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Damien Rice — Delicate
Album: O
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1742









Released: 2003
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
We might kiss
When we are alone
When nobody's watchin'
We might take it home
We might make out
When nobody's there
It's not that we're scared
It's just that it's delicate

So why'd you fill my sorrows
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've known?
And why'd you sing hallelujah
If it means nothin' to ya?
Why'd you sing with me at all?

We might live
Like never before
When there's nothin' to give
Well, how can we ask for more?
We might make love
In some sacred place
That look on your face
Is delicate

So why'd you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place that you've known?
And why'd you sing hallelujah
If it means nothin' to ya?
Why'd you sing with me at all?

Why'd you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place that you've known?
And why'd you sing hallelujah
If it means nothin' to you?
Why'd you sing with me at all?
Comments (244)add comment
nice Irish ballad 
 ncollingridge wrote:
"Why do you sing Halleluia, if it means nothing to yer". I shudder when I hear it, particularly when sung in such a strained and empassioned way. Really bad.
 
It's been suggested this song is about Jeff Buckley. In that context the strained and empassioned vocals are appropriate.
Love that you are playing Damien Rice. Thank you!  He is brilliant!
 diggyduffy wrote:


Unfortunately, most of the time it's the haters who like to post their opinions. Apparently, it makes them feel really clever! Really?!?


According to the little graph, the vast majority voted it "7", followed by "8" and then "9". The rest of the ratings are by the RP illuminati, who know better than the majority...
 sharkey wrote:

Based on the 90% negative comments, I can't believe the rating for this. The lovers must be rating 10



Unfortunately, most of the time it's the haters who like to post their opinions. Apparently, it makes them feel really clever! Really?!?
I thought this was David Grey! 
I guess I just love depressing songs... 10 for me
 tiara wrote:
Damien Rice is totally the new 'it' male singer-songwriter...
 
Some comments sure do get dusty over time...
 m_logie wrote:

Hover over columns for data: 1: 43; 2: 25; 3: 59; 4: 33; 5: 46; 6: 76; 7: 221; 8: 240; 9: 135; 10: 64

—> Mean = 6.8047
—> Mode = 8
—> Median = 7

The mode may be 8, but the low numbers do a good job of dragging the mean down.
On a different note, I like this song. 


 
Why some people are obsessed with frequency histograms? Next thing, they will be explaining skewness and statistical moments. 
Wow I forgot about this song... long time no...
Kinda surprised at the haters on this one, but to each his own I guess. And yes, not one to get the blood pumping or booty shakin. But for me, as someone below mentioned, this is truly a sublime work of music. If I'm in the least bit of a sad mood when I hear it, it can often brings tears... a rarity for noises emanating from vibrating cones of paper to elicit.
I like the tune, but I cant help wishing that this was a Nirvana cover from the MTV Unplugged album. Kurt would have done the vocal justice. Damien doesn't.
Thank you! Wonderful song and just the right time.
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
I know he's released other albums, but Damien Rice touched heaven with this one. I first heard snatches of it on a business trip to Dublin in the early oughts. Genuinely sublime.

 
I agree!  So many great songs on "O".  Top for me - Volcano, Cannonball, Blower's daughter and this one.  
I know he's released other albums, but Damien Rice touched heaven with this one. I first heard snatches of it on a business trip to Dublin in the early oughts. Genuinely sublime.
A truly dark, melancholy and beautiful masterpiece.  
I just had to pass on this song (miserable music) via psd which gives "Change Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke man! A song fantastic in so many ways
Gawd what a boring and depressing song :^ /
I could not disagree with my RP brethren more about this song. I think it is sublimely powerful. And any recovering Catholic, like myself, completely understands the 'Why'd ya say hallelujah..." line.
 ncollingridge wrote:
Candidate for worst couplet EVER - "Why do you sing Halleluia, if it means nothing to yer". I shudder when I hear it, particularly when sung in such a strained and empassioned way. Really bad.

 
I think it's been used before, somewhere ...
 dragon1952 wrote:
Jesus H....could there be a more boring, monotonous, meaningless, off key song? Seriously.....6.8? {#Stupid}

 
There are probably thousands of songs which fit that description. Apparently, you've never heard The Shaggs.
yeah, must say, this is pretty painful to listen to.
Jesus H....could there be a more boring, monotonous, meaningless, off key song? Seriously.....6.8? {#Stupid}
{#Moon}
Candidate for worst couplet EVER - "Why do you sing Halleluia, if it means nothing to yer". I shudder when I hear it, particularly when sung in such a strained and empassioned way. Really bad.
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Just bad.  I'm assuming the album title is the singer's own rating


 
It's certainly mine.
Another painting studio favorite.
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Gaaah — I thought this sucked out loud a couple of years ago, and my opinion hasn't changed.  

 
Still sucking as 2014 dawns!
 MrRedwood wrote:
Interesting.  As of August 2012, looking at the little ratings bar graph, the mode is clearly 8, and at a glance it doesn't look like there are enough ratings below 7 to yank the mean down to 6.8.

Geeks wanna know:  can we get a website update that lets us click through to the raw data?  {#Stupid} 

(I gave it a 9, primarily for the aching yearning in his vocals and the melancholy of the cello.)

 
You don't have to make excuses for your rating.  Damien Rice is great, and for some reason people love to shit on the moody, mellow songs.  This one's worth a "9".
Gaaah — I thought this sucked out loud a couple of years ago, and my opinion hasn't changed.  
 MrRedwood wrote:
Interesting.  As of August 2012, looking at the little ratings bar graph, the mode is clearly 8, and at a glance it doesn't look like there are enough ratings below 7 to yank the mean down to 6.8.

Geeks wanna know:  can we get a website update that lets us click through to the raw data?  {#Stupid} 

(I gave it a 9, primarily for the aching yearning in his vocals and the melancholy of the cello.)
 
Hover over columns for data: 

1: 43; 2: 25; 3: 59; 4: 33; 5: 46; 6: 76; 7: 221; 8: 240; 9: 135; 10: 64

—> Mean = 6.8047
—> Mode = 8
—> Median = 7

The mode may be 8, but the low numbers do a good job of dragging the mean down.
On a different note, I like this song. 


Interesting.  As of August 2012, looking at the little ratings bar graph, the mode is clearly 8, and at a glance it doesn't look like there are enough ratings below 7 to yank the mean down to 6.8.

Geeks wanna know:  can we get a website update that lets us click through to the raw data?  {#Stupid} 

(I gave it a 9, primarily for the aching yearning in his vocals and the melancholy of the cello.)
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
My daughter (fledgling artist among thousands) covered another of his. Quite something. I'd never heard of it before.
 
She's quite a singer.  Keep her at it, and even if it doesn't boom into a career in music, at least her loved ones will get to enjoy sharing in her passion for music.  And she has good taste in songs to cover as well.


Didn't really like this one.  Hope he has some others that are better.
 slickdh wrote:
Wow.  Powerful - when your in the middle of a breakup (like me)... this song touches my heart. 
 
My daughter (fledgling artist among thousands) covered another of his. Quite something. I'd never heard of it before.



Ray Lamontagne & Damien Rice - To love somebody, Live

"To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st. The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody", a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals. However, Redding died in an airplane crash before he could record the song.

The song was recorded at IBC Studios, London in March, 1967 and released as a single in mid July, 1967 in the U.S.    Wikipedia

One of the most famous Gibb compositions, "To Love Somebody" was covered by hundreds of artists, most notably:

  

 



cathenley wrote:
You really have to GET Damien Rice to appreciate him. But when you do...you do...
One of the more disturbing contemporary conceits, imagining that you are capable of an understanding that eludes others based on favoring a brand of car, recording artist or melatonin profile. "It's a (insert divisive term) thing, you wouldn't understand."

It's entirely possible to have great personal emotional experience, be aware of the background and influences of an artist, comprehend the point of the lyric and still not appreciate that artist (or anything else).


Damien Rice was lucky enough to have an uncle influential in the recording business and worked hard to take advantage of his good fortune. Prolific and interesting, just not the sweetest fruit on the tree to my ears.

DAMN good song.............................. Damn Good!
Wow.  Powerful - when your in the middle of a breakup (like me)... this song touches my heart. 
I cannot believe the low rating. This is a beautiful song :)
 sharkey wrote:
Based on the 90% negative comments, I can't believe the rating for this. The lovers must be rating 10
 

We're too busy enjoying the song to comment.  I'll make an exception.  8
Just bad.  I'm assuming the album title is the singer's own rating

I always enjoy the varied and great choice on RP... but have to admit this one has me reaching for the 'happy pills'...
 alanthecowboy wrote:

You are incorrect.  You rate it a 3 because you don't like the performance.  That's a lot different than the performance sucking. 

 


I don't like hospitals. This album is interesting

Damien Rice by ~p0m
©2007-2010 ~p0m

"O"


 TreborG2 wrote:
yeah I'm with heckler about hecklers...

Seriously though... just looking down a few of the comments ... I'm like.. yeah.. I feel that way about TGD (The Grateful'o Dead) ok.. I apologize I don't do that for "windoze" and I don't mean to insult your demigods ... but Radio Paradise is one of the best places to hear just about anything that isn't country or western... and even some that come quite close..

what many need to remember when they hear these songs that they dislike.. is that somewhere, someone is having their little moment of paradise in the day.. and for me.. i hear this song starting and I start to feel a little calming mellow spot in the center of my chest ... and I then make the point of enjoying the moment because someday I'll have wished I could ...
 

Well said. This is why i listen to RP. Nuggets for me. It doesn't matter to me how many people like it or what the rating is.
Where's the sick bucket?
{#Curtain}  (Searches for the Melts into a Puddle emoticon again) Beautiful song, thank you Radio Paradise! {#Cheers}
 FrankMc wrote:
I think it is probably one of those generation gap things. I think some of the haters might calm down and like something like this later in life.

 
I'm later in life than I'd like, and might like this if it didnt' induce narcolepsy {#Sleep}
 RadioDoc wrote:

I'm 52, have been around long enough to have perspective on life, and now rate this a 3.  Why?  The performance sucks.

 
You are incorrect.  You rate it a 3 because you don't like the performance.  That's a lot different than the performance sucking. 

 FrankMc wrote:
I think it is probably one of those generation gap things. I think some of the haters might calm down and like something like this later in life. This is a real hard song to get when you are still working under the impression that you are bulletproof and that life will continue to describe an upward arc throughout its course.
 
I'm 52, have been around long enough to have perspective on life, and now rate this a 3.  Why?  The performance sucks.

Sadly excruciating
Can't wait til their crap ends.
Not all are 18 yrs- old . I'm a lyric guy. This loses.
I think it is probably one of those generation gap things. I think some of the haters might calm down and like something like this later in life. This is a real hard song to get when you are still working under the impression that you are bulletproof and that life will continue to describe an upward arc throughout its course.

I rate it in an 8. Showing my age. I rate Older Chests damn near a 10. I bet a lot of y'all that give this song a 4 would give that one a 2.

 
sharkey wrote:
Based on the 90% negative comments, I can't believe the rating for this. The lovers must be rating 10
 


I enjoy the tune, the arrangements, and the passion with which Damien sings.  It's just so dang depressing — the whole album.  I have to resist the urge to slit my wrists every time I hear a tune from "O".
...such sweet sadness
Based on the 90% negative comments, I can't believe the rating for this. The lovers must be rating 10
All the mental comfort of a brain freeze.

4
So repetitive....
TreborG2 wrote:
... somewhere, someone is having their little moment of paradise in the day.. and for me.. i hear this song starting and I start to feel a little calming mellow spot in the center of my chest ... and I then make the point of enjoying the moment because someday I'll have wished I could ...


point well taken ...  {#Meditate}{#Daisy}{#Meditate}
Typical. {#Frustrated}

 
Excelsior wrote:
{#Puke}
 


boy, I say BOY!  Speak up son, I cain't hear ya!
You really have to GET Damien Rice to appreciate him. But when you do...you do... {#Drool}

Excelsior wrote:
{#Puke}


it is a particular style - 4.
{#Puke}
I love it...its mellow...and perfect for a sunny Saturday morning...
What is this guys story? He's Irish?
110% horrid.
robco1 wrote:
This is a great song. I came to the comments thread to see if that "Hallelujah" reference was for the Cohen song, and all I find are the usual "this sucks/boring/not macho enough" crapola. Hecklers suck.
yeah I'm with heckler about hecklers... Seriously though... just looking down a few of the comments ... I'm like.. yeah.. I feel that way about TGD (The Grateful'o Dead) ok.. I apologize I don't do that for "windoze" and I don't mean to insult your demigods ... but Radio Paradise is one of the best places to hear just about anything that isn't country or western... and even some that come quite close.. what many need to remember when they hear these songs that they dislike.. is that somewhere, someone is having their little moment of paradise in the day.. and for me.. i hear this song starting and I start to feel a little calming mellow spot in the center of my chest ... and I then make the point of enjoying the moment because someday I'll have wished I could ...
This is a great song. I came to the comments thread to see if that "Hallelujah" reference was for the Cohen song, and all I find are the usual "this sucks/boring/not macho enough" crapola. Hecklers suck.
first time i heard it i liked it. 2nd time, i liked it. by the 10th time, i thought it was a bit dull. and after that i just mute it.
This CD has the correct rating right there on the cover. Too bad our scale only goes to 1.
lost songs!!!
jenakle wrote:
Damien Rice - Delicate Elliott Smith - Angeles nice pairing happens often at home too
Hmmm, and just happened again today !
Melancholy rubbish.
I want to tell him: "Damien, honey, take a "
EleventhMan wrote:
Damien is Irish....
Ireland is a part of Europe and a member of the EU
...outstanding...
Dull
Damien Rice - Delicate Elliott Smith - Angeles nice pairing happens often at home too
Love this song, though I'll always be bothered by having to change the volume about a minute into it.
Geecheeboy wrote:
He DOES say Hallelujah.
I wonder if it means anything to him ...
I know it doesn't fit, just to balance things out...
I'm a patient listener. Well, usually. This was painful.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz....
One word always comes to mind when I hear this song: overwrought.
This guy really bores me to tears.
lionirons wrote:
...and the Europeans think of us in the States as a violent bunch...
Damien is Irish....
Nice song
Tayto wrote:
Great song, sung with passion, but Rice just winds me up to no end - it's SO overplayed here in London and Ireland.....it would make you want to chuck your girlfriend off the nearest cliff!
...and the Europeans think of us in the States as a violent bunch...
nice for a quiet drizzly morn
pigglywiggly wrote:
You're thinking of another song. This is a Damien Rice original.
He DOES say Hallelujah.
Ixion wrote:
All these bird songs, followed by a song called "delicate", sung by a guy named Rice. Makes me want to eat stir-fry chicken.
All these bird songs, followed by a song called "delicate", sung by a guy named Rice. makes me want to eat stir-fy chicken.
Great song, sung with passion, but Rice just winds me up to no end - it's SO overplayed here in London and Ireland.....it would make you want to chuck your girlfriend off the nearest cliff!
ginger wrote:
This is nice, but to me, the Jeff Buckley version is vastly superior. In fact, anything by JB gives me chills. He was an amazing talent.
You're thinking of another song. This is a Damien Rice original.
pannaramma wrote:
B O R I N G
Quite right.
This is nice, but to me, the Jeff Buckley version is vastly superior. In fact, anything by JB gives me chills. He was an amazing talent.
"hallelujah"/"to ya" - a bit clichÚd? Lots of feeling right enough, but a bit of tedious tune IMO
Not really moving me, but I could see why others like it.
lillymedesto wrote:
over breathy stuff... I bought this CD and never, ever got into it.
hey, i did, too. usually i like this kind of thing. but, not this time.
agnes wrote:
Makes me miss somebody I never really knew. You know who you are.
I miss you too.
agnes wrote:
Makes me miss somebody I never really knew. You know who you are.
You're right. It's achy.
Makes me miss somebody I never really knew. You know who you are.
over breathy stuff... I bought this CD and never, ever got into it.
SHUT UP!!!!! SHUT UP!!!!! SHUT IT!!!
love this song, especially the last line because it hit me like a ton of bricks. a lot of emotion there...
My reason for not liking this song, even though I loved it to begin with: I got fooled by the slow beautiful guitar and the intimite voice. The great sound. But it's actually just a boring and empty song. To me, he's a juvenile whiner, not an artist. But maybe he'll do good in 10 years. But hey, it's just music.. keith_mineo wrote:
A fine song, I'll give it my first "9" I for one do like the voice, very nice sound all around. I wonder if the reason why so many people start off liking this album (and then don't), I wonder if it's because it reminds them of some ex-lover, you know how that goes. cheer up Flyfree, there's other fish in the sea.
JEEEEEZ!!! Cut that out Damien. Grow some!
Thanks, Bill!! I used to listen to Damien Rice all the time on Rhapsody, but they took my favorite album off their playlist, and I've been missing it something fierce ever since!!
Such a beautiful simple song
ndanger666 wrote:
This sounds like he got his privates caught in a mousetrap. No more; I beg you!
hahahha! Drilling a hole in my head sounds more entertaining then this song...
sneff wrote:
This guy is O so boring...
Rapidly losing consciousness... must stay awake. Can't fall asleeppppppppppppppppppp
At first, I thought someone was doing something very bad to David Gray.
Couldn't hit the mute button fast enough
This guy is O so boring...
Another good song introduced to me by the TV series 'Lost'. The song wouldn't be as highly rated by me if I didn't like that TV show so much (e.g., if I had just heard the song on the radio first, instead). Not that you should care what I think, anyway, you jerk.