The level of defiance intensifies with the anthemic scorcher “Unsatisfied,” with Westerberg’s hauntingly straining vocals competing with the wailing guitar of Bob Stinson almost to the point of instigation and stammering frustration. Not tryin’ to cause a big sensation, but…
- Look me in the eye
Then, tell me that I'm satisfied
Was you satisfied?
Look me in the eye
Then, tell me that I'm satisfied
Hey, are you satisfied?
And it goes so slowly on
Everything I've ever wanted
Tell me what's wrong…
…Look me in the eye
And tell me that I'm satisfied
Look me in the eye
Unsatisfied
I'm so, I'm so unsatisfied
I'm so dissatisfied
I'm so, I'm so unsatisfied
I'm so unsatisfied
Well, I'm-a
I'm so, I'm so unsatisfied
I'm so dissatis,dissattis...
I'm so…
If “Unsatisfied” ranks as Let It Be’s — and one of the ‘80s — most passionate tracks of inner angst and anxiety, the affecting “Sixteen Blue” is the among the most compassionate reflections upon interrelationships and alienation. Once again, Westerberg summons his dark hoarse voice and cues the ramshackle Replacements to call up a world not too far removed: “Drive yourself right up the wall / No one hears and no one calls / It's a boring state / It's a useless wait, I know…” More prosaic than inspirational, sympathetic yet hopeful, Westerberg’s happy-to-be-sad melancholy here is a perfect complement to the raucousness of much of Let It Be:
- Your age is the hardest age
Everything drags and drags
You're looking funny
You ain't laughing, are you?
Sixteen blue
Sixteen blue
The song is an emotional holding pattern as Westerberg lends an ear. Sometimes that’s the best thing you can do. The worst? Leave a personal message on an answering machine, which Westerberg would never do. Or sing “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.” Which he just might do. Then look him in the eye and tell him he’s not satisfied.
Also featured in Glen Boyd’s New Album Releases for this week, Let It Be, along with the earlier Twin Tone Replacement albums -- Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash; Stinks; and Hootenanny — are getting re-released as Rhino's expanded reissues.
Article comments
1 - Kevin Eagan
They are such a good band, and this is the one album everyone should have (if you had to pick one).
2 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Thanks, Kevin. With close runner-ups "Tim" and "Pleased..." (and let's put Westerberg's "14 Songs" in there too) I would hope no one would make me pick only one.