blathering nonsense (about) lyrics

With number six, my five favorite Canadians opted to release the ubiquitous title among established bands: oh yes, it's the greatest hits album! The vast majority of the songs on here were original to their previous five discs, and I'm thrilled to see that many of my picks in these silly little posts make reappearances on this collection. The best part of this album to me is the liner notes-- the song credits are annotated by Steven Page (I'm your #1 fan, Steve!! I'm a complete 33 year old dork!!), and his humor and insights into individual songs never fail to entertain me. Good times.

Since this one includes so many songs I've already featured, the list here of runners-up is pretty short. Lovers in a Dangerous Time is a song that is actually a cover that they recorded as part of a tribute album to Bruce Cockburn. Since I don't know the original song, this is my only experience with this tune, and their version is simply beautiful. The hum of Jim's bass completes this amazing song-- it's soulful and often makes me tear up. Then there's Ed singing lead on Thanks That Was Fun, his incredible voice at its best. Much to lovely hubby's chagrin, this is yet another song of theirs that chronicles the falling apart stage of a relationship. (Excuse me for a moment. Dear, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! I simply am drawn to the intensity of these songs. This is in NO WAY any indication of anything at all except that I like when Canadian men sing with great emotion!) Like I was saying, this song's intensity, especially the crescendoing part near the end, just draws me in, and I'm a huge fan of singing (screaming?) along in my already well-established very offkey way.

That brings us to the fave of the album, and unfortunately, I cannot seem to find even ONE online video of this song-- no performances, nothing. Weird, huh? So, we're going with a simple audio recording for your listening pleasure. And speaking of pleasure, well, the song does have a fairly, um... unique subject matter. Offensive to some, but friggin hysterical to others, this is one heckuva song. (With an inexplicable subtitle... anyone get that one?)

Album: Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991-2001)
Year of Release: 2001
Song: It's Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland)
Words & Music by Steven Page and Ed Robertson

*odd grunt*

Speaking as a guy who's really
Got it going on,
It's only natural,
It's only me.

Take it from a fella
Who's been 'round the block
So many times he's knows the only parking spot that's free.
It's only me.

You can say I've tried everything
I'd save on the wedding ring
Who knows me half as well as me?

I'm not anti-social
And it's nothing that's reproachful
It's just natural,
It's only me.

I can't think of anybody else I'd rather
Spend some one on one time with,
It's not that hard to see,
It's only me.

I'm the me in monogamy
I'm not asking a lot of me
I give me R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

And if your heart is broken
You can just do what you do best
You can just do what you do,
When your heart is broken
Trust in the one who loves you
Never put others above you

I thought I was using me
To get to you
But this is truly natural
It's only me.

They say you'll never love another
'Til you love yourself,
Well, brother I'm in love with everyone I see.
It's only me.

You could say I've tried every thing
I'd save on the wedding ring
Who knows me half as well as me?
I'm the me in monogamy
I'm not asking a lot of me
I give me R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Yeah. What can I say? Yes, this song is absolutely about what you have a hunch it's about. And I apologize if that's just not your cup of tea, but I simply could not NOT choose this one as my favorite track on the album. Each and every time I listen to this CD, I start on track 7. It's hugely fun to sing along to, and I die of laughter with every "I'm the me in monogamy" and "Well brother, I'm in love with everyone I see." Too, too funny song about a fact of life. Man, I love these guys.


Wishing I had found a performance video of this hysterical song,