Life By The Drop

All of your interpretations are interesting except there's just one problem. SRV didn't write it. It was written by Doyle Bramhall, a drummer from Austin, TX.

per Yep Roc Records Artist Bio: (http://www.yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=200)

"Growing up in Dallas, his Chessmen opened for Jimi Hendrix in 1968, when Doyle was still in his teens. Moving to Austin with the band's guitarist, Jimmie Vaughan, the two formed Storm, which Bramhall eventually left to form the Nightcrawlers-this time with Vaughan's little brother, Stevie Ray. "

So, so much for not knowing SRV. Come on, he knew SRV for a while before Nightcrawlers was even discussed.

also according to Yep Roc Records... "Another song, written while Stevie Ray was still alive, reflecting on their lives together, is "Life By the Drop,"which appeared posthumously on Stevie's Sky Is Crying album, as well as Fitchburg Street. It was penned by Doyle and his wife, Barbara Logan."

Songs, poetry, books and all art in general have many meanings to many people. Just because you think a work of art means something different from somebody else doesn't invalidate your thoughts or the thoughts of others.
Art is interpreted. Although the intention of the artist is important, it isn't all emcompassing or even the most important point. Perhaps, the artist produced a piece of art that they aren't even aware of all the implications. Perhaps, consciously the artist was creating art about one thing, but subconsciously the artist was also creating art about another thing or things.

So what I'm saying is, even if you could get Boyle to talk about the song and give you all the details about what the song means to him, it's irrelevant. It's not about what the song means to him, except on a biographical, matter-of-fact level. It's about what it means to you.

Just as stupid, is to debate "Lucy in the sky with diamonds" or "A horse with no name". It doesn't matter what the subject may be to the writer or the performers, it's what it means to you. It makes no difference that "Cuddly Toy", performed by the Monkees, is rumored to be about a Hell's Angels gang rape. If that's what it's really about, so what!? What does it mean to you?

And if I may add, I personally think it is those pieces of art that are controversial and that appear to be hard to pin down and cause people to have many and varied views as to what the art represents, is what makes these pieces of art so good. The art piece strikes a chord in people, but it's not the same chord.

Lots of good thoughts on this song. When I first listened to it I was a heavy drinker. I have been sober for awhile now, I still dig the Blues and SRV (funny I didn't think I could unless I had a drink in my hand). My thoughts on this song have evolved over time and I am glad to have the chance to bounce them off of other SRV fans. I think it's addiction thats talking to the person. Of course the person is the writer, SRV and the listener. Keep in mind that addiction is like being two people and if you take this song line by line and look at it as though SRV is listening to, feeling and being that "old friend" you may see what i'm trying to get across. For me, I can see the path one takes fighting addictions, it's always there waiting to welcome you back. Facing this process with courage and hope allows you and I to live life by the drop. I could go on, but I fear I will only clutter the thoughts I am trying to provoke in you. Peace, Halcyon1

'Tis about drinking partially, but I "Life by the Drop" I believe also acts as a metaphor for living life to it's fullest.

This was Stevie's homage so to speak to being able to kick drinking and drugs and finally coming to realize how much there is to live for and how easily addiction can bring you down, or on the other hand how you can take control and live life strong. Great song. Strangely as talented as he was he was nervous about playing acoustic because he never thought he had a great voice for acoustic. As awesome a guitar player as was ever born, Stevie also had to have had one of the best voices ever for blues rock, totally underated as a singer

All great interpretations but remember it was a Doyle Bramhall song first. Doyle was bigger on the Austin scene to begin with - but that's when SRV and Doyle were starting out - and they played together over the years in various situations. To me, it's two old friends from the musical trenches - who 'both knew it was a matter of time' til SRV hit it big. Now, in the song, they're reunited and 'walking together again' after trials and tribulations, and probably both getting clean again. Anyway - they are two old friends in real life so it's hard to substitute it's only a song of drinking and drug - although I'm sure some of that went on.

cool song... why isn't anyone making comments??

perfect blues coffee house song ... haha

A song about his drinking...i think....

stevie ray is the KING of texas blues.