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The Ocean Blue — Ballerina Out of Control
Album: Cerulean
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 923









Released: 1991
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Her world came crashing down
And all that it contained
A million pieces of dreams
Coming apart at the seams

But she twists and she whirls
Dismissing it all away
Wasn't quite the same
As it was yesterday

Her night begins the day
Why think, when we can play
I find it so hard to find
A certain dress of that kind

As she twists and she whirls
And she dances it all away
The problems persist
They won't go away

She twists and she whirls
Dancing it all away
Would rather see the night
Than the reason of the day

I find it so hard to find
Any reason to this kind

As she twists and she whirls
And she dances it all away
The problems persist
They won't go away

She twists and she whirls
Dancing it all away
Would rather see the night
Than the reason of the day
Comments (81)add comment
Solid album by Ocean Blue. Cool vocal sound. 
 sfoster66 wrote:

For a rather obscure band, this song, which has received little play almost anywhere (as far as I know) is really, really great.  One of my personal favourites and has proudly been in my collection for years.  Love hearing it on RP...thanks William...


They had some big FM radio hits off their first album--"Drifting Falling", "Office of a Busy Man". A great album as is this one, Cerulean. Ocean Blue's made great music all these years. 

Posted 11 months ago by Pjesnik:
Based on the song's sound/style, I never would have guessed they're from U.S.


From Hershey, PA no less! Headquarters for the truly mediocre Hershey chocolate. Love the echoey sound...evokes nostalgia, a bit like early OMD. 
I always perk up my ears when this group plays...something so unique, so distinctive in their sound... This one reminds me of The Psychedelic Furs... I've always found it particularly awesome in its raw, pure and yet elegant spell-binding power... 
LMS
For a rather obscure band, this song, which has received little play almost anywhere (as far as I know) is really, really great.  One of my personal favourites and has proudly been in my collection for years.  Love hearing it on RP...thanks William...
Based on the song's sound/style, I never would have guessed they're from U.S.   
 tm wrote:

such a great band… introduced to them by one of my best friends as a kid. He disappeared and isnt on any media…



Coincidence?
such a great band… introduced to them by one of my best friends as a kid. He disappeared and isnt on any media…
She sounds like fun...crazy, but fun...

Oh wait...what's that thing my friends say about crazy?  Something about not sticking it in...hmmm, can't recall.  Carry on then...
 michaelgmitchell wrote:

Sorry, sounds "sissy-ish". Just me.



Well, perhaps, but what would Mr. French say?

 Sasha2001 wrote:

I see that you're from the U.K. where "sissy-ish" is more of a compliment than a criticism.
 
Not really - it probably was meant as 'wet', which incidentally matches the cover and would be appropriate given the band name!
wistful
I was in a band in the late 80's early 90's, we were pegged to open up for the Psychedelic  Furs AFTER their opening band bailed. We were so fired up...then the Furs manager discovered Ocean Blue and these guys replaced us like 2 days before the gig...waaaa. But they gave us front row passes for the show, Ocean Blue were awesome and were better than the Furs. True story...
 MojoJojo wrote:
Shadowy Men on an REM Planet. 
 

Oh, way better than that. 
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Sorry, sounds "sissy-ish". Just me.
 

yeah, just you.
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Sorry, sounds "sissy-ish". Just me.

 
I see that you're from the U.K. where "sissy-ish" is more of a compliment than a criticism.
Got the CD as a promo at WEA and was very impressed. Met the guys at our office-seems they were thinking of bigger ambitions.
Sorry, sounds "sissy-ish". Just me.
Ah, this song reminds me of the summer of 1992, saw these guys live at the HFStival that year.  Hard to believe that was 20 years ago!
ah! just caught the end of this - love the guitar!
Shadowy Men on an REM Planet. 
 gutboy wrote:
Many emo songs both admit sadness and revel in it, exhibiting a phobia of women that seems to celebrate a perpetual adolescence:"The singers may pretend to hang themselves out to dry by copping to crying and being sad at night, but in the heightened emo environment, where broken hearts are badges of honor, it's a hollow boast. Their scars are a sign of pride-you're the one onstage bragging about how upset you are-but there's no attempt at actual conversation or relationship building...

source:
" Emo "
wikipedea

 
Hmm, IMHO, Ocean Blue isn't really an emo band.  They're more pop/alternative. 

Very nice!
Reminds me of the Feelies
 Proclivities wrote:

Whatever.  I like the song; I don't really care about what a band is "labeled" or need Wikipedia to define my aesthetics.

 

I too like the song and don't worry about what liking it infers to some whom seem to reason by The Wiki alone.

But somebody else could take this song and make it even nicer - different vocals for example. I would really like to see like someone like Helen Wheeler or even Natalie Merchant take this song on.
 gutboy wrote:
Many emo songs both admit sadness and revel in it, exhibiting a phobia of women that seems to celebrate a perpetual adolescence:"The singers may pretend to hang themselves out to dry by copping to crying and being sad at night, but in the heightened emo environment, where broken hearts are badges of honor, it's a hollow boast. Their scars are a sign of pride-you're the one onstage bragging about how upset you are-but there's no attempt at actual conversation or relationship building...

source:
" Emo "
wikipedea

 
Whatever.  I like the song; I don't really care about what a band is "labeled" or need Wikipedia to define my aesthetics.  Which musical artists excel at "relationship building" anyhow.  It's music, not wedding vows.


 Jacksonstat wrote:
I wonder, what exactly would an out of control ballerina look like? Would she pirouette right off the stage and strike some poor audience member with one of her pointy toes? Acually, that'd be pretty funny.
 

Slightly dull song. By the way, an out of control ballerina is at once slightly scary and possibly absurd for the inexperienced viewer and annoying and embarassing for the dancer and not so funny if she were to "pirouette right off the stage"...and the pointe shoes or toe shoes aren't pointed. They're generally hard at the toe with a slightly rounded and mildly flattened tip to enable the dancer to remain en pointe - raised on the toe tips!


Many emo songs both admit sadness and revel in it, exhibiting a phobia of women that seems to celebrate a perpetual adolescence:"The singers may pretend to hang themselves out to dry by copping to crying and being sad at night, but in the heightened emo environment, where broken hearts are badges of honor, it's a hollow boast. Their scars are a sign of pride-you're the one onstage bragging about how upset you are-but there's no attempt at actual conversation or relationship building...

source:
" Emo "
wikipedea

...i rather like this...
i KNEW this was the ocean blue!  wow, haven't heard this band since high school.  pretty boring, but brings back some good memories.
ho hum.  Is it emo night at RP?
One of my favorites, I'd forgotten about these guys! Love it!
kazuma wrote:
My first thought was China Crisis, one of those forgotten 80s bands that put out 2 or 3 really good albums and then disappeared into the quicksand of time.
I uploaded a few of those... they never had a chance.
Excellent production.
Sounds like Psychedelic Furs!!! is not the same guy?. THe voice, music, everything !!
nice flashback and transition. not their best album but very good nonetheless :)
I've just ripped it. Makes my rainy day.
radiojunkie wrote:
I managed to never hear these guys before. But since everybody is making comparisons to other bands and singers, here's my contribution: They Might Be Giants, anyone?
My first thought was China Crisis, one of those forgotten 80s bands that put out 2 or 3 really good albums and then disappeared into the quicksand of time.
Her toe shoes have heels! Love it!
34bogas wrote:
no sólo Ballerina, todo está fuera de control. todo.
Yea, I really know what you mean!!!
Jacksonstat wrote:
I wonder, what exactly would an out of control ballerina look like? Would she pirouette right off the stage and strike some poor audience member with one of her pointy toes? Acually, that'd be pretty funny.
That's a mental image that's going to keep me laughing for the rest of the day!
Yeah, the song is not overly deep, nor is most of the album, yet I still have a fondness for the song and the album. Argh, I'm a critic out of control...aieee..
I wonder, what exactly would an out of control ballerina look like? Would she pirouette right off the stage and strike some poor audience member with one of her pointy toes? Acually, that'd be pretty funny.
This is driving me crazy! This sounds so much like a song from the 80's that I used to listen to--but I can't quite put my finger on it. Wait! Wait! It's The Ghost in You by the Psych Furs. Phew, now I feel better. I like the Furs' song better.
The guy in my office who whistles along to everything cool is whistling to this. Ergo...
Are they sampling New Order's guitar sound?
gregormiz wrote:
Back in 1986 or so, I was living in Pennsylvania and hanging out with a local Cover band (called Briggs Beal). One of their less impressive shows was at a youth hall in Hershey PA. Opening band, Ocean Blue. They were, like, 12 years old. I'm afraid that I don't like the mucic any more now than I did then. Wallpaper music. I like the comparison, below, to Flock of Seagulls... on Ecstasy. ;-)
I'm from Hburg. I remember we had quite the awesome local scene there in the early 80's. Bands called Friction, Vitamin Z, The Hormones playing in a little closet dive called Lil Joe's on Derry st. I used to live in that bar. BTW, Suicidal Tendencies played there when they came out with their first. To get the picture you should imagine your living room and that's how big this place was. It kept getting closed down for serving minors though. I mean really, they did coal all day they should get to drink too! No, I guess that was something else. I wish I could still get my hands on Friction's frist EP. Now if you've heard of other bands with these names you should keep in mind i'm talking the late 70's early 80's here so if your band came after then they stole the name. I don't live there anymore but I do miss that scene we had there. It was something.
Back in 1986 or so, I was living in Pennsylvania and hanging out with a local Cover band (called Briggs Beal). One of their less impressive shows was at a youth hall in Hershey PA. Opening band, Ocean Blue. They were, like, 12 years old. I'm afraid that I don't like the mucic any more now than I did then. Wallpaper music. I like the comparison, below, to Flock of Seagulls... on Ecstasy. ;-)
34bogas wrote:
no sólo Ballerina, todo está fuera de control. todo.
Maldicion. sabia! ... pero lo que menos fuera de control está es esta cancion. muy tranquila para llamarse asi.
skindy wrote:
How did I miss this band in the 80s? I do like this song...
Released in '91...
How did I miss this band in the 80s? I do like this song...
no sólo Ballerina, todo está fuera de control. todo.
radiojunkie wrote:
I managed to never hear these guys before. But since everybody is making comparisons to other bands and singers, here's my contribution: They Might Be Giants, anyone?
Funny stuff. I was thinking KC and the Sunshine Band.
flandersdog wrote:
is he insane? I've never been in a band, but I've been to law school and I have no doubt that being in a band is a far better deal.
Having suffered through law school myself, I agree with you 1000 percent.
When my daughter was 5 and taking ballet, I told her this song was about her. She wasn't the best behaved child in the class. I think she got the message.
Darlington wrote:
Actually, I think I read somewhere not too long ago where the band has disbanded and the lead singer is in Law School.
is he insane? I've never been in a band, but I've been to law school and I have no doubt that being in a band is a far better deal.
I managed to never hear these guys before. But since everybody is making comparisons to other bands and singers, here's my contribution: They Might Be Giants, anyone?
"Ballerina Out of Control"... what kind of lame ass title is that?!
Awesome Band. They are still around in case anyone is interested. They have a new EP and are doing a small tour. Their cover of "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" is beautiful. https://www.theoceanblue.com/home.html
I am suddenly back in college... sneaking cigarettes... drinking to excess.... Thanks for reminding me about Ocean Blue! How about "Between Something and Nothing" or "Frigid Winder Days"?
Cliff1963 wrote:
Oh my gawd!!! This sounds like the modern Echo & The Bunnymen!!! Wanting to sound like that is a shame for any musician that's taking himself seriously....it's probably the only thing they're good at....they probably end up on a cruiseship or something playing before an audience of geriatrics.
Actually, I think I read somewhere not too long ago where the band has disbanded and the lead singer is in Law School. They do remind a lot of The Smiths, they were obviously (and I saw them concede this many times in interviews) heavily influenced by them and by Echo and the Bunnymen. Not bad influences to have, if you think about it.
I guess these guys sounded great to people who mourned the death of Smiths,New ORder, Echo... Gawdawful boring stuff, IMO. I remember hearing a cover they did of Take Me Out Tonight (was that the title? Smiths song from Queen is Dead), and it sounded just like the original. We all had the original back in the 80s. Why would we want some other band's cover that sounded the same a decade later? I did see the last few minutes of a free Ocean Blue concert way back when, though. Glad it was free.
My favorite Ocean Blue song. Saw these guys quite a few times in the Baltimore/DC area in the early 90's. Yes, I always heard a little of the Smiths in their sound as well.
frankydee wrote:
Flock of Seagulls anyone ....pretty farfetched but it reminds me a bit.
Not farfetched at all! That's exactly what I thought. Sounds just like "Space Age Love Song" with a couple extra notes thrown in that apparantly never occurred to the FOS guys.
klgs24 wrote:
i immediately thought of the smiths.
Same here. Or, no offense to OB (who I like), I actually thought his voice sounded like Wierd Al. Maybe it's the headphones I'm wearing. Nice song, regardless.
i immediately thought of the smiths.
Oh my gawd!!! This sounds like the modern Echo & The Bunnymen!!! Wanting to sound like that is a shame for any musician that's taking himself seriously....it's probably the only thing they're good at....they probably end up on a cruiseship or something playing before an audience of geriatrics.
Flock of Seagulls anyone ....pretty farfetched but it reminds me a bit.
very New Order-ish...great!
I need to dig this CD out of storage. It has been a long time since I have listened to it - great soothing music.
Originally Posted by noladq: Well, this was late 80's ;) I love OB. You could please play more Bill!
me too! :D
I thought this was The Church at first. Its 'nice'. (pimp)
Originally Posted by Kurt_from_La_Qui:it shows to all you 80's bashers that there was some good music in them there 80's!
Well, this was late 80's ;) I love OB. You could please play more Bill!
I like this a lot. Reminds me of Echo & the Bunnymen and a little bit of the Psychedelic Furs. Good slightly alternative power pop.
now here\'s another one i think i sent in. well, i know i sent it in but i not sure bill and rebecca used my copy. anyway... love it!!! it shows to all you 80\'s bashers that there was some good music in them there 80\'s!
Ocean Blue was a ground-breaking band in their time and were surely very influential to all the brit-pop bands of today (Coldplay, Starsailor et al.).
I\'ve always loved this whole CD. Nice stuff. Takes me to a time and a place.... Q
The singer reminds me of Morrisey. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!