By Nicko
“Tomorrow never comes
When it does it’s today.” – Dreadzone
More interesting than yesterday, tomorrow is open to possibilities or impossibilities, realised hopes or dashed hopes, dreams or nightmares, joyful anticipation or dread. ‘Tomorrow’ or ‘tomorrows’ for the future too. It’s all reflected in the songs.
It was perplexing with the musical and thematic variety – the latter often contradictory – but as I went through a sort of category filtering started, pretty organically, and that is where I end up for the list. Examples in a list of categories, some a bit contrived (a bit?- Ed), although there is repetition of ideas and words in ‘tomorrow’ songs. There is overlap between categories of course. It would have been simpler to limit a list to songs titled ‘Tomorrow’ or something like 60s psych efforts which would be a fab list, but no…
There is no B list this week, just a long A list.
Categories:
Worry About Tomorrow Songs:
Three Imaginary Boys (The Cure) [happyclapper]
Some people are scared or worried about what tomorrow will bring.
Close my eyes
And hold so tightly
Scared of what the morning brings
Waiting for tomorrow
Never comes.
Don’t Want The Night To End Tomorrow Songs:
Tomorrow Is A Long Ways Away (The Byrds) [MussoliniHeadkick]
The Byrds want the night to be long. And tomorrow is nothing to worry about.
Do Want The Night To End Tomorrow Songs:
Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Bob Dylan) [George Boyland]
A long lonely sleepless night. He wants to be in bed but isn’t. Sandy Denny’s version got 1 000 002 donds, one of them absolute, but I went with Bob.
If today was not an endless highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all
After Midnight Tomorrow Songs:
5:55 (Charlotte Gainsbourg) [happyclapper]
Whether it is still partying or worrying from the night before, 5:55 am is tomorrow. Charlotte is caught between the days.
Soon the morning will arrive
Can I begin another day
Whilst this old day is still alive
Refusing to be put away?
Tomorrow Belongs To Me Songs:
Tomorrow is My Turn (Rhiannon Giddens) [Alaricmc]
Owning tomorrow, that is, or all tomorrows, not the Nazi nationalistic song written by two Jewish songwriters for the movie Cabaret. Chillingly effective in that movie as nommed by MussoliniHeadkick.
Tomorrow is my turn is a Nina Simone song, as nommed by Isabelle, but I am going with Rhiannon Giddens’ version. A quieter take. It’s the English adaptation of Charles Aznavour’s L'amour C'est Comme Un Jour.
Rhyming ‘Tomorrow’ With ‘Sorrow’ Songs:
Tomorrow Your Sorrow (Hendrickson Road House) [DiscoMonster]
It took a while for this lyrical pairing to kick in on the noms, but they did. It’s in the title here. He’s never gonna change no matter how many tomorrows pass.
Deal With It Tomorrow Songs:
We'll Sweep The Ashes In The Morning (Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris) [Suzi]
For Gram and Emmylou, it’s a lustful illicit love they know is wrong. But it’s a fire the ashes of which they will deal with in the morning. Yeah, sure…they admit it happens time and again.
Yes, we'll taste the thrill of stolen love tonight until the dawning
And we'll sweep out the ashes
We'll sweep out the ashes
We'll sweep out the ashes in the morning
Things Will Look Worse In The Morning Songs:
Lonesome Love (Mitski) [TarquinSpodd]
In the morning, in a taxi, I'm so very paying for she regrets cleverly. She spent an hour on makeup to prove something, resolving to drop him, but ends up going home next morning. She isn’t happy with herself. Another morning after song.
Mitski
Things Will Look Better In The Morning Songs:
Tomorrow (Southwest F.O.B.) [Fred Erickson]
Things aren’t great, but they feel the morning will be alright if they make it through the night.
Tomorrow Songs With A Metaphorical Key In Them:
Follow The Sun (The Beatles) [amylee]
Short and bittersweet.
Tomorrow Never Comes Songs:
New World In The Morning (Roger Whittaker) [swawilg]
Lots touch on it and it is in lyrics elsewhere on the list. Here a dose of realism for the idealism, warning of the procrastination in relying on a ‘tomorrow’ that never comes. The man in his 80s who has been talking of the ‘new world in the morning’ since his 20s. It’s today that matters in making the ‘new tomorrow’. Practical idealists are needed, not impractical ones, I say.
Everybody talks about a new world in the morning
A new world in the morning so they say
I myself don't talk about a new world in the morning
A new world in the morning that's today.
Waiting, Promises Tomorrow Songs:
Tomorrow (Durutti Column) [Uncleben]
They have been waiting for so long. Tomorrow is a promise never filled as tomorrow never comes.
All I wanted was your time
All you ever gave me was tomorrow
And tomorrow never comes.
Tomorrow Always Comes Songs:
When Tomorrow Hits (Spacemen 3) [MussoliniHeadkick]
Tomorrow never comes, but it always comes. It isn’t always welcome. In fact, it can hit hard. This is a cover of a Mudhoney song, also nommed by happyclapper.
Ain’t no stopping time from comin’
When tomorrow hits.
Tomorrow But What On Earth Are You Talking About Songs:
Welcome Tomorrow (Love And Rockets) [Vikingchild]
A few of these. Some are no doubt intended to be metaphorical. But perhaps some are just word salad. Not that that is necessarily bad. Perhaps someone else knows what this means:
I'm sad
(He saves you from the Devil)
And I am free
(He's the son of liberty)
I'm gone, welcome tomorrow.
Songs about ‘All Tomorrows’:
As in the future, until the end. Personal or society. Hippies utopian, punks dystopian? Pretty much. Many do stress that it is up to us.
1) Personal:
All Our Tomorrows (Screaming Blue Stars) [vanwolf2]
He wants to be soothing and protective for all their tomorrows. After the sad stories of yesterday.
Having seen
The world at its worst
I want to soothe all sorrows
Chase away every bad memory
Today and all our tomorrows.
2) Utopian:
Tomorrow's People - The Children Of Today (McDonald & Giles) [ShivSidecar]
It’s the children who are the hope.
Tomorrow's people are playing now
And tomorrow's people could have the world
Who will show us the way
Or is it happening
For those who want the sun
To shine on everyone.
3) Dystopian:
Troops Of Tomorrow (The Vibrators) [Carpgate]
They’re frustrated.
We ain't got a bright future
We bought it on the never never
Don't want to be city prisoners
We ain't gonna live forever.
Wordplay Tomorrow Songs:
Today is yesterday’s tomorrow or tomorrow’s yesterday. Yesterday is today’s tomorrow. There is fun in the terminology, perhaps with different intent and emphasis.
1) Yesterday’s Tomorrow Song:
Yesterday Tomorrows (Tindersticks) [shoegazer]
It’s yesterday’s tomorrow today. A toss-up with the fantastically out-there Lothar And The Hand People and Today Is Only Yesterday's Tomorrow (TarquinSpodd).
Then our yesterday’s tomorrows
Then our yesterday’s tomorrows
Then our yesterday’s tomorrows
They're here.
2) Tomorrow’s Yesterday Song:
Today Is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday (The WordD) [ShivSidecar]
It’s tomorrow’s yesterday today. Things will get better.
I raise my heart to happier times
For today is just tomorrow’s yesterday.
3) Today Is Already Tomorrow Song:
Now Is Tomorrow (Definition of Sound) [IsabelleForshaw]
I have liked this one since first getting it on a comp from the clothing company Mambo in the 90s. It’s a moving on after heartache song. Today is a ‘tomorrow’ as the breakup is now past.
Cry no more these tears of sorrow
Wipe away
‘Cos now is tomorrow
Coming Home Tomorrow Songs:
I’m Com'un Home in The Morn'un (Lou Pride) [DiscoMonster]
There are a decent number of coming home tomorrow songs. This is a stomper.
Day After Day Songs:
Glasgow Jubilee (Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat) [happyclapper]
Day after day is just one tomorrow after another. This one is smutty. Numerous ‘next days’ in this tale of sexual abandon based on a turn of last century play La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler in the general form of a roundelay dance but passing one sexual partner to another. Moffat updated the action, the assertiveness of women and the lack of consequence except that it seems empty.
Tomorrow Songs With Dreams In Them:
Tomorrow’s Dream (Al Green) [Uncleben]
Both Al Green and Black Sabbath were nommed for a Tomorrow’s Dream. That was the choice on offer. Al talks of dreams but in the end he wants to ‘gain one simple thing’ tonight.
I look back now, girl, on tomorrow's dreams
Distant things are happening, not as bad as they seem
Don't put off tomorrow for what today might bring
I'll be satisfied to gain one single thing
Don't look away now, girl, things are looking bright
Don't put off tomorrow, girl, for what's in store tonight, baby.
Mañana Songs:
Mañana (Radio Tarifa) [Maki]
As Maki noted, one Spanish word hardly needs translating this week. I have loved the Radio Tarifa intersection of Spanish and North African sound for years. It’s morish (morish, Moorish…No? I’ll get my hat). I think this one is a bit mañana in the never never sense, but even if it is literal it is still great.
Look at that face
Still waiting
And my time hasn't come
Ay, ay, ay, ay
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Rokia Traoré
Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring Songs:
Two from Africa….
1) Society:
Dounia (Rokia Traoré) [Nilpferd]
A great one from her, describing poetically how each day is different, but worrying about what tomorrow may bring for Africa given the absence of the ancient rulers and teachers. A lovely Salif Keita was nommed by Marco as well. The personal often seems mixed the societal for these singers.
Each dawn gives a new day
The moon lights different nights
The days are alike but do not contain the same instants
Moments, honey, sweets
Moments and flavours of gall
The glory days
Hours of disappointment
Have you heard of Sundiata, Sogolon Diata, Maré Makan Diata, Mande Diata?
They built history in Africa
… living hope
We are still proud
We miss the history of Africa
2) Personal:
Tomorrow (William Onyeabor) [Fred Erickson]
Do your best today because who knows what tomorrow will bring.
No one knows tomorrow
Tomorrow, no one knows tomorrow
Anything you want to do, do it well, for no one knows tomorrow.
No More Tomorrows Songs:
There is a day coming without a tomorrow for all of us.
1) Uncertain:
We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow (Soko) [Jamesowen475]
You might die before tomorrow. Grab life now. And grab her too, which is what she wants.
Give me all your love now
'Cause for all we know
We might be dead by tomorrow.
2) Certain:
Gondola No Uta (Takashi Shimura) [BanazirGalbasi]
The Japanese song Gondola No Uta dates to 1915. A cautionary tale from an old person to the young as life is fleeting and opportunities easily missed. Here from the Akira Kurosawa movie Ikuri, sung by the actor Takashi Shimura whose character is facing death. A great movie, even if Takashi isn’t a great singer.
Life is brief
Fall in love, maidens
Before the crimson bloom
Fades from your lips
Before the tides of passion
Cool within you
For those of you
Who know no tomorrow.
All Tomorrow’s Songs in One Big A-List:
Three Imaginary Boys (The Cure)
Tomorrow Is A Long Ways Away (The Byrds)
Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Bob Dylan)
5:55 (Charlotte Gainsbourg)
Tomorrow is My Turn (Rhiannon Giddens)
Tomorrow Your Sorrow (Hendrickson Road House)
We'll Sweep The Ashes In The Morning (Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris)
Lonesome Love (Mitski)
Tomorrow (Southwest F.O.B.)
Follow The Sun (The Beatles)
New World In The Morning (Roger Whittaker)
When Tomorrow Hits (Spacemen 3)
Welcome Tomorrow (Love And Rockets)
Tomorrow (Durutti Column)
All Our Tomorrows (Trembling Blue Stars)
Tomorrow's People - The Children Of Today (McDonald & Giles)
Troops Of Tomorrow (The Vibrators)
Yesterday Tomorrows (Tindersticks)
Today Is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday (The WordD)
Now Is Tomorrow (Definition of Sound)
I’m Com'un Home in The Morn'un (Lou Pride)
Glasgow Jubilee (Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat)
Tomorrow’s Dream (Al Green)
Mañana (Radio Tarifa)
Dounia (Rokia Traoré)
Tomorrow (William Onyeabor)]
We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow (Soko)
Gondola No Uta (Takashi Shimura)
Tomorrow Keeps Coming:
Guru’s Day After Today Wildcard Picks:
Icehouse - All Tomorrow’s Parties
VU are zedded. Suzi nommed June Tabor/Oyster Band and MussoliniHeadkick nommed Japan, but this is the Icehouse version. There’s a story. I was recently catching up on some repeats of Rockwiz – a TV music quiz show with live band, guest artists etc and Icehouser Iva Davies was on and told his ATP story.
He did the music for a Sydney Dance Company ballet called Berlin, based on versions of favourite songs, including ATP as the finale. Davies found late he had to get the personal approval of the writer(s) for a stage production. He tried to contact Reed through the record company etc to no avail. Getting desperate, he sent a cassette of the version off into the blue addressed to Reed’s record company. A week later a fax came through:
“Regarding ‘All Tomorrow's Parties’: Congratulations! I couldn't have loved it more! I am honoured to have such talent interpreting my music.”
The album The Berlin Tapes or Heroes as it was later re-titled when re-released in Australia is an excellent covers album. Bowie, Ferry, VU, PiL, XTC, Killing Joke etc.
Barrington Levy – Tomorrow Is Another Day
Tomorrow is another day. It can bring all sorts of things.
Gabriel Omolo & His Apollo Komesha – Wed Today Divorce Tomorrow
Kenyan band in the general benga style, presumably from the early 70s. No idea what the lyrics mean but I can’t go past the title. A cautionary tale of acting in haste?
Junior Wells – Tomorrow Night
A tomorrow night song and an I’m coming home tomorrow song. Not the only one with this title even. His baby’s gonna jump and shout. Junior gets off the train tomorrow night. Wildcard Picks
Barrington Levy
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Happening now: songs about tomorrow. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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