Levellers — Too Real
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Length: 5:29
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Here she comes, the great leveller
King and serfs bow before her
If you feel her eyes on you - run
She'll come and put her arms around you
You lie and say she hasn't found you
You'll run to her she's there to greet you
Are you lost to us forever
Tied in lust strapped in leather
Is the cost way beyond you
Do you love her more than you love yourself
[Chorus]
Is it just too real
Cold clear for you to feel
Is it just too real
Cold clear for you to feel
Am I far in the distance
Am I the cure or a symptom
Should I go when you tell me to
Can you tell I've never loved her
Because my life is for another
Who's up and down
But will take me there
I don't claim to understand her
But hand in hand I am with her
Bright and clear and with a future
You can come and join us if you dare
I sing, but you can't speak
I laugh, but you can't smile
L love, but you lie low
Got to let her go
I look, you don't see
I talk, you don't hear
I walk then you will crawl low
You've got to let her go
King and serfs bow before her
If you feel her eyes on you - run
She'll come and put her arms around you
You lie and say she hasn't found you
You'll run to her she's there to greet you
Are you lost to us forever
Tied in lust strapped in leather
Is the cost way beyond you
Do you love her more than you love yourself
[Chorus]
Is it just too real
Cold clear for you to feel
Is it just too real
Cold clear for you to feel
Am I far in the distance
Am I the cure or a symptom
Should I go when you tell me to
Can you tell I've never loved her
Because my life is for another
Who's up and down
But will take me there
I don't claim to understand her
But hand in hand I am with her
Bright and clear and with a future
You can come and join us if you dare
I sing, but you can't speak
I laugh, but you can't smile
L love, but you lie low
Got to let her go
I look, you don't see
I talk, you don't hear
I walk then you will crawl low
You've got to let her go
Comments (113)add comment
Powerful! Love it! Forever takes me back to the wilds of Ishikawa, where a mad, drunken Englishman turned me on to this talented, amazing band... The amount of beer, sake, and shochu we drank while jamming out to The Levellers could have flooded all of Noto Hanto!
fredriley wrote:
I thought they were singing about Death. It fits most of the lyrics. Not sure about leather straps, but "you lie and say she hasn't found you, you'll run to her she's there to greet you, are you lost to us forever", that all works, as does kings and serfs bowing to her.
I've listened to this album, and song, many times, and have often wondered if the She in the song is the Goddess. That would fit the lyrics. I know that the Levellers are anarchists who've hung about with travellers, crusties and alternative folk all their career, and perhaps they're a bit pagan too.
I thought they were singing about Death. It fits most of the lyrics. Not sure about leather straps, but "you lie and say she hasn't found you, you'll run to her she's there to greet you, are you lost to us forever", that all works, as does kings and serfs bowing to her.
andychannelle wrote:
Saw The Levellers this weekend at Beautiful Days (their own festival in the west if England). You should all come. It was like Radio Paradise live.
SpinyNorma wrote:
Sshhhh, don't tell them, they'll all want to come! (It's great innit, like festivals used to be
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
Too late. Tickets for this year (2023) sold out in April 2023 (and the festival is at the end of August).
I've missed it every time so far!!! Doh!
We were travelling in a truck and a much younger couple took pity on us (since we had left Brighton half a century before) and later sent us a burned cd of the best of the Levellers. Listened to it a lot until we moved on to other digital formats.
Still have it, just need to buy a cd player.
Still have it, just need to buy a cd player.
One of my favourite live bands!
ciapia wrote:
What are these things you call "festivals"? Isn't music only to be consumed alone, in your house, drinking a box of wine in the never ending winter of covid?
I think it totally depends upon the size of the funnel you use with the box of wine. The larger the funnel, the more festive it seems...
What are these things you call "festivals"? Isn't music only to be consumed alone, in your house, drinking a box of wine in the never ending winter of covid?
![sealed](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-sealed.gif)
I think it totally depends upon the size of the funnel you use with the box of wine. The larger the funnel, the more festive it seems...
I love this band
One of my all time favorites, takes me back to university.
SpinyNorma wrote:
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
What are these things you call "festivals"? Isn't music only to be consumed alone, in your house, drinking a box of wine in the never ending winter of covid?
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
What are these things you call "festivals"? Isn't music only to be consumed alone, in your house, drinking a box of wine in the never ending winter of covid?
![sealed](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/smiley-sealed.gif)
SpinyNorma wrote:
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
Yep, I was there last year too. Commercial free and good music; just like RP.
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
Yep, I was there last year too. Commercial free and good music; just like RP.
Sounds a lot like Neil Finn
Love the drama of this song. Great voice; great drums.
andychannelle wrote:
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
Saw The Levellers this weekend at Beautiful Days (their own festival in the west if England). You should all come. It was like Radio Paradise live.
Been for the past 6 years (barring one), tickets bought for this year. It's how festivals used to be!
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
fredriley wrote:
'She' is Death...
I've listened to this album, and song, many times, and have often wondered if the She in the song is the Goddess. That would fit the lyrics. I know that the Levellers are anarchists who've hung about with travellers, crusties and alternative folk all their career, and perhaps they're a bit pagan too.
'She' is Death...
andychannelle wrote:
Sshhhh, don't tell them, they'll all want to come! (It's great innit, like festivals used to be
)
Saw The Levellers this weekend at Beautiful Days (their own festival in the west if England). You should all come. It was like Radio Paradise live.
Sshhhh, don't tell them, they'll all want to come! (It's great innit, like festivals used to be
![dancingbanana](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
some songs benefit greatly from the new flac stream....this is one
The bass line is annoying.
yes it is..the drums roll so well with the bass hayduke2 wrote:
Outstanding bit o' rock
Outstanding bit o' rock
Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand...
donfatty wrote:
And came out 8 years before E-Pro.
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
And came out 8 years before E-Pro.
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Great!
Steely_D wrote:
And came out 8 years before E-Pro.
This is heavily based on Beck's "E-Pro" at times.
And came out 8 years before E-Pro.
This is heavily based on Beck's "E-Pro" at times.
KaraokeVox wrote:
ya, radio paradise and kegs upon kegs of guinness!
kegs upon kegs? dang yall be suckin down some stout eh..![{#Mrgreen} {#Mrgreen}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
ya, radio paradise and kegs upon kegs of guinness!
kegs upon kegs? dang yall be suckin down some stout eh..
![{#Mrgreen} {#Mrgreen}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
andychannelle wrote:
ya, radio paradise and kegs upon kegs of guinness!
Saw The Levellers this weekend at Beautiful Days (their own festival in the west if England). You should all come. It was like Radio Paradise live.
ya, radio paradise and kegs upon kegs of guinness!
Is this the guy from Placebo?
Saw The Levellers this weekend at Beautiful Days (their own festival in the west if England). You should all come. It was like Radio Paradise live.
![{#Roflol} {#Roflol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_roflol.gif)
Stingray wrote:
..... agree, amazing live
Great Liveband!
..... agree, amazing live
I've listened to this album, and song, many times, and have often wondered if the She in the song is the Goddess. That would fit the lyrics. I know that the Levellers are anarchists who've hung about with travellers, crusties and alternative folk all their career, and perhaps they're a bit pagan too.
7 > 8
Really nice. I love the way the bass and drums push this forward.
Great Liveband!
Super MUSIC
Greetings from DENMARK... Thank you RP ![{#Drummer} {#Drummer}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_drummer.gif)
![{#Bananajumprope} {#Bananajumprope}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajumprope.gif)
![{#Drummer} {#Drummer}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_drummer.gif)
ziakut wrote:
Was it deliberate irony or just a coincidence that your post was repeated?
Good tune.
Somewhat trancelike. I'm liking it. This is how repetition is done. Hear that David Byrne?
Was it deliberate irony or just a coincidence that your post was repeated?
![nov29](https://24.media.tumblr.com/84d57ea71dc63ddda1a59d53dc3437b8/tumblr_mq5cdbtyeQ1rp9z6eo1_1280.png)
Good tune.
Emwolb wrote:
I'm right with you there! RP rules!!
This is why I support this station...16 year old music that I've never heard of and digging it!!
I'm right with you there! RP rules!!
This is why I support this station...16 year old music that I've never heard of and digging it!!
ri_shelton wrote:
Think your thread is right on...like it a lot.
Nice. Mix "Lemonheads" up with reggae rhythm and throw in some "High Violets"-style distortion.
Think your thread is right on...like it a lot.
meh
just turned this up
GREAT!
ICEHOUSE...?
nice job bill
Somewhat trancelike. I'm liking it. This is how repetition is done. Hear that David Byrne?
![{#Curtain} {#Curtain}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/curtain.gif)
I'm digging this...
Looks like the Levellers have 'remastered' their back catalogue and re-released it (on itunes at least).
'Remastering' used to be a fad back in the late 80s early 90s when bands would remaster their old vinyl recordings so it sounded better on CD.
Are we now in the same situation? Seems a bit like a marketing ploy to me, Surely being both digital formats (with the CD being uncompressed) at best re-mastering does nothing and at worst makes it sound worse?
Strange.
'Remastering' used to be a fad back in the late 80s early 90s when bands would remaster their old vinyl recordings so it sounded better on CD.
Are we now in the same situation? Seems a bit like a marketing ploy to me, Surely being both digital formats (with the CD being uncompressed) at best re-mastering does nothing and at worst makes it sound worse?
Strange.
Bill's really kicking my ass this afternoon. Like every single thing he's playing and LOVE most of it.
Ya, It is kicking...Reminds me of a modern Tommy James...Crimson & Clover... Sasha2001 wrote:
Man, I can remember this song really kicking my ass when I first heard it.
Man, I can remember this song really kicking my ass when I first heard it.
wenatchee wrote:
I think you mean the harmonica from Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time In The West". This song does have some passing references to the Ennio Morricone sound in the mix.
They found the harmonica from "How The West Was Won" . . .
I think you mean the harmonica from Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time In The West". This song does have some passing references to the Ennio Morricone sound in the mix.
Bummer — this is no longer available as an MP3... :-(
this is good stuff.....
mrandrew wrote:
Mosay wrote:
Ah, thanks for posting — I was thinking it sounded like Placebo's singer Brian Molko
Sweet... but that voice... I cant place it but it is so clear! Richard Barone?
Mosay wrote:
I think you're mistaken. 'Tis Mark Chadwick
EDIT: Although on inspection, he's not entirely dissimilar, but the Levellers' lead vocalist is Mark Chadwick. It would be quite odd for a band based in Brighton, England to include a singer from Florida
EDIT: Although on inspection, he's not entirely dissimilar, but the Levellers' lead vocalist is Mark Chadwick. It would be quite odd for a band based in Brighton, England to include a singer from Florida
Ah, thanks for posting — I was thinking it sounded like Placebo's singer Brian Molko
Yep, still liking them.
mrandrew wrote:
I think you're mistaken. 'Tis Mark Chadwick
EDIT: Although on inspection, he's not entirely dissimilar, but the Levellers' lead vocalist is Mark Chadwick. It would be quite odd for a band based in Brighton, England to include a singer from Florida
Sweet... but that voice... I cant place it but it is so clear! Richard Barone?
I think you're mistaken. 'Tis Mark Chadwick
EDIT: Although on inspection, he's not entirely dissimilar, but the Levellers' lead vocalist is Mark Chadwick. It would be quite odd for a band based in Brighton, England to include a singer from Florida
SURPRISING!
They found the harmonica from "How The West Was Won" . . .
Frater_Kork wrote:
fredriley wrote:
Count me in, too. After you, Wat Tyler :o)
I'm in as well...
Interesting to hear Levellers after Dar Williams Empire.
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
fredriley wrote:
Count me in, too. After you, Wat Tyler :o)
I'm in as well...
Sweet... but that voice... I cant place it but it is so clear! Richard Barone?
This is "Itunes Worthy". Next clicks are too purchase this groovy tune.
Edit. Itunes does'nt have this. Frustrating to the point where is want gouge out the Itunes president's eyeballs with my thumbs.
Edit. Itunes does'nt have this. Frustrating to the point where is want gouge out the Itunes president's eyeballs with my thumbs.
Nice. Mix "Lemonheads" up with reggae rhythm and throw in some "High Violets"-style distortion.
TerryS wrote:
Can't match you, first heard these guys riding in a truck through Zimbabwe, courtesy of burned CDs from a fellow who hailed from Plymouth UK. Still liking them.
um..that more than matches TerryS...
Can't match you, first heard these guys riding in a truck through Zimbabwe, courtesy of burned CDs from a fellow who hailed from Plymouth UK. Still liking them.
um..that more than matches TerryS...
Frater_Kork wrote:
Count me in, too. After you, Wat Tyler :o)
Interesting to hear Levellers after Dar Williams Empire.
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
Count me in, too. After you, Wat Tyler :o)
denbear wrote:
Can't match you, first heard these guys riding in a truck through Zimbabwe, courtesy of burned CDs from a fellow who hailed from Plymouth UK. Still liking them.
Nice. Heard them on RP first. Went right out and bought all of their CDs.
Can't match you, first heard these guys riding in a truck through Zimbabwe, courtesy of burned CDs from a fellow who hailed from Plymouth UK. Still liking them.
Nice. Heard them on RP first. Went right out and bought all of their CDs.
This reminds me of Al Stewart...
Good band to see live.
Always high energy stuff. Great fun.
I have seen them a few times and never been disapointed.![{#Dancingbanana} {#Dancingbanana}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
Always high energy stuff. Great fun.
I have seen them a few times and never been disapointed.
![{#Dancingbanana} {#Dancingbanana}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
Interesting to hear Levellers after Dar Williams Empire.
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
Bill, are you urging us to pick up the pitchforks and march?
I'm on...
Crusties of the world unite!...........
...........and then go get a bath!
...........and then go get a bath!
They sound like Placebo to me. (Not a bad thing. )
They sound like Placebo to me. (Not a bad thing. )
blotto wrote:
Try KCS's CD Mayday: Lady Toronto, Half Bit Converter, or Below the Stars. . .
If you liked this, you'd probably like King Cobb Steelie
Try KCS's CD Mayday: Lady Toronto, Half Bit Converter, or Below the Stars. . .
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
They likely name themselves after the ancient Levellers, and also after an area of Brighton, their home town, called The Level (Wikipedia entry). They're a bunch of anarchists closely linked to the long-running Schnews news sheet (Wikipedia) also based in Brighton, and to their credit haven't lost their convictions over the many years they've been going. I saw them weekend before last at the Loopallu festival in the NW of Scotland and they were pretty damn good, and bloody LOUD! A fine show.
Rambling is good, here is what the OED says:
" the Levellers arose in the London area in 1645-6 during the English civil war with a program that included the aboliation of hte monarchy and the House of Lords, substantial extension of franchise, social and agrarian reforms and religious freedom..." More than you wanted to know?
" the Levellers arose in the London area in 1645-6 during the English civil war with a program that included the aboliation of hte monarchy and the House of Lords, substantial extension of franchise, social and agrarian reforms and religious freedom..." More than you wanted to know?
They likely name themselves after the ancient Levellers, and also after an area of Brighton, their home town, called The Level (Wikipedia entry). They're a bunch of anarchists closely linked to the long-running Schnews news sheet (Wikipedia) also based in Brighton, and to their credit haven't lost their convictions over the many years they've been going. I saw them weekend before last at the Loopallu festival in the NW of Scotland and they were pretty damn good, and bloody LOUD! A fine show.
In concert at The Academy, Dublin, in December.
the main tune is in the bass line, guys . . .
GO Levellers! Not their very best, but pretty excellent.
a 9.
horstman wrote:
Crowded House, anyone?
Was just thinking the same thing. Crowded House cranked to 11.
Their sound is interesting. I wouldn't say I love the song, but it's refreshing. Nice.
I'm liking this one alot. Nice bass line. $*
I like it, even if I preferred their earlier more celtic-rock tunes...
Long time not heard anyway...thanks RP
Expect better of this group. Irritatingly monotonous. Unable to discern any tune.
If you liked this, you'd probably like King Cobb Steelie
Crowded House, anyone?
dogturd21 wrote:
Cant put my finger on why, but I really liked this tune.
rah wrote:i can't put my finger on it, but there's something i really dig about this song.
I concur.
Why does this remind me a bit of "Women in Technology" by White Town?
Cant put my finger on why, but I really liked this tune.
Wicked tune
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
Rambling is good, here is what the OED says:
" the Levellers arose in the London area in 1645-6 during the English civil war with a program that included the aboliation of hte monarchy and the House of Lords, substantial extension of franchise, social and agrarian reforms and religious freedom..." More than you wanted to know?
Nope. I always like discovering little tidbits of information like this. Thx. ![smile](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_smile.gif)
i can't put my finger on it, but there's something i really dig about this song.
blah, blah, blaaah
Didn't like it at first...then came the "la la las" - which make the song totally irritating. Below RP standards.
Generally uninteresting, but it does have an excellent ending. Kind of "when we're done, we're done!"
oxford_john wrote:
My friend Rah, it's been so long since I heard that tune I couldn't possibly expand on this comment... I remember hating the tune 'cause it sounded fake/fabricated as if they said "I want to write a popular tune so I can get rich" then proceeded to formulate how to go about it.
That's hilarious.
Would like to hear more of this
![yes](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)
Is this from the nightmare closet or one of the ones from under the bed?
great album cover... four winds is a very good this song of the levellers... this one's not bad either.
You mean like U2 and Dave Matthews Band during the last several years?
oxford_john wrote:
My friend Rah, it's been so long since I heard that tune I couldn't possibly expand on this comment... I remember hating the tune 'cause it sounded fake/fabricated as if they said "I want to write a popular tune so I can get rich" then proceeded to formulate how to go about it.
Two ...
... Real!
![kiss](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_kiss.gif)
![music](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_music.gif)
throbbing bass line. perfect fro recreational listening.
![cowboy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cowboy.gif)
![cowboy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cowboy.gif)
![cowboy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cowboy.gif)
I like this, it's different. What's the rest of their tunes sound like?
PS I saw these guys in concert and I also had the feeling they were trying too hard to make it.
MrSpaz wrote:
Who is she, the great leveller? Truly an equalizer or instead a destroyer? Building up or laying waste? Pertinent questions? No. Sorry, rambling.
Rambling is good, here is what the OED says:
" the Levellers arose in the London area in 1645-6 during the English civil war with a program that included the aboliation of hte monarchy and the House of Lords, substantial extension of franchise, social and agrarian reforms and religious freedom..." More than you wanted to know?
oxford_john wrote:
My friend Rah, it's been so long since I heard that tune I couldn't possibly expand on this comment... I remember hating the tune 'cause it sounded fake/fabricated as if they said "I want to write a popular tune so I can get rich" then proceeded to formulate how to go about it.
Well they missed the boat... I mean, I haven't even heard the song before. Oh yeah, and it stinks. Sounds dated too.
Who is she, the great leveller? Truly an equalizer or instead a destroyer? Building up or laying waste? Pertinent questions? No. Sorry, rambling.
rah wrote:
care to expand on that? i'm interested.
My friend Rah, it's been so long since I heard that tune I couldn't possibly expand on this comment... I remember hating the tune 'cause it sounded fake/fabricated as if they said "I want to write a popular tune so I can get rich" then proceeded to formulate how to go about it.
oxford_john wrote:
...contrived.
care to expand on that? i'm interested.
...contrived.
You can't play enough of this band! I was recently wondering why we don't hear more of them on RP.
my favorite song by them. takes me away...
![music](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_music.gif)
Yep, I was there last year too. Commercial free and good music; just like RP.
Three weeks to go until this year's