I can’t handle the overproduction. Where’s the Rick Rubin Regina Spektor album? I tried to listen to the new album, but I was struggling. I headed to YouTube in search of alternate takes/live versions since the songs seemed good but the presentation was so… “why did you make this choice?” It didn’t take me long to fall in love with these live takes of, “Becoming All Alone.”
It’s a folk song that takes you to church, but church is a street corner and in one minute god is inviting you to the bar, while the next you’re luring god in for a drink. All because you’re feeling alone, even when you don’t want to, and if you don’t ask god (or anyone) to stay, will they? Might they? Can they?
Spektor continues to be a fascinating songwriter to me. I can’t be the only one who thinks she’s at her best when it’s her voice, her emotions, and her impeccable piano skills in the rawest format we can get them.
Here are the lyrics and 2 cuts of the song (a recent performance from Colbert and an older live cut, phone capture from the audience):
I went walking home alone
Past all the bars and corner delis
When I heard God call out my name
And he said, “Hey
Let’s grab a beer
It’s awful late
We both right here”
And we didn’t even have to pay
‘Cause God is God
And he’s revered
And I said:
“Why doesn’t it get better with time?”
I’m becoming all alone again
Stay, stay, stay
Let the ones who want it bad
Get all the things that make them better
Let the ones who don’t care feel a thrill
And I just want to ride
But this whole world
It makes me carsick
Stop the meter sir
You have a heart
Why don’t you use it?
Why doesn’t it get better with time?
I’m becoming all alone again
Stay, stay, stay
I went walking home alone
Past all the bars and corner delis
When I asked God
Please call
Call my name
And I said, “Hey
Let’s grab a beer
It’s awful late
I know you’re here
And we wouldn’t even have to pay
‘Cause You are God and You’re revered”
Why doesn’t it get better with time?
I’m becoming all alone again
Stay, stay, stay
I’m becoming all alone again
Stay, stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay
