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John Cale & Brian Eno — Lay My Love
Album: Wrong Way Up
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1122









Released: 1990
Length: 4:37
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I am the crow of desperation
I need no fact or validation
I spin relentless variation
I scramble in the dust of a failing nation
I was concealed
Now I am stirring
And I have waited for this time.

I am the termite of temptation
I multiply and fly my population
I am the wheel I am the turning
And I will lay my love around you.

I am the sea of permutation
I live beyond interpretation
I scramble all the names and the combinations
[I] penetrate the walls of explanation
I am the will
I am the burning
And I will lay my love around you.

I am the will
I am the yearning
And I will lay my love around you.
Comments (143)add comment
Has a Talking Heads vibe. Love this!
Thank you, William & Co.!
this song reminded me how much I love Brian Eno,   great pick.
I am nearly 65 and have listened to music all my life, and never heard this before.  Great song.

That’s why I love RP.

Thanks for the music, Bill and Rebecca!
Methinks Eno and Cale borrowed from Lou Reed on this one. Any y'all remember Street Hassle?
Great song; great album. This typifies the reason that RP is so good. I get to hear  20% I already know and like, 30% I've heard first on RP (it's been years!) and like, 40% I'm hearing for the first time and like,  and only 10% "meh". That means 0% I really don't like. Nowhere else serves up so consistent a lineup of good music.
Thanks, RP. After writing this, I'm going to up my monthly donation.

First time hearing this.  Thought it was David Byrne until I looked.

I was introduced to this album by my dear friend Ian Tanner, who had the most eclectic tastes in music. We met in college in 1980 and shared a lot of wonderful crazy times. Ian died from MS in 2006 at 46 after several slow bad years. So nice hear this and to have it conjure up his wicked grin. Miss you buddy.
good song but there are a couple others on that album that are much better.
Not usual to hear John Cale on RP. Too bad, play more from this great artist please.
Cruel and unusual.
Just the opening cords make me smile.
Perfect song transition {#Clap}
"Lay My Love" after Devo — (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

You're the greatest Bill.
Wish Bill would play more cuts from this album.
I'm a sucker for songs with an oddly catchy feel and unique identity, even some that fall a little flat while trying. This is one of my favorites in the former camp, and it hails from a diverse and truly interesting album. Great to hear it on RP!
 Steely_D wrote:

If it's the one with the knives, that's a commentary on how poorly they got along.
The cover was remade later, but it's still not great.

And, a worse cover is Taking Tiger Mountain (by Oblique Strategies). 

 
"Taking Tiger Mountain" isn't a bad cover at all, and this one certainly isn't the "worst ever".
e.g.:
madam x
Love the harmony and in the wake of a family death, its making me feel a tiny bit better.
Ha ha, the Crow of Contemplation flapping after the Eagle, King of Birds. I really don't get why these songs are rated so low. They are interesting and different.
 winotron wrote:
Worst album cover ever?

 
If it's the one with the knives, that's a commentary on how poorly they got along.
The cover was remade later, but it's still not great.

And, a worse cover is Taking Tiger Mountain (by Oblique Strategies). 
 dtl wrote:
Nice to hear this one.  More Cale and Eno!

 
YES!!!
Nice to hear this one.  More Cale and Eno!
 winotron wrote:
Worst album cover ever?

 
Pourquoi ?
 ShamanManu wrote:
Northern Exposure! ♥ {#Music}

 

  Chris and Ed dancing with the....was it a crane?
 sajitjacob wrote:
Yes. these days it would be considered ironic. Back then I suspect it was Harvard Graphics at it's best.

 
winotron wrote:
Worst album cover ever?

 



 

In the running with Deborah Harry's Kookoo cover
A fan of both these artists, catchy, but a bit boppy for my taste. I wouldn't have known either artist were playing on this song apart from Brian Eno's unmistakable voice.
Northern Exposure! ♥ {#Music}
 fredriley wrote:
So they're responsible for David "Tellytubby" Byrne's oeuvre? Shame on them. Brian Eno's instrumentals are fine and was a great innovator, though his self-confessed role as father of lift muzak isn't one of his shining achievements. Kudos to the guy anyway, but this song is a definite turn-off.

no, I am not going to respond to this after all. Sorry, Fred, but its over.
 


 Alexandra wrote:


Amen and amen!

 
Can I make that a TRIPLE Amen!!!! And this is a great tune!          {#Yell}
Yes. these days it would be considered ironic. Back then I suspect it was Harvard Graphics at it's best.

 
winotron wrote:
Worst album cover ever?

 


Worst album cover ever?
 LizK wrote:

Northern Exposure was tv at its very best. ....God I miss Northern Exposure. {#Doh}
 

Amen and amen!
 Proclivities wrote:

You know, of course, that these guys were both making music long before the Talking Heads around. 

So they're responsible for David "Tellytubby" Byrne's oeuvre? Shame on them. Brian Eno's instrumentals are fine and was a great innovator, though his self-confessed role as father of lift muzak isn't one of his shining achievements. Kudos to the guy anyway, but this song is a definite turn-off.

Is "-ation" the most rhymed phoneme in the English language? It gets a bit tedious after a while...{#Sleep}
 rtrudeau wrote:

I am impressed! You are a Northern Exposure prodigy! Did you work on the show or something?

Music was always such an important part of that show.
 
Northern Exposure was tv at its very best. My favorite was a show about a Jungian retelling of Jonah & the whale. A friend was in Jungian analysis & we would rehash each show in that filter. God I miss Northern Exposure. {#Doh}
Jools Holland has them all in his show. Thankx for this.
Ah, beautiful. Thanks! 
 revsully wrote:
I dig Brian Eno, but I feel like every song I hear sounds kinda the same. Am I nuts? Or do I just keep hearing the same song?
 
You may not have heard a lot of his material.  Some of what is on the playlist here may sound similar, though.
Waking up, foot taping  {#Bananasplit}
NEED more ENO...thanks for this one though :)
Love this song.  I found "Spinning Away" on a sampler years ago.  These guys seem to make a good combo.
I dig Brian Eno, but I feel like every song I hear sounds kinda the same. Am I nuts? Or do I just keep hearing the same song?
Yes, more Eno please....

 fredriley wrote:
Very Talking Heads-esque. Which is not a good thing to my ears. 2 from the Nottingham jury and an escape to our iTunes library...

 
You know, of course, that these guys were both making music long before the Talking Heads were around.
 mvanderford60 wrote:
So beautiful - words and music.
 

{#Yes}  I first heard it back in the 90s, on an episode of Northern Exposure......loved it ever since.
 vanyanyc wrote:

It was used in Season 4, episode 7, "The Bad Seed". Ed and Chris dance to it while they see a growing bird off to fly with its flock. The song survived on the DVDs, which is amazing considering how many other songs were edited or replaced with generic music because of rights issues.

The episode you mentioned is S3, Ep 8, "A Hunting We Will Go". Ed couldn't think of what to get Ruth-Anne for her 75th birthday, so he bought her a burial plot on a beautiful hilltop. Unfortunately, whatever song they danced to was replaced with generic soundtrack filler on the DVD set, as was much of the non-score music for this show. It's a real shame.

 
Years ago my boss asked if I could find out what song Dr. Johnny Fever played first after scratching the needle across the "elevator music" record that was playing when Andy first told him WKRP was changing formats.

It was tough. As you mentioned, music is typically changed for syndication/VHS/DVD releases. But I found a fan site that stated quite adamantly that it was Queen of the Forest by Ted Nugent. 

The boss was happy with that answer, and since there really was no way to find out for sure (short of building some sort of hot tub/time machine combo) we agreed that was the song.

It is a shame when IP issues get in the way of art. Imagine Psycho without the screeching violins, or, I dunno, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid without Burt Bacharach's score.


So beautiful - words and music.
This is such a great collaboration!  I can't tell if it's Brian Eno leading Cale into unknown territory, or vice-versa.  Or if it's the blind leading the blind.  Whatever it is, it's perfect for today! Thanks to whoever uploaded it, and to Bill and Rebecca for playing it! {#Sunny}
 lemmoth wrote:
This fantastic collaboration is one of the best kept secrets.  Great record from Cale and Eno.
 


I agree, very interesting music.
This fantastic collaboration is one of the best kept secrets.  Great record from Cale and Eno.
 fredriley wrote:
Very Talking Heads-esque. Which is not a good thing to my ears. 2 from the Nottingham jury and an escape to our iTunes library...

 
Isn't technology great?  Sometimes it works!

Very Talking Heads-esque. Which is not a good thing to my ears. 2 from the Nottingham jury and an escape to our iTunes library...

 akousa wrote:
I wish these guys would make another record together. I've always liked this one.
 
i second that!
always dug this song

I wish these guys would make another record together. I've always liked this one.

That album cover is terrible. Just terrible.


 RcF wrote:
Eno is the one the best! More Eno please. Thanks Bill.
 

{#High-five}  Yep!
 vanyanyc wrote:

It was used in Season 4, episode 7, "The Bad Seed". Ed and Chris dance to it while they see a growing bird off to fly with its flock. The song survived on the DVDs, which is amazing considering how many other songs were edited or replaced with generic music because of rights issues.

The episode you mentioned is S3, Ep 8, "A Hunting We Will Go". Ed couldn't think of what to get Ruth-Anne for her 75th birthday, so he bought her a burial plot on a beautiful hilltop. Unfortunately, whatever song they danced to was replaced with generic soundtrack filler on the DVD set, as was much of the non-score music for this show. It's a real shame.

 
I bought the NE soundtrack when I was 17, and there I heard for the first time Etta Jame's "At Last." Right then and there, in my car in the music store parking lot, I decided  two things: that I wanted this song to be the first dance song at my wedding, and whoever Etta James was, I loved her. The song was played at my wedding in 2005, and my husband & I have since seen Etta James perform twice. :-) I owe a lot to the music on that show!

I love this combination of artistry. Still I think that my favorite Eno song is "Just Another Day on Earth"
Thanks for killing it today Bill!!!  I really needed this for this workday!!!!
 vanyanyc wrote:

It was used in Season 4, episode 7, "The Bad Seed". Ed and Chris dance to it while they see a growing bird off to fly with its flock. The song survived on the DVDs, which is amazing considering how many other songs were edited or replaced with generic music because of rights issues.

The episode you mentioned is S3, Ep 8, "A Hunting We Will Go". Ed couldn't think of what to get Ruth-Anne for her 75th birthday, so he bought her a burial plot on a beautiful hilltop. Unfortunately, whatever song they danced to was replaced with generic soundtrack filler on the DVD set, as was much of the non-score music for this show. It's a real shame.

 
I am impressed! You are a Northern Exposure prodigy! Did you work on the show or something?

Music was always such an important part of that show.
 dreadpixie wrote:
This song truly lifts my spirits. Any other Northern Exposure fans remember, this is the song during which a couple of the main characters were dancing on a future grave?
 
It was used in Season 4, episode 7, "The Bad Seed". Ed and Chris dance to it while they see a growing bird off to fly with its flock. The song survived on the DVDs, which is amazing considering how many other songs were edited or replaced with generic music because of rights issues.

The episode you mentioned is S3, Ep 8, "A Hunting We Will Go". Ed couldn't think of what to get Ruth-Anne for her 75th birthday, so he bought her a burial plot on a beautiful hilltop. Unfortunately, whatever song they danced to was replaced with generic soundtrack filler on the DVD set, as was much of the non-score music for this show. It's a real shame.

Brilliant song - always reminds me of my favorite tv show; Northern Exposure.
 RadioDoc wrote:
I am the termite of temptation.

An 8 fer sure.
 
8 plus for riding on the curl of "Sunshine Superman"
 RadioDoc wrote:
I am the termite of temptation.

An 8 fer sure.
 

I am the crow of desparation!
 htaler wrote:

Funny thing I just played the whole album this morning. I like "Cordoba" too!
 
Mmmm...  Corinthian leather...
I am the termite of temptation.

An 8 fer sure.
 trekhead wrote:




Quick:
Which version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL do you like??

 

Mr. Magoo, of course!
 Odyzzeuz wrote:


And now that baby girl is almost 17 years old. Raising this kid has been my life's great blessing.
 
Oh, man. You made me cry. (sniff)
Eno is the one the best! More Eno please. Thanks Bill.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I have a wonderful memory of this album. When my daughter was a newborn in Alaska I would dance her around to this music and she just loved it. She'd stay awake the whole time and smile a huge smile. It's all very bouncy and swoopy and perfect for dancing around the house.
And now that baby girl is almost 17 years old. Raising this kid has been my life's great blessing.
slugore wrote:
It's funny you know. When I first purchased this album I didn't really like it. In fact I was quite disappointed in it... (snip)
Funny, I felt much the same way. I think it was a case of the album not meeting unrealistic expectations on my part. Hearing this song again may compel me to revisit the album with fresh ears. chordcloud wrote:
(snip) ... Appearently Eno & Cale really fought while making this record and vowed never to make one together again! Shame.
Not surprising to hear - two musicians with strong musical identities and styles are bound to have at it in a collaborative setting. It's one of those match-ups that look really good on paper, not necessarily in reality. Perhaps the position of the daggers on the cover are appropriate.
Fantastic!
camden_hampden wrote:
By my estimation this may be the most underappreciated album ever. Eno and Cale put together some great intelligent pop songs on this collaboration.
Absolutely agreed. One of my favorite CDs. It used to be one of my favorite CDs when flying. Now it's still one of my favorite iPod plays.
By my estimation this may be the most underappreciated album ever. Eno and Cale put together some great intelligent pop songs on this collaboration.
Locomotion
_outrageously_ cool segue from Donovan IMO
It's funny you know. When I first purchased this album I didn't really like it. In fact I was quite disappointed in it. However, this morning here I am enjoying a coffee in my brand new Radio Paradise time capsule mug wearing my new RP hoodie and using my RP mouse pad.... loving this song. Perhaps it is time to give it a listen again. Thanks RP, money well spent!
Woohoo! Wonderful. 'Wrong way up' is sooo good. Appearently Eno & Cale really fought while making this record and vowed never to make one together again! Shame.
absolute fantastic piece of music by absolute good musicians.
This is a way cool song! Great day for music on RP.
I just hope I'm half as cool as they are, when I'm their age! 8
Fantastic cool sets all morning long Bill.
cmrump wrote:
I seem to always agree with Trekhead! perhaps all geeks think alike?
Nope.
need I say more?
cmrump wrote:
I seem to always agree with Trekhead! perhaps all geeks think alike? perhaps just big Northern Exposure fans? or is he my alter-ego?
Quick: Which version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL do you like??
great song ...even better album! STINGRAY!
Did they just use every single word that rhymes with masturbation?
Thank you for reminding me to celebrate American Thanksgiving by watching the TG episode of Northern Exposure. Tomatoes anyone?
trekhead wrote:
This would be one of my few ELEVEN's.
I seem to always agree with Trekhead! perhaps all geeks think alike? perhaps just big Northern Exposure fans? or is he my alter-ego?
Wonderful song from a wonderful album. 9.
Basically, we need more Brian Eno anything. BTW, an interesting segue from Donovan to this ...
This song truly lifts my spirits. Any other Northern Exposure fans remember, this is the song during which a couple of the main characters were dancing on a future grave?
This would be one of my few ELEVEN's.
loud_family_fan wrote:
I knew I had heard this song before. Thanks. Great song. I like both versions.
Yes, Poi Dog's version is excellent.
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Poi Dog does a nice version of this song. Much more buoyant.
I knew I had heard this song before. Thanks. Great song. I like both versions.
blastmeh wrote:
I think every english word ending in "-tion" was included in this song.
Moody Blues and U2 have songs with "-tion" too. Sooo, learn a few more words
absolutemotion wrote:
Sure seems like a David Byrne track, doesn't it?
Might it be the other way around? Eno produced Talking Heads through albums including "Remain in Light" Eno first referenced Talking Heads in a song titled "Kings Lead Hat" (see anagram) on his 1977 album "Before and After Science". trivia... I'm sure.
I think every english word ending in "-tion" was included in this song.
absolutemotion wrote:
Sure seems like a David Byrne track, doesn't it?
I came here to be sure he wasn't involved somehow. . . .
Poi Dog does a nice version of this song. Much more buoyant.
There's a couple excellent tunes on this album. And a couple that feel like filler...
totally grew on me as the song went on
Sure seems like a David Byrne track, doesn't it?
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I have a wonderful memory of this album. When my daughter was a newborn in Alaska I would dance her around to this music and she just loved it. She'd stay awake the whole time and smile a huge smile. It's all very bouncy and swoopy and perfect for dancing around the house.
I don't find the song appealing m'self, but I'm glad you and the baby enjoyed it. Gave it a +1 on the rating just for that.
...This , on the other hand is a pure, sublime 10. Simplistic, driving rhythm, nice synth lines, wunnerful harmonies, whole bit. KUTGW!
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I have a wonderful memory of this album. When my daughter was a newborn in Alaska I would dance her around to this music and she just loved it. She'd stay awake the whole time and smile a huge smile. It's all very bouncy and swoopy and perfect for dancing around the house.
That just put a big, silly grin on my face, Odyzzeuz. I can picture you holding her, dancing in the kitchen while you're opening the refrigerator, or in the living room while you're putting things away... Great image - you've just kicked my writing muse into action. Thank you. And darn it, because I'm supposed to be accomplishing "real world" stuff right now.
Nice tune. I keep picturing this playing to the end credits of some kind of romance/drama film... dunno why... just keep seeing scrolling credits
fayrgirl wrote:
One of my faves too but I gotta go with the Don Quixote/Sancho Panza song as my top pick. How many NX cd compilations were there? I only have two of them. GOD WOULDNT IT BE AB-FAB IF THERE WERE REALLY A 'CHRIS IN THE MORNING' TO READ POEMS TO US AND PLAY BROADWAY SHOWTUNES MIXED IN WITH THIS GREAT MUSIC?!
I love that one too, altho the ringing phone tends to annoy everyone within earshot
I have a wonderful memory of this album. When my daughter was a newborn in Alaska I would dance her around to this music and she just loved it. She'd stay awake the whole time and smile a huge smile. It's all very bouncy and swoopy and perfect for dancing around the house.
cmrump wrote:
This is my favorite song off the eclectic Northern Exposure soundtracks.
One of my faves too but I gotta go with the Don Quixote/Sancho Panza song as my top pick. How many NX cd compilations were there? I only have two of them. GOD WOULDNT IT BE AB-FAB IF THERE WERE REALLY A 'CHRIS IN THE MORNING' TO READ POEMS TO US AND PLAY BROADWAY SHOWTUNES MIXED IN WITH THIS GREAT MUSIC?!
One of my favorites from This Way Up. Thanks, RP :sunny.gif:
cmrump wrote:
This is my favorite song off the eclectic Northern Exposure soundtracks.
:oops:
Two legends collaborating. Anytime I can hear Cale's strings and Eno's production is a good time. This is why I listen to RP. :-({|=
Just shot up to 10! What was I thinking? Wasn't THIS on Northern Exposure, too? Chris could really spin 'em couldn't he? Thanks.
meadowwoods wrote:
My favorite Eno album as well! Highly recommended!
It's great to see all of these Eno fans here. I love Another Green World, but "Here He Comes" is my favorite Eno tune. Evening Star with Fripp is great, as is "Apollo".
Mugro wrote:
I hear David Byrne in this song....
That is why Bill is playing it OK OK no more making fun of Bill Great set of songs today Bill
masterhead wrote:
Eno Rules!
AMEN, THE MUSIC WORLD BY BRIAN ENO!
I hear David Byrne in this song....
Holy God it has been awhile since I heard this jewel.
brighthue wrote:
Good one. How about "Kurt's Rejoiner" from "Before and After Science?"
My favorite Eno album as well! Highly recommended!
masterhead wrote:
Eno Rules!
Yup! Get Eno or Lenois involved and it's gold!
masterhead wrote:
Eno Rules!