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Sam Phillips — I Need Love
Album: Martinis & Bikinis
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1128









Released: 1994
Length: 3:37
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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i left my conscience like a crying child
locked the door behind me put the pain on file
broken like a window i see my blindness now

i need love
not some sentimental prison
i need god
not the political church
i need fire
to melt the frozen sea inside me
i need love

driving into town tired and depressed
like a flare the streetlight bursts into an s.o.s.
peace comes to my rescue i don't know what it means
i need love
Comments (120)add comment
I need Sam Phillips.
Posted 7 months ago by Emmettf    [ Reply ]
Nice Beatles vibe!
Posted 9 months ago by brianp53    [ Reply ]
 silby wrote:


I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"


Definitely If I Needed Someone, No Day Tripper, not even close kojiroh
Posted 9 months ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
I think those background harmonies are more complex than they sound.

put your ears up real close to your speakers.
Posted 10 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Love how this song is so hummable. Funnily, the repetitive hook just makes it all that better for me!
Posted 11 months ago by kaustav    [ Reply ]
its a simple pop rock song but its executed perfectly

I think she has great ear for great songs
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Sexy Sultry Sam!!
Posted 1 year ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
 I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone" 

Yes you are and I suspect it is on a Rickenbacker 12 string too.  But then  again George "borrowed' from the Byrds "Bells Of Rymney" , and they sourced and "rearranged" an old English folk song. 
Posted 1 year ago by bh1    [ Reply ]
Not as great as some of her earlier stuff (i.e. The indescribable Wow) but quite nice.
Posted 1 year ago by grumpyoldman    [ Reply ]
For a second I thought this was Julie Miller.  Speaking of her I noticed "Out In The Rain" was pulled from the RP playlist several years ago.  I guess looking at the ratings, it wasn't very popular.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
ahhh...another good guitar singer

more guitars
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 bokey wrote:

I'd forgotten all about this chic.



I suppose you could call it stylishly fashionable, but it's an odd term for a song.
Posted 2 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
About 12 years ago I was recovering from major surgery and watching a lot of daytime TV. Came across this lady via The Gilmore Girls! What fun!
Posted 6 years ago by sid1950    [ Reply ]
A great opening line, but then it kind of drones on.
Posted 7 years ago by bentonian    [ Reply ]
Until RP, I didn't know Sam Phillips - must have been busy with kids in the 1990's, but I just love this album, so I bought it via RP and Amazon. Thanks RP!
Posted 7 years ago by jab49    [ Reply ]
Bill, today's stream rocked the decky—er, I mean the phatty. 
Posted 8 years ago by theralph    [ Reply ]
 silby wrote:


I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"

 
yep
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
What a voice!
Posted 9 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
 kojiroh wrote:
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.
 
 silby wrote:
I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"
 
Call the lawyers!!!!
{#Propeller}
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
So glad to hear Sam on RP. One of my favorite artists. Thanks Bill
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
 comusicman wrote:
Sam Philips had T-Bone Burnett produce this album. They subsequently married and divorced. He later came back to produce an album she did I believe 2008.

 
They subsequently married and divorced.   
And she's singing about love? Someone please explain the apparent disconnect that they sing about in captivating songs and that they live in apparent discord. 
Posted 9 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Sam Philips had T-Bone Burnett produce this album. They subsequently married and divorced. He later came back to produce an album she did I believe 2008.
Posted 10 years ago by comusicman    [ Reply ]
 kojiroh wrote:
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.

 

I'm hearing "If I Needed Someone"
Posted 11 years ago by silby    [ Reply ]
There's a "Day Tripper" hidden in the song.
Posted 11 years ago by kojiroh    [ Reply ]
 linz_bobinz wrote:
was this on a movie soundtrack?
 
Yep!  Stealing Beauty from 1996.

Stealing Beauty

This is an outstanding soundtrack - introduced me to a lot music I wouldn't otherwise have listened to.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/NaxqGO

1. 2 Wicky - Hoover
2. Glory Box - Portishead
3. If 6 Was 9 - Axiom Funk
4. Annie Mae - John Lee Hooker
5. Rocket Boy - Liz Phair
6. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
7. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
8. I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holiday
9. Rhymes Of An Hour - Mazzy Star
10. Alice - Cocteau Twins
11. You Won't Fall - Lori Carson
12. I Need Love - Sam Phillips
Posted 12 years ago by clickfaster    [ Reply ]
A beautiful song. Best of Sam.
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
 tphord wrote:

Yes... I thought I couldn't be the only one to hear the influence of the George Harrison's guitar riff.
           I think also hear some influences from the Bangles too.
             Nice sound this !

 

Hadn't thought of it, your right! The guitar and vocals are reminicant of beatles.
Posted 13 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
 
You too??  I NEVER heard this song on FM radio in this buttpick town - a crazed friend of mine sent me the CD on MP3. It was the first time I'd ever heard of Sam Phillips, and now I'm very impressed with her voice. 

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 shawshank wrote:
I get a  'If I Needed Someone' by the Beatles vibe from the guitar piece here.
 
Yes... I thought I couldn't be the only one to hear the influence of the George Harrison's guitar riff.
           I think also hear some influences from the Bangles too.
             Nice sound this !

Posted 13 years ago by tphord    [ Reply ]
This whole album is very good.
Posted 13 years ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
 

It did get some, but they didn't ruinate it which is why it is still enjoyable!

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
What a great melody! Always have loved this song!{#Clap}8
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This has that "Pop Perfect" formula.  I'm surprised it never got any fm airplay.  Maybe it did, but I live in a backwater cultural vacuum.
Posted 14 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Darn sexy...............
Posted 14 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Never heard about this movie! Looks steamy to me! Thanks!
>^_^<

 a_genuine_find wrote:
sam phillips in die hard 3 (33?)
 

Posted 14 years ago by beset    [ Reply ]
i like how rp plays all kinds of women artists on here. most rock stations play just a few,
 yes, this whole album is Beatlesque—-very, and i have a pet peeve regarding folks saying something sounds like the Beatles, that' too easy most of the time.
we got to hear her and her ex-hubbie (t.bone burnett, criminal album) on same day today.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
I get a  'If I Needed Someone' by the Beatles vibe from the guitar piece here.
Posted 15 years ago by shawshank    [ Reply ]

I have always loved this cd....great lyrics.....


Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
sam phillips in die hard 3 (33?)
Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 BKardon wrote:

They are both great. 

 
Edge to Neko for more good songs, but otherwise, ditto.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
I worked clothing retail for several years and this song was included on the corporate soundtrack. We heard it 5 or 6 times a day, every day for 2 years. Any joy I would have taken from this song evaporated after about 24 listenings...
Posted 15 years ago by Victory409    [ Reply ]
was this on a movie soundtrack?
Posted 15 years ago by linz_bobinz    [ Reply ]
 earthbased wrote:
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
 
Yes. Used name Leslie Philips. Then she left the church, disavowed all her previous work, took the name Sam, and recorded The Indescribable Wow. This album is the third of her reinvented career.

Posted 15 years ago by surferbeto    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Absolutely. Whoever her songwriter is should have sold it to a different vocalist.
 
Sam wrote this song. Maybe you should buy it from her and show us how it should be done.


Posted 15 years ago by surferbeto    [ Reply ]
 gjeeg wrote:
A forgotten Revolver track.
Her voice is eccentric.
The guitar breaks give me chills.
 
Yeah, the voice and lyric is hers but the guitar lick is all T Bone Burnett.


Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Mary Chapin Carpenter.... Bonnie... Nina Gordon...  Chrissy...

 smehan55 wrote:
OK all you Sam Philips voice haters ... WHO should sing her songs? WHO are these mysterious other wonderful singers you'd rather hear? Telling us that would be helpful. ABBA? Michael McDonald? Celine Dion? Mariah Carie? Steve Perry? Really, I'm curious. 
 


Posted 15 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
A forgotten Revolver track.
Her voice is eccentric.
The guitar breaks give me chills.
Posted 15 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Tuneless song, crass lyrics, screetchy voice, and she's not even wearing a bikini
Posted 15 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
mwsteele79 wrote:

That's because Neko can sing.

EDIT: To me, the beauty of the music is most important... not originality, not technical artistry, but beauty, which is of course completely subjective. I find Neko's music and her voice to be beautiful, that's all. This to me sounds like a bad American Idol audition.

And to my ears Neko Case has zero control, subtlety, nuance or creativity in her voice. Unless she's singing background vocals she screeches and yodels and seems to think that if she sings loud enough it'll cover for the lame songs. She really needs to learn to use her voice as a precision tool and not a jackhammer. Most of her stuff sounds like drunken karaoke at a broken down country bar.

Since you brought up the comparison, I've seen Sam Phillips a half dozen times in various small venues and she is light years ahead of Neko in style, control, emotion and depth.

Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
I need love, not some sentimental prison,
I need god, not the political church.

Indeed.. 10
Posted 16 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

 
That's because Neko can sing.

EDIT: To me, the beauty of the music is most important... not originality, not technical artistry, but beauty, which is of course completely subjective.  I find Neko's music and her voice to be beautiful, that's all.  This to me sounds like a bad American Idol audition.

Posted 16 years ago by mwsteele79    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

 
They are both great.  Nothing wrong with either.

Posted 16 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
OK all you Sam Philips voice haters ... WHO should sing her songs? WHO are these mysterious other wonderful singers you'd rather hear? Telling us that would be helpful. ABBA? Michael McDonald? Celine Dion? Mariah Carie? Steve Perry? Really, I'm curious. 
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
mwsteele79 wrote:
Nasal, annoying, and repetitive... not a good combo...
Yet you appear to love Neko Case. Go figure.

Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Nasal, annoying, and repetitive... not a good combo...
Posted 16 years ago by mwsteele79    [ Reply ]
IMO, her very best song.
Posted 16 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I just adore her horriblebeautiful voice, the arrangement, the electric riffs (I f I Needed Someone!) the hooks, the overlays!
Posted 16 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
traysza wrote:
Wow. Her voice is really awful. Would be a good song otherwise.
Absolutely. Whoever her songwriter is should have sold it to a different vocalist.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
Wow. Her voice is really awful. Would be a good song otherwise.
Posted 16 years ago by traysza    [ Reply ]
Anyone else hear a twinge of Dixie Chix?
Posted 16 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
KathySmith wrote:
...needs love *AND* a functioning pitch pipe.
Good one!
Posted 16 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by trollboy    [ Reply ]
I suspect that most of the comments about similarities to Beatles riffs and interesting phrasing are due in large measure to the T Bone Burnett influence. It seems a bit similar to the effect that Daniel Lanois has. Both these producers add considerably to what the artists are doing. That said, Sam Phillips does have something unique, even if her singing can abrade ones' inner ear.
Posted 16 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
What a fun tune, I like it in spite of or perhaps because of the bold-faced "borrowing." Definite Beatles / Byrds even Monkees jangly-guitar pop going on there.
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
...needs love *AND* a functioning pitch pipe.
Posted 16 years ago by KathySmith    [ Reply ]
PopKombo wrote:
Yes, ... I'm sure it is a musical tip of the hat ... the drums and the strong rim shot back beat of the snare is also reminicent of Ringo.
Wise observation re: Mr Starkey. I had failed to connect those dots other than on a subliminal level. Thanks
Posted 17 years ago by E_A_D_G    [ Reply ]
I know its been mentioned, but man, that riff is almost a direct quote of Harrison's "If I Needed Someone." Given Phillips's song title, that might be deliberate. But we'd have to check the liner notes and look deeper into the song to see if she was deliberately invoking Harrison and The Beatles there.
Posted 17 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
indeed it does. I went to request "If I needed someone" in the library and didn't see it. Wonder why. I love that tune (IINS). This is ok.....
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
I like this a lot. Somebody did a decent cover... that Christian chick band, can't think of the name right now. . .
Posted 17 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
I really need to dig into Sam Phillips more, this is good stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by ajamison    [ Reply ]
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
Yes, ... I'm sure it is a musical tip of the hat ... the drums and the strong rim shot back beat of the snare is also reminicent of Ringo.
Posted 17 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
bokey wrote:
Wasn't this chic in Penthouse?I swear I remember her for something besides this song,which I like.
That's a different Sam Phillips.
Posted 17 years ago by KevDogRedux    [ Reply ]
Wasn't this chic in Penthouse?I swear I remember her for something besides this song,which I like.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
I'd forgotten all about this chic.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
A great song from what's probably her best album.
Posted 17 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
Very much so
Posted 18 years ago by hideglue    [ Reply ]
nick_valensi wrote:
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
I noticed that, too!
Posted 18 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
not something i'd usually listen to, but that's what i like about RP
Posted 18 years ago by Ocean_Enthusiast    [ Reply ]
Mediocre song but the cover is cool!
Posted 18 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
You know what's great about the chorus? How she "jumps the gun" with her vocals a little bit at the beginning of each phrase, coming in just a little bit ahead of the first beat of the measure. Keeps it driving, rhythmically.
Posted 18 years ago by Bosonator    [ Reply ]
imagine - Sheryl Crow + Frente..
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
reality BITES.
Posted 18 years ago by abbefaith    [ Reply ]
honeygirl wrote:
baby, we all need sweet love
Hehehee, we sure do :) I do!!! The best song from Sam...whohooooo :)
Posted 18 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
You need voice lessons
Posted 18 years ago by xsrossiter    [ Reply ]
baby, we all need sweet love
Posted 18 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
redeyespy wrote:
Prototypical Sam chorus, and a really quality song and disc. Plus, an undeniably great album cover!
Agreed! Cover: what semi-secrets do we all keep beneath our beds? RP convinced me to buy this CD, and this was my favorite song. Ditto comments on the hook below, the chorus does rock, I can listen to it over and over, both the jingly-jangly Beatle-ish music and the wonderful lyrics ("I need fire to melt the frozen sea inside me"). My wife does think Sam is nasal, guess that is what I like.
Posted 18 years ago by Rob_S    [ Reply ]
can't really decide whose voice is more nasal and whiney Sam's or Stevie Nicks..... irritating
Posted 18 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by leander37    [ Reply ]
Prototypical Sam chorus, and a really quality song and disc. Plus, an undeniably great album cover!
Posted 18 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
She's leaning to whine but misses it and comes off sounding fine. Lyrics are interesting too
Posted 18 years ago by LadyLovelyLocks    [ Reply ]
aflanigan wrote:
Don't know for sure but if it's not Sam I would not be surprised if it was her husband T Bone Burnett.
If we are talking about 'Circle of Fire' I think it is Marc Ribot.
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
That guitar riff sounds like Harrison's "If I Needed Someone"...
Posted 18 years ago by nick_valensi    [ Reply ]
stubbsz wrote:
Who is that on guitar. That riff sounds a lot like one from Television. Tom Verlaine or the other dude.
Don't know for sure but if it's not Sam I would not be surprised if it was her husband T Bone Burnett.
Posted 18 years ago by aflanigan    [ Reply ]
I got this album its great! It has a lot of musical references to the Beatles.
Posted 18 years ago by denizenusa    [ Reply ]
earthbased wrote:
great guitar lead in this tune. Dan
Who is that on guitar. That riff sounds a lot like one from Television. Tom Verlaine or the other dude.
Posted 18 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
Nice little pop ditty with depth. I'm a little hestitant about the Beatle-istic production but I think it works pretty well on this one. The whole CD is quite good, actually.
Posted 19 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
earthbased wrote:
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
Yes.
Posted 19 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
frenchdenis wrote:
she looks Blondie after a face list...
I once had my face listed, too ... on the Post Office wall.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
she looks Blondie after a face list...
Posted 19 years ago by frenchdenis    [ Reply ]
I really like the vocals on the chorus. It's enough to make me buy into the whole song just to get that 3-seconds of bliss when the chorus comes in. I guess that's why they call it a hook, watchout, you might get hooked.
Posted 19 years ago by RongoTBurg    [ Reply ]
this song is also in the soundtrack of bertolucci's stealing beauty.
Posted 19 years ago by mkd    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
It's so hard to tell the difference between a deliberate tribute and a stolen (or "borrowed") lick -- the borders have been completely obliterated since sampling became an accepted practice -- but it's hard to imagine this wasn't meant as an homage to George.
What he said. IMHO the whole album is T-Bone Burnett's (Sam's hubby and producer) homage to George, Ringo, and the Nurk Twins. Overt (like this cop from "If I Needed Someone") and subtler references abound.
Posted 19 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
It's so hard to tell the difference between a deliberate tribute and a stolen (or "borrowed") lick -- the borders have been completely obliterated since sampling became an accepted practice -- but it's hard to imagine this wasn't meant as an homage to George.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Didn't she start out as a Christian artist?
Posted 19 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Now play 'Circle of Fire'; great guitar lead in this tune. Dan
Posted 19 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
she sounds like Princess Anne Claire
Posted 19 years ago by RPsavedme    [ Reply ]
Her voice is nausiating to me.
Posted 19 years ago by mezzanine    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
Cool, like someone said, great minds thinking alike... you get the award for persistance ;-)
What a diplomatic response....and wise one.
Posted 19 years ago by rasta_tiger    [ Reply ]
rasta_tiger wrote:
Huh? Not that it matters but this wasn't in the library till I uploaded it recently.
Cool, like someone said, great minds thinking alike... you get the award for persistance ;-)
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
coding_to_music wrote:
Yay, my upload! Sam Phillips - I Need Love sorry 12/2
Huh? Not that it matters but this wasn't in the library till I uploaded it recently.
Posted 19 years ago by rasta_tiger    [ Reply ]
Great minds, thinking alike.
Posted 19 years ago by slawjam    [ Reply ]
Freebish wrote:
Nice borrowed riff from George--If I Needed Someone.
The whole disc is very "beatlesque." (if that's the correct way to spell that word).
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Aww, this guitar lick - the 12 string one - lifted directly from Georgie's "If I Needed Someone". Yikes!
Posted 19 years ago by slawjam    [ Reply ]
Nice borrowed riff from George--If I Needed Someone.
Posted 19 years ago by Freebish    [ Reply ]
Didn't I hear a Beatles guitar lick in there? "If I Needed Someone"?
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Yay, my upload! Sam Phillips - I Need Love sorry 12/2
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
This is a FANTASTIC CD. One of the few I own with nary a bad song on it. Highly recommended.
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Major Whining Here :!:
Posted 19 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]