Sunday, September 04, 2005

 

Sad New Orleans songs

This post will probably be at the top of the blog for a while, so think about any additions you'd like to make. This is a good start, I think.

The more we're away, the more that song references to our fair city just kill me. Some that come to mind easily:

"Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans, and miss her each night and day" - the Harry Connick, Jr. and Dr. John duet is almost unbearable to me right now.

"I went on down to the Audubon Zoo, and dey all aksed fo you" - Does anybody know who wrote this?

"Down here the river meets the sea
and in the sticky heat I feel you open up to me
Love comes out of nowhere baby, just like a hurricane
and it feels like rain" - great tune written by John Hiatt, recorded by Aaron Neville

"Louisiana, Louisiana They're tyrin' to wash us away" - Randy Newman

"Sleeping is easy, I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime, maybe I'd learn
WWOZ on the stereo" - Better than Ezra

"When the riverbanks are overflowing, and the streetcar has seen its day
when all is gone, the plantations, Treme, Vieux Carre
I'll be swinging to that music on higher ground
When Pops is singing walk on, and the choir making sacred sounds
I'll see you there (at the foot of Canal Street)...." - John Boutte

This one is esp. poignant being in Chicago currently...
"Singing good morning America, how are you?
Saying, don't you know me Im your native son?
Im the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done" - Steve Goodman

"I had My hand in the river My feet back up on the banks
Looked up to the lord above and said hey man thanks
Some time I fell so good I gotta scream
She says Gordie baby I know exactly what you mean
She said, she said I swear to god she said
My memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim" - The Tragically Hip

The saddest of all, especially in Tom Waits' melancholy drawl
"Well, I wish I was in New OrleansI can see it in my dreams
arm-in-arm down Burgundy a bottle and my friends and me
hoist up a few tall cool ones play some pool
and listen to that tenor saxophone calling me home
and I can hear the band begin "When the Saints Go Marching In"
by the whiskers on my chin New Orleans, I'll be there
I'll drink you under the table be red nose go for walks
the old haunts what I wants is red beans and rice
and wear the dress I like so well
and meet me at the old saloon make sure there's a Dixie moon
New Orleans, I'll be there and deal the cards roll the dice
if it ain't that ole Chuck E. Weiss and Claiborne Avenue me and you
Sam Jones and alland I wish I was in New Orleans
I can see it in my dreams
arm-in-arm down Burgundy
a bottle and my friends and me
New Orleans, I'll be there" - Tom Waits

Update 2351 CDT - recommended by BigShot

It's not about New Orleans, but leave it me to suggest a Bruce Springsteen song. My City of Ruins from The Rising album got some fame when he sang it for a 9/11 fundraiser. But the song is really about Asbury Park, New Jersey and his relationship with that impoverished Jersey shore town.

There's a blood red circle On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down The church door's thrown open
I can hear the organ's song But the congregation's gone
My city of ruins My city of ruins
Now the sweet bells of mercy Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner Like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows The empty streets
While my brother's down on his knees
My city of ruins My city of ruins

Full lyrics at http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/MyCityOfRuins.html

Comments:
It's not about New Orleans, but leave it me to suggest a Bruce Springsteen song. My City of Ruins from The Rising album got some fame when he sang it for a 9/11 fundraiser. But the song is really about Asbury Park, New Jersey and his relationship with that impoverished Jersey shore town.

There's a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church door's thrown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone
My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Now the sweet bells of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows
The empty streets
While my brother's down on his knees
My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!

Now there's tears on the pillow
Darlin' where we slept
And you took my heart when you left
Without your sweet kiss
My soul is lost, my friend
Tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins

Now with these hands
With these hands
With these hands
With these hands
I pray Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the faith, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the faith, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord

Come on, rise up!
Come on, rise up!
 
http://www.wonkette.com/politics/ap/index.php#finding-versus-looting-123

How Racist the media can be!
 
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