William Shatner - Common People

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What once lived only in dreams.

― matthew james (matthew james), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

OMGWTFLOL!!!

― jed_ (jed), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh no. I mean, I knew it existed and was soon to be released but...dare I?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I love it except for the other guy doing the chorus WTF?

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

! You mean Shatner doesn't sing the chorus? A MONTROSITY.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude, listen to it.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, I will, I will. I'm finishing up a CD and then I will face my fear, because fear is the mind-killer.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

It's Joe Jackson singing the chorus.

― Chriddof (Chriddof), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh that's right, I heard something about that. Still, hrm. Isn't Ben Folds behind all this?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Yup.

― Chriddof (Chriddof), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

why joe jackson? shat could have made a better stab at it himself.

i like the way he says "are you shu-hure...?"

― jed_ (jed), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I *love* he does the "she just laughed and said, ha, you're so funny"!!!!!!!!!!!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

A friend in London says they've been playing it non-stop on XFM. I just can't summon up enough interest to try to hear it. The idea just reminds me of decades of people going "The best Beatles cover version is William Shatner doing 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' - it's insane!" and me nodding and thinking 'use other suggestions please' and feeling like a wanker. Enough with wacky cover versions already, basically.

― Alba (Alba), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I am being a wanker again. Maybe if I heard it I'd love it, but the Ben Folds connection makes me think nor.

― Alba (Alba), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

not.

― Alba (Alba), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

*listens* Okay, the dink new wave production is either brilliant or not and I'm not sure which.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Shatner talking like Philip Marlowe, though, that's something.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait, "LYING in bed at night?"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG I'm laughing my ass off
I could never figure out how Shatner keeps in time when he "sings".

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Friday, 30 July 2004 21:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, am I right in thinking that it's not funny because he knows it sounds funny? Right? RIGHT?

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Friday, 30 July 2004 21:16 (twenty-one years ago)

"I will not eat it in a box. I will not eat it with a fox."

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 30 July 2004 21:25 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/covers/media/mflowers129.jpg

― R.I.M.A. (Barima), Friday, 30 July 2004 21:31 (twenty-one years ago)

the pitchfork reviewer enjoyed it but only gave it 2.5 stars. i know pitchfork hates fun, but really, http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/wearetheworld/images/g-wtf.gif

― alan r. banana (alanbanana), Friday, 30 July 2004 23:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Adam, the thing about Shatner is, even though he's parodying himself, I've never been sure that he really understands why he's funny. I think he's just playing along which is charming.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 30 July 2004 23:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I've allowed for the fact that he had to know exactly what was doing ever since Free Enterprise at least.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 July 2004 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

he sounds like Ken Nordine

― JaXoN (JasonD), Friday, 30 July 2004 23:35 (twenty-one years ago)

oh my god

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Saturday, 31 July 2004 02:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's the strangest thing I've seen Shatner in:

About 12 years ago, I was in high school and looking for my first job. I went to a "group interview" at a vacuum cleaner sales place, which of course was shady from the start, but I was 14 and thought I needed a job.

I showed up and joined 10 or 15 other people for what turned out to be a 45 minute sales pitch for these garbage vacuum cleaners followed by a 15 minute career advice video starring William Shatner on horseback. He rode up to a crossroads in the country and told me that if I went to college my life would be wasted and that vacuum cleaner sales was the true path to success and fulfillment.

After that was a coffee break, during which I and just about everybody else snuck off horrified. The salesman called me the next day to offer me the job and even kind of begged me to take it when I obviously refused.

― Shat Myself, Saturday, 31 July 2004 03:39 (twenty-one years ago)

That's the best thing I've ever heard.

― Jordan (Jordan), Saturday, 31 July 2004 13:44 (twenty-one years ago)

(the vacuum cleaner story, not the song)

― Jordan (Jordan), Saturday, 31 July 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

This song is bad, and not in a good way. The arrangement sounds too close to the original, Shatner sounds like he actually knows the song (when he doesnt, that's the best) and the guy earnestly singing on the chorus -- who is NOT Shatner -- completely ruins it. Perhaps given ten years it will all be funny in a way they didn't even intend but right now I had high hopes and I was let down.

― Adam Bruneau, Saturday, 31 July 2004 14:29 (twenty-one years ago)

You had high hopes for a William Shatner record?

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 31 July 2004 15:26 (twenty-one years ago)

In the same way that you hope a new president won't screw it up too badly.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 31 July 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never liked this song, but Shatner's delivery almost redeems it for me.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Saturday, 31 July 2004 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

I've never liked this song

:-(

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 31 July 2004 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Alex in not liking fey British pop shocker!

Adam, the thing about Shatner is, even though he's parodying himself, I've never been sure that he really understands why he's funny. I think he's just playing along which is charming.

I just feel like we shouldn't allow him the honor of being so spontaneously funny. I don't know why I have such Shatner issues, I just don't think he deserves it.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Saturday, 31 July 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

THAT said, this picture is very fucking funny.

http://pbatey.tripod.com/william5.jpg

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Saturday, 31 July 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

wow, i didn't think there was anyone who didn't like this song!

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Saturday, 31 July 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

this is terrible

what a fucking joke

― amateur!!st, Friday, 26 November 2004 07:20 (twenty-one years ago)

It's not that bad is it?

― adam... (nordicskilla), Friday, 26 November 2004 07:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I love it - better than the Pulp version even! It has to be heard within the context of the "Has Been" album (which is also ace), and I'm not really a Shatner fan either.

― dog latin (dog latin), Friday, 26 November 2004 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

a has been is better than a never was

― spock, Friday, 26 November 2004 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

It is better to have had TJ Hooker cancelled than never to have been TJ Hooker at all.

― Alba (Alba), Friday, 26 November 2004 11:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I hat ethe fact that I really like it. it's goo dthough, a piece of harmless fun. The rest of the album is listenavble too, god bless slsk though, I'd never have bought it in a million years

― Porkpie (porkpie), Friday, 26 November 2004 12:03 (twenty-one years ago)

wow, i didn't think there was anyone who didn't like this song!
-- J.D. (aubade8...), July 31st, 2004 4:11 PM.

The most naive thing said on this forum... though the '90s results certainly prove me wrong.

― Eric H. (Eric H.), Friday, 26 November 2004 13:00 (twenty-one years ago)

It's way better than the Pulp version.

Shatner is great, Has Been is in my top 5 albums of the year.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 26 November 2004 17:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Leonard Nimoy's funnier.

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Friday, 26 November 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

i think those of you who like this record are shamming

― amateur!!st, Friday, 26 November 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

They're looking down their noses at the common people, just like the girl from St. Martin's College.

― Ken L (Ken L), Friday, 26 November 2004 20:15 (twenty-one years ago)

i think those of you who like this record are shamming, pt. ii

― Harry Klamm, Friday, 26 November 2004 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Leonard Nimoy

For the space hippies on the "Way to Eden" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series it was Mr. Spock to whom they said "we grok," or more precisely: "we reach, brother." If I'm not mistaken Mr. Spock also had a cutting contest on space-lyre with their leading axeman.

― Ken L (Ken L), Friday, 26 November 2004 22:14 (twenty-one years ago)

The space hippies even called Bill a "Herbert!"

― George Smith, Friday, 26 November 2004 23:18 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a brilliant record. I like it. I am not shamming.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 27 November 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

It's the second best album of 2004.

Bill's cover of Mr Tambourine Man is a current favourite.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 28 February 2005 17:52 (twenty-one years ago)

this movie is really hard to find, but it is Shatner GOLD
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071654/

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 28 February 2005 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Leonard Nimoy is a geniuus too. "If I Had a Hammer" and "Spock Thoughts" would be number one singles if released today.

I saw a good Shatner episode of the Twilight Zone, he was wigging out on a plane.

― jel -- (jel), Monday, 28 February 2005 18:20 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah... that record is great. it's entertaining.
m.

― msp (msp), Monday, 28 February 2005 19:08 (twenty-one years ago)

xxpost:
I thought that link was gonna be for Incubus but I guess that's not that hard to find. In any case I always envision an ad campaign for Incubus in which they say "Let Bill Shatner teach you how to say 'I love you' in Esperanto!"

― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 28 February 2005 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

"Incubus" is great, but yeah its had the deluxe reissue treatment in recent years. As far as I know "Impulse" has never even been released on VHS.

Nimoy's version of "The Hitchhiker" is also great. "Ballad of Bilbo Baggins" should've been in LotR *somewhere*.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 28 February 2005 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Did someone say Impulse?

http://www.agonybooth.com/impulse/pinky_suck.jpg

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 28 February 2005 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

But what does that have to do with Tommy?

Content of Esperanto lesson:
"Mi deziras vin."

― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 28 February 2005 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

ten months pass...

http://www.youtube.com/w/Bill-Shatner?v=ALV6PF6tV_g&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fgawker%2Ecom%2F

The orign. version of Rocket Man

― Jimmy Mod (I myself am lethal at 100 -110dB) (The Famous Jimmy Mod), Tuesday, 17 January 2006 21:35 (twenty years ago)

five years pass...

Hey a video (kinda):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWEM4gZhg4

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 8 June 2011 20:48 (fourteen years ago)

five years pass...

this is 1 of my fav songs of all time

― johnny crunch, Wednesday, 14 September 2016 13:44 (nine years ago)

homepage.mac.com

― How Butch, I mean (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Wednesday, 14 September 2016 13:45 (nine years ago)

Yeah the whole album is amazing. I still dig out 'It Hasn't Happened Yet' every year at Christmas

― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Wednesday, 14 September 2016 14:05 (nine years ago)

'That's Me Trying' gets me every time, Nick Hornby lyrics and all.

― Foster Twelvetrees (Ward Fowler), Wednesday, 14 September 2016 14:15 (nine years ago)

yep, a real tearjerker. The Rollins duet is hilarious too

― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Wednesday, 14 September 2016 14:18 (nine years ago)

Oh yeah, That's Me Trying stops me in my tracks every time I hear it. It's ridiculously moving. It Hasn't Happened Yet, Common People and I Can't Get Behind That are the only other ones I've kept from this album.

― Kitchen Person, Wednesday, 14 September 2016 15:16 (nine years ago)

three years pass...

the only good 4.40 of music (not bad)

― mark s, Friday, 21 February 2020 14:11 (six years ago)

mark are u ok

― Generous Grant for Stepladder Creamery (bizarro gazzara), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:12 (six years ago)

i think those of you who like this record are shamming
― amateur!!st, Friday, 26 November 2004 20:11 (fifteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink

^^^doesn't get it and looks foolish as a consequence

― mark s, Friday, 21 February 2020 14:13 (six years ago)

Still hate this intensely.

― 🚶‍♂️💨 (Eric H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:14 (six years ago)

Still like this (and most of this album) a lot.

― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:18 (six years ago)

can't believe we're celebrating the music of a wife-murderer itt, smdh

― Generous Grant for Stepladder Creamery (bizarro gazzara), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:19 (six years ago)

Haven’t listened to this in too long. Will correct today

― El Tomboto, Friday, 21 February 2020 14:20 (six years ago)

same

― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:21 (six years ago)

This isn't even the best 4:40 cover version of a song by a UK pop artist beginning with P (that would be Rent by Carter USM).

― Paperbag raita (ledge), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:23 (six years ago)

I'd forgotten the choir!!

― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:23 (six years ago)

"That's Me Trying" renders Bojack Horseman redundant.

― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:35 (six years ago)

that section of love songs is a real drag but I almost laughed aloud at my desk at Shatner and Rollins' unison screaming

― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Friday, 21 February 2020 14:58 (six years ago)

"The leaf blowers!!!!"

― Jeff W, Friday, 21 February 2020 18:52 (six years ago)

one year passes...

WTF I just heard this!! So good!

― cerebral halsey (rip van wanko), Saturday, 15 May 2021 22:29 (four years ago)

The rest of the album is better

― bobo honkin' slobo babe (sic), Saturday, 15 May 2021 23:24 (four years ago)

I maintain that Has Been is the best album of 2004 or whatever year it came out. I listen to it on the reg even today

― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Sunday, 16 May 2021 10:54 (four years ago)

four years pass...

this cover fucking rules

― trm (tombotomod), Friday, 10 October 2025 01:12 (five months ago)

Not news but just to emphasize

― trm (tombotomod), Friday, 10 October 2025 01:13 (five months ago)

Whole of the Has Been album has no right, and at the same time every right, to be as good as it is

― Now read it backwards. (dog latin), Friday, 10 October 2025 01:47 (five months ago)

speaking of albums released between 1994 and 2004, have you ever come around on LFO’s “Advance”

― trm (tombotomod), Friday, 10 October 2025 01:50 (five months ago)

whoa, that's well remembered. I'll give it a re-listen at the gym now

― Now read it backwards. (dog latin), Friday, 10 October 2025 12:09 (five months ago)

Hold on wait, and sorry for derailing - why does "Goodnight Vienna" sound so familiar? Is it a Playstation start up logo?

― Now read it backwards. (dog latin), Friday, 10 October 2025 12:29 (five months ago)

ohhhh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8iWcVVqWuU

― Now read it backwards. (dog latin), Friday, 10 October 2025 12:36 (five months ago)

Took me longer than I'd care to admit to realize Joe Jackson was doing the singing part of CP.

― Seductive Barrytown (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 11 October 2025 12:40 (five months ago)

was listening to Neil Hamburger's Still Dwelling album recently and was marveling at how it was better than all the stuff it was parodying, but alas I forgot about Shatner's Has Been

― frogbs, Saturday, 11 October 2025 15:49 (five months ago)

On his fan FB page, someone AI edited a photo of his parents into a b&w LA "movie stars at the beach" type photo. He was absolutely furious...

― Mark G, Monday, 13 October 2025 06:33 (five months ago)

Is his facebook not run by the AI enthusiast who ran (or may still run) his twitter, then?

― fall of the house of urrsher (sic), Monday, 13 October 2025 15:57 (five months ago)

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