Sarah Harmer — Basement Apartment
Album: You Were HereAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1313
Length: 3:58
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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You live out where the street ends
In a basement apt. with one of your friends
And the tap drips all night
Water torture in the sink
The furnace is burning
But it's still cold i think
I can smell the bleach
That they use in the hall
But it can't clean the dirt off of me
It's seeping under the door
In across the floor
It's starting to hurt
Everytime I breathe
Everytime I try to leave
Everytime I breathe
Now the toaster sticks
And the empties are piled
I haven't been up the stairs in awhile now
I gotta wash the sheets on my bed
I gotta watch those things that go unsaid
God I wish we'd leave it at this
Everytime I breathe
Everytime I try To leave
Everytime I breathe
And every evening you open the door
You come down
There's nothing like watching tv all night underground
And no one is watching me slide
Below street level
Barely alive
Now we live out where the street ends
In a basement apt. just like our friends
We always said that we were different
But you know now that we weren't
'cause there's holes in all the bottles
And my lungs hurt
Everytime I Breathe
Everytime I Try To Leave
Everytime I Breathe
In a basement apt. with one of your friends
And the tap drips all night
Water torture in the sink
The furnace is burning
But it's still cold i think
I can smell the bleach
That they use in the hall
But it can't clean the dirt off of me
It's seeping under the door
In across the floor
It's starting to hurt
Everytime I breathe
Everytime I try to leave
Everytime I breathe
Now the toaster sticks
And the empties are piled
I haven't been up the stairs in awhile now
I gotta wash the sheets on my bed
I gotta watch those things that go unsaid
God I wish we'd leave it at this
Everytime I breathe
Everytime I try To leave
Everytime I breathe
And every evening you open the door
You come down
There's nothing like watching tv all night underground
And no one is watching me slide
Below street level
Barely alive
Now we live out where the street ends
In a basement apt. just like our friends
We always said that we were different
But you know now that we weren't
'cause there's holes in all the bottles
And my lungs hurt
Everytime I Breathe
Everytime I Try To Leave
Everytime I Breathe
Comments (132)add comment
This song describes perfectly what it was like living in Kingston in the early to mid 90's. Takes me back every time.
Man, as a card-carrying canuck, I loves me some Sarah Harmer...saw her ages and ages ago at Lee's Palace in the T-Dot with wife #1. Glad I still like Sarah...
If you want her in a different context listen to Weeping Tiles. She's always been great.
I lived in a basement apartment during my first year of grad school. The cockroaches were HUGE! The exterminator shows up and I show him the carcass of one that I had killed.
He takes one look and yells, "DAMN! I haven't seen one like that since I left Florida!"
He takes one look and yells, "DAMN! I haven't seen one like that since I left Florida!"
I like this version, but I love the original Weeping Tile version. Would love to hear any of her old Weeping Tile tunes.
Saw Sarah Harmer at The Banff Centre, in the outdoor amphitheatre. I have enjoyed her music for years ago and her performance was excellent. I also think she is a very beautiful person.
Grammarcop wrote:
It's such an upbeat melody, it deserves more positive lyrics. Still like it though!
Well, this is bleak.
It's such an upbeat melody, it deserves more positive lyrics. Still like it though!
Just gave her an 8 LLRP
Much love for this fine, tasty tune. Really; hardly west-coast Sarah McLaughlin.
More like totally wonderfully grounded Canadian easterners; Alanis Morissette, or Catherine MacLellan when she's not singing about here father.
Well, my kid was born across the lake from where the video was shot, in Hamilton, Ont. Who wouldn't want to leave that place.
Watch the video.
"The furnace is burning / but it's still cold".
More like totally wonderfully grounded Canadian easterners; Alanis Morissette, or Catherine MacLellan when she's not singing about here father.
Well, my kid was born across the lake from where the video was shot, in Hamilton, Ont. Who wouldn't want to leave that place.
Watch the video.
"The furnace is burning / but it's still cold".
bluefrog wrote:
A "little" ? maybe.
"very" ? no.
Both Canadian. Distinctly their own to my ear.
A "little" ? maybe.
"very" ? no.
Both Canadian. Distinctly their own to my ear.
ciarataylor wrote:
A "little" ? maybe.
"very" ? no.
Very Sarah McLaughlin
A "little" ? maybe.
"very" ? no.
This song is taking on new meaning for me, at least the chorus.
Her comradery with Gord Downey is evident...awesome...
Very Sarah McLaughlin
Daveteauk wrote:
Yeah, good luck with that.
Bill's been spinning discs since they were actual discs, and vinyl ones at that. Your opinion is certainly valid, but telling them what they 'need' to do isn't going anywhere.
The Mellow Mix covers a pretty broad range of genres, maybe give it a listen?
c.
Proclivities wrote:
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Unfortunately, Bill and Rebecca think Mellow music is just, or 90% mainly, Folk/Country. They need to open their eyes to what's on offer for more realistic Mellow music. MUCH less Folk/Country, PLEASE.
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Yeah, good luck with that.
Bill's been spinning discs since they were actual discs, and vinyl ones at that. Your opinion is certainly valid, but telling them what they 'need' to do isn't going anywhere.
The Mellow Mix covers a pretty broad range of genres, maybe give it a listen?
c.
Proclivities wrote:
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Include me in the "worth listening to" camp.
This is a perfect 90s indie pop song.
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Include me in the "worth listening to" camp.
This is a perfect 90s indie pop song.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
"Lode Star" was how Radio Paradise introduced me to Sarah Harmer! She's well worth listening to and a number of tracks off of this album are excellent!
Such a lovely warm voice - check out "Lode Star" for a wonderful example of her expressiveness.
"Lode Star" was how Radio Paradise introduced me to Sarah Harmer! She's well worth listening to and a number of tracks off of this album are excellent!
Proclivities wrote:
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
There's also that Skip-button, you know :-)
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
There's also that Skip-button, you know :-)
Proclivities wrote:
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Unfortunately, Bill and Rebecca think Mellow music is just, or 90% mainly, Folk/Country. They need to open their eyes to what's on offer for more realistic Mellow music. MUCH less Folk/Country, PLEASE.
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Grammarcop wrote:
House?
Well, this is bleak.
House?
I Like This!
Nice melody, smooth vocals, and a pleasant acoustic vibe that balances the sharp, biting lyrics.
Nice melody, smooth vocals, and a pleasant acoustic vibe that balances the sharp, biting lyrics.
Such a lovely warm voice - check out "Lode Star" for a wonderful example of her expressiveness.
Kaw wrote:
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Please RP, stop playing the generic singer-songwriter with a cute face songs, unless the music is worth listening to. It's like they are made by the same factory.
Apparently, Bill and Rebecca consider this music "worth listening to" or it is unlikely that they would play it.
Old_Pat wrote:
Amen to that! Couldn't wait to move up, above ground...
Lived in a basement apartment for 7 years. When your entire take on the world around is limited to others from the knees on down...... can do weird things.......
Amen to that! Couldn't wait to move up, above ground...
I rather like the song. But hiring a decent drummer would have done this song more justice than this notoriously boring drum machine.
Lived in a basement apartment for 7 years. When your entire take on the world around is limited to others from the knees on down...... can do weird things.......
Well, this is bleak.
WonderLizard wrote:
Toughing out some insomnia here but I really like your observation. Granted, I know only two Sarah Harmer songs
but I love her voice and lyrics.
RP should definitely play more of her stuff.
I think of this song as the omega to the alpha of "Almost." A cold, harsh reality settles over the excited first blush of attraction.
Toughing out some insomnia here but I really like your observation. Granted, I know only two Sarah Harmer songs
but I love her voice and lyrics. RP should definitely play more of her stuff.
I think of this song as the omega to the alpha of "Almost." A cold, harsh reality settles over the excited first blush of attraction.
Love that little laugh at the beginning...
Sarah puts on a very enjoyable show, this song works way better live.
Kaw wrote:
I might partially agree with your sentiments (if not your tone) with other artists or songs, but this is not that.
Please RP, stop playing the generic singer-songwriter with a cute face songs, unless the music is worth listening to. It's like they are made by the same factory.
I might partially agree with your sentiments (if not your tone) with other artists or songs, but this is not that.
Kaw wrote:
Ummm, instead of asking RP to cater to your tastes...hit PSD...just sayin...
Please RP, stop playing the generic singer-songwriter with a cute face songs, unless the music is worth listening to. It's like they are made by the same factory.
Ummm, instead of asking RP to cater to your tastes...hit PSD...just sayin...
Please RP, stop playing the generic singer-songwriter with a cute face songs, unless the music is worth listening to. It's like they are made by the same factory.
Thank you so much for digging into the archives for this song. Love Sarah!
Had a soft spot for this song since first hearing several years ago. Reminds me of my former life and some good friends. Good and kinda sexy video for it too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN2TL59FCQg&list=RDeN2TL59FCQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN2TL59FCQg&list=RDeN2TL59FCQg
I knew it was Sarah Harmer, but there is obviously (or maybe not so obviously) a Canadian enunciation that reminds me of Kathleen Edwards. It's subtle and has nothing to do with "aboot", for example.
Insipid song writing.
One of my all-time favourite Sarah Harmer songs, actually from her EP when she was in Weeping Tile... so almost 20 years old now!!! First exposed to her seeing them open for the Waltons back in 95 in Kingston, ON. Thanks for the memories, and sharing a great Canadian singer/songwriter!
Are these lyrics intentionally stupid? Distracting for RP. Nice beat.
a_genuine_find wrote:
...10
H8rs b h8n'
...10H8rs b h8n'
Yeah, this song is great. Can't believe it's 12 years now!
peter_james_bond wrote:
Fake laughter! Next you'll be telling me that my 20 dollar Rolex is a knock off, that the vanilla I'm adding to my cake mix is artificial, that my wife's coat is faux fur and that Pamela Anderson has had a boob job! ...you've killed my buzz man, I need to shed a few crocodile tears....
Don't forget...it's a cookbook!
Fake laughter! Next you'll be telling me that my 20 dollar Rolex is a knock off, that the vanilla I'm adding to my cake mix is artificial, that my wife's coat is faux fur and that Pamela Anderson has had a boob job! ...you've killed my buzz man, I need to shed a few crocodile tears....
Don't forget...it's a cookbook!
Can't believe it's been nearly 20 years since I first heard Sarah perform this song with Weeping Tile. It was great then, and it's great now.
Love this track
The backing band adds substance to this. Liking it.
This song makes me happy, always has.
Everytime I .... hear this song, I wonder why I don't have more of her music in my collection....
8
8
Brings back unhappy memories of living in crappy houses and trying to make ends meet. For that mental twinge (and her lovely voice) I give it an "8"
Sarah Harmer 5 by ~wonderlandphotograph
Heather MacDonald
Sarah Harmer in Charlottetown PEI August 16th 2008
Big fan of Sarah's. This album is great form start to finish. She's an excellent performer, too.
Never heard of Sarah, but i like this one!
8
8
Great song; glad to see this one's still in rotation.
TwinEngine wrote:
This song is depressing, or maybe it's just me.
Realism is depressing. Nice, but can't do more than 6.
This song is depressing, or maybe it's just me.
Realism is depressing. Nice, but can't do more than 6.
vit wrote:
Fake laughter! Next you'll be telling me that my 20 dollar Rolex is a knock off, that the vanilla I'm adding to my cake mix is artificial, that my wife's coat is faux fur and that Pamela Anderson has had a boob job! ...you've killed my buzz man, I need to shed a few crocodile tears....
Actually the fake laugh at the beginning of the song proves that she's trying way too hard.
Fake laughter! Next you'll be telling me that my 20 dollar Rolex is a knock off, that the vanilla I'm adding to my cake mix is artificial, that my wife's coat is faux fur and that Pamela Anderson has had a boob job! ...you've killed my buzz man, I need to shed a few crocodile tears....
I somewhat shamefully admit to being totally unaware of Sarah Harmer until hearing a few of her songs on RP. I really like her stuff! I'd rate this an '8' on first listening - which is saying something.
Sean-E-Sean wrote:
...I have loved this song for years...
cathenley wrote:
Actually the fake laugh at the beginning of the song proves that she's trying way too hard.
Truly, she has potential. But, she doesn't try hard enough....
Actually the fake laugh at the beginning of the song proves that she's trying way too hard.
smokinsean wrote:
Me too! Haven't heard it in quite a while, almost forgot about it... glad they play it here. Thanks!
...I have loved this song for years...
Me too! Haven't heard it in quite a while, almost forgot about it... glad they play it here. Thanks!
horstman wrote:
I just gave it a 1 to balance you out! Please, don't skew the ratings. Ha Ha.
You're too late. After about 50 (or even less) you won't affect the stats.
I just gave it a 1 to balance you out! Please, don't skew the ratings. Ha Ha.
You're too late. After about 50 (or even less) you won't affect the stats.
peyotecoyote wrote:
I actually agree with you, I just made that comment, with tongue in cheek, because of the number of people who said Jill sounded like Sarah.
I don't hear the similarity. I like them both though.
I actually agree with you, I just made that comment, with tongue in cheek, because of the number of people who said Jill sounded like Sarah.
peter_james_bond wrote:
I don't hear the similarity. I like them both though.
Sounds like Jill Barber 
And that is good!
And that is good!I don't hear the similarity. I like them both though.
Sounds like Jill Barber And that is good!
And that is good! xkolibuul wrote:
I just gave it a 1 to balance you out! Please, don't skew the ratings. Ha Ha.
Ha! I'm gonna overrate this song just to balance out all you punks.
I just gave it a 1 to balance you out! Please, don't skew the ratings. Ha Ha.
cathenley wrote:
Nice, friend. On a certain level, you are correct.
Damn fine sounds tho', superb guitar work!
And darned if it don't grow on you!
Truly, she has potential. But, she doesn't try hard enough....
Nice, friend. On a certain level, you are correct.
Damn fine sounds tho', superb guitar work!
And darned if it don't grow on you!
xkolibuul wrote:
...10
Ha! I'm gonna overrate this song just to balance out all you punks.
...10 cathenley wrote:
What do you mean?
Truly, she has potential. But, she doesn't try hard enough....
What do you mean?
Truly, she has potential. But, she doesn't try hard enough....
I'm not moved by her style, but when I saw the song title I was curious about the lyrics since I recollect a basement apartment or two from the old neighborhood. . .it gets a "5" solely for lyrics. . .
Man, she speaks Canadian.
sarahbean26 wrote: 
Too mainstream and gilmore girlie for me!!
If you'd listen to the words, you'd realize that the song is darker than you think. It's discussing depression & drug use (not very "gilmore girlie" subjects).
Too mainstream and gilmore girlie for me!! Great song. Her best single off of this CD.
Two at best.
Good song choice. Building a heck of a good song set today.
Ha! I'm gonna overrate this song just to balance out all you punks.
"There's holes in all the bottles and my lungs hurt!"
Gotta love the BT's (bottle-tokes).
teapot wrote:
This is a fantastic album--she is SO underrated.
Count me as someone who underrates her.
2
Too mainstream and gilmore girlie for me!! ...I have loved this song for years...
teapot wrote:
This is a fantastic album--she is SO underrated.
That seems to always the case with so many of the better
singer/songwriters.
lathyris wrote:
I usually don't like singer/songwritery girls, and this one is no different.
I usually don't like misogynistic comments and this one's no different.
This is a fantastic album--she is SO underrated.
redeyespy wrote:
As much as I preach about how lyrics are usually a distant second to the music, words clearly outweigh the music this time.
There's a good reason why music is often produced such that the lyrics are buried. That's not the case here and in the rest of Sarah Harmer's music because, in fact, the lyrics are worth hearing.
lily34 wrote:
i like it...but the rest of the cd...i don't like much.
"Don't Get Your Back Up" & "Uniform Grey" (off the same CD) are really good too.
Why is she laughing in the beginning?
hearing this song always takes me right back to the spring/summer of 2001...
lily34 wrote:
i love this song. makes me want to dance every time i hear it. does she play the guitar on this? i love it.
i like it...but the rest of the cd...i don't like much.
sans wrote:
Wow, she sure is liked here... I think there are much better examples in the same genre but to each his own (the drum machine bugs the heck out of me). The reason I took the time to post is, I wonder if anyone who loves this "positive, upbeat, summer" song listend to the lyrics about a girl who can't escape a relationship (symbolized by the basement apartment) that has become so painful to stay in that she can't breathe?
Drum machines usually bug me, too. As much as I preach about how lyrics are usually a distant second to the music, words clearly outweigh the music this time. As for the meaning behind the words, it's all in what you bring to the table. Even if the song is literally about a basement apartment, it is still very affecting.
SlamAdams wrote:
I usually don't like singer/songwritery girls, but something about this one appeals to me.
I like the lyrics too.
6
I usually don't like singer/songwritery girls, and this one is no different.
i love this song. makes me want to dance every time i hear it. does she play the guitar on this? i love it.
just saw sarah saturday night - she did a lovely acoustic version of this one.. :)
More Sarah please! Beautiful voice, beatiful feeling
no seriously just get a better apartment...
I usually don't like singer/songwritery girls, but something about this one appeals to me.
I like the lyrics too.
6
cptbuz wrote:
...and coming from a guy with that username I gotta think he knows what he's talkin bout
Haha... it's actually named after a Nine Inch Nails song.... You're Captain Buzz, huh?... sounds somewhat druggish itself. Heh.
awww - my favorite sarah harmer song!
ok. sounded a bit like sarah mclachlan crossed with joan osborne to me. kind of run of the mill pop sounds in my opinion. not bad at all...but nothing unique or spectacular. but that is only MHO... I still don't mind hearing it.
I like it. Let's hear more from her!
Hmmm... I thought it was about an addict living in a basement apartment; holes in all the bottles, lungs hurt...
...and coming from a guy with that username I gotta think he knows what he's talkin bout
phineas wrote:
If you like this, pick up this album ---- excellent throughout. She used to be with a band called Weeping Tile. Very good as well but not done justice by their recordings.
Wow! Weeping Tile use to play at a music venue in Winnipeg I use to work at. They were great live! I'll have to dig through my tapes to listen again.
Wow, first time listen here. At least first rating...8.
I liiiike Sarah...
sans wrote:
The reason I took the time to post is, I wonder if anyone who loves this "positive, upbeat, summer" song listend to the lyrics about a girl who can't escape a relationship (symbolized by the basement apartment) that has become so painful to stay in that she can't breathe?
Hmmm... I thought it was about an addict living in a basement apartment; holes in all the bottles, lungs hurt...
sans wrote:
Wow, she sure is liked here... I think there are much better examples in the same genre but to each his own (the drum machine bugs the heck out of me). The reason I took the time to post is, I wonder if anyone who loves this "positive, upbeat, summer" song listend to the lyrics about a girl who can't escape a relationship (symbolized by the basement apartment) that has become so painful to stay in that she can't breathe?
Sans: couldn't agree more. It's got a nice beat, but I don't think it's anything overly special. This also happens to be the strongest song on this album. The rest is downhill from there.
Wow, she sure is liked here... I think there are much better examples in the same genre but to each his own (the drum machine bugs the heck out of me). The reason I took the time to post is, I wonder if anyone who loves this "positive, upbeat, summer" song listend to the lyrics about a girl who can't escape a relationship (symbolized by the basement apartment) that has become so painful to stay in that she can't breathe?
This song qualifies as one of my all time favorites. A simple song with great lyrics and that underlying bittersweet wistfulness that characterizes many of her songs, combined with an arrangment that is much improved from the earlier recording by Weeping Tile. Sarah is a great artist and I would love to hear more from her. Her new album is great.
I'm always amazed that Sarah hasn't become more mainstream with better sales...I think she could become more commercial and what radio an industry is looking for and plays right now. I like her, But her sound is a blend of about a dozen female performers out right now...Because of that (too me) she's just average. She's missing that special WOW factor to my musical ear. (just my opinion, of course)
She's got a new disc out --- haven't heard it yet but looking forward to it.
That song remind me of summer and make me realize how far away I am from California. Here, it's cold and dark.
More summertime music please! :sunny.gif:
I also once lived in a basement apartment. Sarah, we seem to be on the same bandwidth. Insight that really earns its emotional response. Thank you, Bill, for another fine artist to discover.
I was addicted to this CD for a time. Every time I listened to it I would find another favorite or a new meaning in a lyric. Her live perfomance leaves you captivated. She is one of those artists who arrives quietly on stage and bursts straight into a song you had never even noticed on the CD. The recordings are not a patch on her live perfomance.
More Weeping Tile please!!
Pipes wrote:
I like this. What else does she have? :D
If you like this, pick up this album ---- excellent throughout. She used to be with a band called Weeping Tile. Very good as well but not done justice by their recordings.
Tres nice. :nodhead:
Great album, cool girl.
I like this. What else does she have? :D
i wish i could say i wrote this when i lived in a basement apt. she really captures it- the humidity, small windows and ponderings on love from underground!
One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums - it just never gets stale. More Sarah, please.