Folks go lookin' for deep meaning(s) in an artists work -- just don't forget to enjoy the song as a here&now thing...Funny thing is -a good song identifies itself to you! If ya know what i mean.
I can't quit listenting to this song. The part about Townes and his car/keys is referring to a joke Townes used to tell, which he credited to Jerry Jeff Walker. I imagine that more of the lyrics have alternative meanings, i.e. cold dog soup being a glass of water. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has found the "deeper meaning" to some of the other lyrics.
@Ponies07 - Thanks for the info about the car keys. I'd been wonderin' about that reference. - By any chance, do you know the joke? - Btw, I've searched google for the "cold dog soup" / glass of cold water reference, without success (and can't remember where I heard that).
@anonymoose711 I think Ponies07 is talking about the one where the drunk walks up to the cop with his key in his hand and says, "Someone stole my car." cop says, "where was it?" drunk says, "right here at the end of this key." cop says, "alright, just go on down to the precinct and report it. They'll help you down there." drunk turns to walk away. cop says, "Hang on a sec, you might want to pull up your zipper before you go." The drunk looks down and says, "Oh, shit, they stole my girl too"
@freethestates That's the one. I think you can hear him tell it on one of the versions of "Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold" (one of my favorites) right here on the old youtube.
@Ponies07 - I read a reference from Guy Clarke that said that Townes was also a bit of a gambler and a 'story' teller, and he was known to have gambled a lot of his assets away and told a few fibs or 'embelished' the truth. There is a secondary joke in the line "what's a poor Ft Worth boy to do.." in as much as Townes was actually from quite a wealthy family. There is more information on wiki if you search. It's a very clever song, especially if you start to look into the characters portrayed.
@Ponies07 - I read a reference from Guy Clarke that said that Townes was also a bit of a gambler and a 'story' teller, and he was known to have gambled a lot of his assets away and told a few fibs or 'embellished' the truth. There is a secondary joke in the line "what's a poor Ft Worth boy to do.." in as much as Townes was actually from quite a wealthy family. There is more information on wiki if you search. It's a very clever song, especially if you start to look into the characters portrayed.
one of my favorite guy clark songs......on my channel is a video titled poor mans writer I wrote it with my friend jay sellers as a tribute to guy its a stupid slideshow video of my pics and the volume is low but check it out its a good song
It;s so true about poetry, lest you can put it to music, "there ain't no money in poetry"
slim2924 3 months ago
I don't know if this is the best song I've ever heard but even if it's not it still helps to define the act of singing in a rather favorable light
Celestatiune 8 months ago
Folks go lookin' for deep meaning(s) in an artists work -- just don't forget to enjoy the song as a here&now thing...Funny thing is -a good song identifies itself to you! If ya know what i mean.
johnGA30 1 year ago
Nearly certain I'd remember if i heard this one before. Definitely another Guy Clark great.
krysteane 1 year ago
I can't quit listenting to this song. The part about Townes and his car/keys is referring to a joke Townes used to tell, which he credited to Jerry Jeff Walker. I imagine that more of the lyrics have alternative meanings, i.e. cold dog soup being a glass of water. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has found the "deeper meaning" to some of the other lyrics.
Ponies07 1 year ago
@Ponies07 - Thanks for the info about the car keys. I'd been wonderin' about that reference. - By any chance, do you know the joke? - Btw, I've searched google for the "cold dog soup" / glass of cold water reference, without success (and can't remember where I heard that).
anonymoose711 1 year ago
@anonymoose711 I think Ponies07 is talking about the one where the drunk walks up to the cop with his key in his hand and says, "Someone stole my car." cop says, "where was it?" drunk says, "right here at the end of this key." cop says, "alright, just go on down to the precinct and report it. They'll help you down there." drunk turns to walk away. cop says, "Hang on a sec, you might want to pull up your zipper before you go." The drunk looks down and says, "Oh, shit, they stole my girl too"
freethestates 1 year ago 3
@freethestates - Hmm, makes me wonder what else Townes lost ;-)
Thanks for the info!
anonymoose711 1 year ago
@freethestates That's the one. I think you can hear him tell it on one of the versions of "Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold" (one of my favorites) right here on the old youtube.
Ponies07 1 year ago
@Ponies07 - I read a reference from Guy Clarke that said that Townes was also a bit of a gambler and a 'story' teller, and he was known to have gambled a lot of his assets away and told a few fibs or 'embelished' the truth. There is a secondary joke in the line "what's a poor Ft Worth boy to do.." in as much as Townes was actually from quite a wealthy family. There is more information on wiki if you search. It's a very clever song, especially if you start to look into the characters portrayed.
limestonemedia 9 months ago
@Ponies07 - I read a reference from Guy Clarke that said that Townes was also a bit of a gambler and a 'story' teller, and he was known to have gambled a lot of his assets away and told a few fibs or 'embellished' the truth. There is a secondary joke in the line "what's a poor Ft Worth boy to do.." in as much as Townes was actually from quite a wealthy family. There is more information on wiki if you search. It's a very clever song, especially if you start to look into the characters portrayed.
limestonemedia 9 months ago
Wow, you can almost hear Townes in this song. Especially at 2:56-2:57. Haunting...
mariner4590 1 year ago
This man stands with the all-time greats.
netw52 1 year ago
one of my favorite guy clark songs......on my channel is a video titled poor mans writer I wrote it with my friend jay sellers as a tribute to guy its a stupid slideshow video of my pics and the volume is low but check it out its a good song
pintofhappinesslabel 1 year ago
Awesome song!
BarefootinAndTicklin 1 year ago
Love this. Been there! Thanks for posting!
seamoremonster 2 years ago
Comment removed
thinkoutsidethebox22 2 years ago
If thats how you interpret the line, maybe you should start thinking back inside the box!
myself7 2 years ago
i only run up flat
mountains.
the rest are for suckers.
jerryfrankh 2 years ago
Mountain'z R for REAL..the rest R 4 sucker'z!
(sorri if'n ya haven't experience'd the REEL thing!)
BigWaveDav1 2 years ago 2
ain't no money in writin books neither..
olivernewsweekly 2 years ago 2
not til ya die at least
subterranean47 2 years ago
Phenominal Songwriter~~~~~~~
rodneysbipolarshow76 3 years ago 14
I'll second that.
gringotroller 3 years ago 4
DING!
crackerjohnnybravo42 2 years ago 2
I'd heard that "Cold Dog Soup" is diner cook slang for a cold glass of water. - So your comment is particularly apropos. Thanks for the laugh!
I wonder if that's true about "Cold Dog Soup"?
anonymoose711 2 years ago