Such are the The Waterboys, one of the best bands that most folks have never heard of. Formed by Mike Scott (and he is the only constant in the band) in 1983 in Scotland, The Waterboys are a big picture band in the same sense as U2, though they haven't had nearly the commercial success. Marked by literary references (in 2010 The Waterboys put 20 W.B. Yeats poems to music and debuted a show called An Appointment with Mr. Yeats--the resulting album reached #30 in the U.K.), strong lyrics, and varying music styles (Rock, Celtic, Irish, Folk), The Waterboys had a modicum of success in the U.K., but have never had an album reach higher than #76 on the Billboard charts. Still, they've been recording and touring (they've had over 70 musicians tour with them at one time or another, which, unsurprisingly is a record) for thirty-five years, having released 11 studio albums, numerous compilations, and a number of live recordings.
I came to them quite by accident--I enjoyed the debut album of Karl Wallinger's World Party and had read he had been a member of The Waterboys, and decided to take a chance on a greatest hits package. It was love at first listen--had there been but world enough and time (literary reference!) I am sure I would have devoured their entire catalog. Alas, there was not (and a decided lack of cash for frivolities, too), and I had to settle for being an admirer of the small body of their work that I knew.
Fun Fact: The Waterboys are named for a lyric in Lou Reed's song, "The Kids"--"I am the Water Boy, the real game's not over here...." However, some folks speculate that The Waterboys name (the W and the B) is actually a nod to one of Mike Scott's literary heroes, the aforementioned W.B. Yeats.
Released in 1990 on Room to Roam, "A Man Is in Love" tells the story, surprisingly enough. of a man who's discovering that he's in love. The song was released during The Waterboy's/Scott's Irish music period, and very much reflects that influence. The instrumental breaks feature some whimsical flute playing (you could imagine a leprechaun dancing a jig to it). While the lyrics are light-hearted, Scott has a way with turning a phrase and sings with an earnestness that keeps the song from becoming just another sappy pop ballad. It's an adult look at the glory that is falling in love and Scott adroitly ties in the joy, the wonder, and the awe that march hand in hand with discovering that special someone. There's a nice twist at the end (a la Rickie Lee Jones "Chuck E.'s in Love) that'll leave you with a smile on your face and humming the tune for days to come.
Lyric Sheet: "A man is in love, how did I hear?/I heard him talk too much whenever you're near..."
Enjoy:
Fuck Donald Trump,
emaycee
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