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Kathleen Edwards — In State
Album: Back To Me
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1902









Released: 2005
Length: 3:48
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I can spot your kind a million miles away
Buckle down boots and a bloodshot gaze
You talk so sweet until the going gets tough
The last job you pulled was never big enough

Don't say you'll change after the next time
You wouldn't even be yourself if you weren't telling a lie

And I know where the cops hang out
I know where you'll be found
I know what you're all about
I know when you're going down

You only call me honey when we're alone
Hiding at your place up on Slack Road
You've got an answer for every little thing
You can't even tell me where you've been

My face couldn't make you leave it behind
Maybe 20 years in state will change your mind

Cuz I know where the cops hang out
I know where you'll be found
I know what you're all about
I know when you're going down

And don't say you'll change after the next time
You wouldn't even be yourself if you weren't telling a lie
Maybe 20 years in state will change your mind

Cuz I know where the cops hang out
I know where you'll be found
I know what you're all about
I know you'll never change now

I know my love was good enough
I know you would have shed my blood
I know you can't shut me up
I know when you're going down
Comments (286)add comment
 ick wrote:

Excellent Canadacana!



Canadacana! Americana! Love it!
good lord - i am falling in love with Kathleen’s music
Excellent Canadacana!
Great guitar
 keith129 wrote:

At first I thought this was Lucinda Williams, except the vocals are never, ughhhh, how to put it?  I like this, and I love EVERYthing about Lucinda!



get them to tour together!

and sam phillips open!
At first I thought this was Lucinda Williams, except the vocals are never, ughhhh, how to put it?  I like this, and I love EVERYthing about Lucinda!
 Tomasni wrote:

My rating is only 7  going down to 3 ...


Thank you SO MUCH for that important update! I haven't slept in weeks wondering what your revised rating would be. And yet, the tension continues; what's next, up to 4, down to 2?  Aaaaaarrgghh, the suspense is killing me!!
Dammit...this woman makes me think some pretty darn dirty things...
hey kathleen

its tour time

its summer

get on the road
I listen to a lot of Outlaw Country on Sirius XM (when not listening to RP of course) and they are playing quite a bit from her new album.  She still sounds great.
When you burn out of music you can always open a successful coffee shop: https://quitterscoffee.ca
Sweet.   Particularly on this historic day of 07 November 2020.  A big fist pump for American women and women all around the world.

In passing: Oil Man's War on Asking for Flowers is one of the sweeter anti-war songs I have discovered in a long while.

Do not let your politics get in the way of enjoying the song.  This big fan of the oil&gas sector adores the song. 
Haha, Bill! I heard this on KPIG earlier today. But it's a great song, so I'm down with that.
 nutrod42 wrote:
Kathleen! It would be nice to hear some songs from Asking For Flowers (other than Goodnight California, which is on RP).
 
This is one of my favourite 'female empowerment' songs.  

Otherwise agreed.  Lots of great material on Asking for Flowers.
My rating is only 7  going down to 3 ...
Soooo different from "Back to Me"
 expatlar wrote:
Boy this woman writes some dark sh*t. And I don't mean that as an insult.

 
  Kathleen seems to like serving it up dark, whether in her musical themes or in her coffee roasts.
Kathleen! It would be nice to hear some songs from Asking For Flowers (other than Goodnight California, which is on RP).
I don't really love her voice (maybe it's just the key?), but everything else about this song - the lyrics, the music, the tone - is just brilliant.
She seems to have a very good ear for other musicians, and to get them to play with her. All her albums have a very good band playing with her, and she writes songs that showcase other people's talent.  
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Vancouver Folk Music Festival, this July.  : )
Update 7/17: Her show last night was great. She mentioned that playing music is a lot more fun than running a coffee shop!

 
Thanks OTB.  Glad you enjoyed the show and she is back into music full swing.  Any mention of the next album?  
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Kathleen, keep your coffee shop but let somebody else run it for a while and come out to play for us again!
 
Vancouver Folk Music Festival, this July.  : )
Update 7/17: Her show last night was great. She mentioned that playing music is a lot more fun than running a coffee shop!
Don't mess with this woman!  Seven years in state will straighten you out.  Love it!
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Kathleen, keep your coffee shop but let somebody else run it for a while and come out to play for us again!

 
She played a bit in 2015 and 2016.  Probably more touring to come.

But I like the risk management strategy of keeping the coffee shop in Kanata. {#Cheesygrin} 
Kathleen, keep your coffee shop but let somebody else run it for a while and come out to play for us again!
Such a great groove and catchy hooks in this song. Great lyrics too. All the elements of a great tune.
 
Still sounding great after all these years… {#Music}
 h8rhater wrote:

If you folks keep this up (telling interesting stories and sharing recommendation about the music you love), I might have to change my handle to LuvrLover. {#Laughing}

 
Go for it! The ripples will spread!
Anything by this sweet & sour artist is wonderful by me. Hoping to enjoy her live one day, if she deigns to return to the music scene. Meanwhile I savour her many flavours. Thanks for cooking up these tunes, Kathleen.
Love her! love love love!
She's likely returning to the music world, but perhaps on her own terms.
Apparently, a nasty fall-out with Bon Iver dude during his help with her last album. She opened a coffee shop in Stittsville (near Ottawa), not much updated on her web site.

 
                             I was not meant to skirt around,
                                      3.3 skein undone.
                                         Closed case.
                                        You know when
                                       I see one of yours.

         
 randyblew wrote:
Saw her at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill a year ago and more, and she was fantastic. Joined by beau Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, and a former neighbor of mine in Raleigh), and a top notch band - lovely and vulnerable. She cried, laughed, shared stories, was brilliant. Highly recommended.

 
If you folks keep this up (telling interesting stories and sharing recommendation about the music you love), I might have to change my handle to LuvrLover. {#Laughing}
Just raised to a 9, reminds me of Suzanne Vega but she has her own signature and a beautiful vioce.
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Probably my favorite Alt-country type female singer of the last 10 years. Each album better than the last.

Does this qualify as country music these days? Fantastic song no matter the genre!

 
Good question!

Strongly agree with bstevens1951's contention that each successive album is better. 

One of the better songs off the  Back to Me CD.
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Probably my favorite Alt-country type female singer of the last 10 years. Each album better than the last.

Does this qualify as country music these days? Fantastic song no matter the genre!


Kathleen!
We here in Ottawa (Capital of Canada, for you Americans) are so very proud of our homegirl Kathleen.
Probably my favorite Alt-country type female singer of the last 10 years. Each album better than the last.
 randyblew wrote:
Saw her at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill a year ago and more, and she was fantastic. Joined by beau Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, and a former neighbor of mine in Raleigh), and a top notch band - lovely and vulnerable. She cried, laughed, shared stories, was brilliant. Highly recommended.
 
Yes, she's great live. Check her out if you get a chance.
I love this performer.  May she come to Omaha some day!!
Saw her at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill a year ago and more, and she was fantastic. Joined by beau Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, and a former neighbor of mine in Raleigh), and a top notch band - lovely and vulnerable. She cried, laughed, shared stories, was brilliant. Highly recommended.
There is definitely a kind of country-gal wry not-quite innocence not-quite wariness in her voice, and I really do like what she does with it...
Smooth vulnerability at its very finest. Love KE.
NICE and melodic - as I like it!
 westslope wrote:


I seem to recall David Letterman looking a little shy and nervous in Kathleen's presence. Cute.







 
After her first performance on Letterman he said, "NOW we're getting somewhere!"
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdJmPuMucnU
Fun to see the "original" (Failer touring) line up.
 ick wrote:
Ah Canadian redneck love!  Ain't it grand?

 
If you only knew the full extent of it.   Upstate NY and the Appalachians:  move over!   -hehe-  
This woman and her band is fantastic but she doesn't tour much; especially in the Midwest.

These bands are kinda lazy.

 
 Cynaera wrote:
I like her voice a lot - smooth, confident, and with just the right touch of grit when it's warranted.  She reminds me of Syd Straw, with some Sam Phillips and Lucinda Williams influences.  This is one talented lady. (P.S. - I happen to LIKE Taylor Swift. I don't like Brittney or Mariah or Beyonce or any number of other wannabes.  Put that in your peace-pipe and smoke it. {#Cowboy}  )  8 for now... {#Music}
 

I miss you so much, Cynaeara...
 
This is a song to smoke meth by.  She's gonna drop the dime on him if he doesn't stop screwing her little sister!
 ick wrote:
Ah Canadian redneck love!  Ain't it grand?
 
  {#Lol}
VERY VERY VERY SEXY!
 MsJudi wrote:
I could swear this was played a couple of days ago.
 
and? I wouldn't mind if they played it every day...
I could swear this was played a couple of days ago.
 aspicer wrote:
This sounds like about 5 other female folk/pop singers - only not at all as good.  Really not impressed.
 
A quick look at your ratings aspicer shows that you are mostly a classic rock listener (not that there is anything wrong with that).  Why bother rating an artist who engages in a type of music that you don't even care for?  Clearly whether or not you are impressed by Kathleen's considerable talents as a "folk/pop singer" is irrelevant. Moving on...
Ah Canadian redneck love!  Ain't it grand?
This sounds like about 5 other female folk/pop singers - only not at all as good.  Really not impressed.
 ngunnell wrote:
How unbelievably boring.
 
You cannot be taking about this song!!!
How unbelievably boring.
Fine singer and nice song, but boy, is this one vengeful woman! The guy must have done something really bad to her if she's after 20 years inside for him.
Discovered Kathleen Edwards on RP (this song in fact) and now I can't get enough of her music.  Even have tickets for her upcoming Portland gig in April.

Thanks RP for introducing me to another great artist. 


I seem to recall David Letterman looking a little shy and nervous in Kathleen's presence. Cute.



 calypsus_1 wrote:

 
Kathleen-001 by basicallybrian
https://www.flickr.com/photos/basicallybrian/

one of my fave pics...Kathleen is so awesome...great stage show...the bantering...so beautiful...and so talented.

Copyright All rights reserved
 


 On_The_Beach wrote:

Syd Straw? Yikes, there's an obscure reference. I happen to own a Syd Straw album and it's pretty good, if memory serves. I like Taylor Swift too, but the whole restraining order thing has kind of put a damper on our relationship. But seriously, Kathleen is one of my current faves. This CD is pretty consistent, with only a couple sub-par tracks.
 
..Like Syds cover of Wish I Was A Fool on Tribute To Richard Thompson CD

Own it.  Clicked through radio paradise to Amazon.ca and bought her first three CDs.

Welcome to the Global Village.  Some web-based radio station out of California introduces me to a great band from my own home town!

 


She's fixin' to rat out her beau.
 ThePoose wrote:
Within a few beers, it grabbed me. And it did—here in her hometown of Ottawa (the national capital of Canada, for you Americans who know nothing more about the Great White North other than that we make hugely yummy beer).

 
westslope wrote:

Within a few bars, it grabbed me.

 

8 -> 9


 
 
A few beers in only a few minutes?  You folks up there in the "Great White North" take your drinking seriously.

And yes, you do make hugely yummy beer.

Within a few beers, it grabbed me. And it did—here in her hometown of Ottawa (the national capital of Canada, for you Americans who know nothing more about the Great White North other than that we make hugely yummy beer).

 
westslope wrote:

Within a few bars, it grabbed me.

 

8 -> 9


 


I discoverd this album by taking a random listen on a headset at a Tower Records (remember them?) several years.

This is my favorite cut from this album.

"I know where the cops hang out!"  LOVE IT  {#Whistle}
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Syd Straw? Yikes, there's an obscure reference. I happen to own a Syd Straw album and it's pretty good, if memory serves. I like Taylor Swift too, but the whole restraining order thing has kind of put a damper on our relationship. But seriously, Kathleen is one of my current faves. This CD is pretty consistent, with only a couple sub-par tracks.
 
Oh, yes indeed, that's a name I haven't heard in a long, long time. She still turns up occasionally on other folks' albums, but I was astonished to look at her website and realize that I got her first album in '93!
 

Within a few bars, it grabbed me.

 

8 -> 9


Love this more with each listen.
 Cynaera wrote:
I like her voice a lot - smooth, confident, and with just the right touch of grit when it's warranted.  She reminds me of Syd Straw, with some Sam Phillips and Lucinda Williams influences.  This is one talented lady. (P.S. - I happen to LIKE Taylor Swift. I don't like Brittney or Mariah or Beyonce or any number of other wannabes.  Put that in your peace-pipe and smoke it. {#Cowboy}  )  8 for now... {#Music}
 
Syd Straw? Yikes, there's an obscure reference. I happen to own a Syd Straw album and it's pretty good, if memory serves. I like Taylor Swift too, but the whole restraining order thing has kind of put a damper on our relationship. But seriously, Kathleen is one of my current faves. This CD is pretty consistent, with only a couple sub-par tracks.



Dude. . . she knows. . .

{#Shifty}


Oy, I've known this guy. :/
I like her voice a lot - smooth, confident, and with just the right touch of grit when it's warranted.  She reminds me of Syd Straw, with some Sam Phillips and Lucinda Williams influences.  This is one talented lady. (P.S. - I happen to LIKE Taylor Swift. I don't like Brittney or Mariah or Beyonce or any number of other wannabes.  Put that in your peace-pipe and smoke it. {#Cowboy}  )  8 for now... {#Music}
The guitar reminds me of some Neil Young parts!
The wife and I and a bunch of our old people friends went to a George Strait concert, and this little high school girl opened for him.  We wanted her to hurry up and get off the stage so George could come on.  The little high school girl's name was Taylor Swift.  I said to my wife, well she is trying but I don't see her getting far.
re Freedy Johnston, I think this is similar to "Bad Reputation" or "I'm Not Hypnotized."  Pretty good.
 muse_Kidd wrote:

I've been looking to try and find the same thing!... It sounds just like a Freedy tune!
 

Nothing wrong with that; Freedy is cool.
 jagdaf wrote:
if youlike this, then you like Taylor Swift. ha ha -  you indie and trendy peeps are now sucked into a totally mainstream sound. nothing really wrong with that, but sounds exactly like her. very chicky. play some man music now, please.
 

I have accidentally heard Taylor Swift while sweeping though channel surfing or in a grocery store, elevator or something much to my dismay and I assure you this is no Taylor Swift.{#No}
 grungepuppy wrote:
Great song! I never would have heard it if not for RP.
 
My thought exactly!  I love the rhythm track - It reminds me a lot of Freedy Johnston.  {#Bananajam}

 
Kathleen-001 by basicallybrian
https://www.flickr.com/photos/basicallybrian/

one of my fave pics...Kathleen is so awesome...great stage show...the bantering...so beautiful...and so talented.

Copyright All rights reserved


Love Kathleen's voice. {#Sunny}
Great song! I never would have heard it if not for RP.
muse_Kidd wrote:
I like this song, but it sounds just like a Freedy Johnston tune... does anyone else think so?
ick wrote:
Somewhat but not just like.
I vaguely remember a measurement system from Junior High that relied on human body hair from a subject with specific filamentous biomaterial pigmentation for a unit standard. Escapes me now, but it would be handy in describing the stylistic difference between this song and Freedy Johnston's peculiar sound.

 muse_Kidd wrote:
I like this song, but it sounds just like a Freedy Johnston tune... does anyone else think so?
 
you have no idea of which you speak, so shut up again!... Freebird to Johnston never found a stairway to Haven on Sunday nights at 7 pm.
 
I was listening to this tune and then I realized that perhaps I am just an old damn bastard where everything is starting to sound the same and I am just repeating myself? I was listening to this tune and then I realized that perhaps I am just an old damn bastard where everything is starting to sound the same and I am just repeating myself?
 muse_Kidd wrote:
I like this song, but it sounds just like a Freedy Johnston tune... does anyone else think so?
 
I've been looking to try and find the same thing!... It sounds just like a Freedy tune!
 jagdaf wrote:
if youlike this, then you like Taylor Swift. ha ha -  you indie and trendy peeps are now sucked into a totally mainstream sound. nothing really wrong with that, but sounds exactly like her. very chicky. play some man music now, please.
  

A cursory listen may sound similar, but really it's not even close; Kathleen is superior to Taylor in every way.
Voice and sound very much like Catie Curtis to my ears.
I like it.

 
ick wrote:

Somewhat but not just like.
 


if youlike this, then you like Taylor Swift. ha ha -  you indie and trendy peeps are now sucked into a totally mainstream sound. nothing really wrong with that, but sounds exactly like her. very chicky. play some man music now, please.

Want this picture in higher resolution! Post a link please anyone  Oops, already found it on the Wiki. This file in good quality.
Another one Christina:

ChristinasWorld




Dull. Without wit.
 muse_Kidd wrote:
I like this song, but it sounds just like a Freedy Johnston tune... does anyone else think so?
 
Somewhat but not just like.


 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/christinas_world.jpg
  
I imagine that Edwards would have made it more obvious if it was an homage to the painting, but it's possible.

Nice, digging the vocals and guitar. 8.
Typical Kathleen sound, and i like it!!!

9
I like this song, but it sounds just like a Freedy Johnston tune... does anyone else think so?
 Jelani wrote:
thank you for posting this.
 
You're welcome. I've always liked Wyeth and this is definitely one of his finest efforts. Not sure if the CD photo was inspired by the painting but I couldn't help but notice the similarity.

 Dancing_banana wrote:
asking for flowers is a great album. I wish Bill would play it!

 
mfassett wrote:

Yea, well don't blame me.  I uploaded a few songs from her latest CD, "Asking For Flowers," which is a GREAT CD, her best yet in my humble opinion... but all but one were "sorried" by Rebecca.  The one that is still in rotation in the Listener Review Channel has been there for many many months and will be "sorried" I'm sure.  

It's too bad, because her latest is really really great!  Did I mention how good it was?  {#Mrgreen} 
 
Don't take it personally. I've had the same experience. Notice that most of us LOVE radioparadise. I think Rebecca is picky because she & Bill insist on a very high standard of quality. If the song doesn't fit with the sets they are building, then so be it. 
 


 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/christinas_world.jpg
 
thank you for posting this.
She's one of my favourite, incredible lyricist and vocalist. Thanks!
 zevon wrote:
Zevon likes this.
 
zip loves it.

Great tune...sweet voice and nice harmonies fill the air.
Zevon likes this.
Another great singer from Canada, love it.
can i just say i like this woman? i will now rate her...
i guess i wanna give a little lecture about not going out with bad boys; but hey, we wouldn't have as many good songs if there were no bad boys and girls to get involved with, I guess.


Don't say you'll change after the next time
You wouldn't even be yourself if you weren't telling a lie



Kathleen and her excellent band played last month at the 2010 Olympics, at a venue not far from my house. It was pouring at the start of the outdoor show and pouring at the finish. Rock'n show that almost, but not quite, made the crowd of keeners  forget the cold and wet. This song was a highlight - nothing like a fine woman cranking on a guitar!
A Canadian Lucinda Williams in a way?
From CityBeat Magazine:

"What elevates Edwards above many of her peers, though, is her gift for gritty lyricism. Plainly put, she’s a hell of a writer, and that sharp literary quality edges its way through her best songs."

Katheen Edwards - “I’m into songs, it’s always about the song for me,” she says. “Sometimes I listen to the radio and wonder, ‘Where’s the song?’ I’m not prolific, but writing isn’t a chore either — I love doing it. Writing is fiction, but I can’t help but draw from the people in my life.”

She has a plodding dullness to her voice.
 Alafia wrote:
Can we hear some other songs of hers?
I like this one, but it's starting to get old...
 
I suspect you will find that they all sound remarkably similar to one another. This is not necessarily bad, but her songs are not only musically similar but thematically as well.

some great opening licks...to bad it kinda fades to the background for the most of whatotherwise is a good song. 


asking for flowers is a great album. I wish Bill would play it!

 
mfassett wrote:

Yea, well don't blame me.  I uploaded a few songs from her latest CD, "Asking For Flowers," which is a GREAT CD, her best yet in my humble opinion... but all but one were "sorried" by Rebecca.  The one that is still in rotation in the Listener Review Channel has been there for many many months and will be "sorried" I'm sure.  

It's too bad, because her latest is really really great!  Did I mention how good it was?  {#Mrgreen} 
 


I bought this album after hearing this track here on RP. I don't like country, I'm a die hard prog rock man, but I bought it anyway 'cos it's wonderful

Thanks RP, now where's my stetson! 
 tom-kenna wrote:
Jim Bryson is a stellar guitarist.
Love this one, love the sound of the band, too.
  (imoh) A very tight band, from the first note.

 


 peter_james_bond wrote:

So, in fairness, this means you'll also be knocking down all your highly rated Zeppelin, Beatles, and Floyd tunes..... right?

 
Those songs are timeless, in my admittedly subjective opinion, and my high ratings reflect that.

When this song is 20+ years old, and if this song is still played on contemporary music sources, and if I am listening to those sources, then maybe I'll revisit my rating of it. It to will have reached "timeless" status at that point.  Only 16 years to go....

I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Does it bother you that I might lower my rating?   Do you really care?  I am flattered! {#Shifty}



Grabbing me this morning this song.

 

7=>8


 sqqqrly wrote:
 Alafia wrote:
Can we hear some other songs of hers?
I like this one, but it's starting to get old...


It is......I'm going to have to start knocking it down from an 7....just from fatigue. 

 
So, in fairness, this means you'll also be knocking down all your highly rated Zeppelin, Beatles, and Floyd tunes..... right?

 Alafia wrote:
Can we hear some other songs of hers?
I like this one, but it's starting to get old...


It is......I'm going to have to start knocking it down from an 7....just from fatigue.