Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
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Jack of All Parades
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Location: Where I wish to be

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Post by Jack of All Parades »

This one from Jason Isbell on his latest album "Southeastern" has left me in constant awe:

Live Oak

"There's a man who walks beside me
He is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him
and confuses him with me
And I wonder who she's pinin' for
on nights I'm not around
Could it be the man who did the things I'm living down ?

I was rougher than the timber shippin' out of Fond du Lac,
When I headed south at 17 the sheriff on my back

I'd never held a lover in my arms or in my gaze
So I found another victim every couple days

But the night I fell in love with her I made my weakness known
To the fires and the farmers diggin' dusty fields alone

The jealous innuendos of the lonely hearted men
Let me know what kind of country I was sleeping in

Well you couldn't stay a loner on the plains before the war
My neighbors took to slightin' me I had to ask what for.

Rumors of my wickedness had reached our little town
Soon she'd heard about the boys I used to hang around.

We'd robbed a Great Lakes freighter,killed a couple men aboard.
When I told her, her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword.

All the things that she'd suspected I'd expected her to fear
Was the truth that drew her to me when I landed here

There's a man who walks beside me he is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me
And I wonder who she's pinin' for on nights I'm not around
Could it be the man who did the things I'm living down ?

Well I carved a cross from live oak and a box from shortleaf pine
Buried her so deep she touched the water table line.

I picked up what I needed and I headed south again
To myself I wondered would I ever find another friend.

There's a man who walks beside her, he is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me. "

This is songcraft and lyrical aptitude at an extremely high level. Its attention to specific detail is never forced. It is the closest thing I have encountered since Dylan to an old time Mountain ballad in contemporary music. This is a young man to be listened to for many years to come, I hope.

Here is Mr. Isbell performing it off of his record:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 8961,d.dmg
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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Jack of All Parades
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Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:31 am
Location: Where I wish to be

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Post by Jack of All Parades »

"You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio"

If you're driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Who's bound to love you

Oh honey you turn me on
I'm a radio
I'm a country station
I'm a little bit corny
I'm a wildwood flower
Waving for you
Broadcasting tower
Waving for you

And I'm sending you out
This signal here
I hope you can pick it up
Loud and clear
I know you don't like weak women
You get bored so quick
And you don't like strong women
'Cause they're hip to your tricks

It's been dirty for dirty
Down the line
But you know
I come when you whistle
When you're loving and kind

But if you've got too many doubts
If there's no good reception for me
Then tune me out, 'cause honey
Who needs the static
It hurts the head
And you wind up cracking
And the day goes dismal

From "Breakfast Barney"
To the sign-off prayer
What a sorry face you get to wear
I'm going to tell you again now
If you're still listening there

If you're driving into town
With a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number
Who's bound to love you

If you're lying on the beach
With the transistor going
Kick off the sandflies honey
The love's still flowing
If your head says forget it
But your heart's still smoking
Call me at the station
The lines are open


© Joni Mitchell
For the last few days I have been obsessed with Canadians- Philosophers, short story writers and song writers. This one in particular has been buzzing within my synapses. How neat is that conceit? Our every hair follicle and nerve ending transmitting back and forth to one another. Sometimes that reception is none to crisp. This song is brainy and insouciant all at the same time- and the vocal is just plain sassy. It is also 'sound' song and lyric writing. 8)
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
Poor Deportee
Posts: 671
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:30 pm
Location: Chocolate Town

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Post by Poor Deportee »

Jack of All Parades wrote:This one from Jason Isbell on his latest album "Southeastern" has left me in constant awe:

Live Oak

"There's a man who walks beside me
He is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him
and confuses him with me
And I wonder who she's pinin' for
on nights I'm not around
Could it be the man who did the things I'm living down ?

I was rougher than the timber shippin' out of Fond du Lac,
When I headed south at 17 the sheriff on my back

I'd never held a lover in my arms or in my gaze
So I found another victim every couple days

But the night I fell in love with her I made my weakness known
To the fires and the farmers diggin' dusty fields alone

The jealous innuendos of the lonely hearted men
Let me know what kind of country I was sleeping in

Well you couldn't stay a loner on the plains before the war
My neighbors took to slightin' me I had to ask what for.

Rumors of my wickedness had reached our little town
Soon she'd heard about the boys I used to hang around.

We'd robbed a Great Lakes freighter,killed a couple men aboard.
When I told her, her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword.

All the things that she'd suspected I'd expected her to fear
Was the truth that drew her to me when I landed here

There's a man who walks beside me he is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me
And I wonder who she's pinin' for on nights I'm not around
Could it be the man who did the things I'm living down ?

Well I carved a cross from live oak and a box from shortleaf pine
Buried her so deep she touched the water table line.

I picked up what I needed and I headed south again
To myself I wondered would I ever find another friend.

There's a man who walks beside her, he is who I used to be
And I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me. "

This is songcraft and lyrical aptitude at an extremely high level. Its attention to specific detail is never forced. It is the closest thing I have encountered since Dylan to an old time Mountain ballad in contemporary music. This is a young man to be listened to for many years to come, I hope.

Here is Mr. Isbell performing it off of his record:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... 8961,d.dmg
This is a great song. I wholly agree. The whole album (to which you introduced me, Jack, and for which act of characteristic generosity I'm grateful) is very strong, but only here, in my opinion, does it rise about excellent Americana and confessional songcraft and into the timeless realms of the deepest traditional music. An absolute stunner.
When man has destroyed what he thinks he owns
I hope no living thing cries over his bones
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Jackson Monk
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Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2003 4:33 pm
Location: At the other end of the telescope

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Post by Jackson Monk »

There is a door we all walk through
And on the other side I'll meet you
Reunion in the air - A cappella meets pure prayer

Somewhere : I can't wait to meet you there
Somewhere : I can't wait to meet you there
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem

There is a door it may seem locked
But in a little while - Don't be shocked
Above the noise, behind the glare
I know you're listening out there - Somewhere

Somewhere : I can't wait to meet you there
Somewhere : I can't wait to meet you there
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight
They never sang doo-wop in Harlem

Very simple song but was written for Paddy's dad and I always think of my dad when I hear this beautiful tune from Jordan: The Comeback
corruptio optimi pessima
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Jack of All Parades
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Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:31 am
Location: Where I wish to be

Re: Do you have a prized or favorite lyric?

Post by Jack of All Parades »

Lovely song- have always liked it. As a non-believer the words do not have the impact that they might on someone more hopeful. They do, however, express a sentiment that is comforting to many and not in a treacly way. Thank you for sharing the song.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
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