I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Well, it was all
that I could do to keep from cryin'.
Sometimes, it seemed so useless to remain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me by my name.
You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings,
and you don't have to call me Charlie Pride,
and you don't have to call me Merle Haggard anymore
even though you're on my fightin' side.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.
Well, I've heard my name
a few times in your phone book (Hello, Hello),
and I've seen it on signs where I have played,
but the only time I know
I'll hear, "David Allen Coe,"
is when Jesus has his final judgement day.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.
Recitation:
Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song.
And, he told me it was the perfect Country & Western song
I wrote him back a letter, and I told him it was not the perfect Country & Western song, because he hadn't said anything at about mama,
or trains,
or trucks,
or prison,
or gettin' drunk.
Well, he sat down and wrote another verse to the song,
and he sent it to me,
and after reading it,
I realized that my friend had written the perfect Country & Western song.
And, I felt obliged to include it on this album.
The last verse goes like this here:
Well, i was drunk the day my mom got out of prison,
and I went to pick her up in the rain,
but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,
she got runned over by a damned old train.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me.
And, I never minded standin' in the rain.
No, a' you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me...
Well, I wonder why you don't call me.
Why don't you ever call me by my name?
that I could do to keep from cryin'.
Sometimes, it seemed so useless to remain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me by my name.
You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings,
and you don't have to call me Charlie Pride,
and you don't have to call me Merle Haggard anymore
even though you're on my fightin' side.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.
Well, I've heard my name
a few times in your phone book (Hello, Hello),
and I've seen it on signs where I have played,
but the only time I know
I'll hear, "David Allen Coe,"
is when Jesus has his final judgement day.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me,
and I never minded standing in the rain,
but you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
you never even called me by my name.
Recitation:
Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song.
And, he told me it was the perfect Country & Western song
I wrote him back a letter, and I told him it was not the perfect Country & Western song, because he hadn't said anything at about mama,
or trains,
or trucks,
or prison,
or gettin' drunk.
Well, he sat down and wrote another verse to the song,
and he sent it to me,
and after reading it,
I realized that my friend had written the perfect Country & Western song.
And, I felt obliged to include it on this album.
The last verse goes like this here:
Well, i was drunk the day my mom got out of prison,
and I went to pick her up in the rain,
but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,
she got runned over by a damned old train.
And, I'll hang around as long as you will let me.
And, I never minded standin' in the rain.
No, a' you don't have to call me darlin', darlin'.
You never even call me...
Well, I wonder why you don't call me.
Why don't you ever call me by my name?
Lyrics submitted by iconnu, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Head > Heels
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
It made me go seek out some more Steve Goodman tunes - he was a great writer.
Hell, I think it's a great song to sing when you're stone cold sober... you just couldn't get me to do it in public without a few drinks...
Truly the perfect country & western song.
THE best drinking song EVER!
heh, gotta love that verse...
"Well, i was drunk the day my mom got out of prison, and I went to pick her up in the rain, but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck, she got runned over by a damned old train. "
true country for ya, eh?
Man I despise country music, but I LOVE this song. Makes a great bar song, a song to sing when you're really drunk.
And yeah the last verse and chrous are awesome.
dang im listening to this DRINKING whiskey and by god this is great, makes me not think about the stuff i gotta worry about school, thanks! and i feel good
Probably one of the best country songs ever...
THE best C/W song EVER!!!
Seems like he fell for a women who treated him like crap, and she compared him to alot of other famous country stars. Or maybe in her eyes he could never live up to all the other country singers who were famous at the time, but he didn't care what or who she called him, as long as she called him. OR it could have a double meaning about the music industry itself. How he never achieved so called star-dom and greatness in the eyes of showbiz but he didn't mind it as long as he got to be a part of it and continued to do what he loves, even though he's not getting booked for the big shows and becoming a huge star. The "perfect country western song" about momma, trains, trucks, prison & getting drunk is a tongue in cheek poke at country music. He's written a very deep and meaningful song, wrapped in metaphore and emotions so he had to throw in some typical yet outlandish country subject matter to make it the perfect country and western song. Steve Goodman also helped Jimmy Buffett write some of his best music back in the day!
And yeah, you can't listen to this song without singing it to the top of your lungs and lifting your drink!!
@whiskeynelson <br /> Ive performed this one a lot (I guess that makes me a pseudo-expert), and honestly I was under the former impression you had as well. The song was written by Steve Goodman and John Prine as a jab at the music industry, your latter theory. However it has become a bit of a stab at low quality we women, of which I am extremely talented at getting mixed up with ????.<br /> <br /> The first time I did this song in the last 5 years I had just had a chick treat me like I was completely worthless then blatantly cheat on me, which I guess I had coming seeing as how I knew her M.O. I'm not being self deprecating here, I know I chose a hussy.<br /> <br /> The bar I was in was owned by her father's best friend. The band let me get on stage and sing it and well, I crushed it. He recorded it (while people danced and sang along). Felt so good I started squirreling away cash for a guitar. By the way, I fucked her sister once! ????
Steve Goodman wrote this song with John Prine, anthough Prine is uncredited. They both wanted to write a formula Country song and they discussion turned into this song. It's got it all including the references to other singers which are popular in Country music.
This is a drunken bar sing along for sure.