Replacements – Unsatisfied

This is the Replacements 3rd album “Let It Be.” They named it that to joke with their manager who was an obsessed Beatles fan. The song to me sounds like an early Rod Stewart song in style.

While most of the popular music in the world at the time were playing New Wave or Heavy Metal…the Replacements were themselves. No special stage clothes just whatever they were wearing at the time. The word “alternative” was used for the Replacements in the 1980s. Only college stations would play them regularly. They were not good with compromises…and that part took a toll on their popularity…and one of the reasons they are not as well known today.

A band that had one of the best songwriters of the 80s could not get out of their own way and to the masses.

“Unsatisfied” may have been inspired by Westerberg’s developing interest in palmistry. Every palm reader he saw told him that the lines of his hand meant he was doomed to be unhappy forever. The song was a testament to the band’s ad-lib approach. Westerberg barely had any lyrics, save for the “I’m so unsatisfied” hook, and improvised as he sang.

Bob Stinson hadn’t even heard the song before cutting it. “We ran through it one time. Then Bob came in and played along for about half of it. Steve rolled the tape, and that was it,” said Westerberg. “That one was really nice because there was no time to think. He played real well on that—reserved, but with emotion.”

Later on when the Replacements opened up for Keith Richards this song was dedicated to Keith who wrote Satisfaction.

Unsatisfied

Look me in the eye
Then, tell me that I’m satisfied
Was you satisfied?
Look me in the eye
Then, tell me that I’m satisfied
Hey, are you satisfied?

And it goes so slowly on
Everything I’ve ever wanted
Tell me what’s wrong

Look me in the eye
And tell me that I’m satisfied
Were you satisfied?
Look me in the eye
Then, tell me I’m satisfied
And now are you satisfied?

Everything goes
Well, anything goes all of the time
Everything you dream of
Is right in front of you
And everything is a lie (or) And liberty is a lie

Look me in the eye
And tell me that I’m satisfed
Look me in the eye
Unsatisfied
I’m so, I’m so unsatisfied
I’m so dissatisfied
I’m so, I’m so unsatisfied
I’m so unsatisfied
Well, I’m-a
I’m so, I’m so unsatisfied
I’m so dissatis, dissattis…
I’m so

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball fan, old movie and tv show fan... and a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

46 thoughts on “Replacements – Unsatisfied”

    1. I’m glad you are enjoying them. I’ve read a book about them and I’m going through their albums and picking at least one song… My interest got renewed this past year from another blogger.

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      2. No I get it! Some of it was their own fault though…I mean never have I seen a band not compromise as much as them. The Stones could have taken lessons.
        They were a wild bunch but very talented. They were not fake…that is for sure.

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    1. No I would agree with you! I lost touch with them in the late eighties and I’m glad I refound them again.
      Did you ever see them, Hans?

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      1. saw them twice- one time 1988 was one of the best concerts i’ve been at– then i saw them before they broke up in the early 90s– i was supposed to see them when they reunited around 2015– the day of the concert i get a text- they quit the tour….

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      2. I couldn’t believe some of the comments from people seeing them…or hearing. Their sound guy said they were louder than Motorhead when he worked for them…I’m like geez.
        If they do it again…I guess you never know…I’ll go.

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  4. I really like the guitarwork at the start of that song. More and more as you share more of their music I get the impression in my head (that would horrify many) that the replacements and Ramones should have had their fates reversed… both different obviously, but both basic garage rock bands …but to me, in that category, seems like Replacements had more talent .

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    1. I’m beggining not to get the word “alternative” from them. After their first two punk releases…they are basically a Rolling Stones type rock band.

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  6. This is one of their best. I agree with the comment above that they’re more adjacent to classic rock than the rock that was mainstream in the 1980s – easy to link them to stuff like the Stones and the Small Faces.

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      3. It confused me in record shops where stuff that sounds generally like The Beatles (New Pornographers, Guided by Voices, The Replacements) gets filed under alternative, while stuff that’s nothing like The Beatles (Justin Bieber) gets filed alongside The Beatles under pop/rock.

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      4. Yes that makes no sense whatsoever. When I think of alternative…I think of REM pre Green. That’s just me.
        Would Big Star be alternative or did it have to come out in a certain time period?

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  8. Great tune this – great catch with early Rod. I think they captured the ramshackle element of the Faces (that Rod carried into his early solo work) and basically blended the energy of that with the Rolling Stones vibe.

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      2. I’m really into them right now. Paul’s songwriting is up there with the best. My post tomorrow will be your guy.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. You also man…I let you build things up and then come. I’ll be ready for your post…I’m going to pull out Rough Mix.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Man I watched that bio on youtube about him and it showed a lot of Slim Chance…that got me listening to everything he did.

        Liked by 1 person

      12. There is a clip I remember of him and Last Chance doing Debris and Ooh La La… they fit together well….Ooh La La is to me, one of the best songs of the seventies.

        Liked by 2 people

      13. Not going to argue. All his great songs have that vibe. I’m going to have to pull the trigger on some more Ronnie right away. Thanks Max. Keep in contact. I enjoy the personal thoughts on the music. ‘Ooh La La is taking me out.

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