Common People

William Shatner | Format: MP3 Download
From the Album Has Been (Arranged by Ben Folds)

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 5, 2004
• Label: Shout! Factory
• Copyright: (P) 2004 Shout! Factory, a Division of Retropolis, LLC
• Duration: 4:38 minutes
• Genres:
• ASIN: B00136PN9S
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,651 Paid in MP3 Songs (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Songs)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Sentimental Shatner., March 22, 2010

By 

Lisa T. "fula" (california) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Common People (MP3 Download)

Bill Shatner... to Trek fans, he is a legend, an idol. To those not actively invested in the Trek universe, he is commonly thought of as a kitschy shtick-ish actor and personality... Ah yes, and after his earlier album "The Transformed Man"... well, who really knows what to think of "Transformed Man".

Shatner's "Has Been" is completely different than anything Shatner has produced, and really something very special. In the same spoken word format as the "Transformed Man" album, the similarities between the two records end there. Here, Shatner uses his original poetry rather than adapting popular musical releases to this unique musical form. The closeness to the words, and the sincerity in every single song in this album are highly apparent, and allows the world to not only recognize the iconic Bill Shatner as a human-being like any of us walking down the street... but as a genuine, sincere, and passionate performer.

This album truly took me on an emotional journey as each song effectively displays for and elicits from the listener a wide range of emotions... from happiness, anger, sadness, and regret. Shatner proves himself as a performer with more than just a quirky demeanor to offer to his fans with this album.

I was also swept away by the beautiful musical arrangements done by Ben Folds. Having been a Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five fan prior to listening to this album... i thought the collaboration between Folds and Shatner was a match made in heaven. As Folds has always pushed the envelope with his unconventional lyrics and whimsical musical styling, his work on this album perfectly complemented Shatners style and effectively coaxed out the deep sincerity that seems to be missing in a lot of the work Bill Shatner has done.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time. If you are a fan of either Bill Shatner OR Ben Folds, this is a must have to add to your collection... even if you arent, the deep humanity tucked away in each of the songs on "Has Been" are inspiring. This is an emotional roller coaster of an album, and has a song appropriately complementing any mood i seem to find myself in. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchy... and I first heard it on TYouTube, May 12, 2009

By 

Astrotrain (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Common People (MP3 Download)

I am not disclosing which video I saw this on, due to YouTube would immediately ruin it and ban the video of mute the audio track. Which would result in fallen sales, and the creative mind behind the YouTube creation to be silenced. But thanks to that video, I discovered a good song went right over to AmazonMP3 and purchased it.

YouTube and the RIAA need to let up on the reigns and allow people to use it in a creative fashion rather then the RIAA to radio kill it every hour.

I am more likely to buy an album or singles if I see it being used in a creative fashion, or on a non-"pay to play" radio station. Then I am to buy it because its on the top of the charts (I stay away from the "kill a song per hour" stations).

Anyway, the song is a good song, and yes cheesy, but it mixes well with the rock and Shatner's lyrics.

4.0 out of 5 stars There's just something about this song, February 25, 2009

By 

Joe (Northwest Florida) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Common People (MP3 Download)

Any song version sung by William Shatner will be cheesy, but this one is the good kind of cheese. It has a main singer while Shatner does narration, and the combination works out well. Shatner's acting style really flourishes when there's a sense of futility, frustration, and panic. The narration covers two of the three.