I'm watching the video from the Vancouver show and 3 songs into the set (of FC songs) gord has forgotten the lyrics to we'll go too and 100th. Songs that he has been singing for over 20 years and songs they played every single night last year.
Was he forgetting the words during the FC anniversary tour last year? Or this a symptom of his condition?
mark Wrote:I'm watching the video from the Vancouver show and 3 songs into the set (of FC songs) gord has forgotten the lyrics to we'll go too and 100th. Songs that he has been singing for over 20 years and songs they played every single night last year.
Was he forgetting the words during the FC anniversary tour last year? Or this a symptom of his condition?
Its not new, he's had some hiccups over the last few years with lyrics but with a catalogue that deep and the way he goes about his singing he's allowed a mistake or two I'd say, I wouldn't call it a chronic problem plus he uses a teleprompter and has for awhile I believe.
Michael Stipe from R.E.M had been using lyric sheets on a music stand for ages so it happens to the best of them.
Has his condition made it worse? I don't know what all the symptoms are for his condition but its a real possibility.
Yeah. I'm not saying that it is an issue. But I've been out of the "live hip" loop for a few years now because I couldn't stand the constant yelling
(he sounds great in this tour, though) so I wasn't sure how it had been in the last couple of tours.
I remember Gord screwing up and forgetting lyrics as far back as the 2000 Music@Work tour. During the Muchmusic special for that album, a fan asked if they could play Cordelia, to which Gord responded: "Um...I have a problem remembering lyrics. Do you have another request?" At a show in Boston in 2002, he completely blanked on the entire first verse of Pigeon Camera and asked the audience members up front for help. As Lizard King said, it happens to a lot of singers with deep catalogues. I've seen Eddie Vedder mess up a few times as well.
I was front row centre at a small theatre show way back in 1998 and Gord forgot the lyrics to a song (...more of a missed cue than completely forgetting). Anyway, he acted(?) like he had no idea what the next line was and handed me the mic to help him out. I've never been so grateful for someone forgetting a line. On this current tour, I would say it's due to having so many songs in the mix - not to mention the emotional stakes being so high.
I'm guessing it's a mix of him just forgetting lyrics (which happens) and the effects of his cancer and treatment. There were a few rough patches in Victoria, more so than usual (and with songs that he's generally sung a lot and should be quite familiar with), and I'm assuming the effects of chemotherapy are part of the cause.
Escape@Hand Wrote:I'm guessing it's a mix of him just forgetting lyrics (which happens) and the effects of his cancer and treatment. There were a few rough patches in Victoria, more so than usual (and with songs that he's generally sung a lot and should be quite familiar with), and I'm assuming the effects of chemotherapy are part of the cause.
this is what i was thinking too. as many times as he has sung 100th Meridian, he should know it.
One thing I noticed at night 2 in Vancouver was he was looking at the lyric screens quite often, which I'm not going to judge but it was interesting to see.
He's screwed up lyrics forever. He messed up Nautical real bad at a show I was at in 1997. In 2012, he had a TelePrompTer and still mixed up lines on Greasy Jungle.
he is a man, not a real machine
Folks...the guy had surgery to remove a brain tumor. It is a miracle and an extreme act of courage that Gord is performing at all. The rush and love that Gord feels from the stage must over-power him and surround him with a warmth that is irreplaceable. He has always missed lyrics for various reasons (as does every single singer on the planet). This tour Gord seems to really need to concentrate with the lyrics and timing. My late father had a brain injury and had memory issues. The challenges one faces are huge....and very complicated but....in some cases, other parts of the brain can overcome and fill in the blanks....and make things work. I cannot over-state....what Downie is doing is truly amazing. It is a treat for us fans and I really hope it is equaling as satisfying for him as well......He should be a world wide inspiration to all. Not only is he our beloved lead singer for our favorite band....The man is an inspiration to anyone with a similar ailment.... These shows are leaving me speechless!!! Heading to London in two days!!!! Turn that PA up and ROCK! Who cares about a few flubbed lyrics...
Nothing new. Thinking of shows I've been to and have recordings of, he badly messed up NOIS in London in 2004 and Fully Completely in Cleveland in 2007... not really new songs at those points!
I'm amazed (and thankful) the he's able to tour at all at this point, so even if it were something new I wouldn't be wrapped up in it. Hopefully he's as on his game for the shows next week!
There's a great video of him not knowing the first lines of a Chagrin Falls verse and he's begging for the crowd to just give him the first word. "I just need the first fucking word! No, it's not 'more a trip
Than a quest, that's later."
Never saw it played again!
direwolf74 Wrote:During the Muchmusic special for that album, a fan asked if they could play Cordelia, to which Gord responded: "Um...I have a problem remembering lyrics. Do you have another request?"
IIRC, didn't he then invite the guy to come up and sing Cordelia with him? I had recorded that on VHS for a friend - he didn't really care for M@W until he watched the special - said Tiger the Lion sold him on the album.
Shane