T/S: He's on the Phone vs Digital Love

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http://www.saint.etienne.net/ec/Hes_On_The_Phone.3.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005KAKE.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Underneath their cheery lollipop exteriors lie bittersweet love songs. In fact, I'm postulating that the most devoted fans of each don't consider these songs to be "happy" at all. Both songs encapsulate awkward moments in (fleeting?) relationships, possibly making them therapeutic "don't worry, I've been there" pats on the back for those who listen to them most often.

Both bands are beloved by ILM ... both have featured prominently in recent polls ... I'm siding with Saint Etienne, which is likely obvious from my comments from the 00's and 90's threads ... BUT WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON??

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 14 November 2004 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

(oh yes, when looking for the "Digital Love" artwork, I couldn't resist using the Japanese version)

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 14 November 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

these are both bands best songs. the digital love is obviously very melancholy, but hes on the phone is more circumspect, like, it doesn't really matter

― *@*.* (gareth), Sunday, 14 November 2004 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, "Dig Love" expresses very genuine longing ... "He's on the Phone" is more seedy, but the air of hurtful disappointment is prominent in both.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 14 November 2004 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Got the cash / feeling flash / Leicester Square

St Etienne wins.

― Atnevon (Atnevon), Sunday, 14 November 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

He's On The Phone - no doubt! Not the best Saint Etienne IMHO but still immense... And lets not forget that the UK CD1 has three great Bs and the Motiv8 mixes are supertrash bubblegum immensity, in some ways better...(maybe?)

― james porter (james porter), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Digital Love actually *is* fun, as well as bittersweet. Saint Etienne is just antiseptic and dull.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

you haven't listened to them enough, I don't think. anyway, it's a tie

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

i say that sincerely, pleading the case. you should check out Finisterre or something

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Can someone post an emoticon version of "He's on the Phone" so I can compare fairly? kthx

xpost I just misread that as "Friendster"

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

well, St. Et. for me, obv. It not my favourite song of theirs(that would be too hard to answer) or even my favourite single(that would be How We Used To Live or Nothing Can Stop Us), but it is perhaps one of their most precise releases. I mean, it's paint by numbers, but done so gloriously and effortlessly that it's more an archetype than an stereotype, for me, at least. I credit it for, along with the whole Too Young to Die album(could there be a better name for a St Et singles comp?), making my 17 y/o self at peace, relatively, with pop songs. Everyone OTM on the severe notes of sadness. It's great for such a massive song to focus on one moment of panic and indecision. 'and now he's trying to find/the words to say/someday'

― derrick (derrick), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Roxy I'll make you a StEt comp one of these days xpost

― Riot Gear! (Gear!), Sunday, 14 November 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

There are a dozen St. Etienne singles I like more than "He's on the Phone". "Digital Love" is Daft Punk M.II's finest moment, so that.

― The Good Dr . Bill (Andrew Unterberger), Sunday, 14 November 2004 21:07 (twenty-one years ago)

"He's On the Phone" was the single I never actually heard until years later -- and when I did, I liked it very much, yes. But I can't call it to mind, where I can call all of "Digital Love" to mind just like that, flat.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 14 November 2004 21:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Digital Love forever.

― djdee2005 (djdee2005), Sunday, 14 November 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

What's also great about "He's on the Phone" is how this guys managed to rewrite the lyrics (to English) and still got it right; 'cause usually the results of this are pretty embarrassing.

― daavid (daavid), Sunday, 14 November 2004 22:49 (twenty-one years ago)

wow, djdee and i actually agree on something.

digital love by miles.

― todd swiss (eliti), Monday, 15 November 2004 02:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Got the cash / feeling flash / Leicester Square

Forgive me. Before someone corrects me, let me specify that this SHOULD read.

Got the cash / feeling flash / in Leicester Square

I felt horrible having allowed such a perfect line to be misrepresented. Forgive me. And for good measure:

Her life's a gas / she loves the trash / inside his world

― Atnevon (Atnevon), Monday, 15 November 2004 03:57 (twenty-one years ago)

One of my favorite single-second moments in just about anything is the big breathy "YES" in "He's on the Phone."

― nabiscothingy, Monday, 15 November 2004 04:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Digital Love by some distance

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 15 November 2004 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I agonised over this for a while but I honestly can't say.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Monday, 15 November 2004 11:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm surprised this isn't more of a landslide -- particularly since the Saint Etienne-lovers on ILM are fairly divided as to their favourite StEt songs -- but I think the hardcore DP fans merely haven't seen this thread yet.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Monday, 15 November 2004 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think I've heard She's On The Phone, so I'm going for DP.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 15 November 2004 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Harder Stronger Faster

― Does John Coltrane Dream of a Merry-go-round? (ex machina), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't really like st. etienne.

― RJG (RJG), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

you've probably heard He's On The Phone at Club FT Matt (unless you've never been there the times it's been played)

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

One of my favorite single-second moments in just about anything is the big breathy "YES" in "He's on the Phone."

YES.

"He's On The Phone" by a massive distance.

"...someday, someday (someday, someday)..."

oh it's just perfect, I want to wallow in it right now.

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I will third that sentiment, the "YES" makes it all. also search the version with Etienne Daho

I will be listening to it in approximately 10 minutes

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

'OH!' vs 'YES'

male robots vs twee girly

wanky geetaw and trumpets vs cascading piano

"WHY DON'T YOU PLAY THE GAME?" vs "...someday, someday (someday, someday)..."

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:10 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah Stevem that actually really clarifies it - St Et win by three landslides there!

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

naw i think Digital Love has the more sublime bits myself

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't really remember the Digital Love bits though...

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 15 November 2004 17:22 (twenty-one years ago)

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