Chris
First Class Scout
Posts: 156
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Post by Chris on Sept 24, 2012 18:59:03 GMT -5
Damn that chorus gives me goosebumps - exactly what I love about Paul's best work
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Post by redredwine on Sept 24, 2012 20:44:57 GMT -5
There's more coming down the pike... Freshly cut, no less. Familiar faces. Rockin'. Great news! Rockin? Can't wait to hear more - the off the cuff takes are just perfect for me.
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Squaw
Star Scout
You're the only one that you are screwin' when you put down what you don't understand~ Kristofferson
Posts: 544
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Post by Squaw on Sept 24, 2012 23:10:39 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong.
I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it.
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Post by eve8apple2 on Sept 25, 2012 9:44:16 GMT -5
OMG! Thanks Paul! Beautiful! I LOVE YOU!
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Post by wecantgetanybetter on Sept 25, 2012 10:56:42 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong. I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it. That interpretation puts a different light on "hit it like it owes you a whole lot of money" ... I imagine they all felt owed after that breakup.
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glgbill
Dances With Posts
Posts: 58
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Post by glgbill on Sept 25, 2012 11:37:31 GMT -5
There's more coming down the pike... Freshly cut, no less. Familiar faces. Rockin'. Blessings, Elrod. Please pass along all thanks...
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Post by ggdfan25 on Sept 25, 2012 12:17:18 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong. I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it. I tend to agree with you. The girl is the band (not the band vs paul, but the band together as a whole)... Really interesting take on the song, seems to give it a lot more poignancy.... I love it regardless of the meaning, but if it's about the 'mats breaking up, then this song really carries some serious weight.... The way he sings the chorus with so much conviction makes me think you're right... great post, thanks for throwing out such an awesome idea....
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Post by daddybrave on Sept 25, 2012 12:19:33 GMT -5
I took the "got through one" to refer to this as the first take he'd gotten through...a fantastic song...excited for more...thanks paul!
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Post by ClamsCasino on Sept 25, 2012 15:57:14 GMT -5
I definitely like Squaw's interpretation. The "England" line is still puzzling to me. But I don't really know their UK touring history. Maybe they (or just Paul) saw their first tour on that side of the pond as a sign of success?
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DDog
Star Scout
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
Posts: 395
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Post by DDog on Sept 25, 2012 17:11:17 GMT -5
Yep, this is exactly what happens when I decide not to check in for a few days! Thank you, Paul for this fall breeze rustling my sail!
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Squaw
Star Scout
You're the only one that you are screwin' when you put down what you don't understand~ Kristofferson
Posts: 544
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Post by Squaw on Sept 25, 2012 18:39:57 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong. I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it. I tend to agree with you. The girl is the band (not the band vs paul, but the band together as a whole)... Really interesting take on the song, seems to give it a lot more poignancy.... I love it regardless of the meaning, but if it's about the 'mats breaking up, then this song really carries some serious weight.... The way he sings the chorus with so much conviction makes me think you're right... great post, thanks for throwing out such an awesome idea.... Thanks ggdfan25. I can imagine the difficulty Paul had after writing some of the songs and being told they didn't sound like Mats songs. Eventually (a great name for an album), he had to say "you're right", "but it sounds exactly like a Westerberg song". Thus, it's My Road Now. I wouldn't care to bet he had these lyrics before 1991. Maybe somewhere between Tim and Pleased To Meet Me, which was probably before they went to the UK. He may have stumbled upon the song in that stash he has mentioned in a recent interview. That could be a very good sign for us that he will share more stuff. I hope so!
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Squaw
Star Scout
You're the only one that you are screwin' when you put down what you don't understand~ Kristofferson
Posts: 544
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Post by Squaw on Sept 25, 2012 18:48:06 GMT -5
I definitely like Squaw's interpretation. The "England" line is still puzzling to me. But I don't really know their UK touring history. Maybe they (or just Paul) saw their first tour on that side of the pond as a sign of success? I think they would have, for sure. And maybe Paul was thinking that the stakes would just keep getting higher for him. More tour obligations, more money, more expenses, more interviews, etc.? OK, just checked CMI website and the first England tour listed was in 1986.
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Chris
First Class Scout
Posts: 156
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Post by Chris on Sept 25, 2012 19:58:35 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong. I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it. Funny Squaw, I took it with a similar yet different twist - this is a kiss off to the music industry. The 'road' being the path to success/stardom, as well as the literal road an artist travels at the bequest of the label (not just gigs, but radio stations/press/promos etc). A declaration of independence from that industry, if you will. Or is he talking to us, the audience? Can we hit the road if our hearts no longer quicken, no longer dig where he's at musically? Even if it's once every three years, with songs that hit like this im not going anywhere.... Thanks for provoking an interesting discussion.
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Post by John in Buffalo on Sept 25, 2012 21:55:47 GMT -5
Paul,
I don't know if you read this message board, but I thought I would take a moment to thank you for the free song. It's really a great and unexpected gift and I will enjoy it, a beautiful song.
Still your fan,
John
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glgbill
Dances With Posts
Posts: 58
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Post by glgbill on Sept 26, 2012 0:19:47 GMT -5
Just had one of those “duh” moments I experience from time to time. Why did this poignant song leave me feeling so optimistic? So sad, yet empowering at the same time? Cut to my inevitable over analysis of the lyrics. At first a few lines didn’t seem to fit or as ClamsCasino said, seemed like placeholder lyrics. It didn’t really mesh with the picture of a romance gone wrong. I don’t think this is about a couple breaking up. I think it is about the Replacements breaking up. My Road Now sums the story up nicely. Every word of the song fits. And I love it. Funny Squaw, I took it with a similar yet different twist - this is a kiss off to the music industry. The 'road' being the path to success/stardom, as well as the literal road an artist travels at the bequest of the label (not just gigs, but radio stations/press/promos etc). A declaration of independence from that industry, if you will. Or is he talking to us, the audience? Can we hit the road if our hearts no longer quicken, no longer dig where he's at musically? Even if it's once every three years, with songs that hit like this im not going anywhere.... Thanks for provoking an interesting discussion. Honestly, I think it's a song about getting back on the road...about reclaiming it.
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Post by Man Who Never Learned to Fly on Sept 26, 2012 0:24:53 GMT -5
A couple of weeks ago, most of the activity on this board seemed to be about figuring out whether Paul was gone for good.
I love how the (perfectly timed) release of one song gets this board back to deciphering lyrics, reading meaning into words (guessing about UK tours!). Great song.
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Post by wecantgetanybetter on Sept 26, 2012 0:47:54 GMT -5
Is the song structure a little like Message to the Boys, in that the whole ending part takes off in a different direction than the first part?
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Post by bigbak on Sept 26, 2012 0:50:16 GMT -5
Father Son Holy Cow.
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Squaw
Star Scout
You're the only one that you are screwin' when you put down what you don't understand~ Kristofferson
Posts: 544
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Post by Squaw on Sept 26, 2012 0:50:18 GMT -5
Funny Squaw, I took it with a similar yet different twist - this is a kiss off to the music industry. The 'road' being the path to success/stardom, as well as the literal road an artist travels at the bequest of the label (not just gigs, but radio stations/press/promos etc). A declaration of independence from that industry, if you will. Or is he talking to us, the audience? Can we hit the road if our hearts no longer quicken, no longer dig where he's at musically? Even if it's once every three years, with songs that hit like this im not going anywhere.... Thanks for provoking an interesting discussion. Absolutely, Chris. Footsteps was directed at the music industry, so we know he certainly had songs in his head about that subject. Without a doubt he “don't want to be told what to do, he don't want to be old and he sure can't be new”. That probably goes double for us, the audience. It could be either of the scenarios or perhaps all of them, including a love interest. His songs are often ‘the little black dresses’ in my music wardrobe. He can make a song appropriate for most any occasion! And like you, I’m a fan for life; I like the view on Paul Westerberg Road!
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Post by FreeRider on Sept 26, 2012 9:09:30 GMT -5
.... Without a doubt he “don't want to be told what to do, he don't want to be old and he sure can't be new”. That probably goes double for us, the audience. I'd go along with that: he's going to do what he wants to do and not be forced into anything. Especially from us! That's why I joked earlier in this thread that maybe if I (or we) whine some more, he'll give us some more songs. I gotta think that Paul is aware of the demands from us fans, from Michael B. or Darren or whoever that checks in and tells Paul what the fan base is thinking or talking about. But he also knows how devoted we are to him...and how much we miss him, don't you think? I've always felt too that he's got songs for almost any occasion or period of your life. He really does hit upon these universal feelings and makes it so these songs are about your life. He's writing the soundtrack to our lives...
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