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Beck — Scarecrow
Album: Guero
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1610









Released: 2005
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Walking to the other side
With the devil trying to take my mind
And my soul's just a silhouette
On the ashes of a cigarette

Illusions never fake their lives
Trick cards fool the eyes
Carry zeroes over 'til they add up
Bury tears in the chapters you shut
Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell
And the rain's too plain to tell
All alone by a barren well
Scarecrow's only scaring himself

I've been digging the ground
Beneath the dust and the clouds
I see miles and miles
Of junkyard piles
I wanted hope from a grave
I wanted strength from a spade
What gives you comfort now
Might be the end of your vein
Crows are pulling at my clothes
The wind got my fingers froze
Standin' all day, keepin' watch
Over all the treasures we've lost
Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell
And the rain's to plain to tell
All alone by a barren well
The scarecrow's only scaring himself
Oooh ooh ooh
Oooh ooh ooh

Scarecrow's only scaring himself
Scarecrow's only scaring himself
Comments (123)add comment
 Dosequis wrote:

Boring as hell.....



Be patient, Paul Simon is just around the corner.
Posted 5 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

Wonder if he was listening to Billie Jean when writing this.



Nope.
Posted 5 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
Man, this album was solid.
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
Solid album all round
Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
really fun album, not my favorite cut off it but i never skip it either
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 Btravelen wrote:

Still remember Kanye storming the stage.. Beck was pretty gracious..



kANYA AND eLON sMOKE TOGEATHER lOMPOC gOLD...wHEN AVALIBLE...GO AHEAD AND ASK
Posted 3 years ago by mjbaumann    [ Reply ]
Still remember Kanye storming the stage.. Beck was pretty gracious..
Posted 4 years ago by Btravelen    [ Reply ]
 maxvonevil wrote:


Lol, this looks like the poor redneck cousin of Pennywise
 Maybe, but he can dance!

Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
+2 to 9 today. This one does well with headphones...do I hear a Billie Jean sample in there?
Long Live RP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
I'm the fool of the crows, I'm the fool of myself !
Posted 4 years ago by francesco_insyde    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
gif of The Scarecrow from "The Wiz" dancing
 

Lol, this looks like the poor redneck cousin of Pennywise
Posted 5 years ago by maxvonevil    [ Reply ]
gif of The Scarecrow from "The Wiz" dancing
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Had this on heavy rotation in my iPod when this came out. I still think it's super-groovy! Cool cover: Diego Rivera's disembodied head!
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
This whole record is amazing, but I think that this one & Que Onda Guero are among the best he's ever done!  Beck is quite The Artist!
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:
I didn't hear what followed because I went to the YouTubes to hear Billy Jean.

 
LOL got the BJ right away but the song went cool so give it another try
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
Boooringggggg
Posted 10 years ago by Paradise_999    [ Reply ]
Boring as hell.....
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
I didn't hear what followed because I went to the YouTubes to hear Billy Jean.
Posted 11 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Wonder if he was listening to Billie Jean when writing this.

 
I just saw him in concert Friday night.  They actually did Billie Jean live.  And it was unexpected and very good!  Surprised the hell out of the audience.
Posted 11 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
Best by Beck that I've heard for a while. Just wish he would occasionally sing with a bit of passion!
Posted 11 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
Good stuff. Very good.
Posted 11 years ago by kaybar    [ Reply ]
Not saying anything negative cuz that's not nice.
Posted 11 years ago by RedTruk    [ Reply ]
Wonder if he was listening to Billie Jean when writing this.
Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
song starts like Robert Palmer...Got some Pictures in my Mind...
Posted 11 years ago by munichlovesyou    [ Reply ]
Love me some Beck   {#Jump}
Posted 11 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Get it!!  {#Dance}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
fantastic.....vusion..
Posted 12 years ago by 24noir    [ Reply ]
Nice groovy tune ... {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 12 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
shades of Robert Palmer and Michael J
 
YES

loving it!
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
shades of Robert Palmer and Michael J
Posted 12 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Great segue from Nirvana's All Apologies!
Posted 12 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
This one really kicks it out...fantastic, and fits the vibe of some of the other wild songs on this great record; probably my fave by him...
Thanks, RP, for playing it!
 
i'm with you.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
This one really kicks it out...fantastic, and fits the vibe of some of the other wild songs on this great record; probably my fave by him...
Thanks, RP, for playing it!
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
I just noticed the beginning of this song reminds me of Folk Implosion's "Natural One"
 
Good catch!  This a pretty darned good Beck song - not one of his best, in my opinion, but I do like it a lot. (And "Natural One" invariably gets my foot tapping...) {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]


Posted 14 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]
Now I'll have to go back and listen to the whole album again. I must have missed this song. And yes, it is a good one. 8
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
love this whole album. actually the whole set that's been playing for the last half hour has been great.
Posted 14 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
I just noticed the beginning of this song reminds me of Folk Implosion's "Natural One"
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Somehow manages to be completely original and yet rather catchy, even on a first listen. Nice!

Posted 14 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
J.J. Cale would be proud.
Posted 14 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
He seems to always push the envelope. What a talent.
Love it.
Posted 14 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
The usual Beck Brilliance! {#Sunny}
 
How predictable can Beck be?...Always coming out with awesome music.

Thumbs UP!

Posted 14 years ago by flatpicker    [ Reply ]
The usual Beck Brilliance! {#Sunny}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Nice segue.  
Posted 15 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
 arielspace wrote:


The bass line and some of the drums are identical to Billie Jean...
 
The bass line is very similar to "Billie Jean," but not identical—at least not the way I learned to play it. That said, what strikes me about this song, indeed the whole of Beck's work, is his ability to summon shards of rock's past and reform them to his own devices. His encyclopedic knowledge of rock history, much like Dylan and Prince, serves as the foundation for his own compositions. In the end he sounds refreshingly new, yet hauntingly familiar. Pretty cool.

Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 i4niblind wrote:
crazy, i was just listening to this in the car, and i come inside and look what's playing..  nice.
 
not really a beck fan, except jeff beck...my fav, but somehow this caught my attention
Posted 15 years ago by crazy    [ Reply ]
crazy, i was just listening to this in the car, and i come inside and look what's playing..  nice.
Posted 15 years ago by i4niblind    [ Reply ]
I done tole ya...
Posted 16 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
One of my favorites from Guero. Go on witchya self, Beck!
Posted 16 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
"I like this one better" says a 3 year old. Beck it is.
Posted 16 years ago by lah1975    [ Reply ]
!!!YEAH!!!
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
yea! - for dancing in your seat!
Posted 17 years ago by krisilizie    [ Reply ]
Its a pretty good song
Posted 17 years ago by zubietag    [ Reply ]
arielspace wrote:
The bass line and some of the drums are identical to Billie Jean...
Agreed. I was just going to post that! I can deffo hear Micheal Jackson in this...
Posted 17 years ago by al9009    [ Reply ]
i dont like it ...
Posted 17 years ago by Wethand    [ Reply ]
The French word Bec means kiss
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
2Hawks wrote:
Get a grip. This is nothing like Billie Jean.
The bass line and some of the drums are identical to Billie Jean...
Posted 17 years ago by arielspace    [ Reply ]
He's channeling Tom Waits
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
beck is teh shit
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Get a grip. This is nothing like Billie Jean.
Posted 17 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
esotericderek wrote:
Ooh!...ooh! Ooh!...ooh! Billie Jean is....not my lover. She's just a girl who...claims that I am the one. ......but the kid is not my son!
I came over to say the same... had never noticed it until now
Posted 17 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
esotericderek wrote:
Ooh!...ooh! Ooh!...ooh! Billie Jean is....not my lover. She's just a girl who...claims that I am the one. ......but the kid is not my son!
Close but not the same
Posted 17 years ago by skooney    [ Reply ]
Ooh!...ooh! Ooh!...ooh! Billie Jean is....not my lover. She's just a girl who...claims that I am the one. ......but the kid is not my son!
Posted 18 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
yeah!
Posted 18 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
queenjill wrote:
oh no! not beck too?
Plenty of links on the web, but specifically for Guero: https://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1710 (a bit of a stretch but interesting nonetheless)
Posted 18 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
Atombender wrote:
Why scientology? WHY? Great music anyway :)
oh no! not beck too?
Posted 18 years ago by queenjill    [ Reply ]
Beck = muh dude! rockin brotha!
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
Absolutely one of the very best pieces of innovative tune-ology out there! Yeah -- Why, indeed, the church of LRon? but Senor Beck has crafted a rare and true gem or two I love to repetitive little bits...
Posted 18 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
It's official: Grampa likes Beck.
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Atombender wrote:
Why scientology? WHY? Great music anyway :)
LOL... I often think that as well
Posted 18 years ago by Luna2    [ Reply ]
Why scientology? WHY? Great music anyway :)
Posted 18 years ago by Atombender    [ Reply ]
honeygirl wrote:
I want a little drink, with my Beck.
Maybe a Beck's Sorry, could'nt resist
Posted 18 years ago by valtouf    [ Reply ]
A little Billy Jean in this groove?
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
rascal420 wrote:
He must be a thetan. Come to think of it, everyone around me is acting strangely...
he's actually a second generation scientologist who likes to say he was raised jewish. go figure. :)
Posted 18 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
DisplacedNorthrnr wrote:
I think that they are birds...flying birds, perhaps crows? seagulls? hmmm.... anyhoo there just ain't enough bird sounds in today's popular music, is there?
same ones from "it's my life" - talk talk. must have a strong union.
Posted 18 years ago by tammaye    [ Reply ]
this is a great one, too. :)
Posted 18 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
Beck. Very Good Loud @ 6:32am
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Fat_Man_Flo wrote:
Jackal! Jackal! Is it a jackal?!? Jackal, it's a jackal! Jackal! It's a jackal! Jackal!
Ahhh Great Stewie line. Guero has gotten me more into Beck than i have ever been. ¿Que Onda?
Posted 19 years ago by Badfish81    [ Reply ]
I want a little drink, with my Beck.
Posted 19 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
7 on an album that scores a 9. Not that it's even one of the lower rated songs on the album, the album's just a great cumulative effort .
Posted 19 years ago by Leaf13    [ Reply ]
I love this song. One of my all-time favorites.
Posted 19 years ago by fried_duk    [ Reply ]
Just a *touch* of Tom McRae's Walking to Hawaii- 7.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
rumplestiltskin wrote:
Are those jackals I hear in the background?
I think that they are birds...flying birds, perhaps crows? seagulls? hmmm.... anyhoo there just ain't enough bird sounds in today's popular music, is there?
Posted 19 years ago by DisplacedNorthrnr    [ Reply ]
Not a bad song, not a bad album, but nowhere equal to Sea Change (esp. in SACD format).
Posted 19 years ago by Dior    [ Reply ]
This has to be Beck's best impersonation of himself. I mean, this has to be the first time I've heard a song and thought "This guy sounds a lot like Beck", only to find out that it was him.
Posted 19 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
rumplestiltskin wrote:
Are those jackals I hear in the background?
Jackal! Jackal! Is it a jackal?!? Jackal, it's a jackal! Jackal! It's a jackal! Jackal!
Posted 19 years ago by Fat_Man_Flo    [ Reply ]
rascal420 wrote:
He must be a thetan. Come to think of it, everyone around me is acting strangely...
A thesbian? :) BTW, this is not the strongest song on this album. ==
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Beck's stuff will always be hit and miss for me. More often than not, there's little hope of ever understanding a smidgeon of his lyrical content. Still, rather catchy tune, makes me wanna sway and shake a little
Posted 19 years ago by maLeFunKtion    [ Reply ]
This song is deemed Clear ...OT Level III all the way.
Posted 19 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
lalindalinda wrote:
I just heard this weekend that Beck is a **scientologist**. Any word on this?
He must be a thetan. Come to think of it, everyone around me is acting strangely...
Posted 19 years ago by rascal420    [ Reply ]
Are those jackals I hear in the background?
Posted 19 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
jbtidwell wrote:
I don't know if he is or isn't, and don't care as long as he doesn't start talking about it in his songs or on Good Morning America.
I googled it and its true. How depressing. Well. if it helps him compose then more power to him. Scientology theology is even more ridiculous than mosst religions. They do have some useful exercises though I think. But they exploit the poor and gullible into taking out $10K loans for their "classes" which is a crime.
Posted 19 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
lalindalinda wrote:
I just heard this weekend that Beck is a **scientologist**. Any word on this?
I don't know if he is or isn't, and don't care as long as he doesn't start talking about it in his songs or on Good Morning America.
Posted 19 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
I just heard this weekend that Beck is a **scientologist**. Any word on this?
Posted 19 years ago by lalindalinda    [ Reply ]
mezzanine wrote:
Bassline sounds a bit like the bassline to MJ's 'Billie Jean'. Not a bad thing. Nice groove.
I thought the same thing, but then said to myself, nah, it's late and I am tired..must be hearing things. Glad someone else hears it as well!
Posted 19 years ago by Bruceg    [ Reply ]
Very interesting sound. There is much here that I like.
Posted 19 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
:nodhead: The lyrics really do it :nodhead: Well there's not much else in there really is there ?
Posted 19 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
DannieBamBam wrote:
Maybe his brillance is derived from the fact that he is making music that is unlike anything that has been heard before. Imitation can be done by a parrot but creation is something completely novel and wholy restricted to humans. A lot of people, including myself, appreciate listening to new music that makes one think about the possiblities that it has to offer. I personally think Beck is brilliant. Is that good enough of an answer for you?
Danny--Sense of Humor Check coming up. You ready? Okay: This guy walks into a bar . . . Etc. I understand your point, of course. My comment was meant to express my own mystification at what might be the oldest adage there is: there's no accounting for taste. And I admit--humorously, or so I intended--that it may well be MY taste that is, in the case of Beck, unnaccountable.
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Made me shake it off in my little cubicle.
Posted 19 years ago by mafe    [ Reply ]
Jennnn wrote:
Scott, its so funny... I would have said the same thing when Odelay came out. The first time I listened to it I really didn't like it and thought WTF? I don't know how long it was, at least a year though, before I played it again. Something happened to me between the first time I heard it and that second listening. It was like my brain had changed how it perceived the music. I don't know how to explain it except that I had listened to a lot of other music and was just in a different place. But now... I am one of the Beck worshipers. He is the forefront of musical evolution. Cannot get enough of this guy. Go figure!
Yup the same thing happend for me too! I think the difference for me was getting exposed to more "electronic" music, which made me better able to tell that what Beck was doing was very unique and brilliant.
Posted 19 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
Beck does it again--more awful noise that everybody thinks is brilliant. What the hell is the matter with everybody? It couldn't be me. . . .
I'm totally with you! I concede that he is brilliant and original but he irrates the hell out of me.
Posted 19 years ago by jean-louis    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
Beck does it again--more awful noise that everybody thinks is brilliant. What the hell is the matter with everybody? It couldn't be me. . . .
Scott, its so funny... I would have said the same thing when Odelay came out. The first time I listened to it I really didn't like it and thought WTF? I don't know how long it was, at least a year though, before I played it again. Something happened to me between the first time I heard it and that second listening. It was like my brain had changed how it perceived the music. I don't know how to explain it except that I had listened to a lot of other music and was just in a different place. But now... I am one of the Beck worshipers. He is the forefront of musical evolution. Cannot get enough of this guy. Go figure!
Posted 19 years ago by Jennnn    [ Reply ]
Beck is brilliant and ORIGINAL. I feel like I am on a safari in the ghetto and peering at the cosmos here with this unusual song. I only wish I had the ingenuity that he does to take all those ideas and blend it into a marketable product that's entertaining to listen to, and leaves you wanting more brain candy!
Posted 19 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
Beck does it again--more awful noise that everybody thinks is brilliant. What the hell is the matter with everybody? It couldn't be me. . . .
Maybe his brillance is derived from the fact that he is making music that is unlike anything that has been heard before. Imitation can be done by a parrot but creation is something completely novel and wholy restricted to humans. A lot of people, including myself, appreciate listening to new music that makes one think about the possiblities that it has to offer. I personally think Beck is brilliant. Is that good enough of an answer for you?
Posted 19 years ago by DannieBamBam    [ Reply ]
Radiohead-head wrote:
This album blows me away....Beck's "Odley" voice is back as strong as ever.
More of a "Sea Change" fan, but the guy is a talent and his music, diverse. Have to appreciate that.
Posted 19 years ago by b_boyg    [ Reply ]
I love this stuff. Must... buy... album...!
Posted 19 years ago by NHMick    [ Reply ]
This album blows me away....Beck's "Odley" voice is back as strong as ever.
Posted 19 years ago by Radiohead-head    [ Reply ]
Wow this is awesome. Sounds like 'the art of noise', a bit of the Robert Palmer era... Love it.
Posted 19 years ago by orionblu    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
Beck does it again--more awful noise that everybody thinks is brilliant. What the hell is the matter with everybody? It couldn't be me. . . .
I think "what's wrong" is that lots of other people simply have a different opinion than you. You're entitled to your opinion, and to share it...but nothing is wrong with those with whom you disagree.
Posted 19 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
Beck does it again--more awful noise that everybody thinks is brilliant. What the hell is the matter with everybody? It couldn't be me. . . .
Posted 19 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Each track on this masterpiece of a disc is a sonic shmorgasbord. Love it that so many tracks are in the library. Need to add "Black Tambourine," too. Down and dirty drum and bass fest, it is.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
I just gotta say (not that it really matters to anyone!) that I didn't really find Beck's last album very interesting at all. This one is just the opposite. Every tune I hear off of it makes me stop workin to listen! Guess I gotta get the album.
Posted 19 years ago by ciscochasbro    [ Reply ]
Great song! It's got a great theme to it, and it's really catchy (as is the entire album).
Posted 19 years ago by ottovonbismarck    [ Reply ]
It sounds a bit like Robert Palmer being revived(?) through Beck
Posted 19 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
* tapping the keybord *.... \:D/ damn.... undo, undo, undo...
Posted 19 years ago by yashpheh    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite on what is a good disc.
Posted 19 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
So far it's a 7... plodding, repetitive, no real hooks, I'm not entranced by it's trance attempt...
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Waiter, a 10 for the song in the corner, with my compliments. Thanks, you're a peach.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
Second cut I've heard off of it. And loving it, too. Beck continues to amaze and delight.
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]