Angel Olsen – “Gloria” – Aisles
Angel Olsen has the greatest voice, and in Laura Branigan’s 80s hit, “Gloria”, she demonstrates that voice. She actually makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, especially when she hits the high notes. She has slowed down Branigan’s hit and instead focused on the lyrics; lyrics which deal with a young woman troubled by the direction her life is going. This is not the happy song; but, instead it is a paean to a sad girl who wonders why the world is beating a path to her door. Olsen’s voice drips with sadness and understanding. She always sounds like “hey, my friend, I’ve been there; I understand life sucks, but together we can at least survive.
One of the truly remarkable occurrences is how Olsen’s voice remains the main focus over that wonderful background of random percussion beats and heavy synths. Olsen is my favorite “sad girl”. And when she sings, “if everybody wants you, why isn’t anybody callin'” and then responds, “you don’t have to answer”, you understand perfectly. This is seriously one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard for a long time. Now, Angel, cover “Wicked Game”.
Running after somebody, you gotta get him somehow
I think you’ve got to slow down before you start to blow it
I think you’re headed for a breakdown, so be careful not to show it
Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?
Gloria, don’t you think you’re fallin’?
If everybody wants you, why isn’t anybody callin’?
You don’t have to answer
Leave them hangin’ on the line, oh oh oh, calling Gloria
Gloria (Gloria), I think they got your number (Gloria)
I think they got the alias (Gloria) that you’ve been living under (Gloria)
But you really don’t remember, was it something that they said?
Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?
Will you meet him on the main line, or will you catch him on the rebound?
Will you marry for the money, take a lover in the afternoon?
Feel your innocence slipping away, don’t believe it’s comin’ back soon
Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?
Gloria, don’t you think you’re fallin’?
If everybody wants you, why isn’t anybody callin’?
You don’t have to answer
Leave them hangin’ on the line, oh-oh-oh, calling Gloria
Gloria (Gloria), I think they got your number (Gloria)
I think they got the alias (Gloria) that you’ve been living under (Gloria)
But you really don’t remember, was it something that they said?
Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?