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Jim White — Static On the Radio
Album: Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2438









Released: 2004
Length: 6:29
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Three A.M. I'm awakened
By a sweet summer rain
Distant howling of a passing Southbound coal train
Was I dreaming
Or was there someone just lying here Beside me in this bed?
Am I hearing things?
Or in the next room
Did a long forgotten music box just start playing?

And I know (it's a sin putting words in the mouths of the dead)
And I know (it's a crime to weave your wishes into what they said)
And I know (only fools venture where them spirits tread)
Cause I know (every word, every sound bouncing 'round my head)

Is just static on the radio
(Everything I think I know is just static on the radio)

Now there's a church house
About a stone's throw down
From this place where I been staying
It's Sunday morning
And I'm sittin' in my truck
Listening to my neighbor sing
Ten years ago I might have joined in
But don't time change those inclined
To think less of what is written
Than what's wrote between the lines?

Cause I know (dreams are for those who are asleep in bed)
And I know (it's a sin putting words in the mouths of the dead)
Cause I know (for all my ruminations I can't change a thing
Still I hope (there's others out there who are listening)

To the static on the radio
(Everything I think I know is just static on the radio
Static on the radio
(Ain't praying for miracles, I'm just down on my knees)
Static on the radio
(Listening for the song behind everything I think I know)
Static on the radio
(Everything I think I know is just static on the radio)
Comments (261)add comment
I dig the awareness and anticipation of the next realm that this song describes in very subtle but clever ways. The poetry is sublime, and Aimee Mann is a goddess!
Posted 1 week ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I always imagine this is where RP (william) Found his roots. 
Posted 1 week ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
 renegade_X wrote:

Nice song. Reminds me very much of the song Miracles by Jefferson Starship



I hear it
Posted 3 weeks ago by roadie    [ Reply ]
Spy vs Spy 2: The Island Caper soundtrack cover (at least for me)
Posted 1 month ago by schoelle    [ Reply ]
.....shhhhh, did you hear that? 
Posted 2 months ago by laserace    [ Reply ]
Never realized she was from the band Til Tuesday. No wonder I am so fond of her voice. Great song overall.
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
The poetry of this song is beautiful and haunting.
Posted 1 year ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
Nice song. Reminds me very much of the song Miracles by Jefferson Starship
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
Bumping it up one just for the album title alone...
Geology jokes are rare in Rock and Roll.
Also, having Aimee Mann on your album makes you better...
Posted 1 year ago by DRLOCO    [ Reply ]
To me, it sounds like PJ Harvey singing backup. 

But I have an infatuation with PJ.   I hear her everywhere. 

But I may have infatuation with Aimee Mann, too. It goes back to the Big Lebowski movie.  Nihilist.  
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 nancygoldstein11 wrote:

No mistaking Aimee Mann, who makes this track "Godlike".



Yep, definitely one of my favorite female voices... happy she found her way back to the  music, studio, mic'.
Posted 1 year ago by atticus    [ Reply ]


STATIC  indeed.


Posted 2 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

what a great title, been there...done that

is that aimee mann on vocals!



Yes
Posted 2 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool song. Anybody that gives a song a one is less then one
Posted 2 years ago by adyboy94    [ Reply ]
I have never heard of this artist before. The lyrics are excellent, this coming from a songwriter. Nice!
Posted 2 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
What a wonderful little nugget!!
Posted 2 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

what a great title, been there...done that

is that aimee mann on vocals!



Bill just said 'yes' 
Posted 3 years ago by andrewj64461    [ Reply ]
Great transition from Joy Division's Transmission to Static on the Radio. I see what you did there Bill/Rebecca, well done!
Posted 3 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
what a great title, been there...done that

is that aimee mann on vocals!
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's just my blue disposition, or,the way it is put together, the interplay between their voices, the horns, the other fine musicians, but I just think this is a really fine song. I always turn it up.
Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
Every artist would draw me in if they got Aimee Mann to sing backup.
Posted 3 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9.  Aimee Mann is so good on this, it could rise further. pxd
Posted 4 years ago by pxd    [ Reply ]
 discdrive wrote:
Love it. Feels like it could've come out of my parents jukebox in the 70s.
 


Kind of reminds me of Miracles by Jefferson Starship.
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Best album title ever.
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Aimee makes this a small treasure.
Posted 4 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
It's maybe like REM, but, I don't know, not as good?
Posted 4 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
Love the background singer’s voice
Posted 4 years ago by LawDude    [ Reply ]
 coyote620 wrote:
A one.  That is what I think of this song.  
 

I'm so sorry. Please accept my condolences for whatever has died inside you.
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
a must for any record collection!
Posted 4 years ago by Milano    [ Reply ]
Jim has a very attractive voice!
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 GolfRomeo wrote:
Repetition on the radio
 
Yeah, for some reason song choruses tend to have repetition; it's one of those confusing things about music.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Soundtrack Breaking Bad
Posted 5 years ago by zortac    [ Reply ]
 Bobert_ParkCity wrote:
Voices carry this one....
 
Not un Til Tuesday will some get that one.
Posted 5 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
A one.  That is what I think of this song.  
Posted 5 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
Repetition on the radio
Posted 5 years ago by GolfRomeo    [ Reply ]
No mistaking Aimee Mann, who makes this track "Godlike".
Posted 5 years ago by nancygoldstein11    [ Reply ]
I don't actually know a lot of Jim White's music... but like what I know. His 2003 documentary 'Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus.' is totally worth tracking down for some serious "truth is stranger than fiction" weirdness.
Posted 5 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite oddball albums from the early 2000s - haven't heard it for a while, thanks for the reminder.
Posted 5 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
The horn part is channeling Burt Bacharach. Not necessarily a bad thing. I love his work with Elvis Costello.

This is really nice. Don't know why he's not better known.
c.
Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 discdrive wrote:
Love it. Feels like it could've come out of my parents jukebox in the 70s.
 
Your parents had a jukebox?  That's cool!  You probably had 2 TVs and a microwave too, right?  ;-) 

I've got this at an 8....might be the highest rating for something w/ Amiee Mann I've given on RP.  

Long Live RP!!
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Love it. Feels like it could've come out of my parents jukebox in the 70s.
Posted 6 years ago by discdrive    [ Reply ]
God I love this. I don't know why nobody knows Jim White. 
Posted 7 years ago by kkkkatie    [ Reply ]
 Baketown wrote:
I just realized that was Aimee Mann on this song!   

 
Wait, you didn't realize there was a woman singing through her nose?
Posted 7 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
I just realized that was Aimee Mann on this song!   
Posted 7 years ago by Baketown    [ Reply ]
I think this is pretty cool.  I generally like anything with a little Aimee Mann sprinkled on top.  Sounds like one of her arrangements as well.
Posted 7 years ago by lbaltz    [ Reply ]
It would be cool to pair this with "Static on the Radio" by Planet P Project.
Posted 8 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Ho hum.  Don't like this dull stuff much, sorry.  Particularly the crappy Stylophone bit in the middle.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to download some Aimee Mann.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Repetitive and flat. OK the first 2 - 3 times around, then, bleh. 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Dazzerb wrote:
sounds like Aimee Mann.  Like this.

 
Aimee Mann in Sounds Like Aimee Mann Shocker
Posted 8 years ago by ElCamoteLoco    [ Reply ]
Crap on the radio.  Excruciating.
Posted 8 years ago by GolfRomeo    [ Reply ]
always excited to hear jim white here.
Posted 8 years ago by amyvoscas    [ Reply ]
Beatifiul mood-scaping and a wonderful composition /production. Quite an interesting album too, but Bill plays the stand out tracks.
Posted 8 years ago by SECA_Alan    [ Reply ]
no static on my RP hookup
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
PSD luck.  Great song.
Aimee Mann is perfect here, too.
Posted 9 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
I really don't like this song.  Never have.  Mostly, its the lyric " static on the radio" I find irritating.  
Posted 9 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
sounds like Aimee Mann.  Like this.
Posted 9 years ago by Dazzerb    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Au contraire, she's the best part - worth waiting for, imho.

 
I agree she is the best part, like a gold earing on a rabid dog.


Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Would have preferred static. 
Posted 9 years ago by milleronic    [ Reply ]
 Bobert_ParkCity wrote:
Voices carry this one....

 
Dreamy
Posted 9 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
9
Posted 9 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Wow.  New one for me. Brilliant!
Posted 9 years ago by Pristina    [ Reply ]
Voices carry this one....
Posted 9 years ago by Bobert_ParkCity    [ Reply ]
Jim White one of the best current songwriters in America. Storytelling that depicts a heartfelt emotion from Jim for the human race.{#Yell}
Posted 9 years ago by orangecraig    [ Reply ]
Brilliant - kudo's to Bill
Posted 10 years ago by GeminiGirl    [ Reply ]
 rsiwica wrote:
Jim White is a underated genius!

 
 coolpeople_rule wrote:


I agree, he is an underated genius ;)

 
{#Whisper}  underrated

Anyhow, quite a likable tune.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Wonderfully inspired duet.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Neither here nor there - but loving that album title!
Posted 10 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
Nicely Done
Posted 10 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 rsiwica wrote:
Jim White is a underated genius!

 

I agree, he is an underated genius ;)
Posted 10 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
Jim White is a underated genius!
Posted 11 years ago by rsiwica    [ Reply ]
Great track! One of my first Radio Paradise Favorites many years ago (May 2007) and I still enjoy as much as ever. Wish Jim & Aimee would do another together; they complement each other well, IMO.
Posted 11 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
what a waste of an Aimee Mann vocal.

 
Au contraire, she's the best part - worth waiting for, imho.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
perfect timing
Posted 11 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
booooooooooooring.
Posted 11 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
Sweet.
Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
what a waste of an Aimee Mann vocal.
Posted 12 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Sounding great at this moment....
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Fine song!!!!!
Posted 13 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
 crockydile wrote:

I prefer Tony Carey's take on this topic. Love me some Sci Fi! {#Cheesygrin}
 
I uploaded that a couple of months ago.  It seems to be losing ground... {#Cry}
Planet P Project - Static reviewing 4/7 (36%)
Posted 13 years ago by SynapseRider    [ Reply ]
I wish Jim would do another album.
Posted 13 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
Jack's distant cousin?
Posted 13 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
Ditto. The world needs this music right now. Meditate, perspective. Less static would be great, on so many levels.
Posted 13 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
I like this cool, slightly creepy tune. Always nice to hear Aimee Mann in the mix too.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
EXCELLENT!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Yup.  Still like it.
Posted 14 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
 Droidac wrote:
Ok, we get it, there's static on the radio.
 
Shit...Static, again? 4.

Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
God I've always hated this song...of course I always thought it was Cowboy Junkies for some reason....hmmmm

Posted 14 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 jkhandy wrote:
is that Aimee Mann?
 
yes.
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
 Droidac wrote:
Ok, we get it, there's static on the radio.
 
I prefer Tony Carey's take on this topic. Love me some Sci Fi! {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
is that Aimee Mann?
Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
excellent song
Posted 14 years ago by marian    [ Reply ]
How about Still Waters or Perfect Day to Chase Tornadoes, Alabama Chrome, Buzzards of Love, If Jesus Drove a Motor Home? All great Jim White tunes and all better than this one.

Posted 14 years ago by parnoldo    [ Reply ]
So sweet, so mellow I could just sink my teeth in like....
Posted 14 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]
more jim white! more!
Posted 14 years ago by amyvoscas    [ Reply ]
Missed it  {#Frown}
Posted 14 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
It's just boredom on the radio...
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
And I know...Yes, I know

...I still like this song.


Posted 15 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
 inmanart wrote:
There's something nihilistic about using the term  "meh". At least static is an ethos!

 
Why do I think you are a Big Lebowski fan? You speak with the right nomenclature. {#Bounce}

Posted 15 years ago by daigoro    [ Reply ]
There's something nihilistic about using the term  "meh". At least static is an ethos!

Posted 15 years ago by inmanart    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Asked Aimee out once, just before she got really famous. Didn't even know who she was. One of the great regrets of my life, that she said no. But at least I ASKED!

Would have regretted it a lot more if I hadn't asked her................ 
 
That reminds me of when I walked past Wally Lamb on the street and couldn't get a word out. I still regret it! I love him.

Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Any friend of Harry Crews is OK with me.
 

I so tried to like the collection of Crews' short stories I picked up after watching Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus, but I just couldn't. Shame.
Posted 15 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 wenatchee wrote:
A rare 4 - most get the 3 HoHum - other that rise above hit the 7,8 mark usually - sleepy horns in this one
  you would make a good scientist.  We spend an awful lot of time staying focused on stuff that is pretty boring for 98% of the time 

Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
is this a good Jim White album?
Posted 15 years ago by krystlebarhaghi    [ Reply ]
Any friend of Harry Crews is OK with me.
Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
if you like this one, check out "perfect day to chase tornadoes"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZbNuZoX0Y
Posted 15 years ago by JerrytheMoose    [ Reply ]
I continue to like this song.

It evokes a sublimely mellowing and surreal blend of feelings.
Posted 15 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
A rare 4 - most get the 3 HoHum - other that rise above hit the 7,8 mark usually - sleepy horns in this one
Posted 15 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Asked Aimee out once, just before she got really famous. Didn't even know who she was. One of the great regrets of my life, that she said no. But at least I ASKED!

Would have regretted it a lot more if I hadn't asked her................ 
 
OOOoooooooooooo, tell us more! what's she like?

Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
Why to blame the cuter rodents?
 ploafmaster wrote:
Meh...A bit dull to me. And that tacky fake trumpet solo makes me want to put squirrels in a blender.
 


Posted 15 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
Ok, we get it, there's static on the radio.
Posted 15 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
Asked Aimee out once, just before she got really famous. Didn't even know who she was. One of the great regrets of my life, that she said no. But at least I ASKED!

Would have regretted it a lot more if I hadn't asked her................ 
Posted 16 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
I guess I'm the only one who thought that this was Linda Perry from 4 Non Blondes w/Aimee Mann's help all these years.
Didn't mind the song, but hadn't given the lyrics much of a listen.....

10 minutes ago I'm listening to the lyrics a bit more:
                  "Midnight rendezvous with a pretty girl.....She kissed me goodbye..."
Okay, now I'm confused. As confused as I was when I heard James Blunt (who I thought was a woman after the first few listens) singing "You're Beautiful":
                  "I saw an angel. Of that I'm sure. She smiled at me on the subway"
I just figured that lesbians were getting their stuff out there a bit more (not that there's anything wrong with that {#Whipit}).

Then I find out that it's male vocals...all fascination with the song is now gone and I like it less. In Blunt's case, his voice now gives me the willies.
Posted 16 years ago by jptl    [ Reply ]
Sounds nice!
Posted 16 years ago by flapser    [ Reply ]
Going to be seeing him at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in 1.5 weeks — very excited!{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by Pilgrim301    [ Reply ]
 lattalo wrote:


Oh yeah in a convertible, with the warm wind blowing through my hair.

 
Or driving home from a third shift summer job in a textile mile at dawn in rural South Carolina.


Posted 16 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
Not the most exciting song in the world, I'll grant... but still quite pleasant, especially the vocals and the way they work together.
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
Never was a song more appropriately named. For some reason I find this song so bland it makes my skin crawl.
Posted 16 years ago by YourNameHere    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by kaosmonkey    [ Reply ]