Natalie Merchant — Build A Levee
Album: MotherlandAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1378
Length: 4:36
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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When I was just a little girl
My mamma said to me
"Beware of the devil my chld
in the dark rocky places he'll keep
Beware of the devil my child
Beware of his charming ways
You'll fall under an evil spell
just looking at his beautiful face
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside"
"Don't go walking by the riverside
alone in the pale moonlight
He'll come upon you girl
With no earthy body in sight
Come up upon you girl
and he'll whisper something sweet
then take you
where the waters rise so high and run so deep"
"You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl
When the waters run high"
Now when I was just a little girl
My mamma said to me
"Beware of the devil my child
but if by chance you should meet
Beware of his cold dark eyes
Full of bold and unholy deceit
He'll tempt you with a whirling pool of lies
and promises he'll deny
or that he'll never keep"
"You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee deep inside
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl
when the waters run high"
My mamma said to me
"Beware of the devil my chld
in the dark rocky places he'll keep
Beware of the devil my child
Beware of his charming ways
You'll fall under an evil spell
just looking at his beautiful face
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside"
"Don't go walking by the riverside
alone in the pale moonlight
He'll come upon you girl
With no earthy body in sight
Come up upon you girl
and he'll whisper something sweet
then take you
where the waters rise so high and run so deep"
"You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl
When the waters run high"
Now when I was just a little girl
My mamma said to me
"Beware of the devil my child
but if by chance you should meet
Beware of his cold dark eyes
Full of bold and unholy deceit
He'll tempt you with a whirling pool of lies
and promises he'll deny
or that he'll never keep"
"You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee deep inside
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl
when the waters run high"
Comments (92)add comment
Love Natalie!!! And I echo Bill's comments. It's his show... he has made it what it is: the best i-radio station on the planet. I started listening in the early days of net radio when their numbers were few and I discovered him at KPIG. Been a listener ever since.
vandal wrote:
@William: it's your station, play what you want.
Cuz the vast majority of us like what you play...
@William: it's your station, play what you want.
Cuz the vast majority of us like what you play...
Kinda similar voice to Beth Orton, except Natalie actually hits the notes.
drabbelier wrote:
sounds like Tracy Chapman for her voice for me :)
I love her voice! Got to know her right here on RP. In two weeks my wife and I are going to see her live in Amstedarm! Thanks Bill and Rebecca!
sounds like Tracy Chapman for her voice for me :)
I love her voice! Got to know her right here on RP. In two weeks my wife and I are going to see her live in Amstedarm! Thanks Bill and Rebecca!
Thanks RP.
She's awful. Just awful.
Her voice is delicious.
rmurray248 wrote:
Even at 20 years, the h8r's whining still echos through the ages.
The mandate seems to be clear - less Natalie. Do you listen, or do you try to impose your personal taste?
Even at 20 years, the h8r's whining still echos through the ages.
Yasss Queen. Sing it, Natalie. Be gone haters…
acolt wrote:
I guess I'm one of those rare peeps who have no opinion on Natalie Merchant. My favorite of her work with 10,000 Maniacs was a cover, and I've never really gotten into her independent stuff. That said, it's always, y'know, fine to listen to.
Regarding the other 17-year-old nonsense in this thread, Bill has every right to play what he wants to (personally, I'd wish for less Neil Young and Tom Waits), but also he needs to play enough stuff people actually like to keep the station going and pay for his and Rebecca's life. Seems like he's doing well enough on both, despite some of the whining and howling voices in the comments (mine included).
And that's why Bill gifted us with the PSD button. ;)
I guess I'm one of those rare peeps who have no opinion on Natalie Merchant. My favorite of her work with 10,000 Maniacs was a cover, and I've never really gotten into her independent stuff. That said, it's always, y'know, fine to listen to.
Regarding the other 17-year-old nonsense in this thread, Bill has every right to play what he wants to (personally, I'd wish for less Neil Young and Tom Waits), but also he needs to play enough stuff people actually like to keep the station going and pay for his and Rebecca's life. Seems like he's doing well enough on both, despite some of the whining and howling voices in the comments (mine included).
And that's why Bill gifted us with the PSD button. ;)
byknarf wrote:
I guess I'm one of those rare peeps who have no opinion on Natalie Merchant. My favorite of her work with 10,000 Maniacs was a cover, and I've never really gotten into her independent stuff. That said, it's always, y'know, fine to listen to.
Regarding the other 17-year-old nonsense in this thread, Bill has every right to play what he wants to (personally, I'd wish for less Neil Young and Tom Waits), but also he needs to play enough stuff people actually like to keep the station going and pay for his and Rebecca's life. Seems like he's doing well enough on both, despite some of the whining and howling voices in the comments (mine included).
Maybe the thing with Natalie is you either love her or hate her. I' ve decided to love her. I really like her and 10.000 maniacs.
Her solo work makes me always listen when I hear it on RP, this is an involuntary process almost.
I guess I'm one of those rare peeps who have no opinion on Natalie Merchant. My favorite of her work with 10,000 Maniacs was a cover, and I've never really gotten into her independent stuff. That said, it's always, y'know, fine to listen to.
Regarding the other 17-year-old nonsense in this thread, Bill has every right to play what he wants to (personally, I'd wish for less Neil Young and Tom Waits), but also he needs to play enough stuff people actually like to keep the station going and pay for his and Rebecca's life. Seems like he's doing well enough on both, despite some of the whining and howling voices in the comments (mine included).
Is it possible that this is the second time in less than 24 hours that the song was played? I love it. Play it daily for all I care.
BillG wrote:
To this day I love Natalie so much. Thank you so much for this brilliantly curated channels, @BilllG!
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
To this day I love Natalie so much. Thank you so much for this brilliantly curated channels, @BilllG!
Maybe the thing with Natalie is you either love her or hate her. I' ve decided to love her. I really like her and 10.000 maniacs.
Her solo work makes me always listen when I hear it on RP, this is an involuntary process almost.
Please Bill go on playing music I haven' t heard before. This is what I like about (your) radio. Sometimes you get to listen to songs you don't like and with RP I learned I like a lot of what I hear.
I currently am in Covid isolation for the fifth and hopefully the last day. All this time RP has really pulled me through, night and day!
Her solo work makes me always listen when I hear it on RP, this is an involuntary process almost.
Please Bill go on playing music I haven' t heard before. This is what I like about (your) radio. Sometimes you get to listen to songs you don't like and with RP I learned I like a lot of what I hear.
I currently am in Covid isolation for the fifth and hopefully the last day. All this time RP has really pulled me through, night and day!
Lotsa girls get lost (or worse) at the levee. Thank you Natalie for reminding us of our own not-so-admirable potential.
BillG wrote:
@William: it's your station, play what you want.
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
@William: it's your station, play what you want.
really enjoy the album - especially the title track
zaknafein wrote:
You're insane
Am I insane, or does it seem like this song gets played a lot?
You're insane
For those who have ears to hear.
rmurray248 wrote:
: )
The mandate seems to be clear - less Natalie. Do you listen, or do you try to impose your personal taste?
William wrote:
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
: )
What a truly wonderful artist Natalie is!!!! Love it all.
Build yourself a levee deep inside.
Not a bad idea. Just remember to also build a bridge. You might find someone to cross over. Maybe.
Not a bad idea. Just remember to also build a bridge. You might find someone to cross over. Maybe.
godspeed wrote:
... I too! ... 
...
damn sexy she...transfixed by that voice I... 
... Transfixed? ... ... I too! ... ...
LOVE THIS SONG!!!! Great sound, especially with Mavis Staples on backing vocals.
But what happens When the Levee Breaks?
Still rates as the female singer/songwriter I would most like to meet...
damn sexy she...transfixed by that voice I...
mojoman wrote:
One of the more annoying voices in music today.
How about, one of the most annoying voices of all time.
deanofox wrote:
Hmm... sounds a bit too much like a seagul. Nice tits though.
Nice touch. Seems that you and the UK ambassador in Warsaw share the same subtle British wit.
Damn the vitriol, full speed ahead. I like her! Have ever since 10,000 M. The gal has talent, and a unique voice.
One of the more annoying voices in music today.
deanofox wrote:
Hmm... sounds a bit too much like a seagul. Nice tits though.
.....
what a sophisticated, insightful comment.
Hmm... sounds a bit too much like a seagul. Nice tits though.
Good song from a good CD
Not a fan. Actually turn volume down until she's finished. 
Bill, are you being funny? Here are some other suggestions from the RP collection:
- When The Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin)
- New Orleans is Sinking (The Tragically Hip)
- Down in the Flood (Leon Russell)
SCprof wrote:
I LOVE her voice. This isn't my favorite song or album of hers, but PLEASE don't stop playing her music.
Meeee too. :nodhead: I like this CD very much...it's a little more grown up than her past work. I would like to hear more NM on RP.
I LOVE her voice. This isn't my favorite song or album of hers, but PLEASE don't stop playing her music.
wow, I don't get it...I love Natalie Merchant and when I heard this song come on was happy that RP was playing her, and even off this album, which I felt was underappreciated...but apparently it's underappreciated here too...oh well
I know the programing is subject to Bill's tastes, but c'mon. Any preformer with as much negative reation as Natalie warrants a real hard look regarding scaling her airtime WAY back.
Despite the previous comment that it's just a couple haters repeatedly posting, reading through ALL the comments, that's just not true. There is quite a large segment of the listenership that doesn't like her.
The great thing about Listener Supported is, if the playlist gets too cruddy, I can just stop sending support or scale it back accordingly. Kinda like voting with my wallet.
Then again, Dave Matthews is pretty much reviled and he still gets tons of play too.
Go figure.
I spent the entire song reading the comments on it -- it's fun to read comments from three years ago! -- and I just have to say that it's her VOICE, people. What happened to her voice?
She's is really NOT my cup of tea...
I usually love Merchant's voice, but it sounds like she's trying to sound like someone else here. She's a better balladeer than blues crooner. That said, it's kind of a cool tune if you're in the mood for plain old blues rock.
Incredible feeling...
Don't know how to formulate my positive thoughts about this.
Giving it an 8 does not please the people enough that complain about me just giving negative comments.
Sorry. I just like it. No special reason :)
I love this musician's style and voice. Awesome.
Karmala wrote:
Sorry you all critics, I happen to love Natalie's voice.
Don't be sorry for your opinion. Just be sorry for your poor taste. ;-) (just kidding)
Not really my cup of java here, sorry. Ho-hum.
Sorry you all critics, I happen to love Natalie's voice.
Not sure I like her grown-up cultivated voice... but then again, it could be the slick production.
Serves me right for being able to remember her as a 23 year old shy mumbling dervish.
Wow, Natalie seems to be a polarizing topic.
She's pretty, but her best performances seem to be well behind her for some reason. Sounds bored alot.
Originally Posted by zaknafein:
Am I insane, or does it seem like this song gets played a lot?
I was just thinking the same thing...
Am I insane, or does it seem like this song gets played a lot?
Well said Bill, I do not like everything i hear on RP but it is impossible to please everybody all the time, you guys are good...And by the way I love Natalie< she\'s good.
Originally Posted by BillG:
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
Very nice I love it !!! :)
What he said.
I love Natalie Merchant, but this song is getting too much air time. I am finding that RP, in all of its awesomeness, can really burn me out on perfectly likable songs. I hate when that happens, so PLEASE, I don\'t think any song should be played every single day during peak hours.
Color me \"thumbs-up\" on Natalie, for whatever it\'s worth.
Way, waaay too much NM on RP, IMO.
I guess I can't imagine giving anysong on RP a 1; I never hear anything here that I dislike that much. I feel sorry for you NM-haters.
Originally Posted by rmurray248:
Exactly - so the average has to be recognized - thanks for making my point.
Originally Posted by gillespp:
Look, as you well know -- I'm sure you've done this yourself -- the vocal minority can wield their 1s at will to try to bring down the score. I'm sure Bill will tell us that the scores for songs like this are incredibly polarized, 1s, 2s or 8-10s.
Exactly - so the average has to be recognized - thanks for making my point.Originally Posted by bamster025:
I'm sorry that you feel that way. Natalie Merchant deserves all the recognition that she deserves, she is truly a talented artist and she doesn't give a flying rat's ass what people think about her, she sings music and it comes from her heart. Natalie Merchant is an enigma to me, and the other 15 million people who love her. Enough said, p.s. natalie has "pretty good's" on This House is On Fire, and St. Judas, get your facts straight. Bill, if you're reading this, play this song again for me :)
Chris :-p
"deserves all the recognition that she deserves..."
Wow - are you gettin' all the love that you love?
Look, as you well know -- I'm sure you've done this yourself -- the vocal minority can wield their 1s at will to try to bring down the score. I'm sure Bill will tell us that the scores for songs like this are incredibly polarized, 1s, 2s or 8-10s.
Originally Posted by rmurray248:
Okay, I'll take another stab at the debate. I'm not so sure about your "vocal minority" argument. I see 23 songs listed in the library. 17 have average rating totals, 6 have no totals at all. The overall average of the 17 that have been rated is a little over 5.
Does this justify 23 songs in the library and the amount of airplay she gets (3 songs in the top sixty for the week - more than any other artist)? All this for an artist your listeners have rated "Decent," not even "Pretty Good?" Don't get me wrong, you can and should play what you want, but you also have listeners who I would hope would have a voice. You don't have to kill poor Natalie altogether, but I'd say the feedback suggests much less exposure.
Originally Posted by BillG:
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
Okay, I'll take another stab at the debate. I'm not so sure about your "vocal minority" argument. I see 23 songs listed in the library. 17 have average rating totals, 6 have no totals at all. The overall average of the 17 that have been rated is a little over 5.
Does this justify 23 songs in the library and the amount of airplay she gets (3 songs in the top sixty for the week - more than any other artist)? All this for an artist your listeners have rated "Decent," not even "Pretty Good?" Don't get me wrong, you can and should play what you want, but you also have listeners who I would hope would have a voice. You don't have to kill poor Natalie altogether, but I'd say the feedback suggests much less exposure.i like her.
I'm a huge "early NM" fan --- her 10k work is awesome. However, I believe somewhere in the mid to late 90's she may have had some throat work done . She's sounding more like a man with a sex change every day.
Sorry Bill , I'd love for you to play more early stuff.
You go Bill!!
I agree with E; MORE Natalie. Follow your tastes, Bill, I have no complaints. Enough of the anti Natalie faction.
MORE Natalie. What it is about her that some are finding offensive? I don\'t know. She\'s a great talent. No taste in music maybe. Go listen to your car radio.
And you can count me in the column that likes Natalie Merchant. I had heard of her, but never heard her before I started listening to RP, and I am grateful for Bill to introducing me to her. I must say I especially like this particular song. I can see where she would not appeal to everyone, but plenty of tunes played here do not appeal to me. I wouldn't think of asking that they be pulled from the playlist though. I listen to RP to be challenged, not just entertained.
Originally Posted by rmurray248:
The mandate seems to be clear - less Natalie. Do you listen, or do you try to impose your personal taste?
Well, yes. The programming here does represent my personal taste. RP is not a jukebox or an all-request station. I take listener feedback into consideration, but if I pulled off everything that got complaints the station would soon start to be just as bland and inoffensive as the crap you hear on FM. In the case of Natalie Merchant, it's more a case of several very vocal anti-Natalie partisans rather than a "mandate". If you look through the songs by her in the library you'll find that the comments are hardly uniformly negative.
The mandate seems to be clear - less Natalie. Do you listen, or do you try to impose your personal taste?