This one was kind of a throw away song. We played it live, but I’m not certain it’s about anything. It’s simple and catchy, and I have had people tell me, “I know what you meant there.” But it’s been forever and I truly meant to ask, what I meant because I am not certain.
I suppose it starts with my unwillingness to be observed. Maybe you are like this. I wish I could be invisible sometimes, not so I can get away with anything, just… I am uninterested in any kind of scrutiny. I am my own worst critic. I used to think of it as an asset. Now I am not so sure I wasn’t beating myself up over not being perfect. I was a line cook going broke every two weeks waiting for the kind of paycheck you can make being a line cook who doesn't want to be the boss.
I picked this one because it’s super catchy. To me it’s hooky. But it doesn't go anywhere in particular. I am amazed in listening to it now, 25 plus years after it got recorded how tight it is. Noteably my guitar part is mixed mostly out of the finished version. Like always I am outclassed by the band.
Guitarist Randy Davis’s simple perfect s**t steals the show. Adam Bernemann’s drumming is the perfect compliment and there’s this double kick moment near the end of the first verse that slays me. Listen for it. Nate Bassinger playing B-3 and Rhodes keyboards like it’s a real pop record never hurts. I’m no longer certain whether it was Marty Christiansen or Wes Phillips just hitting the notes most of the way through and then throwing a melody into the bass line for the crescendo .. jesus- I am outclassed.
There's this through line in the records of me imagining that I am successful and can get around, but the reality was I was just too broke to do anything. And stasis is easier than anything. I liked my life at that age- thirtysomething. Not famous, but .. not popular, but locally famous. And realistically just kinda barely going for it. Taken with the image of myself as impressive to the point where I believed it even if nobody else did and oblivious regardless. Still taken with the notion of DIY and not selling out, but needing the money. Every dollar I got at the time got spent like windfall, like it was a surprise to have it, liquid- like water in a funnel.
Randy said about his dog, I can’t remember the dog’s name but it always seemed afraid to see me, “he’s a good boy-pause for effect- when he’s sleepin’”.
Stole it.
She’s a Good Girl
Can’t stay out front too long. I cant write a directed song. I pull up too soon, and radio I didn’t wanna… She’s a good girl when she’s sleepin’. She’s a good girl now. It’s the evenin’. I’m Just leavin’ town.
Too bad it worked out wrong. I like to sing a highway song. Get the good broom down from the ceiling. Close up the shop. Polish the wheels. Im dreamin’ I’m just leaving town.
Can't say the words out loud. The songs all come out wat too proud and become me. It's a feelin’. Close up the shop polish the wheels. I’m dreamin’ I’m just leavin’ town.
How did I get so high? When did I start to stop and wonder why?
This one is on the record ‘She Knows the Score’ which of course you can buy right here-
