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Natalie Merchant — Giving Up Everything
Album: Natalie Merchant
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1514









Released: 2014
Length: 4:14
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Giving up everything,

my hungry ghost of hopefulness.


Giving up everything,

not haunted by wanting this.


Giving up everything,

the fortune I was saving. 


Giving up everything,

I mercy-killed my craving.


Giving up everything,

I've opened up my eyes for this.


Giving up everything,

see the whole magnificent emptiness.


Gave what I want for how it is,

for the stone inside and the bitterness,

for the sweetness at the core of it.


Giving up everything,

the master plan, the scheming.


Giving up everything,

my cursed search for meaning.


Giving up everything,

the compass and the map I was reading.



The hinterlands I'm leaving,

I'm finally leaving behind.


Giving up everything,

the big to-do, the hullabaloo,
the tug-of-war for some twisted truth.

For the everlasting ache of it,

no longer slave, not chained to it,

no gate, no guard, no keeper,

no guru, master, teacher.



See the slow-receding faces

dissolve to black, no traces.
Comments (68)add comment
 vandal wrote:

Giving up everything,

I mercy-killed my craving.



Immediately added this to my list of favorite lines
Posted 1 week ago by jas1776    [ Reply ]
wonderful tune
Posted 8 months ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Giving up everything,

I mercy-killed my craving.
Posted 1 year ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Good tune! Great voice! Her songs are hit or miss for me, this song is nice!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:
These are playing just post Trump being elected. This particular playlist seems particularly timely.
 
Four years later the song's played here again, and the lyrics are just as applicable with the shoe on the other foot.
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
another dirge from her. Not bad.
Posted 4 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
Wasn't a fan of the maniacs.  Even less of a fan of Ms. Merchant on her own.
Posted 4 years ago by CheskyBevo    [ Reply ]
Love Natalie, but her wikipedia photo here looks like she's doing the Elaine dance
Posted 5 years ago by cptbuz    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

You should've thought about that before you moved in with her.  Just make her some coffee and a bowl of Cap'n Crunch and everything will get better.


  That really made me laugh!!!

Posted 5 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Wonderful stuff, probably my favourite from her.  I would rate it much higher than the average here.

 
Ditto here. Too many naysayers and not enough yaysayers for my liking.
Posted 6 years ago by Ngoziman    [ Reply ]
Natalie at her whiniest.
Posted 6 years ago by gmsingh123    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. NO.

The worst part of her is on top of the sound and maudlin mewling, she isn't believable. Maybe then.



 

{#Yes}

WR for hitting the PSD button. Give it a rest, Natalie. 
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 carlos65 wrote:
Jeez, she was on just before I went to sleep last night and here she is again when I wake up. Too much NM thanks. 

 
You should've thought about that before you moved in with her.  Just make her some coffee and a bowl of Cap'n Crunch and everything will get better.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Funny how musical taste differs. I quite like the song, especially the orchestral background.
Posted 7 years ago by mzuther    [ Reply ]
These are playing just post Trump being elected. This particular playlist seems particularly timely.
Posted 8 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
Jeez, she was on just before I went to sleep last night and here she is again when I wake up. Too much NM thanks. 
Posted 8 years ago by carlos65    [ Reply ]
People with whom I share similar music tastes really like Natalie Merchant.   That's where we differ.  
Posted 8 years ago by pousso    [ Reply ]
every song of her is a frigging dirge. Lighten up, Natalie!
Posted 8 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. NO.

The worst part of her is on top of the sound and maudlin mewling, she isn't believable. Maybe then.


Posted 8 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
With serious talk on  both side of telephone lines females do  better than males.
                     They don't loose their shirts so easily.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Wonderful stuff, probably my favourite from her.  I would rate it much higher than the average here.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 A happy little ditty for a Friday.... 
Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Bones quick! Give him a shot of Spencer Davis "I'm a Man"
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Not...acclimating..... to this persons'....... voice 


Posted 9 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
I used to PSD on this song, but today, I don't know why, it hit me. Maybe one has to be in the right mood, very open minded... And then let him/herself be moved. A very striking song and beautiful lyrics to my opinion.
Posted 9 years ago by Neversound    [ Reply ]
What a boring song from an extremely interesting artist
Posted 9 years ago by ciolca    [ Reply ]
I asked my dentist, a RP fan, why he doesn't  stream RP in his office. He said "because  I don't want my patients to leave depressed." 
Posted 9 years ago by Lodomojo    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
 
What leads you to believe that those two groups are composed of the same people?



Easy: Because I like Forager Pinot Noir. 

 
Ah, yes..of course.  I should've known.
{#Cheers} 
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Ok, you can like the voice or hate the voice or be indifferent about it.......but it is the unusual texture of the voice that made here interesting in the first place.  Don't wanna take the bounce outta Tigger. 
Posted 9 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

To those who describe themselves as NM voice haters, how can you also listen to Beth Or'hor'ton and like her vocal stylings?

Not that this is outstanding, but it is a tolerable, minimalist non-nihilistic effort.



  
What leads you to believe that those two groups are composed of the same people?



Easy: Because I like Forager Pinot Noir. 
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
A song for adults in a tween society. 
Posted 9 years ago by david_stevenson    [ Reply ]
probably the only song from her latest album that I don't have to use PSD
it goes with a rainy day we're having 
Posted 9 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

To those who describe themselves as NM voice haters, how can you also listen to Beth Or'hor'ton and like her vocal stylings?

Not that this is outstanding, but it is a tolerable, minimalist non-nihilistic effort.



 
Her voice is so distinctive and immediately recognizable that it sounds, rightly or wrongly, like she's giving every song the same treatment.

I liked her much better with 10,000 Maniacs. 
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
Studied. Precious. Featureless. Gray. Other than that...
Posted 9 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
She's getting irritating.

 
I guess you just have to be in the right mood to enjoy some music.  I really like the instrumentals on this song, the vocals are typical Natalie—the combination evokes Philip Glass's 'Songs From Liquid Days", which is a good thing for me.  :)
Posted 9 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

To those who describe themselves as NM voice haters, how can you also listen to Beth Or'hor'ton and like her vocal stylings?

Not that this is outstanding, but it is a tolerable, minimalist non-nihilistic effort.



 
What leads you to believe that those two groups are composed of the same people?
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Too sad, {#Eyes}
Posted 9 years ago by Ginetta    [ Reply ]
She's getting irritating.
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
 offroadbiker wrote:
I've never appreciated this woman's work until now.  She has aged beautifully as a musician.  Rich, fascinating interview regarding this album, fourteen years in the making:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX4iXjbWqDQ&list=RDMx5Iq0LTYw0&index=5

 
Amazing interview. What's immediately apparent is that she's chosen not to cover her graying, getting older. And what you gain from the piece is that she's looking forward to creating songs/art from the fact that she's becoming older, that she has the experience to express ideas that she simply couldn't 25 years ago. In a sense she encapsulates the journey that many pop singers make, from brash talent and perhaps revolutionary ideas to wizened professional, where craft is as important as raw talent and family is as important as hordes of screaming fans.

Rock'n'roll is indeed the province of the young. Music, however, is the province of those who lived to tell about it.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Natalie still has it. As if there were any doubts.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]

To those who describe themselves as NM voice haters, how can you also listen to Beth Or'hor'ton and like her vocal stylings?

Not that this is outstanding, but it is a tolerable, minimalist non-nihilistic effort.


Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Never a fan but I like this.
Posted 10 years ago by Mike_Sneade    [ Reply ]
Mid-life crisis, Natalie? Almost a very nice song.  Provocative lyrics...strings  render it..ordinary.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Nails on a chalk board for this one....
Posted 10 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
I cringe upon hearing this person's voice......{#Frustrated}
Posted 10 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:

no neked mule skinners??, but, but it;s my b-day 6/8 or is this a very different reanimated dude?
 
I be me...

this new album is loaded with marvelous songs, but this particular song by Natalie Merchant is not a bad song, just a ho hummer...  ho ho ho...

hope you be having a marvelous time these days, oldfart48...  smiles to ya...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
{#Sleep}
Posted 10 years ago by ginniet    [ Reply ]
 offroadbiker wrote:
I've never appreciated this woman's work until now.  She has aged beautifully as a musician.  Rich, fascinating interview regarding this album, fourteen years in the making:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX4iXjbWqDQ&list=RDMx5Iq0LTYw0&index=5

 
Have always enjoyed her soulful energy and sound {#Wave}
Posted 10 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
I've never appreciated this woman's work until now.  She has aged beautifully as a musician.  Rich, fascinating interview regarding this album, fourteen years in the making:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX4iXjbWqDQ&list=RDMx5Iq0LTYw0&index=5
Posted 10 years ago by offroadbiker    [ Reply ]
This song dovetails beautifully with It's A Coming. 
Posted 10 years ago by offroadbiker    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:

After reading all the comments about the lyrics, I found and read them. She seems to be taking a very Buddhist approach and accepting things as they are and as they arise instead of experiencing them through her conditioned experiences, cravings and desires. All that's a very good thing. What I don't get is why does she sounds so terribly sad about it. Any person I've ever known who has come anywhere close to achieving this goal is happy. The obvious example would be the Dalai Lama.

 
She usually sings that way.
Posted 10 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
I'm a fan, but this just isn't one of her better efforts.
Posted 10 years ago by ProjectGemini07    [ Reply ]
 Jive wrote:

I agree - if you read the lyrics it seems she is singing about shedding many things we all struggle with, ego, desire to control the outcome, a need for complete certainty. Life would certainly be a whole lot simpler without a bunch of those things.



 
After reading all the comments about the lyrics, I found and read them. She seems to be taking a very Buddhist approach and accepting things as they are and as they arise instead of experiencing them through her conditioned experiences, cravings and desires. All that's a very good thing. What I don't get is why does she sounds so terribly sad about it. Any person I've ever known who has come anywhere close to achieving this goal is happy. The obvious example would be the Dalai Lama.
Posted 10 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
I don't know if its something wrong with me or lots of you but I don't get how people fail to see the beauty of darkness.  Loving this tune like my favourite Natalie song - "My Skin" which is about the most beautifully dark exploration of human relationships and their affect on us that I have heard.
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
I don't like this one... 
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
"The fewer our wants, the nearer we resemble the gods."  —Socrates (469 BC to 399 BC)

Natalie Merchant superficially sounds like she is trying to become a monk who doesn't want anything, so who feels no pain from unrequited desire, but at a deeper level, she sounds like she is devoid of any pleasure in life...  (in the Greek language the word for "monk" is "μοναχός" and it can apply to women...)

the lyrics for this song are complex and very interesting... the extreme nihilism and absence of hope expressed by Natalie Merchant in "Giving Up Everything" gives the song some potent emotive punch lyrically... this song reminds me a lot of Gary Numan's album last year Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)...  Natalie sounds like she is going nuts with Freudian rationalizations — not to escape from desire — but really because life has become such a bummer for her...  

but musically, in my opinion, Merchant tries too hard to sound unique and experimental, and the music consequently drains a lot of emotional force from the lyrics... the music is a distraction from the message in the lyrics...

(and if you haven't seen the official video for this song, the video is an artsy-fartsy mess...)

so to me, the music cancels out the force of the lyrics and I am leaving this song unrated...

 
no neked mule skinners??, but, but it;s my b-day 6/8 or is this a very different reanimated dude?
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 BillG wrote:

Sounds more like nonattachment to me.
 
thank you. again  for the fact that against the hate you continue to support Nat, her songs are powerful and often disturbing. thats a GOOD thing. and where did the lyrics button go...?
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
What the heck is she so depressed about?

 
probably about the fact that she sucks.
Posted 10 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
thank you again, Bill, & Rebeca for supporting nat, she is hot, smart and has a killer voice.
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Very cool comment Lazarus.  Tuck. 

P.S.  To BillG, another terrific set this evening.  Tusin tuck!
Posted 10 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 BillG wrote:

Sounds more like nonattachment to me.

 
I agree - if you read the lyrics it seems she is singing about shedding many things we all struggle with, ego, desire to control the outcome, a need for complete certainty. Life would certainly be a whole lot simpler without a bunch of those things.


Posted 10 years ago by Jive    [ Reply ]
"The fewer our wants, the nearer we resemble the gods."  —Socrates (469 BC to 399 BC)

Natalie Merchant superficially sounds like she is trying to become a monk who doesn't want anything, so who feels no pain from unrequited desire, but at a deeper level, she sounds like she is devoid of any pleasure in life...  (in the Greek language the word for "monk" is "μοναχός" and it can apply to women...)

the lyrics for this song are complex and very interesting... the extreme nihilism and absence of hope expressed by Natalie Merchant in "Giving Up Everything" gives the song some potent emotive punch lyrically... this song reminds me a lot of Gary Numan's album last year Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind)...  Natalie sounds like she is going nuts with Freudian rationalizations — not to escape from desire — but really because life has become such a bummer for her...  

but musically, in my opinion, Merchant tries too hard to sound unique and experimental, and the music consequently drains a lot of emotional force from the lyrics... the music is a distraction from the message in the lyrics...

(and if you haven't seen the official video for this song, the video is an artsy-fartsy mess...)

so to me, the music cancels out the force of the lyrics and I am leaving this song unrated...


Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
What the heck is she so depressed about?

 
Sounds more like nonattachment to me.
Posted 10 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
What the heck is she so depressed about?
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
huh....wha..... I must have fallen asleep...... soooooo boring......
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Thank God for the PSD button.
Posted 10 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
...only caught the tail measures as it was ending, but i'm intrigued...
Posted 10 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Image removed at request of Not So Humble Opinion {#Hearteyes}
Posted 10 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]