Poe — Terrible Thought
Album: HauntedAvg rating:
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Length: 4:16
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A terrible thought has moved into my mind
Like an unwanted room-mate drunk on wine
It feeds on my unhappiness, won't pay the rent
I must take proper measures to evict it
A terrible thought has moved into my mind
A giant rat that's nibbling on my pride
It's tearing away my patience and my wits
I must take proper measures to set a trap for it
What a terrible thought
I don't care what you've done
I don't care who you've won
I know in the end, you have your fun
But you can't have it here
And I won't let you steer
You know I don't want you in my mind
What a terrible thought
What a terrible, terrible thought
I must stay calm you know and I must be clear
It's gonna take a hundred thoughts to make this one disappear
A train like that can travel a soul for years
A terrible thought can have a terribly long career
What minds have you shredded
I bet they regretted
Having ever thought you up
Just look at you shine
Committing your crimes
You know I don't want you in my mind
'Cause you're breaking my stride
You poisonous vine
You're strangling me inside
You're breaking my stride
You poisonous vine
You're strangling me inside
You're breaking my stride
What a terrible thought...
(Father: What is your greatest worry because you seem to be worried all the time.)
(Daughter: Sometimes I can't hear myself think.)
(Father: You have to speak a little louder, I can't understand a word you're saying.)
(Daughter: Sometimes I can't hear myself think)
Like an unwanted room-mate drunk on wine
It feeds on my unhappiness, won't pay the rent
I must take proper measures to evict it
A terrible thought has moved into my mind
A giant rat that's nibbling on my pride
It's tearing away my patience and my wits
I must take proper measures to set a trap for it
What a terrible thought
I don't care what you've done
I don't care who you've won
I know in the end, you have your fun
But you can't have it here
And I won't let you steer
You know I don't want you in my mind
What a terrible thought
What a terrible, terrible thought
I must stay calm you know and I must be clear
It's gonna take a hundred thoughts to make this one disappear
A train like that can travel a soul for years
A terrible thought can have a terribly long career
What minds have you shredded
I bet they regretted
Having ever thought you up
Just look at you shine
Committing your crimes
You know I don't want you in my mind
'Cause you're breaking my stride
You poisonous vine
You're strangling me inside
You're breaking my stride
You poisonous vine
You're strangling me inside
You're breaking my stride
What a terrible thought...
(Father: What is your greatest worry because you seem to be worried all the time.)
(Daughter: Sometimes I can't hear myself think.)
(Father: You have to speak a little louder, I can't understand a word you're saying.)
(Daughter: Sometimes I can't hear myself think)
Comments (141)add comment
The Haunted "concept album" is a really awesome listen. Songs with rockin/sultry vibe.... especially Hey Pretty and Not a Virgin -- exceptionally produced.
Superb!
I like her she has a little bit of an Aimee Mann vibe who I really like as well. Keep it rockin !
Like so many of these artists, I blinked and this one flew right past me. So grateful to be here reliving music I never experienced.
itsme_bygolly wrote:
That's kind of harsh. You should see a doctor about that. Initially I had the same reaction, particularly when his music was everywhere. Now I like it and frequently think of other bands which would have approached the same material differently (perhaps better?).
To me beck is the tom cruise of the music world
That's kind of harsh. You should see a doctor about that. Initially I had the same reaction, particularly when his music was everywhere. Now I like it and frequently think of other bands which would have approached the same material differently (perhaps better?).
To me beck is the tom cruise of the music world
jp33442 wrote:
Whenever i hear beck i get ill, i hit the nect song
That's kind of harsh. You should see a doctor about that. Initially I had the same reaction, particularly when his music was everywhere. Now I like it and frequently think of other bands which would have approached the same material differently (perhaps better?).
Whenever i hear beck i get ill, i hit the nect song
That's kind of harsh. You should see a doctor about that. Initially I had the same reaction, particularly when his music was everywhere. Now I like it and frequently think of other bands which would have approached the same material differently (perhaps better?).
RoaringMouse wrote:
Whenever i hear beck i get ill, i hit the nect song
anyone else hear Beck’s “Where it’s At” riff in there, towards the end?
Whenever i hear beck i get ill, i hit the nect song
anyone else hear Beck’s “Where it’s At” riff in there, towards the end?
unclehud wrote:
Me, too, except she reminds me of the girl in my dreams last night. Every night. And she can sing and compose! Ding! Ding!
What a cool comment following from The Smithereens' Behind the Wall of Sleep :)
Me, too, except she reminds me of the girl in my dreams last night. Every night. And she can sing and compose! Ding! Ding!
What a cool comment following from The Smithereens' Behind the Wall of Sleep :)
janac13 wrote:
I heard Shirley Manson at first, but that was just me.
Now this just got me I wasn't really listening and I thought I heard Chrissy Hynde interesting.
I heard Shirley Manson at first, but that was just me.
ziggytrix wrote:
To be clear, Poe would NOT be the THOT in question, Atlantic Records was the ho.
A terrible THOT. 
To be clear, Poe would NOT be the THOT in question, Atlantic Records was the ho.
Too bad things didn't work out for her with Atlantic. I dream of the music she would have been able to make otherwise.
Now this just got me I wasn't really listening and I thought I heard Chrissy Hynde interesting.
7>9 today.
Fantastic album!
Another RP inspired find. Thanks again B&R
Fantastic album!
Another RP inspired find. Thanks again B&R
Wanna tour with Tracy Bonham.
Is this Gillian Anderson on the album cover? 
I beg of you to add any of her songs from her previous album, Hello, to your Radio Paradise play list. We would all be happier humans for the addition.
ziggytrix wrote:
KHOT (Knows she's HOT!!)
A terrible THOT.
KHOT (Knows she's HOT!!)
lmic wrote:
She produced the album herself. And I agree.
Whoever it is that produces her is a certifiable genius.
She produced the album herself. And I agree.
One of my favorite CDs for long trips in the car.
A terrible THOT.
coloradojohn wrote:
Me, too, except she reminds me of the girl in my dreams last night. Every night. And she can sing and compose! Ding! Ding!
I was hooked on Poe from the start; she reminds me of a bit of Beck, Beth Orton, Eels, Zero 7, and so many other of my favorite artists
Me, too, except she reminds me of the girl in my dreams last night. Every night. And she can sing and compose! Ding! Ding!
I was hooked on Poe from the start; she reminds me of a bit of Beck, Beth Orton, Eels, Zero 7, and so many other of my favorite artists
Great concept album.
coloradojohn wrote:
Agreed - and this is one of my least favorite Poe songs.
I think it's hard to beat how she uses the timing and timbre of her voice to express so much emotion, and the music and lyrics are great
Agreed - and this is one of my least favorite Poe songs.
The album cover idea was a terrible thought, and the Chrissie Hynde soundalike voice is a bit off-putting.
sbegf wrote:
Wolfkiss wrote:
And Beck in the beginning.
And I thought I caught a whiff of Bjork in her voice.
And a taste of the sinister Chrissie Hynde.
Wolfkiss wrote:
And Beck in the beginning.
And I thought I caught a whiff of Bjork in her voice.
And a taste of the sinister Chrissie Hynde.
passsion8 wrote:
i thought as much, the David Bowie inspired album cover kinda gave it away
POE was an alien who visited this planet from another time dimension and then vanished just as quickly. She left an indelible mark!
i thought as much, the David Bowie inspired album cover kinda gave it away
POE was an alien who visited this planet from another time dimension and then vanished just as quickly. She left an indelible mark!
Brilliant singer and great song, very elaborate, one more more cool RP discovery.
I think it's hard to beat how she uses the timing and timbre of her voice to express so much emotion, and the music and lyrics are great
lol...nite Y'all
Wow! I was just thinking about Poe! And that was a very good thought.
DaidyBoy wrote:
strangely hearing Garbage creeping in......
Wolfkiss wrote:
And Beck in the beginning.
And I thought I caught a whiff of Bjork in her voice.
Great song, first listen 8
This is the last time I am putting your head back on and this time I am attaching it so you won't lose it.......
One of my favorite albums
DaidyBoy wrote:
And Beck in the beginning.
strangely hearing Garbage creeping in......
And Beck in the beginning.
Wow, read this about her bizarre career turns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe_(singer) - she apparently was prevented from performing under her own name for a decade due to a legal battle over rights to her catalogue. This is why she disappeared after release of "haunted" and is only now returning to public performance. I guess the take-home is "read the fine print" and "don't give up control over your own work".
annoying......
MsJudi wrote:
Yeah. That's pretty good songwriting, eh?
A train like that can travel a soul for years... a thought like that can have a terribly long career.
Yeah. That's pretty good songwriting, eh?
I thought it was Chrissie Hynde
Thanks, RP, for introducing me to Poe. Sigh.
Hard to believe it has already been about 13 years since this superb album of hers came out...and I still get transfixed every time her amazing sexy voice grabs me by the ears!
strangely hearing Garbage creeping in......
Not bad. More intrigued by the cover art than the song.
A train like that can travel a soul for years... a thought like that can have a terribly long career.
derekd wrote:
And I keep seeing this CD at Amoeba in Berkeley, for all of $2. Easily worth it. A sizable fraction of all the music I have bought after being exposed to it on RP has been of the $2-3 CD form. People who only buy electronic versions of music are missing a lot of serendipitous discoveries, at least if they have an Amoeba nearby.
POE's first album (with the star on the front) is unbelievable. Worth getting. I found a few out of print ones at Amoeba Music in LA.
And I keep seeing this CD at Amoeba in Berkeley, for all of $2. Easily worth it. A sizable fraction of all the music I have bought after being exposed to it on RP has been of the $2-3 CD form. People who only buy electronic versions of music are missing a lot of serendipitous discoveries, at least if they have an Amoeba nearby.
derekd wrote:
Agreed! I always have time for Poe.
POE's first album (with the star on the front) is unbelievable. Worth getting. I found a few out of print ones at Amoeba Music in LA.
Agreed! I always have time for Poe.
POE's first album (with the star on the front) is unbelievable. Worth getting. I found a few out of print ones at Amoeba Music in LA.
grassfolk420 wrote:
Yep. Really good book. The remix of "Hey Pretty (drive by mix) has her brother reading from the book instead of the actual song lyrics.
I read a crazy book a few years ago titled "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski...very freaky. I found out later that Poe is his sister and that this album is a companion to the book. Never listened to her until now...very cool.
Yep. Really good book. The remix of "Hey Pretty (drive by mix) has her brother reading from the book instead of the actual song lyrics.
mhodak wrote:
No, don't think so! The only connection, returning to the music scene after a decade long hiatus:
1. Poe on Wikipedia
"She also announced that she was returning to the music scene after facing a decade of legal battles over her original major label contract" - sad, so many talented artists are in similar situations
2. Shirley Manson is the vocalist for Garbage (look for a new album from Garbage in 2012)
Is there actually any connection between Poe and Garbage?
Kilroy wrote:
Kilroy wrote:
Good stuff, but I liked them better when they were called *Garbage*.
-David Spade
-David Spade
No, don't think so! The only connection, returning to the music scene after a decade long hiatus:
1. Poe on Wikipedia
"She also announced that she was returning to the music scene after facing a decade of legal battles over her original major label contract" - sad, so many talented artists are in similar situations
2. Shirley Manson is the vocalist for Garbage (look for a new album from Garbage in 2012)
TheMagus wrote:
She featured also in Conjure One's first LP, "Conjure One". She sings the songs "Center of the Sun" and "Make a wish".
Can any of you great RP Poe fanatics tell me other albums this talented lady has performed on during her contractually enforced hiatus thanks to Bill know she was on Extraordinary Ways.
She featured also in Conjure One's first LP, "Conjure One". She sings the songs "Center of the Sun" and "Make a wish".
Can any of you great RP Poe fanatics tell me other albums this talented lady has performed on during her contractually enforced hiatus thanks to Bill know she was on Extraordinary Ways.
Is there actually any connection between Poe and Garbage?
Kilroy wrote:
Kilroy wrote:
Good stuff, but I liked them better when they were called *Garbage*.
-David Spade
-David Spade
lmic wrote:
I agree completely. While this album is highly stylized, the production is insanely good across the board. The arrangements are dynamic, creative and original. One of my favorite unknown classic albums.
Whoever it is that produces her is a certifiable genius.
I agree completely. While this album is highly stylized, the production is insanely good across the board. The arrangements are dynamic, creative and original. One of my favorite unknown classic albums.
Good stuff, but I liked them better when they were called *Garbage*.
-David Spade
-David Spade
Whoever it is that produces her is a certifiable genius.
RedGuitar wrote:
Her inner child ...
Whose are the other pair of hands (assuming one pair is hers)? 
Her inner child ...
RedGuitar wrote:
Dunno. Wish they were mine. Smart, talented women are Teh Sexay.
Whose are the other pair of hands (assuming one pair is hers)?
Dunno. Wish they were mine. Smart, talented women are Teh Sexay.
joanie wrote:
I was thinking Lucinda...
Love her voice...but only because she sounds like and seems to imitate Chrissy Hynde.
I was thinking Lucinda...
Love her voice...but only because she sounds like and seems to imitate Chrissy Hynde.
romeotuma wrote:
Probably talking about her ex record label execs.
Sounds like she is saying, "What a terrible fart..."
Probably talking about her ex record label execs.
Per her web site, I think she's had some legal battles on the use of her name with her former label. So I think she's been doing stuff with and under some other project names. But there's definitely no mistaking her voice (e.g. when she's with Conjure One).
Droidac wrote:
She's done some guest singing with the band Conjure One. Quite good, I must say.
Droidac wrote:
She's done some guest singing with the band Conjure One. Quite good, I must say.
POE's first album (with the star on the front) is unbelievable. Worth getting.
Shimmer wrote:
She's done some guest singing with the band Conjure One. Quite good, I must say.
When we will get new Poe!!?
She's done some guest singing with the band Conjure One. Quite good, I must say.
Love her voice - haunting, you might say.... By the way, for those who may be scratching their heads SYG 
stands for Smoke Your Goat. I have no idea if that is good or bad 
stands for Smoke Your Goat. I have no idea if that is good or bad SYG
Given the album's title, they might all be ghosts.
"Terrible Thought" is good song.
RedGuitar wrote:
"Terrible Thought" is good song.
RedGuitar wrote:
Whose are the other pair of hands (assuming one pair is hers)?
Whose are the other pair of hands (assuming one pair is hers)?
Why can't I seem to get into much beyond Angry Johnny and Trigger Happy Jack, as far as Poe goes? *shrugs* Just a 5 for me.
*shrugs* Just a 5 for me. Shimmer wrote:
she fell off the face of the planet. just like fiona apple!
When we will get new Poe!!?
she fell off the face of the planet. just like fiona apple!
When we will get new Poe!!?
I disagree. Poe rocks and has a unique sound. Check out Hello (the rock remix or electro-version).
Decent song from a stellar album.
sounds like my girlfriends cat in heat. if anyone was wondering, that's a very bad sound indeed.
Here is one of those wonderful gems I discovered on RP, heard more of her here and bought this album. Loved it.
Bill please play some more the Cure for mi comadre
smackiepipe wrote:
...in my opinion this creation needs to be heard from beginning to end to get the full emotional effect.
Hear, hear!
tiare wrote:
ok, but not as good as Garbage, and too abrasive for the afternoon.
Some of us need a little extra abrasion in the afternoon!
I'm glad I bought this CD
ok, but not as good as Garbage, and too abrasive for the afternoon. Also, she just sounds waaaay too much like Shirley Manson -sorry sad, but true.
Decent, but not RP worthy.
Nice track. Meanwhile, I thought it was an "over" produced Lucinda Williams! I totally hear the Chryssy Hynde, though. Better comparison, in fact, but I get a kick out of how our minds hear perceive things. I probably went Lucinda 'cause I've been listening to her a lot more (lately) than Hynde...
This album totally kicks from beginning to end. Granted, there are a few real standout songs that can be enjoyed in a 'mix' format, but in my opinion this creation needs to be heard from beginning to end to get the full emotional effect.
huebdoo wrote:
Chrissy Hynde lives again ... at least she isnt singing another rendition of Ohio or Working on a Chain Gang.
Seriously I thought this was Chrissy for the longest time until I looked at my WinAmp and it said "Poe"
Wow...
You're not alone, I was SURE this was something new from Ms. Hynde until I checked.
I kind of like it.
pdhski wrote:
lord, her voice just oozes from my speakers and pours into my shirt...
settles right into the spine, doesn't it?
joyjoy wrote:
That's a creepy album cover.
It's haunting! Oh, wait...
music sounds very beckish.
That's a creepy album cover.
pdhski wrote:
lord, her voice just oozes from my speakers and pours into my shirt...
Awe, yeah!
Chrissy Hynde lives again ... at least she isnt singing another rendition of Ohio or Working on a Chain Gang.
Seriously I thought this was Chrissy for the longest time until I looked at my WinAmp and it said "Poe"
Wow...
What a very cool transition from ChemBros "Let Forever Be" IMO
" ... A giant rat nibbling at my pride".
My 5 year old absolutely loves that line - we hit reverse scan on the CD player about 10 times whenever this one comes on.
This is one of my favorite albums of the decade.
GREAT album. AWESOME! But this, IMO, isn't one of the best songs.
But I'm not complaining... :) 
great lines from a great cd
You poisonous vine
You're strangling me inside
lord, her voice just oozes from my speakers and pours into my shirt...
Kevstar wrote:
Sounds like Christie Hynds from the Pretenders.
Definitely on the chorus - not so much on the verse.
And not like there's anything wrong with it, either...
She certainly broke my stride, completely forgot where I was in my work.
8
A new Pretenders song. Not bad.
One of my favorite vocalists in various electronic albums.
I might have to pick this one up, now.
justDave wrote:
Is it just me or are we hearing shades of Chrissy Hynde here?
Hmmm, no... Not even close.
I absolutely ADORE this album. But, hearing theses songs here out of the flow of the album just seem awkward and disconnected. Grating, even. Hmmmn, weird.
Terrible song.
Please stop now.
justDave wrote:
Is it just me or are we hearing shades of Chrissy Hynde here?
I was thinking the same thing.
Sounds like Christie Hynds from the Pretenders.
SpaceCowboy wrote:
She sounds like Lucinda Williams, doesn't she?
You're insane.
karlaanne wrote:
i don't like poe. and i didnt even like her the first time i heard her, when she was called "fiona apple".
when she was picked up by WEA/Atlantic, they sent out a formal letter to her family and friends to no longer call her by her birthname and that she was furthermore only allowed to be called "POE." one name, that's it. and it was legally enforced. no shit.
much more talent than Fiona, especially as a song writer, I'm not sure about your second comment except I do know she had a terrible recording deal and has fought it for a couple years now, she can't even perform her songs because of the legal BS. Read all about it at her website.
great disc here, from start to finish
karlaanne wrote:
i don't like poe. and i didnt even like her the first time i heard her, when she was called "fiona apple".
Except POE was around long before Fiona Apple.
karlaanne wrote:
when she was picked up by WEA/Atlantic, they sent out a formal letter to her family and friends to no longer call her by her birthname and that she was furthermore only allowed to be called "POE." one name, that's it. and it was legally enforced. no shit.
Surely that's on Snopes. Sounds in-credible.
I read a crazy book a few years ago titled "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski...very freaky. I found out later that Poe is his sister and that this album is a companion to the book. Never listened to her until now...very cool.
i don't like poe. and i didnt even like her the first time i heard her, when she was called "fiona apple".
when she was picked up by WEA/Atlantic, they sent out a formal letter to her family and friends to no longer call her by her birthname and that she was furthermore only allowed to be called "POE." one name, that's it. and it was legally enforced. no shit.
I like the dark content.
Wisecrowe wrote:
Creepy cover art
I agree. Looks like she's gonna get her neck broken.
I think she sounds like Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders.
Creepy cover art
The album photo makes her look like Wynona Ryder.
Leslie wrote:
I'm thinking each album she puts out must be finely crafted. I get the feeling Poe won't settle for anything less than her idea of what her perfect album will be. That being said I would think that she will not "sell out" to her record label and be forced to produce lousy music just to make the company money. If I am right (and I sure hope I am) then she can take as long as she wants to craft her next album. We know it will be worth it.
I'm sure you're right--certainly "Haunted" demonstrates how hard she worked on musicianship and production to get just what she wanted. But it turns out she is having trouble with her label/contract.