"I'm a Gas Station Attendant" by Paul Westerberg

An excellent Westerberg rarity.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• (band)
• Attendant
• Gas
• I'm
• Paul
• Replacements
• Station
• The
• Westerberg

[PatheticHero]

Yes, it has a Tom Waits and/or Daniel Johnston quality that points out a balance between the mundane and unique... As usual very good work from Paul Westerberg.

[rhinejiveclick]

@PatheticHero Yeah, surprising it never made it on to any Replacements records. I'd love to hear him do this song live, but I suspect he's totally forgotten it. Heh.

[slytown]

Ya think Daniel Johnston ever heard Paul?

Anyway, what year was this done? Any idea?

[rhinejiveclick]

This must have been early 80s.

[MikeLitton]

Where can I find this song?

[rhinejiveclick]

It was on a bootleg called "Home Recordings". I think it's out there somewhere.

[pee9501]

this has just become one of my favorite westy songs.

[hopup35]

oh hell. I've listened to this song over and over for the last hour!!!!!!

[dannypmc2001]

Sounds like let it be leftover

[kingsofthenortheast]

Reminds me of work experience...

[11xzxzxz]

@PatheticHero Good point.

[PatheticHero]

@11xzxzxz this is a rough cut demo that is usually presented to the band and then the band makes a up or down vote whether they actually record it or not. From what I can tell Westerberg usually never thought these songs were good enough, so... Like Lovelines, it is meant to be humorous. If you ever have been in band, then 'nuff said. I think it is brilliant, exactly what I would expect of a Gas Station Attendant, duh. Christ, you need not be so anal!

[wovokanarchy]

@huskerdu1661 I just feel his stab at top 40 success in the late 80s and 90s was a flop with a few highlights.He sacrificed his talent and art for the big dream of ''making it big''.

[huskerdu1661]

@wovokanarchy not sure if that's a compliment or an insult....I like the idea that Paul was feeling like he may end up as a Gas Station Attendent and poured his drunken heart out in this tune....it's no Beethoven, just raw emotion spilled out on record...

[11xzxzxz]

Come on this doesn't really deserve to be on any Replacements record unless to replace "I'll Buy". It could make it on to All for Nothing or Nothing at All because they fucked up that record. Sure the words are good but the melody is just mediocre and singing is too harsh. The Replacements had enough problems without this .. 

[wovokanarchy]

Sounds like an actual gas station attendant wrote this song. Paul's writing seems to be based on throwing shit at a wall and hope some of it sticks.