There’s Just Something About “Sunday Morning”
I’m not quite sure what it is about Sunday mornings that makes me feel the way I do. Perhaps it’s because it’s the end of a week (though it’s really the beginning it still feels like the end), or maybe it’s because I generally have a lot of time on my hands to really think and mull over thoughts or worries, or maybe it’s just that tomorrow I will have to be a responsible adult for yet another week. However, there’s always something about Sunday mornings that make me feel a bit lonesome.
Perhaps this is why I’m always drawn to the music featuring this special day of the week. I know I’ve listened to Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” at least a thousand times on my Ipod and I’m sure if the Carpenters renamed their No. 1 smash to “Rainy Days and Sundays” it would also get more air time on Whit’s Mix. So, it should come as no surprise that John Cale and Lou Reed of The Velvet Underground also make the list with melancholy tune, “Sunday Morning.” Fortunately for me, Elizabeth Cook also covered the song on her latest album, Balls, giving me yet another tune to add to my growing Sunday playlist.
A while back during an interview about Balls, Cook told me it wasn’t until meeting her husband (and musician) Tim Carroll that she was introduced to different genres of music. “Country music was all I was ever exposed to as a child, having nothing of punk music or Velvet Underground. So, having him in my house … it’s like Hank Williams meets the Ramones,” she said. Lucky for us, she was also introduced to this song. Her natural and beautiful twang makes her remake of “Sunday Morning” something quite special and unique.
Not only can I relate to this song, but also the beautiful video. I can see myself in the black and white footage as Cook goes through the motions on an ordinary Sunday morning. She lies on the couch, thumbs through old photos and struggles with her “restless feeling” yet again. It’s seems all too familiar. The video helps portray the feeling of how one can get almost lost amid the commotion and hustle and bustle of a busy city. It’s a simple and charming video that invokes the viewer to think while watching, lacking the unnecessary self-indulgence and extravagance in so many videos today.
Though a somewhat sad and lonesome song, it’s a good feeling to know someone else feels this way now and again. I think Elizabeth Cook and her music are a genuine treasure, as well as this video. Next Sunday when “I’ve got a feeling I don’t want to know,” I’ll sit back and think of this song and remind myself that “It’s nothing at all.”
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Rick says:
I’ve been a big fan of Elizabeth ever since I first saw the music video for “Stupid Things” way back when on CMT. Its a good thing too since the video only aired a few times because support for the radio single was pulled after only a week or two. The “Stupid Things” video still stands as one of the most artistically creative country music videos ever made and its a shame its not available on YouTube.
After releasing four fine albums (her rare indie self titled debut is surprisingly the best of the lot) I’m still amazed and appalled that Elizabeth is an unknown artist to the vast majority of mainstream country fans. Right off the bat Elizabeth was labelled as “too country” for Top 40 country radio by the rock-pop loving programmers and that was that. Like other new traditionalist (ie Real Country) artists, such as The Wrights, Elizabeth got shuffled off to the “Americana” realm and that was that. Hopefully her radio show on the Sirius network will gain her new fans.
Of all the songs on “Balls” “Sunday Morning” is not among my favorites although its a fine song. The music video is simple because it had no budget as the “31 Tigers” label operates on a shoestring. I would have preferred a video for “Mama’s Prayers”, by far the most outstanding track on the album. I don’t expect this video to make the Top 20 countdowns on any of the country music networks, but I’m just thankful Elizabeth never gives up……..