Lucinda Williams — Out Of Touch
Album: EssenceAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 852
Length: 5:24
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Once in awhile we might pass on the street
We nod we smile and we shuffle our feet
Making small talk standing face to face
Hands in our pockets cause we feel so out of place
Our paths may cross again in some crowded bar
We feel a little lost cause we've drifted away so far
Hoping to find the right words to say
We joke a little and then go on our way
We are so out of touch yeah
We are so out of touch yeah
La La La
La la la la
We speak in past tense and talk about the weather
Half broken sentences we try to piece together
I ask about an old friend that we both used to know
You said you heard he took his life about five years ago
We may pass each other on the interstate
We honk and cross over to the other lane
Everybody's going somewhere everybody's inside
Hundreds of cars hundreds of private lives
We are so out of touch yeah
La La La
La la la la
We nod we smile and we shuffle our feet
Making small talk standing face to face
Hands in our pockets cause we feel so out of place
Our paths may cross again in some crowded bar
We feel a little lost cause we've drifted away so far
Hoping to find the right words to say
We joke a little and then go on our way
We are so out of touch yeah
We are so out of touch yeah
La La La
La la la la
We speak in past tense and talk about the weather
Half broken sentences we try to piece together
I ask about an old friend that we both used to know
You said you heard he took his life about five years ago
We may pass each other on the interstate
We honk and cross over to the other lane
Everybody's going somewhere everybody's inside
Hundreds of cars hundreds of private lives
We are so out of touch yeah
La La La
La la la la
Comments (87)add comment
This is a highly underrated album. Just gorgeous from start to finish.
Sounds like it took ten minutes to write and about an hour to record.
I mean, if this isn't the definition of "Meh" . . .
Oh dear, this is really quite awful.
Out of touch - More like out of tune!!Out of touch - More like out of tune!!
Decent lyric and melody but the singing, if you can call it that, is really quite bad
dsd wrote:
She's not at all charming on this cut.
When I think of Lucinda I think of the real deal........I actually love the voice.............
She's not at all charming on this cut.
When I think of Lucinda I think of the real deal........I actually love the voice.............
Love Lucinda,,,,
This is a good song in search of a better singer, to my ears.
Unlike some songs - this one is NOT growing on me. My ears hurt, esp. from the la-las. Sorry have to mute.
Definitely not one of her stronger tracks.
Geecheeboy wrote:
agreed !
This cd doesn't entertain me; it speaks to me. One of her best. This cut gets a 9 from this South Carolina boy.
agreed !
yikes! I don't think she was awake when she recorded this.
Agreed. Borophil.
10!!
No twenty year old will have such a sexy voice as LUCINDA-THE-GREAT!
The harmonizing organ - the instrument is meant - is wonderful!
MUSIC for "sexy tiiiime" - ask Borat!
Whoa. The music is good but the singing, not so much. I don't know Lucinda but man, she sounds terrible, off key, and somewhat unintelligible, I figure she just needed to mail one in?
bobcat1963 wrote:
In full context: "She is an example of the best of what country at least says it is, but, for some reason, she's completely out of the loop and I feel strongly that that's country music's loss."
out of touch?
she's completely out of the loop! (emmylou harris said that)
but i love her anyway (i said that)
she's completely out of the loop! (emmylou harris said that)
but i love her anyway (i said that)
In full context: "She is an example of the best of what country at least says it is, but, for some reason, she's completely out of the loop and I feel strongly that that's country music's loss."
Working with Charlie Sexton on this record was an excellent idea. Love his guitar work and subtle production. Nice.
This cd doesn't entertain me; it speaks to me. One of her best. This cut gets a 9 from this South Carolina boy.
Very Pleasant
Randomax wrote:
Could be, but I read a glowing review of her latest CD. Of course, that review is one person's opinion.
As I've said a zillion times on here, Lucinda was wonderful on her 1st couple albums....BEFORE the coke burned out her throat and killed her creative juices....
Could be, but I read a glowing review of her latest CD. Of course, that review is one person's opinion.
Please stop recording music or go get help before you release another song.
As I've said a zillion times on here, Lucinda was wonderful on her 1st couple albums....BEFORE the coke burned out her throat and killed her creative juices....
Beth Orton "Stolen Car?"
It's so sad to read the comments of kids so young... I guess that is what the future holds. All the best boys... good luck and hang on.
queenjill wrote:
I think he was trying to imagine someone broken by life...hey, help me here, someone...oh, forget it! Hey Jelani, how does that foot taste?
She used to sound like a sober whore to you? Why whore?
I think he was trying to imagine someone broken by life...hey, help me here, someone...oh, forget it! Hey Jelani, how does that foot taste?
out of touch?
she's completely out of the loop! (emmylou harris said that)
but i love her anyway (i said that)
she's completely out of the loop! (emmylou harris said that)
but i love her anyway (i said that)
Tune sounds rather like "Seminole Wind", doncha think? Which in turn reminds me of "Perfectly Good Guitar"...
sqqqrly wrote:
I have to agree ... sounds like she didn't even try to deliver this coherently.
I really like Lucinda....but this song sucks...first time I have hearrrd it.
I have to agree ... sounds like she didn't even try to deliver this coherently.
suebee3 wrote:
Always, apparently. Or maybe only when she sings.
Is she drunk?
Always, apparently. Or maybe only when she sings.
Is she drunk?
Shesdifferent wrote:
Nonetheless, I find your comparison to be high praise for Sheryl!
her Sheryl Crow sound a like voice
Hm, I don't see it. To me, Lucinda's voice says the South, the front porch, molasses, and smokes. Sheryl's says cruisin the 'Stang aimlessly late into a cool L.A. morning.Nonetheless, I find your comparison to be high praise for Sheryl!
Cool! I'd forgotten I have this CD! Must pull it out and take it in my car for the daily commute! 
Just upgraded the car speakers, 
so I can turn it up without the sound turning to mud now.... 
Can't say I like this girls voice much....nor her Sheryl Crow sound a like voice either. Sorry not for me. Lacks luster.
pannaramma wrote:
again with the "la la la la's". nothing new or different here.
You sound like my parents circa 1962.
Only then it was "yeah, yeah, yeah's" instead of "la la la la's".
queenjill wrote:
She used to sound like a sober whore to you? Why whore?
From Wikipedia:
"Emmylou Harris said of Williams, 'She is an example of the best of what country at least says it is. But, for some reason, she's completely out of the loop. And I feel strongly that that's country music's loss.'"
Jelani wrote:
why does she sound like what I'd imagine a drunken whore to sound like?
She didn't used to sound like this.
You can only imagine a drunken whore? You need to get out more, experience life.
Never been a fan of Lucinda Williams. I don't get it, I guess. She & Kathleen Edwards sound the same to me...drunker versions of Sheryl Crow (who I also don't really like).
Oh, well...that's just my opinion.
Jelani wrote:
why does she sound like what I'd imagine a drunken whore to sound like?
She didn't used to sound like this.
She used to sound like a sober whore to you? Why whore?
Perfection this may not be, but the thoughts conveyed in this song say something about life in America today, as I hear it. She moves from personal interactions to more broadly perceived observations about life in a fragmented society. And I actually like the guitar work. Her singing converys the feel of the song well to me. But then, I like Dylan's delivery (much of the time, anyway). This song works well played loud, also.
Out of touch? Out of tune!
why does she sound like what I'd imagine a drunken whore to sound like?
She didn't used to sound like this.
I really like Lucinda....but this song sucks...first time I have hearrrd it.
So...this ISN'T Sheryl Crow? Gotta get my ears checked.
An almost tolerable song from the Barfly...
..mmmmm....Lucinda. 
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again with the "la la la la's". nothing new or different here.
Pyro wrote:
Yes, she's out of tune, but Neil Young and Bob Dylan don't let that stop THEM. I like Lucinda, Neil, and Bob, but you have to take the good with the bad....
Sure, lots of great singers sing in between the notes, Janis Joplin, Betty Carter, even Billie Holiday. It was part of their expression. It's true that every singer has bad days, too, which is what I think this is. Maybe I haven't heard enough of her music, but this is atypical for her to sing this way. Some of her sustained notes sound forced and off key. It just sounds like a bad take. Sometimes other factors go into the decision to release a cut besides artistic merit. It's also a business, after all.
fluorophore wrote:
OMG!!! Yes!
We all live in a capital I
In the middle of the desert in the middle of the sky...
Anyone else think this song sounds like the "We All Live in a Capital I" song from Sesame Street?
OMG!!! Yes!
We all live in a capital I
In the middle of the desert in the middle of the sky...
ktnsb wrote:
Out of Tune!
I can't believe she released this version. Her singing is unbelievably bad on it, and she's a better musician than that. WTF was she thinking?
Yes, she's out of tune, but Neil Young and Bob Dylan don't let that stop THEM. I like Lucinda, Neil, and Bob, but you have to take the good with the bad....
She may not be the best singer ever. But like Young Neil, she's one of the best songwriters ever. And what she lacks in purity of tone, she more than makes up for with heart, passion, and verite. And I wouldn't have her any other way. Respect.
love the cover 
nice song too
nice song tooOut of Tune!
I can't believe she released this version. Her singing is unbelievably bad on it, and she's a better musician than that. WTF was she thinking?
meower215 wrote:
She is soo good live!
Oya, saw her do a 4 hour gig in Baltimore on her her last tour, man she is intense.
This is a great record.
All the harsh comments... I like this album. Her voice and the lyrics on this album can really hit home.
Adam wrote:
Incredible version of this song on a live double-disc of hers from the Filmore west that was released mid '05. This version isn't bad, but the live version is most excellent.
She is soo good live!
meadowwoods wrote:
she always sounds drunk to me....
I think the sloppy enunciation and southern drawl have become a part of her signature sound. Unfortunately she is also rumored to have a heroin problem. But I own a lot of her music and love it all.
Geecheeboy wrote:
There is an intensity to this woman that amazes me. Whether you like her or not, mattereth not to me, for there is no accounting for taste or chemistry. A New Yorker magazine profile illustrated in her a volatile personality which I frankly am glad I dont have to deal with (and I know at least one difficult women like that) but, my God, she can get to the heart of the matter in her music. I could listen to Essence over and over and over, which I have done, of course skipping that awful "Get Right with God" song, and gotten literal chills. She gets to the heart of being in love, at least for me.
She is one of my very favorites, but I have always thought that her road manager has to have his hands full dealing with her. No thanks, lifes too short.
GREAT (as usual)!!!
Stingray!
Thought it was Aimee Mann. Won't be rating it, new to Lucinda but have already heard stuff I like better from her.
BGGA wrote:
Exactly!
Repetitive, soggy, melodically nowhere. Dripsville. A 2.
bmo wrote:
contemptuous sloppy dirge
Exactly!
Thought it was Over the Rhine at first.
-mt-
she always sounds drunk to me....
There is an intensity to this woman that amazes me. Whether you like her or not, mattereth not to me, for there is no accounting for taste or chemistry. A New Yorker magazine profile illustrated in her a volatile personality which I frankly am glad I dont have to deal with (and I know at least one difficult women like that) but, my God, she can get to the heart of the matter in her music. I could listen to Essence over and over and over, which I have done, of course skipping that awful "Get Right with God" song, and gotten literal chills. She gets to the heart of being in love, at least for me.
O my lord, Lucinda you never sounded so smooth...what a song.
Sexiest "la, la, la" I've ever heard. 
Incredible version of this song on a live double-disc of hers from the Filmore west that was released mid '05. This version isn't bad, but the live version is most excellent.
contemptuous sloppy dirge
seeing her drunk at the Paul Westerberg show was pretty entertaining!dfox68 wrote:
Lucinda is a goddess!
Can't agree here. I don't know if she can sing better than here, but here it's pretty .... ummm ... bad, really! Can't find anything special in the music either, it's all so damn ordinary... sorry, a 3 from me.
I dig her sound. Great CD
Lucinda is a goddess! 
I find the lyrics and vocal perfectly convey that \"out of sync\" feeling that\'s hard to define and sometimes hard to escape.
Anyone else think this song sounds like the \"We All Live in a Capital I\" song from Sesame Street?
Originally Posted by gillespp:
I love this song -- except the chorus. It seems flat in comparison to the rest of the song. But the rest -- she has such pent-up energy, just out of reach.
EXACTLY what i was gonna say
still enjoy it though.
Nice to hear some Lucinda. This is hardly her best - personally I don\'t think she\'ll ever again do anything as full of heart as her self-titled CD - but mediocre Lucinda beats 98% of the other stuff out there now. 
I love this song -- except the chorus. It seems flat in comparison to the rest of the song. But the rest -- she has such pent-up energy, just out of reach.
Originally Posted by Leslie:
Most of the comments indicate either a love or hate for Lucinda. I really like her and think that she is a very gifted songwriter. I don't care for all of her songs but for the most part I think she's great.
I agree, she's great!
I've seen her 3 times and each time she's comfortable with the crowd. Like she's known them for a long time. If you have a chance, go see her -- she plays at small venues (which I LOVE!).
Most of the comments indicate either a love or hate for Lucinda. I really like her and think that she is a very gifted songwriter. I don\'t care for all of her songs but for the most part I think she\'s great.
I\'ve got a couple of Lucinda\'s Cds. I have to say, I can only take her in small doses at this point. I don\'t find this song to be one of her stronger efforts.
If you\'re having that much trouble understanding the \"slurred\" words, then it may be time for a hearing aide,
or at least better headphones. This from a 37 yo with
bad ears who thinks her singing seems pretty clear.
Dude, LW is famously perfectionist. Guarantee you that is just scratching the surface of what she put into this and every song. It’s called craft.