Bear’s Den – Take a Sad Song and…

     Some band from Liverpool once sang, “Take a sad song and make it better.” That was more than four decades ago. This month, Bear’s Den followed the advice. The London band took their song “Pompeii” and made it better. The new and improved version is named “Above the Clouds of Pompeii.” 

     It was “Pompeii” (and “Agape”) that brought attention to Bear’s Den. There is a sadness to the lyrics, although the song is ultimately positive. The full lyrics are pasted toward the bottom of this post, but they include:

Please just don't cry,

Hold your head up high,

She would want you to,

She would want you to.

You said stay in the car and wait,

There's just some things I have to say,

Don't you know I miss her too,

I miss her just as much as you.

      The original “Pompeii” had a sadness, but there didn’t seem to be a reason to tinker with a good thing. Bear’s Den tinkered. A horn was added to the final portion of the song (after two momentary appearances a little earlier). Some production touches increased the professionalism of the recorded version. The result – “Above the Clouds of Pompeii.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearsdenmusic

Website: http://www.bearsdenmusic.co.uk/

          Bear’s Den is offering the song as a free download from Noisetrade, at least until a limit is reached.

     Bear’s Den is making a third visit to San Francisco. On November 7, the band will be at the Great American Music Hall. Tickets are only $15. The stops during the North American portion of the tour are:

Sat 25 Oct     Underground Arts, Philadelphia   $14

Mon 27 Oct   The Basement, Columbus   $12

Tue 28 Oct    Lincoln Hall, Chicago   $16

Wed 29 Oct   Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis   $15

Fri 31 Oct     Lost Lake Lounge, Denver    $15

Sat 1 Nov     Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City   $12

Mon 3 Nov   Doug Fir Lounge, Portland               $12

Tue 4 Nov    Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Canada   $16

Wed 5 Nov   The Crocodile, Seattle   $12

Fri 7 Nov      Great American Music Hall, San Francisco   $15 (CLICK HERE for tickets)

Sat 8 Nov      Bootleg HiFi, Los Angeles   $13

Sun 9 Nov     The Casbah, San Diego   $12

Thu 13 Nov   The Parish, Austin    $13

Fri 14 Nov     The Loft, Dallas   $12

Sat 15 Nov    Hi-Tone Cafe, Memphis   $11 

Lyrics of “Above the Clouds of Pompeii”

We built our home out on the slopes,

Pompeii beneath she lay above,

How she haunted our home,

How she haunted our home.

You were a God in my eyes,

Above the clouds above the skies,

You were a God in my eyes,

You were a God.

You took me walking through the town

Showed me the statues underground,

Said, "Just don't they look at peace,"

Sometimes I wish that was me.

I was the son you always had,

Tugging at your coat while you were sad,

I was the son you always had,

I was the son you always had.

Just don't cry,

Hold your head up high,

She would want you to,

She would want you to.

Please just don't cry,

Hold your head up high,

She would want you to,

She would want you to.

You said stay in the car and wait,

There's just some things I have to say,

Don't you know I miss her too,

I miss her just as much as you.

So my father and my son,

As you end what you've begun,

You'll lie patient by her side,

With roses red and lilies white.

I was too young to understand,

The flowers slipping from your hand,

I was too young to understand,

I was too young to understand.

I was too young to understand,

The flowers sleeping in your hand,

I was too young to understand,

I was too young to understand.

Oh please just don't cry,

Hold your head up high,

She would want you to,

She would want you to.

And just don't cry,

Hold your head up high,

She would want you to,

She would want you to.

“Sahara” by Bear’s Den