Music Monday

This meme was created by Drew from The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday! I’m having so much fun with this meme and I’m so glad that Claire@BrizzleLassBooks brought it to my attention.

I thought I’d go way back to the 90s for this Music Monday. I saw Pantera in concert multiple times in the 90s and this is truly one of my favorite songs by them. I honestly had a hard time choosing one favorite Pantera song, but I chose this one because the song really highlights Phil Anselmo’s voice. A lot of people don’t like metal music, and that’s perfectly fine, but just please give this one a try. His vocal ability is quite amazing and I personally find his range electrifying.

I get serious butterflies in my stomach when I hear this song. When Phil was asked about the song meaning, he spoke about the lyrics lamenting the death of a female lover and the narrator reflects on rejoining her in the afterlife. Regarding the lyrical inspiration, Phil Anselmo told Music Photocalypse: “There was a friend who had died in New Orleans and it had a real heavy impact within my group of friends.” – Songfacts.com

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This week’s Song Pick

Pantera

“Cemetery Gates”

I have to give you two different versions of the song and here’s why. This first version with the official video cuts off a whole section from the front of the song; a very important part of the song. The second version is the original tempo, but it cuts off the back of the song, which is also very important.

At 4:54 is an unbelievable screaming high note from Phil paired with a follow-up from Darrell’s guitar, it’s insane!

Here’s the second version from VH1, which includes the beginning lyrics below. This is the “Demon Knight” movie version which features the Crypt-Keeper laughing at the beginning and also an alternate ending- just a warning! It’s a little disturbing. Does anyone remember the Crypt-Keeper? I prefer this ‘version’ of the song because of the tempo, but the Crypt- Keeper interrupts the ending and totally freaks me out…

-Lyrics-

Reverend, reverend,
Is this a conspiracy?
Crucified for no sins
No revenge beneath me
Lost within my plans for life,
It all seems so unreal
I’m a man cut in half in this world,
Left in my misery

Reverend he turned to me
Without a tear in his eyes
Nothing new for him to see,
I didn’t ask him why
I will remember
The love our souls had sworn to make
Now I watch the falling rain
All my mind can see now is your

Well I guess you took my youth
And gave it all away
Like the birth of a new found joy
This love would end in rage
And when she died I couldn’t cry
The pride within my soul
You left me incomplete
All alone as the memories now unfold

Believe the word
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates

Sometimes when I’m alone,
I wonder aloud,
If you’re watching over me
Some place far abound
I must reverse my life
I can’t live in the past
Then set my soul free,
Belong to me at last

Through all those complex years
I thought I was alone
I didn’t care to look around
And make this world my own
And when she died
I should’ve cried and spared myself some pain
You left me incomplete,
All alone as the memories still remain

The way we were,
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain
Believe the word,
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery gates

The way we were,
The chance to save my soul
And my concern is now in vain.
Believe the word,
I will unlock my door
And pass the cemetery

Gates
Gates
Gates

This song is on the album Cowboys from Hell

Find it on Amazon

Sadly, Pantera isn’t together anymore as one of the members, “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott (guitarist) passed away in 2004 due to a shooting at a concert. Phil Anselmo (vocals) now sings in Scour and other members went on to form the short-lived Damageplan. Vinnie (drummer) plays in the band HELLYEAH to date. Rex Brown (bassist) just released an album in July titled, “Smoke On This.”

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Thanks for checking out this week’s Music Monday!