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Eliza Gilkyson — Is It Like Today
Album: Paradise Hotel
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4392









Released: 2005
Length: 5:39
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Many years ago he looked out through a glassless window.
All that he could see was Babylon.
Beautiful green fields and dreams,
And learn to measure the stars.
But there was a worry in his heart.

He said,
How could it come to this?
I'm really worried about living.
How could it come to this?
Yeah I really want to know about this.
Is it like today?

Then there came a day.
It moved out 'cross the Mediterranean.
Came to western isles and the Greek young men.
And with their silver beards they laughed
At the unknown universe.
They could sit and guess God's name.

But they said,
How could it come to this?
We're really worried about living.
How could it come to this.
Yeah, we really want to know about this.
Is it like today?

Then there followed days of Kings, Empires and revolution.
Blood just looks the same when you open the veins.
But sometijmes it was faith, power or reason as the cornerstone.
But the furrowed brow has never left his face.

He said,
How could it come to this?
We've been living in a landslide!
How could it come to this?
Yeah, we really want to know about this.
Is it like today?

Then there came a day, man packed up,
Flew off from the planet.
He went to the moon,
Now he's out in space,
Hey, fixing all the problems.
He comes face to face with God.

How could it come to this?
I'm really worried 'bout my creation.
How did it comes to this?
You 're really killing me, you know.
It isn't just today?
Is it like today?
Is it like today?
Bang!
Comments (451)add comment
Hard to top World Party’s original but this pretty damn good.
I saw Karl Wallinger and a version of World Party play at the Southgate House in Newport KY 15 years ago, on a Tuesday night. Their big shows were on the weekends. Attendance was slim, and the show, intimate. I asked the ticket taker how many were sold, and they said 220. It was a magical night.
A remarkable song, presents the entire sweep of recorded human history on the planet in all its glory and pathos in less than six minutes.  Kudos to Mr Wallinger, also to Ms Gilkyson, who has a gift for inhabiting the lyrics of her songs.  I get it that this is only a cover, and that the bulk of credit should go to the composer.  But Eliza has composed and inhabited affecting music of her own too, like Peace In Our Hearts.  She is more than OK in my book.
Excellent cover. This song's journey always startles me, even tho I know the words well. Something about the glassless window portal to god. Fascinating and beautiful. We miss you Karl.
Karl was a genius, his music rocked and the lyrics profound, a wonderful cover, though check out Karl's World Party video.
An absolutely perfect epitaph for Mr Wallinger
RIP
Her best song, although not really hers, she nails it!
RIP Karl Wallinger. Gone too soon.
Love this cover, R.I.P. Karl!We Love You.
RIP Karl Wallinger, writer of this song, who died this week, aged 66.
The writer of this piece just died. This is a remarkable song in both renditions. Radio paradise introduced me to so many exceptional musicians and composers
Great cover version. ASMR-inducing guitar solo!
Title song for today's America!
I rated this a 10 a long time ago, great cover-
A female voice gives this great song an even better feel! 
Simply one of the best covers . Ever.
This is one of those rare cases where the cover is better than the original performance (which is also good).
This is great - 9 for me and I prefer the original
 cc_rider wrote:
She's still working. But yeah I know what you mean. I think some artists make a decision not to try and be 'big'. Some take off for family reasons, some just don't want to get on the treadmill. Some get chewed up by the business.

Eliza Gilkyson makes music on her own terms.
Another incredibly talented Austinite who's never really gotten her due is Ruthie Foster. If you appreciate Blues, she is one of the preeminent purveyors of the genre.
c.

I have found myself more and more listening to music off. the beaten path, no more mindless commercial music for me with its corporate bullshit

 timmus wrote:

I'm starting to think Eliza deserved more fame than she got.

She's still working. But yeah I know what you mean. I think some artists make a decision not to try and be 'big'. Some take off for family reasons, some just don't want to get on the treadmill. Some get chewed up by the business.

Eliza Gilkyson makes music on her own terms.
Another incredibly talented Austinite who's never really gotten her due is Ruthie Foster. If you appreciate Blues, she is one of the preeminent purveyors of the genre.
c.

 tutakea wrote:

Extremely boring cover of an extremely boring song



Extremely boring post for an amazing song and cover of it!
There needs to be a sub-rating option along the line of "Fine, but after 100 listens or so, never want to hear again"
A beautiful version, no doubt.  All praise though, to World Party and the great Karl Wallinger.
Eliza.  A savior in the flesh.  Her message is pure.  Listen. 
Great cover.
I'm starting to think Eliza deserved more fame than she got.
 rtrt wrote:
Prefer this to the WP version - 9 vs 8. 
Tempted to go 9 -> 10 each time i hear it but theres something about the 2nd half that holds me back {#Ask}
 
3 years later -sticking with a 9... this time...
yeah...I think her cover is better than original.

It tends to build tension to a crescendo.

Cool.   

And the mandolin is nice extra. 
Every time this comes on the rota it moves me even more. Wonderful...
radioparadise9 wrote:

Feeble minded - please post the URL / email of your "higher" power / imaginary friend

Kilgoretrout wrote:
Your arrogance is extremely off putting.

Your inability to post the video in revealing.

We're not laughing with you .... we're laughing AT you
Damn, I have a run in my new stockings.
music -- this -- is all about being this wonderful
Then there came a day, man packed up,
Flew off from the planet.
He went to the moon,
Now he's out in space,
Hey, fixing all the problems.
He comes face to face with God.

And forgot to bring his billiard cue 

 Art_Carnage wrote:

I had the pleasure of meeting Eliza a few years ago. For one of her encore songs at the end of her show, she sang "Bear Necessities" from "The Jungle Book". Her father worked for Disney, and had written that song for the movie.



I love picking up tidbits like this. Thanks!
I had this rated pretty low because I preferred the original, but after hearing it a few more times, bumped it up to an 8. Just happy that someone is keeping such a great song going for another generation.
 bluefrog wrote:
ok. i'll indulge your trolling.
you haven't lived in the south, where religious nutcases are very, very preachy and evangelistic.
i have never had strangers come up to me and talk about the word of not god, but i have had them come up to me and want to talk about jesus.
when the religious nut cases in the US stop trying to inject religion into governance then i'll relax and enjoy it all.


You're right.  I haven't even visited the South.  Religious nutcases are everywhere, though. We've got more than our fair share who won't leave everyone else alone to get on with it.  When the world stops trying to kill itself in the name of "faith" I might take more interest in what they're saying.  I just don't need preachy behaviour either way.

Thanks for your "indulgence", friend.
Wasn't aware this is a cover. Comparing this to  World Party and there is not much different. Apart from Gilkysons excelent voice.
Very nice cover! 
 DaidyBoy wrote:

I can't work out why atheists are often even more preachy and evangelistic than those with a faith.  I always think that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so just relax and enjoy it all.  Toleration in all things.




ok. i'll indulge your trolling.
you haven't lived in the south, where religious nutcases are very, very preachy and evangelistic.
i have never had strangers come up to me and talk about the word of not god, but i have had them come up to me and want to talk about jesus.
when the religious nut cases in the US stop trying to inject religion into governance then i'll relax and enjoy it all.

 DaidyBoy wrote:

I can't work out why atheists are often even more preachy and evangelistic than those with a faith.  I always think that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so just relax and enjoy it all.  Toleration in all things.



I suppose a believer is just an atheist who has made one exception.   
8->10
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Feeble minded - please post the URL / email of your "higher" power / imaginary friend




Your arrogance is extremely off putting.
Bill plays a lot of Ms. Gilkyson. I appreciate that. Seen her live a few times, always rivets the crowd.
She really nails this cover - as a number of folks have remarked.
c.
she does a hellava cover 
dont usually like covers...this is awsome
this is really a nice cover. 
 Pilsenaaa wrote:

There is no need to argue about God and his wherabouts , the fact is that just about any creativ person I have met in my life believes in a higher power regardless what you might call it
 
Feeble minded - please post the URL / email of your "higher" power / imaginary friend

WOW just wow, this is why i have given up on most commercial radio and leaning more towards freeform
Great cover. She and her kid brother Tony who played lead guitar for Lone Justice and X would be a killer duo.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I can't work out why atheists are often even more preachy and evangelistic than those with a faith.  I always think that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so just relax and enjoy it all.  Toleration in all things.
 
Not the atheists I know.  Too busy reading about science.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Is she checking for a run in her stockings? 
 
"These stockings don't run!"

"Love 'em or leave 'em in the drawer!!"

Stop me before I hurt myself!!!


I always heard the lyrics as  "We really want to know about bliss" not "we really want to know about this". Knowing about bliss might resolve the dilemma and is not a notion out of line with what a lot of  World Party songs are about.
 MattRudely wrote:
plod
 
I think she gets the bleakness in the lyrics better than the original (which I also love btw).
Two EG songs in a couple hours. I had never heard her before today. Delightful. Thanks, RP.
Plod.
Good version, but prefer the original.
 monsieurkessler wrote:


1969 !! Haha, she was 1.
 
Please check again.  1950, I think.  That makes her 69 today.


Shades of Van Morrison's 'Wonderful Remark'!
An excellent cover of an excellent song.
 bruceandjenna wrote:

Either you are being wry or you have no imagination. It is not incumbent upon atheists to disprove the existence of God. Deists must prove God's existence. I know, it's faith. In that case, atheists need not deny anything.
 

Faith is the excuse people give themselves for believing something when reason and evidence fail.
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Hear hear.  Nice post, my friend.
 

1969 !! Haha, she was 1.
How could it come to this? INDEED
So much God today. Is someone about to find out what awaits?
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I can't work out why atheists are often even more preachy and evangelistic than those with a faith.  I always think that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so just relax and enjoy it all.  Toleration in all things.
 

It's simple, you misunderstand atheism.
I find this considerably better than the oringinal.  I appreciate the original, but it felt like they had a folk song and didn't realize they had a folk song.  Gilkyson got that and fixed it.
I can't work out why atheists are often even more preachy and evangelistic than those with a faith.  I always think that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so just relax and enjoy it all.  Toleration in all things.
 bitbanger wrote:
Not much of a god.

I imagine this is the kind of god atheists believe in so that they can deny the existence of god.


 
No need to deny the existence of something for which there is no proof. Zero, zip, zilch. 
I love her music.  My dad introduced me to her dads music - Terry Gilkyson and the Easy Riders when I was about 3.  I still have his copy of the vinyl.
 bruceandjenna wrote:

Either you are being wry or you have no imagination. It is not incumbent upon atheists to disprove the existence of God. Deists must prove God's existence. I know, it's faith. In that case, atheists need not deny anything.
 
There is no need to argue about God and his wherabouts , the fact is that just about any creativ person I have met in my life believes in a higher power regardless what you might call it
Good rich guitar sound , it has a very American appeal even though i hear of the Greek islands
 tutakea wrote:
Extremely boring cover of an extremely boring song
 
What?? The original is wonderful and this version is beautiful.  Read the words.  
 tutakea wrote:
Extremely boring cover of an extremely boring song
 
Feel sorry for you. This is one hell of a tune. Great story, Great vocals, Great music.
Extremely boring cover of an extremely boring song
My rating  7 - Quite Likeable 
but that is not enough     
I lower my rating to 3 and skip     
Just missing the whispered.....'BANG'...that WP have at the end of the original
 westslope wrote:

LOL!  Good one.  

That is the lovely thing about 'faith' — the ways it can be infinitely tuned.

Yes, atheists are a curious lot.  Even the atheists in British Columbia call the place God's finest creation.  
 
Turn of the phrase signifying nothing.
 bitbanger wrote:
Not much of a god.

I imagine this is the kind of god atheists believe in so that they can deny the existence of god.
 
Either you are being wry or you have no imagination. It is not incumbent upon atheists to disprove the existence of God. Deists must prove God's existence. I know, it's faith. In that case, atheists need not deny anything.
SUBLIME. 
And She was 55 when this was recorded. Cool.
Much better than the original but proves Karl is no slouch at writing tunes.
Great cover of a great song
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:

Could that SF movie be "Silent Running" starring Bruce Dern?

Silent Running viewpoint 
 

Good suggestion. The image has the right feel, but "Silent Running" is  not it.
 An image of a rabbit and a faun a la "Bambi" keeps appearing. It's very frustrating.
Seems like quite the Song Du Jour. Just wish I was at that space ship part a lot lately. 
I very much like this version.
Is she checking for a run in her stockings? 
 AnchorMan wrote:
There is a Science Fiction story with a similar theme. Every time this song is played I try to remember it's name, without success!
 
Could that SF movie be "Silent Running" starring Bruce Dern?

Silent Running viewpoint 
Wonderous, beautiful voice and arrangement. Now, please, as an answer, play Wildewood Spring one day!
Prefer this to the WP version - 9 vs 8.
Tempted to go 9 -> 10 each time i hear it but theres something about the 2nd half that holds me back {#Ask}
There is a Science Fiction story with a similar theme. Every time this song is played I try to remember it's name, without success!
 denisecerniglia wrote:
Such a great song. great cover

 
Agreed!  Always loved World Party's original but this is one fine cover!
Such a great song. great cover
Great song. World Party still tops it but the cover is very good.
the gods
die
and take the world
with them
how did it come
to this

dr strangelove

{#Bananajam}
Love this! I thought it was Lucinda Williams.
Pretty good.  I VERY much prefer the World Party (Karl Wallinger) version, however.

You might be missing the point of the humor.

Deists haven't believed in a god this paltry since the development of monotheism.

I agree, it is a nice tune. Gave it a 7.

 

 ElCamoteLoco wrote:


Um, atheists don't 'believe' in any kind of god. That's what the 'a-' prefix means. The sentiments in this song are more along the lines of what a deist might believe in. It's a good version of a good song; no need to interject prickly ad hominems.

 

 


 ncollingridge wrote:
One of the best cover versions of a song IMHV. I love the WP original but she really brings something fresh to it. Very expressive vocal performance. Lovely..

 
I agree 100%.  Well said.
Perfect for today.
 westslope wrote:

LOL!  Good one.  

That is the lovely thing about 'faith' — the ways it can be infinitely tuned.

Yes, atheists are a curious lot.  Even the atheists in British Columbia call the place God's finest creation.  

 

Well, our provincial motto is Supernatural British Columbia. If anyone's in doubt, spend an afternoon deep in the west coast rainforest and let all the ambient sounds and light seep inside you. It's not like other forests. ;-)  We even have our own Spirit Bear (white Kermode bears), found nowhere outside BC. /gush

This song is one of those cases where I like the cover as much as the original.
One of the best cover versions of a song IMHV. I love the WP original but she really brings something fresh to it. Very expressive vocal performance. Lovely..
 Skydog wrote:
Ms Gilkyson has released 22 albums from 1969 to 2014 and this is the first time I have heard of her, 
a pleasure to meet you Ms Gilkyson

 
Hear hear.  Nice post, my friend.
 bitbanger wrote:

Not much of a god.

I imagine this is the kind of god atheists believe in so that they can deny the existence of god.



 
Um, atheists don't 'believe' in any kind of god. That's what the 'a-' prefix means. The sentiments in this song are more along the lines of what a deist might believe in. It's a good version of a good song; no need to interject prickly ad hominems.
REALLY NICE
I am really liking this more the more I hear it {#Hearteyes}
Ms Gilkyson has released 22 albums from 1969 to 2014 and this is the first time I have heard of her, 
a pleasure to meet you Ms Gilkyson
If I were teaching history in junior high or high school, this song would be on the exam.
Yeah, World Party preferable, but nice to know that others appreciate a song enough to do their own version. Wonderful song, my kids have been brain washed with this. Lovely
Reminds you of what a poet Karl Wallinger is. Great song
Prefer the original 
 bitbanger wrote:

Not much of a god.

I imagine this is the kind of god atheists believe in so that they can deny the existence of god.



 
LOL!  Good one.  

That is the lovely thing about 'faith' — the ways it can be infinitely tuned.

Yes, atheists are a curious lot.  Even the atheists in British Columbia call the place God's finest creation.  
 dragon1952 wrote:

Sorry, but you are bonkers. This is a pretty darn good cover of a great song. In fact, I like this version almost as well as the original.

 
I agree. World Party version beautiful - and sits within a really, really good album.
This version is pleasantly beautiful too :)
 
 FatPants wrote:
Sorry to be like this but this is awful.  World Party is a criminally underplayed band and this cover is dreck.

 
Sorry, but you are bonkers. This is a pretty darn good cover of a great song. In fact, I like this version almost as well as the original.
Sorry to be like this but this is awful.  World Party is a criminally underplayed band and this cover is dreck.
Loses a point for the excessive use of the word 'this'. 
My opinion is, if you can't cover a song at least or better than the original then don't. This version nails it.
pretty much perfect
V-nice.... cover....{#Roflol}

Not much of a god.

I imagine this is the kind of god atheists believe in so that they can deny the existence of god.


I prefer original work to covers 99,99%, Common Peopler is better than it's covers for sure. But I tolerate, and sometimes like, their flawed new renditions. 
All I can say it's "thanks Bill for implementing PSD button!" I just PSD-ed overplayed Arcade Fire {#Biggrin}

rdo wrote:

Well, this is a real sore spot for me, one of the big beefs I have with this station.  That Pulp song is very dear to me and to hear the William Shatner parody of it is very depressing.  I wish it were not played here.
 

 ShamanManu wrote:

I wouldn't go that far and say it's superior to original but it's a decent rendition. Just as the other two you mentioned. Shatner made it a close call with his cover, maybe because Pulp's singer has nasal & whiny voice? :P
Annie Lennox did quite a few good covers.

 
Well, this is a real sore spot for me, one of the big beefs I have with this station.  That Pulp song is very dear to me and to hear the William Shatner parody of it is very depressing.  I wish it were not played here.
 DavidS_UK wrote:
I sort of remember the original but think this is superior, in the same way that Gary Jules delivers 'Mad World', and my eternal favourite, William Shatner's 'Common People'

Some covers DO work and sometimes from the most unlikely people.

 
I wouldn't go that far and say it's superior to original but it's a decent rendition. Just as the other two you mentioned. Shatner made it a close call with his cover, maybe because Pulp's singer has nasal & whiny voice? :P
Annie Lennox did quite a few good covers.
I sort of remember the original but think this is superior, in the same way that Gary Jules delivers 'Mad World', and my eternal favourite, William Shatner's 'Common People'

Some covers DO work and sometimes from the most unlikely people.