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Natalie Merchant — After the Gold Rush (Live)
Album: Live in Concert
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1697









Released: 1999
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well, I dreamed I saw the knights
In armor coming,
Saying something about a queen.
There were peasants singing and
Drummers drumming
And the archer split the tree.
There was a fanfare blowing
To the sun
That was floating on the breeze.
Look at Mother Nature on the run
In the nineteen seventies.
Look at Mother Nature on the run
In the nineteen seventies.

I was lying in a burned out basement
With the full moon in my eyes.
I was hoping for replacement
When the sun burst thru the sky.
There was a band playing in my head
And I felt like getting high.
I was thinking about what a
Friend had said
I was hoping it was a lie.
Thinking about what a
Friend had said
I was hoping it was a lie.

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver
Space ships flying
In the yellow haze of the sun,
There were children crying
And colors flying
All around the chosen ones.
All in a dream, all in a dream
The loading had begun.
They were flying Mother Nature's
Silver seed to a new home in the sun.
Flying Mother Nature's
Silver seed to a new home.
Comments (187)add comment
 Edweirdo wrote:


By which I assume you mean she sings in tune ... because her intonation is fine (and I have absolute pitch).


Maybe he meant that she wasn't singing it in Neil's tune?   
Posted 4 months ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Wow what a set! 👏👏👏👏
Posted 6 months ago by JayHavvic    [ Reply ]
 surfrider4life wrote:
Natalie covering Neal

Whip crème on a sundae


Both are unnecessary 
Posted 9 months ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
When the cover surpasses the original. Bravo!
Posted 1 year ago by GlobalPilgrim    [ Reply ]
This one is nice, i´m starting with a 7. I really miss a rock cover of this song from a good Rockband!
Posted 1 year ago by philonair    [ Reply ]
Oh no, please let this be sung by Neil...
Posted 1 year ago by mst.grafik    [ Reply ]
can we please retire these soulless 90s coffee house acts? 
Posted 1 year ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
I like Natalie  and I like Neil  and I like both versions.  
Strangely - I've always wanted to hear Sinead OConner or what ever she/it  calls her/itself  now.      and if we had to have a dude do it   Adam Lambert can really build some emotion into those pipes  -    
Posted 1 year ago by slaskey    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

I thought Neil Young's horrific whine was bad. Sorry Natalie, you drone on in this one.
(Okay, not a fan)


Some may think these personal opinion comments are unnecessary, but this one is just too funny to down vote. Thanks for the laugh!
Posted 2 years ago by reijkman    [ Reply ]
 surfrider4life wrote:
Natalie covering Neal

Whip crème on a sundae



Oh I love what you just wrote here :)
Posted 2 years ago by jot    [ Reply ]
Natalie covering Neal

Whip crème on a sundae

Posted 3 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
I'm liking this girls voice more every time I hear something from her. Thanks to RP.
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
Beautiful.
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
 Edweirdo wrote:


By which I assume you mean she sings in tune ... 
 ... on average. A duet with Eddie Vedder would be awesome (or aw-something)

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
Such a nice voice...
Posted 4 years ago by villegasmiguel    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
There is singing out of tune... and then there is Natalie Merchant!
 

By which I assume you mean she sings in tune ... because her intonation is fine (and I have absolute pitch).
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
No. Just no.
Posted 4 years ago by michelleaddinall    [ Reply ]
I think this is the fourth Natalie Merchant song on this otherwise fine Wednesday morning. Groan...
Posted 4 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
With the volume low and me coming out of a nap, I thought, for a moment, that this was - after Rockin' in the Free World -- a second Neil Young song. Not a good thing, in the scheme of things, chez RP.

Fortunately, it was Natalie mailing it (in).
Posted 4 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
2018 Summer highlight.  Visiting friends in Skibbereen.  It was the week of the annual arts festival.  Our friends got us tickets to hear Lunasa, "the biggest name in Irish folk music" we were told.  The venue was the old church. Seats maybe 250 or so.   Lunasa ripped through a short set their instrumental folk.  Then they said they'd just finished an album featuring a vocalist, a departure for them, and that the vocalist just happened to be in the country and would perform.  Out comes Natalie Merchant and they played all the songs on the album.   
Posted 4 years ago by jrozzelle    [ Reply ]
Neil Young songs sound so much better when he is not singing them.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 weavus wrote:
love her voice, wish it would have been Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Merchant. (sacrilege for some, I know)

 Inconceivable!

Posted 4 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 gtfodero wrote:
You know who does a really really great version of this song?  NEIL YOUNG.
This sounds like someone stepping on a  goat.
Just one man's opinion, mind you.


Couldn’t agree more.... what does this provide that the original didn’t?  Just depressing slow tempo....  

Posted 4 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
This kinda works for me...
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
There is singing out of tune... and then there is Natalie Merchant!
Posted 4 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
Great song.  But I've heard only true singer for it, and she is not he. 
Posted 4 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
love her voice, wish it would have been Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Merchant. (sacrilege for some, I know)
Posted 5 years ago by weavus    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:
I thought Neil Young's horrific whine was bad. Sorry Natalie, you drone on in this one.
(Okay, not a fan)
 
I don’t think Neil really cares what you think
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Love u!!🌹🌹🌹🌹
Posted 5 years ago by Márcia    [ Reply ]
Why bother?
Posted 5 years ago by marcloans1    [ Reply ]
Took the sting out the bee and now its just a flying furry bug
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
I thought Neil Young's horrific whine was bad. Sorry Natalie, you drone on in this one.
(Okay, not a fan)
Posted 6 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Not bad, but as this is my favorite Neil Young song, I much prefer his version.
Posted 6 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
You know who does a really really great version of this song?  NEIL YOUNG.
This sounds like someone stepping on a  goat.
Just one man's opinion, mind you.
Posted 6 years ago by gtfodero    [ Reply ]
Elevator music. 
Posted 6 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
haters gonna hate
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:

lol
actually, I still get coffee from the Diner! 

 
This is not a surprising revelation.
Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Or somebody, somewhere drinks indonesian cat-crap coffee.

 
Cat-crap coffee.  One of the first big hits for Ted Nugent.
Posted 7 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Or somebody, somewhere drinks indonesian cat-crap coffee.  Oh.  Never heard of that.  
 
It's a real thing. The most expensive coffee there is, on account of the complicated (and IMO disgusting) fermentation process...
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

OH NO.  Those "others" are just not as cool as the OP, who gave up the Starbucks for indonesian cat-crap coffee ages ago.  Before it was cool, of course.  Talk about yuck.

thewiseking wrote: Strung out with no emotion for the Starbucks crowd. 
 
Clearly there are some sub-cultural references I have missed.  Starbucks crowds are strung out and have no emotion?  Really?

Or somebody, somewhere drinks indonesian cat-crap coffee.  Oh.  Never heard of that.  

————————————————————-

On a different subject.... this cover fits well with NY's live version of Like A Hurricane.   Another deep bow to the DJ.    
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

OH NO.  Those "others" are just not as cool as the OP, who gave up the Starbucks for indonesian cat-crap coffee ages ago.  Before it was cool, of course.  Talk about yuck.

 
lol
actually, I still get coffee from the Diner! 
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
OH NO. Here we go again with the ennui version, the Cowboy Junkie treatment. Strung out with no emotion for the Starbucks crowd. Yuck.

 
OH NO.  Those "others" are just not as cool as the OP, who gave up the Starbucks for indonesian cat-crap coffee ages ago.  Before it was cool, of course.  Talk about yuck.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
OH NO. Here we go again with the ennui version, the Cowboy Junkie treatment. Strung out with no emotion for the Starbucks crowd. Yuck.
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Typesbad wrote:
On paper this cover should work.  Replace Neil's high, thin unsteady voice with the Natalie's smooth pipes, bring in an equally smooth arrangement, what could go wrong?  Yet go wrong it does.  All the tension and distress of the original is gone.  It sounds soft and loving, except this is no love song.  It always invokes the conclusion of Childhood's End to me, though I don't know if that was the intent.

 
I agree with everything you say but for some reason I still like it enormously?
Posted 8 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
"All in a dream..."

That's what it all feels like these days.
Posted 8 years ago by vaiodon    [ Reply ]
She's got a great voice, and it's a fantastic song. Surprising that the combination of the two is so mediocre.
Posted 8 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]
She's SO Good.

Well I heard Mister Young sing about it.
Well I heard old Neil wrote it down.
Well, I hope Neil Young will be proud of Natalie's
Posted 8 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
PSD asap. I'll take this stellar version by Emmylou, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt:

https://youtu.be/tHTuxSzUacg
Posted 8 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
yup, bad  (those background keyboards are borrowed from an adult diaper commercial right?)
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
{#Arghhh} Arrrrghhhh.......
Posted 8 years ago by BMTR    [ Reply ]
On paper this cover should work.  Replace Neil's high, thin unsteady voice with the Natalie's smooth pipes, bring in an equally smooth arrangement, what could go wrong?  Yet go wrong it does.  All the tension and distress of the original is gone.  It sounds soft and loving, except this is no love song.  It always invokes the conclusion of Childhood's End to me, though I don't know if that was the intent.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
If I hadn't read all the negative reviews, I would have enjoyed this more.  Having just seen Neil sing this song, I was really enjoying Natalie's version.  Not sure where all the hate comes from - though I have a similar reaction to Suzanne Vega, who also gets quite a bit of airtime on rp.  But folks, that is what the PSD button is for. 
Posted 8 years ago by toonces    [ Reply ]

 Yep

 

stub30 wrote:

I really do like Natalie Merchant, but this is really a Musak version of Neil's classic.  Not good at all.

 


Posted 8 years ago by SteffT    [ Reply ]
In the same league as this horrible cover by Nana Mouskouri:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tm85uu1zig 
Posted 8 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Nice version!  I hadn't heard this one before.


Posted 9 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

 I totally agree with lathyris below. This world has enough, I said, enough negative vibes to go around these days. I just don't understand why people feel the need to express the negative all the time. Another great cover of this same Neil Young composition was cut by K.D. Lang. I like 'em all. It's all good. Peace brothers and sisters.

 

lathyris wrote:

Guys, really? Why so much Natalie hate? Beautiful voice + beautiful song = winner in my book. Not going to say I like it more than the original, but I'm still digging it!

 

 
Agreed.
Posted 9 years ago by Jive    [ Reply ]
 lathyris wrote:
Guys, really? Why so much Natalie hate? Beautiful voice + beautiful song = winner in my book. Not going to say I like it more than the original, but I'm still digging it!

 
I don't ride the Hate Natalie bus, but if there were a queue for people who believe that she botched this cover, I'd be at the head of it.
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]

 I totally agree with lathyris below. This world has enough, I said, enough negative vibes to go around these days. I just don't understand why people feel the need to express the negative all the time. Another great cover of this same Neil Young composition was cut by K.D. Lang. I like 'em all. It's all good. Peace brothers and sisters.

 

lathyris wrote:

Guys, really? Why so much Natalie hate? Beautiful voice + beautiful song = winner in my book. Not going to say I like it more than the original, but I'm still digging it!

 


Posted 9 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
She needs to stick with ruining her own songs, rather than other people's songs.
Posted 9 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
 stub30 wrote:
I really do like Natalie Merchant, but this is really a Musak version of Neil's classic.  Not good at all.

 
This is a prime example of why an artist shouldn't cover another singers work {#Eek}
Posted 10 years ago by ShaunJ    [ Reply ]
Guys, really? Why so much Natalie hate? Beautiful voice + beautiful song = winner in my book. Not going to say I like it more than the original, but I'm still digging it!
Posted 10 years ago by lathyris    [ Reply ]
 stub30 wrote:
I really do like Natalie Merchant, but this is really a Musak version of Neil's classic.  Not good at all.

 
Agreed!
Posted 10 years ago by EdmoJoe    [ Reply ]
I really do like Natalie Merchant, but this is really a Musak version of Neil's classic.  Not good at all.
Posted 10 years ago by stub30    [ Reply ]
Nope. Nope nope nope. 

I like a lot of stuff she does but not this.  
Posted 10 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
God Awful!

And a sacrilege.
Posted 10 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Just....NO!!
Absolutely NOT!!! 
Posted 10 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...

(I'll take The Flaming Lips, for $600, Alex.)
Posted 10 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
I have defended NM repeatedly on RP. (Yeah, I did make petty rant about her dreadful fashion taste.)
But this, this is awful. Musically.   She should have been offered a large Classic Coke before it started.  And she shudda taken it. The producers didn't tell it needed to be canned? No good friend helped out?  Next time - the PSD button.
Posted 10 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Regardless of how one feels about Neil Young,Very nice version of a great song.
Posted 10 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Never heard this version. Pretty good!!
Posted 10 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]

Natalie Merchant doing a Neil Young song, are you tying to make ‘The Haters’ apoplectic Bill. Now if you can just find Morrissey doing Southern Man you’ll finish them off.


Posted 10 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
She not know the other notes?
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
 gjr wrote:


im thoroughly convinced that the only reason for the absolutely inexplicable plethora of natalie merchant songs played on RP is that she's a part owner.  

this woman's voice is as soothing as sand paper on a sunburn.  please, god, please stop playing her.........{#Frustrated}

 
Wah, wah,... waaaaaahhh!!  Cry babies cry.
Posted 10 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
Doesn't seem to add a bit of innovation to her lifeless cover of NY's song.  She has said she hates irony.....go figure.

 
World Class droning..not in flight whatsoever
Posted 10 years ago by max_p    [ Reply ]
This version leaves me stuck in that metaphorical basement..
Posted 10 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
Doesn't seem to add a bit of innovation to her lifeless cover of NY's song.  She has said she hates irony.....go figure.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Hearing this voice makes me want to destroy musicians with bad voices.  Yuck. {#Frustrated}
Posted 10 years ago by d48m02h    [ Reply ]
Love this ! 
Posted 10 years ago by kytsrf    [ Reply ]
 gjr wrote:


im thoroughly convinced that the only reason for the absolutely inexplicable plethora of natalie merchant songs played on RP is that she's a part owner.  

this woman's voice is as soothing as sand paper on a sunburn.  please, god, please stop playing her.........{#Frustrated}

 
I second and THIRD that sentiment....

Feels like I'm listening to KFOG in SF sometimes....  
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I gotta say I'm shocked Natalie's got some Neil in her vinyl collection.
Posted 10 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Nice cover, Natalie!
Posted 10 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
I'm with Bill, I think it is a pretty nice version
Posted 10 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
 HomeTuner wrote:
PPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE stop playing this song... She can't even sing in tune.

 
I and Bill disagree.  She sings fine.  Good cover.
Posted 10 years ago by goodgroove    [ Reply ]
PPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE stop playing this song... She can't even sing in tune.
Posted 10 years ago by HomeTuner    [ Reply ]
{#Motor}
 

Bring ME MY NEIL !!! 
Posted 10 years ago by barlow369    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:
Please stop playing this singer.  Please? 

 

im thoroughly convinced that the only reason for the absolutely inexplicable plethora of natalie merchant songs played on RP is that she's a part owner.  

this woman's voice is as soothing as sand paper on a sunburn.  please, god, please stop playing her.........{#Frustrated}
Posted 11 years ago by gjr    [ Reply ]
yo, Bill, you can play any neil squeal coveer  NAT does as far as i'm concerned....{#Dance}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
I agree with RP on this - love this version - live it would have sent shivers down my spin.

Thanks! 
Posted 11 years ago by juul    [ Reply ]
 woodchuk wrote:
I usually like Natalie Merchant, but this rendition of Neil Young's classic just doesn't do it for me.  It seems to lack passion.  Who knows, it may grow on me.  6 for now.

 
Languid, perhaps.  Lacking passion, I think not. 

Bill got this one right.

This was a great tour back in '99.  Natalie was at the top of her game as a solo artist touring Ophelia.  I do wish that she'd produce some more music like the stuff she was doing back then.  It seems as though she has dropped off since she did Motherland in '01.  That said, she's following her own star which is what the best artists do.  More power to her.
Posted 11 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I'm falling asleep.

Take not a brilliant song, but perfect for it's time, and make it dull as ditchwater. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Please stop playing this singer.  Please? 
Posted 11 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
This version is horrible!  Can I rate it a 0?
Posted 11 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]

I loved it.
Posted 11 years ago by andrzejmojo    [ Reply ]
My fav. song from Neil! This version...not my taste!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Great, with this unique voice and her own emotional kind for rendition{#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by mamyam    [ Reply ]
I usually like Natalie Merchant, but this rendition of Neil Young's classic just doesn't do it for me.  It seems to lack passion.  Who knows, it may grow on me.  6 for now.
Posted 11 years ago by woodchuk    [ Reply ]
One of Neil's all time greats, and this is a beautiful rendition.  I bet Neil loves it
Posted 11 years ago by teleskialaska    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

I like this version but I’m one of the few listeners who don’t find her voice irritating.

 
A nice tune from a favorite gal.  Good choice!
Posted 11 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
I believe her beautiful voice finally gives these lovely lyrics their moment in the sun.
Posted 11 years ago by pigtail    [ Reply ]
Very accomplished cover a real pro
Posted 11 years ago by slieve    [ Reply ]
I liked this!
Posted 11 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
She has taste in music, I will give her that.
Posted 11 years ago by ottojschlosser    [ Reply ]
I am with you Bill... this is a wonderful cover!
Posted 11 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Great guitar solo in the middle
Posted 11 years ago by southcoastsounds    [ Reply ]
leave it to Neil next time please
Posted 11 years ago by egsstaff    [ Reply ]
Thanx for great great music!!!{#Daisy}
Posted 11 years ago by ShirleyEva    [ Reply ]

I like this version but I’m one of the few listeners who don’t find her voice irritating.


Posted 11 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Love Natalie's voice and love this song, but this cover?

Not so much. Wholly uninspiring.
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
I like this version. And hats-off for playing Natalie Merchant in the first place. Question is, do you have the balls to play Hateful Hate (10k)?
Posted 12 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
I absolutely hate this cover. She slaughters this song.
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
I can't say I care for merchant's singing at all - especially on this classic track.

Lang's version of Neil's song is soooo much better.
Posted 12 years ago by R7-12    [ Reply ]
 shelt wrote:
I don't get it.  I'm normally right int he thick of the RP reviews.  Sorry, but this song is spectacular!  Her version of Space Oddity is also great.  Listen again if it doesn't gel!
 
Shelt: I will give your advice a shot, as I prefer the original greatly over this version, but this was the first time I heard this version.  On that note, I do have to say the comment directly below yours, by xarlos, if I recall correctly, did make me laugh out loud in my office upon reading it.
Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
I like it too Bill!
Posted 12 years ago by Keef    [ Reply ]
did she do it in the exact same key? - her voice actually sounds lower than Neil's
Posted 12 years ago by ycb661    [ Reply ]
I don't get it.  I'm normally right int he thick of the RP reviews.  Sorry, but this song is spectacular!  Her version of Space Oddity is also great.  Listen again if it doesn't gel!
Posted 12 years ago by shelt    [ Reply ]
Natalie Merchant has a voice like a big tall glass of Pepto-Bismal - all thick and pink and makes me want to take a dump not long after.
Posted 12 years ago by xarlos    [ Reply ]
Kind of a dreamy rendition. Very nice, brings the song home for me.

But IMHO, it's hard to beat the instrumental that the duo of Michaels (Hedges and Mannering) created.
Whoa boy ...
Posted 12 years ago by k-man    [ Reply ]
Gack.  Oh yuuuuuccccchhhhhh.  No way.   Blecccchhh.....
Posted 12 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
Bill I am with you... This is a wonderful version!!!!
 
  Yeah, not a big Natalie fan, and a huge Neil fan, and I REALLY like this.  I'm sure I'd never have heard it if not for RP.
Posted 12 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
simply horrible.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]