The Ocean Blue — Between Something and Nothing
Album: The Ocean BlueAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2373
Length: 3:57
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Words that form a sentence
Words that form a phrase
In a poem or a letter
Could not convey the meaning
Of what this man has done
In a painting
On canvas
As the colors fading
They dictate my mood
Can you see me
Are you near me
I find myself on canvas
I find myself on stage
Can you see me
Are you near me
And I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be part of me
I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be a part of me
In the fading twilight
I sit and stare at her
In all her beauty
Her beauty
You know I have to wonder
Why all great men must die
And leave their treasure
They leave their treasure
Words that form a phrase
In a poem or a letter
Could not convey the meaning
Of what this man has done
In a painting
On canvas
As the colors fading
They dictate my mood
Can you see me
Are you near me
I find myself on canvas
I find myself on stage
Can you see me
Are you near me
And I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be part of me
I long to know you're real
And I long for you to be a part of me
In the fading twilight
I sit and stare at her
In all her beauty
Her beauty
You know I have to wonder
Why all great men must die
And leave their treasure
They leave their treasure
Comments (206)add comment
Hooked me in 1989, still hooked!
coloradojohn wrote:
So true coloradojohn...I've been lucky enough to see them in each of the past five decades (1987-2025)...they are incredible. David Schelzel has the magic (and he doubles as an attorney - oh for the dreaded day jobs). I guess that tells you how much he loves music.
Love it! They 're coming to play The Fox On The Hill tomorrow night! Can't wait! They have such a knack for making uplifting songs! GOOD VIBES!
------ UPDATE Feb 15 2026:
They just played last Saturday Feb 7 at The Fox here in Boulder, and I am deadly serious: This Frigid Winter Days Tour was one of the best shows by any band that I have ever seen! They sound not only like they always have, but also incredibly dynamic live, in ways that never quite came across in these old recordings. It was a hard-hitting twin-Telecaster attack, with bright, bouncy keys, sax, layered vocals, propulsive, energetic drumming that kept us dancing madly, and wickedly powerful bass we could feel in our bones. THEY BLEW US AWAY, and filled our heads with gorgeous hooks and clever lyrics... I cannot recommend them enough. Go see them! I have the set list; if anyone wants it, send me a PM!
So true coloradojohn...I've been lucky enough to see them in each of the past five decades (1987-2025)...they are incredible. David Schelzel has the magic (and he doubles as an attorney - oh for the dreaded day jobs). I guess that tells you how much he loves music.
Love it! They 're coming to play The Fox On The Hill tomorrow night! Can't wait! They have such a knack for making uplifting songs! GOOD VIBES!
------ UPDATE Feb 15 2026:
They just played last Saturday Feb 7 at The Fox here in Boulder, and I am deadly serious: This Frigid Winter Days Tour was one of the best shows by any band that I have ever seen! They sound not only like they always have, but also incredibly dynamic live, in ways that never quite came across in these old recordings. It was a hard-hitting twin-Telecaster attack, with bright, bouncy keys, sax, layered vocals, propulsive, energetic drumming that kept us dancing madly, and wickedly powerful bass we could feel in our bones. THEY BLEW US AWAY, and filled our heads with gorgeous hooks and clever lyrics... I cannot recommend them enough. Go see them! I have the set list; if anyone wants it, send me a PM!
------ UPDATE Feb 15 2026:
They just played last Saturday Feb 7 at The Fox here in Boulder, and I am deadly serious: This Frigid Winter Days Tour was one of the best shows by any band that I have ever seen! They sound not only like they always have, but also incredibly dynamic live, in ways that never quite came across in these old recordings. It was a hard-hitting twin-Telecaster attack, with bright, bouncy keys, sax, layered vocals, propulsive, energetic drumming that kept us dancing madly, and wickedly powerful bass we could feel in our bones. THEY BLEW US AWAY, and filled our heads with gorgeous hooks and clever lyrics... I cannot recommend them enough. Go see them! I have the set list; if anyone wants it, send me a PM!
Lazarus wrote:
miss you so much, Cynaera...
we be dancing...
miss you so much, Cynaera...
we be dancing...
bumping this to a 10, because EVERY time I hear it, I feel better, and compelled to turn it up! I love their sound.
If you would have told me this was a British band from that era, I wouldn't have second guessed. They perfectly capture this sound from that period of time. A sound which for me seemed to be almost exclusively produced by British bands at the time. Big fan of this album (and of music from that era).
Lips Like Sugar?
I total dig that 2nd guitar solo - simple and direct. With the 16th notes on the hihat. ...killing it...
Had to pick up my bass and jam! (now back to work)
Dammit Bill I'm trying to get some work done
Grrrr
Grrrr
tm wrote:
Not sure why I don't have it, but I am about to address that situation.
This album is gold... it's a pop masterpiece.
Not sure why I don't have it, but I am about to address that situation.
Jelani wrote:
this song sounds very like 'all that money wants' by psychedelic furs
This song makes me feel happy.
this song sounds very like 'all that money wants' by psychedelic furs
admascott wrote:
yeah it's awesome isn't it!
sounds like the Psychedelic Furs or Echo and the Bunny men
yeah it's awesome isn't it!
This is one of a lot greatest tracks wich i discovered on RP . Many thanks from Transsylvania, Romania.
Oxen1morale wrote:
The Bunnymen were much before them (and they are different band members).
So I wonder what the connection between them and Echo and the Bunnymen are? I wonder which ones first and who is the knock off or are the members of the same band
The Bunnymen were much before them (and they are different band members).
Definitely, some guitar nods on this one to Will Sergeant! [Echo & The Bunnymen]
This album is gold... it's a pop masterpiece.
I love the guitars on this one.
Proclivities wrote:
I can think of at least one other song, which is track 5 on The Pretenders' first album, but there are probably others.
That is titled... "Space Invaders".
I can think of at least one other song, which is track 5 on The Pretenders' first album, but there are probably others.
That is titled... "Space Invaders".
richgoose wrote:
Her?
I normally cringe at these semi-iconic one hit types -
Her voice is so hard to dislike it overcomes that, and my sister in-law covers this song as well - Love you Jessie and 9/10 Tracy
ick wrote:
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
It's the same today as it was back in the 50's.
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
Always reminds me of something Nick Heyward would have written with Haircut 100 if the band progressed.
Summer of 1989. Driving down Hwy 1 in Dewey Beach in my parents' convertible Mustang just CRANKING this.
Love this song. Puts a smile on my face every time.
Love this song. Puts a smile on my face every time.
So I wonder what the connection between them and Echo and the Bunnymen are? I wonder which ones first and who is the knock off or are the members of the same band
THIS SONG is one of a few songs that I could hear again ONLY 20 MINUTES LATER AND STILL SWOON with the exuberant power of it! In fact, this song often and today strikes me as the best possible song to come along and floor me in such a way and reinforces my belief that Time and Gravity had fantastic, orgiastic sex, giving birth to The Universe, and we've been suffering ever since. MUSIC IS YOUR ONLY FRIEND... DANCE ON FIRE AS IT INTENDS. Amen.
Nice melody, nice fills, rock solid drums, but it's that guitar sound and sweet riff that harkens back to the early 80s that makes this so yummy.
Poopsey wrote:
Do you mean the ride cymbal? The hi-hit sounds pretty standard to me.
those hi hats rock
Do you mean the ride cymbal? The hi-hit sounds pretty standard to me.
Is this one of Bill's famous "deep" segues?
To go from Sigur Ros (with no real words, just vocal sounds for lyrics) to "Words that form a sentence, Words that form a phrase"...
If so, then touche Bill!
To go from Sigur Ros (with no real words, just vocal sounds for lyrics) to "Words that form a sentence, Words that form a phrase"...
If so, then touche Bill!
I normally cringe at these semi-iconic one hit types -
Her voice is so hard to dislike it overcomes that, and my sister in-law covers this song as well - Love you Jessie and 9/10 Tracy
Her voice is so hard to dislike it overcomes that, and my sister in-law covers this song as well - Love you Jessie and 9/10 Tracy
those hi hats rock
Happy Dance!
just what a song should do: make you smile and want to move at the same time. Even my kids are bouncing.This song makes me feel happy.
OUI ! OUI ! OUI !
j'AIME !!!
Merci Bill
lovely! thanks Bill!
Love how you merge similar songs into each other.
sounds like the Psychedelic Furs or Echo and the Bunny men
Two Ocean Blue songs on the same album played withing a couple hours of each other? Not complaining, love these guys!
ick wrote:
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
Indeed. Let's also note that the music industry in the US was a putting out a pretty strange mix of cheesey gunk. I just heard Loverboy, "The Kid is Hot Tonight" on my car radio. Took me right back to that era. Never was a truly great track, but somehow it's still irresistible on a stretch of open road.
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
Indeed. Let's also note that the music industry in the US was a putting out a pretty strange mix of cheesey gunk. I just heard Loverboy, "The Kid is Hot Tonight" on my car radio. Took me right back to that era. Never was a truly great track, but somehow it's still irresistible on a stretch of open road.
Love this tune. Oddly, though, can see how some folks might hate it.
dancing at my desk 
I'm hearing China Crisis?
My husband and I saw The Ocean Blue play this album in it's entirety three years ago in LA. One of the top best shows we've ever seen.
robco1 wrote:
Back then we were all complaining that 80s music was vapid sucky corporate pop drivel and were wishing for the 70's . . . the grass is always greener.
Not me; there was a lot of stuff from the '70s that I never wanted to hear again, some of which was much more "corporate" than '80s stuff.
Back then we were all complaining that 80s music was vapid sucky corporate pop drivel and were wishing for the 70's . . . the grass is always greener.
Not me; there was a lot of stuff from the '70s that I never wanted to hear again, some of which was much more "corporate" than '80s stuff.
weez wrote:
Yeah, Smiths.
All the various band references and yet no mention of Morrissey? (or Smiths)
Yeah, Smiths.
Beautiful..
All the various band references and yet no mention of Morrissey? (or Smiths)
Superb!
coloradojohn wrote:
I see what you did there. ;)
This song NAILS IT! on this brisk sunny November morning with powder snow gleaming in razor-bright light under deep cerulean sky...
I see what you did there. ;)
This song makes me feel happy.
YESYESYES!!!
Have OB's entire catalog. Would love to hear more here on RP!
Instant toe tapping, still a great tune.
Nice to see all the positive comments.
Always love how this comes in, goes 0 to 60 in no time, takes my mind way up to a much higher, happier plane — and DANCES with it
cool and catchy
Good song with a catchy repetitive instrumental line. An 8 for me.
Looks as if I'm not alone in enjoying this flashback song!
A great 90s song, I never get tired of it.
Did I tell you all before, that I LOVE this song?
Too bad. I'm telling you again! I LOVE it!
Too bad. I'm telling you again! I LOVE it!
hayduke2 wrote:
Absolutely!
Joy every time I hear this beauty : )
Absolutely!
Great tune.
spiritfla wrote: This brings back superb times, always a great tune. I wish I were back in Austin, TX.
Saw Ocean Blue a couple times at Liberty Lunch in Austin. We were probably standing in the same room. Great times. Played them a lot on my college radio show - in fact Myron was the first song I ever played. They played Renaissance Man as an encore which is a 77's cover...another favorite band.
This is the correct cover.
This brings back superb times, always a great tune. I wish I were back in Austin, TX.Saw Ocean Blue a couple times at Liberty Lunch in Austin. We were probably standing in the same room. Great times. Played them a lot on my college radio show - in fact Myron was the first song I ever played. They played Renaissance Man as an encore which is a 77's cover...another favorite band.
This is the correct cover.
Joy every time I hear this beauty : )
This song NAILS IT! on this brisk sunny November morning with powder snow gleaming in razor-bright light under deep cerulean sky...
walk wrote:
. . . meet Flock of Seagulls . . .
echo and the bunnymen?
. . . meet Flock of Seagulls . . .
RussNelson wrote:
I can think of at least one other song, which is track 5 on The Pretenders' first album, but there are probably others.
Space Invaders sound effects. What other rock-n-roll tune also had them?
I can think of at least one other song, which is track 5 on The Pretenders' first album, but there are probably others.
memory activation song! whoa :-)
Space Invaders sound effects. What other rock-n-roll tune also had them?
My thoughts exactly.
walk wrote:
walk wrote:
echo and the bunnymen?
Hey Lazarus, be we dancing?!
I am !
I am !
Oh, memories of college come flooding back. Lyn Samuelsen, if you're out there somewhere, this album will always remind me of you and pulling all-nighters for our design classes....you were the best, coolest, kick-ass friend ever. I'm sorry we lost touch....
Loved The Ocean Blue from the day this album dropped and I remember it vividly. Just got to see them in Dec 2013 in Chicago, they still put on a great show and have great sound!
coloradojohn wrote:
Cheers! you summed it up coloradojohn
Always love how sometimes a song like this just comes blasting through with a certain crisp bouncy brightness, inducing a swoon, like a pleasant morning unleashing all its power to give the mood a boost! These guys were brilliant for this remarkable bit of priceless exuberance, and THANKS for playing them!
Cheers! you summed it up coloradojohn
randyblew wrote:
It may say 2004for the album info, but in '89ish when this song came out I helped rescue these guys from the side of a highway in Delaware on their way to a gig at the beach.
Love early Ocean Blue... so much fun and atmosphere.
Love this song and album - great memories from the way-back machine to the early 90's. 
It may say 2004for the album info, but in '89ish when this song came out I helped rescue these guys from the side of a highway in Delaware on their way to a gig at the beach.
Love early Ocean Blue... so much fun and atmosphere.
echo and the bunnymen?
Love this song and album - great memories from the way-back machine to the early 90's.
I saw The Ocean Blue recently at the Satellite in Silver Lake area (Los Angeles). Just a great band & the band members are down to earth.
Cynaera wrote:
miss you so much, Cynaera...
we be dancing...
Dunno what it is about this song - maybe it's that catchy guitar, or the echoing vocals, or the infectious beat... Whatever it is, it has my foot tapping and my ears on high-absorb. Love it!
miss you so much, Cynaera...
we be dancing...
Yowza - this is HOOK-LADEN and that geetar break is pretty tasty
dlirious wrote:
dlirious wrote:
High energy, keeps me moving, love the guitar solo, I've never tired of this song. Gotta give it a 9.
High energy, keeps me moving, love the guitar solo, I've never tired of this song. Gotta give it a 9.
Gets played at max volume everytime
Gets played at max volume everytime
Sometimes this catches me like a cool breeze through a sunny window that smells like the greenest grass & oh yes there's that too...
Clean crisp and uncluttered. Refreshing change from the dreariness.
Got to see The Ocean Blue in the day...nice treat. Unique sound until this day.
Cynaera wrote:
Feel good music! RIP Ann.
Dunno what it is about this song - maybe it's that catchy guitar, or the echoing vocals, or the infectious beat... Whatever it is, it has my foot tapping and my ears on high-absorb. Love it!
Feel good music! RIP Ann.
Always love how sometimes a song like this just comes blasting through with a certain crisp bouncy brightness, inducing a swoon, like a pleasant morning unleashing all its power to give the mood a boost! These guys were brilliant for this remarkable bit of priceless exuberance, and THANKS for playing them!
LSC wrote:
Yeah, but happier and poppier. The band also reminds me of OMD.
Sounds like a poor man's Echo & The Bunnymen...
Yeah, but happier and poppier. The band also reminds me of OMD.
Great oldie.....8..
We be definitely dancing to this! always puts me in a good mood
Wow! Great guitar!!!
LSC wrote:
Not a bad call, also saw the Bunnyman 3 times between 1984 and 1988. One was a bit more successful than the other, weren't they?
Sounds like a poor man's Echo & The Bunnymen...
Not a bad call, also saw the Bunnyman 3 times between 1984 and 1988. One was a bit more successful than the other, weren't they?
8 to 9
Thanks Bill, saw them open for Public Image Ltd in Port Chester, NY 1990.
this totally brings me back to the 80s...feel like I am watching a John Cusack music...
Cynaera wrote:
Ditto!
Dunno what it is about this song - maybe it's that catchy guitar, or the echoing vocals, or the infectious beat... Whatever it is, it has my foot tapping and my ears on high-absorb. Love it!
Ditto!
This song makes me happy and want to dance!
Very tuneful. It has a vague or a strong resemblance to so many other 80s - 90s bands, but I like it. Uptempo and foot tappy. But Bill plays many foot tappy chestnuts.
Dunno what it is about this song - maybe it's that catchy guitar, or the echoing vocals, or the infectious beat... Whatever it is, it has my foot tapping and my ears on high-absorb. Love it!
YES! So long since I heard this.
That's it. This goes from nine to ten because it needs and deserves it!
LSC wrote:
Nothing poor about this!
Sounds like a poor man's Echo & The Bunnymen...
Nothing poor about this!
Sounds like a poor man's Echo & The Bunnymen...
Stingray wrote:
Superb Audio Delicacy!
SAD!
Superb Audio Delicacy!
Ha ha!
I had a dream last night and in it I was playing this song for someone( I don't actually have it) and have been hoping to hear it here today.
Yippie!
I had a dream last night and in it I was playing this song for someone( I don't actually have it) and have been hoping to hear it here today.
Yippie!
sweet...it's been a while!
I F'ing love this!!!
robco1 wrote:
Back then we were all complaining that 80s music was vapid sucky corporate pop drivel and were wishing for the 70's . . . the grass is always greener.
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
Back then we were all complaining that 80s music was vapid sucky corporate pop drivel and were wishing for the 70's . . . the grass is always greener.
That wasn't the music I experienced in the 80's but I can see how people who didn't search for new and interesting stuff could have felt that way. Especially if they listened to what was the beginning of corporate radio back then.
Synth80s wrote:
Mine too! And I had just listened to it again the other day.
The Ocean Blue's debut album, from which this song hails (don't be fooled by the incorrect picture on RP) is excellent. This is one of the higher tempo songs — some of the others are more mellow but equally good. There are some heavy Smiths influences, but they're no knock-off band. One of my favorite albums from the era.
Mine too! And I had just listened to it again the other day.
The Ocean Blue's debut album, from which this song hails (don't be fooled by the incorrect picture on RP) is excellent. This is one of the higher tempo songs — some of the others are more mellow but equally good. There are some heavy Smiths influences, but they're no knock-off band. One of my favorite albums from the era.
CaptTofu wrote:
I love this song! 80s music seemed so much more upbeat than a lot of the dirgey, de-balled, whiney music we have these days. The guitar in this song sounds very Echo and the Bunnymen-esque.
I had to check in to be sure it wasn't. Saw Howard Jones in concert a couple of weeks ago, still crafting high energy synth-pop magic. Never heard of the band or the song before, but knew it was 1980-something within the first 10 seconds or so...it defines the sound of the decade. Not a bad thing, mind you.
Last of the eighties.
SAD!
Aqui hay alguien más, amigo.... Saludos
Egrey wrote:
Egrey wrote:
Oye, Luisja, mira. https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=Forums&file=showtopic&topic_id=8826
What terrific interplay between the drums and guitar during the chorus
CaptTofu wrote:
CaptTofu wrote:
I love this song! 80s music seemed so much more upbeat than a lot of the dirgey, de-balled, whiney music we have these days. The guitar in this song sounds very Echo and the Bunnymen-esque.
i"m gonna have to bump this to a 9 just because it makes me feel so good!
URI 1990-92 @ The Bon Vue, there was a band called "Five Gone Mad" that had this song *down*.
They also did a mean Mexican Radio and a bunch of Echo tunes.
Listening to this, I close my eyes and I can almost feel the crowd bouncing around me, see the Barbies hanging from little nooses above the stage, and smell the sweet ozone of the fog machine.
They also did a mean Mexican Radio and a bunch of Echo tunes.
Listening to this, I close my eyes and I can almost feel the crowd bouncing around me, see the Barbies hanging from little nooses above the stage, and smell the sweet ozone of the fog machine.