Michelle Shocked - When I Grow Up - michelleshocked.com

[jabbahursty]

i never heard of her before tonight. the tunes really work for me in a big way.

[TheGBRacer]

love this song

[rb62470]

I was 19 when this first played on VH1 or MTV back in '89. I liked it but I was thinking "Wth is wrong with this lady? Is she geniunely like this, cuz it's scarin' the shit out of me."

[TheLNCRN]

@rb62470 don't have to be scared, I used to know her, she is the nicest person you can meet.

[rb62470]

@TheLNCRN A couple of months later I heard "Anchorage" on the radio and thought "Hmm, maybe she IS normal". Then awhile later I saw "Greener On The Other Side" and realized 100% that she wasn't the wickedly deranged individual she made herself out to be in this vid. This song and video really are a trip into something haunting. If you ever talk to her again, let her know that back in the day she shook-up an otherwise normal 19 year old man. She really had me scratching my head.

[hellokittyhawk]

awesome

[Trescompadres1]

I would like to see her in concert if she comes to Chicago, what a great voice.

[noncontradiction]

I wished this song hadn't ended.

[SupernalOne]

"here's what they yell!" - and harp riff

not rational, but very cool

[bajarlman]

that rattling instrument that gets played a few times sounds like someone's hittin the bong

[Emgee78]

I think I saw this video only twice when it first came out, and the lyrics that stuck out the most and stayed with me since then, "me, my old man, and a hundred and twenty babies!"

[fosterch]

Was walking by in SF one night and she was playing. I LOVE her and it was sold out. But from the stage she could see the door and I was waving madly. After the song ended, she told the doorman to let me in. One of many pure moments of joy.

[plb525]

Sorry folks, but this song is so dull and just as bad as the lipstick she applies to herself. The song breaks things like the shack in the video. 1989 had lots of cool songs, but this isn't one of them.

[MiBizzuh]

My dad worked for author anderson of enron, he gave him loads of cdz and passed them on to me michelle shocked with when I grow up was one of them, heard this in 1998, and got my hands on the album on vinyl in march for 5 bucks classic.

[OCEANCORA]

AWESOME!!!!

[Deposetheboyking]

Every time my kids say "Mommy, when I grow up I want to be...." I think of this song. I keep singing this and they look at me funny. Now that I've found this video, they watch with rapt attention. Thanks!

[schweersdana11]

Sheesh, I wouldn't, in a million years, have put the pictures to the words in this song as she has in this video. There are some days when I'm glad to be old enough to have had to create my own visualizations while listening to many types of music, pre-computer-in-every-crib. Remembering this song by a campfire on a cool summer night...yeah...I can smile for that!!!

[marcobartholomew]

Oh man, this makes me feel young when it should make me feel old. Great song.

[krischa63]

i am still sad, that i could not see her live in Germany in Lörrach, but I heard her singing from little distance away. I had to stay in a bar and work. But i am still sad after all these years, i love her much

[SupernalOne]

I bet she gets tired of having babies after the first dozen -

[lastrada52]

She is so freaking original. Country music's Patti Smith. I love her. A bit of a chameleon. You never know how she's gonna show up. Dressed up like some old woman like in this video, in a tank top with a cap, on little motorcycle with a WWI cap and goggles. Michelle really thinks her material out. Very under appreciated. More should hear her.

[shaggybristol]

ah - when innovative, different and creative referred to the music ....... not "what piece of clothing can I do without in the video?" or "what piece of software can I enhance my voice with on this track?" . Excellent stuff from MS ...... even for us who've grown up to be old men!

[Scrumpilump2000]

This was the first album I discovered on "my own". I'm talking beyond the corporate teet-suck that was offered to me on the airwaves in my rural home. Michelle, I love you for this! You were the first artist to show me that the 'good stuff' was beyond what was being fed to me. Robert Johnson!!!!

[sammythe6th]

Short Sharp Shocked is the best.

[breachborn]

WOWOWOW SO GLAD TO COME ACROSS THIS!

Thanks so much for sharing,

Michelle Shocked IS ALWAYS SO AWESOME!!!

Perfection.

Peace and Blessings.

[taragolden]

creepy! i have always loved this song and it may have been ruined forever for me.

[waterywoman]

still inspiring ! I remember the first time I heard this I was pregnant....

[Jazsngr]

So what exactly is Anti-folk? Why would you be anti to an idiom that has been in this country for decades? Not sure I follow.

[Harshnoiseification]

not dissing her because her stuff isn't anti-folk, it's just that I'm not a big fan of it. That, and the whole reason anti-folk came about was as a protest as to how serious the music industry has become and trying to back track it. Now, this might be one of those artists who are a predecessor to the genre, and I can see why it would. Just not my cup of tea.

[nomdesouris]

@Harshnoiseification Well, Wikipedia cites Shocked as one of the earliest proponents of the anti-folk scene, fwiw. The album "The Texas Campfire Tapes" is about as low-fi as you can get - acoustic guitar recorded around a campfire. Although her earlier albums were released via labels, she's currently working as an independent artist who's set up her own label and does shit her own way, regardless of genre. If you're judging the song on the basis of the music video...really, WTF is the point?

[Harshnoiseification]

i googled great anti-folk bands and a blog recommended me this lady. As far as staying true to the genre, I don't see it in her. Most anti-folk stuff is lo-fi underproduced acoustic guitars on a tape recorder, usually done in one take. This music video has a lot of "music industry" written all over it. Obvious lip syncing and music made in a studio with all sorts of different buttons and other such such things. I know there's gonna be that one asshole who says 'just listen to the music' but i'm

[brawleybarnburners75]

It's Minnie Pearl meets The Joker!

[BichonFrise2001]

heard this song on a commercial and loved it!

[musicman5346]

when i grow up i wanna be an old man....... sister girl

[rcolliercrane]

Sorry folks I put up the wrong MS this is the full delio

[kathleenandzoe]

Well I LIKE the damn video. It has SOME meaning but I bet you gotta be "southern" to get it. Thanx Michelle!

[katieholmesnot]

bizarro world

[amyisrael1963]

I agree, I love the song, but the video is beyond bizarre. One of those where you don't know if there's some deeper meaning...or NO meaning in this video!  Yes, what the hell was Michelle smoking in this?

[culdub16]

great song, but the video? I'd like to have whatever she's smoking.

[tomgoespop]

Anyone still searching for great new music in a similar vein should check Freebo (bassplayer who worked with michelle shocked) recent albums, just great folk music and he does amazingly intimate live shows around the country all the time. Check his website freebomusic

[Jazsngr]

@tomgoespop HA! I like your response.......It was pretty bizarre. I like the song though!

[morgenauch]

I also love her Texas Campfire Tapes. Shes a great artist!!!

[Scrumpilump2000]

I just started playing along with this on my acoustic. Very fun! Michelle, if you're out there, I can't thank you enough for being such an positive influence on my life.

[Childan71]

I love Shell! She rocks! Brings back memories of sitting around a campfire on a kibbutz in 1989. Man - can that really be 20 years ago? This song is the bomb!

[sandy5695]

great song

awful video

[AbsoluteZero19]

what the hell is this ??

the song is great

but seriously what the fuck is this video

[xxViceXHauntxx]

Great sound, very diffrent from what i'm used to.

[CastleIsland]

This is really an ugly caricature of elderly women, what is wrong with Michelle Shocked?

[DonJHughes]

It definitely sounds like "The Beat Goes On" by Sonny & Cher... compare the two and the bass and sound are very alike.

[ArkadyRenkovich]

That is a very funny and irrelevant comparison.

"I said, me, my old man, and a hundred and twenty babies."

[TheRantingRocker]

Good song. I just dislike the CM. Really great bassline. I have to try to find chords for it sometime.

[Awwa1]

Great song! Fav-ved, Five Starred, Commented, Friended, and Subscribed! Good stuff!

Peace,

\A/

[a1baberevolution]

I work with this ladys sister! I just found out today she dropped it in casual conversation.

[katieholmesnot]

She sounds like Nancy Sinatra

[standupstella]

I had this cd in 1988 and listened to it over and over. I lost it somewhere along the way. Great to hear it again. Sounds as good now as it did then. Great album.

[fharding]

great set of pipes. Nutty video.

[YoteBlue]

I always loved this song, I was pleasantly surprised to hear it in a TV ad

[foothilldave]

My wife (60) loves this ad and song - my Mom (83) hates it and sez the old women act silly. i think it's a catchy riff.

[Trescompadres1]

This is a Great Song it reminds me of the early 90s dam it went quick! Tks

[answer102]

1988 it was released

[whiteblackshoes]

This is a good song. Sucks that I found it because it's an a commercial but I still like it :)

[MsLizbe]

i had this song in my head and so looked it up to remember the words properly - had the album a long time ago. NEVER seen the video b4 tho - it's completely bonkers and totally rubbish! Still love the song tho....

[Dancingartichoke]

Did she sing she was going to bring 120 kids up on whisky and bananas? I want rebirth NOW!

[klmullins65]

"We'll feed 'em on tiger's milk and green bananas/ mangoes and coconuts and watermelon/we're gonna give 'em that watermelon when they start to yellin'?

Michelle looks like a young Minnie Pearl here!

[nedmobile]

I AGREE MY MISTAKE.......THANKS

[nedmobile]

great song , when i hear this bass line it reminds me of led zepps dazed & confused.....well done michelle

[ToledoRailfan]

The bass line is more like the one in the Led Zep song "How Many More Times?"

[sjokosilver]

Isnt this song from the 80's ??

Feels like I heard it before along time ago ?

[missoctober77]

I'm pretty it is. I remember seeing it on mtv when I was about in 5th grade...I'm 31 now.

[missoctober77]

*pretty SURE

[iodine125]

1988;)

[RantVideos]

As long as I can still remember my name and wipe my own ass I don't care how old I get!!!

[RantVideos]

Hey michelle love your style

[littleblackdog50]

to iluvlvis.. Dearie?? wow you must be old to talk like that..

great song and great video

[claudiawi]

This song is so great! And the Kaiser d is the most inspiring thing I have heard/seen in the last year (Yes, more than BO!!!). I must have watched it 50 times.

[stanpnepa]

This song sounds just as good now as it did back in the day! Killer!

[djemcee]

Kind of an odd music video. I think maybe a small budget. Kind of cute, but kind of weird. I think somehting like the Kaiser ladies would have been kind of cool. Old ladies doing young things through the video.

[gitgurl60]

I have played most of her songs since she came out. Iperform them in my own interpretation. Shes a GODDESSSSSSSS

[skpfeiffer]

I am a 67 year old woman who still wants to grow up and be an OLE WOMAN. I love it! yeah!

sharon

[lmedlyn]

WE HAD THIS SONG AT OUR WEDDING ....

[aco3liveever]

super

[danMillstein]

anyone know how to make this my ring tone.....sony erickson phone?

[abrown2980]

I don't know... I can relate because Michelle was primarily raised/influenced/loved by her Grandmother (as was I).

As a child I emulated my Grandmother. I would say "when I was a kid" and role played being a Grandma with lotsa grandkids but never really fantasized about being a "Mommy".

For me, this song has always been a favorite as it feels to me like she's embracing that childhood perspective.

[tcoyote]

Michelle's edgy perspectives and songwriting prowess is right on. Great song.

[AndeyJordan]

Why in the world would you want to be an old woman? This was (and probably still is) my least favorite song by my favorite artist. but I like it a lot more after seeing this.

[iluvlvis]

You will understand perfectly when you are older dearie.  It might help to watch the commercial made from this song, search Youtube for When I Grow Up.

[skpfeiffer]

Sweetie, you can stil be young when you are old, if you have Michelle's attitude, and watch the tv commercial. It will show you how we OLE WOMEN can stay young. Bless you honey, and enjoy your life, no matter how ole you get!

hugs,

Sharon

[Tifennie]

I dont like this version i like the pussycat dolls better, no affence

[Fo0dGuRl6]

lol? the starting scared me!

[peasant1]

I have always enjoyed hearing this, and the joy is magnified big time seeing this video. Thanks.

[kenyagirl2009]

this song is stuck in my head thanks to Kaiser using it for one of their ads. i think the lyrics are quite interesting. Old age is something that is not embraced in our society so its nice to hear a song such as this and the kaiser ad shows old women looking colorful and lively which is something we don't see on television.

[keyka1a]

Same here... Kaiser put it in my head too and I like it!

[kmooresville]

What the F**k am I watching?

[Bustergates]

This is definitely a great song.

[pineridgepat]

I did grow up to be an old woman! I love Michelle, this song and the video. Thx to the Kaiser commercial; I'm now a big fan and want more of Michelle's amazing talent. Hope she's on iTunes.

[AnneOfCA]

Yep the Kaiser commercial is GREAT; filled w/ fantastic women and this song. But what I really want to know......... Is......... where did Michelle get THAT LAVENDER LIPSTICK??????

[worldpeaz]

It reminds me of a shade Avon used to carry .. lol

[oldguysdrule]

when I grow up I wanna be an old man

thnx michelle

[Karynpl]

Awesome!! I love her music, especially from this album.

[closertopolemonkey]

kaiser has the best commmercials. this song is totally catchy.

[stormguy101]

This was featured in the Kaiser Peremenate....Commerical.

[avermillion]

This song rocks - brings back great memories of the late 80s early 90s. Good times! Simple/complicated times.

[TheEnviousParrotHead]

Adults acting like children acting like adults. Bullseye! Love the song, love Michelle Shocked.

[ramtha9]

What a cutie! I still have this album on cassette. What a dandy, silly little song. Love it! Thanks mshocked for posting. Stay away from those green bananas though, as they will give you a tummy-ache...

[goonie8]

Awesome video. I love the lyrics and how you sing them!

[rovingelves1]

another what the flyin (censored) is happening?! ahhhyh im confused get me asprin! lol but the song is funny and i like it 5/5

[shandamoon]

I never saw this video. I was too broak to afford cable back then. Now I got to see it. Eeeee, don't smash the dolly!

This is great, thanks for sharing.

[Troubletroy75]

Heaven Darling!

[melvyd2]

Michelle Shocked is so cute, not to mention a massive talent!

[rustythebird]

That was just as weird as it was 20 years ago, and i still like it !!!!!!

[marleyinoc]

wow. awesome. ya gotta a long way to go :) liked what i heard from ToheavenURide, think i'll get it for my sister. or maybe she can borrow it :)

[plautus5648]

What a treat. I haven't heard this song for a long time. Keep rockin, 'Chelle.

[toonmunger]

Wonderful