1996年Extreme發行第三張專輯III Sides to Every Story
因當時美國正發動波灣戰爭
Extreme有感而發,專輯主題圍繞著反戰,
主題嚴肅加上本張專輯音樂的實驗性較高
因此專輯銷量不如前兩張專輯
但憑心而論,無論從音樂的主題性還是音樂性來看
【III Sides to Every Story】是Extreme 最優秀的一張專輯
專輯中以實驗性的方式大量使用keyboard元素
卻絲毫沒有削弱金屬質感與重金屬音樂特有的Power
音樂與歌詞的巧妙結合下
將整張專輯的精神Yours / Mine / Truth融通在一起
非常喜歡【III Sides to Every Story】專輯中的Stop the World這首曲子
歌詞一開始就點破這是個充斥傻蛋與哲學家的虛偽世界
(我超愛這樣的形容,因為∼傻蛋與哲學家的分野常常只是一線之隔)
這樣的說法雖然隱含悲觀與怨懟的情緒
但∼接下來的歌詞就談到了本曲想傳達的重點:理想主義
也就是說∼儘管這是個令人難以滿意甚至是接受的世界
但∼絕不能喪失求真求是的態度與理想
所以Extreme才會唱到
If any people bothered looking for truth
假若有人阻礙追求真理
Please STOP THE WORLD from spinning 'round
請讓世界停止轉動
Instead we choose to follow footsteps of fools
若我們選擇追隨愚昧者的腳步而行
Please STOP THE WORLD from spinning 'round
請讓世界停止轉動
If nothing's new under the sun for me and you
假若太陽底下已無新鮮事
Won't somebody please...
Stop The World
Stop The World
I Wanna Get Off
就讓世界靜止
我想要逃離開
歌詞除如上述揭示追求真理的重要外
還提到∼記取過去教訓,有所準備並起而力行去實踐
If we forget
yesterday,
不記取昨日的教訓
We're bound to repeat it
tomorrow
明日必將重蹈覆轍
It's not too late
to start today,
今天就開始,絕不會太遲
Better safe,
than sorry
有備無患
Stop The World歌詞語句雖很白話
但承載的理想卻很沉重
除非後知後覺或不知不覺的人
大概就無從體悟:
人∼
生來就得在現實與理想的拉鋸間尋求平衡點
也得在作(實踐)與不作(空想)之間做抉擇
All the world's
a masquerade
made up of fools
and philosophers
Were it to rain
on our charade,
all washes away,
except for our true colors
If any people bothered
looking for truth, please,
STOP THE WORLD
from spinning 'round
instead we choose to follow
footsteps of fools, please
STOP THE WORLD
from spinning 'round
If nothing's new under the sun
for me and you
Won't somebody please...
STOP THE WORLD
STOP THE WORLD
I WANNA GET OFF
STOP THE WORLD
STOP THE WORLD
WHERE THERE IS LOVE
If we forget
yesterday,
We're bound to repeat it
tomorrow
It's not too late
to start today,
Better off safe,
than sorry
Do unto those as you would
do to yourselves, please,
STOP THE WORLD
from spinning 'round
We need more feet to walk
in one another's shoes, please
STOP THE WORLD
from spinning 'round
There's nothing new
under the sun
for me and you,
Won't somebody please...
∼以下再跟大家分享Extreme另兩首比較軟調的歌∼
以下這首不插電(Unplugged)的抒情曲More Than Words
是Extreme最廣為人知曉的經典曲
本曲另詳 → http://www.wretch.cc/blog/boogier/11725376
【More Than Words by Extreme】
Hole Hearted取自【III Sides to Every Story】專輯
吉他手Nuno Bettencourt僅藉著一把民謠吉他
就將整首歌的律動鮮活了起來
【Hole Hearted by Extreme】
以下是Nuno Bettencourt受吉他雜誌之邀示範彈奏Get The Funk Out
Nuno特別示範好幾次SOLO那段精彩的點弦(TAP)