Joe Henry — Stop
Album: ScarAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 417
Length: 4:38
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Don't tell me to stop
Tell the rain not to drop,
Tell the wind not to blow
Cause you said so;
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do,
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't tell me to stop
Tell the sun not to shine
Not to get up this time,
Let it fall by the way,
Leave me where I lay;
Tell the leaves not to turn
But don't tell me I'll learn,
Take the black off a crow
But don't tell me to go
Tell the bed not to lay
Like the mouth of a grave,
Not to stare up at me
Like a calf on its knees;
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do,
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't tell me to stop
Tell the rain not to drop,
Tell the wind not to blow
Cause you said so;
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do,
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't tell me to stop
Tell the sun not to shine
Not to get up this time,
Let it fall by the way,
Leave me where I lay;
Tell the leaves not to turn
But don't tell me I'll learn,
Take the black off a crow
But don't tell me to go
Tell the bed not to lay
Like the mouth of a grave,
Not to stare up at me
Like a calf on its knees;
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something we do,
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't tell me to stop
Comments (32)add comment
kcar wrote:
Waitsean. Not Madonnerly.
What you said. Dude’s listened to his share of Tom Waits.
Waitsean. Not Madonnerly.
What you said. Dude’s listened to his share of Tom Waits.
Speaking of Madonna covers, there is a band called Thanks To Gravity that does a very fine rendition of Justify My Love (YouTube link).
fans of his would probably enjoy this interview:
https://www.onbeing.org/program/joe-henry-the-mystery-and-adventure-of-life-and-songwriting/7313
https://www.onbeing.org/program/joe-henry-the-mystery-and-adventure-of-life-and-songwriting/7313
dc_zee wrote:
I heard or read an interview with him and he said that he'd written it and Madonna is his cousin or something and when she heard it she said that she wanted to do it but she would do it her way.
I think both versions work!
Oopsie. Replied to my self and meant to reply to you. Mr. Henry indicated that they co-wrote the song. I really should have looked at the credits by now...
I heard or read an interview with him and he said that he'd written it and Madonna is his cousin or something and when she heard it she said that she wanted to do it but she would do it her way.
I think both versions work!
Love, love, love, love, love!
Catecaneverall wrote:
Oopsie. Replied to my self and meant to reply to you. Mr. Henry indicated that they co-wrote the song. I really should have looked at the credits by now...
This is a Madonna song? I just know and like Lizz Wrights performance of this. Now I'm confused...
Oopsie. Replied to my self and meant to reply to you. Mr. Henry indicated that they co-wrote the song. I really should have looked at the credits by now...
dc_zee wrote:
Madona is his sister-in-law. I saw him live at Wolf Trap Barnes where he introduced this song with a comment that he recorded the co-written tune as a "tango" and she "recorded it as a hit".
The Madonna version is really good too. I've loved that song for years... this version is new to me and i think it's great in it's own right.
Madona is his sister-in-law. I saw him live at Wolf Trap Barnes where he introduced this song with a comment that he recorded the co-written tune as a "tango" and she "recorded it as a hit".
The Madonna version is really good too. I've loved that song for years... this version is new to me and i think it's great in it's own right.
Catecaneverall wrote:
Madona is his sister-in-law. I saw him live at Wolf Trap Barnes where he introduced this song with a comment that he recorded the co-written tune as a "tango" and she "recorded it as a hit".
This is a Madonna song? I just know and like Lizz Wrights performance of this. Now I'm confused...
Madona is his sister-in-law. I saw him live at Wolf Trap Barnes where he introduced this song with a comment that he recorded the co-written tune as a "tango" and she "recorded it as a hit".
What is with this guy and his body parts. The album cover of his, with a guy standing in his tighty whiteys on the bed always creeps me out.
majdim7th wrote:
Waitsean. Not Madonnerly.
Wilcoesque
Waitsean. Not Madonnerly.
This is a Madonna song? I just know and like Lizz Wrights performance of this. Now I'm confused...
Interesting take on a song I last heard from Madonna.
Madonna! It finally hit me why I recognized this.
I've always liked Joe Henry. A unique sound.
Wilcoesque
Uh huh, yeah.
All his stuff sounds the same. Don't care for his voice.
absolutely delicious
Great song. The more I hear of his music, the more I appreciate him.
Whereas Madonna is fine as marshmallow fluff......not much depth and not many uses. I never knew of marshmallow fluff to steal credit, though.
TreborG2 wrote:
Thanks to those that posted info on the song (below).. Unfortunately I'm one of those that really liked the Madonna version of this song...
Its amazing, having never heard this version before, I dislike it because I'm used to madonna's I wonder how I would have felt if I'd heard his version first...
...interresting.
I'm right there withya on this one! I love the Madonna version and this one makes me cringe. I was thinking he was covering her version and wondering why. Now I'm thinking, just, yikes. Maybe its because the lyrics sound so much more convincing and apropos coming from a woman?
weena wrote:
I used to dislike Joe Henry; thought he was pretentious. Then I got a copy of "fuse" (I was a music director at a radio station) and tried to find something to like...the cd wound up being one of my all time favorites ever, after a few listenings. There's a lot going on in his stuff. Like this cd, "scar", as well. He's also known as a production genius; he produced Ani DiFranco's most recent cd (wait! She may have released another inbetween my keystrokes, as she's quite prolific).
And yes, he wrote this song. Interesting how people post without doing research when they're SO SURE about something.
Absolutely Love it!
andrewpickford81 wrote:
can someone explain why this guy is played on here? awful, rubbish, tripe
I used to dislike Joe Henry; thought he was pretentious. Then I got a copy of "fuse" (I was a music director at a radio station) and tried to find something to like...the cd wound up being one of my all time favorites ever, after a few listenings. There's a lot going on in his stuff. Like this cd, "scar", as well. He's also known as a production genius; he produced Ani DiFranco's most recent cd (wait! She may have released another inbetween my keystrokes, as she's quite prolific).
And yes, he wrote this song. Interesting how people post without doing research when they're SO SURE about something.
This is his own song folks. Madonna covered it (and then claimed co-credit to make some more money). He's her brother in law I believe. Anyways i think he's fantastic. I love this song - reminds me somewhat of Tom Waits. Joe Henry rocks!
Originally Posted by andrewpickford81:
can someone explain why this guy is played on here? awful, rubbish, tripe
I concur 
:(
can someone explain why this guy is played on here? awful, rubbish, tripe
Originally Posted by rgj13:
Anyone know who did this originally? It's pretty old, I think--I suspect J. Henry didn't write it, despite comments below.
Sorry for the ignorance...
According to AMG, he wrote it.
Anyone know who did this originally? It\'s pretty old, I think--I suspect J. Henry didn\'t write it, despite comments below.
Sorry for the ignorance...
Much better than Madonna\'s version - darker, with more melancholy. And I bet he\'s not dancing around with cowboys in his video.
Does anyone else keep thinking about Madame Defarge when they hear this song? \"Then tell wind and fire where to stop, but don\'t tell me.\"
Only know his \"old\" work well. He has become a lot more fashionable and decided, according to this song, which I find quite allright.
Thanks to those that posted info on the song (below).. Unfortunately I\'m one of those that really liked the Madonna version of this song...
Its amazing, having never heard this version before, I dislike it because I\'m used to madonna\'s I wonder how I would have felt if I\'d heard his version first...
...interresting.
So much vanilla ice cream these days...sure I like vanilla ice cream, but man...when can I expect the rum raisin?