On the Miss America LP, this track is listed as A New Day, but here, it is listed as Anew Day. I fell that this was as design consideration, but Discogs takes it verbatim. In any case, this is one of the highlights on the LP. The 12" single also has a live versions of To Cry About and When You Know Why You're Happy.
Many years ago, I used to hang out with a guy who was sort of fearless and possibly a thrill-seeker. Maybe those are not the right words, but he was (is?) the kind of guy who would approach anyone and just introduce himself and start talking. Because of him, I found my way into the backs stage areas at several concerts. One day, we were chilling on Queen Street West and we saw Mary Margaret O’Hara in the bar. Before I knew it, we were hanging out with her. On my own, this would never have happened. I have always felt that celebrities do not want to be disturbed, but she was very nice and it was a fun time. This was probably in the early 1990s (but I have lost track of time) so who knows?
Of course, everyone went crazy for Nothing Compares 2U, a tune penned by Prince. For me, the best track on this record is I Am Stretched on Your Grave, with that stolen drum pattern. Allmusic makes this statement:
Aside from being a brilliant album in its own right, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got foreshadowed the rise of deeply introspective female singer/songwriters like Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan... [source]
My first copy of this album was on CD and, later, I found a vinyl copy. I really only know her first two records, and then I either lost interest in her or my musical directions changed. I honestly haven't listened to this record in ages, maybe 15 or 20 years. That's probably because I heard it too frequently after it was released.
It's amazing what one can learn from Wikipedia, if one has confidence that everything on Wikipedia is accurate. For example:
- O'Connor recorded the album while heavily pregnant with her first child.
I didn't know that. I also wonder what "heavily pregnant" means.
- The title of the album is from Psalm 91:13 "you will tread upon the lion and cobra"
I didn't know that, but I pay little attention to the fairy tales in the bible.
- The track "Never Get Old" opens with an Irish language recital of Psalm 91 by singer Enya.
I didn't know that either.
- The photograph of O'Connor on the album cover was taken by Haysi Fantayzee member Kate Garner.
I didn't know that.
- The covers of the United States and Canada issues differed from the European release, as it was decided a more subdued pose would present a "softer" image of O'Connor.
I didn't know that. I do wonder how if soft is the right word. I'm not sure a photo of a bald woman would be considered as soft.
- The first single, "Troy", peaked at number eight in the Netherlands and number 12 in Belgium.
I didn't know that.
- The second single was "Mandinka", was a mainstream pop hit in the UK, peaking at number 17 in the singles chart, as well as number six in her native Ireland.
I didn't know that.
"I Want Your (Hands on Me)" was featured in the 1988 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.
I didn't know that, probably because I did not see the film
The album charted worldwide, reaching number 27 in the United Kingdom and number 36 on the US Billboard 200.
I didn't know that.
I'm trying to remember what I thought when I first heard it. It was probably something like, where did she come from? It's like she came out of nowhere with a pretty compelling and confident debut record. I always felt that she had a powerful voice. I guess the first song we all heard was Troy, and I think I liked it. Today, I find the track to be overwrought. I have always preferred Jerusalem. And, by the way, I applaud her for ripping up a photo of the pope. I would have set the photo of that grade a jackass on fire. He a homophobic misogynist who shelters pedophiles.
This is the first US pressing of the 12" single of Express Yourself. Side A has an extended mix of the track, along with Express Yourself (Bonus Beats). Side B an extended mix of Straight Outta Compton and a track called A Bitch iz a Bitch.
The first time I heard this record I was floored. I was simultaneously trying to comprehend the rampant use of cursing (and the n-word), something that I don't know was widespread at the time. All rap/hip hop I had heard, until this time, was clean, for lack of a better word. And then there was the anti-police element, most notably in the track, _ _ _ _ the Police.
This record is civil disobedience. It's a plea for justice. It's anger. It's also sexist. Whatever it is, it's powerful in music and message and tone. I don't think this songs were played much on commercial radio, but that didn't stop it from being a big hit, a notorious hit.
Unlike Ice-T,
there's little social criticism or reflection on the gangsta lifestyle;
most of the record is about raising hell -- harassing women, driving
drunk, shooting it out with cops and partygoers. All of that
directionless rebellion and rage produces some of the most frightening,
visceral moments in all of rap, especially the amazing opening trio of
songs, which threaten to dwarf everything that follows. [source]
I have no idea of what it must have been like to have been a black person in LA in the 80s, but it looks like it was rough and that institutionalized racism was widespread, and I am sure still is. The Rodney King verdict was a clear injustice. How can you object to statements of rage like this one? I don't play this often, but it's an interesting listen, from time-to-time.
Savage is another excellent record from Mr. Numan.
Savage (Songs from a Broken World) is a concept album centered around the blending of Western and Eastern cultures in a post-apocalyptic world that has become desertified as a result of global warming. "The songs are about the things that people do in such a harsh and terrifying environment," Numan stated in an interview. "It's about a desperate need to survive and they do awful things in order to do so, and some are haunted by what they've done. That desire to be forgiven, along with some discovered remnants of an old religious book, ultimately encourages religion to resurface, and it really goes downhill from there." [source]
