoism of genius

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Anne Dudley / Lol Creme / Paul Morley / Trevor Horn
The Holy Egoism of Genius lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC

Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
This entire album is pure genius.
Posted 5 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
I like the music of Debussy but I regret having been informed of these opinions of his.
Posted 6 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
Annie Lennox says "Never mind, dear; don't make fuss. I'll have your Beethoven - I love it! I'm having Beethoven, Beethoven, Beethoven, baked beans, Spam, and Beethoven."
Posted 6 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Sadly, John Hurt, whose unmistakable voice does the narration, died recently. Another great voice, and great talent, taken away from us :(

 
A shame.  He made such a good bad guy, when given the chance.

Too bad he'd already been cast as Ollivander in the Harry Potter movies, because he'd have made a superior Dumbledore to Michael Gambon, after Richard Harris "moved on".
Posted 9 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]


Oh wait that was not Busey never mind.
Posted 9 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Perfect segue from Debussy's Jardin Sous La Pluie...
Posted 9 years ago by RazzCat    [ Reply ]

Posted 9 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]

This fits into the “Never thought I would hear this broadcast!” category. A category Radio Paradise excels at making.


Posted 9 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Unimpressive in the extreme. Debussy would have hated it. Like me.
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Sadly, John Hurt, whose unmistakable voice does the narration, died recently. Another great voice, and great talent, taken away from us :(
Posted 9 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I must say hearing the intro, Debussy and I have a lot in common. Fancy that! {#Jump}

Debussy didn't believe in god. He didn't believe in the Establishment. He
Didn't believe in bourgeois convention. (Neither do I)!

He didn't believe in Beethoven or
Wagner. He believed in... Debussy.

Debussy understood that a work of art, or an effort to create beauty, was
Always regarded by some people as a personal attack.

He hated to appear in public. Hated to conduct. Hated to play the piano at
Concerts.

He preferred cats to people.  (SmartMan!)

No one was ever sure whether the spites with which Debussy armed his

Volatile sensibilities were activated by a savage insensitivity, or by the
Holy egoism of genius.


Posted 10 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
This is a concept album so to extract cuts off of it seems unhelpful. I enjoy listening to random cuts now that I have the whole album in my head - but I doubt it would have blown me away if I hadn't listened to the whole thing first.

And you've got to appreciate the experimentation?

I guess RP caught the vibe here and dropped it out of rotation. (I was just checking to see if it was on the playlist)
Posted 16 years ago by robus    [ Reply ]
As a huge Debussy fan, I find most of this album lacking. The exceptions are this song, and "il pleure," which are both based on Debussy's incredible Sarabande.
Posted 20 years ago by Laimak    [ Reply ]
I like Art of Noise but this is just plain tedious
Posted 20 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
I always have liked the AoN, and The The as well.......great stuff
Posted 20 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Outstanding triple segue! You're the greatest RP!
Posted 20 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Great triple play: 7:41 am - Art of Noise - The Holy Egoism of Genius 7:38 am - Claude Debussy - Estampes- III Jardins sous la pluie 7:33 am - Gotan Project - L Biguela
Posted 20 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Govi wrote:
I thought it was Claude Rains and as a result, I wondered. This is a wonderful, imaginative, and beautiful song. Sorry you don't like Hurt's performance. Do you like any of the music?
Hard for me to get past the ponderous diatribe I'm afraid - it's not Hurt's fault I guess - this kind of mish-mash of music and ummm... dramatic speech is always doomed in my humble opinion.
Posted 20 years ago by gazza    [ Reply ]
rocteur wrote:
HEAR HEAR! Sucko-Barfo at its best! I wonder if War of the Worlds will be next on the playlist ?
Unfortunately not.. it is more shiite Over the Rhine Jesus In New Orleans, at least it is consistent!
Posted 20 years ago by rocteur    [ Reply ]
MrSpaz wrote:
Go get a CD collection of Debussy's works; listen to that and try to forget this ever happened.
Spare me - Debussy's classical piano is not eclectic rock. Loathe "classical" music in 80% of cases. Gimme rock, even this!
Posted 20 years ago by tnt_thomas    [ Reply ]
gazza wrote:
Excruciatingly awful - John Hurt was the fee so high for you to ditch your artistic pride?
I thought it was Claude Rains and as a result, I wondered. This is a wonderful, imaginative, and beautiful song. Sorry you don't like Hurt's performance. Do you like any of the music?
Posted 20 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Excruciatingly awful - John Hurt was the fee so high for you to ditch your artistic pride?
Posted 20 years ago by gazza    [ Reply ]
MrSpaz wrote:
Go get a CD collection of Debussy's works; listen to that and try to forget this ever happened.
HEAR HEAR! Sucko-Barfo at its best! I wonder if War of the Worlds will be next on the playlist ?
Posted 20 years ago by rocteur    [ Reply ]
Love It. Love It. Love It.
Posted 20 years ago by Brimmy    [ Reply ]
"Wanna go for a RIDE??"
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Actually own this CD, but haven't listened to it in ages. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted 20 years ago by Leaf13    [ Reply ]
Go get a CD collection of Debussy's works; listen to that and try to forget this ever happened.
Posted 20 years ago by MrSpaz    [ Reply ]
lester wrote:
You would freely give the life's work of a hundred other persons? Generous indeed.
Funny Indeed
Posted 20 years ago by trout_fisher    [ Reply ]
argh! the mute button!
Posted 20 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
What an odd notion: "believing" in one composer or another. Lovely concept and execution.
Posted 20 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
"Holy egoism of genius, Batman!" "That sure is a strange religion you've got there, Robin, but the First Amendment protects it just the same."
Posted 20 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
interesting commentary and interesting music, but it comes together a bit clunkily, doesn't it.
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Mot wrote:
I just can't help but wonder at what point this song is going to get ripped apart and white milky blood start spuring all over the place.
Posted 20 years ago by Faithful_Fool    [ Reply ]
JJAB wrote:
I come to RP to escape mainstream pop; what brings me back to RP are the eclectic choices such as this. Thank you. Some of those who don't see the beauty of this piece may very well fit into the anti-intellectual group that beat up on Debussy... :iamwith:
Yet another listener who bases intellect on whether a person likes or dislikes a song. Take a hike.
Posted 20 years ago by CBJr    [ Reply ]
Love the jungle beats with a melodic tune, but the result isn't quite there. Pretty sweet nonetheless.
Posted 20 years ago by Friend    [ Reply ]
I was ok with this for awhile today, but then it just seemed to go on forever. Still don't like it.
Posted 20 years ago by CBJr    [ Reply ]
I come to RP to escape mainstream pop; what brings me back to RP are the eclectic choices such as this. Thank you. Some of those who don't see the beauty of this piece may very well fit into the anti-intellectual group that beat up on Debussy... :iamwith:
Posted 21 years ago by JJAB    [ Reply ]
Bill, you're killing me this morning. First Philip Glass now Art of Noise. WAKE ME UP PLEASE! #-o
Posted 21 years ago by CBJr    [ Reply ]
K wrote:
Strange comment on a man who left such a musical legacy. "Work performed" isn't measured only in hours; I would give the lifetime works of a hundred average workers, no matter how hard they worked or how good people they were, for an hour of Debussy's music.
You would freely give the life's work of a hundred other persons? Generous indeed.
Posted 21 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Thanks for this great obscure Art of Noise cut.
Posted 21 years ago by matter51    [ Reply ]
BORING BORING & EVENTUALLY ANNOYING The 1st time i ever hear something i don't like on RP
Posted 21 years ago by isa    [ Reply ]
dctrpunda wrote:
Man that was bad! To lose the other half of your listening audience, follow up with some Tomita does Holst's "The Planets". Again, so bad it leaves a taste in your mouth.
Indeedy, I am gone now - listening to the Counting Crows...
Posted 21 years ago by al9009    [ Reply ]
Man that was bad! To lose the other half of your listening audience, follow up with some Tomita does Holst's "The Planets". Again, so bad it leaves a taste in your mouth.
Posted 21 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
I just can't help but wonder at what point this song is going to get ripped apart and white milky blood start spuring all over the place.
Posted 21 years ago by Mot    [ Reply ]
What is JOHN HURT doing on this shash! Total rubbish - like EVERYTHING this bunch of muppets do.
Posted 21 years ago by al9009    [ Reply ]
lester wrote:
Debussy hated: "to appear in public . . . to conduct . . . to play the piano in concerts" Sounds like he was against putting in a day's work.
Strange comment on a man who left such a musical legacy. "Work performed" isn't measured only in hours; I would give the lifetime works of a hundred average workers, no matter who hard they worked or how good people they were, for an hour of Debussy's music. Oh, and my rating goes up from 9 to 10. The words may be pretentious but they ring true.
Posted 21 years ago by K    [ Reply ]
I am dying here. Strings? Please!!!!
Posted 21 years ago by riant    [ Reply ]
Lurker wrote:
I love the War of Worlds album -- I still have the album. Not just Richard Burton's voice, but also the music, including Forever Autumn, makes it a spectactular recording.
...Except it isn't Richard Burton...
Posted 21 years ago by lunar1963    [ Reply ]
Gotta give RP credit for playing stuff that NEVER gets onto the mainstream airwaves...but then, that's why we listen isn't it? Right on!
Posted 21 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
This is hysterical. A parody of serious music?
Posted 21 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I like Art of Noise but after the elegant Philip Glass we just heard, this sounds like 2 cars at a stoplight with different songs blaring.
I must agree.
Posted 21 years ago by kerouvian    [ Reply ]
I love the War of Worlds album -- I still have the album. Not just Richard Burton's voice, but also the music, including Forever Autumn, makes it a spectactular recording.
Posted 21 years ago by Lurker    [ Reply ]
I like Art of Noise but after the elegant Philip Glass we just heard, this sounds like 2 cars at a stoplight with different songs blaring.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
Everybody needs something to believe, and I believe I'll have another drink...
Wow at 7AM?! I like Art of Noise. this isn't one of my faves, but they sure broke the mold back in their day.
Posted 21 years ago by yogaboat    [ Reply ]
Everybody needs something to believe, and I believe I'll have another drink... :propeller.gif:
Posted 21 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
kerouvian wrote:
Does anybody else hear 'Lemon Jelly' here?
no - this doesn't approach LJ imo. pretentious spoken word + drum machine + cheap midi = 3
Posted 21 years ago by LLMikeJ    [ Reply ]
Does anybody else hear 'Lemon Jelly' here?
Posted 21 years ago by kerouvian    [ Reply ]
"Gotta fire my fecking agent for this...."
Posted 21 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I suddenly feel itchy Hey is that guy talking the same guy from the Moody Blues - the guy that says something stupid about "Cold-Hearted Orb that rules the night" or something dumb. Sure sounds like him. It's good work if you can get it I guess.
Posted 21 years ago by rascal420    [ Reply ]
Debussy hated: "to appear in public . . . to conduct . . . to play the piano in concerts" Sounds like he was against putting in a day's work.
Posted 21 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
mojoman wrote:
The whole "artist as prophet" schtick is soooo old and so pretentious. It's just sooo 19th century!
I'm not sure I prefer the modern "'artist' as a cash cow" model.
Posted 21 years ago by K    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to listen to lots more Debussy. Oh, and Art of Noise, too.
Posted 21 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
Very nice... :meditate.gif:
Posted 21 years ago by whultman    [ Reply ]
"He hated people. He actually preferred cats."
Posted 21 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
time_101 wrote:
So you look to Beavis and Butthead as icons of cultural taste? I've heard this song before, and didn't like it at first, took a while to get into it.
Uh ... hehehehe This Sucks. Change It. Huhuhuhuhu Shut up Beavis *Smack*
Posted 21 years ago by psycholynx    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
Perhaps you should find your mute button.
already did.
Posted 21 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
daveesh wrote:
i don't believe i'm actually listening to this crap.
Perhaps you should find your mute button.
Posted 21 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Great bass solo. AON that I haven't heard before. That's good.
Posted 21 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
i don't believe i'm actually listening to this crap.
Posted 21 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
can we just hear some debussy instead?
Posted 21 years ago by stinkycheese    [ Reply ]
where do i begin?
Posted 21 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Noise? Certainly. Art? Debatable.
Posted 21 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
I like the narration. It adds to the atmosphere of the song.
Posted 21 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
you people take the 'art of noise' too seriously. try not to understand it, just enjoy it.
Posted 21 years ago by scruzer    [ Reply ]
I generally like Art of Noise. This entire album would have been much better had they not decided to have an actor read a Music 101 essay about DeBussy over its length (not merely this track).
Posted 21 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
nigeltufnel wrote:
this is the kind of stuff beavis and butthead would make fun of. why are you playing it?
So you look to Beavis and Butthead as icons of cultural taste? I've heard this song before, and didn't like it at first, took a while to get into it.
Posted 21 years ago by time_101    [ Reply ]
timandjuliet wrote:
Potentially great song ruined by talking. Talking during a song just bugs the hell outa me.
Seems like it would have been better with much less talking
Posted 21 years ago by russellkanning    [ Reply ]
The whole "artist as prophet" schtick is soooo old and so pretentious. It's just sooo 19th century!
Posted 21 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
So, it's official then? It's not ego t ism?? Debussey had issues... A 6.
Posted 21 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Uhh. That noise at the beginning - the one like a CD failing to spin. I got sooo panicked at that one.
Posted 21 years ago by callum    [ Reply ]
Potentially great song ruined by talking. Talking during a song just bugs the hell outa me.
Posted 21 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
I can see why this song bugs people, but I really dig it.
Posted 21 years ago by doasfu    [ Reply ]
8) Dreadful pretensions of mediocrity drooling all over itself
Posted 21 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
rgj13 wrote:
Nice... And good catch, too.
Posted 21 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
casablues wrote:
PRETENTIOUS
TRUE
Posted 21 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
8) Great 'concept' album
Posted 21 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
what would follow this: Enigma; Rick Wakeman; something from War of the Worlds; the end of Days of Future Passed; or a selection from Nat'l Lampoon's Radio Dinner (like the interview with the bass player, perhaps)? surfing the edge of excess, but not dismissable.
Posted 22 years ago by zgrav    [ Reply ]
Gee, I like a lot of Art of Noise's stuff, and I like a lot of electronica...unfortunately this is not one of those songs. It's not horrible, just very mediocre.
Posted 22 years ago by MLavender    [ Reply ]
I have to give this a "Most Excellent" for John Hurt alone!
Posted 22 years ago by mngwade    [ Reply ]
Johray63 wrote:
Now I understand why Robbie Robertson might as well be an actor. He's just as impressive when he speaks (like in Somewhere Down The Crazy River) as John Hurt. Maybe even more. By the way, he did do some acting I believe. He's got the looks too.
yup
Dakota Exile (1996) .... (Narrator) Crossing Guard, The (1995) .... Roger Carny (1980) .... Patch
Posted 22 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Cool..........
Posted 22 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
rgj13 wrote:
go ahead. watch yer shoes.
this is good, avante garde, early art of noise was groundbreaking . . . .
Posted 22 years ago by rf    [ Reply ]
home_star wrote:
i wanna barf...
go ahead. watch yer shoes.
Posted 22 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Yeap. I like this. Please, more of this, and Yello too
Posted 22 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by nigeltufnel: this is the kind of stuff beavis and butthead would make fun of. why are you playing it?
Um... how is that an argument against playing something on RP? --d
Posted 23 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
WOW!! what a treat.....A of N one of my all time favourites. good stuff!!
Posted 23 years ago by BLADERUNNER    [ Reply ]
Time to haul out my old copy of "Journey to the Center of the Earth," by Rick Wakeman. Talk of pretentious....
Posted 23 years ago by richard_m    [ Reply ]
Ha! Different. I kinda like it -- just not too often.
Posted 23 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
CRIPES! What is this? Repetitious sounds day? Oops! My bad! I didn't listen long enough before commenting to hear the 'spoken word' portion. Jhees - repetitious and pretentious.....
Posted 23 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Make it stop...
Posted 23 years ago by janieblue    [ Reply ]
This sounds
Posted 23 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
PRETENTIOUS
Posted 23 years ago by casablues    [ Reply ]
So, how long does this go on?
Posted 23 years ago by dpjag    [ Reply ]
I\'m sorry, but Hurt just sounds too much like Boris Karloff narrating \"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas\" for me. I\'m just laughing here waiting for him to say that Debussy\'s heart \"grew three times that day....\"
Posted 23 years ago by Flying_Donut    [ Reply ]
Good Stuff. I\'d like to hear more.
Posted 24 years ago by jasong    [ Reply ]
This one really makes a ton more sense in the context of the album. Mainly because the album\'s all a lot like this, except it\'s got more ups and downs, and it works better in a long form. And it\'s got some really wonderful sonic textures - Debussy\'s piano work fits better with sharply tuned beats than you\'d ever expect.
Posted 24 years ago by LyricJHU    [ Reply ]
For some reason I have this image of the church lady grooving. hay it\'s really funny in my head. I think I have been coding to long
Posted 24 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by AJWood: :D what a trip!
Quite. I enjoyed the bio
Posted 24 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
Smooth, possibly too smooth. :(
Posted 24 years ago by Frank_Dunn    [ Reply ]
Now I understand why Robbie Robertson might as well be an actor. He\'s just as impressive when he speaks (like in Somewhere Down The Crazy River) as John Hurt. Maybe even more. By the way, he did do some acting I believe. He\'s got the looks too.
Posted 24 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by tawanda: The spoken parts sound like John Hurt ....
It is.. check out amazon...com for the cd. The editorial review makes mention of other actors & actresses that are also on the album... I'm gonna get this one... Art of Noise.. always something about coming back to it after a period of time and re-listening to their music.. quite often you find rememberance in the evils of our world .. ie south africa on.. was it "In No Sence? Nonsense!" ?.. I think it was "nothing was going to stop them then, anyway" I could be wrong.. seems I need to drag that out again.. been a while. :D
Posted 24 years ago by TreborG2    [ Reply ]
The spoken parts sound like John Hurt ....
Posted 24 years ago by tawanda    [ Reply ]