Well, there's a whole lot of these types of songs. Some obvious ones:
Journey - "Faithfully"
Credence Clearwater Revival - "Lodi"
Ramones - "Touring"
I feel like every band that has toured has written one. Let me search my memory banks for some more. I know Minutemen and Meat Puppets must have written at least one each.
Zappa would occasionally mount the rostrum himself, to direct his own music. A friend of mine played the double bass in a leading London orchestra that was once engaged to record Zappa’s music for the film 200 Motels (1971), conducted by the composer. In one piece the players were discomfited to see that their written parts tailed off in a long squiggly line. The orchestra leader politely asked Zappa what this unusual notation signified. ‘That’s where you all freak out,’ Zappa replied. After a general raising of eyebrows, professionals to the last, they freaked out until the composer was satisfied.
Great list. Thanks for the covers by Teddy Thompson and Lucy Wainwright Roche, which are new to me (I knew Shindell's original but hadn't heard this lovely version). I don't know Greg Brown's work very well. His delivery puts me in mind of Howe Gelb, whose work I know much better, and it occurs to me that Gelb will have a load of road experiences set to music and/or banter. There's a definite rootsy vibe to these selections, which is fine by me; my mind is straining to recall some of the hard rock/heavy metal road songs I'd have been more familiar with when younger (good to see Motorhead getting a mention in the comments). In addition to my own rootsy suggestions which I added as comments to your earlier teaser, I thought of two more from mid-80s' 'new country':
Thanks for listening! Yes, my tastes tend towards roots/folk music and in general my musical knowledge is nearly as broad as some of the people here, but I have confidence that my tastes are at least decent, but it means you're going to get what I happen to like.
I really appreciated your recommendation of Iris DeMent's "No Time To Cry."
Interesting connection, one of my introductions to Greg Brown was the collection of covers _Going Driftless_ which includes Iris DeMent covering "The Train Carrying Jimmy Rodgers Home" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8txoip5hxo
Is "Ford Econoline" about touring? For Nanci Griffith songs about driving I really like "Listen To The Radio" (particularly Kathy Mattea's cover which is faithful to the original but, to my ear, has just a little more lift which I appreciate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni0WuqFFhnc )
"I left a handsome two stepped good ole boy in Tennessee / Now, he's sittin' on the sofa, lookin' for his supper, / Wonderin' what's become of me / I've got a double-o-eighteen Martin guitar in the / Back seat of the car / Hey, I'm leaving Mississippi, / With the radio on"
I like roots/folk too - it's my 'home' if any genre is. Thanks for letting me know about Iris on the Greg Brown project - hadn't heard that, and it's a splendid song. Iris is one of my all-time faves. Thanks for the Kathea Mattea link too, another one I hadn't heard. Did you hear last year's NG tribute album, with Kathy M doing 'Trouble in the Fields' with Lyle Lovett and Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle taking on 'Listen to the Radio'? Such a sublime covers album.
I've always thought 'Ford Econoline' was about female folk/country musicians on the road due to NG's dedication of the song 'to the music and dedication of Rosalie Sorrels amd Kate Wolf' and the lyrics about a woman with 'a voice like wine' making a bid for freedom through singing and travelling (and, I thought, performing): 'After singing those songs around this country / From Seattle to Montgomery ... / Along the back roads of our nation, she's become a living legend / She drives a Coupe de Ville but her heart rides still / In that Ford Econoline'.
I'd heard to the NG tribute album, but hadn't listened to much of it. That cover of "Trouble In The Fields" is great (I've always thought it's a powerful song but that the line, "I'll be the mule, you'll be the plow" is a tough one to sing -- it can feel a little clunky to the ear -- but she does a great job with it).
Rosalie Sorrels is great, and a name that only people who are fairly deep into that music scene will recognize.
Also, going back and listening to "Little Rock and Roller" it's a good song, and I like this quote from Steve Earle that I found online:
"Johnny Cash came up to me in 1986 or 7 and then said, "I love that song 'Little Rock 'N' Roller' of yours," it was a huge compliment, but then a truck driver came up to me about three weeks later and told me he loved that song, and that's when the light kind of went on that it was kind of the same experience for Johnny Cash and the truck driver. They both miss their kids when they are gone, and so do I. That's what the job is to me, it's empathy."
My phone didn’t even catch the trouper/trooper difference. I hadn’t noticed at all! That Teddy Thompson cover is a very nice and intimately stripped down version. I think hearing it live in a small venue would have definitely been one of those beautiful live music moments.
I’m a little partial to the big harmonic sounds of ABBA’s original and for They Got Lost, I think I prefer the live sped up version from Severe Tire Damage over the slowed down version from Long Tall Weekend. With music though, there are no wrong answers.
That was actually one that I hadn’t listened to much before working on this list, but won me over. Like many of the songs I appreciate how specific it is. It feels true to the emotions of a real experience.
That was actually one that I hadn’t listened to much before working on this list, but won me over. Like many of the songs I appreciate how specific it is. It feels true to the emotions of a real experience.
There's your Corb Lund! Rememberies from your first Tune Tag, my travelling friend! I've got something of a travelling story from "the early days of Joe Jackson's music career." It'll never qualify as something that would fill out a full article, so I like dropping it where and when I can:
Around 1979, touring off either his debut or second album, I saw Joe at Houston's Texas Opry House, a key "small" venue before acts moved up to the Music Hall arena, or the cavernous Sam Houston Coliseum downtown (think Jethro Tull or Deep Purple)! Toward the end of his show, Joe somehow sprained his ankle.
When I went backstage (you know how I do!), there he was sitting with his leg elevated and his ankle wrapped tightly with an Ace bandage. It must've ended up being no big deal, as it was no more of a story than probably making it into the Houston paper the next day as part of a critic's show review. I couldn't find anything on the 'net about it, and I'm guessing he made his next show with little to no problem (perhaps crutches onto the stage for a couple nights....dunno). Thanks for renting out this room for that story, Nick!!
No, not that I recall…..but, being in his presence that night, he was never standing! And, the TX Opry House had a slightly raised stage, and from the floor, it was tough to really gauge his height.
But, from seeing him in vids, and concert footage, I’ve never felt he was much more than, say, 5’10” or so!
As the tree said to the lumberjack, “Why do you axe?”
fun selections...but what about Motorhead's We Are The Road Crew?!
I hadn't heard that one, but it's actually a good suggestion.
Well, there's a whole lot of these types of songs. Some obvious ones:
Journey - "Faithfully"
Credence Clearwater Revival - "Lodi"
Ramones - "Touring"
I feel like every band that has toured has written one. Let me search my memory banks for some more. I know Minutemen and Meat Puppets must have written at least one each.
Yes, there are a lot of songs in the category-- you can see that my preference was towards songs that tell very specific stories.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Been listening to Zappa lately and discovering 200 Motels. I still have to see the movie! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7eUWh9sI7k
I haven't seen it either, but I did see a fun comment about it in one of the letters responding to this article: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v45/n06/nicholas-spice/theirs-and-no-one-else-s
-----------------------------
Zappa would occasionally mount the rostrum himself, to direct his own music. A friend of mine played the double bass in a leading London orchestra that was once engaged to record Zappa’s music for the film 200 Motels (1971), conducted by the composer. In one piece the players were discomfited to see that their written parts tailed off in a long squiggly line. The orchestra leader politely asked Zappa what this unusual notation signified. ‘That’s where you all freak out,’ Zappa replied. After a general raising of eyebrows, professionals to the last, they freaked out until the composer was satisfied.
Inigo Kilborn
Ha! Just noticed that you can watch it for free on Pluto TV.
Great list. Thanks for the covers by Teddy Thompson and Lucy Wainwright Roche, which are new to me (I knew Shindell's original but hadn't heard this lovely version). I don't know Greg Brown's work very well. His delivery puts me in mind of Howe Gelb, whose work I know much better, and it occurs to me that Gelb will have a load of road experiences set to music and/or banter. There's a definite rootsy vibe to these selections, which is fine by me; my mind is straining to recall some of the hard rock/heavy metal road songs I'd have been more familiar with when younger (good to see Motorhead getting a mention in the comments). In addition to my own rootsy suggestions which I added as comments to your earlier teaser, I thought of two more from mid-80s' 'new country':
Steve Earle's 'Little Rock & Roller' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbj9ohmeYNQ
Nanci Griffiths' 'Ford Econoline' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGn2k_qONU0
Fun topic!
Thanks for listening! Yes, my tastes tend towards roots/folk music and in general my musical knowledge is nearly as broad as some of the people here, but I have confidence that my tastes are at least decent, but it means you're going to get what I happen to like.
I really appreciated your recommendation of Iris DeMent's "No Time To Cry."
Interesting connection, one of my introductions to Greg Brown was the collection of covers _Going Driftless_ which includes Iris DeMent covering "The Train Carrying Jimmy Rodgers Home" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8txoip5hxo
Is "Ford Econoline" about touring? For Nanci Griffith songs about driving I really like "Listen To The Radio" (particularly Kathy Mattea's cover which is faithful to the original but, to my ear, has just a little more lift which I appreciate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni0WuqFFhnc )
"I left a handsome two stepped good ole boy in Tennessee / Now, he's sittin' on the sofa, lookin' for his supper, / Wonderin' what's become of me / I've got a double-o-eighteen Martin guitar in the / Back seat of the car / Hey, I'm leaving Mississippi, / With the radio on"
I like roots/folk too - it's my 'home' if any genre is. Thanks for letting me know about Iris on the Greg Brown project - hadn't heard that, and it's a splendid song. Iris is one of my all-time faves. Thanks for the Kathea Mattea link too, another one I hadn't heard. Did you hear last year's NG tribute album, with Kathy M doing 'Trouble in the Fields' with Lyle Lovett and Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle taking on 'Listen to the Radio'? Such a sublime covers album.
I've always thought 'Ford Econoline' was about female folk/country musicians on the road due to NG's dedication of the song 'to the music and dedication of Rosalie Sorrels amd Kate Wolf' and the lyrics about a woman with 'a voice like wine' making a bid for freedom through singing and travelling (and, I thought, performing): 'After singing those songs around this country / From Seattle to Montgomery ... / Along the back roads of our nation, she's become a living legend / She drives a Coupe de Ville but her heart rides still / In that Ford Econoline'.
Okay, I'm convinced about "Ford Econoline."
I'd heard to the NG tribute album, but hadn't listened to much of it. That cover of "Trouble In The Fields" is great (I've always thought it's a powerful song but that the line, "I'll be the mule, you'll be the plow" is a tough one to sing -- it can feel a little clunky to the ear -- but she does a great job with it).
Rosalie Sorrels is great, and a name that only people who are fairly deep into that music scene will recognize.
Speaking of music scene, I think the one Greg Brown album that I have on CD is a live album from the Kate Wolf music festival . . . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Hills_of_California
Also, going back and listening to "Little Rock and Roller" it's a good song, and I like this quote from Steve Earle that I found online:
"Johnny Cash came up to me in 1986 or 7 and then said, "I love that song 'Little Rock 'N' Roller' of yours," it was a huge compliment, but then a truck driver came up to me about three weeks later and told me he loved that song, and that's when the light kind of went on that it was kind of the same experience for Johnny Cash and the truck driver. They both miss their kids when they are gone, and so do I. That's what the job is to me, it's empathy."
I love all these connections!
I love the ABBA pick. Super Trouper is a great song.
I’ve got one for consideration!
They Got Lost by TMBG
https://open.spotify.com/track/4DJKfXM3FATyWqhdyHgLm7?si=_fVmIqX0T6Cn8Z7pWAZogw
I appreciate you not pointing out the poor copy-editing on my part. I've corrected my misspelling of "Super Trouper" (*sighs*).
I'm curious whether you like the Teddy Thompson cover; I think it's a nice version.
"They Got Lost" is spot on for the theme, but also not one of the best TMBG songs.
My phone didn’t even catch the trouper/trooper difference. I hadn’t noticed at all! That Teddy Thompson cover is a very nice and intimately stripped down version. I think hearing it live in a small venue would have definitely been one of those beautiful live music moments.
I’m a little partial to the big harmonic sounds of ABBA’s original and for They Got Lost, I think I prefer the live sped up version from Severe Tire Damage over the slowed down version from Long Tall Weekend. With music though, there are no wrong answers.
Took me a minute, but here's another one: "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khH9ih2XJg
Nice suggestion. Not one I would have thought of, and a good song.
I adore "The Load Out" and "Stay" by Jackson Browne. Saw him in concert on that tour ... I still get shivers, thinking back to it.
Thanks.
That was actually one that I hadn’t listened to much before working on this list, but won me over. Like many of the songs I appreciate how specific it is. It feels true to the emotions of a real experience.
Thanks.
That was actually one that I hadn’t listened to much before working on this list, but won me over. Like many of the songs I appreciate how specific it is. It feels true to the emotions of a real experience.
There's your Corb Lund! Rememberies from your first Tune Tag, my travelling friend! I've got something of a travelling story from "the early days of Joe Jackson's music career." It'll never qualify as something that would fill out a full article, so I like dropping it where and when I can:
Around 1979, touring off either his debut or second album, I saw Joe at Houston's Texas Opry House, a key "small" venue before acts moved up to the Music Hall arena, or the cavernous Sam Houston Coliseum downtown (think Jethro Tull or Deep Purple)! Toward the end of his show, Joe somehow sprained his ankle.
When I went backstage (you know how I do!), there he was sitting with his leg elevated and his ankle wrapped tightly with an Ace bandage. It must've ended up being no big deal, as it was no more of a story than probably making it into the Houston paper the next day as part of a critic's show review. I couldn't find anything on the 'net about it, and I'm guessing he made his next show with little to no problem (perhaps crutches onto the stage for a couple nights....dunno). Thanks for renting out this room for that story, Nick!!
Thanks for sharing your story-- I am curious does Joe Jackson come across as oddly tall in person:)
No, not that I recall…..but, being in his presence that night, he was never standing! And, the TX Opry House had a slightly raised stage, and from the floor, it was tough to really gauge his height.
But, from seeing him in vids, and concert footage, I’ve never felt he was much more than, say, 5’10” or so!
As the tree said to the lumberjack, “Why do you axe?”
If you look at the shot of the stage at 0:27 in that video he seems fairly tall, and the internet claims that he was 6'4".
Good Lord!......I'd never have guessed THAT! I'll check that vid again!