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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 (Austin, Texas) | Posted: 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). |
| Zocket (San Jose, CA) | Posted: Apr 19, 2013 - 21:51 Outstanding lyrics |
| kingart (Brooklyn NY) | Posted: 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. |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: 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. |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: 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. |
| linden (Santa Cruz, CA) | Posted: Oct 31, 2011 - 10:43  |
| hencini | Posted: 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... : ) |
| That_SOB (In at least 2 places at once) | Posted: 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... |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: 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. |
| Giselle62 (many bear, big rock, estuary California) | Posted: 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.) |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: 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...  |
| LPCity (Salt Lake City, Utah) | Posted: 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... |
| akousa (North Coast, USA) | Posted: Jul 14, 2010 - 13:18 McMurtry ranks as one of the best songwriters working today. |
| crockydile (Outer Spiral Arm, Milky Way) | Posted: Mar 09, 2010 - 14:23 I grew up in Midland, Texas..had some relatives in Levelland. Damn, I relate to this. It hurts. |
| drictor (Victor, ID) | Posted: 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... |
| michaelc (Walnut Creek, CA) | Posted: Jan 05, 2010 - 15:28 Love this tune andthis guy
takes me back to kpig days I liked that place |
| YA_MAN (Irwin ,Pa) | Posted: 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 |
| lophrequa (the very edge of the land) | Posted: 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? |
| krich58 (SCruz) | Posted: 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! |
| jameyp (New York via Austin) | Posted: Jun 30, 2009 - 13:24 awesome lyricist, great song  |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: May 29, 2009 - 18:25 hansvanderwouden wrote: Lou Reed soundalike, early years Aww, goddamn!  |
| Xeric (Up on the Roof) | Posted: May 29, 2009 - 18:19 davidyoull wrote: I've always said that James does in 3:30 seconds what his dad does in 330 pages. Yep. And James as under-rated as his dad is over-. |
| Xeric (Up on the Roof) | Posted: May 29, 2009 - 18:17 nagsheadlocal wrote: Mama used to roll her hair Back before the central air We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night She'd tell me to make a wish I'd wish we both could fly Don't think she's seen the sky Since we got the satellite dish Says a hell of a lot in a few lines, no? That's McMurtry's genius. And genius he is. Time sure flies when you're having fun Wasn't it just yesterday you turned twenty-one? Does it still matter what you might have done Had you tried? |
| Pieter (Sydney Australia) | Posted: Apr 28, 2009 - 02:05 Geed wrote: Don't come around here much any more due to the lack of "twang" but tuning in and hearing this tune certainly is a treat. Wild Bill strikes again. Mmm... too much "twang" already some might think. But each to their own! |
| lawman (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) | Posted: Apr 28, 2009 - 01:50 Wow - what an intro! |
| Tim_in_N_FL (Florida) | Posted: Mar 27, 2009 - 13:18 I kinda like the chickenfried Zevon reference (below) plus, after reading about him, I like him more...  |
| nagsheadlocal (North Carolina, the new New Jersey) | Posted: Mar 27, 2009 - 13:17 My favorite song from one of my favorite songwriters - Mama used to roll her hair Back before the central air We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night She'd tell me to make a wish I'd wish we both could fly Don't think she's seen the sky Since we got the satellite dish |
| specialidiot | Posted: Mar 27, 2009 - 13:16 Great tune but I prefer the REK version |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Dec 22, 2008 - 20:31 cc_rider wrote: Quite true. And 'Larry the Cable Guy'? You can tell he is actually very smart: his ad libs are sharp. c. Yeah, he's smart enough to fool everyone into thinking he's Southern. Come on, man. |
| Geed | Posted: Oct 20, 2008 - 17:42 Don't come around here much any more due to the lack of "twang" but tuning in and hearing this tune certainly is a treat. Wild Bill strikes again. |
| hansvanderwouden | Posted: Aug 18, 2008 - 12:28 Lou Reed soundalike, early years |
| RobK (Encinitas, CA) | Posted: Aug 18, 2008 - 12:17 So I see someone answered my question earlier - this song wasn't written by Robert Earl Keen as I had thought. Well, I still think he blows the lid off it with the version he recorded for Picnic. This is fine though. I guess Mr McMurtry can sing it however the Hell he wants since he wrote the thing. |
| Excelsior | Posted: Aug 18, 2008 - 12:16  |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 08:20 lmic wrote: Chickenfried Zevon?
Not such a bad comparison! I like it! |
| etwilson (Pittsburgh, PA) | Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 08:20 sharkartist wrote: while the marching band did its best to play...
Smoke On the Water and Joy to the World I love it!  My favorite line from this song. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 08:19 Jack_Jefferson wrote: Like I once heard someone say: "Dialect does not equal intellect". I guess it is one thing we have to make an effort to get past. But then again, I can also relate to the Jeff Foxworthy bit about going into the operating room and your heart surgeon has a southern accent. Quite true. And 'Larry the Cable Guy'? You can tell he is actually very smart: his ad libs are sharp. c. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 08:17 Excelsior wrote: I have never heard a vocalist sound more bored than James McMurtry. Every time he opens his mouth, it sounds like he'd rather be anywhere else than in front of a microphone. Actually that's probably kind of true. He is a bit of a misanthrope. Said the kettle... c. |
| Excelsior | Posted: Jun 16, 2008 - 08:16 BORING |
| lophrequa (the very edge of the land) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 12:06 AlienRelic wrote: I have been in several social situations where someone has instantly adopted a condescending attitude as soon as they heard my southern accent. They seemed to automatically assume that I was a redneck moron. It was infuriating, but I suppose it was a useful lesson in what it's like to be the target of predjudice. i lost my Kentucky accent growing up on the beach and really savor calling people out on it when they practice that special form of bigotry against the South that's still acceptable in some circles ... ironically, it's usually urban progressive types love James McM! 10! |
| jjbix (san diego) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 12:02 Everyone has to like what you like? talk about growing up, . . punk. . . go swallow more nuts quote="xkolibuul wrote: Oh go surfing already and leave this one to the grownups. 
|
| toterola (Somewhere between Shipping and Receiving) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 12:01 meydele wrote: Interesting to know it's a real town... at first I was convinced he was talking about my dad's home state, Nebraska.
There's not a lot of physical difference between the Llano Estacado/Permian Basin (West TX/Eastern NM) and the Sand Hills of NE and SD. Just a little more stark in its contrasts, perhaps. |
| Excelsior | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 11:55 jjbix wrote: snoozer . . . zzzz!
I have never heard a vocalist sound more bored than James McMurtry. Every time he opens his mouth, it sounds like he'd rather be anywhere else than in front of a microphone. |
| toterola (Somewhere between Shipping and Receiving) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 11:55 davidyoull wrote: I LOVE THIS!!
10 The studio version of this from "Where'd You Hide the Body?" moves a bit faster, and Robert Earl Keene does an ok cover... I've always said that James does in 3:30 seconds what his dad does in 330 pages. I really liked what you said in contrasting James with his Dad. My politics agree with James's, but I love both of them. And yes, I'm from TX.  |
| Papernapkin (Mountain View, CA) | Posted: May 31, 2008 - 11:53 I used to watch the stars with my mom. We had long stretches of home life without tv. |
| BluEyes | Posted: Mar 29, 2008 - 12:14 Odyzzeuz wrote: Try living out there for 20 years. I was born in Waylon's home town, Littlefield, Texas, and grew up in Plainview. Got a bunch of cousins in Levelland. I kinda get this. The stark beauty of west Texas is real for some people. This could be any one of a hundred little towns out there. I lived out in BFE between Morton and Whiteface. I watched the sunrise from the school bus window. Our "drveway" was nearly 2 miles long. I've lived in Post, Justiceburg, and Snyder. Most of my family is still back there. This song brings back many memories. I get it. |
| davidyoull (Pennsylvania) | Posted: Mar 29, 2008 - 12:09 I LOVE THIS!!
10 The studio version of this from "Where'd You Hide the Body?" moves a bit faster, and Robert Earl Keene does an ok cover... I've always said that James does in 3:30 seconds what his dad does in 330 pages. |
| xkolibuul (Chuckanut sandstone) | Posted: Mar 13, 2008 - 21:58 Oh go surfing already and leave this one to the grownups.
jjbix wrote: snoozer . . . zzzz! |
| timc (Waterloo, ON (2512 miles/4043 km from Paradise, CA)) | Posted: Feb 11, 2008 - 10:47 laozilover wrote:  Until I clicked on it, I thought this was Bruce Cockburn! 
EDIT AFTER BACKSCROLLING: Lou Reed?!?  In light of this comment, I think it's interesting that this song was followed up by Cowboy Junkies' live rendition of "Sweet Jane". |
| jjbix (san diego) | Posted: Feb 11, 2008 - 10:44 snoozer . . . zzzz! |
| sharkartist | Posted: Jan 26, 2008 - 13:08 while the marching band did its best to play... Smoke On the Water and Joy to the World I love it! |