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John Hiatt — Lift Up Every Stone
Album: Crossing Muddy Waters
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1544









Released: 2000
Length: 3:09
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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You gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta clear this field and build that wall

He was the prince of the county to the manor born
The sheets were bloody and dirty and torn
Nobody saw nothing, not out this way
And they probably won't until the judgement day

You gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta clear this field and build that wall

There was a mighty whispering down at the church
About the son of the father of a woman got hurt
They were looking all over for somebody to pay
And that's you and me sister now every day

You gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta clear this field and build that wall

Now the sun is bloody red
And when it's gone somebody'll be dead
Don't you cry a tear for me
Because I did what I could just to be free yeah
You gotta lift up every stone now sister
'cause one is the truth and the other's a lie
You gotta lift up every stone now sister
'till they tear down the wall to make you cry

You gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta clear this field and build that wall

You gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta lift up every stone now sister
Gotta clear this field and build that wall

We gotta clear this field and build that wall
We gotta...
Comments (115)add comment
 slates13 wrote:

Let's get the rating up from 6.8.  He rocks...still!


Just put mine up to 8
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
anyone hear the new speedway boogie in this tune?
Posted 1 year ago by slaskey    [ Reply ]
Let's get the rating up from 6.8.  He rocks...still!
Posted 2 years ago by slates13    [ Reply ]
love the title tune to this album!
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 ace-marc wrote:
 ace-marc wrote:

WHOA now.
Niel may sleep in California these days, but he is Canadian top to bottom, eh?

And Dylan grew up a stones throw away from Canada so we can claim him too!


 
Considering that 90% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the US Border, seems like we can just claim the entire Great White North....I jest of course....heck my step-mum was from Alberta and once their canola crop was destroyed by Monsanto they moved to WA State....ultimately we're all one.....Long Live RP, eh? 

Oh...I'm gonna +1 this to an 8....I like this bluesy rock a lot. 
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Instantly quite likable with the very busy electric guitar, competing almost distractingly with the vocal line, yet ripping so good! 
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
 ace-marc wrote:

WHOA now.
Niel may sleep in California these days, but he is Canadian top to bottom, eh?

And Dylan grew up a stones throw away from Canada so we can claim him too!


Posted 5 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
 saltysanford wrote:
Lovin' this.  In my humble opinion Hiatt is up there with Niel Young and Bob Dylan as one of the great American songwriters, which is evidenced by how many people cover his songs (i.e., Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and others).  Could be because I am over 30 years old, but I dig his writing, playing and singing as it just fits his tunes so well.  People can hate all they want, but for my money Hiatt is great.
 
WHOA now.
Niel may sleep in California these days, but he is Canadian top to bottom, eh?
Posted 5 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
He also deserves a better rating
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
For John Hiatt, this feels like filler.
 xkolibuul wrote:

Why on earth do you say that?  A few more details would help if you're going to bother commenting.  And we'll throw in remedial comment submit lessons too while we're at it...
 
  Details are always good, but if a song "feels like filler", or "feels" like anything else to someone, why would any details or further explanation be necessary?  It's not litigation or a dissertation; it's just the way it feels to that person.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
terrible vocals
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 AndyJ wrote:

 

He always had it. He needed to sober and clean up then get serious...

Glad he found his way back... He could be better... Lack of experience in challenging himself...

We all do better when we look at what we're doing and ask ourselves "Is That the best I can do-?"

If not start looking for help to improve...

If it is your best; Start planning your retirement.   Nobody stays "Best" we/they all get bored, lazy, slide down hill and get comfortable...

It's better to leave while the world thinks you're still rising...



 
Yeah, there's absolutely NO way you could reach your "best" and stay there.  Of course, you must get "worse" over time and should just retire to save yourself the embarassment.  The world is watching and they know best...

On they other hand, you could not give a damn what the world thinks, follow your own muse, and make the music that is meaningful to you in your life at that time.

One or the other...
Posted 8 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Hiatt was wonderful this year on the Cayamo cruise.
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
There's something funny on the wall.
        Anything you ask.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 phipamadia wrote:
Bonne chanson, mélodie agréable.
merci Radio Paradise pour la qualité de votre programmation musicale
 
 
Exactimundo.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Love this one! And looking forward to seeing Hiatt in February on the Cayamo Cruise.

{#Dance}
Posted 9 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Bonne chanson, mélodie agréable.
merci Radio Paradise pour la qualité de votre programmation musicale
 
Posted 9 years ago by phipamadia    [ Reply ]
One of my heros to be sure.
Posted 9 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

On the other hand, not everything in life should be a competition.

 
I second that. We might want those we hold in highest esteem to remain there, but they have no obligation but to live their own life to the best. If that means playing at a diminished level that disappoints someone, so be it.
Posted 9 years ago by bruzote    [ Reply ]
 AndyJ wrote:

 

He always had it. He needed to sober and clean up then get serious...

Glad he found his way back... He could be better... Lack of experience in challenging himself...

We all do better when we look at what we're doing and ask ourselves "Is That the best I can do-?"

If not start looking for help to improve...

If it is your best; Start planning your retirement.   Nobody stays "Best" we/they all get bored, lazy, slide down hill and get comfortable...

It's better to leave while the world thinks you're still rising...



 
On the other hand, not everything in life should be a competition.
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]

 

He always had it. He needed to sober and clean up then get serious...

Glad he found his way back... He could be better... Lack of experience in challenging himself...

We all do better when we look at what we're doing and ask ourselves "Is That the best I can do-?"

If not start looking for help to improve...

If it is your best; Start planning your retirement.   Nobody stays "Best" we/they all get bored, lazy, slide down hill and get comfortable...

It's better to leave while the world thinks you're still rising...


Posted 10 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
One week John Hiatt and the NOLA Jazzfest. NOLA and Hiatt two old souls. Looking forward to this.
Posted 10 years ago by rmagg    [ Reply ]
i really like this guy
Posted 10 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
For John Hiatt, this feels like filler.

 
Why on earth do you say that?  A few more details would help if you're going to bother commenting.  And we'll throw in remedial comment submit lessons too while we're at it...
Posted 10 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
one of my top faves. and i don't think anything he does is filler. 
Posted 10 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
For John Hiatt, this feels like filler.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
DIgging this guy's style...

Hiatt = volume higher  {#Yell}
Posted 11 years ago by snap_dragon    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

If your opinion is shit, don't worry.  You can still post it.

  Brutal. Accurate, but brutal.

8—>9

I've heard this song untold times. Gets better every time.


Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:

I really like John Hiatt.  An honest voice from an honest guy.  
 
 

What vandal said. Double.
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 12 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
Mumford and Sons? Wtf?
Posted 12 years ago by icemang    [ Reply ]
... a prolific songwriter with a unique voice - like all of John's work
Posted 13 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
John Hiatt vs Mumford & Sons

grovely voice vs more grovely voice

soulful vs mournful and worse boring

rythm vs ponderous

blues vs overearnest moaning
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 terrapin52 wrote:
If you sound like shit, don't worry. You can sing some bluesy stuff.
 
If your opinion is shit, don't worry.  You can still post it.

Posted 13 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
If you sound like shit, don't worry. You can sing some bluesy stuff.
Posted 13 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
Dig baby dig
Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Although my least favorite cut, I would have this as one of the 5 albums I could have if I were stranded on a desert island.

Posted 13 years ago by OneSpyGirl    [ Reply ]

I really like John Hiatt.  An honest voice from an honest guy.  
 
Posted 13 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
this is truly horrible
Posted 13 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

Except choking cats sound better.
 

Oh I agree! Great song, love John Hiatt! 8
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

Except choking cats sound better.
 

Cat fancier, are you? 

John's not that bad, although I think he forces it too much at times.  
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
finally bought this album. Sooooo good. I love him.{#Daisy}
Posted 13 years ago by bethesdaboo    [ Reply ]
Great artist, great man.....8
Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
       {#Naughty}    {#Arrowd}
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
His voice sounds like someone is choking a cat to death.
 
Except choking cats sound better.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:

Well, I find it enjoyable. I may not be in my right mind, but hey.

One thing I like about it is the 'Shut Up and Work' message: instead of whining about things, go out there and DO SOMETHING. I used to think I should start a new religion, well, maybe just a church: The Church of the Hammer and the Saw. No building, no services, no 'congregation': instead of retreating into a building to yak about being a good person, you go out and BE a good person. Pick up trash. Deliver Meals on Wheels. Spend your Saturday with Habitat for Humanity, that'll get you out of Sunday 'services'.

Mr. Hiatt's song could serve as the 'call to worship'.

c.

 
John Hiatt a call to worship—that is SWEET!  See "Rescueing Your Spirit," by John Friel.  It all fits!
Posted 14 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's because I'm Southern, but I LOVE this!  "You gotta lift up every stone now, sister ..."

Posted 15 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]


  Music is much like a tree with roots from which it came, and branches to were it is going.
The trunk is music itself. Knowing from whence it came gives rise to diversity and while one might not
find each and every branch wonderful, when taken as a whole, one perhaps can marvel at the diversity.
Posted 15 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear Bill dusting off the John Hiatt tunes.  I heard two yesterday and now this excellent song.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 15 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Found myself singing to a song i've never heard before!
Posted 15 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
  Grinning and toe tapping tune.. An outstanding vocalist.
Posted 16 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 federico wrote:

I find it enjoyable AND I am oit of my mind AND I know where you live ...{#Arghhh}
 

Once again:

PLEASE STOP RE-POSTING EXCELSIOR'S COMMENTS. I don't know why this is hard to understand. He's been gone from the comments threads for a few weeks now, either because he got bored or got kicked off, and the only way he lives on is through people's reposts. If it weren't for those, we wouldn't have to see him at all. At this point, the people re-posting are way more annoying than the guy himself.

Please. Stop. Thanks.

Posted 16 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:
Sort of like adding "in bed" every time you read a fortune cookie aloud. Great idea. Hey Bill, please reconfigue the Song Comment software so that "in my humble opinion" is added at the end of every comment. /end sarcasm in my humble opinion.
 
Fixed!

Posted 16 years ago by Rantipole    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Who the HELL in their right mind could ever find this enjoyable?  {#Puke}
 
I find it enjoyable AND I am oit of my mind AND I know where you live ...{#Arghhh}
Posted 16 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
Who the HELL in their right mind could ever find this enjoyable?  {#Puke}
 
Well, I find it enjoyable. I may not be in my right mind, but hey.

One thing I like about it is the 'Shut Up and Work' message: instead of whining about things, go out there and DO SOMETHING. I used to think I should start a new religion, well, maybe just a church: The Church of the Hammer and the Saw. No building, no services, no 'congregation': instead of retreating into a building to yak about being a good person, you go out and BE a good person. Pick up trash. Deliver Meals on Wheels. Spend your Saturday with Habitat for Humanity, that'll get you out of Sunday 'services'.

Mr. Hiatt's song could serve as the 'call to worship'.

c.

Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Lovin' this.  In my humble opinion Hiatt is up there with Niel Young and Bob Dylan as one of the great American songwriters, which is evidenced by how many people cover his songs (i.e., Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and others).  Could be because I am over 30 years old, but I dig his writing, playing and singing as it just fits his tunes so well.  People can hate all they want, but for my money Hiatt is great.
Posted 16 years ago by saltysanford    [ Reply ]
smehan55 wrote:
Excelsior wrote:
The song itself is good, but Hiatt ruins it with his singing. Just about any other vocalist could have done MUCH better.

Hey! Maybe Neil Young will cover it! That would be fantastic ... in my humble opinion. And think how happy it make all the Neil haters on RP ... bwa ha ha ...

Neil Young and David Byrne could do a duet. That would make all of their heads explode, and we could get back to more interesting and intelligent commentary.

Hiatt is an acquired taste and some of his stuff is better left to live performance. That's fine. I don't like "lite" beer or jug wine but that doesn't mean those who do have no palate. It just means they haven't bothered to educate it. Same with music.


Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 jnhashmi wrote:
Man this is awful. His voice really grates hard.
 

Do you want soul + character or do want a technically perfect sine wave a la Céline Dion? 
True soul + character is never technically perfect.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
The song itself is good, but Hiatt ruins it with his singing. Just about any other vocalist could have done MUCH better.
 
Hey! Maybe Neil Young will cover it! That would be fantastic ... in my humble opinion. And think how happy it make all the Neil haters on RP ... bwa ha ha ... 
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
Who the HELL in their right mind could ever find this enjoyable?  {#Puke}
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
Repetitive, awful lyrics, painful delivery, and noisy instrumentation. Bad, bad, bad.
Posted 16 years ago by JohnBauer    [ Reply ]
His voice sounds like someone is choking a cat to death.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
His singing is what makes the song what it is.Excelsior wrote:
The song itself is good, but Hiatt ruins it with his singing. Just about any other vocalist could have done MUCH better.
Posted 16 years ago by andersja    [ Reply ]
lawman wrote:
You forgot to add "...in my humble opinion."
Sort of like adding "in bed" every time you read a fortune cookie aloud. Great idea. Hey Bill, please reconfigue the Song Comment software so that "in my humble opinion" is added at the end of every comment. /end sarcasm
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
The song itself is good, but Hiatt ruins it with his singing. Just about any other vocalist could have done MUCH better.
You forgot to add "...in my humble opinion."
Posted 16 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
The song itself is good, but Hiatt ruins it with his singing. Just about any other vocalist could have done MUCH better.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
jnhashmi wrote:
Man this is awful. His voice really grates hard.
You probably feel that way about Bob Dylan too. Listen to the lyrics, man...
Posted 16 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
redtex wrote:
I've seen a couple of his shows and strongly prefer him playing with the North Mississippi Allstars in an electric/rockin'/loud format. The talent and depth added by the band enriches the music - IMHO.
I would love to hear some North Mississippi Allstars HERE!! They have some excellent work out there. I am a big fan.
Posted 16 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
jnhashmi wrote:
Man this is awful. His voice really grates hard.
Sounds like an alley cat in heat... and on fire.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
I've seen a couple of his shows and strongly prefer him playing with the North Mississippi Allstars in an electric/rockin'/loud format. The talent and depth added by the band enriches the music - IMHO.
Posted 16 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
I caught the live acoustic show with John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett a couple of nights ago. If you get a chance, see the show! Just the two of them together on stage with a guitar each, trading off songs and telling stories. Great!
Posted 16 years ago by ginger    [ Reply ]
7-->8-->9-->10 Guess this one really grew on me.
Posted 16 years ago by omniphiliac    [ Reply ]
Lots o' blues tonight, as I struggle to write a blues song for Jazz Theory class!
Posted 16 years ago by accordionista    [ Reply ]
Sorry gang o' naysayers...this rocks....oh my yes... One of our true unappreciated rockers!
Posted 16 years ago by eman    [ Reply ]
Brings back memories!!!
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
Man this is awful. His voice really grates hard.
Posted 17 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
V12Silly wrote:
Tom played a free acoustic concert on Saturday at Snowmass Village Colorado. he shared the bill with Shawn Colvin. What a wonderful show.
I think you mean JOHN . . .
Posted 17 years ago by aflanigan    [ Reply ]
Tom played a free acoustic concert on Saturday at Snowmass Village Colorado. he shared the bill with Shawn Colvin. What a wonderful show.
Posted 17 years ago by V12Silly    [ Reply ]
stonesmaster wrote:
John Hiatt lives about 5 miles from my house in a rural suburb of Nashville. The area around his house has many rock walls which date to the Pre Civil War days when slaves built them while clearing fields for planting.
Will you please take a hike over there and ask Mr H to get his ass over here to sweden and play some songs for us,we are many looking forward to that!
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Most excellent song writer...I have been a fan for a very long time...he is excellent live too. He was in the lineup with Buddy Guy and BB King a few years back....very interactive with the audience.
Posted 17 years ago by dawnejazz    [ Reply ]
amen
Posted 19 years ago by rixtar99    [ Reply ]
John Hiatt lives about 5 miles from my house in a rural suburb of Nashville. The area around his house has many rock walls which date to the Pre Civil War days when slaves built them while clearing fields for planting.
Posted 19 years ago by stonesmaster    [ Reply ]
reiguy wrote:
Does this remind anyone else of New Speedway Boogie?
not a bad song to sound like
Posted 19 years ago by speeder61    [ Reply ]
Does this remind anyone else of New Speedway Boogie?
Posted 19 years ago by reiguy    [ Reply ]
The really good southern gospel had such soul and movement in it that you could NOT sit still. This is a perfect example of that toe-tapping, hip-checking, amen'ing beat!
Posted 19 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
smilestoomuch wrote:
Hiatt's voice irritates the crap out of me. I think there is one song that I like of his.
Would that be his one big commercial hit? Smashing A Perfectly Good Guitar, if so you dont know Hiatt!!!
Posted 20 years ago by sndsgd    [ Reply ]
Mmmmm, this is resonating with me down deep. :nodhead:
Posted 20 years ago by truk77    [ Reply ]
Hiatt's voice irritates the crap out of me. I think there is one song that I like of his.
Posted 20 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of the world renowned music of Glide Church in San Francisco.
Posted 20 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
How about some 'Real fine love.'? A 9.
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Damn fine Gospel-Rock song!
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
One of our greatest pop/rock songwriters.
Posted 20 years ago by MrBoyo    [ Reply ]
samiyam wrote:
If you don't get it, you don't like music
I'm not a huge Hiatt fan, but this is........awesome! I got it!
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
If you don't get it, you don't like music
Posted 20 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
This song may be a bit overplayed on RP, but it sure is a breath of fresh air after hearing 3 songs of boring instrumental noodling
Posted 20 years ago by PeterGriffin    [ Reply ]
I like several of Hiatt's songs, but not only does this particular song seem overplayed here on RP, it's not one of his best, IMHO. :headache.gif:
Posted 20 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
Hiatt's voice is an acquired taste... however, anyone who doesn't know he's one of the two or three greatest living American songwriters needs to get educated.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
shaggenstein wrote:
his voice reminds me of shel silverstein for some reason, but seriously, enough john hiatt, with all the music that people have uploaded and have been denied, there should be a glut of music, enough so that we don't have to hear this man constantly, love the station but some bands just get way overplayed
Baloney! The more John Hiatt the better I say. What music have people been "denied" exactly?
Posted 21 years ago by paulmall    [ Reply ]
his voice reminds me of shel silverstein for some reason, but seriously, enough john hiatt, with all the music that people have uploaded and have been denied, there should be a glut of music, enough so that we don't have to hear this man constantly, love the station but some bands just get way overplayed
Posted 21 years ago by shaggenstein    [ Reply ]
oh great... just what I needed... even more John Hiatt
Posted 21 years ago by pimpbot5000    [ Reply ]
Now we\'re alkin\'. mdt
Posted 21 years ago by mdtuley    [ Reply ]
aptly titled...must have crawled out from under a rock somewhere
Posted 21 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Rockin\' out at my desk...
Posted 21 years ago by deecee99    [ Reply ]
Great song.
Posted 21 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
oh yeah
Posted 21 years ago by blueslady    [ Reply ]
Fine song, but isn\'t it ready for a bit less airplay?
Posted 21 years ago by RosieRedfield    [ Reply ]
What a great song! It\'s a John Hiatt song I hadn\'t heard before, and it\'s just another great reason to listen to RP!
Posted 22 years ago by Blackjack    [ Reply ]