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Beck — Tropicalia
Album: Mutations
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1946









Released: 1998
Length: 3:16
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Oh when they beat
upon a broken guitar
and on the streets
they reek of tropical charms
the embassies lie in hideous shards
Where tourists snore and decay

When they dance in a reptile blaze
You wear a mask, an equatorial haze
Into the past, a colonial maze
Where there's no more confetti to throw

You wouldn't know what to say to yourself
Love is a poverty you couldn't sell
Misery waits in vague hotels
To be evicted

you're out of luck
you're singing funeral songs
to the studs
they're anabolic and bronze
they seem to strut
in their millennial fogs
Till they fall down and deflate

And you wouldn't know what to say to yourself
Love is a poverty you couldn't sell
Misery waits in vague hotels
To be evicted

Oh and now you've had your fun
Under an air-conditioned sun
It's burned into your eyes
Leaves you plain and left behind
Oh see them eyes and fall
Into the jaws of a pestilent love

You wouldn't know what to say to yourself
Love is a poverty you couldn't sell
Misery waits in vague hotels
To be a victim
Comments (180)add comment
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Better done by Alan Price and Georgie Fame a long, long time ago.

now there are two names I hadn't heard together...had to look them up. Different times!

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 Solanus wrote:

I can now appropriately identify the "squeaky straw" sound as the cuica. I have learned something interesting or useful, so today is a good day.


I can't help thinking of an excited monkey every time I hear it. Of course this conjures very weird images in my mind of how artists would supposedly use an excited monkey as an actual instrument during live performances.
Posted 3 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
 jugece wrote:

man, i hate this song... skip.....



Did you pause to notice the finger Beck is directing your way? (on the Wikipedia photo)
Posted 3 years ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
 Fooboy wrote:

it's taken me so long to beging to "get" Beck .... if you look at the breadth of styles he's touched upon on each album ( each being very very different from any other), it begins to speak to the musical prowess he has. 
His music is certainly not for everyone ... but for those willing to listen and invest the time to appreciate, it is (hopefully) worth the personal effort ...



Genius is pain.
Posted 3 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 jugece wrote:

man, i hate this song... skip.....



Yet your unable to just skip without making a comment eh?
Posted 3 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
I say yeh yeh
Posted 3 years ago by PinkSo    [ Reply ]
 Solanus wrote:

I can now appropriately identify the "squeaky straw" sound as the cuica. I have learned something interesting or useful, so today is a good day.



I really thought it was someone sliding a straw in and out of a soda cup!!!
Posted 3 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Sit dancing to this 
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
man, i hate this song... skip.....
Posted 3 years ago by jugece    [ Reply ]
someone has been listening to FSK!
Posted 3 years ago by Johnny_Alpha    [ Reply ]
he's a jack of all trades....
Posted 3 years ago by Shaggy27    [ Reply ]
One of the only diverse albums in his collection; not a bad thing, but as most are more 'concept' albums, it reminds me of Tom Waits' Swordfishtrombones: showing a constantly evolving, yet deep, artist cleaning up the studio.
Personally, I love the song's groove, and could listen to the outro as my soundtrack to a looong walk on the boulevard. Then again, Sea Change is my soundtrack to introspection, and Midnight Vultures to an orgy I wish I were in!
Posted 3 years ago by murdog    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Beck's on my list of artists I just don't get. Can't say I hate him or anything, I just don't see what people see in him. To my mind he's a solid 5-- worthy of neither turning up nor down the speakers.
 
Interesting -- Beck is a new artist to me, yet every track of his on RP is really, really good. Inventive, musical, captivating, fun. This is really good stuff.
Posted 3 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
 be4con wrote:
Horrible high pitched bells makes my ears bleed. Make it stop.
 

Get better headphones, buddy
Posted 3 years ago by joanferva    [ Reply ]
 be4con wrote:
Horrible high pitched bells makes my ears bleed. Make it stop.
 

MORE COWBELL!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by mikedgreene    [ Reply ]
 Dosequis wrote:
WOW his guy is the worst!  
 
I like some of his stuff, not this.


It's gotta be Scientology effect on artists... look how bad Battlefield Earth turned out with Travolta
Posted 4 years ago by mjbaumann    [ Reply ]
 be4con wrote:
Horrible high pitched bells makes my ears bleed. Make it stop.
 There are a lot of bleeding eardrums out there...another COVID symptom?!
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
it's taken me so long to beging to "get" Beck .... if you look at the breadth of styles he's touched upon on each album ( each being very very different from any other), it begins to speak to the musical prowess he has. 
His music is certainly not for everyone ... but for those willing to listen and invest the time to appreciate, it is (hopefully) worth the personal effort ...
Posted 4 years ago by Fooboy    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
Beck's on my list of artists I just don't get. Can't say I hate him or anything, I just don't see what people see in him. To my mind he's a solid 5-- worthy of neither turning up nor down the speakers.
 
Opinions everybody has one, I think never ending talent that is different with each album. Not to say I like everything he does.
Posted 4 years ago by SRAY    [ Reply ]
Horrible high pitched bells makes my ears bleed. Make it stop.
Posted 4 years ago by be4con    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah!
Posted 5 years ago by bwood11243    [ Reply ]
I say 'yeh yeh'! What goes around comes around.
Posted 5 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
I  Brasil
Posted 5 years ago by luiznogueira79    [ Reply ]
I can now appropriately identify the "squeaky straw" sound as the cuica. I have learned something interesting or useful, so today is a good day.
Posted 5 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp}ola
Posted 6 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
 skyian wrote:
BTO - Looking Out for Number One.

 
Different chord progression, but there are hundreds of other songs with this bossa nova beat.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I think David Byrne does the tropical thing in English better...but that doesn't mean it works for me
Posted 6 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
genius and dweeb squared
 
oh wait

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_0Pt3HAR8
Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Better done by Alan Price and Georgie Fame a long, long time ago.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Kiss}{#Drunk}{#Bananapiano}
Posted 7 years ago by Gloriastacholy    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit} {#Bounce} {#Bananasplit}
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I just saw this performed on an old Saturday Night Live and it was pretty much exactly this performance. Maybe not note for note, but he had a pretty large crowd of musicians playing this piece. It may not be judged as his most profound work, but they were tight.
Posted 7 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
R2D2? Is that you?
Posted 7 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
genius and dweeb squared
Posted 7 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 skyian wrote:
BTO - Looking Out for Number One.

 
Good call dude
Posted 8 years ago by NorthernLad    [ Reply ]
BTO - Looking Out for Number One.
Posted 8 years ago by skyian    [ Reply ]
This is the Disney-fied version of "tropical" music ! A straight "1" for Beck.
Posted 8 years ago by TianGongZhong    [ Reply ]
 Dosequis wrote:
That fake slurring/low/mumbling voice is funny. I mean come on!?! Really?

 
I'm starting to get the feeling you don't like Beck, for some reason.
Posted 8 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
That fake slurring/low/mumbling voice is funny. I mean come on!?! Really?
Posted 9 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

It's not.  This whole album was played by live musicians; I believe that was part of his point with this album.

 
.....but it sounds canned.
Posted 9 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
Samba for Friday. Ingenious! Shaking my bootey on the cubicle chair. {#Moon}
Posted 10 years ago by Krakus    [ Reply ]
c'mon! Don't be a hater!  I am diggin' it :-)
 {#Daisy}
drivingunit103 wrote:


...ditto

 


Posted 10 years ago by vandarbar    [ Reply ]
Love Beck. Jeff Beck that is. Really dislike this dweeb.
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
 Sturff wrote:
Love the Cheese!

Agree. :-)

I kinda don't think Beck took this as his magnum opus. Just dig it.


Posted 11 years ago by Wizzo_oz    [ Reply ]
WOW his guy is the worst!  
Posted 11 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
Tropicalia was the trippy Brazilian musical movement started by, among others, Os Mutantes (The Mutants) thus "Mutations" eh (see what he did there)?
Posted 11 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
sounds canned.....{#Naughty}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Segue into "Just Another Day" Oingo Boingo....
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 mellery wrote:
Man, I just hate Beck.
 

...ditto
Posted 11 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
Man, I just hate Beck.
Posted 12 years ago by mellery    [ Reply ]
Feels like playing a video game!

 Sturff wrote:
Love the Cheese!
 


Posted 12 years ago by Sturff    [ Reply ]
Love the Cheese!
Posted 12 years ago by Sturff    [ Reply ]
Some Beck I like. This is cheeseriffic!
Posted 12 years ago by fitzworld    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

That's some funny "shit". :)
 
Southerners are great yarn-spinners.  I have always been envious. 
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 C57BL6 wrote:
Great music for writing grants about mutations! I feel misfolded...
 
May your paylines be high and your mice be nice
Posted 12 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
A hint of Sergio Mendes from the late 60s. Brazil '66.
 
The first part reminds me of "Popsicle Toes" by Michael Franks
Posted 12 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
A hint of Sergio Mendes from the late 60s. Brazil '66.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
It's Brazil, zil, zil!!
Posted 12 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]
when I hear this, all I can hear is The Sims.
Posted 12 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Great music for writing grants about mutations! I feel misfolded...
Posted 13 years ago by C57BL6    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Brian Protheroe's Enjoy It.
Posted 13 years ago by rudytherabbit    [ Reply ]
Yup — now, THOSE are some amazing artists, masters of that sublime and sinuous groove that line and enliven my collection but I sure would LOVE to hear them here on RP...

 4merdj wrote:
Nice ... but not close to the Tropicalismo of Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, et alia ... closer to Samba+World Music ... {#Devil_pimp}
 


Posted 13 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 NPat wrote:
Imagine how terrible it would be if you were stuck in an elevator and this was playing on an endless loop.
 
You'd dance yourself senseless!!!

Posted 13 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
brazilian inspiration
Posted 13 years ago by hifi    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


That just shows what google knows.  As a small boy living in the backwoods and hollers of Pflugerville and Hutto, we would entertain ourselves for hours playing the cloacao (alternate spelling).  It is a very versatile instrument, capable of a variety of friccative sounds, depending on the labial dexterity of the musician.  The trick was to find a bird with suitable physical characteristics from which to make the instrument.  Turkey vultures and other buzzards made the best.  Some of my more squeamish friends would just use cups and straws from Dairy Queen, instead, but it just wasn't the same.
 
That's some funny "shit". :)
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 NPat wrote:
Imagine how terrible it would be if you were stuck in an elevator and this was playing on an endless loop.
 
Is there any song which would make that scenario pleasant?  I can certainly think of hundreds of songs which would be far worse than this.  Good tune.



Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I hear this and I can only think of playing The Sims.
Posted 13 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Imagine how terrible it would be if you were stuck in an elevator and this was playing on an endless loop.
Posted 13 years ago by NPat    [ Reply ]
After a good meal, if I touch my belly with a wet finger, it just sounds like the beginning of this song.{#Lol}
Posted 14 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
Nice ... but not close to the Tropicalismo of Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, et alia ... closer to Samba+World Music ... {#Devil_pimp}
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Good old Beck {#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Michael Franks ....
Posted 14 years ago by plaice3    [ Reply ]
"And when she asks me if everything is ok

I give the answer, the only thing i could say

I say yeah, that's what i say, I say yeah"
Posted 14 years ago by natural_tools    [ Reply ]
An excellent transition from Gorillaz. This is the tripe trip. This 60's rehash adds nothing with loops and electronic drums. Ugh. A great example of a 1.
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Yikes.
Posted 14 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
Sickly song   {#Neutral}
Posted 14 years ago by Zurke    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:

Don't you think he looks like Michael Cera? The photo on the sleeve of Sea Change is uncanny.
 

Oh crap. Now I have a mental image of Beck starring opposite Ellen Page in "Juno." Beck as pedophile. Thanks a bunch. I'll NEVER get that out of my head.
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Makes me think back to Basement Jaxx wistfully. {#Cry}
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
great CD
Posted 14 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
I'm still looking for the genre he hasn't co-opted and thoroughly mastered. Klezmer maybe...
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Vampire Weekend "Holiday"

Beck "Tropicalia"

...could Weezer's "Island in the Sun" be next?
Posted 14 years ago by pinklife    [ Reply ]
 smdeeg wrote:

A search on the Big G of "Cloacaco" only comes up with your post.  (Hey, you're famous on Google!)  Different spelling maybe?  It sounds like a low pitched cuica to me.

 

That just shows what google knows.  As a small boy living in the backwoods and hollers of Pflugerville and Hutto, we would entertain ourselves for hours playing the cloacao (alternate spelling).  It is a very versatile instrument, capable of a variety of friccative sounds, depending on the labial dexterity of the musician.  The trick was to find a bird with suitable physical characteristics from which to make the instrument.  Turkey vultures and other buzzards made the best.  Some of my more squeamish friends would just use cups and straws from Dairy Queen, instead, but it just wasn't the same.


Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
A fine choice from le collection du Beckus...
Posted 15 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
Beck has so many sounds...........I LOVE HIM....and I mean I would marry him....{#Bananajumprope}
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Thank god!  The last 4-5 songs in a row were just terrible.  Nice to finally get out of that rut.
Posted 15 years ago by danagle    [ Reply ]
 fuh2 wrote:
Beck looks too boyish or small  to be so good.
 
Don't you think he looks like Michael Cera? The photo on the sleeve of Sea Change is uncanny.


Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 markoirl wrote:
The horns toward the end remind me of the "Are you being served?" theme.
 
Oh, good call. "Ground floor: lingerie, going up."
Always liked that horn sound...

Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 JoBo wrote:
Michael Franks
Oh h*ll no!

Bill does have one MF cut in the library, but thankfully it's not "Popsicle Toes"!
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Ah yes, the Bossa Nova with Musical Cloacaco sounds!  Marvey — simply Marvey

Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
The horns toward the end remind me of the "Are you being served?" theme.


Posted 15 years ago by markoirl    [ Reply ]
Apparently this hours playlist has been designed to annoy me.{#Frustrated}
Posted 15 years ago by Stardust83    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
Authentic! I hear the Cloacaco played in the background. I've described the Cloacaco before .. a very interesting musical instrument indeed .... capable of all kinds of marvelous sounds ...
 
A search on the Big G of "Cloacaco" only comes up with your post.  (Hey, you're famous on Google!)  Different spelling maybe?  It sounds like a low pitched cuica to me.

Posted 15 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
JoBo wrote:  Michael Franks

~~~~
 
Only Beck doesn't sound wimpy, as does MF.


 agbar713 wrote:
$cientology IS A CULT!
 

Of which Cruise and Travolta are also members. So what... you're never going to view any of their movies? I personally don't agree with the views, opinions, morality, or politics of many popular artists. That doesn't prevent me from enjoying their work, however.

The exception is when I pay to attend a concert and am subjected to their line of patter "from the pulpit." The last time that happened (Ray Manzarek), I requested—and got—two free passes to a future event from the venue promoter.

Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 JoBo wrote:
Michael Franks
 
Absolutely...I hear it too. 

Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
Beck looks too boyish or small  to be so good.
Posted 15 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
 Frater_Kork wrote:
All hail Beck, king of the ecclectic. Always playing outside the box.
 
{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}


Posted 15 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one hearing, " Donovan," here?
Posted 15 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Michael Franks
Posted 15 years ago by JoBo    [ Reply ]
Sounds more like just sounds to me.I like music!
Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
The breadth and depth of Beck's musical knowledge (cue deeply reverbed Top 40 deejay, "College of Musical Knowledge!") is astonishing. Who compares? Stevie Wonder, Bruce, Prince, Brian Wilson, John & Paul, Les Paul—not a terribly long list, eh? Openly invite additions, BTW. Back to Beck, his execution is flawless. I mean, really, who in the end cares whether he's a scientologist or not?
Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
agbar713 wrote:

$cientology IS A CULT! 



Of course it is, but that's beside the point — Beck is brilliant regardless. Christianity is a cult (heck, they do ritual symbolic cannibalism every Sunday) but Bach and the other great liturgical composer/accompanists were nonetheless brilliant.

For what it's worth, Beck was born into Scientology, i.e. didn't choose it freely.


Posted 16 years ago by douzzer    [ Reply ]
$cientology IS A CULT!
Posted 16 years ago by agbar713    [ Reply ]
OldFrenchie wrote:
Not for Beck. Rumour has it he sleeps with a bat under his bed in case I stop by his place in the middle of the night.
So you like to visit men in the middle of the night?
Posted 16 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
OldFrenchie wrote:
I would totally waste him in a fight.
You hadn't noticed you're already wasted, idiot comment.
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Authentic! I hear the Cloacaco played in the background. I've described the Cloacaco before .. a very interesting musical instrument indeed .... capable of all kinds of marvelous sounds ...
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
timc wrote:
Is there anything Beck can't do?
If you like this tune, go to the source and start grooving.
Posted 16 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Wilmshurst wrote:
The Beck from Ipanema!!!
I would say Beck from Os Mutantes. As far as I know, he made this album using as direct inspiration Brazilian 60's and 70's political musical movement Tropicália. Os Mutantes was a highly prolific rock and roll group from late 60's early 70's, directly related to the Tropicália movement through their relationships with singers Gilberto Gil, presently a congressman and chief of the ministry of culture, and Caetano Veloso. That's why Beck titled his album Mutations. But of course there's much more in the album and the reference to bossa nova in the song Tropicália is clear. Beck is just showing how sophisticated he is and also making a deft blend of Brazilian most acclaimed musical styles with his own ability to insert his personality. Wonderful album!
Posted 16 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
Hey, I wanna go to a reptile place!
Posted 16 years ago by MtnSinger    [ Reply ]
Funky!
Posted 16 years ago by artmarcia    [ Reply ]
Fresca Bossa Nova?
Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida    [ Reply ]
Wilmshurst wrote:
The Beck from Ipanema!!!
Is of course the correct answer. Advance to the top of the class
Posted 16 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
andrewe wrote:
That must be very comforting.
Not for Beck. Rumour has it he sleeps with a bat under his bed in case I stop by his place in the middle of the night.
Posted 16 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
OldFrenchie wrote:
I would totally waste him in a fight.
That must be very comforting.
Posted 16 years ago by andrewe    [ Reply ]
I would totally waste him in a fight.
Posted 16 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
Cool, he's using the squeaky balloon.
Posted 16 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
The beginning sounded like a song from Eddie Harris.
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
pksgorilla wrote:
Top song off his best album
I agree on both counts.
Posted 17 years ago by music_man    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Beck tunes. I love when it drops into the backbeat at the end. Super funky!!
Posted 17 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Is there anything Beck can't do?
Posted 17 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
I will say thank you for a repeat of that set Shesdifferent wrote:
Perfect switch to an awesome set!! Beck - Tropicalia Cat Power - Cross Bones Style he Shins - Spilt Needles Hooverphonic - Renaissance Affair Aromabar - Velvet Nights Faithless - Evergreen Catherine Wheel - Fripp King Crimson - Walking On Air Tama - Ta'aba
Posted 17 years ago by Wilmshurst    [ Reply ]