Natalie Merchant — This House Is On Fire
Album: MotherlandAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3012
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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This house is on fire
Kick off your boots, come sit a spell
Listen to me worry, come and listen well
All you better best come and lean in boys
I don't dare to raise my voice
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
You go passing wrong for right
and right for wrong
people only stand for that for just so long
It's all gonna catch like a house on fire
spark an evil blaze and burn higher
Well, I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
You go passing wrong for right
and right for wrong
people only stand for that for just so long
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
There's a wild fire catching
in the whip of the wind
that could start a conflagration like there has never been
This house is on fire
Kick off your boots, come sit a spell
Listen to me worry, come and listen well
All you better best come and lean in boys
I don't dare to raise my voice
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
You go passing wrong for right
and right for wrong
people only stand for that for just so long
It's all gonna catch like a house on fire
spark an evil blaze and burn higher
Well, I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
You go passing wrong for right
and right for wrong
people only stand for that for just so long
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
There's a wild fire catching
in the whip of the wind
that could start a conflagration like there has never been
This house is on fire
Comments (322)add comment
Whatever this song meant in it's time, it could be a hymn today!
GingerandMe wrote:
Meh....
She is just a total doll.
Meh....
This happens to be one of the very few NM songs I enjoy. I really liked her when she was still with 10,000 maniacs but, solo, not so much. I would guess, it's not so much her, the artist, as much as it is, the song she chooses. A couple of the other NM songs that RP plays...instant psd button!
so overplayed
This album has so many good songs on it. Never tire of her voice!
She is just a total doll.
kjf06 wrote:
Indeed - one of the worst comments I've ever read.
absolute worst ever.
Indeed - one of the worst comments I've ever read.
absolute worst ever.
unusual sound for Natalie Merchant and I really like it.
walkerpub wrote:
Does anyone know what cookbooks Natalie Merchant thinks mimes will have in their kitchens?
On the musical tastes of mimes: "What music do mimes listen to? Spin Doctors? Yeah, they listen to Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish. If you go to any mime's apartment there's a Natalie Merchant record. Guarantee."
Anthony Bourdain
Does anyone know what cookbooks Natalie Merchant thinks mimes will have in their kitchens?
walkerpub wrote:
oh, anthony was so awesome.
On the musical tastes of mimes: "What music do mimes listen to? Spin Doctors? Yeah, they listen to Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish. If you go to any mime's apartment there's a Natalie Merchant record. Guarantee."
Anthony Bourdain
oh, anthony was so awesome. fredGarvin wrote:
i guess. if i never hear it again it will be too soon.
incredible voice
i guess. if i never hear it again it will be too soon.
incredible voice
I love the Middle Eastern flavor to this song
Keep hearing conversations like the one in this song more all the time. Every day brings us one more day closer to when someone finally strikes the match.
Natalie is such a great artist, anything she's involved in is invariably great. Check out her Tiny Desk gig at NPR (on YouTube), just what music is supposed to be...
walkerpub wrote:
...will spend some time quietly thinking about why this would be
On the musical tastes of mimes: "What music do mimes listen to? Spin Doctors? Yeah, they listen to Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish. If you go to any mime's apartment there's a Natalie Merchant record. Guarantee."
Anthony Bourdain
Yrreeaahhhh
A consistently fine artist. One of my 'fav's'!
On the musical tastes of mimes: "What music do mimes listen to? Spin Doctors? Yeah, they listen to Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish. If you go to any mime's apartment there's a Natalie Merchant record. Guarantee."
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
I'm a reluctant NM listener, but I'm totally digging this slow burn...
8
Check out Natalie Merchant's song 'Motherland (live)' together with The Felice Brothers.
cassanjp wrote:
Beautiful voice
I can't call it beautiful. It's distinctive. It unfortunately grates with me like Eddie Vedder's. Less so on this track (less vibrato). Not my bag, but each to their own. I'd rather this than the run of the mill 'waily waily', breathy and/or shouty vocalisers (I can't call them singers) that are so commercially popular and difficult to distinguish t'other from which.
jimtyrrell wrote:
...and then as well. The more things change...
from 2001? the lyrics are about our sadness today
...and then as well. The more things change...
SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
I was thinking today... I first started listening around 03/04... so many artists have come into my life through the vibes of Bill & Rebecca. <3
One of the first songs I heard here at RP when I joined about (ahem) 17 years ago. . .
I was thinking today... I first started listening around 03/04... so many artists have come into my life through the vibes of Bill & Rebecca. <3
Marvellous album, start to finish.
As other RPer's have also noted....She seemed to be really good, in a group.....solo, some of her songs hit it....most others, they just don't. She seems to only put forth the effort, if it's a song that suits her! I guess the elite got it like that though.
Yeah, or the plandemic today in 2020...
jimtyrrell wrote:
jimtyrrell wrote:
from 2001? the lyrics are about our sadness today
Two summers ago we were spending time in County Cork with family friends. Hugh's sister got us tickets for a show at the Skibbereen Arts festival. I'd never heard of Lúnasa but I learned they're "the Rolling Stones of Irish folk music." The venue for the festival is a 500 year old church. Lúnasa took the stage and ripped through three or four jigs and reels. The house was rockin'. The leader then spoke: "We're known as an instrumental band but recently we've gone over to the dark side, working with vocalists. We've been playing with an American singer who just happens to be in Ireland and she's agreed to perform with us." Out on stage came Natalie Merchant. I suspect many in the audience had no idea who she was. She acknowledged that fact and shared that until the week before she'd never heard of Skibbereen. But she won over the crowd with a set of 8-10 songs, a mix of traditional and some new, I think, written with Lúnasa. And there we were, right there, in the 10th pew.
I miss live music.
I just searched and see they toured together briefly. Lúnasa released a CD, "CAS", which I just ordered. It features Natalie Merchant and Mary Chapin Carpenter and other guest artists. https://www.lunasa.ie/
I miss live music.
I just searched and see they toured together briefly. Lúnasa released a CD, "CAS", which I just ordered. It features Natalie Merchant and Mary Chapin Carpenter and other guest artists. https://www.lunasa.ie/
justin4kick wrote:
Not even smoldering!
Throws enough heat that it burned a hole in your brain.
Not even smoldering!
Beautiful voice
Well, I like Natalie. So there. 
I bought this album after hearing some of it on RP
Relayer wrote:
Not even smoldering!
This song is not on fire.
Not even smoldering!
Gosh what a production!
Violins off the hook on this one
Violins off the hook on this one
dangoebel wrote:
Oddly enough, the entire album was written prior to 9/11. The lyrics suggest otherwise of course.
Oddly enough, the entire album was written prior to 9/11. The lyrics suggest otherwise of course.
One of the many albums released that year after 9/11 that incorporated the sounds of "Persia" and Yes the lyrics are STILL relevant. As are most songs and poems. Even Jabberwocky under the most extreme "influences" 
This song is not on fire.
thewiseking wrote:
Who's "we", sparky?
She says "this house is on fire" but we don't believe her
Who's "we", sparky?
She says "this house is on fire" but we don't believe her
Someone get Natalie a cup of coffee. Either that, or turn the turntable up to 45 RPM.
One of the first songs I heard here at RP when I joined about (ahem) 17 years ago. . .
One of the many, many that I would never have heard if not for this wonderful station.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
One of the many, many that I would never have heard if not for this wonderful station.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
from 2001? the lyrics are about our sadness today
And the PSD button isn't working. Mute does, tho...
what a VOICE!!! Goood blessed
TerryS wrote:
Oh man, are you kidding? She experienced it, but she sure didn't put up with it!
Did Nina Simone experience all this nay-saying?
Oh man, are you kidding? She experienced it, but she sure didn't put up with it!
junebaby65 wrote:
Immature, yes, typical no.
Oh, how typical of a Radio Paradise listener. Gotta get a personal dig in there when someone rips a musical favorite of yours, eh? that's mature.
Immature, yes, typical no.
Boy, that gets old pretty quick, don't it?
thewiseking wrote:
You have no ear. Neko soars way above this rubbish and way, way above you
Oh, how typical of a Radio Paradise listener. Gotta get a personal dig in there when someone rips a musical favorite of yours, eh? that's mature.
You have no ear. Neko soars way above this rubbish and way, way above you
Oh, how typical of a Radio Paradise listener. Gotta get a personal dig in there when someone rips a musical favorite of yours, eh? that's mature.
On Fire? Nah. The place just needs refurbishing.
Orodrigues wrote:
You have no ear. Neko soars way above this rubbish and way, way above you
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
You have no ear. Neko soars way above this rubbish and way, way above you
Nope. Leave this for the 90s Coffeeshop
Relayer wrote:
...which would deprive us Merchant fans of her music. PSD is your friend...
I just can't get into her music. Awful. Wish RP would cut her out of rotation.
...which would deprive us Merchant fans of her music. PSD is your friend...
Orodrigues wrote:
Comparing Neko to this? Deaf? Dumb? Blind?
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
Comparing Neko to this? Deaf? Dumb? Blind?
Orodrigues wrote:
Other than their genders, the two have almost nothing in common. For one thing, Neko Case has a range of more than one octave.
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
Other than their genders, the two have almost nothing in common. For one thing, Neko Case has a range of more than one octave.
Orodrigues wrote:
mostly agree. tedious , PSD.
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
mostly agree. tedious , PSD.
Orodrigues wrote:
I almost agree. Not necessarily unlistenable but not so easy on the ears. This one is tedious for sure. PSD.
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
I almost agree. Not necessarily unlistenable but not so easy on the ears. This one is tedious for sure. PSD.
Natalie Merchant was cool at 10,000 Maniacs, as well as Neko Case at The New Pornographers. Alone, both are unlistenable. PSD!
I have that feeling of brunching in a Lebanese restaurant in Kingston and listening to Natalie....
:(
:(
Did Nina Simone experience all this nay-saying?
I like this and don't get all the hate....!
But then again I don't get Neko Case either - she's an immediate PSD for me..,
But then again I don't get Neko Case either - she's an immediate PSD for me..,
Relayer wrote:
I find your lack of taste disturbing
I just can't get into her music. Awful. Wish RP would cut her out of rotation.
I find your lack of taste disturbing
Moirabbit wrote:
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
more than half the ratings are 7 or higher. So "most" is objectively incorrect.
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
more than half the ratings are 7 or higher. So "most" is objectively incorrect.
sweet_annie wrote:
Thank you you're point is taken I will pump the score.
Hey all of you music critics,...Try listening to lyrics and the underlying meaning unless your incapable of seeing past your ears.
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face!!!
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face!!!
Thank you you're point is taken I will pump the score.
I just can't get into her music. Awful. Wish RP would cut her out of rotation.
Hey all of you music critics,...Try listening to lyrics and the underlying meaning unless your incapable of seeing past your ears.
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face!!!
I've been sitting here for the longest time
reading all the warning and all the danger signs
I don't have the gift of prophesy
telling everybody how it's gonna be
Soon come, soon come the day
this tinderbox is gonna blow in your face!!!
I like it!
Not bad!
Moirabbit wrote:
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
She is definitely not for everyone. Apparently BillG likes her which is good enough for me!!!
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
She is definitely not for everyone. Apparently BillG likes her which is good enough for me!!!
d48m02h1918 wrote:
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
Sorry people - she is just awful...........
Thank you! See, most people agree, that's why the rating is so low!!!
Sorry people - she is just awful...........
Moirabbit wrote:
Sounds like you need to find another source of listening material.
Why do you play so much of this inane drone all the time on RP!
Sounds like you need to find another source of listening material.
Moirabbit wrote:
Coming from the land of bagpipes, you have no leg to stand on with this particular criticism.
Why do you play so much of this inane drone all the time on RP!
Coming from the land of bagpipes, you have no leg to stand on with this particular criticism.
Why do you play so much of this inane drone all the time on RP!
GTT wrote:
I agree with you about those grooves in general and this song in particular, even though it seems to wander into reggae territory during the chorus. But Natalie's voice has a limited range of appeal for me, and it's not working here. Too bad for me.
Highlowsel wrote:
Hey a fact of life. You get older, you get thicker....especially 'round 'bout the middle. Sometimes it's more attractive...sometimes it's.......
(photo of Iggy Pop with shirt off...see below in song comments)
And then you still show it...even if the audience is screaming "Put it AWAY!" We're all blind like that, eh?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Not everyone wants to see Iggy with his shirt off, true. But the guy is cut for his age and despite all his past drug use. He has a helluva lot of energy when he performs live.
I have to admit, I am a sucker for just about anything with these middle-eastern grooves.
I agree with you about those grooves in general and this song in particular, even though it seems to wander into reggae territory during the chorus. But Natalie's voice has a limited range of appeal for me, and it's not working here. Too bad for me.
Highlowsel wrote:
Hey a fact of life. You get older, you get thicker....especially 'round 'bout the middle. Sometimes it's more attractive...sometimes it's.......
(photo of Iggy Pop with shirt off...see below in song comments)
And then you still show it...even if the audience is screaming "Put it AWAY!" We're all blind like that, eh?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
Not everyone wants to see Iggy with his shirt off, true. But the guy is cut for his age and despite all his past drug use. He has a helluva lot of energy when he performs live.
Nice song. You should play Natalie Merchant more frequently... Greetings from Germany! Arnd
I have to admit, I am a sucker for just about anything with these middle-eastern grooves.
I would love to listen to RP all Night, but at least every 20 minutes there comes a nogo like this one.
goozer321 wrote:
(lame post deleted by admin)
Natalie is homosexual? What business is it of yours? You're enraptured by her body? You express it in ugly terms. I'm reluctant to ask what a carpet-muncher is, considering the quality of the other comments.
(lame post deleted by admin)
Natalie is homosexual? What business is it of yours? You're enraptured by her body? You express it in ugly terms. I'm reluctant to ask what a carpet-muncher is, considering the quality of the other comments.
On a second listen. - Her voice doesn't bug me as much as usual in this context. Kind of a cool tune -- and yeah her voice is stronger and fits with the style of the tune. I usually don't like her monotone when its behind a standard pop tune.
Upgrade from 2 to 6
Upgrade from 2 to 6
Anyhow.
It is a beautiful song. Love it.
goozer321 wrote:
(lame post deleted by admin)
Hey a fact of life. You get older, you get thicker....especially 'round 'bout the middle. Sometimes it's more attractive...sometimes it's.......
And then you still show it...even if the audience is screaming "Put it AWAY!" We're all blind like that, eh?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
(lame post deleted by admin)
Hey a fact of life. You get older, you get thicker....especially 'round 'bout the middle. Sometimes it's more attractive...sometimes it's.......
And then you still show it...even if the audience is screaming "Put it AWAY!" We're all blind like that, eh?
Highlow
American Net'Zen
In love with that voice. Natalie Merchant is awesome.
goozer321 wrote:
(lame post deleted by admin)
Without sounding like the Thought Police, how about keeping homophobic contributions to yourself?
(lame post deleted by admin)
Without sounding like the Thought Police, how about keeping homophobic contributions to yourself?
too true...
please god just make it stop
Kimbolini wrote:
I really like it, too. Don't understand why it's getting so much slagging.
I really like this, voice and orchestration!
I really like it, too. Don't understand why it's getting so much slagging.
What a sexism comment, just for N.M. Such notes should RP not allow!
beeblebrocks40 wrote:
beeblebrocks40 wrote:
you know I dont remember her having this "figure" in the 10K Maniacs videos. Me thinks she is keeping those apples in something other than that basket.
Always nice to see...er, hear Natalie.
What would Romeotuma say about a song he liked..."This song is so good for the ears."
Yes, the opposite of that.
Yes, the opposite of that.
Sorry, no. Got this questionable offering by PSD
Great song, instrumental bits go on a bit too long but Natalie is perfect
The album cover has my pants on fire, but the song itself is terrible. I somehow can't imagine Natalie marching to Zion. 
the house may be on fire, but the tempo is not. Just too slow, IMHO.
Stingray wrote:
God bless its politics.
But the execution of the song is just not so good.
"10" (music + lyrics!)
This US-house is on fire - Natalie understood early on!
How the Arabic orchestration gently moves into a peaceful Reggae..., awesome!
This tinderbox will soon blow into all our faces - certainly, Natalie!
5.6 points is an incredible insult for such a lovely song!
This US-house is on fire - Natalie understood early on!
How the Arabic orchestration gently moves into a peaceful Reggae..., awesome!
This tinderbox will soon blow into all our faces - certainly, Natalie!
5.6 points is an incredible insult for such a lovely song!
God bless its politics.
But the execution of the song is just not so good.
I miss her young voice
I normally like and can listen to Natalie Merchant...but this song is unlistenable. I am guessing she was experimenting a bit...but failed with this.
TJS wrote:
I think it went to her boobies.
What happened to Natalie Merchant's voice? :(
I think it went to her boobies.
soulcollision wrote:
Yes! I've thought that a few times myself.
i def think Bill has a crush on Natalie. at least two or three from her each day...
Yes! I've thought that a few times myself.
What happened to Natalie Merchant's voice? :(
I really like this, voice and orchestration!
Mute button!
perryandcaro wrote:
'spose you're jumping the gun too?
Natalie MUTE ant.
That voice has my finger springing for the mute button like Usain Bolt responds to the gun.
Sorry folks, I just don't get her. No matter what she tries to sing. Believe me, I've tried.
That voice has my finger springing for the mute button like Usain Bolt responds to the gun.
Sorry folks, I just don't get her. No matter what she tries to sing. Believe me, I've tried.
'spose you're jumping the gun too?
"10" (music + lyrics!)
This US-house is on fire - Natalie understood early on!
How the Arabic orchestration gently moves into a peaceful Reggae..., awesome!
This tinderbox will soon blow into all our faces - certainly, Natalie!
5.6 points is an incredible insult for such a lovely song!
This US-house is on fire - Natalie understood early on!
How the Arabic orchestration gently moves into a peaceful Reggae..., awesome!
This tinderbox will soon blow into all our faces - certainly, Natalie!
5.6 points is an incredible insult for such a lovely song!
Natalie MUTE ant.
That voice has my finger springing for the mute button like Usain Bolt responds to the gun.
Sorry folks, I just don't get her. No matter what she tries to sing. Believe me, I've tried.
That voice has my finger springing for the mute button like Usain Bolt responds to the gun.
Sorry folks, I just don't get her. No matter what she tries to sing. Believe me, I've tried.
This is just GORGEOUS!
In the words of Kamahl - Why are people so unkind?
soulcollision wrote:
Really? I'd not noticed that and I listen to RP regularly, nay religiously, weekday daytimes at work. Maybe the other Merchant plays take place outside those hours. Personally I'd love to hear more of her, and could quite see myself developing a crush on her as she has a really strong and moving voice. 9 from the soon-to-be-smitten Nottingham jury
i def think Bill has a crush on Natalie. at least two or three from her each day...
Really? I'd not noticed that and I listen to RP regularly, nay religiously, weekday daytimes at work. Maybe the other Merchant plays take place outside those hours. Personally I'd love to hear more of her, and could quite see myself developing a crush on her as she has a really strong and moving voice. 9 from the soon-to-be-smitten Nottingham jury
That is one hideous Wall of Sound
alanthecowboy wrote:
No, really. It only takes one person to like a song for it to be good, even if everyone else hates it. One person being moved by a song won't pave your way to retirement, of course, but I don't think that's a problem for Natalie. So, your buddy and I, and thousands and thousands of other people can prove that the song is great. All you can do, really, is say you don't like it.
****sigh**** I know. ****sigh*****
No, really. It only takes one person to like a song for it to be good, even if everyone else hates it. One person being moved by a song won't pave your way to retirement, of course, but I don't think that's a problem for Natalie. So, your buddy and I, and thousands and thousands of other people can prove that the song is great. All you can do, really, is say you don't like it.
****sigh**** I know. ****sigh*****
Next.
a_genuine_find wrote:
hahahaha!!!!!
hahahaha!!!!!
I am digging the roundness of her ... lyrics 
Jamaica meets the middle east ...
Jamaica meets the middle east ...
Natalie Merchant à Bruxelles by trou2000
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34242081@N00/
Ancienne Belgique, le 10 mai 2010.
i def think Bill has a crush on Natalie. at least two or three from her each day...
shutter wrote:
Uhhhh, nahhhhh. Not really.
Uhhhh, yahhhhh, Seriously.
Uhhhh, nahhhhh. Not really.
Uhhhh, yahhhhh, Seriously.
I was thinking today... I first started listening around 03/04... so many artists have come into my life through the vibes of Bill & Rebecca. <3
Supporting member since 2009, probably a listener since a year before that? Can't recall, but my sentiments echo yours, crockydile and SquiddlyDiddly. Thanks for introducing me to so much wonderful music.