SAT IN YOUR LAP

And for me finally, I have entered into the singles for her magnum opus, The Dreaming (1982). "Sat in Your Lap" is the opener of that album, and a helluvan introduction to any work, I would say. As with these other singles, I was really looking forward to seeing the music video for this one. I'm surprised to say, somewhat, that I've never seen it before. This is the culmination of her more or less short-lived Art Pop era (beginning with Never For Ever, ending with The Sensual World). Always loved the compositional and lyrical progression of this song. The lyrics sort of whirlwind and change up from refrain to refrain. Super intense, from the vocals to the wordless percussion to the banging organ. From verse to verse, the video shows Kate rollerskating with two other dunces, and later with some bullheaded dancers and then some red-and-yellow jesters... I'm sure that's all poetically purposeful. ["Some say that knowledge is something sat in your lap / ...something that you never have."] Anyways, freaky-deak sh*t. One of her essentials, in my opinion.

The B-side is "Lord of the Reedy River", with quite the juxtaposition. A flutey Mellotron(?) softly accompanies Kate most eerily. Quieted, stylistically-consistent male backing vocals enter in in the second half. Haunting number. I like it. Worth a listen.