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Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
1975
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!Emmylou Harris is somehow an underrated country legend. When it's all said and done, she'll forever be on the Mount Rushmore of female country artists, along with Loretta Lynne, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton. None of those country legends have a voice like Emmylou Harris. And the puzzling thing is that it seemingly took years for Nashville to truly embrace her. She'd consistently put out album after album, all of them great, but the early knock on Emmylou was that she never wrote her own songs. This, her debut country album, is mainly covers, including one from the aforementioned Dolly and even a deep cut from The Beatles. But the real gem from this album is the one song Emmylou wrote, and it became her signature song. "Boulder To Birmingham" is one of the greatest sad songs ever put on record, and it wrecks me every time I hear it. Just listen to the words of "Boulder To Birmingham". You feel the pain and sorrow she has over losing her mentor Gram Parsons. She can't understand why he's gone, and more importantly, she can't fathom why no one else feels like she does over his death. Emmylou's tastes were clearly too eclectic and ahead of her time for Nashville (and there may have been some hesitancy to fully embrace her because of her previous association with Parsons, another vanguard in their opinion). But Emmylou focused on keeping the spirit of Gram Parsons alive. She'd solidify her legacy (and write many more great songs) on future albums, but this one clearly puts her on the map. Props for getting former Eagle and Flying Burrito Brother Bernie Leadon, along with many other musicians in Parsons' orbit, to play on this gem of an album. To my ears, Emmylou is the true First Lady of Country Music.
The alt country queen! I love Emmylou, but this genre is hit or miss for people. Personally I love it, so this is a 5 star for me.
Baby brought me in out off the highway Made me put my money in the bank, bank Straightened out my crooked way of thinking Made it purely pleasure when I drank - bluebird wine
She does a good job covering Dolly Parton. (Unless it’s the other way round) either way I’m a fan. I love coat of many colours it’s my favourite Dolly song.
I'm not a big country fan. However, I do like what I consider to be REAL country: not the countrified-rock crap that is put out today. Emmylou's voice is amazing, and this album was a gem from start to finish.
The singing and playing are flawless. However, although Emmylou got here first, I think there are stronger collections of alt country songs out there, which i will almost certainly be going back to before this one.
1/6 Real good folk album. Standout Tracks: Bluebird Wine, Bottle Let Me Down, Queen of the Silver Dollar
Almost magical, which is remarkable for an album of, as I understand it, mostly covers. It contains a nice range of country sounds, and Emmylou's voice is a smooth constant. It doesn't outlive its welcome in any way, but near the end becomes a collection of songs as opposed to a cohesive LP.
Great tracks, classic country, awesome covers. Not my usual tastes but will listen to again
This was great. Country can be a bit hit and miss and I can't listen to it for too long but I really liked this album. Although it's got a few covers on it, it's not a covers album but Emmylou Harris only has a writing credit for one song. Interesting stuff.
I must like country music. It just sounds like *music*. Particularly the duets. Don’t know why those are able to get through these jaded ears and into my brain.
Never heard this - this is great country music! Her voice and the production is a sweet kiss of Americana
I’m beginning to realize I don’t dislike country. I dislike the modern hybridization of pop and country.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this country folk album- especially when a beebles cover came out of nowhere
Pretty good. Very good voice. Not remarkable enough to listen to regularly, but very nice for the background and definitely something I could listen to again, especially within larger playlists.
liked the "Coat of Many Colors" cover, I feel like I should listen to this one a bunch more
Stonking opening track and then it ebbed and flowed after that but in an enjoyable way. Will defo listen again
Emmylou Harris is a titan of the Americana scene. Utilizing traditional instrumentation, a subtle western beat, and a gift for storytelling, she creates earnest, compelling music that is entirely her own. Like the outlaws of the 70s and 80s, Harris operates outside the Nashville formula, and borrows across genres.
“Pieces of the Sky” by Emmylou Harris (1975) This major label debut by superstar Emmylou Harris is a fine collection of covers of worthy songs, with excellent country instrumental arrangements providing plenty of clear space for individual flourishes (pedal steel, banjo, mandolin, strings, and you name it). The meaty midsection of the album is passionate and potently evocative. Harris’ voice is outstanding, with tremendous use of dynamic variation (e.g., “Too Far Gone”), touching stylings, dreamy resonance, bold interjections of power, and country-honest inflection. It’s all demonstrated on this record, which goes a long way toward explaining why she subsequently became one of the most sought-after backing vocalists in the history of recorded music. Her selection of songs by other artists provides a suitable vehicle for the passion of her performance, eclectic yet well ordered. She teases us into it with the opening track “Bluebird Wine”, a shuffling thank you note to liquid (and cheap) intemperance. The album ends with “Queen of the Silver Dollar”, a raucous and recklessly triumphant celebration of lower middle class (im)morality written by Shel Silverstein (of all people). God, I love the proletariat. Merle Haggard’s “Bottle Let Me Down” is delivered by Harris with sugar and sass, reflecting on the bad feelings one has when the alcohol doesn’t quite ease the pain. Maybe she needs to graduate from wine to port. The one song on this album written by Harris is “Boulder to Birmingham”, a beautifully poetic lament, grieving over an unexpected loss (the demise of her mentor Gram Parsons). Sadly flawed (by a gimmicky rapid oscillation between left and right channels applied to the Rhodes keyboard), it still gets a sob and tears on only the second listen. And again, she goes from wail to whisper in an instant, and then back again as she storms into the chorus: “I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham if I thought I could see your face”, she sings. But it ain’t gonna happen, she knows, as she looks out the airplane window at the prairie and the sky. “The hardest part is knowing I’ll survive.” Hard for you, Emmylou. Fortunate for us. Harris gives a sublime interpretation of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors”, a touching alternate take on the biblical story of Jacob’s preferred son, Joseph, and the envy of his brothers (Genesis 37:3-4, KJV). It’s a rich embellishment of the notion of poverty, suitable for Everyman. If you’re not (yet) a fan of country music, this album just might make you one. 4/5
Emmylou’s voice is just incredible throughout this album. The songwriting is a joy to listen to and the covers are perfectly matched. A little on the slower side but it fits the tone well.
Beautiful voice, modern-ish country, amazing and emotional ballads (Boulder obviously, but also others), excellent Beatles cover. Very good album.
Listening to this album, it hit me that there is a distinct lack of country music on this list. I can only really think of one other straight-up country album that I've gotten. Regardless, this album is everything that's good about country. Harris has a beautiful voice full of emotion, and the accompanying music is good without distracting from from her as the focus. I'm not in love with her cover of For No One by the Beatles, but at least it's more tasteful than most Beatles covers 4/5
Awesome album. The varied instrumentation and is rousing during the lively songs and beautiful during the pretty songs, and naturally the singing is also on point.
jättebra, klockren kvalité och mix. Bra känsla, roliga texter och topnotch 'instrumentalitet'. Önskar all country va så här
She's the original angelic country singer that all copycats are based on. And this is a really good album. Showcases perfectyly what she is about
I know Emmylou Harris from her work with Gram Parsons which I love but regrettably have listened to much more. That is the great thing about this challenge as it is getting me to listen to more than my dozen favourite albums on repeat. This is a beautiful album. Really good traditional country that just shys away from the Nashville glitz. I need to give this a few more listens for all the songs to sink in. A couple of songs lose me but a few others sound as good as her work on Grevious Angel.
A very pleasant listen. I'm not massively into country, but this all seemed very well done. Fave track - "Bluebird Wine", maybe, or "For No One"
Iako je većinom album pun covera (90%), lijepo je odrađen. Općenito se ljudi u današnje vrijeme boje priznati da je nešta country jer dobiva hejt koji po meni ne zaslužuje. Ovo je lijep album i lijep glas sa laganom akustalijom. Volim taj steel zvuk gitare, žao mi je što opet nema pola zvjezdice. Ponavljam. Cover albuma je isto dobar. Može biti isto u nekoj pozadini, pogotovo vožnjom auta kroz countryside u Texasu. Najdraže su mi Bluebird Wine (htio sam da bude više takvih), Before Believing, For No One (Bitlsova prerada) i Queen of the Silver Dollar. Napravila je ovaj album kao pravi album, kao da je njen, a ne da je prepjevala tuđe. Koincidecija??? - taman ima cover od Dusty Springfield (Coat of Many Colors) koje smo prethodno imali, jučer. Huhu.
I didn't expect that, but I loved the album. It's country, but with a slight folk undertone. Honesty and emotion are palpable in the music of Emmylou Harris. A very nice discovery for me, even if I'm not a die-hard fan of country music.
Really solid country music album from someone I've never heard of. Really liked the first two songs of the album and the rest kept me engaged. Feels ahead of its time too
Track 1 is now one of my favourite songs! Had never listened to EH before. Loved most of the album.
Great album. Would like to hear some original songs performed by Harris, but her voice is no joke; beautiful, soft and charming.
Definitely prefer this older county style compared to... anything modern. Not something I'd always wanna throw on, but I can't deny her charm and vocal prowess. Some great harmonies and instrumentation.
Thanks to 1001 I'm discovering I actually have a pretty big soft spot for country music.
The first memorable experience listening to Emmylou Harris was from her 2000 album "Red Dirt Girl" and this early offering from 1975 has all of the indicators that made "Red Dirt Girl" a good listen. "Boulder to Burmingham" has that gloried mix of hymn, some blues, with a tinge of solemn gospel. The type of combination that defined that softer-almost-folk type of country that this particular era became known for. Emmylou's vocals are remarkably clear, her lyrics enunciated without fault. Musically, the band is clearly tailored to her range. This is a well-done album from 1975, and at the risk of overstatement, Emmylou Harris should be considered a gift to this genre if not for her longevity. Where Dolly Parton brought out the glam and brightness of Nashville as one its best entertainers/singer/songwriter, Emmylou Harris has taken the more studious approach in her career, a sort of grounding to remind everyone that outside of the stage, there is a heart and soul to this music.
The tribute to Gram Parsons is worth the price of admission, but otherwise it's kind of a standard country album. Best track: Boulder to Birmingham
A voice that I'm used to hearing in background harmonies. When it's front and center in the spotlight, it takes on a different quality. Like yesterday's album (by Joni Mitchell), I am often too busy listening to her voice to pay any attention to the words being sung. She could sing jibberish and I'd listen. Lots of covers on this album make me wonder about her songwriting. Her voice is the focus for sure.
Old country music. Something mom would put on in the car I feel like. Not bad by any means, so it broke into 3 instead of 2, but not my type personally.
Emmylou oli aiemmin tuttu vaan nimenä SMG:n ja First Aid Kitin biiseissä. Artistin genre toki oli tiedossa, mutta muuten varsin vieras tuttavuus. Ihan miellyttävää countryfiilistelyähän tämä oli, vaikkei sinänsä mitään suuria elämyksiä tarjonnutkaan. Tämä jos joku on peruskolmonen.
Para tener la mano de Gram Parsons, me parece un disco infinitamente más entretenido que el que puso a The Byrds a hacer. El country se siente más como lo que me gusta, quizá a ratos pasado de meloso y melancólico. La voz es muy agradable y adecuada para el género, al menos más que la de Joni Mitchell, y el cover a The Beatles me gustó mucho (aunque obviamente no se compara a la original, que es de mis favoritas). Sin embargo, no le veo mucho la razón de estar en la lista.
Le voy a poner 3 solo por qué es un country muy limpio y por la voz tan perfecta, no hubiera notado que son covers hasta leer los créditos en wikipedia
A bit too country for me, but pretty good overall. Emmylou has a beautiful voice. 2.5 stars.
Usually I find country stuff isn't my thing, but actually found quite a lot of this really soothing. Did enjoy!
Super country pero con una dosis de folk suficiente para poder disfrutarlo. Es un disco de 1975 y suena atemporal (es lo que tiene el country). Me ha gustado bastante Queen of the silver Dollar, For No One y también muy bonita Boulder to Birmingham.
I listened to the first half of the album. I like her voice, and some of the songs were in my head later. I listen to most of my music now sitting on the back porch crushing beers. Emmylou Harris is not what I want to listen to when I'm getting after it. But, I appreciate it.
I liked it. Might revisit when the mood is right. Nothing amazing, but pleasant listening.
This album really brings me back to getting stuck riding in my dads car. In general, I enjoy the faster songs more. Some of those slow, country- folk songs are very boring. "Boulder to Birmingham" and "Sleepless nights" make me want to smash their guitar John Belushi style #igavemyloveacherry. Her voice is great. Its sounds like a prettier version of Stevie Nicks (still like Nick's more). "If I could only win your love" is great. She really brings that California country sound that I know her from her collaborations with Graham Nash. Her cover of "For no one" is fantastic. And so are her other covers; you start to understand why she was always invited to play with other bands.
This wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t in the mood for it either. I enjoyed what I heard, but getting into it was very difficult. Might revisit. Might not.
Super classic country. I like it. Emmylou has a beautiful voice. This is her first album and you can definitely tell- some of the songs sound same-y. However, she has a huge discography and I bet her music has evolved so much over the years!
It's probably a sin to say that this was just "pretty good," but a few of the standouts were covers and the rest were good, but not amazing.
Nice. Some songs a little slow, some a little honky tonky. Before Believing was the highlight for me, brilliant tune.
No way in any possible universe that Kacey Musgraves didn't craft her entire career around Emmylou Harris. We've got my first country music here. I am generally not a fan. Bluebird Wine was a decent little toe-tapper though. I can see why it's a hit! She follows up the fast song with a very slow ballad, "Too Far Gone," which has Nelson/Cline "Crazy" vibes. Also has a Linda Ronstadt/Eagles sound. I like it. So I looked and Linda Ronstadt is listed as backing vocals on this album - so there you go! If I Could Only Win Your Love is a cover it seems. Pretty standard, but musically decent and good harmony with the male backup singer. Again - sounds like early Eagles. Boulder to Birmingham showcases Harris's vocals. She's a talented singer. A lot of heart and range in her voice. Before Believing is a sad song. She's really taken the tempo down at this point. There's a Joni Mitchell vibe here. Easy listening to the n'th degree. Bottle Let Me Down - All the up-tempo songs are drinking songs. What's that all about? Country music can be so predictable, shallow, and silly. Sleepless Nights: This is an album about an alcoholic whom in between fits of drinking is sad about stuff, so she drinks again. Pretty tragic! Coat of Many Colors - Here's a story song - very sweet song about love, family, and of course the cruelty of general mankind. Powerful song. "One is only poor, if you choose to be." Heartbreaking. Best song so far. For No One - Beatles cover. I heard it right off the bat and thought it was just a similar lyric and sound, but upon closer listening, it's a cover. Definitely a beautiful rendition. Overall, if I'm going to listen to country music, this is the kind I'll listen to. I'm not sure how to categorize it, but the Nashvillian, Dolly Parton/Kasey Musgraves type of stuff is impressive at times.
Not something I would usually listen to but I can appreciate some of the songs. I particularly enjoyed the lyrics of "The bottle let me down"!
Two country albums in a row what a lucky boy I am! haha jk this isn't too bad, just good old timey country. 3/5.
She has a beautiful and pure voice. The first Songs are pretty good. (6/10) FT: Boulder To Birmingham, Too Far Gone
Not great, not too bad for a country album. The sad type of country. The Beatles cover was a welcome surprise
Emmylou has such a lovely voice, like a warm quilt. While I've never been a huge fan of country, I am beguiled by this album. Emmylou tackles various new country classics and give every song the interpretation it deserve.
All in all it sounds beautiful both the compositions and her voice. A lack of variety brings the score down a bit
Emmy Lou Harris has a great voice and I enjoyed this - for country music which is not really my thing. Would I listen again, yes, but wouldn’t go out of my way. 3
Känns mera som något intressant att lyssna på än något jag vill lyssna på. Det verkar vara fantastiskt inspelat och välskrivet, men har svårt att komma över country tropesen.
This kind of country is not really my thing, while I can recognize it’s quality. The rather apocalyptic title song was an interesting detour.
2 really nice songs before believing . For no one. Less twangy I suppose . Mainly less twangy voiced
Для ковбойского салуна - вполне нормальное музыкальное сопровождение. Но ощущение, что ровно такая же музыка звучит в ковбойских вестернах про 19-ый век. То есть менялась она не сильно даже с тех времён. Надо отдать должное, что есть заимствования из других жанров и хороший голос.
My knowledge of country music is close to none. Even the ones I know and like (Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash) has more folk in them than Emmylou. This is country front to back, and while I can't say that I was crazy about it, it's easy to see why people would like that one. Emmylou has a great voice and most of the songs have a bright, uplifting vibe that is comforting. From what I gather this is mostly covers, but I didn't really recognize the originals except for For No One, which was kinda nice.
Classic country...so much better than modern country. Have always enjoyed Emmylou's sound. 3/5
Bon album de country, les musiciens sont super tasty, c'est dans le style mais pas trop cliché, tout le monde sert les chansons, elle a une belle voix pis toute. Ça sonne vraiment bien. Je connaissais le nom mais c'est ma première écoute. Plus pertinent, à mon avis, sur cette liste que bien d'autres passés et à venir
Pleasantly sung but not many of the songs are great material - I suppose the problem of an album full of covers. If there's any more Emmylou on this list I hope it features more of her own work.
L'appréciation de la musique a beaucoup à voir avec notre culture. La musique country ne fait pas partie de la mienne. Si j'ai appris à apprécier Johnny Cash ou Merle Haggard, j'ai du mal à aller plus loin. La voix d'Emmylou Harris est magnifique, c'est ce que je peux dire.
She's like a character actor but for country music. Great support but just not good enough for her own time in the spotlight. Best Tracks: Bluebird Wine; Boulder to Birmingham; For No One
I enjoyed this album more than I expected. I feel like there are a handful of quite stand-out songs (Bluebird Wine, Boulder to Birmingham, Sleepless Nights, Coat of Many Colors), but the rest seem to not make much impact. Might come back to this one later still. 6/10
country music is a tough one. it needs to be real special for me to like it. this isn't.
this isn’t necessarily a BAD album it just isn’t for me, find some of the songs nice and chill but the majority a bit monotone and boring :( definitely prefer the songs without the male backing vocals
Emmylou has a nice voice, but this old style twangy saccharine heavily-god leaning country seems very disposable. Very dated. Hank and Lefty was OK.
2.5 | Ni idea quien es Emylou Harris... buscando en Wikipedia... hmmm blablabla empezó como cantante de folk... conoció a... Gram... Parsons.... ¬_¬ cambió su rumbo y se volvió cantante... country... Más pruebas! Más evidencia de los pactos impíos que realizó Gram Parsons con seres incomprensibles que le dieron poderes de torcer la mente de las personas y convencerlos de que lo que de verdad quieren de su vida es tocar COUNTRY! Hablando más en serio el disco me gusto mucho más que el que nos tocó de The Byrds, al menos en comparación de discos de country. La voz es excelente, de verdad me encanta su manera de cantar y su timbre. Las canciones me parecían country normal, decentemente escritas... nada del otro mundo pero agradable, hasta que llegó The Bottle Let Me Down y la reconocí como una canción de Merle Haggard, fue cuando me di cuenta que la mayor parte eran covers... y este cover en que sí conocía la canción, si lo comparaba con la original, no era tan bueno... después al final me sonó una canción del Revolver de los Beatles... y no fue tan bueno... y ahora me pregunto si me pusiera a escuchar todas las originales ¿me parecería un disco de covers no tan buenos? Al revisar y volver a escuchar me doy cuenta que la canción de ella es quizá la mejor del disco; posiblemente si hubiera hecho un disco de original lo hubiera apreciado más. A como terminé me quedó un disco de alguien que me parece puede tener mucho talento en su género, que tiene una voz muy privilegiada, haciendo un disco... muy estándar, escuchable pero no notable.
There's something very authentic and genuine here. Bluebird Wine slaps. The album kind of immediately slows down after that... By the middle of the album I felt like this is what I should listen to when I get my first period. By the end I wish I got my period and the album was shorter.
Ei nyt oikein tämä kantri uponnut. Ei mitenkään erityisen häiritsevääkään, mutta en vain saanut tästä mitään irti.
Saved Prior: None Saved Off Rip: Bluebird Wine Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Some good ol'fashioned country. Not a huge fan of slow country and it kinda settles into the background for me, but she has a good voice.
I definitely prefer older country music to newer, and actually liked a couple of these songs. Too many of them sound alike, though, and it kind of muddles the album. Saved: Bluebird Wine, Boulder to Birmingham
I didn’t hate it, but found it tedious and honestly indistinguishable from 99% of female vocal country music. Won’t revisit
Not really my favorite style of music, but this album is very honest and pure in its emotional content. I Will probably not listen again, but it feels like a must-listen for any music nerd.
Okej! Duktig sångerska och ett par låtar som är klart lyssningsbara. Med det sagt så når det inte längre än en tvåa då jag finner att det blir tråkigt i längden. Dock har det nog mer att göra med genren än själva albumet. Bäst: "For no one"
Dawno nie bylo zenskiego spiewania, wiec pieces of the sky od pani Emmylou Harris jest jak znalazl, album z 75 jest drugim w dyskografii artystki, ale pierwszym ktory komercyjnie sie sprzedal, z tego co widze pierwszy album zawieral autorskie kompozycje, ktorych tutaj sie az tylu nieuraczy, bo poza jednym trakiem jest to kompilacja standardow muzyki country zagranej przez potezna ilosc muzykow sesyjnych i zaspiewanych przez pania o tak oryginalnym imieniu, choc dochodzi jeszcze jakis meski wokal na queen of the silver dollar, wersja spotifajowa ma ponad 42 minuty i 12 trakow i choc kojarze tylko jeden kawalek z plejlisty, to najgorsze w tej plycie, ze wszystkie piosenki sa spiewane tak samo, brak im jakiegos charakterystycznego naznaczenia przez wokalistke, takie bezpluciowe interpretacje, choc zaspiewane ladnym wokalem, ale roznica pomiedzy orginalem bottle let me down a wersja z tego albumu jest rozczarowujaca, na plejliste dodam autorskiego traka, boulder to birmingham, bedacy kawalkiem o zalu po stracie mentora w postaci Grama Parsonsa, kolejny raz sprawdza sie, ze im kawalek jest bardziej osobisty i wyraznie artysta jest na nim odcisniety slucha sie go lepiej, nawet jesli jest przepelniony smutkiem
Tyvärr låter all country exakt likadan för mig? Första låten var bra, sen blev det för tråkigt och enformigt. Men hon sjunger ju bra.
Easy to listen to but pretty standard country music. Didn't find anything inspiring from this album
Bluebird Wine reminds me too much of 5-Piece Chicken Dinner. 2/10, definitely not for me
I'm afraid this is going to be one of my less helpful reviews. To my ears, Pieces of the Sky is homogenized country music. Unlike the Grateful Dead, Commander Cody, or even the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Emmylou Harris has nothing to add to Country music, such as rock or blues--she can only weaken it and dumb it down. If I wanted to listen to pure 70s country, I'd go with someone like Charlie Rich. That said, I have to grudgingly admit that the album is technically well performed from top to bottom. It's just flat and flavorless.
Nice voice, boring karaoke album. I am getting a wider education of country in this process, and I still think it is rubbish, no matter how hard I try to enjoy it.
Musically upbeat country music, I can only imagine the bar atmosphere, I can’t relate to this to be honest. Mostly cover versions, it’s a nice warm homely atmosphere but her voice grates at times - those louder higher pitch moments. Marked down from a 2 to a 1 as mostly cover versions - controversial I know.
J'ai souvent vu et entendu le nom d'Emmylou Harris, mais je n'avais encore jamais rien entendu de son travail. J'ai vraiment de la difficulté avec le country. Ses pièces plus folks passent mieux. Sa version de For No One est intéressante. Pièces préférées: Before Believing, For No One
Le monde de la ballade country traditionnelle en est un où la mélodie et l’harmonie sont toujours les mêmes. Ça me rapelle des gigs où le setlist me plaisait à moitié. Ça, ça me fait penser à la moitiée que j’aimais moins. Aussi, ce style musical a évolué depuis et des gars comme Chris Staplelton font des choses qui vont ailleurs et c’est bien. Le violon est insuportable, mais elle chante bien et dans l’ensemble, c’est doux et harmonieux. J’entends qu’elle a influencé d’autre artiste comme Olivia Newton-John, elle chante pareil et je dirais même que « Hopelessly devoted » sonne comme un plagiat. Bref, je n’aime pas ça, mais je peux voir que ça a eu son utilité. Le cover de McCartney fait du bien pour briser la monotonie.