Tranquil, folky song, sung by a woman, something to do with years... can you identify?

March 12, 2012 3:23 PM

I have a song stuck in my head and can't remember what it is. It's a fairly tranquil, folky song sung by a woman. What I can remember of the lyrics has something about years: "[something something something] nineteen sixty nine [something] seventy eight." Ringing any bells?
posted by Kattullus to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Response by poster: I have a vague feel that the song has something to do with the decline of a town, but I'm not sure, but it sprang into my head while I was reading about literature which dealt with people moving out of small rural towns into bigger cities. Also, the singer is from the US or Canada.
posted by Kattullus at 3:31 PM on March 12, 2012

Best answer: Could it be Star Witness by the Canadian Neko Case? It's got a 1969 and a 1975, it's tranquil, and it has some of the imagery you're talking about, but it isn't exactly how you describe.
posted by shushufindi at 3:37 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Is it Gillian Welch, Silver Dagger? In 1900 and ninety-nine, I found the angels a-drinkin' wine..
posted by mochapickle at 3:38 PM on March 12, 2012

Sounds close to Neko Case: "Star Witness"

My true love drowned in a dirty old pan
Of oil that did run from the block
Of a falcon sedan 1969
The paper said '75
There were no survivors
None found alive

Neko Case
posted by random thoughts at 3:40 PM on March 12, 2012

Response by poster: Yes! It is indeed Star Witness by Neko Case. The version that was knocking about in my head was this beautiful cover that was posted to The Blue last December. Thanks shushufindi and random thoughts.
posted by Kattullus at 3:46 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

Interesting....I was sure it was this one:

I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker by Sandi Thom. The lyrics are right but more upbeat than tranquil...
posted by Ladysin at 4:54 PM on March 12, 2012