What song is this?

May 16, 2008 12:14 AM

What folky song is about the things we used to say/do, but don't say/do anymore?

When I was in Boulder, it was, maybe 11am or noon on March 7th, I heard this song on the radio. Somewhere in the middle of the dial that was playing some folky, independent stuff (though I can't recall the exact station).

The song was on the radio just before lunch, but I can only remember vague details. Lead singer with guitar, craggy but prevalent vocals, kinda like Tom Waits or Nick Cave; had some (light) background vocals. The lyrics were a repeating pattern, something like, "We used to say, {catchy quote}. {Anecdote about rambunctious youth calling for that catchy quote}. But now we're older, and we don't say that thing anymore." Repeat with different catchy quote or maxim.

I know this is vague, anyone have any hints?

posted by brownbat to media & arts (10 comments total)

Last Man on Earth, by Loudon Wainwright III?
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:26 AM on May 16, 2008

Is it jaunty/optimistic, or reflective/sad? Is is about love or growing up or just life generally?
posted by loiseau at 1:05 AM on May 16, 2008

Those Were the Days, My Friend, by Mary Hopkins
posted by netbros at 1:24 AM on May 16, 2008

You don't bring me flowers anymore

It's a long shot. It's not a bloke.
posted by b33j at 4:02 AM on May 16, 2008

This definitely has "words you used to say" with a prevalent male vocal and guitar.
posted by b33j at 4:04 AM on May 16, 2008

Not a great fit, but similar in spirit: We Used to Ride 'Em by Corb Lund.
posted by jon1270 at 4:50 AM on May 16, 2008

Greg Brown

Who Woulda Thunk It





"Who Woulda Thunk It?"
We used to say I could walk all night, and we could and we did
Down that gravel road, to that tiny town, and the door always opened
Now we say I could walk all night. It's not true
We can't walk all night, no, because we don't want to
We want a bed and a blanket, some light breakfast, sometime tomorrow
We want a bed and a blanket, some light breakfast, sometime tomorrow
And I sing it now, hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it
Hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it

We used to say I could eat a horse, and we could and we did
In fast food joints in the middle of someplace on the way to someplace else
Now we say I could eat a horse. It's not true
We can't eat a horse, no, because we don't want to
We want somethin from the cookbook, that new one with the great graphics
Somethin from the cookbook, that new one with the great graphics
Oh and I sing it now, hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it
Hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it

We used to say I don't care if I never have any money
As long as I have my sweet honey and a shack in the woodland
Now we say I don't care if I don't have money, but it's not true
We can't live without money, no, because we don't want to
We want one of those and two of those, and oh that one looks neat, wrap it up
Put it on my MasterCard. Put it on my Visa
And I sing it now, hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it
Hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it

Hey hey, hey hey
Hey hey, hey hey now, who woulda thunk it

We used to say I don't care if I never grow old
I'm gonna flame, gonna burn, take one quick turn and be gone like James Dean
Now we don't say that. It's too late to die young
So we sit at the table long after supper and a good wine
Here's what we sing, we go, hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it
Hey hey, hey hey, who woulda thunk it

Who'd a thunk it Greg Brown.

We used to say we could walk all night and we could and we did...
down a gravel road to the tiny wo
posted by InstantSanitizer at 8:15 AM on May 16, 2008

Bob Dylan's 'My Back Pages' contains the repeated line 'Ah, but I was so much older then/ I'm younger than that now.'
posted by box at 8:21 AM on May 16, 2008

"Back When" Tim McGraw

Don't you remember
The fizz in a pepper
Peanuts in a bottle
At ten, two and four
A fried bologna sandwich
With mayo and tomato
Sittin' round the table
Don't happen much anymore

We got too complicated
It's all way over-rated
I like the old and out-dated
Way of life

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when

I love my records
Black, shiny vinyl
Clicks and pops
And white noise
Man they sounded fine
I had my favorite stations
The ones that played them all
Country, soul and rock-and-roll
What happened to those times?

I'm readin' Street Slang For Dummies
Cause they put pop in my country
I want more for my money
The way it was back then

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when

Give me a flat top for strumming
I want the whole world to be humming
Just keep it coming
The way it was back then

Back when a hoe was a hoe
Coke was a coke
And crack's what you were doing
When you were cracking jokes
Back when a screw was a screw
The wind was all that blew
And when you said I'm down with that
Well it meant you had the flu
I miss back when
I miss back when
I miss back when
posted by turtle42 at 9:37 AM on May 16, 2008

Some other solid songs in this thread, big fan of Loudon. The championship belt, however, goes to Greg Brown. It was a pretty infectious little tune, I recommend giving it a listen for those that haven't.

This was my first question for the hive, and a question so vague and obscure I thought there was no hope of ever answering. I know because I've been a DJ and a musicseller and consider myself damn good at answering hopeless, vague "What song is this" questions. I post a stumper here and Bam! In mere hours, solved.

I guess given enough eyes, all questions are trivial.

I am now completely sold on Metafilter.
posted by brownbat at 11:18 AM on May 16, 2008