Radio Paradise (mobile)

Flatter than a table top
Makes you wonder why they stopped here
Wagon must have lost a wheel
Or they lacked ambition one
In the great migration west
Separated from the rest
Though they might have tried their best
They never caught the sun
So they sunk some roots down in this dirt
To keep from blowin' off the earth
Built a town right here
When the dust had all but cleared
They called it Levelland
Levelland
Levelland
Grand dad grew the dry land wheat
Stood on his own two feet
His mind got incomplete
And they put him in a home
Daddy's cotton grows so high
Sucks the water table dry
His rolling sprinklers circle back
Bleeding it to the bone
And I won't be here when it comes the day
It all dries up and blows away
I'd hang around just to see
But they never had much use for me
In Levelland
They don't understand me
In Levelland
Well I watch those ships trails comin' out that big blue sky
Coast to coasters, watch 'em go
And I don't blame 'em one damn bit
If they never look down on this
Ain't much down here they'd want to know
Just Levelland
You could wash your hands
In nothin' but Levelland
Mama used to roll her hair
Back before the central air
We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night
She tell me to make a wish
I'd wish we both could fly
I don't think she's seen the sky
Since we got the satellite dish
I can hear the marching band
Doing the best they can to play
Smoke on the water
And joy to the world
I payed up all my debts
Got some change left over yet
I'm getting on a whisper jet
Going to fly as far as I can get
From Levelland
Done the best I can
In Levelland

nmcvaugh May 21, 2013 - 05:18	cc_rider wrote: Yeah, James McMurtry knows how to wring the essence from a place. He doesn't pull any punches either. Wow. I must have heard this song a couple dozen times, and never really listened to the lyrics (it gets busy at work). But my ears just perked up when I heard the line about water drying up in levelland. Damn. He's talking about me - literally debating moving out of Texas, in part because we're running out of water, and in part out of frustration with the residents and their response to this (more housing developments). [ Reply ]
Zocket Apr 19, 2013 - 21:51	Outstanding lyrics [ Reply ]
kingart May 08, 2012 - 16:53	I'm always in awe of how these guys remember lyrics, even if they write 'em in the first place. Good story. [ Reply ]
toterola Apr 06, 2012 - 23:16	lophrequa wrote: and your point is? My point is that "Larry The Cable Guy" is a hack who pretends to be a Deep-Southern redneck in order to entertain same. He's from Nebraska, or some shit. Christ. Anyway... James McMurtry puts on one hell of a live show. Well worth the time, you'll enjoy it greatly. Bring earplugs if you can't stand it loud. He can definitely blow your hair back. [ Reply ]
WonderLizard Feb 03, 2012 - 14:34	That_SOB wrote: Wonder how he got that group to sound so much like the Velvet Underground ? LOU !! YOU IN THERE ??? you can tell me... Cool. Someone suggests McMurtry is Reed, and Bill plays a Velvet cover. [ Reply ]
linden Oct 31, 2011 - 10:43	[ Reply ]
hencini Sep 29, 2011 - 17:25	That_SOB wrote: Wonder how he got that group to sound so much like the Velvet Underground ? LOU !! YOU IN THERE ??? you can tell me... That was my first thought... "Is this Lou Reed?" And that's a compliment... : ) [ Reply ]
That_SOB Aug 29, 2011 - 07:58	Wonder how he got that group to sound so much like the Velvet Underground ? LOU !! YOU IN THERE ??? you can tell me... [ Reply ]
cc_rider Aug 29, 2011 - 07:52	crockydile wrote: I grew up in Midland, Texas..had some relatives in Levelland. Damn, I relate to this. It hurts. Yeah, James McMurtry knows how to wring the essence from a place. He doesn't pull any punches either. [ Reply ]
Giselle62 Sep 16, 2010 - 12:09	this guy...when he was a little kid, i seem to just remember reading that the Merry Pranksters stopped by to say "hi" to his Dad on their infamous trip. He was meeting all of these people! but he probably doesn't remember a lot of it. Also Allen Ginsberg and Orlovsky stopped by on one of their cross-country expeditions I think, so he was hanging with beatniks and proto-hippies when he was a young-'un. I guess they had some influence on him. He's a good songwriter (I'm just discovering him here on RP.) [ Reply ]
Cynaera Aug 15, 2010 - 10:56	I'm torn... I like his studio version with its slightly faster beat, but this live version is richer somehow. McMurtry's voice seems to have mellowed, and he's more comfortable taking his time to get his words understood. For some reason, I think of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" which deals with a young man's discontent and apathy towards his situation. Crockydile - I'm so sorry this song is painful for you... [ Reply ]
LPCity Jul 14, 2010 - 13:32	drictor wrote: This album was recorded in my old haunt, the Zephyr in SLC. Used to hang there regularly when I was youner. I was actually in town when he recorded this and decided not to go (old age and all), boy do I regret that! The Zephyr is long gone, which is too bad. Supposedly that had an awesome sound board, which is why he recorded there. Coulda, shoulda, woulda... Ahh yes! We do miss the old Zephyr here in Salt Lake City. The place smelled like three day old cigarette smoke and stale beer, but always had great diverse acts, cheap drinks, and good sound. That, and you could get right up against the stage if you were feeling brave. Saw more than a few great shows there... [ Reply ]
akousa Jul 14, 2010 - 13:18	McMurtry ranks as one of the best songwriters working today. [ Reply ]
crockydile Mar 09, 2010 - 14:23	I grew up in Midland, Texas..had some relatives in Levelland. Damn, I relate to this. It hurts. [ Reply ]
drictor Jan 05, 2010 - 15:39	This album was recorded in my old haunt, the Zephyr in SLC. Used to hang there regularly when I was youner. I was actually in town when he recorded this and decided not to go (old age and all), boy do I regret that! The Zephyr is long gone, which is too bad. Supposedly that had an awesome sound board, which is why he recorded there. Coulda, shoulda, woulda... [ Reply ]
michaelc Jan 05, 2010 - 15:28	Love this tune andthis guy takes me back to kpig days I liked that place [ Reply ]
YA_MAN Dec 05, 2009 - 07:06	Seen him several times live here in Pittsburgh.Great shows, Its a shame it always at this tiny bar. He deserves a bigger venue with better sound . Great song writer [ Reply ]
lophrequa Dec 05, 2009 - 06:55	toterola wrote: Yeah, he's smart enough to fool everyone into thinking he's Southern. Come on, man. and your point is? [ Reply ]
krich58 Jun 30, 2009 - 13:25	Gotta say, I tend to like the original version better. And, Mr. Keen's version ain't so bad either! [ Reply ]
jameyp Jun 30, 2009 - 13:24	awesome lyricist, great song [ Reply ]