John Prine - "The Happy Enchilada Song"

If you are a John Prine fan then you will know this song as “That’s the Way the World Goes Round.” It’s a staple of any John Prine concert and a favorite of his audience; which ranges in age from 9 to 90. But this is not the version you generally hear on the radio. It is, however, the one you will hear when you are in my car. 

We have all misunderstood the lyrics to different songs at various times in our lives. Usually the mistaken words are fairly innocuous; as in my own version of “Shine Little Glowworm.” I used to sing it as “Shine little glow worm, liver”, rather than “glimmer.” Hey, I was only 4 years old at the time and not yet familiar with the word “glimmer.”  Also, liver was a big thing in my life at the time; my parents were always at me to “eat my liver.”

There have been others along the way as I grew up that were equally banal. And I’m sure you have had some of your own, too. But, in this video of John Prine singing “That’s the Way the World Goes Round” he tells the story of a woman in San Francisco who just may take top prize for mistaken lyrics. 

"Alone in My Home" - Jack White (2014)

Jack White is one of those rare musicians who influences so many other musicians yet never seems to have a big hit for himself. Other people have the hits with his songs, or even; as in the case of Loretta Lynn; with his superb abilities as a producer as well as a performer. Sort of like what Rick Rubin did for Johnny Cash. This live performance on Conan O’Brien’s show highlights all of those skills plus his ability as a writer to really hit the heart of the matter in a song.

I can’t figure out whether I like the music best, or whether it’s the lyrics. But then again it’s probably the performance itself which caught me by surprise. The white make-up; the unusual mixture of the instruments; the violin part; all come together in this number, making it impossible for me to ignore. (The studio recording also has a great piano part, which sounds slightly off but adds something of it's own to the song.)

After listening for several days it was impossible for me to stay uninvolved with the recording. The song is very simply composed; and can be played using the basic chords of E A and D. It’s the rhythm that takes a few tries in order to make the words flow as smoothly as they seem to come from Mr. White’s mouth. (I’m still working on that.)

The lyrics are really hauntingly beautiful, reflecting some of my own feelings about issues of trust. I especially like the verse about the ghosts; he paints them as opportunists who know exactly how to haunt him, even though they may not exist. Mr. White knows better. The ghosts are the products of our own insecurities, which in turn gives the non-existent “ghosts” the power they seem to have. Just as with Jacob Marley, we each forge our own links one at a time.

Anyway, you've seen him with the Rolling Stones; on late night TV; and heard him on the radio. Now, with this appearance on Rooftop Reviews, Jack White has finally made the big time.

“Alone In My Home”

(Jack White)

This light that shines on me tonight

Turns on when you wander through my door

And your friends won't see you to the end, I'm sure

But you love them anyhow

Lost feelings of love

Lost feelings of love

That hover above me

Lost feelings of love

Lost feelings of love

That hover above me

The ghost that visit me the most, drop by

Cause they know they can find me here

And they claim to be held from me in chains, but come on

They're guilty as sin my dear

I'm becoming a ghost

Becoming a ghost

So nobody can know me

I'm becoming a ghost

Becoming a ghost

So nobody can know me

These stones that are thrown against my bones, break through

But they hurt less as times goes on

And though alone, I build my own home, to be sure

That nobody can touch me now

Yeah

All alone in my home

Alone in my home

Nobody can touch me

All alone in my home

Alone in my home

Nobody can touch me.

"Everything Is Free" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (2004)

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are coming to Charlotte in a few weeks. They will be playing at the Neighborhood Theater in NoDa, just north of Uptown, on April 25th. It's a very pleasing venue with about 600 seats in all. And that's the best way to see these two extraordinary artists; in as small a venue as possible.

The beauty of watching them perform their magic lies in the fact that they are partners in life as well as music. Mr. Rawlings obvious command of his instrument melds seamlessly with Ms. Welch's singing and her playing.

Songs like this are easily learned. Capo on the 5th fret; Am C G D with a few minor variations and you've got it. But songs like this are also a lifetime in the making. Though I have been fans of these two remarkable artists for several years now this is the first chance I will have had to see them. You can bet that if I had the extra cash I would be going to this show. For now though, I'll just play along....