Over the Rhine — The Laugh of Recognition
Album: The Long SurrenderAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1490
Length: 4:22
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Come on boys
It's time to settle down
What do you think you'll gain
From all this runnin' around?
Come on boys
It's time to let it go
Everybody has a dream
That they will never own
Come on boys
It's time to let her down
You might be surprised
How far she'll get
With her feet on the ground
So come on boys
Every night we always
Led the pack
There and back
And we never could do anything half
Oh you have to laugh
You just gotta laugh
So come on boys
It weren't not for tryin'
It's called the laugh of recognition
When you laugh but you feel like dyin'
Come on boys
Now don't be shy
If we gotta walk away
We gotta hold our heads up high
You're not the first one to start again
Come on now friends
There is something to be said for tenacity
I'll hold on to you
If you hold on to me
Come on boys
It's time to settle down
What do you think you'll gain
From all this runnin' around?
Come on boys
It's time to let it go
Everybody has a dream
That they will never own
Come on boys
It's time to let her down
You might be surprised
How far she'll get
With her feet on the ground
So come on boys
Every night we always
Led the pack
There and back
And we never could do anything half
Oh you have to laugh
You just gotta laugh
So come on boys
It weren't not for tryin'
It's called the laugh of recognition
When you laugh but you feel like dyin'
Come on boys
Now don't be shy
If we gotta walk away
We gotta hold our heads up high
You're not the first one to start again
Come on now friends
There is something to be said for tenacity
I'll hold on to you
If you hold on to me
Come on boys
Comments (68)add comment
The_Wanderer wrote:
i second this. i've only seen them twice, but well worth both times.
A band that is worth going out of your way to see live.
i second this. i've only seen them twice, but well worth both times.
coloradojohn wrote:
I Agree!!
Her voice is always great, but in this, it's downright incredible... The lyrics, as well, grab me by the heartstrings every time...
I Agree!!
Her voice is always great, but in this, it's downright incredible... The lyrics, as well, grab me by the heartstrings every time...
Love this tune. Sort of Grace Potter-ish.
Some of the Queen City's finest kiddos.
A band that is worth going out of your way to see live.
ziakut wrote:
Absolutely! Started with Joni Mitchell, then CSNY with Jerry Garcia playing the instrument.
I am a sucker for pedal steel guitar. Even if a song isn't that great...and the pedal steel comes in...I'm like...ohhhhh yeahhhhh!!!!
Absolutely! Started with Joni Mitchell, then CSNY with Jerry Garcia playing the instrument.
Cincinnati's own 
Thank you, Bill and Rebecca, for introducing me to OTR.
I love the sultry Lucinda Williams style delivery and the backing is just right.
I love the sultry Lucinda Williams style delivery and the backing is just right.
I don't think of OTR as a "Southern" band, but Karin is sure drawling it up on this song. I've met her and talked with her (she liked my necktie!), and I don't remember anything like this in her speech. The Southern inflection totally works here, though.
She sounds a lot like Nora Jones to me. Not a bad thing.
c.
c.
Wow.
Never heard of this band (and I've spent much time in the American South). I read a number of positive comments about the lyrics. This subset elicited a slow exhale from me:
Everybody has a dream
That they will never own
...
So come on boys
It weren't not for tryin'
It's called the laugh of recognition
When you laugh but you feel like dyin'
Never heard of this band (and I've spent much time in the American South). I read a number of positive comments about the lyrics. This subset elicited a slow exhale from me:
Everybody has a dream
That they will never own
...
So come on boys
It weren't not for tryin'
It's called the laugh of recognition
When you laugh but you feel like dyin'
Beautiful. Thanks again RP.
I know that laugh of recognition, but never from slutting around... I have been waaaaaaaay too drunk though.
What an exquisite voice. 
There's a wonderful video of a performance of this:
https://youtu.be/DmvLo9j8dOE
https://youtu.be/DmvLo9j8dOE
bh1 wrote:
While I like the song, that's an odd comment......there's nothing at all to mind if you don't wake up.
There is a sadness to this song that appeals to me. The pace and rhythm just work for me right now. The voice is comforting. If I went to sleep to this I wouldn't mind not waking up.
While I like the song, that's an odd comment......there's nothing at all to mind if you don't wake up.
sunflowerbee wrote:
i love this one. so much.
I am loving this radio paradise.😍
Sort of reminds me of the song, oh children from nick cave. 
No flaws for me in this perfect bittersweet gem.
"I Want You to Be My Love..." same group. Love their style.
But you get to wake up in Vermont! 
bh1 wrote:
bh1 wrote:There is a sadness to this song that appeals to me. The pace and rhythm just work for me right now. The voice is comforting. If I went to sleep to this I wouldn't mind not waking up.
There is a sadness to this song that appeals to me. The pace and rhythm just work for me right now. The voice is comforting. If I went to sleep to this I wouldn't mind not waking up.
I am a sucker for pedal steel guitar. Even if a song isn't that great...and the pedal steel comes in...I'm like...ohhhhh yeahhhhh!!!!
Captivating voice. Compelling lyrics (see a post below).
Great song, i did'nt know this band. Thank you R.P.
So nice to see this on RP
One of the best qualities of OTR is the beautiful melding of piano with voice. This shows up well on this song and especially so on the Ohio album. Or so I think. These folks are really in sync.
poetista wrote:
I love this post. Thanks for writing that.
Something about the opening of this song reminded me of an old country road in Baton Rouge. As it turned off Jefferson Highway, it started off gravel and turned to dirt. At the turnoff there was a hundred-year-old oak tree. I used to drive my sister to horseback riding lessons down that road. Funny how a song can do that.
Now I'm homesick for a place that isn't there anymore.
What a great experience.
Now I'm homesick for a place that isn't there anymore.
What a great experience.
I love this post. Thanks for writing that.
Something about the opening of this song reminded me of an old country road in Baton Rouge. As it turned off Jefferson Highway, it started off gravel and turned to dirt. At the turnoff there was a hundred-year-old oak tree. I used to drive my sister to horseback riding lessons down that road. Funny how a song can do that.
Now I'm homesick for a place that isn't there anymore.
What a great experience.
Now I'm homesick for a place that isn't there anymore.
What a great experience.
Biscobret wrote:
What an incredibly well done and beautiful song.
What in incredibly well done and beautiful average song.
What an incredibly well done and beautiful song.
What in incredibly well done and beautiful average song.
snitramc wrote:
Oh darn! I missed them. I saw them the last time they were there.
Old Town School, one of the best places in the world!
Not the best OTR song, by a long shot. But still very nice. Just saw them live last month at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I especially loved it when they shut off all the mics and sang au natural. That's when you can tell they really hit the harmonies every time. Truly a talented band. Keep up the great work.
Oh darn! I missed them. I saw them the last time they were there.
Old Town School, one of the best places in the world!
snitramc wrote:
indeed. i love them.
Not the best OTR song, by a long shot. But still very nice. Just saw them live last month at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I especially loved it when they shut off all the mics and sang au natural. That's when you can tell they really hit the harmonies every time. Truly a talented band. Keep up the great work.
indeed. i love them.
bam23 wrote:
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
Many residents of the southern states of the United States of America think that most Americans are stupid elitist because "he doesn't sound like me". This is another prevalent attitude you find if you spend enough time in the American South. So your point is?
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
Many residents of the southern states of the United States of America think that most Americans are stupid elitist because "he doesn't sound like me". This is another prevalent attitude you find if you spend enough time in the American South. So your point is?
Not the best OTR song, by a long shot. But still very nice. Just saw them live last month at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I especially loved it when they shut off all the mics and sang au natural. That's when you can tell they really hit the harmonies every time. Truly a talented band. Keep up the great work.
Dog_Ear wrote:
Me too.
Amazing song - Another gem I never would have heard anywhere but RP
Me too.
Looking forward to seeing james on the Cayamo Cruise in Feb!!!
voice is shades of Ravi Shankar's daughter
What a perfect song to showcase Karin's velvety voice. 
Amazing song - Another gem I never would have heard anywhere but RP
bam23 wrote:
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
Nope, he does have a point. Barthelona is a good example of the vocal equivalent of bound feet. An inherited lisp or a regional lisp is stil a lisp..
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
Nope, he does have a point. Barthelona is a good example of the vocal equivalent of bound feet. An inherited lisp or a regional lisp is stil a lisp..
g-rod wrote:
I really like the Joe Henry influence on the album. It is worth a listen.
I discovered OTR on the Ohio album, and that is my favorite. My personal opinion is that this album is a step above the last two studio albums.
How's the new album?
I really like the Joe Henry influence on the album. It is worth a listen.
I discovered OTR on the Ohio album, and that is my favorite. My personal opinion is that this album is a step above the last two studio albums.
jeaster wrote:
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
I like the music, but can barely listen to it, and cannot stand to hear her actually speak. I listened to the story on NPR a few weeks ago, and all I could hear is how she adds an "SH" to every word that starts with an "S". Starts becomes shtarts, simply shimply, serious becomes sheriously. Sheriously drives me up a shtupid wall.
Yeah, but I will bet real money that your accent has aspects that annoy the hell out of those who don't pronounce things the right way, yours. Lots of Americans think that residents of the South are stupid because of their way of pronouncing words (I have heard this expressed too many times to doubt that this is a prevalent attitude). I would suggest that y'all keep your blinkered perspective in check. Van Morrison must also annoy you, with his idiosyncratic ways of pronouncing English words, right?
Nice lyrics and music!
The Laugh Of Recognition
Come on boys
It's time to settle down
What do you think you'll gain
From all this runnin' around?
Come on boys
It's time to let it go
Everybody has a dream
That they will never own
Come on boys
It's time to let her down
You might be surprised
How far she'll get
With her feet on the ground
So come on boys
Every night we always
Led the pack
There and back
And we never could do anything half
You just have to laugh
Oh you gotta laugh
So come on boys
It weren't not for tryin'
It's called the laugh of recognition
When you laugh but you feel like dyin'
Come on boys
Now don't be shy
If we gotta walk away
We gotta hold our heads up high
You're not the first one to start again
Come on now friends
There is something to be said for tenacity
I'll hold on to you
If you hold on to me
Come on boys
Oh great, this song again. I'll be listening again in 5 minutes.
imnotpc wrote:
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
I think accents in Baltimore and Pittsburgh can be like that too, based on my visits to both places and TV shows like "Homicide: Life on the Streets. My brother went to school in Pittsburgh and he would amaze us with stories about natives saying things like "Yins gawn dawntawn?" and "Ey, your windows need warsh."
If yins want to read more about American accents, check out this great New York Times from a coupla years back:
https://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/17/travel/escapes/17accent.html
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
I think accents in Baltimore and Pittsburgh can be like that too, based on my visits to both places and TV shows like "Homicide: Life on the Streets. My brother went to school in Pittsburgh and he would amaze us with stories about natives saying things like "Yins gawn dawntawn?" and "Ey, your windows need warsh."
If yins want to read more about American accents, check out this great New York Times from a coupla years back:
https://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/17/travel/escapes/17accent.html
| Posted: Feb 24, 2011 - 10:17 |
"This reminds me too much of Tori Amos. Sooooooooo 1."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Don't hear it, not even a little.
6+ on my first listen.No matter the reason for the speech impediment, I cannot listen any more. I shurrender. Shtop Shinging, pleash.
imnotpc wrote:
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
"Please? I didn't hear you."
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
"Please? I didn't hear you."
jeaster wrote:
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
I like the music, but can barely listen to it, and cannot stand to hear her actually speak. I listened to the story on NPR a few weeks ago, and all I could hear is how she adds an "SH" to every word that starts with an "S". Starts becomes shtarts, simply shimply, serious becomes sheriously. Sheriously drives me up a shtupid wall.
A Cincinnati accent also often replaces the "s" with a "rsh". For example Washington becomes "Warshington". You get used to it eventually.
I like the music, but can barely listen to it, and cannot stand to hear her actually speak. I listened to the story on NPR a few weeks ago, and all I could hear is how she adds an "SH" to every word that starts with an "S". Starts becomes shtarts, simply shimply, serious becomes sheriously. Sheriously drives me up a shtupid wall.
This reminds me too much of Tori Amos. Sooooooooo 1.
YES!! I havent been so excited about a CD in a long time.... Great to hear new stuff from OTR.
Nice cut from talk radio
So glad to hear that Bill is playing something off the new album.
bam23 wrote:
It might be on sale at Borders now!
A subliminal perception caused me to see if this was indeed Over the Rhine. A partial hearing is encouraging and may send me to the local CD store.
It might be on sale at Borders now!
Another great segue! From The Mystery Zone to this song = sublime!
Woooooooooooowwww....... This is the prettiest song i've heard the last couple of months.... WOOW!
10!!
10!!
A subliminal perception caused me to see if this was indeed Over the Rhine. A partial hearing is encouraging and may send me to the local CD store.
How's the new album?
Love OtR, in case you're wondering.
Her voice is always great, but in this, it's downright incredible... The lyrics, as well, grab me by the heartstrings every time...
Pride and acceptance in the face of defeat...