Jordan Zevon - The Joke's On Me - Live on The Late Show

[phildirt3]

loved his dad bought this good stuff

[phildirt3]

he does his old man proud

[PonyPlayer21921]

I'm just a bland mime yanking on a fake line

I'll keep on pulling

But who am I fooling?

'Cause it looks like the joke's on me

[PonyPlayer21921]

It looks like the joke's on me Stumbling down the road of life Ignoring all the good advice I never had the sense to use But we've all got a path to choose And stupid is as stupid do's Maybe I was born to amuse It looks like the joke's on me 'Cause I'm the only one that isn't really having fun It looks like the joke's on me Forget humility and I'll provide the comedy It looks like the joke's on me You check my spine you'll find a burden and a kick me sign It looks like the joke's on me

[PonyPlayer21921]

'Cause the boss is out of Vicodin And now real pain begins So why he's laughing? 'Cause it looks like the joke's on me 'Cause I'm the only one that isn't really having fun It looks like the joke's on me I signed the dotted line To be the perfect punch line And nobody told me That I'd be the folly 'Cause it looks like the jokes on me The agony of defeat With a catchy melody Standing dead on my feet Maybe someone should bury me A natural born loser Smothered in humor

[PonyPlayer21921]

It looks like the joke's on me It's only just begun Fade in, waiting on... A massive mug of coffee That I'm hoping will arouse me From a zombie like state I've accrued It's another somber morning Masturbate and greet the dawn in As I'm yawning through the self abuse Pick a suit that isn't stained Floor it down the freeway I MUST NOT BE LATE

[PonyPlayer21921]

Did you ever take a moment just to stop and look around and found You might have missed a meeting or two? All the smiling faces of the strangers that surround me And I start to think I don't have a clue Is it ignorance or bliss that fuels the never-ending happiness That I've always seemed to elude? Is it them? Is it me? Yank the starter on the litany And try to keep from coming unglued 'Cause it looks like the joke's on me 'Cause I'm the only one that isn't really having fun

[dixhix]

to all of you trying to figure out lyrics: its music, make it your own. when you sing it or play it it doesnt have to be exactly the way the writer wrote it because when you play it, that music is now yours and everyone elses that you share it with. Thats music. It is a language like english, chinese, german, or whatever, use it how you want to to best express what you are trying to communicate. Maybe someone will talk back

[2c4u22]

I love how Jordan has inherited his father's love and conveniently smooth and slippery competence for making the English language do whatever he wants it to do. A uniquely wonderful skill. I look forward to hearing anything Jordan does and I hope people will stop looking for the reincarnation of Zevon. Didn't work with Lennon, remember?

[WayneT330]

I dig this!!!1

[mrjackolantern4]

times have changed

[2c4u22]

@mrjackolantern4

Do you mean children aren't exact replicas of their parents? Yes, life goes on...but it sounds like he's picked up a little music-magic from his wonderful dad. Sounds like the love between them is still alive and happily beating away.

[ThatsMrRobertson]

This is tremendous! The audience are clapping along right from the start of the song - something must be very, very, very right!

[2c4u22]

I like this song about 100 times better than I liked it the nite you performed it on Letterman. (and I liked it pretty well back then, too!)

It's too deep and introspective and humble (and x-rated) to make it to the top ten, but musically, it's perfect.

You've inherited and/or absorbed incredible gifts from your dad/family.

I hope this outstanding performance has inspired and motivated you to continue!

You are in the right place!!

[Mayer501]

First time I've heard Jordan perform original material. Not what I expected, but that's not always a bad thing! I like this quite a bit, time to do some more listening and less sleeping...

[ByAcoustic7]

I agree with Huston...

[2c4u22]

@ByAcoustic7

I just don't hear what you guys are hearing. Sounds perfect to me.

[mrzeegrr]

This is the biggest compliment I have ever given another musician: I've never heard anything like it.And I like it.

[HustonShcarr]

I think he is awsome,but damn the backing vocals seem to be throwing him off. They should have tried to harmonize. The backin vocals made it sound like he was singing the wrong notes in the hooks.

[beaupedraza]

I was stationed overseas watching Letterman for the first time in ages when your dad was on for the final time, and became a fan ever since.

Your sound is sooo different but I totally dig it. Very cool lyrics as well.

[MattOuellette88]

Sure is a good catchy tune. Great performance too.

[nowxisxforever]

I like how upbeat this one is!

Good job!

- Kandace

[Leigh098]

Just got this album; can't stop playing it. Um, Jordan, if you're checking in: Wouldja consider throwing the lyrics up on the web someplace? That type is fookin' TINY and I'm an old lady with cruddy eyesight who doesn't wanna miss a word and can't quite hear it all. Fang you in advance...

Oh, btw, you turned Studebaker into a gem. One of my VERY favorite songs since it was released on Sandwich. But your own writing is riveting. Bless you, kiddo.

[2c4u22]

@Leigh098

Listen some more, you'll get it eventually. (or you can ask me - lol)

[Leigh098]

@2c4u22 -- 2 years of listening's enough... So I'll take you up on this. At this point, I'd be content if I knew, from this song: "You check my spine and find a _____ kick-me sign" ["permanent-ink" doesn't scan] and then the next line, "I'm just a _____, waiting (?) on a ______" But there's also Camela Rhodes: "While waiting in line to see _________ She confessed to me that she was Jesse's girl Obsessed with ______________________ When 2 o'clock rolled, the world goes on hold" TYIA...

[2c4u22]

@Leigh098

okay...'you check my spine, you'll find a burden and a kick-me sign...'

pause

[LordBaconFat]

I can't tell you how many of my Warren Zevon albums I've had to purchase two or three times over due to friends conveniently losing them. Now, it seems I've got another Zevon whose albums I'm going to have pilfered from me.

Thanks for everything that you do, Jordan!

[lucynsky]

Good song.  Great job on the backing vocals as well.

[ohiotiger96]

Absolutely fantastic. Every time a Zevon performs on Letterman, it's just magic, isn't it? This HAD to have sent people scurrying to record stores today. I put in an order online myself and can't wait to get my hands on the album.

As great as his dad was/is, you can tell Jordan definitely has his own voice and his own style. Although I'm pretty sure I hear an XTC influence here, too. Great stuff!

Jordan, if you happen to read this, well done and keep it up!

[mortycoyle]

So bitchin'.

It ain't Uni-Gras but it's a livin'.

[dunskie]

Nice tight performance of a real funky pop tune. Me likes. Gotta get that album. Real cool Jordan.