Still Life With Cooley

I always thought the song went "Now Daddy don't live here anymore" I'm listening to it right now. I'm also from what's considered the Southern US states so maybe it's just the singer's accent but I def hear "live"

as in, Daddy and Mommy broke up - the archetype that, typically, is associated with discipline in the household. So the daughter is left more to her own devices, staying out late, partying...

references to chilling, fooling around, hanging out, drinking and generally what's considered "rebellious" behavior by a, most likely, troubled young soul and friends attempting to make sense of a rough life where they're living it.

I think that this song may have a "prodigal son" type theme to it. "Saying you will be walking" sounds like a reference to someone who just barely avoided jail (when maybe they didn't deserve to). Afterwards, it seems as though everyone is throwing this guy a party in celebration. Furthermore, it seems that the one organizing the party may be the father. Meanwhile, "Daddy don't love her" may be the father ignoring the daughter who has always done right while he feasts attention on his "prodigal son" instead. This is what I get out of it at least.

This song is perfect in summing up what was wrong with that wave of 90’s “alt-rock” (pop) that came around from about 94-99… I was in junior high back then so I, unfortunately, experienced it first hand. Plus, a friend of mine loved.. and still loves.. all those bands like Eve 6, Our Lady Peace, Sponge, Tonic, Sugar Ray, etc.

Did you ever hear a song that makes you feel embarrassed for the person singing it? Yeah, that’s this. Those “good time, heart warming” lyrics just make me cringe. Labels were out signing each and every band that played poppy, radio friendly alt-rock, so the radio was flooded with them. But just as quickly as they came, they disappeared… Most of these bands are still playing/releasing music, but other than people in their late 30s/40s, no one else is really interested.

Really, think about that… The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Kiss… bands that have been around 50+ years… you can go to a concert and see younger kids there, enjoying it. But bands like Better Than Ezra and The Clarks… They’re playing small clubs to small audiences of people strictly over 35.

But that’s what happens with these two-dimensional groups that lack the substance and depth required to make them appealing beyond being a one hit wonder riding on the fad of the decade.