Talk:Back In Los Angeles

A missed opportunity

A lovely recording and very well played by the band. Back in Los Angeles is a kind of post modern descendent of the old Cole Porter song I happen to like New York (I'm thinking of the wonderful Bobby Short version). It has a similar, if slower, processional feel and the city subject matter is another parallel. Unfortunately, this is where the similarities end. Porter's song has a emotional heart as the lyrics convey a love of both the beauty and ugliness of New York, and Short's passionate vocal makes us feel like we're walking beside him, the melody conveying his obsession. Linnell takes us on a surreal trip down an alternative version of Los Angeles (if I understand it lyrically) but it's so absurd, cartoonish and adolescent that one finds oneself wincing a few times at the lyrics. The vocal melody works...but Linnell hasn't really got the range, so adopts a low crooner style which gets him where he needs to be. A song like this needs a singer not a vocalist and the recording would have been improved markedly with sometime collaborator Robin Goldwasser (aka Mrs Flansburgh) singing. She really has the range for the melody line. But even then nothingness of the lyrics would prevent this being the great song it could have been. With rewritten lyrics and a different singer it could have been a classic. As it is, Linnell's got enough melody and the band do enough for me to look past its flaws, and I think it would be enjoyable enough live. But a missed opportunity. (Mr Tuck)

I don't believe the comparison to I Happen to Like New York is appropriate at all; that song is written from the point of view of someone who happens to like new york, while this one is about the drudgery of keeping up appearances. I don't even think this is John Linnell's standard "music doesn't fit the lyrics;" the narrator is describing packed days and dropping names like they're burning his fingers. Does he actually enjoy being back in Los angeles? It doesn't sound like it.--WhatTheHeckLinnell (talk) 10:15, 19 April 2026 (EDT)

I see your point, but it still reminds me of the Porter song. A kind of shadow to it. (Mr Tuck)

underrated?!

This was a pretty unexpected opening to me in the best way, it's so unique and cool. It still holds up as one of my favourites from the album, I just love the whole feeling and instrumentation and lyrics (lol) so much and was kind of hoping for the other songs to maintain some of the elements of this opening more than they ended up doing - I still think the whole album is VERY good though. Anyway, I was really surprised at how this was rated on here, thought people would like it more. It's awesome.