Guster — Come Downstairs and Say Hello
Album: Keep It TogetherAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1978
Length: 5:13
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Dorothy moves to click her ruby shoes
Right in tune with dark side of the moon
Someone, someone could tell me
Where I belong
Be calm, be brave, it'll be okay
No more messing around and living underground
And new year's resolutions
By this time next year I won't be here
I turn on MTV, the volume's down
Lips move, they say
It'll be okay
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
One last time these words from me
I'm never saying them again
and I shut the light
and listen as my watch unwinds
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
I know I've been half-asleep
I'm never doing that again
I look straight at what's coming ahead
and soon its going to change in a new direction
Every night as I'm falling asleep
These words repeating in my head
Voices calling from a yellow road
To come downstairs and say hello
Don't be shy, just say hello
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
I know I've been half-asleep
I'm never doing that again
I look straight at what's coming ahead
and soon its going to change in a new direction
Every night as I'm falling asleep
These words repeated in my head
Right in tune with dark side of the moon
Someone, someone could tell me
Where I belong
Be calm, be brave, it'll be okay
No more messing around and living underground
And new year's resolutions
By this time next year I won't be here
I turn on MTV, the volume's down
Lips move, they say
It'll be okay
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
One last time these words from me
I'm never saying them again
and I shut the light
and listen as my watch unwinds
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
I know I've been half-asleep
I'm never doing that again
I look straight at what's coming ahead
and soon its going to change in a new direction
Every night as I'm falling asleep
These words repeating in my head
Voices calling from a yellow road
To come downstairs and say hello
Don't be shy, just say hello
To tell you the truth, I've said it before
Tomorrow I start in a new direction
I know I've been half-asleep
I'm never doing that again
I look straight at what's coming ahead
and soon its going to change in a new direction
Every night as I'm falling asleep
These words repeated in my head
Comments (170)add comment
If you've never seen Guster live at least once, your life is unfulfilled.
This sounds a little like R.E.M.'s Shaking Through. They both do that D to B minor thing.
That old Rita Mitsouko riff has a different flavor in this. This is well done.
One of the best lyrical, melodic bands of the last 25 years
ThePoose wrote:
Cute. They are one of the most fun bands I've seen live in years. That was back in 2008 or so.
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
Cute. They are one of the most fun bands I've seen live in years. That was back in 2008 or so.
sounds like someone playing a violin like a guitar, amazing sound, gave it a nine 
haha ThePoose wrote:
That sentence is a total cluster****.
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
That sentence is a total cluster****.
ThePoose wrote:
Nice poem..as I have a Duster....in Finland
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
Nice poem..as I have a Duster....in Finland
Beantown represents!
mrtuba9 wrote:
the live version is really terrific.
the drummer "lache les chevaux" in french, is really "in" ...
Guster live version
This song is so cool for me. A song that starts out a little on the slow, down side, then picks up for a fantastic finish. For me, much like Coldplay's "Fix You." or a Dvorak symphony/movement. I might get roasted for this comment, but oh well. This is RP!!!
the live version is really terrific.
the drummer "lache les chevaux" in french, is really "in" ...
Guster live version
A truly fantastic song from a very talented, expressive band -- and one of my favorites by them. The poetry, the passion, the tempo changes, the innovative percussion and sheer intensity of this blows me away!
ThePoose wrote:
Comment's a right cluster....
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
Comment's a right cluster....
Certainly some R.E.M influence here
ThePoose wrote:
Hey, no need to filibuster.
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
Hey, no need to filibuster.
I did understand :
I turn on NBC
The volume's down
Lips moce, they say
It'll be okay
And i did sincerly laugh !
I turn on NBC
The volume's down
Lips moce, they say
It'll be okay
And i did sincerly laugh !
This would be a great song to listen to whilst riding my motorbike on a Sunday day :-)
lizardking wrote:
This is one that when it comes up on my favorites, I look to see what it is because it starts out so slow and can't remember why I added it. Then... it kicks into gear!!!
No roasting at all....from me at least....Long Live RP!!
This is one that when it comes up on my favorites, I look to see what it is because it starts out so slow and can't remember why I added it. Then... it kicks into gear!!!
"Be calm, be brave, it'll be okay"
Let's hope so!
Let's hope so!
mrtuba9 wrote:
This song is so cool for me. A song that starts out a little on the slow, down side, then picks up for a fantastic finish. For me, much like Coldplay's "Fix You." or a Dvorak symphony/movement. I might get roasted for this comment, but oh well. This is RP!!!
No roasting at all....from me at least....Long Live RP!!This song is so cool for me. A song that starts out a little on the slow, down side, then picks up for a fantastic finish. For me, much like Coldplay's "Fix You." or a Dvorak symphony/movement. I might get roasted for this comment, but oh well. This is RP!!!
Hey_Porter wrote:
Same here, but it was more like 15+ years ago now; I've seen them live 4-5 times since that TV experience years ago just after my move here to flatland.
This is the song that turned me on to Guster when I stumbled upon them playing Austin City Limits ten years ago. Nary a drumstick for the percussion madman and I was hooked.
Same here, but it was more like 15+ years ago now; I've seen them live 4-5 times since that TV experience years ago just after my move here to flatland.
Buster, I can muster a lot of bluster for Guster and their lustre before I get flustered and ride off in my Duster.
An absolutely enjoyable build up, so gentle and smooth. I love the way how controlled and channeled the energy and emotion are in this song. First heard it when I was 18 and it's one of those songs that reminds me of an easy time, even though looking back I'd say this was when I first started feeling the world. But looking back everything was still lighter and easier.. how it always is.. I wonder if this feeling of an increasing heaviness will one day turn around..
lizardking wrote:
I've recently re-rated this gem to a 10...the uplifting 2nd half of the tune is sublime and I really like the line about being half asleep....fits how I felt in my life when I first heard this tune. Long Live RP!!
Not sure if I've ever heard a "DSOTM/WOO" reference in a song before, that got my attention today for the 1st time. And I'd already rated this track an 8. Well dang if I'm not liking Guster even more now! Long Live RP!!
**8→9 today...this song kicks ass!**
**8→9 today...this song kicks ass!**
I've recently re-rated this gem to a 10...the uplifting 2nd half of the tune is sublime and I really like the line about being half asleep....fits how I felt in my life when I first heard this tune. Long Live RP!!
Not sure if I've ever heard a "DSOTM/WOO" reference in a song before, that got my attention today for the 1st time. And I'd already rated this track an 8. Well dang if I'm not liking Guster even more now! Long Live RP!!
**8→9 today...this song kicks ass!**
aspicer wrote:
I'd say more like Pretty Persuasion.
And also, that's the GREAT part of the song, where they do their jangly IRS-era REM homage!
Good tune but way too REM "Driver 8"
I'd say more like Pretty Persuasion.
And also, that's the GREAT part of the song, where they do their jangly IRS-era REM homage!
Good tune but way too REM "Driver 8"
Decoy wrote:
This song always put me in a better mood. that is the power of music.
This is the song that turned me on to Guster when I stumbled upon them playing Austin City Limits ten years ago. Nary a drumstick for the percussion madman and I was hooked.
So, so good... This wry, genius song can bring yin~yang fluctuations of heart and dream-like time-frames into the moment; I LOVE IT!
This song always put me in a better mood. that is the power of music.
Very nice. Kind of trippy and bouncy. Like a hummingbird!
bubink wrote:
Exactly my thought
Like like like like LIKE!
Exactly my thought
Wow, first comment on this song was 11 years ago, is that when the reviews were added?
2004 - That's really OLD in internet years..
And the song... well suffice to say I was distracted by the old comments so that's how much it kept my attention, unlike the folks absolutely worshipping it for the last 11 years...
2004 - That's really OLD in internet years..
And the song... well suffice to say I was distracted by the old comments so that's how much it kept my attention, unlike the folks absolutely worshipping it for the last 11 years...
again
This Guster is a f...ing good "mood improver"
This Guster is a f...ing good "mood improver"
tournemire wrote:
ðð
thats exactly what i needed to change my mood
thanks again RP : my "good music list" has many common points with your playlist.
8 at least to start
thanks again RP : my "good music list" has many common points with your playlist.
8 at least to start
ðð
bubink wrote:
ðð
Like like like like LIKE!
ðð
eyeball wrote:
not
Oh hey!
It's R.E.M.
It's R.E.M.
not
Oh hey!
It's R.E.M.
It's R.E.M.
Guster out west recording. . . .looking forward to a new Guster CD!
7 > 8. That evolves into a nice, catchy tune.
thats exactly what i needed to change my mood
thanks again RP : my "good music list" has many common points with your playlist.
8 at least to start
thanks again RP : my "good music list" has many common points with your playlist.
8 at least to start
Like like like like LIKE!
WonderLizard wrote:
I saw the same concert, only in Boise and you're absolutely right. Guster was fantastic! Ben Folds Five was respectable, but not as crazy as I've seen him and BNL were, as you say "tight", and yes, Boothby Graffoe, was really goofball, in a really great way.
Saw them at Merriwether Post a few weeks ago opening for Ben Folds and Barenaked Ladies. Now we've seen them 4-5 times over the last couple of years, and they just tore this one up one side and own the other. It was an opening act statement, "Okay, top this!" Ben Folds did a respectable job, the the Ladies absolutely cooked. They seemed like a looser (more relaxed), yet tighter (no one dropped a cue), band without Stephen Page. All of them sang, adding all sorts of fabulous harmonies to what were once Page's solo efforts. A loveable goofball named Boothby Graffoe, who'd opened for them all, came out to sing "Be My Yoko Ono" and brought the house down. Great show.
I saw the same concert, only in Boise and you're absolutely right. Guster was fantastic! Ben Folds Five was respectable, but not as crazy as I've seen him and BNL were, as you say "tight", and yes, Boothby Graffoe, was really goofball, in a really great way.
Saw them at Merriwether Post a few weeks ago opening for Ben Folds and Barenaked Ladies. Now we've seen them 4-5 times over the last couple of years, and they just tore this one up one side and own the other. It was an opening act statement, "Okay, top this!" Ben Folds did a respectable job, the the Ladies absolutely cooked. They seemed like a looser (more relaxed), yet tighter (no one dropped a cue), band without Stephen Page. All of them sang, adding all sorts of fabulous harmonies to what were once Page's solo efforts. A loveable goofball named Boothby Graffoe, who'd opened for them all, came out to sing "Be My Yoko Ono" and brought the house down. Great show.
Absolutely! I often thought that, too. Circa Murmur and Reckoning... so earnest, so pure, so moving, and catchy as hell!
---
Clark_Novato wrote:
---
Clark_Novato wrote:
Nice tune. Anyone else hearing early REM?
Nice tune. Anyone else hearing early REM?
I love the way it starts out so mellow and smooth, and then builds so very nicely to rocking on an orchestral level! Fabulous! I still can feel the magic, just like the first time I heard it. Before this, I liked them... Hearing this song on RP when it was new made me check them out a bit deeper... Next thing I knew, I had ALL their stuff; I still find it all to be truly wonderful in variety and mood! I love these guys; thanks, RP!
Niyeeeece
Decoy wrote:
have you not heard, it was my understanding that everyone was aware.
have you not heard, it was my understanding that everyone was aware.
What a wonderfully gentle segue from Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Bill's a pro!
Xstar wrote:
have you not heard, it was my understanding that everyone was aware.
I wonder what ever happened to the bird? 
have you not heard, it was my understanding that everyone was aware.
Josephine wrote:
Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.
what a beaut of a track. i love the way it builds! "I'm never gonna be half-asleep again" 
Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.
I wonder what ever happened to the bird?
Guster !!! -stumbled upon them in itunes 10+ years ago - beautiful album - this tune is the standout - the live show is fantastic.
very nicely upbeat & minimalist - all at once.
I just love this song and this album!
Cool album cover. 
Part of the melody comes from "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion..
helgigermany wrote:
Very existential !
Same one than the song before!
Very existential !
Same one than the song before!
My favorite of their songs - and actually, one of my favorite songs period. 10
Pretty good...really good actually.
Loved the DSOTM reference.
Loved the DSOTM reference.
lovemydog wrote:
Hey me too! Guster is great to listen to and fun to sing along with...
I used to love to ride my bike and listen to this album and sing along.
Hey me too! Guster is great to listen to and fun to sing along with...
I used to love to ride my bike and listen to this album and sing along.
I like the Dark Side of the Moon/Wizard of Oz reference in the beginning.
Great song
Great song
I heard "Don't be shy, come on down". Wrong, but still works... Another rock star with lousy diction. But a nice voice!
hippiechick wrote:
Hey me too! Guster is great to listen to and fun to sing along with...
One of my most very favoritest songs!
Hey me too! Guster is great to listen to and fun to sing along with...
One of my most very favoritest songs!
Loreweaver wrote:
And for me, VLC Player on my Mac
a wise man once said
'home is not a place, it's a state of mind'
and this nails RP for me, awesome playlists, feel better everytime I launch winamp 
And for me, VLC Player on my Mac
NO ONE SEZ YOU GOTTA LISTEN....YOU DO HAVE A CD PLAYER....DON'T CHA??
THEWISEKING HAS TWO THINGS WE ALL GOT''''OPINION AND ASSHOLE ME THINKS ONE BEGETS THE OTHER,CUZ AIN'T NARY HEARD A NICE WORD OF ANY TYPE FROM THE KING FOR ANY OF THE STUFF ON THIS RADIO...YOU KNOW.....YOU DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN HERE,,,THERE ARE OTHER(BELIEVE IT OR NOT) MUSIC CHOICES ON THE VAST INTERNET!!!
This is scary - I have a vision of a buck toothed individual in a rocking chair nursing a twelve bore...wait, thats a mirror, its me..
sub-arctic wrote:
coloradojohn wrote:
Amen.
God dwells within these playlists!
Amen.
a wise man once said
'home is not a place, it's a state of mind'
and this nails RP for me, awesome playlists, feel better everytime I launch winamp
sub-arctic wrote:
Oh and this whole time I thought it was Bill and Rebecca!
coloradojohn wrote:
Amen.
God dwells within these playlists!
Amen.
Oh and this whole time I thought it was Bill and Rebecca!
coloradojohn wrote:
Amen.
God dwells within these playlists!
Amen.
Oh, you guys are good. I mean, really good. My God, the connections! God dwells within these playlists!
And almost anything moves in time with Dark Side of the Moon (or any other PF for that matter)...
I remember hearing this first, on RP, years ago, and thinking, WOW, about the band, AND the station. Nothing like 'em anywhere!
And almost anything moves in time with Dark Side of the Moon (or any other PF for that matter)...
I remember hearing this first, on RP, years ago, and thinking, WOW, about the band, AND the station. Nothing like 'em anywhere!
hippiechick wrote:
As I said...
Every time this comes on my pod, I play it twice.
I listen to RP via RealPlayer, so I'll probably repeat 5 times as long as it remains in cache! (and I own the CD; can't get enough)
As I said...
Every time this comes on my pod, I play it twice.
I listen to RP via RealPlayer, so I'll probably repeat 5 times as long as it remains in cache! (and I own the CD; can't get enough)
Peace.
Darkmatter wrote:
cattail321, whatever drugs you are taking, it is time to cut down. 
cattail321, whatever drugs you are taking, it is time to cut down.
At what point did the music cease to be the focus of this thread? B-I, B-O.
cattail321 wrote:
NO ONE SEZ YOU GOTTA LISTEN....YOU DO HAVE A CD PLAYER....DON'T CHA??
THEWISEKING HAS TWO THINGS WE ALL GOT''''OPINION AND ASSHOLE ME THINKS ONE BEGETS THE OTHER,CUZ AIN'T NARY HEARD A NICE WORD OF ANY TYPE FROM THE KING FOR ANY OF THE STUFF ON THIS RADIO...YOU KNOW.....YOU DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN HERE,,,THERE ARE OTHER(BELIEVE IT OR NOT) MUSIC CHOICES ON THE VAST INTERNET!!!
Olympus_mons wrote:
I would like to hear it
NO ONE SEZ YOU GOTTA LISTEN....YOU DO HAVE A CD PLAYER....DON'T CHA??
Man. I love this song.
thewiseking wrote:
here we go again with the amateurish electronica teletubbies sound
my 11 year old can do better with garageband on the mac
I would like to hear it
here we go again with the amateurish electronica teletubbies sound
my 11 year old can do better with garageband on the mac
...rather arresting; nice...
One of the best CDs I've purchased in the last year or so.
hippiechick wrote:
10! 10! 10!
Don't know why, but it's one of my favorite songs, EVER.
As I said...
Every time this comes on my pod, I play it twice.
10! 10! 10!
Don't know why, but it's one of my favorite songs, EVER.
the end rocks, actually made me want to get out of this bed to start the day! NICE title!
LOVE IT!
Each minute of this track just got better and better. Solid 8. 
Olympus_mons wrote:
I'll Second that!
Thanks - I will!
This is an interesting track.
The lead's voice makes me think of Duncan Sheik (barely breathing from a few years ago)
There's a lot going on with these guys, so much more than might be readily apparent beyond great musical creativity. They are as deep as it gets, and they have really energized my musical appetite these last several years. And no small thanks to Bill and RP for that, too!
ObsidianInfinity wrote:
If you guys dig this, check out their new CD .. it is amazing.
I'll Second that!
Yeah. sitting in the dark watching Wizard of Oz with the sound turned down and listening to Pink Floyd cranked up loud. I CAN relate. 
If you guys dig this, check out their new CD .. it is amazing.
orpheus wrote:
agree, not too many (if any) songs written about the WofOZ/DSOTM connection, gotta give it an 8 just for that alone! 
Ditto. That phrase was what made me check to see who was playing.
trekhead wrote:
...Anything with DSOTM reference can't be all that bad....
An 8.
agree, not too many (if any) songs written about the WofOZ/DSOTM connection, gotta give it an 8 just for that alone!
Mugro wrote:
There have been other Guster tunes that I have enjoyed. This is not one of them. Don't know why. Could grow on me. Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Don't keep us holding our breath.
When exactly did lame boy vocals become the flavor of the year. Poor us....
There have been other Guster tunes that I have enjoyed. This is not one of them. Don't know why. Could grow on me. Perhaps. Perhaps not.
i'm happily pleasantly surprised by this song. i couldn't figure out who it was when i first overheard it while doing something else around the apartment. i like these guys. and as a college student, the drummer was particularly cute. :D
I'm confused -- why do I now have two Elvis Costello songs stuck in my head that weren't there before? The last bit -- is a direct quote of some other song, or am I just plain bananas? Maybe it's not Elvis Costello, but it's definitely something (oh, THAT helps...) Or was it something Seattley? Help!
(the first Costello song to which I refer is on his compilation album with Annie Sofie von Otter, so I know which one that is) 
My wife rushed in to find out what 80's tune I was listening to. Had to get an extra jolt of teasing in by telling her it was Ben Folds.
Joking aside, though, I agree with the other comments about the great build-up. I've been most impressed with these Guster boys. No exception here.
Guster. Did na know them. Learning to love them.
Even as an alt-lover, I do tire of the sameness of the genre. Guster tho, has summit...different.
Thanks RP.
I must agree -- incredible pop music -- and see them live, if you can. Great energy & vibe -- on this song and live! 
See this band live if you can. Best band out there flying on the indie / college scene.
I really like the build. It's a friendly song.
this is such a pleasant song
I love this song so much! Love Guster!
MojoJojo wrote:
The entire CD is great, IMHO...
I second that.
An old RP favourite still going strong. Keep it coming! 
The entire CD is great, IMHO...
I really like that album cover. the song is ok.
Listen to this song with headphones on...LOUD...it's pure pop genius!!!
This is the same band that does "Amsterdam?"
Wow.
Well, let me be the first to say, this was cool! I have been informed by more and more people that I need to check out Guster, and I think I will do just that!