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The The — Love Is Stronger Than Death
Album: Dusk
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 849









Released: 1993
Length: 4:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
LoveLoveLove
LoveLoveLove

Me & my friend were walking
In the cold light of mourning.
Tears may blind the eyes but the soul is not deceived
In this world even winter ain't what it seems.

Here come the blue skies Here comes springtime.
When the rivers run high & the tears run dry.
When everything that dies.
Shall rise.

LoveLoveLove is stronger than death.
LoveLoveLove is stronger than death.

In our lives we hunger for those we cannot touch.
All the thoughts unuttered & all the feelings unexpressed
Play upon our hearts like the mist upon our breath.
But, awoken by grief, our spirits speak
"How could you believe that the life within the seed
That grew arms that reached
And a heart that beat.
And lips that smiled
And eyes that cried.
Could ever die?"

Here come the blue skies Here comes springtime.
When the rivers run high & the tears run dry.
When everything that dies.
Shall rise.

LoveLoveLove is stronger than death.
LoveLoveLove is stronger than death.

Shall rise. Shall rise.
Shall rise. Shall rise.
Comments (47)add comment
for those that love him and The The. He’s playing live at Alexander Palace on 28th September 2024 …. Tickets go on sale in 3 days… good luck see you there . Use Songkick app 
Matt Johnson is still playing albeit not enough. Saw him at a gig in london. I think pre Covid. He was fabulous. A must. Bill play some more if him please 
Honest to God, I had forgotten The The until listening to RP. I appreciate  them more than ever after all the decades of dreck (save for RP's playlist).
 maboleth wrote:

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but this guy seems troubled by everything. When I hear his songs it's always something that he's questioning, something that troubles him, etc... in a bad way.

There are many bands that have some kind of message, something deep, profound, providing emotional and artistic support for many listeners and fans. But The The just feels overly concerned and depressed.
Like the guy you know is smart but s/he's so concerned, trying to find deeper meaning in everything that you just try to avoid her/him wherever you can.


One data point in contrast would be the track Uncertain Smile, from the 1983 album Soul Mining.  If he is indeed "troubled by everything" then in Uncertain Smile he takes a break to contemplate a lover.  Very moving.
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. 
That myth is more potent than history. 
That dreams are more powerful than facts. 
That hope always triumphs over experience. 
That laughter is the only cure for grief. 

And I believe that love is stronger than death."

Robert Fulghum
the the is fucking amazing… fell in love at 18 and am still in love
I'm afraid it's at moments like this I need to hear something by The Fall and Mark E. Smith ...
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
Untill a few minutes ago I only knew "uncertain smile" which is a great song. This one sounds good too! I'd like to hear it again!
 
You need to do some research
 subgyro wrote:

That used to not be the case at all, many moons ago. I can remember a time when searching 'the the' would return every single website with the word 'the' in it!

Am I the only one that got this album with a totally different cover? A drawing of a crazy demon?

Edit: Ha! Found it!!


Have that album version, saw  the tour, bought and still have the shirt. Still fits.  



 jahgirl8 wrote:
Is there a more perfect song by them?
 
Well, there is the song "Perfect"
 Larrygrrl wrote:
Does anyone else hear George Michael's "Praying for Time" in this song?  It came out 4 years before The The's song...wonder if there is a connection.
 

No way in hell. 
 GoodKarm wrote:
almost hints of George Michael there.

interesting.

Thanx RP!
 
Bite your tongue.
 Larrygrrl wrote:
Does anyone else hear George Michael's "Praying for Time" in this song?  It came out 4 years before The The's song...wonder if there is a connection.
 
ha!  like minded, I just posted too, hearing and making the connection.

almost hints of George Michael there.

interesting.

Thanx RP!
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief.

And I believe that love is stronger than death.

Robert Fulghum
Does anyone else hear George Michael's "Praying for Time" in this song?  It came out 4 years before The The's song...wonder if there is a connection.
 maboleth wrote:
I don't know, maybe it's just me, but this guy seems troubled by everything. When I hear his songs it's always something that he's questioning, something that troubles him, etc... in a bad way.

There are many bands that have some kind of message, something deep, profound, providing emotional and artistic support for many listeners and fans. But The The just feels overly concerned and depressed.
Like the guy you know is smart but s/he's so concerned, trying to find deeper meaning in everything that you just try to avoid her/him wherever you can.
 

The dusk is a response to the death of his younger brother. Personally, I find his ability to convey emotions through music quite exceptional, even for a musician.
Is there a more perfect song by them?
I don't know, maybe it's just me, but this guy seems troubled by everything. When I hear his songs it's always something that he's questioning, something that troubles him, etc... in a bad way.

There are many bands that have some kind of message, something deep, profound, providing emotional and artistic support for many listeners and fans. But The The just feels overly concerned and depressed.
Like the guy you know is smart but s/he's so concerned, trying to find deeper meaning in everything that you just try to avoid her/him wherever you can.
B E A U T F U L !!!!!!!!!!!

...and i love this hammond ...
I just saw him live last week -- a great show!  I hope he starts touring more...
Pleasant enough, but in my head I hear George Michael singing this much better
 subgyro wrote:
Am I the only one that got this album with a totally different cover? A drawing of a crazy demon? 

Nope....I got that one too  {#Cheers}
They don't play enough The The on RP IMO. Awesome stuff.
Bought this CD when it first came out.
Never get tired of this song!!
{#Crown}
 S-curvy wrote:
Didn't MJ write this album in response to his brother's death?  Very powerful.
 
Yes, he did. And while I‘m a big fan of all The The albums, this is the best IMO. The band is tight (having Johnny Marr aboard certainly doesn’t hurt), the songwriting is deep, and the recording is intimate. This is one of a handful of “undiscovered“ albums that I recommend to friends without reservation.
Didn't MJ write this album in response to his brother's death?  Very powerful.
Dangit, you got me again...could have sworn this was George Michael!
Really needed to hear this today.  My brother will be departing this world in the next few days.  Love IS stronger than death...
 kcar wrote:

Always liked Matt Johnson's voice. Is he no longer recording or has he just focused on filmmaking?

 
Or soundtracks. He had too many problems with the record industry and his label. Wrote and recorded an entire album - Gun Sluts - that sits on a shelf the company won't release. Record companies suck.
 Nerubo wrote:
I nominate this is as the "Best Band with a Truly Stupid Name".  Much to my surprise though if you google "the the", even without quotes, all the hits are for the band (at least for me - your mileage may vary).

 

 
That used to not be the case at all, many moons ago. I can remember a time when searching 'the the' would return every single website with the word 'the' in it!

Am I the only one that got this album with a totally different cover? A drawing of a crazy demon?

Edit: Ha! Found it!!


One of the best songwriters of all time, IMHO. Dusk is solid front-to-back.
{#Notworthy}
 chyk5 wrote:
Such a great album. Holds up well after 20 years. Wish Matt would record more.

 
I agree 100% on all accounts{#Clap}
Untill a few minutes ago I only knew "uncertain smile" which is a great song. This one sounds good too! I'd like to hear it again!
Such a great album. Holds up well after 20 years. Wish Matt would record more.
 I was just about to write exactly the same {#Cheers}
same tone of voice
same kind of song!

Larrygrrl wrote:
I thought this was George Michael!

 


I thought this was George Michael!
I thought this was World Party at first.
When the rivers run high and the tears run dry.

I've always loved this line, being a kayaker :)

Beautiful song, just the harp at the end is a tiny bit too much noise, i.e. a  9 instead of a 10. 
I used to like The The but this is terrible, my ears are hurting.
 aspicer wrote:
Great track from what was perhaps his last great album.

 
Always liked Matt Johnson's voice. Is he no longer recording or has he just focused on filmmaking?
Great track from what was perhaps his last great album.
 Nerubo wrote:
I nominate this is as the "Best Band with a Truly Stupid Name".  Much to my surprise though if you google "the the", even without quotes, all the hits are for the band (at least for me - your mileage may vary).

 

 
Not so stupid is it?
I nominate this is as the "Best Band with a Truly Stupid Name".  Much to my surprise though if you google "the the", even without quotes, all the hits are for the band (at least for me - your mileage may vary).

 
More The The!