One of the greats, Dwight Yoakam.
Just a Wave, Not the Water
by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, 1988
Thirst is not the answer, oceans come and go
I loved her seven seas worth, Lord I loved her so
But she let me down so easy, one slow drop at a time
I would’ve killed myself but it made no sense
Committing suicide in self defense
But I lost everything I brought her
When she said babe, you’re just a wave, you’re not the water
Centuries ago we were living on the gold coast
She was still in love with a long, gone, cold ghost
I was only trying to turn back the tide of her tears
I felt like an endless ocean, rolling through the fog
Full emotion drifting like a weather beaten log
I even thought that I out-thought her
Till she said babe, you’re just a wave, you’re not the water
I said someday we’ll love again, then you’ll know the score
I’ve taught you everything I know and maybe even more
That’s true she said, more than you ever will
I’ve said I’ve been your raging river, precious African queen
I’ve shown you everything that I’ve ever seen
But she knew more than I had taught her
When she said babe, you’re just a wave, you’re not the water
Well I followed her far and wide with all of my will
Water on the move, you know it never stands still
And I moved every muscle, just to prove it can be done
Then up some old sad river, where snow white lilies float
I came to her for mercy, but I hardly rocked the boat
She seemed surprised that I have caught her
But she said babe, you’re just a wave, you’re not the water
She said babe, you’re just a wave, you’re not the water
Dwight Yoakam pants stance.
Janet Says
by Jerry Jeff Walker, 1969
Janet says it looks like a rainy day today
Just another rainy day
As I lean my chin slowly up against the window pane
It’s another gray rainy day but go on try it again
Try, try, try, try to get goin’
But the rain comes down, forcin’ you to stay inside
Holdin’ you back from the places that you usually hide
Are you all alone? Or more than anything before?
Janet says she loves you, is there something troublin’ you?
It’s not that easy to say, for I feel at times such a presence
In the room of friends I knew especially on these rainy days
But go on try to stay
Fly, fly, fly, we’re flyin’ away
We hold on to memories of everyone
Like existing clouds - a shadow dance before the sun
And down with the rain
I can see the separations come
Janet says maybe you would rather sing to me
It might be easier that way
I guess it would and it ought to be a simple melody
One that sort of suits the rain
Everything rolls off unwinding reels
Of remembering how it used to feel to belong somewhere
Dwight Yoakam “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere”
“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know that I’m not blonde.”
(text via koolthings)
Dwight Yoakam’s pants
Vietnam veteran Toy Caldwell, with his little brother Tommy, formed Marshall Tucker Band in 1972. Perhaps their biggest hit was the Allman Brothers-esque “Can’t You See”. Like all their songs, it was written by Toy. My favorite version of this track was by Hank Williams Jr. from his terribly-overlooked Hank Willliams Jr. & Friends (1975) album, featuring the Caldwells and recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The album also featured the Toy-penned “Losin’ You” and remains one of my favorite Hank vocal performances.
Tommy died in a Jeep crash in 1980. Toy followed in 1993, reportedly from respiratory complications. Their impact on Southern rock in the ’70s was indelible.
Ad taken from March 13, 1993 issue of Billboard
Have been rewatching Cash’s “Hurt” video lately. Ooph.
It’s not easy to pick my favorite version of Tony Joe White’s “Rainy Night in Georgia”. The original hit was cut in ‘69 by Brook Benton (pictured here in a December 27, 1969 ad from Billboard). It’s all there in pretty serious glory, but — like the David Ruffin version from the next year — lacks the creamy smooth pathos of the Hank Williams Jr. version from 1974. Probably my favorite Bocephus vocal performance.
(image via billboardingparty)
Jonathan Richman is a one of a kind. I recently revisited his country dip Jonathan Goes Country (1990) and it holds up, especially “Since She Started to Ride”.
(Source: annlf, via koolthings-deactivated20120418)
Jason Molina is the biggest George “No Show” Jones fan I’ve ever known. He’d regale many a tale of the country legend. You couldn’t help but get swept up in the myth; to the point that you maybe even started to wonder if he really was more of a giant than Hank. In 1999 I procured two tickets to see Jones in Indianapolis. Jason & I drove up after work, and — though I was excited to see Jones with his biggest fan — I was a bit worried that the show would most likely not live up to either of our expectations. We were running late and it was a bit stressful finding our way to the venue. It was quite an amazing concatenation of feelings when we finally found the venue and its marquee boldly read:
GEORGE JONES
CANCELLED
He’d done it again. No Show Jones had cancelled due to “illness”. We laughed the whole way back to Bloomington. Of course it was cancelled. What the fuck were we thinking not calling in advance? It’s better that way anyhow.
(Source: williamwinchester)
Willie Nelson, on his dodging felony charges for marijuana possession: “He said he feels great — he lost six ounces.”
Read the whole Rolling Stone piece for more info.
