The 15th
By: Colin Newman

Original Performance: Wire
Written by: Colin Newman

Versions:
  1. The 15th
 
Lyrics:
The 15th [Version (a)]:

[from Wire's original]

Reviewed, it seemed as if someone were watching over it
Before it was as if response were based on fact
Providing, deciding, it was soon there
Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there

Renewed, it fought as if it had a cause to live for
Denied, it learned as if it had sooner been destroyed
Providing, deciding, it was soon there
Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there

Reviewed, it fought as if someone were watching over it
Before it had sooner been denied renewed, it seemed
As if it had a cause to live for
Destroyed, it was later based on fact
Providing, deciding, it was soon there
Squared to it, faced to it, it was not there
 
The Song:

"The 15th" is originally a song by Wire. The song can be found on Wire's album, 154.

Beck covered the song a few times on the Modern Guilt tours of 2008/2009. I do not know what brought about the cover (recorded for something?), beyond the very likely possibility that Beck is just a fan and wanted to play it.
 
Live:

Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: October 3, 2008
Latest known live version: March 19, 2009

The first time Beck played this was at a joint concert he did with MGMT for Chicago radio. He then played it a few nights later without them.

Then, months later, he did it one more time in Japan. This is the only version I have heard, or am aware circulates. Beck and his band seem to arrange it slightly differently to the original by Wire; it's a bit more rhythmic, though it does maintain the mellow feel. Wire's arrangement is simply verse/chorus/verse/chorus/longer verse/chorus. Beck just does a little intro and verse/chorus/verse/chorus.

Also I have no clue what Beck is singing for the verses--it doesn't seem to be the same words at all to Wire's song. He does the chorus fine. To be fair, Wire's lyrics were never too clear either, and Beck probably had no idea what they are; so maybe he just made something up.