 Childish Things (2005) [ larger cover art ] |
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Vietnam Vet with a cardboard sign
Sitting there by the left turn line
Flag on the wheelchair flapping in the breeze
One leg missing, both hands free
No one's paying much mind to him
The V.A. budget's stretched so thin
And there's more comin' home from the Mideast war
We can't make it here anymore
That big ol' building was the textile mill
It fed our kids and it paid our bills
But they turned us out and they closed the doors
We can't make it here anymore
See all those pallets piled up on the loading dock
They're just gonna set there till they rot
'Cause there's nothing to ship, nothing to pack
Just busted concrete and rusted tracks
Empty storefronts around the square
There's a needle in the gutter and glass everywhere
You don't come down here 'less you're looking to score
We can't make it here anymore
The bar's still open but man it's slow
The tip jar's light and the register's low
The bartender don't have much to say
The regular crowd gets thinner each day
Some have maxed out all their credit cards
Some are working two jobs and living in cars
Minimum wage won't pay for a roof, won't pay for a drink
If you gotta have proof just try it yourself Mr. CEO
See how far 5.15 an hour will go
Take a part time job at one of your stores
Bet you can't make it here anymore
High school girl with a bourgeois dream
Just like the pictures in the magazine
She found on the floor of the laundromat
A woman with kids can forget all that
If she comes up pregnant what'll she do
Forget the career, forget about school
Can she live on faith? live on hope?
High on Jesus or hooked on dope
When it's way too late to just say no
You can't make it here anymore
Now I'm stocking shirts in the Wal-Mart store
Just like the ones we made before
'Cept this one came from Singapore
I guess we can't make it here anymore
Should I hate a people for the shade of their skin
Or the shape of their eyes or the shape I'm in
Should I hate 'em for having our jobs today
No I hate the men sent the jobs away
I can see them all now, they haunt my dreams
All lily white and squeaky clean
They've never known want, they'll never know need
Their shit don't stink and their kids won't bleed
Their kids won't bleed in the damn little war
And we can't make it here anymore
Will work for food
Will die for oil
Will kill for power and to us the spoils
The billionaires get to pay less tax
The working poor get to fall through the cracks
Let 'em eat jellybeans let 'em eat cake
Let 'em eat shit, whatever it takes
They can join the Air Force, or join the Corps
If they can't make it here anymore
And that's how it is
That's what we got
If the president wants to admit it or not
You can read it in the paper
Read it on the wall
Hear it on the wind
If you're listening at all
Get out of that limo
Look us in the eye
Call us on the cell phone
Tell us all why
In Dayton, Ohio
Or Portland, Maine
Or a cotton gin out on the great high plains
That's done closed down along with the school
And the hospital and the swimming pool
Dust devils dance in the noonday heat
There's rats in the alley
And trash in the street
Gang graffiti on a boxcar door
We can't make it here anymore
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Apr 17, 2013 - 17:54 Cynaera wrote: Thank you, Fred - I was starting to feel like the backward step-child, believing that McMurtry had a line on what was and is going on in the world. (Love the references to Guthrie, Seeger, Bragg, and lest we forget, Cohen, Young, Browne...) I still can't get over the words - betting a person will NEVER hear this song on the radio, unless it's censored. We hear it on KPIG out here in Santa Cruz. Of course, they are some of Bill's old KFAT siblings, but there is an underground current of dissent against the "way things are". It's not just your imagination. Like the lady said: "If you're not p*ssed off, you're not paying attention. Long live the folk tradition of speaking truth to power.  |
| Webfoot (Eugene, Oregon) | Posted: Apr 17, 2013 - 17:53 sandyclaws wrote: Great comment, GT66. I couldn't agree more. I don't shop at Walmart for so many reasons. The irony of it is that Walmart's low-price marketing appeals to the very same working-class folk who have suffered the most damage at the hands of corporations that have sacrificed our common welfare for the sake of cheap goods - to say nothing of the fact that Walmart is one of the worst of the worst when it comes to treatment of its own employees. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your own face - I just don't get how it's so hard for people to see the big picture, or if they do, why it is that they don't care more. Because we all need more disposable stuff! |
| rushed (Edwardsville, IL) | Posted: Apr 17, 2013 - 17:51 Like a modern Charlie Daniels, lyric-wise. Love it. |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Jun 25, 2011 - 21:09 fredriley wrote: All songs are - they're not long enough for full-blown political analyses, and their intention is to arouse emotion and tell a tale, not to set out a complete politico-economic policy. What do you want, a thesis? This song tells a powerful tale of economic and social decline at the sharp end. What causes the decline and how to reverse is another, and much more wordy, matter. IMO this song is in the folk tradition of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg and so many others. Kudos to McMurtry for telling it how it is. 8 from the Nottingham jury. Thank you, Fred - I was starting to feel like the backward step-child, believing that McMurtry had a line on what was and is going on in the world. (Love the references to Guthrie, Seeger, Bragg, and lest we forget, Cohen, Young, Browne...) I still can't get over the words - betting a person will NEVER hear this song on the radio, unless it's censored. |
| pinto (west meade) | Posted: Jun 25, 2011 - 21:03 MrClean wrote: So in other words, if we make it easier for corporate exploitation at home, they would stay here and we'd all have jobs tomorrow? Which of you is the naive one? That's easy. You're the naive one. |
| martinc (Ottawa Canada) | Posted: May 25, 2011 - 05:34 We are on the eve of destruction ... oops that was 40years ago. |
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: May 25, 2011 - 05:32 Gryn wrote: James makes it painfully clear. The musicians and artists always tell it like it is. Painful is right. |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: May 25, 2011 - 05:31 maxjboxer wrote: The song is somewhat simplistic and naive. All songs are - they're not long enough for full-blown political analyses, and their intention is to arouse emotion and tell a tale, not to set out a complete politico-economic policy. What do you want, a thesis? This song tells a powerful tale of economic and social decline at the sharp end. What causes the decline and how to reverse is another, and much more wordy, matter. IMO this song is in the folk tradition of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg and so many others. Kudos to McMurtry for telling it how it is. 8 from the Nottingham jury. |
| spindrift (Philadelphia PA) | Posted: Apr 23, 2011 - 16:28 maxjboxer wrote: The song is somewhat simplistic and naive. We live in a world market now and we have to adapt to it. If you want to keep jobs here, don't tax corporate profits to the point that they are forced to go overseas. How about taking some of the blame ourselves? You and I keep buying the cheap products built in Asia and then we bitch an whine about the bad corporations moving operations over there to compete. Time to grow up and figure a way to help our companies compete here rather than suck them dry with an out of line tax structure and ridiculous over regulation. I agree with you. The knee jerk suspicion of private enterprise glosses over the fact that in this country wealth comes from the private sector. |
| PA1749 (Jim Thorpe, PA) | Posted: Apr 23, 2011 - 16:18 Scary thing is that there are a lot of movies and video games about the apocalypse. It's almost like people want it to happen because that would completely flip the balance of power. Basic survival skills would far outweigh money which would turn into highly decorated toilet paper. It doesn't seem too far off. |
| Gryn (Oregon) | Posted: Mar 23, 2011 - 02:56 James makes it painfully clear. The musicians and artists always tell it like it is. |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Feb 19, 2011 - 16:26 MrClean wrote: So in other words, if we make it easier for corporate exploitation at home, they would stay here and we'd all have jobs tomorrow? Which of you is the naive one? Right on, right on, and right on!  |
| MrClean (just south of paradise) | Posted: Feb 19, 2011 - 16:24 maxjboxer wrote: The song is somewhat simplistic and naive. We live in a world market now and we have to adapt to it. If you want to keep jobs here, don't tax corporate profits to the point that they are forced to go overseas. How about taking some of the blame ourselves? You and I keep buying the cheap products built in Asia and then we bitch an whine about the bad corporations moving operations over there to compete. Time to grow up and figure a way to help our companies compete here rather than suck them dry with an out of line tax structure and ridiculous over regulation. So in other words, if we make it easier for corporate exploitation at home, they would stay here and we'd all have jobs tomorrow? Which of you is the naive one? |
| ri_shelton (A few clicks up the river) | Posted: Feb 19, 2011 - 16:21 The context changes, the song remains. The upcoming budget stand-off.... and all we hear about is "American Exceptionalism". |
| Lepanthes (Southern Adirondack Park) | Posted: Feb 19, 2011 - 16:17 And yes, Bush sucks! |
| sandyclaws (On our way back home . . .) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:54 GT66 wrote: So far in the last couple years, the Chinese "version" of capitalism has given us: lead toys, poisoned pet food, sulfuric drywall, and potentially dangerous vitamins and pharmaceuticals. And yet, Walmart is packed with people happily buying made in China. Sad. Does America hate itself so much that we can't be bothered to to pay a tiny bit more for largely better products even if only to keep ourselves employed? I guess so. Americans will be the root of America's destruction. Great comment, GT66. I couldn't agree more. I don't shop at Walmart for so many reasons. The irony of it is that Walmart's low-price marketing appeals to the very same working-class folk who have suffered the most damage at the hands of corporations that have sacrificed our common welfare for the sake of cheap goods - to say nothing of the fact that Walmart is one of the worst of the worst when it comes to treatment of its own employees. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your own face - I just don't get how it's so hard for people to see the big picture, or if they do, why it is that they don't care more. |
| maxjboxer (Minneapolis, MN) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:53 The song is somewhat simplistic and naive. We live in a world market now and we have to adapt to it. If you want to keep jobs here, don't tax corporate profits to the point that they are forced to go overseas. How about taking some of the blame ourselves? You and I keep buying the cheap products built in Asia and then we bitch an whine about the bad corporations moving operations over there to compete. Time to grow up and figure a way to help our companies compete here rather than suck them dry with an out of line tax structure and ridiculous over regulation. |
| ziggytrix (Dallas, TX) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:43 dyharenas wrote: GT66, I disdain your type. You come across either as someone with a pretty limp sense of humour or as a mediocre, ignorant, chauvinistic, childish, ego-driven burger-munching mall-shopping void-of-passport-palinesque-caricature of a US American. There are 300 million inhabitants in the US, I hope at least 10% of you are different to this clown. I know my share of good folk in the States, but jeez this kind of comment is what gets you guys hated... dyharenas, I disdain your type. You come across as the sort of person who gets all offended when he reads, yet fails to parse obvious sarcasm. I'm not sure where you're from, so I can't say whether I know anyone from your bit of the world, or whether they're as thick...  |
| sandyclaws (On our way back home . . .) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:41 thewiseking wrote: now THIS is a tea party anthem. if only they knew it.... Hmm, not so sure about that. A good many Tea Partiers were/are Republican and/or conservatives who are very critical of President Obama, but not so much of ex-President Bush. Note the release date of the album, and the direct reference to the president in the song. Whereas the Tea Party movement was borne out of criticism of our current President, I think it's safe to assume/infer that the lyrics of this song are a fairly pointed criticism of the last administration's foreign, social, and financial (i.e., deregulation) policies and the shape in which they left our country and its citizens - not to mention of corporate practices and the disaster they have wreaked on working people. |
| Tim_in_N_FL (Florida) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:37 goldenfiddle wrote: Rhyme and rhythm; prose and passion As I sit here working at my computer this afternoon, Mr. McMurty's lyrics seeped into my mind creating a picture of something rather ugly. It all seems way too real and accurate to me 6 years after this recording was released (2005). As goes the economy so goes society?  |
| Dangerpussy (Sun Diego) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:37 Someone needs to play this at the next RNC. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:36 I really wish this song was not so accurate. Brutal. That McMurtry guy can sure write a cheery little ditty, huh? Btw, that pic on the album cover? Close as he ever gets to a smile. |
| lmic (Harmless Little Bunny) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:35 I have so come around on this dude. This tune, in particular, I find seriously devastating. |
| solrac (38th parallel) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 10:35 depressing song, but nothing but truth!!!!!! |
| oneaccord | Posted: Dec 19, 2010 - 01:14 thewiseking wrote: now THIS is a tea party anthem. if only they knew it.... sad to say the words ring true . . . are we listening — are we ready ? |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 07:18 now THIS is a tea party anthem. if only they knew it.... |
| goldenfiddle | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 07:17 Rhyme and rhythm; prose and passion |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 07:17 The bankers are still "makin it here". As a matter of fact, they're payin out over a hundred billion in bonuses this year so they can keep the luxury condo and 2nd home markets propped up in this town. Good thing we taxpayers bailed em out. |
| Giselle62 (many bear, big rock, estuary California) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 20:19 I've had a couple good ideas lately: Forgive all countries all debt (I heard some guy talking on the radio the other night and he had the same idea it's called a Jubilee.) Let's start over and... let's start making our own stuff again. As Larry says in this song it is utter insanity to continue to go on as we are. |
| ronniegirl (Middle of New Jersey) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 20:17 word. My job has been sent offshore twice. My kids are left with little aspirations. Should they move to Asia to move forward? How very sad. |
| mandolin (...drifting...) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 20:16 ...damn if that man can't write... |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 20:16 Vietnam Vet with a cardboard signIf his voice is boring and droll, at least consider the words... He's not so much known for his voice as he is for his words....
I love his music. He tells it true. |
| juanrico (Mexico city) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 20:15 sunsets in Tumacacori... |
| mastr (Cali) | Posted: Jul 12, 2010 - 22:46 Interesting link. I noticed that the countries that had the very best ratio (dark green, most equitable) were homogenous and white. What sort of conclusion do you draw from that? fran_tarkenton wrote: Good points totally agree. I would be interested to hear how you find things in England. From what I hear it ain't much better there. I would love to spend some time in Germany or Sweden to see how life compares. I believe a great measure of the health of a society is the difference between the richest and poorest components of the population. The following map shows how far behind america is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gini_Coefficient_World_CIA_Report_2009.png Not sure why it is considered a first world country any more! Ironically coutries with low discrepeancies between the richest and poorest also have strong social programs like health care etc. I believe it boils down to two ideologies: Those that support pooling resources and those that support user pay for all services. Neither system is perfect! I for one would prefer to live in a more egalitarian society than one where I could become in theory incredibly rich. Great song! Love the lyrics. They are thought inspiring which is always a good thing! |
| Panama_Floyd (Atlanta, GA) | Posted: Jul 12, 2010 - 22:34 GT66 wrote: So far in the last couple years, the Chinese "version" of capitalism has given us: lead toys, poisoned pet food, sulfuric drywall, and potentially dangerous vitamins and pharmaceuticals. And yet, Walmart is packed with people happily buying made in China. Sad. Does America hate itself so much that we can't be bothered to to pay a tiny bit more for largely better products even if only to keep ourselves employed? I guess so. Americans will be the root of America's destruction. Quoted for truth. |
| nigelr (Coffs Harbour, Australia) | Posted: Jun 11, 2010 - 01:58 Major nod to 'Ohio'..........interesting to read what y'all think of this song........................ |
| Gryn (Oregon) | Posted: Jun 11, 2010 - 01:58 This song points out the truth. Survivalists might just have it right, after all. |
| h8rhater | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 08:38 dyharenas wrote: GT66, I disdain your type. You come across either as someone with a pretty limp sense of humour or as a mediocre, ignorant, chauvinistic, childish, ego-driven burger-munching mall-shopping void-of-passport-palinesque-caricature of a US American. There are 300 million inhabitants in the US, I hope at least 10% of you are different to this clown. I know my share of good folk in the States, but jeez this kind of comment is what gets you guys hated... Your generalization is weak. There are dicks like GT66 all over the world, diarrheas... you might even be one. |
| dyharenas (Cerro Apoquindo) | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 08:22 GT66 wrote: Hey, even though we're not as good as Russia, and least we aren't as bad as Rwanda. pfft... Rwanda... buncha losers. GT66, I disdain your type. You come across either as someone with a pretty limp sense of humour or as a mediocre, ignorant, chauvinistic, childish, ego-driven burger-munching mall-shopping void-of-passport-palinesque-caricature of a US American. There are 300 million inhabitants in the US, I hope at least 10% of you are different to this clown. I know my share of good folk in the States, but jeez this kind of comment is what gets you guys hated... |
| pianocomposer (Springfield) | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 08:15 Marley wrote: The words to this song totally ring true. I've come to the realization that this country is fucked and that I can't make it here at all, so I made the decision to move to England. I can make more money, a better quality of life and health insurance over there. It's just not worth trying to have a good life over here anymore. Unless you're already a member of the rich and elite, you can't get ahead. I'm sick of struggling to barley live above the poverty line. I've considered doing what you did. My sister and her husband moved to Australia in the 90s and never came back. They are happy there. America is way behind the curve on this. I think the recent health care legislation has helped a bit, and they may pass further legislation regarding banking regulations. But America's interest has been corporate in nature especially since after WWII. BTW: The song isn't bad...the lyrics are powerful but it's repetitive. It's just so repetitive. It keeps going round and round. I wish it wouldn't repeat itself so much. It keeps saying the same musical thing over and over and over. 6. |
| ick (S.E. La Jolla) | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 08:15 alfbennett wrote: This should be the themesong for all pessimists Still fantastic though. Continue to bury your head in the sand and see where it gets you optimist. |
| GT66 | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 15:17 fran_tarkenton wrote: Good points totally agree. I would be interested to hear how you find things in England. From what I hear it ain't much better there. I would love to spend some time in Germany or Sweden to see how life compares. I believe a great measure of the health of a society is the difference between the richest and poorest components of the population. The following map shows how far behind america is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gini_Coefficient_World_CIA_Report_2009.png Not sure why it is considered a first world country any more! Ironically coutries with low discrepeancies between the richest and poorest also have strong social programs like health care etc. I believe it boils down to two ideologies: Those that support pooling resources and those that support user pay for all services. Neither system is perfect! I for one would prefer to live in a more egalitarian society than one where I could become in theory incredibly rich. Great song! Love the lyrics. They are thought inspiring which is always a good thing! Hey, even though we're not as good as Russia, and least we aren't as bad as Rwanda. pfft... Rwanda... buncha losers. |
| GT66 | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 15:06 Giselle62 wrote: While understanding that he means "we can't make it" in the larger sense and in the smaller sense I see this as a key right now in taking the reins of power over our lives into our own hands by learning some skills and crafts and making things beautiful and useful; since we are no longer even allowed the "privilege" of manufacturing in our own country. I guess it will have to be local, like at the Farmer's markets —-small supporting small (been thinking about this a lot lately.) So far in the last couple years, the Chinese "version" of capitalism has given us: lead toys, poisoned pet food, sulfuric drywall, and potentially dangerous vitamins and pharmaceuticals. And yet, Walmart is packed with people happily buying made in China. Sad. Does America hate itself so much that we can't be bothered to to pay a tiny bit more for largely better products even if only to keep ourselves employed? I guess so. Americans will be the root of America's destruction. |
| tkay73 (Near the majestic Colorado Rockies) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 15:02 Marley wrote: The words to this song totally ring true. I've come to the realization that this country is fucked and that I can't make it here at all, so I made the decision to move to England. I can make more money, a better quality of life and health insurance over there. It's just not worth trying to have a good life over here anymore. Unless you're already a member of the rich and elite, you can't get ahead. I'm sick of struggling to barley live above the poverty line. Interested to hear what you think of it over there. I have thought many times what life might be like in a different part of the world. Lets face it our country is crap, the rich get richer while the rest of us work our asses off to barely make ends meet. USA is the country where those that have money are the only ones who get ahead. Those of us who work hard and continue to move up only do so to find something shoving us back down, such a medical debt. |
| bxd_tech | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 15:01 if there was a contest for not singing in a twang-rock song, this guy would win. great message though. |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 15:01 LowPhreak wrote: Wrong. It IS greedy CEO's/corporations in cahoots with gov't, which they've greased very well with campaign cash, and offers of highly paid jobs after they leave gov't positions. Do a bit of digging instead of buying the right-wing media lies and you'll learn this. Bingo |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 14:59 Shesdifferent wrote: Absolutely! Yes, this is classic... love it... |
| alfbennett | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 14:59 This should be the themesong for all pessimists Still fantastic though. |
| Shesdifferent (Just visiting this planet this is not my home) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 14:57 Absolutely! |
| tkay73 (Near the majestic Colorado Rockies) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 14:57 This is such a kick ass song! Heard it once on an alternative station here and never heard it again, Did not know for the life of me who the artits was until I heard it again on RP. Thanks RP for introducing me to so many awesome artists. |