Isbell writes a lot of songs about touring, so I think that this song is not actually about New South Wales, Australia, but rather about thoughts and experiences that he had while he was there on tour.
About the Listerine line -- I think he just means that the tequila he was served there was so bad that even Listerine would have been more enjoyable as a drink. I'd also note that Isbell is a recovering addict, and some people with severe alcoholism do in fact drink Listerine if they can't get anything else.
The tequila reference is just one of several references to substance abuse in this song. I think that Isbell wrote this either before he got clean, or was looking back on his pre-sobriety life. The refrain of "God bless the busted boat that brings us back" sounds to me like a longing for change and redemption, something that even those of us who aren't addicts can relate to. A very poignant song, from an album that is full of them!
Isbell writes a lot of songs about touring, so I think that this song is not actually about New South Wales, Australia, but rather about thoughts and experiences that he had while he was there on tour.
About the Listerine line -- I think he just means that the tequila he was served there was so bad that even Listerine would have been more enjoyable as a drink. I'd also note that Isbell is a recovering addict, and some people with severe alcoholism do in fact drink Listerine if they can't get anything else.
The tequila reference is just one of several references to substance abuse in this song. I think that Isbell wrote this either before he got clean, or was looking back on his pre-sobriety life. The refrain of "God bless the busted boat that brings us back" sounds to me like a longing for change and redemption, something that even those of us who aren't addicts can relate to. A very poignant song, from an album that is full of them!