Aimee Mann — The Moth
Album: Live at St. Ann's WarehouseAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 317
Length: 3:31
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
The moth don't care when he sees the flame
He might get burned, but he's in the game
And once he's in, he can't go back
He'll beat his wings till he burns them black
No, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
No, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
The moth don't care if the flame is real
'Cause flame and moth got a sweetheart deal
And nothing fuels a good flirtation
Like need and anger and desperation
No, the moth don't care if the flame is real
No, the moth don't care if the flame is real
So come on, let's go, ready or not
'Cause there's a flame I know, hotter than hot
And with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot, away
The moth don't care if the flame burns low
'Cause moth believes in an afterglow
And flames are never doused completely
All you really need is the love of heat
No, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
No, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
So come on, let's go, ready or not
'Cause there's a flame I know, hotter than hot
And with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot, away
He might get burned, but he's in the game
And once he's in, he can't go back
He'll beat his wings till he burns them black
No, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
No, the moth don't care when he sees the flame
The moth don't care if the flame is real
'Cause flame and moth got a sweetheart deal
And nothing fuels a good flirtation
Like need and anger and desperation
No, the moth don't care if the flame is real
No, the moth don't care if the flame is real
So come on, let's go, ready or not
'Cause there's a flame I know, hotter than hot
And with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot, away
The moth don't care if the flame burns low
'Cause moth believes in an afterglow
And flames are never doused completely
All you really need is the love of heat
No, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
No, the moth don't care if the flame burns low
So come on, let's go, ready or not
'Cause there's a flame I know, hotter than hot
And with a fuse that's so thoroughly shot, away
Comments (78)add comment
MiracleDrug wrote:
I'm guessing this is the reason Baskin and Robbins didn't stop after chocolate...
Yep, MD, but I'm also guessing that - in the interest of good taste - it's why they were kind enough to take liver flavor off the menu...
I'm guessing this is the reason Baskin and Robbins didn't stop after chocolate...
Yep, MD, but I'm also guessing that - in the interest of good taste - it's why they were kind enough to take liver flavor off the menu...
ShortSharpShock wrote:
MiracleDrug wrote:
So, MD... I guess on this live track you're one of the eleven people in the audience actually glad to be there. I'm happy for you.
The people I really feel sorry for are her roadies and soundboard guy. How would they even approach the concept of trying to make that sound GOOD?! After about the third show of hearing her push that sound out of her nose about how a moth and a flame have a "sweetheart deal" (there's some great writing - all of these years I thought a sweetheart deal was something good, not something where one party burns to death), I'd go at my eardrums with an ice pick until I hit gray matter...
Just sayin'
I'm guessing this is the reason Baskin and Robbins didn't stop after chocolate...
So, MD... I guess on this live track you're one of the eleven people in the audience actually glad to be there. I'm happy for you.
The people I really feel sorry for are her roadies and soundboard guy. How would they even approach the concept of trying to make that sound GOOD?! After about the third show of hearing her push that sound out of her nose about how a moth and a flame have a "sweetheart deal" (there's some great writing - all of these years I thought a sweetheart deal was something good, not something where one party burns to death), I'd go at my eardrums with an ice pick until I hit gray matter...
Just sayin'
I'm guessing this is the reason Baskin and Robbins didn't stop after chocolate...
MiracleDrug wrote:
So, MD... I guess on this live track you're one of the eleven people in the audience actually glad to be there. I'm happy for you.
The people I really feel sorry for are her roadies and soundboard guy. How would they even approach the concept of trying to make that sound GOOD?! After about the third show of hearing her push that sound out of her nose about how a moth and a flame have a "sweetheart deal" (there's some great writing - all of these years I thought a sweetheart deal was something good, not something where one party burns to death), I'd go at my eardrums with an ice pick until I hit gray matter...
Just sayin'
ShortSharpShock wrote:
on the other hand...
EVERY time I hear Aimee...
her voice makes me SMILE...
Wow, I've never had something so awful provide me with such motivation. I've wanted to create an account for a long time, but this song made me snap and suddenly I just had to.
I had no idea that Aimee Mann was the voice behind 'Til Tuesday, of which I was never a fan. All I knew was that every song that has her name attached to it here on RP or elsewhere consistently provides me with one of the worst listening experiences I can possibly anticipate. This song takes this painful experience to a new low. The metaphor is bland and uncreative, the lyrics are a trashcan full of bad clichés and I believe I could emulate her abhorrent vocals by stuffing carrots up my nose and singing into a tin can.
Other than that, she's terrific... Please, please let her retire. Quickly.
I can't wait to go to all of her tracks and give them a "1" rating. At least THAT will give me some pleasure. Wish there were negative numbers available.
on the other hand...
EVERY time I hear Aimee...
her voice makes me SMILE...
So, MD... I guess on this live track you're one of the eleven people in the audience actually glad to be there. I'm happy for you.
The people I really feel sorry for are her roadies and soundboard guy. How would they even approach the concept of trying to make that sound GOOD?! After about the third show of hearing her push that sound out of her nose about how a moth and a flame have a "sweetheart deal" (there's some great writing - all of these years I thought a sweetheart deal was something good, not something where one party burns to death), I'd go at my eardrums with an ice pick until I hit gray matter...
Just sayin'
ShortSharpShock wrote:
on the other hand...
EVERY time I hear Aimee...
her voice makes me SMILE...
Wow, I've never had something so awful provide me with such motivation. I've wanted to create an account for a long time, but this song made me snap and suddenly I just had to.
I had no idea that Aimee Mann was the voice behind 'Til Tuesday, of which I was never a fan. All I knew was that every song that has her name attached to it here on RP or elsewhere consistently provides me with one of the worst listening experiences I can possibly anticipate. This song takes this painful experience to a new low. The metaphor is bland and uncreative, the lyrics are a trashcan full of bad clichés and I believe I could emulate her abhorrent vocals by stuffing carrots up my nose and singing into a tin can.
Other than that, she's terrific... Please, please let her retire. Quickly.
I can't wait to go to all of her tracks and give them a "1" rating. At least THAT will give me some pleasure. Wish there were negative numbers available.
on the other hand...
EVERY time I hear Aimee...
her voice makes me SMILE...
You know, I don't mind this song usually, but this version is just awful.
ShortSharpShock wrote:
So how do you "really" feel? Just kidding.
Wow, I've never had something so awful provide me with such motivation. I've wanted to create an account for a long time, but this song made me snap and suddenly I just had to.
I had no idea that Aimee Mann was the voice behind 'Til Tuesday, of which I was never a fan. All I knew was that every song that has her name attached to it here on RP or elsewhere consistently provides me with one of the worst listening experiences I can possibly anticipate. This song takes this painful experience to a new low. The metaphor is bland and uncreative, the lyrics are a trashcan full of bad clichés and I believe I could emulate her abhorrent vocals by stuffing carrots up my nose and singing into a tin can.
Other than that, she's terrific... Please, please let her retire. Quickly.
I can't wait to go to all of her tracks and give them a "1" rating. At least THAT will give me some pleasure. Wish there were negative numbers available.
So how do you "really" feel? Just kidding.
Wow, I've never had something so awful provide me with such motivation. I've wanted to create an account for a long time, but this song made me snap and suddenly I just had to.
I had no idea that Aimee Mann was the voice behind 'Til Tuesday, of which I was never a fan. All I knew was that every song that has her name attached to it here on RP or elsewhere consistently provides me with one of the worst listening experiences I can possibly anticipate. This song takes this painful experience to a new low. The metaphor is bland and uncreative, the lyrics are a trashcan full of bad clichés and I believe I could emulate her abhorrent vocals by stuffing carrots up my nose and singing into a tin can.
Other than that, she's terrific... Please, please let her retire. Quickly.
I can't wait to go to all of her tracks and give them a "1" rating. At least THAT will give me some pleasure. Wish there were negative numbers available.
Excellent song and DVD.
annoffalese wrote:
No. It's really irritating.
It is a lot more nasly in her live recordings. They must have a de-nasalator in the studio or something.
am i really the only one who doens't like aimee mann's nasal voice?
No. It's really irritating.
It is a lot more nasly in her live recordings. They must have a de-nasalator in the studio or something.
vandal wrote:
I wish she wouldn't pinch her nose when she sings. . .
I wish she wouldn't pinch her nose when she sings. . .
am i really the only one who doens't like aimee mann's nasal voice?
Bocephus wrote:
Vampire moth - bite - human dead. Problem solved ;)
splat...the moth is dead. problem solved.
Vampire moth - bite - human dead. Problem solved ;)splat...the moth is dead. problem solved.
DaveInVA wrote:
Love Aimee.
Love this song 
Love Aimee.
westslope wrote:
Plus which, given how pensive so many of her songs are, the pic sets an approprite mood IMO.
Interesting comments F1. I could almost guarantee that she did not pick the photo; somebody else did.
Plus which, given how pensive so many of her songs are, the pic sets an approprite mood IMO.
Love this song
Interesting comments F1. I could almost guarantee that she did not pick the photo; somebody else did.
annoffalese wrote:
YUK! Why do you play this?
The moth don't care. I think this is a pheromonimal song! YUK! 2 months later and you're playing it again!
sqqqrly wrote:
She looks pretty miserable on the cover. Is she bored? Wishing she were anywhere else? Still a seven.
When one considers that she probably had dozens and dozens of photos to choose from she picked this. This is how she wants to be portrayed? I thought she was supposed to be a strong individual, but she only succeeds in making herself look depressed and frightened.
She looks pretty miserable on the cover. Is she bored? Wishing she were anywhere else? Still a seven.
When one considers that she probably had dozens and dozens of photos to choose from she picked this. This is how she wants to be portrayed? I thought she was supposed to be a strong individual, but she only succeeds in making herself look depressed and frightened.
St. Ann's Warehouse is by far my favorite Aimee album. She mixes in a few Magnolia songs and the band sounds terrific throughout. For an artist that doesn't really enjoy playing shows, Aimee rocks this one.
For those looking at buying this one, this album comes with a DVD of the concert inside as well, which is a fantastic deal for about fifteen bucks.
8.
For those looking at buying this one, this album comes with a DVD of the concert inside as well, which is a fantastic deal for about fifteen bucks.
8.
YUK! Why do you play this?
suebee3 wrote:
yeah i usually like her voice but this is horrid
This makes me want to run for a kleenex - she sounds like she needs some Nazonex!
yeah i usually like her voice but this is horrid
I can tell you from Insect neurobiology that "The Moth" does not really care about anything else either - other than perhaps finding a mate.
rtrudeau wrote:
I believe this is what they call a metaphor. You might try to look it up. Or possibly take English 101.
This makes me want to run for a kleenex - she sounds like she needs some Nazonex!
phlattop wrote:
She looks pretty miserable on the cover. Is she bored? Wishing she were anywhere else? Still a seven.
someone gives this woman a drink. she always sounds miserable
She looks pretty miserable on the cover. Is she bored? Wishing she were anywhere else? Still a seven.
torturedpotato wrote:
Unfortunately, to far too many people, it has become so.
Yeah, because American Idol is the gold standard for musicianship.
Unfortunately, to far too many people, it has become so.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
I believe this is what they call a metaphor. You might try to look it up. Or possibly take English 101.
Who gives a rat's a** what the moth thinks?
This is embarrassingly funny.
This is embarrassingly funny.
I believe this is what they call a metaphor. You might try to look it up. Or possibly take English 101.
A snoozer, for sure. I like some of Aimee's work, but it's definitely not all-inclusive.
Her concert cuts always remind me of her cameo on Buffy - the closest I've ever been to this musical goddess live!
annoffalese wrote:
It's not just the nasal thing. There's another annoying tonality thing going on as well.
ban the Mann....she sings through her nose and it is most irritating to the ears
It's not just the nasal thing. There's another annoying tonality thing going on as well.
Pretty much my least favorite track from a phenomenal album.
I like it.
Its just that, as good as a voice may be, its just not interesting if its perfect. artists with less than perfect voices really show vulnerability, and thats what makes for great music. I think I like the studio version better on this one though.
annoffalese wrote:
ban the Mann....she sings through her nose and it is most irritating to the ears
Yet, you rate Neil Young an 8.
ban the Mann....she sings through her nose and it is most irritating to the ears
The whole thing is a bit Kafka-esque. I bet the moth is a misunderstood heroin addict.
Who gives a rat's a** what the moth thinks?
This is embarrassingly funny.
someone gives this woman a drink. she always sounds miserable
One more vote for the studio version.
I've heard a few cuts off this live album after each one I ask why she released that performance. Her voice just wasn't good that night.
much as I like aimee, I have to agree with the comments about nasality. sounds like she was afflicted with a pretty nasty cold at this performance. Why not play the studio versions of these live songs?
mmmm... nasally!
MaG580 wrote:
She got some nice stuff but especially here she sounds like my friends mom..
Perhaps the one you secretly pined for? She sounds great here!
torturedpotato wrote:
Yeah, because American Idol is the gold standard for musicianship.
Touche!
Thanks for posting this. It's great.
rah wrote:
the lesson of the moth
i was talking to a moth
the other evening
he was trying to break into
an electric light bulb
and fry himself on the wires
why do you fellows
pull this stunt i asked him
because it is the conventional
thing for moths or why
if that had been an uncovered
candle instead of an electric
light bulb you would
now be a small unsightly cinder
have you no sense
plenty of it he answered
but at times we get tired
of using it
we get bored with the routine
and crave beauty
and excitement
fire is beautiful
and we know that if we get
too close it will kill us
but what does that matter
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
so we wad all our life up
into one little roll
and then we shoot the roll
that is what life is for
it is better to be a part of beauty
for one instant and then cease to
exist than to exist forever
and never be a part of beauty
our attitude toward life
is come easy go easy
we are like human beings
used to be before they became
too civilized to enjoy themselves
and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself i would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity
but at the same time i wish
there was something i wanted
as badly as he wanted to fry himself
- archy
(aka Don Marquis)
She got some nice stuff but especially here she sounds like my friends mom..
brokemusician wrote:
If she were to compete in American Idol, I wonder how far she would make it? 
Good band, though!
Yeah, because American Idol is the gold standard for musicianship.
Good band, though!
snurfer wrote:
Chrissie Hynde's but much lazy...
odd... when I saw her live last year, I finally heard what all the rave was about (even though I loved her stuff before)
Her voice was so smooth.... like buttah!
Zosh wrote:
I really want to like Aimee, but her singing voice is just so darned boring.
Chrissie Hynde's but much lazy...
More Mann-ish mediocrity. And is there a bigger lyrical cliche than moth-->flame? I would give her a point for some originality but there's none to be found here.
If she were to compete in American Idol, I wonder how far she would make it?
Good band, though!
Good band, though!
radiojunkie wrote:
I can't figure out if she was under the weather at this performance, or what, but compared to all the other recordings I've heard, on here her voice sounds thin and scratchy, and her accent and phrasing are weird. It's like she's barely the same singer, and I can't believe that her smooth and confident voice on all her other recordings has been the result of some kind of studio wizardry. Hasn't anybody else noticed this?
I agree
I really want to like Aimee, but her singing voice is just so darned boring.
I always enjoy a little Aimee Mann.
physicsgenius wrote:
OPEN. YOUR. MOUTH. WHEN. YOU. SING.
Exactly.
the lesson of the moth
i was talking to a moth
the other evening
he was trying to break into
an electric light bulb
and fry himself on the wires
why do you fellows
pull this stunt i asked him
because it is the conventional
thing for moths or why
if that had been an uncovered
candle instead of an electric
light bulb you would
now be a small unsightly cinder
have you no sense
plenty of it he answered
but at times we get tired
of using it
we get bored with the routine
and crave beauty
and excitement
fire is beautiful
and we know that if we get
too close it will kill us
but what does that matter
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
so we wad all our life up
into one little roll
and then we shoot the roll
that is what life is for
it is better to be a part of beauty
for one instant and then cease to
exist than to exist forever
and never be a part of beauty
our attitude toward life
is come easy go easy
we are like human beings
used to be before they became
too civilized to enjoy themselves
and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself i would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity
but at the same time i wish
there was something i wanted
as badly as he wanted to fry himself
- archy
(aka Don Marquis)
OPEN. YOUR. MOUTH. WHEN. YOU. SING.
...nothing fuels a good flirtation like need and anger and desperation....
I love that line.
I'm in need, and kinda angry, and REALLY desperate. Anyone wanna flirt?
'Cause moth and flame got a sweetheart deal'
Beautiful song about attraction ... the CD it's from (Lost in Space) is great too - a slow burner. Don't expect vocal trickery from Aimee, just great songs and a sharp mind (read what she has to say about the music industry)
Have never seen her live, but I can imagine her not being the most comfortable on stage
The difficult thing is that Aimee is a lovely songwriter. She believes the words are critical, she works hard at them. She is successful. And she keeps a tight band behind her but the fact is that she is just not comfortable on stage. And it hurts her live performance.
Yes, I think I'll check this out.
coentje wrote:
BUY THIS ALBUM NOW (with DVD)!! It's absolutely fantastic.. I had the privilege to see her in concert and this comes closest to that great experience.
Seeing Aimee live is also one of my better experiences. Her voice is so velvety... smooth like BUTTAH! Even if she weren't on stage, her band is a treat to watch and hear.
I can't figure out if she was under the weather at this performance, or what, but compared to all the other recordings I've heard, on here her voice sounds thin and scratchy, and her accent and phrasing are weird. It's like she's barely the same singer, and I can't believe that her smooth and confident voice on all her other recordings has been the result of some kind of studio wizardry. Hasn't anybody else noticed this?
etwilson wrote:
I don't know. I'm a big Aimee fan but this song doesn't do much for me. I just found out that she's playing a free show in Pittsburgh in June though, I'll definately be there.
We Netflix'd a concert dvd of her. Hoo that was boring. Love her cds tho...
I don't know. I'm a big Aimee fan but this song doesn't do much for me. I just found out that she's playing a free show in Pittsburgh in June though, I'll definately be there.
BobVaughan wrote:
Sorry everyone, but ... 
There are too many good singer-songwriter women out there, and she really sounds horrible.
That's just fine. Now please brush your teeth and gargle.
There are too many good singer-songwriter women out there, and she really sounds horrible.Sorry everyone, but ...
There are too many good singer-songwriter women out there, and she really sounds horrible.
There are too many good singer-songwriter women out there, and she really sounds horrible.BUY THIS ALBUM NOW (with DVD)!! It's absolutely fantastic.. I had the privilege to see her in concert and this comes closest to that great experience.
Ok Living up here in commercial radio hell, RP is the only place I get to hear beautiful voices like Aimee .. .Everything I've heard from her on RP is wonderful... 
I Love Amiee Mann....her voice is SO awesome......and she's gorgeux too! :sunny.gif:
Zweiblumen wrote:
I don't know. 3 is labeled as "Ho hum" and I would describe that as such. I wish the labels more appropriately matched our ideas of 1-10 ratings.
I'm curious which way round you think the ratings should go.
The ones we have are very much biased to positive (there are more above average ratings than below). I quite like that though as it gives people scope to think twice before marking everything 10.
justlistening wrote:
Aimee Mann sounds like she's struggling here. Not up to her usual greatness. Not a 3 but not great either I guess.
I don't know. 3 is labeled as "Ho hum" and I would describe that as such. I wish the labels more appropriately matched our ideas of 1-10 ratings.
I just love this song. I've only heard it before on a local student radio station WQFS from Guilford College. Thanks to them and to you for playing it.
Aimee Mann sounds like she's struggling here. Not up to her usual greatness. Not a 3 but not great either I guess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG6x4MHdTWM