In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I bought this rhinestone suit in California
These boots came all the way from Mexico
This Cadillac ain't nothin' son you ought to see the Greyhound
I bought to take my band from show to show
Seen my face a thousand times on TV and heard me on your local radio
And in your eyes I see the admiration there for me
But son there's something that you ought to know
Well I've got to take a drink to keep from shakin'
Motel rooms ain't nothing like a home
Money can't make love grow any stronger when you leave your woman home alone
She can't raise the children with no daddy
She can't love a man that's always gone
It takes a whole lot more than pride to keep your feelings locked inside
While you sing another pretty country song
(Play it Pete Drake)
[ steel ]
(I've seen your face a thousand times on TV I've heard you on my local radio)
It's true I took some pills to stay awake son
And this diamond ring I wear is just for show
I've got a little cabin in the country
When I'm not on the road that's where I go
Try and put my feelings down on paper
Right or wrong the show has to go on
I can cry down deep inside and keep on smilin'
While I sing another pretty country song
But I've got to take a drink to keep from shakin'
These boots came all the way from Mexico
This Cadillac ain't nothin' son you ought to see the Greyhound
I bought to take my band from show to show
Seen my face a thousand times on TV and heard me on your local radio
And in your eyes I see the admiration there for me
But son there's something that you ought to know
Well I've got to take a drink to keep from shakin'
Motel rooms ain't nothing like a home
Money can't make love grow any stronger when you leave your woman home alone
She can't raise the children with no daddy
She can't love a man that's always gone
It takes a whole lot more than pride to keep your feelings locked inside
While you sing another pretty country song
(Play it Pete Drake)
[ steel ]
(I've seen your face a thousand times on TV I've heard you on my local radio)
It's true I took some pills to stay awake son
And this diamond ring I wear is just for show
I've got a little cabin in the country
When I'm not on the road that's where I go
Try and put my feelings down on paper
Right or wrong the show has to go on
I can cry down deep inside and keep on smilin'
While I sing another pretty country song
But I've got to take a drink to keep from shakin'
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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