This song is absolutely perfect. To me it's about the sacrifice, hope, pain, and love of being a parent. We sometime fails to see all the brightness around us when we are clouded by feelings of stress, competition, lack of sleep etc.. The pay off at the end of this song is brilliant. This band is a treasure.
One of my favorite songs, ever. To me it’s about regaining perspective: Ceasing to obsess & worry about little things that are out of one’s control, & instead stepping back & appreciating the beauty of the physical world surrounding you, which is a miracle to be able to experience.
I think this is the best song Colin has ever written. I don't really get its meaning but I'm sitting here, listening to it for the 3rd time in a row, with a huge lump in my throat, just in awe of the beauty and power of this song.
I interpret it to be about not waiting for the "perfect time" to make a new start, because we tend to ignore all the reasons we have to live life right now. Here is my paraphrase: "Do I really need to wait? Is there really anything I want? Do I really need to be hopeful of things to come, when I am surrounded by the sunlight, the shadow, the quiet, the work, the beating heart, the ocean, the boys, and you, my sweet love?"
I walked down the aisle to this song. Incredible. A little different intent for the music, but it was absolutely perfect. Thank you for this perfect song.
How can anyone be cynical or pessimistic when musicpoetry like this exists? So full of wonder in life. Thank you Decemberists for this gorgeous finale to your wonderful new album.
This song is so personal to me. I’ve read so many comments about what people think it is about. I’m happy to stay in the space that is personal and very emotional to me. Enjoy this for the beauty and sound that touches you however it does. Peace to all of you always.
A favorite for me. To me it’s all about being inspired by the brightness and good in another person. Not necessarily in a romantic way but more in a “ yeah, you make me want to be a better person” way. Awesome
The most beautiful song I've ever heard. A bold statement, sure, but to me it's all about how a song hits you - it strikes a nerve I didn't even know was there.
listening to this near a beginning. I just got into a college, and I'm close to starting a new chapter of my life. like it's been for a while now, this song is going to carry me through it.
This song was with me when I thought I found love yet what I've found was an empty space in myself. Unability to love. I'm starting to work on myself, trying to become a better human being.
Just a masterpiece. The video perfectly evokes the rolling hills outside of Portland in my memories. This song has so many possible meanings (death, birth, relationships, etc.).
This song really helped me in the months immediately following my wife's death. To me it's about the anguish of loss but also the hopefulness that can accompany a new beginning.
Should I be hopeful? Yes...yes I should. Because the light is all around me. Thank you for making such an incredible, poignant, pure love of music song.
Me, and the doubts, and the thrill, and the hard choices, and the love. The fantastic, the brittle pleasure I live... thanks existence to allow me this feeling.
I just found out yesterday that for my birthday present, my brother and sister-in-law got tickets to the December concert in July in Denver, Colorado, I am very much looking forward to seeing them in concert!
This song comes for me as such a strong message, confirming that for the very first time I'm doing things right (to myself and for others). Thanks, The Decemberists, it gives me energy to keep it on.
For me, this song is about assessing the ordinary and spectacular events in one's life that go unnoticed while leaving this life and entering into your next. The transition from your souls many journeys and lessons that make up each chance to set things to right!
This song is great. It hit me in my soul. If not you I feel sorry for you. I am a man who has felt this and wasted it long ago. I would give all to have one more day of it.
This is my *favorite* song from this album. Evokes sadness, hope, oneness with the universe (and with that, acceptance and peace). {sigh} But I agree with others--hazards of live is by far their best album. But, the evolution of the music suggests maturity, I think. Of course, our interpretations say more about us than it does about the band. Be mindful of your posts, people.
I always thought The Crane Wife was their best album, but they are all so good its really hard to choose one best album. The Decemberists have consistently stayed my favorite band ever since I found them about 15 years ago. ♥♥♥
Anyone else think this is their best album? It's something, considering their catalog of amazing work, but damn, I honestly think the Decemberists peaked with this one.
So hard to say. So many good songs spread over the albums (I really can't think of any song they have that I don't at least like a little bit). Crane Wife is probably it for me though.
For most bands it takes me a while to really like their new songs or songs I just found by them but with the decemberists I always love their songs the first time I hear them.
Reel it back in from the generic waftings and make it about an iconic powerful story, for at least one song this time… make us think something is happening or about to happen to someone we care about. That is why I love you guys so so much.
happy new year everyone. this is one of the most hopeful, beautiful songs ever. And one that we should commence to coordinating our sights towards a better year ahead.
The Hazards of Love was an amazing album and definitely their best. If this album is as have as good as that one, i will be satisfied. This song is making me optimistic though, so beautiful.
***** It was less than 23 years ago. No need to feel too old. I personally don't hear the similarity, but this is a great song - and a great album closer (something The Decemberists are particularly good at).
+dadamosky When I first heard Make You Better, all I could think of was Automatic For The People. I don't find this one as obvious in its similarities, but after reading your comment I started listening with a different ear... and I started to hear the distorted cello / ebow guitar type sound, which brought to mind Sweetness Follows... and then I started to get a Monty Got a Raw Deal vibe in the guitars, and a Find the River sentiment in the lyrics... time to go back and revisit some of that mid-period R.E.M. I think :-)
"The boys." "Like a cannonball". He does a good job of very subtly including his kids, his family in this album. That's gotta be painful spending that much time on tour. I think that separation influences the sound of this album a lot. It's very reflective on relationships and the changing of things and his own childhood. Most of the songs are melancholy. No Rocks in the Box. I still really like it and I can relate. See ya in Salt Lake! I'm psyched.
Good god.. how can one song turn a grown man into a sobbing, quivering lump of goo. Well done Decemberists.. if that's your real name? I'll be ready next time.
you guys are still amazing. your still a great band with a great sound. Your just not the decemberists anymore. there's none of your old character and wit and humour. there's no sea shanties, no character pieces, no chances taken. I miss the way you guys told stories, the way you build worlds for us to have little glimpses at. I know you told us you had to change some, but not this much. I'll still be here, still go to your concerts, like I said you guys are still fantastic to listen to. but I'll miss the old times.
+Andrew Sheilds - not sure where you are coming from. Saw them in concert and the creativity, the words, the innovation were phenomenal. I'm 63 and rarely have seen this combination. this song especially.
you've just described what happens to every band that puts out albums for years...Colin is still an incredible song-writer and the sound is like no other band. I am offended by part of your comment, but in the best possible way. The older songs are great, and the evolution of their sound makes those older songs even greater.
This song is absolutely perfect. To me it's about the sacrifice, hope, pain, and love of being a parent. We sometime fails to see all the brightness around us when we are clouded by feelings of stress, competition, lack of sleep etc.. The pay off at the end of this song is brilliant. This band is a treasure.
One of my favorite songs, ever. To me it’s about regaining perspective: Ceasing to obsess & worry about little things that are out of one’s control, & instead stepping back & appreciating the beauty of the physical world surrounding you, which is a miracle to be able to experience.
For me the greatest song ever written. I want it played at my funeral as for me that is what it is about, the beginning.
very underrated band. should get alot more views. love from egypt.
Agreed - love from Australia😃
I think this is the best song Colin has ever written. I don't really get its meaning but I'm sitting here, listening to it for the 3rd time in a row, with a huge lump in my throat, just in awe of the beauty and power of this song.
+sparkss4 it kind of catches you with that final chorus harmony doesn't it?
I interpret it to be about not waiting for the "perfect time" to make a new start, because we tend to ignore all the reasons we have to live life right now. Here is my paraphrase:
"Do I really need to wait? Is there really anything I want? Do I really need to be hopeful of things to come, when I am surrounded by the sunlight, the shadow, the quiet, the work, the beating heart, the ocean, the boys, and you, my sweet love?"
sparkss4 i realky like why would I now by the decemberists and 12.17.12
Like most there songs but my fave is sucker prayers. Very good band. Glad I got to hear of them. ☺
I think it's a song about hope joy and triumph. And the beauty of life.
I walked down the aisle to this song. Incredible. A little different intent for the music, but it was absolutely perfect. Thank you for this perfect song.
I walked down the aisle in this song! It was beyond perfect!
Did the doors open at 4:43?
My cousin just played this at her wedding thursday! Had to shazam it! Lol Love it
I had that thought too 😄
How beautiful!
How can anyone be cynical or pessimistic when musicpoetry like this exists? So full of wonder in life. Thank you Decemberists for this gorgeous finale to your wonderful new album.
This song is so personal to me. I’ve read so many comments about what people think it is about. I’m happy to stay in the space that is personal and very emotional to me. Enjoy this for the beauty and sound that touches you however it does. Peace to all of you always.
So sad for me too...
Colin has one of the most infectious voices. Definitely one of my favorite bands in the last 10 years.
A favorite for me. To me it’s all about being inspired by the brightness and good in another person. Not necessarily in a romantic way but more in a “ yeah, you make me want to be a better person” way. Awesome
This is one of my favorite songs on What a Terrible World What a Beautiful World. The violins at the end are great.
The most beautiful song I've ever heard.
A bold statement, sure, but to me it's all about how a song hits you - it strikes a nerve I didn't even know was there.
whoever does not understand this song or band..... your loss.
what is the song called bc its good
@@Dalek-0211 A Beginning Song
listening to this near a beginning. I just got into a college, and I'm close to starting a new chapter of my life. like it's been for a while now, this song is going to carry me through it.
This track is up there with Crane Wife 1 & 2 for me. Absolutely love it.
These lyrics give me a reason to be alive and to do good things in this world.
Well done, my friends, well done. Fantastic music.
This song was with me when I thought I found love yet what I've found was an empty space in myself. Unability to love. I'm starting to work on myself, trying to become a better human being.
Just a masterpiece. The video perfectly evokes the rolling hills outside of Portland in my memories. This song has so many possible meanings (death, birth, relationships, etc.).
This song really helped me in the months immediately following my wife's death. To me it's about the anguish of loss but also the hopefulness that can accompany a new beginning.
This one cut straight to the soul at first listen. Only the Decemberists can do that for me lately.
Should I be hopeful? Yes...yes I should. Because the light is all around me. Thank you for making such an incredible, poignant, pure love of music song.
Me, and the doubts, and the thrill, and the hard choices, and the love. The fantastic, the brittle pleasure I live... thanks existence to allow me this feeling.
He, Colin, is ecstatic by the end, in the light, all around~ ❤️ so much love~
I cry my eyes out everytime I hear this.
The Decemberists have that effect on me.
I just found out yesterday that for my birthday present, my brother and sister-in-law got tickets to the December concert in July in Denver, Colorado, I am very much looking forward to seeing them in concert!
This song comes for me as such a strong message, confirming that for the very first time I'm doing things right (to myself and for others). Thanks, The Decemberists, it gives me energy to keep it on.
wish you the best :)
+omix090 :)
how are you now? I'm from italy and you?
For me, this song is about assessing the ordinary and spectacular events in one's life that go unnoticed while leaving this life and entering into your next. The transition from your souls many journeys and lessons that make up each chance to set things to right!
I still don't get how this masterpiece has so few views
This song has such a wonderful "Irish Folk Song" feel to it. That's what drew me to it!
This song is great. It hit me in my soul. If not you I feel sorry for you. I am a man who has felt this and wasted it long ago. I would give all to have one more day of it.
its all the things. ill love it forever!
oh dear this is more beautiful than I've imagined...
I love his enunciation. "Cwoordinate". Great song.
Just the maturity of this song lifts me. Fantastic
I feel so deeply moved by this song . . . I lack the words to explain it.
Love that!! ❤
And that's how you end an album. Love this record so much. Even more than King is Dead, which I thought was nigh on perfect.
This is my *favorite* song from this album. Evokes sadness, hope, oneness with the universe (and with that, acceptance and peace). {sigh} But I agree with others--hazards of live is by far their best album. But, the evolution of the music suggests maturity, I think. Of course, our interpretations say more about us than it does about the band. Be mindful of your posts, people.
I always thought The Crane Wife was their best album, but they are all so good its really hard to choose one best album.
The Decemberists have consistently stayed my favorite band ever since I found them about 15 years ago. ♥♥♥
Such a mellifluous voice! This is my favourite song from the album
Love this album so much. I’d really love a rerelease of the box set. Pretty please ❤
Saw them live in Leeds last week, amazing! But they didn't do this song!! Was gutted, this is my favourite decemberists song, true genius!!!
goosebumps everywhere. loved this song since it was released!
Geez... Every song released from this album is so fantastic. Well done!
THIS is MUSIC!!! Simply thank you for this!
So beautiful, this song gives me goosebumps.
Wow, I'm absolutely in love with this song
Boy, this song really sends me back. Greetings from Mexico, hope to see you here one of these days.
Cozumel for 2 weeks in 91. Beautiful. Changed alot since then..
Hi Wendy Lee!
Wish you come to Istanbul,Turkey. I've been waiting for 5 years. And still.. Should I be waiting?
Anyone else think this is their best album? It's something, considering their catalog of amazing work, but damn, I honestly think the Decemberists peaked with this one.
So hard to say. So many good songs spread over the albums (I really can't think of any song they have that I don't at least like a little bit). Crane Wife is probably it for me though.
Yes! Their masterpiece for me.
Their songwriting has really gone up even another level. This album is just completely on a different plane.
For most bands it takes me a while to really like their new songs or songs I just found by them but with the decemberists I always love their songs the first time I hear them.
gives me goosebumps every time i hear this song. Amazing.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
This is their best song I've heard.
Reel it back in from the generic waftings and make it about an iconic powerful story, for at least one song this time… make us think something is happening or about to happen to someone we care about. That is why I love you guys so so much.
So beautiful and underrated. Love from Brazil
Love it. These guy's music is different and beautiful!
This song makes me sad, and I have no idea why...
Fantastic album. Listen to it all the time. Can't wait for their next one.
Simply beautiful! What a song!!
I loved her. Always will
Doesnt this song just hit the spot perfectly?
Love his voice !!!!!!!!!!!
happy new year everyone. this is one of the most hopeful, beautiful songs ever. And one that we should commence to coordinating our sights towards a better year ahead.
Such a relevant song in the current climate. Hopefully more creative and finely written music comes out the back of it.
lovely song! one of my favorites from this wonderful new album ♥︎
That bass tone...wow!
Love this band 😊❤️🎶🎶🎶. Thanks for sharing
The Hazards of Love was an amazing album and definitely their best. If this album is as have as good as that one, i will be satisfied. This song is making me optimistic though, so beautiful.
This is my favorite song off of the album, but sadly not every song lives up to this one.
Crane Wife surely?
leedsmanc Crane wife is also my favorite, but I think picaresque is their strongest album.
Favourite song on their most epic album.
All around me.
Absolutely fantastic video here. Big props to the team behind it.
Love the new album. Can't wait to hear it live tonight.
Straordinariamente quotidiani....un piacere ascoltarli!! ...sembra di essere indietro nel tempo...in un tempo migliore....laura👍👍👍💝❤
Such a beautifu lyric. I love this song!
I love this song. I love the band, too sad there is no new music or concerts in Europe. They are fantastic.
This is invoking R.E.M.'s "Automatic For the People" for me. Incidentally, it's one of my favorite albums of the last 25 years.
***** Make that the last, almost, 30 years. Geez! I feel old now.
***** It was less than 23 years ago. No need to feel too old. I personally don't hear the similarity, but this is a great song - and a great album closer (something The Decemberists are particularly good at).
+dadamosky When I first heard Make You Better, all I could think of was Automatic For The People. I don't find this one as obvious in its similarities, but after reading your comment I started listening with a different ear... and I started to hear the distorted cello / ebow guitar type sound, which brought to mind Sweetness Follows... and then I started to get a Monty Got a Raw Deal vibe in the guitars, and a Find the River sentiment in the lyrics... time to go back and revisit some of that mid-period R.E.M. I think :-)
It was a joy to listen to this song for the first time on the first day of 2018 :)
"The boys." "Like a cannonball". He does a good job of very subtly including his kids, his family in this album. That's gotta be painful spending that much time on tour. I think that separation influences the sound of this album a lot. It's very reflective on relationships and the changing of things and his own childhood. Most of the songs are melancholy. No Rocks in the Box. I still really like it and I can relate. See ya in Salt Lake! I'm psyched.
What a beautiful song.
What a wonderful song.
I am waiting, should I be waiting? I am hopeful, should I be hopeful?
i wish i could like a video more than once.
Damn, such an incredible song & beautiful arrangement ❤️
I adore them.
the most beautiful song
Colin, please stop singing so beautifully. Humanity can't bear it. We haven't caught up with that voice, evolutionarily.
So good. This band deserves more views, likes, subs!
Good god.. how can one song turn a grown man into a sobbing, quivering lump of goo. Well done Decemberists.. if that's your real name? I'll be ready next time.
great song to see in spring.
Wow. Absolutely beautiful! ❤️
Masterpiece
I adore this album , they are one of few bands that give me those chills, the chills of what music feels like inside and out
Sierra Snider
Agreed.
Was gonna buy a new tshirt until I saw your dem support. Sing to all of us.
Richard Thompson mentioned this band in some interview or other, so I had to hear them. Yeah, it is sort of special.
Love this song
Great tone from that Lakland bass. Wonder what effect is being used
Sounds like the same effect he used for The Rake's Song. It's some great fuzz, whatever it is.
My favourite song from the new album, by far!
you guys are still amazing. your still a great band with a great sound.
Your just not the decemberists anymore.
there's none of your old character and wit and humour. there's no sea shanties, no character pieces, no chances taken.
I miss the way you guys told stories, the way you build worlds for us to have little glimpses at.
I know you told us you had to change some, but not this much.
I'll still be here, still go to your concerts, like I said you guys are still fantastic to listen to. but I'll miss the old times.
+Andrew Sheilds - not sure where you are coming from. Saw them in concert and the creativity, the words, the innovation were phenomenal. I'm 63 and rarely have seen this combination. this song especially.
You say they've matured from a fun, niche genre to a well rounded ensemble with a depth and sound that's completely unique? I feel you there, man.
you've just described what happens to every band that puts out albums for years...Colin is still an incredible song-writer and the sound is like no other band. I am offended by part of your comment, but in the best possible way. The older songs are great, and the evolution of their sound makes those older songs even greater.
Beautiful song ! Thanks !
Beautiful melody!
This song has encapsulated my life.
This song has encapsulated my life.
Thats because your a simpleton!
TheDimachaerus toy joo!
This song makes me feel like, What am I doing with my life?
Absolutely...sadness to hope for me...had to change my perspective....