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Camper Van Beethoven — Life Is Grand
Album: Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1129









Released: 1988
Length: 3:16
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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And life is grand
And I will say this at the risk of falling from favor
With those of you who have appointed yourselves
To expect us to say something darker
And love is real
And though I realize this is not a deep observation
To those of you who find it necessary
To conceal love or obscure it, as is the fashion
Comments (87)add comment
 Andybob wrote:

This disc is sheer brilliance. Especially cranked up in the car cruising down the highway.




My name is Ick and I approve this message.
Posted 4 months ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Central Street, SF!
Posted 5 months ago by bufallo    [ Reply ]
Hell yeah! I love how this instantly puts me into a bowery trance, makes me want to get up and dance!
Posted 11 months ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Raw beauty from a true artist thank you David!
Posted 1 year ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
Sounds kinda like Billy Bragg meets Biffy Clyro.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by jirvin8387    [ Reply ]
 reallylost wrote:

It's Christmas Day 2021 and we're dancing to this. 



OK - so it's March 4th 2022 and we're still dancing. 
Posted 2 years ago by reallylost    [ Reply ]

This album is a delight to listen to in its entirety (a must to really absorb it imo). And this song is a 'grand' closer as well.  Cheers to David and CVB for an album I will always cherish. And cheers to RP as well for playing songs off of it, of course!

Posted 2 years ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
It's Christmas Day 2021 and we're dancing to this. 
Posted 2 years ago by reallylost    [ Reply ]
 justlistening wrote:

Guess I'm i'm in the minority here. I really don't enjoy this song. A little pop sounding and repetitive. Unremarkable lyrics. Other than that I can tolerate it!




Are you still there?
Posted 3 years ago by FGKlfn    [ Reply ]
This may be the most idiotic rating on this entire massive collection of songs.  CVB was such an excellent band and showed it here on steroids.  
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Now here we have a song with some verve to it. 
Posted 3 years ago by reallylost    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

I was thinking the same thing...and decided to help out the cause with a +1 to 7....not a great tune though a 7 fits...Long Live RP!!
 
Another+1 to 8 now. Love the guitar on this, the message too, and even the vocals seem to impart the "life IS grand, right?" and I say it is if you believe it so. LLRP!
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
 
Spot on. and I agree
Posted 4 years ago by baba2000    [ Reply ]
Those are some of the best lyrics in rock and roll.  Also a great song.
Posted 4 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Long Live RP!
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
 ckevin63 wrote:
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
 
I was thinking the same thing...and decided to help out the cause with a +1 to 7....not a great tune though a 7 fits...Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Fond memories of college years and interesting indie rock outside the Madonna/Milli Vanilla type schlock playing on FM radio at the time.  A sign of 90's indie rock to come
Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite CVB, but still good memories of college years seeking out alternative music and escaping the Madonna/MIlli Vanilli/Debbie Gibson type stuff loading up the local airwaves
Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
 FatPants wrote:
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?

 
ha ha ha!

I love Cracker and CvB, but this is so spot on.
Posted 6 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I saw a couple guys from this band play as Cracker Van Beethoven with Shawn Colvin at a show in Boulder about 15 years ago.  Fun times!
Posted 6 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Sometimes there's a song that in your mind you just know is a classic- and expect to see that it averages at least a 7, if not an 8, on RP- then you see a 5.9......
Posted 6 years ago by ckevin63    [ Reply ]
The day after this was released, Camper Van Beethoven was fired from Google
Posted 7 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
I just stopped by to add the obligatory: "sounds like cracker" post... your welcome.
Posted 7 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
This disc is sheer brilliance. Especially cranked up in the car cruising down the highway.
Posted 7 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
 FatPants wrote:
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?

 

Just saw CVB and Cracker a couple days ago and waited for Mr. Lowery to say something about the lawsuit, but nary a peep.
Incidentally, they played this entire album from start to finish and it was a great way to kick off 2016.
Posted 8 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
Is David Lowery OK with his songs being played here?  Or will this trigger 50 blog posts?
Posted 8 years ago by FatPants    [ Reply ]
 Seahunt wrote:
I friggin' love this song.  Flame on haters {#Bananajam}

 
{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Bananajam}
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Relentlessly happy. Which is okay. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
I friggin' love this song.  Flame on haters {#Bananajam}
Posted 13 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:
God, for as much grief as Neil Young gets about his singing voice...  This guy's voice drives me up the friggin' wall.
 
reminds me of cracker a bit.
Posted 14 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
God, for as much grief as Neil Young gets about his singing voice...  This guy's voice drives me up the friggin' wall.
Posted 14 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 davyjrshort wrote:
Other than some of the guitar work...I'm not really certain where to begin with this one....someone said middle school? Yup, that fits it, makes total sense for target market.
 
I said middle school because that's how old I was when this album came out and when I started listening to it, courtesy of a friend's older sister who knew about the "cool" bands like The Pixies and The Sugarcubes and The Cure and They Might Be Giants.  You know, the ones we never heard on commercial radio in our town.

I still like it, partially because of nostalgia and because I still find the hook in most of the songs.  

I also randomly find myself (in my head)snarling at a certain type of woman and thinking, "Take off your turquoise jewelry."


Posted 14 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
 oilydwarf wrote:
Holy Moses! Haven't heard these guys for years and years! Not their strongest and they weren't brilliant even at their best but great to hear them. Couldn't work without RP, thanks Bill!
 
I'd argue that Key Lime Pie is brilliant through and through. One of the best albums released in the late 80's, and their cover of 'Pictures of Matchstick Men' is raw and powerful and never to be equaled. Saw them touring for this one in Dec. '89, live on the campus of San Diego State University. After the show, they signed autographs at a local laundrymat (see track titles if you don't get this joke). Great show, and got to meet them afterwards. Fan for life. {#Clap}

Posted 14 years ago by EchoWars    [ Reply ]
 More_Cowbell wrote:
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
I think Cracker is even better........Where's your cowbell anyway.  This is a good time for it.


Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 ! Cripes !     ...  {#Stop}
Posted 14 years ago by MM_Oz    [ Reply ]
 More_Cowbell wrote:
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
 

And that's not a compliment to either band.
Posted 14 years ago by grungepuppy    [ Reply ]
Yes it is!
Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Fooled me again.  I thought it was Barrier Reef by the Old 97's.
Posted 14 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
I think I'll keep Ludwig instead
Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
OK convinced CVB = Cracker
Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 mamerjamer wrote:
Did anyone ever see that awards show when David Cassidy got up on the podium with Susan Dey to present an award, and he decided to break into a rousing chorus of C'mon - Get Happy?  You could see Susan Dey saying to herself "Well, there goes 15 years of hard work trying not to be perceived as Laurie Partridge!"

His "Live365" concert was better.

He screamed obscenities at the audience and complained about how low his career was that he could only get some internet gig.

Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
Oddly enough, this album was released over 20 years ago.  The term "indie" wasn't tossed around as much back in 1988.
 
If at all. Back then, these guys were just known as "weirdos."

Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Hate his voice.{#Arghhh}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
20 years later and this band still makes me smile. I saw them live in Chicago also and was impressed by their versitility and talent. Talk was they were arrogant and caustic and would never last. Was that true?
Posted 15 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
 superfido wrote:


Yes and too wanna be indie.  Not genuine enough. imho of course
 

Oddly enough, this album was released over 20 years ago.  The term "indie" wasn't tossed around very much back in 1988.

Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Other than some of the guitar work...I'm not really certain where to begin with this one....someone said middle school? Yup, that fits it, makes total sense for target market.


Posted 15 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
I wore this album out in middle school.  Wore it out.
Posted 15 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
 physastro2050 wrote:
boring :(
 

Yes and too wanna be indie.  Not genuine enough. imho of course
Posted 15 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Long live CVB — dig deeper for some Monks of Doom and you'll really get me excited!
Posted 16 years ago by michaeltrego    [ Reply ]
Loved this song the first time I heard it.  I am a big Cracker fan, but not as familiar with the Camper Van Beethoven stuff, although I have heard the band name kicked around for years.  This is a great song.  I rarely ask for more of a song, but I hope this one gets back into the rotation a bit more like it was for a while.  Kind of makes me think of the Partridge Family - C'mon - Get Happy!

Did anyone ever see that awards show when David Cassidy got up on the podium with Susan Dey to present an award, and he decided to break into a rousing chorus of C'mon - Get Happy?  You could see Susan Dey saying to herself "Well, there goes 15 years of hard work trying not to be perceived as Laurie Partridge!"

So C'mon all you naysayers!  Get Happy! 

Posted 16 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
boring :(
Posted 16 years ago by physastro2050    [ Reply ]
NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
I like some of their stuff but this just feels like Billy Bragg without the bite.
Billy Bragg without the bite sounds exactly -this- trite.
Posted 16 years ago by Koan    [ Reply ]
This - right after Django???
Posted 16 years ago by ejsamuel    [ Reply ]
omg, how craptastic is this?! Love it
Posted 16 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
Great way to start the morning! Life is Grand by CVB!
Posted 16 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
So... did they rip off "About a Boy", or was it other way around?
Posted 16 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Holy Moses! Haven't heard these guys for years and years! Not their strongest and they weren't brilliant even at their best but great to hear them. Couldn't work without RP, thanks Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by oilydwarf    [ Reply ]
I like some of their stuff but this just feels like Billy Bragg without the bite.
Posted 16 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Borderline ~ one of my favorite tunes...
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
Yes, another vote for "Take the Skinheads Bowling" because I'm too lazy to put the vinyl on. Mozart wrote:
Life is Grand indeed with Camper Van How about playing some more? Take the Shinheads Bowling!!
Posted 16 years ago by zogma    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by gerardjfe    [ Reply ]
More college flashbacks please.
Posted 16 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
love the old cracker van wilco
Posted 17 years ago by middleagedhipster    [ Reply ]
Ah... CVB... great album. Let's hear the rest of it!
Posted 17 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
This song deserves more frequent airtime, I feel. It never fails to brighten my day. Right on, CVB!
Posted 17 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
Good song, but the band could've been better named. How about Camper Van Mozart?
Posted 17 years ago by Mozart    [ Reply ]
Expecting me to say something darker? Nuh-uh! One of their "heigh" points!
Posted 17 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
this song was in a movie...anyone know which one?
Posted 17 years ago by Kregg    [ Reply ]
funny thought it was billy bragg at first idiot me Camper is good...and now it is BB...god I am good
Posted 19 years ago by rush-2112    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Life is Grand indeed with Camper Van :sunny.gif: How about playing some more? Take the Shinheads Bowling!!
Posted 20 years ago by Mozart    [ Reply ]
This song just kicks butt. :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :goodvibes.gif:
Posted 20 years ago by Mateo    [ Reply ]
laprincessa wrote:
These guys sound like The Old 97's.
I think you have the chronology reversed there.
Posted 21 years ago by bigpomp    [ Reply ]
cvb is heaven sent
Posted 21 years ago by michaeltrego    [ Reply ]
These guys sound like The Old 97\'s.
Posted 21 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Douglas L-H: Good song, but how 'bout some more CVB. The self titled CD (the third, I think) is great. Une Fois, We Saw Jerry's Daughter, Still Wishing to Course...
I'll second that one! my all-time favorite CVB tunes are all from that album. especially "Still Wishing To Course". for some reason I could never really get into the rest of their stuff very much.
Posted 21 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, Camper Van Beethoven eh? I thought it was Status Quo! :D
Posted 22 years ago by Ragnarr    [ Reply ]
Aw man, what an irony that you play the most boring and mundane song on an otherwise great, not-mundane album. Hmph!
Posted 22 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
Life IS grand. This was a great live band and this tour was the last time I saw CVB. Never saw Cracker live but I think David Lowery needs to not be a dictator. Most of Cracker\'s stuff doesn\'t have as much fun going on. -scott
Posted 22 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by justlistening: Guess I'm i'm in the minority here. I really don't enjoy this song.
Hey Justy...I might agree with you on that, but as the album closer on an otherwise dark collection, this upbeat number was just the icing on the proverbial cake. :D
Posted 22 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
Guess I\'m i\'m in the minority here. I really don\'t enjoy this song. A little pop sounding and repetitive. Unremarkable lyrics. Other than that I can tolerate it!
Posted 22 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]