Selling the Drama (1994) – Live

Four geeky looking boys from Amish country in Pennsylvania and they created one of the finest alternative rock albums ever recorded.
-Anon

Selling the Drama is the fourth song to appear here from alternative rock band’s Live 1994 album Throwing Copper (see image inset) after their previous entry Hold Me Up. I remember when Live‘s outstanding third studio record came out. It was the bee’s knees and played everywhere. I didn’t hear any other music by them except from this album. Throwing Copper sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It achieved number one position on the Billboard after its 52nd week on the chart being the third longest gap between an album first charting and reaching number one.

This music transports me to where I lived at the time Mornington, Southeast Melbourne and relive my young adulthood and enjoy the golden age ‘alt-rock’ scene. It seems to me ‘The Nineties‘ was a good decade in many respects and the music particularly from the early 90’s reflected it. Selling the Drama was the first single from the album and reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming their first of three singles to reach the top of this chart. Live’s performance of Selling the Drama at Woodstock ’94 was their featured song on the Woodstock 94 double album.

[Verse 1]
And to love, the God
And to fear, the flame
And to burn, the crowd that has a name

[Verse 2]
And to right or wrong
And to meek or strong
It is known, just scream it from the wall

[Pre-Chorus]
I’ve willed, I’ve walked
I’ve read, I’ve talked
I know, I know
I’ve been here before

[Chorus]
Hey, now we won’t be raped
Hey, now we won’t be scarred like that
Hey, now we won’t be raped
Hey, now we won’t be scarred like that

[Verse 3]
It’s the sun that burns
It’s the wheel that turns
It’s the way we sing that makes ’em dream

[Verse 4]
And to Christ, a cross
And to me, a chair
I will sit and earn the ransom from up here

[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus]

[Repeat Verse 1]
And to love, a God
And to fear, a flame
And to burn, a love that has a name

References:
1. Selling Drama – Wikipedia