GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES ~ DANNY O'KEEFE ~ (Lyrics)

I have had this album for years, and I always thought every tune on it was special...while watching the rain and my sister' crepe myrtle tree, I thought of Good Time Charlie...this is another workstudy as I explore the possibilities with effects and transitions.

O'Keefe is an album by singer-songwriter Danny O'Keefe, released in 1972 (see 1972 in music). It peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Pop albums chart. The lead-off single was "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" which reached number 9 and was covered by numerous artists. "The Road" was covered by Jackson Browne on his album Running on Empty. O'Keefe was reissued in 2006 on the Wounded Bird label.

Thom Jurek states in his Allmusic review: "O'Keefe is utterly solid, so completely diverse and tight; it's a forgotten masterpiece."

[edit] Track listing
All songs by Danny O'Keefe unless otherwise noted.

1."Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" 3:00
2."Shooting Star" 2:39
3."The Question (Obviously)" 3:39
4."Honky Tonkin'" (Hank Williams) 2:49
5."The Road" 3:49
6."Grease It" 3:16
7."An American Dream" 5:14
8."Louie the Hook vs. The Preacher" 3:37
9."The Valentine Pieces" 3:17
10."I'm Sober Now" 2:45
11."Roseland Taxi Dancer" 2:47
12."I Know You Really Love Me" 0:59
[edit] Personnel
Danny O'Keefe vocals, guitar
Hayword Bishop drums, percussion
David Brigati background vocals
Eddie Brigati background vocals
Gene Chrisman drums
Johnny Christopher guitar
Bobby Emmons organ
Shane Keister piano
Bobby Wood piano, electric piano
Reggie Young guitar
Leo LeBlanc steel guitar
Mike Leech bass
Irwin "Marky" Markowitz trumpet
Howard McNatt violin
Phil Olivella clarinet
Production notes:

Ahmet Ertegün producer, mixing
Stan Kesler engineer
Gene Paul engineer
George Hunter design

Lyrics:

Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
Danny O'Keefe
Written by Danny O'Keefe

Peak chart position # 9 in 1972

Everybody's goin' away
Said they're movin' to LA
There's not a soul I know around
Everybody's leavin' town

Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Find the sunshine, leave the rain
They said this town's a waste of time
I guess they're right, it's wastin' mine

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

Ya know my heart keeps tellin' me
"You're not a kid at thirty-three"
"Ya play around, ya lose your wife"
"Ya play too long, you lose your life"

I got my pills to ease the pain
Can't find a thing to ease the rain
I'd love to try and settle down
But everybody's leavin' town

Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues

(whistling to end)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• dannyo'keefe
• rain

[sherrylynn70]

I appreciate your comment so much giving some honour to Mr. O'Keefe and I totally agree with you...Danny did not receive the recognition he deserved, no doubt...but, for us that know...he was treasure...So many great songs...This is one of my first projects when I first discovered this artform...and, I was doing alot of experimenting with WMM ...it is nice when someone understands...God Bless much PEACE<3sherry

[sherrylynn70]

I think we have similar taste in music...you might find some other old classics over here at my place..;-)

[sherrylynn70]

Oh my..God bless and keep you in HIS comforting arms..and, may dear Charlie rest in peace...He will now....thank you for coming here to find some comfort..My heart is with you this day...I lost my brother, too.

[aershamus]

Nobody sings this like C O'Keefe-great video with this classic-thanks

[sherrylynn70]

I agree totally...and, I appreciate your time listening and commenting...this is why I enjoy collecting these great classics...for us and future generations to enjoy..God bless you always..PEACE♥sherry

[1953jazzman]

Well, I'll be danged, Sherry!! We share yet another all time favorite song! I've always been crazy about this tune, and particularly this, the original and best version of it! It is one of many songs in the old days that reminded me just how important it is to stay on a good path in this life!!

[sherrylynn70]

Well, I'll be danged...I knew you would love this ole tune...definitely, one of my all time faves...Aren't we a blessed bunch to get to relive these very precious moments, Lamar...I appreciate you SO much, my dear friend.

[crazykeyman]

You know I listened to several artist do this this tune Leon Russell, Willie Nelson Elvis Presley, Dwight Yoakam, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, but only O'Keefe captures the loneliness. I guess it's hard to beat the author's perspective.

[sherrylynn70]

Thanks so much for coming by and getting to hear Mr. O'Keefe again..I totally agree with you..noone sang Good Time Charlies like Danny O'Keefe...a very underated artiste. Preciate your feedback..God Bless♥

[SkywayCowboy]

Such a lovely find on YouTube. A simple, effective marriage of a video of rain and Danny O'Keefe's melancholy classic. Really hits me square in the heart - everyone DID move to L.A., and I'm reminded of it everytime I look to the West. Maybe someday I'll catch a freight or a plane and get back there. Until then, thanks for this video.

[kinkybeatle]

There must be a version by a group called "The Bards" (from 1969). Does anybody know if Danny O'Keefe was in that group ?

The song itself: ABSOLUTELY GREAT !!

[31Alden]

So many memories of Connecticut in the early '70s ...

[mtncharlie1968]

I always thought this was a wonderful song, with a lot of feeling and sadness. I performed it on stage for many years, and never failed to draw applause. I still get the Martin down and do it just for myself every now and then.

[KevO1937]

I heard this song at work tonight and decided to try to find it on here. Thank you for posting the original version, it is such a wonderful, sad song.

I was born in 1962 and remember it from my very young childhood. Once again, great song.

[Flex52able]

Great year for songs,1973 I think. Now I'm going to play another great song from then. Me and Mrs. Jones. Billy Paul

[MrJojogun]

Any chance you could just post the whole Breezy Stories album????

[hrsngarnd]

Very nice!

Your video with this recording was perfect!!

Great job!

[jtheriot51]

Thank you for this.....misstwa got the Blue's....I don't even know if I should have put an apstrophy.....crack a smile....multiple meaning there too....how funny