Regina Spektor — All the Rowboats
Album: What We Saw from the Cheap SeatsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2973
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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All the rowboats
In the paintings
They keep trying to row away
And the captains'
Worried faces
Stay contorted and staring at the waves
They'll keep hanging
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
Hear them whispering
French and German
Dutch, Italian, and Latin
When no one's looking
I touch a sculpture
Marble, gold, and soft as satin
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing, how to sing
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
How...
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public
Mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing
They will hang there
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
They will stay there forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
In the paintings
They keep trying to row away
And the captains'
Worried faces
Stay contorted and staring at the waves
They'll keep hanging
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
Hear them whispering
French and German
Dutch, Italian, and Latin
When no one's looking
I touch a sculpture
Marble, gold, and soft as satin
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing, how to sing
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
How...
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public
Mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special
Are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins
They keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing
They will hang there
In their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
All the galleries
The museums
They will stay there forever and a day
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
All the rowboats
In the oil paintings
They keep trying to row away, row away
Comments (141)add comment
Saw her on a music documentry. She was charming! Sings good too!
Kate Bush..like
This song changed the way I look at museums. A creative mind at work, Regina.
This woman is a genius. That's all I have to say.
Great song and the fact that she makes those noises herself even better
Just had to bump this up from an 8 to a 9, I just love it. 
I love today's juxtaposition with Phillip Glass' "Opening". The piano in both have a lot in common (certainly influenced Regina Spektor if not licensed)
Great lyrics brilliantly sung!
I love the lyrics to this song.
I've always enjoyed and sometimes even loved Regina's music...but this one is just outstanding! 
Great lyrics, sophisticated piano playing, great voice. This is a brilliant song.
This the hauntingly beautiful!
Regina Spektor tickles my brain parts in a manner most delightful
Interesting to hear the similarities of this to the preceding Phillip Glass!
Cool song that I liked better on a second listen ...7
youngers wrote:
So brilliantly clever.
This lyric is the real masterpiece.
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
So brilliantly clever.
This lyric is the real masterpiece.
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
Carl wrote:
I have more than once. Get the best seats you can - NOT in the back of the bottom floor of the CHICAGO theater - the balcony overhang kills the sound!
Regina Spektor is one singer/songwriter I'd like to see live some day. I think she's great.
I have more than once. Get the best seats you can - NOT in the back of the bottom floor of the CHICAGO theater - the balcony overhang kills the sound!
DaidyBoy wrote:
Aw, Crimea River! (Shorter than "Cry Me A River")
Sadly the website doesn't update fast enough to kill this off quick enough. It takes a few seconds to hit the PSD but it feels much longer.
Aw, Crimea River! (Shorter than "Cry Me A River")
love the music too bad about the FINGERNAILS ON A CHALKBOARD!!! vocals.. wonder if I can find a way to cut out the HORRIBLE !!!vocals from this track? she should just go back to being Phil's illegitimate granddaughter ....
She is fabulous!
Love the music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F9CVFjlEHA live on letterman with only a few view, what a waste
brava - bella canzono e musica non banale
Regina Spektor yes, Tori Amos, no
Huh. Two days in a row!
Oh, well, love it....
Oh, well, love it....
lizardking wrote:
Another +1 on this one....these lyrics are GREAT....LLRP!!
Before watching Jakob Dylan's Echo in the Canyon, I wasn't much a fan of Ms. Spektor's tunes played here; after watching it and the performances she was part of, boy, I'm a much bigger fan of her music and went +2 twice on this one...it's a 7 now...Long Live RP and changing tastes!!
Another +1 on this one....these lyrics are GREAT....LLRP!!
Perfect. Beautiful. Spooky, Poetic. Haunting. Artistic, Classical
Before watching Jakob Dylan's Echo in the Canyon, I wasn't much a fan of Ms. Spektor's tunes played here; after watching it and the performances she was part of, boy, I'm a much bigger fan of her music and went +2 twice on this one...it's a 7 now...Long Live RP and changing tastes!!
What a terrific song. It's sinister and bold and disturbing and many things.
Brilliant. I will never again experience a museum the way I did before this song.
Halestorm-"I Miss The Misery" pretty similar both great
I think her songs reflect the parlance of out times.
Heck of a segue from Poe's "Control"
Such an original song. Love it.
Smooooth transition from Poe!
i like the Song, but not the end.
By far my favourite of hers.
After hearing this a few times I must admit my initial rating of 7 was too tentative. I think she is more distinctive than I first thought and I really like this song so bumping up from 7 --> 8.
Love her mind.
YES! Play more Regina!
delightful
RandomousJam wrote:
Why a twinge of shame? You should revel in what you love!
Although I feel a twinge of shame when I say it, I have to say that I love this piece.
Why a twinge of shame? You should revel in what you love!
Wow, so much hate in the comments.
Don't worry Regina, I still like it.
Don't worry Regina, I still like it.
wow, she really got into those paintings.
PopKombo wrote:
Yeah, well, like that's just your opinion, man.
TerryS wrote:
Got it, Mr Henry.
Oh, I know what song you were probably referring to: "Cemetery Polka" from the "Rain Dogs" album. This tune has similar phrasing in spots, sort of an old cabaret/dance hall style.
Got it, Mr Henry.
Oh, I know what song you were probably referring to: "Cemetery Polka" from the "Rain Dogs" album. This tune has similar phrasing in spots, sort of an old cabaret/dance hall style.
gvan wrote:
Rise up!
FREE THE PAINTED ROWBOATS AND UNUSED VIOLINS NOW!
Rise up!
Proclivities wrote:
It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression. It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though. I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.
Got it, Mr Henry.
It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression. It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though. I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.
Got it, Mr Henry.
Yeah, well, like that's just your opinion, man.
not for frequent listening..... 4 times in the past 30 days is too much 
RoelantSiekman wrote:
I don't know, man, but she's amazing, right? PS: I think she came from Moscow.
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
I don't know, man, but she's amazing, right? PS: I think she came from Moscow.
The phrasing of the lyrics are not well structured and the lyrics lean to the banal side...sorry to say.
Although I feel a twinge of shame when I say it, I have to say that I love this piece.
Irritating at best
Sadly the website doesn't update fast enough to kill this off quick enough. It takes a few seconds to hit the PSD but it feels much longer.
ziakut wrote:
It got on my nerves the first time I heard it, and now I have to either hot MUTE or PSD, as the case may be.
It's the sing-songy, nursery-rhyme structure that drives me nuts and—unfortunately—it quickly becomes an unwanted ohrwurm (earworm) that reverberates in my head hours afterward. Thus the need to immediately deal with it!
(To say nothing about her STUPID expression on the album cover!)
I kinda like this tune, but it's quickly getting on my nerves.
It got on my nerves the first time I heard it, and now I have to either hot MUTE or PSD, as the case may be.
It's the sing-songy, nursery-rhyme structure that drives me nuts and—unfortunately—it quickly becomes an unwanted ohrwurm (earworm) that reverberates in my head hours afterward. Thus the need to immediately deal with it!
(To say nothing about her STUPID expression on the album cover!)
I don't mind it... I just think it'd be better with just piano and maybe some strings and a tympani or something other than the electronic drums and effects.
I kinda like this tune, but it's quickly getting on my nerves.
TerryS wrote:
It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression. It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though. I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?
It doesn't sound like any Tom Waits song I can think of at present, but there could be one with a similar progression. It sounds like a I - V - VI - IV chord progression (which is extremely common) played in a minor key, maybe not, though. I don't believe any "stealing" was involved.
Dave_Mack wrote:
Yeah, most of her music is like that. Very different, not cookie cutter at all. I like her
Very creative.
Yeah, most of her music is like that. Very different, not cookie cutter at all. I like her
Very creative.
ok, but played too much for me...
8 -> for awesome "mouth drums" at the end.
7 ~> 9
rtwingo wrote:
As much as I like Regina, I have to agree. This album wasn't great.
An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.
As much as I like Regina, I have to agree. This album wasn't great.
A very rare for me 1.
TerryS wrote:
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?
zurcronium wrote:Carefully done, all current music can be traced back to Tom Waits.
My nipples are bursting with pleasure at the very thought.
If Tom tried to sing a song with such a fast time as this one, his liver would fall out and shatter.
TerryS wrote:
Carefully done, all current music can be traced back to Tom Waits.
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?
Carefully done, all current music can be traced back to Tom Waits.
FREE THE PAINTED ROWBOATS AND UNUSED VIOLINS NOW!
wintergaard wrote:
I was thinking frantic but jarring works for me.
I'm sorry I just cannot get past the mind numbing electric guitar endless repeating the same jarring phrase. It sets my teeth on edge and I cannot hear anything else.
I was thinking frantic but jarring works for me.
I'm sorry I just cannot get past the mind numbing electric guitar endless repeating the same jarring phrase. It sets my teeth on edge and I cannot hear anything else.
Interesting great creativity Regina would have passed by me, if not radioparadise! Thank You!
Her phrasing is fantastic. Running back and forth among the notes.
My thoughts exactly!
bam23 wrote:
bam23 wrote:
Absolutely, this song has grown considerably on me. This is a very talented and interesting person making music.
Absolutely, this song has grown considerably on me. This is a very talented and interesting person making music.
Talented and creative. Oddly enough she reminds me of Randy Newman, but with a much lighter sense of humor. Where Randy tears chunks out of your heart, Regina nibbles away at it. In the end the effect is the same, but Regina kills you softly.
Which Tom Waits song does the tune steal from?
3:37"All The Rowboats"
by ReginaSpektor 1,755,145 views
A very cool woman and one of many very cool songs!
I like this more and more each time I hear it. The clever lyrics and the piano ... 
This is one I didn't like the first few times I heard it, it's grown on me. Thanks, Bill.
rtwingo wrote:
Some of the other songs are pretty good imho, but having listened to the album Far again recently, this album does rather pale in comparison...
An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.
Some of the other songs are pretty good imho, but having listened to the album Far again recently, this album does rather pale in comparison...
An exceptional song from an otherwise disappointing album.
"Luke, I am your father..."
Did not understand all lyrics, but not very intersting music for my taste!
That was crap. I take back my donation.
ugh, i do not find the lyrics accessible at all.
Regina Spektor is one singer/songwriter I'd like to see live some day. I think she's great.
Misterfixit wrote:
The lyrics seem to be about a museum - possibly the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC (since she lived in NYC for a long time) - which has a musical instrument wing, with violins, in what could be described as being "glass coffins".
Listening to the lyrics ... interesting poetry .. disturbing .. arousing .. depressing ....
The lyrics seem to be about a museum - possibly the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC (since she lived in NYC for a long time) - which has a musical instrument wing, with violins, in what could be described as being "glass coffins".
Listening to the lyrics ... interesting poetry .. disturbing .. arousing .. depressing ....
| stevendejong |
|
stevendejong has a solid point here toward t00lur!
RoelantSiekman wrote:
From Russia, of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Spektor
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
From Russia, of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Spektor
The album for me is not as good as Far but then I think Far is really quite exceptional. That said some songs and particularly this one are absolutely awesome. 10 the only possibile outcome for this one.
t00lur wrote:
Why listen to a radio station that plays songs you mostly (46%) hate with a passion?
romeotuma = Bill
Why listen to a radio station that plays songs you mostly (46%) hate with a passion?
romeotuma = Bill
Where on earth did she come from? This is great stuff! (9/10)
Oh, this has suddenly, totally unexpectedly gotten into my brain. I. Love. It.
jagdriver wrote:
Shall we start with that hat?
Just obnoxious all the way around.
Looks like a pretty cool hat to me and that pic looks like a straight forward shot of a woman looking into the camera without posing, just being herself. But whatever, dude.
Shall we start with that hat?
Just obnoxious all the way around.
Looks like a pretty cool hat to me and that pic looks like a straight forward shot of a woman looking into the camera without posing, just being herself. But whatever, dude.
SweTex wrote:
Shall we start with that hat?
Just obnoxious all the way around.
And in what way does she look "stupid"??...8, btw.
Shall we start with that hat?
Just obnoxious all the way around.
what we saw—my dear—was lovely you offering us this wonderfully sang song of yours ... marvelous! Mercy! 
jagdriver wrote:
Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
And in what way does she look "stupid"??...8, btw.
Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
And in what way does she look "stupid"??...8, btw.
lily34 wrote:
Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
why does everyone love her so much. i so don't get it.
Ditto. And I wonder if she realizes just how stupid she looks on that CD cover.
Seems to me that art hanging is museums probably is viewed and enjoyed by more people than the artist could ever have imagined when they created it.
docuplate wrote:
What an interesting post.
Yes, brilliant lyrics - exactly how I feel in art museums sometimes, well mostly (despite the fact that I am passionate about art) a confusing mix of muse-ing and mania because everyone is taking themselves so very damn seriously that I have no one to marvel with about the dog under the table keeping time with his tail while Picasso's Trois Musiciens play on.
What an interesting post.
Stingray wrote:
Vegina?
Regina Vega
Vegina?
docuplate wrote:
I usually don't pay very much attention to other people when I'm in museums. Quite an enjoyable tune.
Yes, brilliant lyrics - exactly how I feel in art museums sometimes, well mostly (despite the fact that I am passionate about art) a confusing mix of muse-ing and mania because everyone is taking themselves so very damn seriously that I have no one to marvel with about the dog under the table keeping time with his tail while Picasso's Trois Musiciens play on.
I usually don't pay very much attention to other people when I'm in museums. Quite an enjoyable tune.
First there's lights out, then there's lock up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault for being timeless
There's a price to pay and a consequence
All the galleries, the museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins they keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing
They will stay there in their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
I just think this is brilliant. A very unique way of looking at it.
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault for being timeless
There's a price to pay and a consequence
All the galleries, the museums
Here's your ticket, welcome to the tombs
They're just public mausoleums
The living dead fill every room
But the most special are the most lonely
God, I pity the violins
In glass coffins they keep coughing
They've forgotten, forgotten how to sing
They will stay there in their gold frames
For forever, forever and a day
I just think this is brilliant. A very unique way of looking at it.
jhorton wrote:
Why, to the Outside Lands Music Festival, of course!
So much talent here, can't wait to hear where she goes next!
Why, to the Outside Lands Music Festival, of course!
So much talent here, can't wait to hear where she goes next!
why does everyone love her so much. i so don't get it.
See her on Colbert Report, if you're a fan. Her music isn't for me, but the interview was interesting.
Stingray wrote:
Your about two months late on that comp...but good try Ray.
sbegf
(Manchester, Maryland)
prophetzarquon wrote:
Agree with Vega as a comp... the ending was odd. Sounded like she was making play sound effects.
Regina Vega
Your about two months late on that comp...but good try Ray.
sbegf
(Manchester, Maryland)
| Posted: Mar 07, 2012 - 09:40 | < Reply | Edit | Delete > |
prophetzarquon wrote:
OK - I'll kick this one off.
In traditional manner for RP reviews - who does it sound like?
Suzanne Vega? and in a good way.
In traditional manner for RP reviews - who does it sound like?
Suzanne Vega? and in a good way.
Agree with Vega as a comp... the ending was odd. Sounded like she was making play sound effects.
Regina Vega
This is like the soundtrack to a frenzied bad dream.
One where I'm running around looking for something that can't be found.
And running as fast as I can through quicksand. Yikes !
One where I'm running around looking for something that can't be found.
And running as fast as I can through quicksand. Yikes !
govna wrote:
yeah what the hell were they thinking with those shitty voice-drum sounds?
I third that WTF. Seriously, how on earth did the producer think that going boosh, boosh, boosh, at the end of the song was appealing? Turns quirky into fromage.
yeah what the hell were they thinking with those shitty voice-drum sounds?
I third that WTF. Seriously, how on earth did the producer think that going boosh, boosh, boosh, at the end of the song was appealing? Turns quirky into fromage.
This song was fun at first, but it's grown really really tiresome.
This lyric is the real masterpiece.
First there's lights out
Then there's lock-up
Masterpieces serving maximum sentences
It's their own fault
For being timeless
There's a price you pay
And a consequence
Interesting, because she also wrote the theme song for the prison show Orange is the New Black.