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Jason Isbell — Cover Me Up
Album: Southeastern
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1894









Released: 2013
Length: 4:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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A heart on the run
Keeps a hand on a gun
It can't trust anyone

I was so sure
What I needed was more
Tried to shoot out the sun

In days when we raged
We flew off the page
Such damage was done

But I made it through
'Cause somebody knew
I was meant for someone

So girl leave your boots by the bed/we ain't leavin' this room
Til someone needs medical help or the magnolias bloom
It's cold in this house and I ain't goin' out to chop wood
So cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good

Put your faith to the test
When I tore off your dress
In Richmond all high

I sobered up
And I swore that stuff
Forever this time

In the old lover's scene
I thought it'd be me
Who helped him get home

But home was dream
One that I'd never seen
Til you came along

So girl hang your dress up to dry/we ain't leavin' this room
Til Percy Priest breaks open wide and the river runs through
Carries this house on the stones like a piece of drift wood

Cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good

So girl leave your boots by the bed/we ain't leavin' this room
Til someone needs medical help or the magnolias bloom
It's cold in this house and I ain't goin' out to chop wood

So cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good
Cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good
Comments (106)add comment
Dangit but what this guy can write some songs?!
Posted 1 month ago by xc.farmer.antoine486    [ Reply ]
Love this song!  Love this artist!  My wife and I are going to Spokane this Thursday to listen to him live.  Needless to say, we are very excited about the experience!!!

I hope he plays this song. . . . but then again, if he plays all the songs I would love to here live, the performance would have to be several hours long.
Posted 9 months ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
Really the more of this guy I hear the more I like him. Really awesome artist! I went and downloaded all of the Drive By Truckers albums he played on, really incredible! Highly recommended !
Posted 10 months ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
How good is this song.  Thanks Jason. I'm a life-long fan. 
Posted 1 year ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
10 years... I missed this one and still grateful for RP. 
Posted 1 year ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
 BBoyes wrote:
Check out Sleeping in Your Dress Blues by him. Even more pow




Or Decoration Day when he was with DBT.    Or shit, We Ain't Never Gonna Change.
Posted 1 year ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 paloeguevo wrote:

Really nice song.
Does any one hear a little of the Beatles' Norwegian wood ?



I was thinking the same thing. And David Gray in the vocal. Great song on its own though.
Posted 1 year ago by garpedo    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Possibly the best lyricist of the past 20 years. 
Good God, this song has some POWER inside it. 

Check out Sleeping in Your Dress Blues by him. Even more pow

Posted 1 year ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Genre "labels" are usually pretty meaningless.
Yep. Labels are for cans, baby.
c.

Posted 1 year ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Don't know what I was thinking when I clicked on 9.,..this is a 10 all day
Posted 2 years ago by xerces    [ Reply ]
Really nice song.
Does any one hear a little of the Beatles' Norwegian wood ?
Posted 2 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Change that to "commercial pop country" music artists (of the beer, truck, crick, red solo cup, girls-in-cutoff-jeans variety) and I agree with you. 

Country itself is just too broad an umbrella considering that this artist, John Hiatt, Johnny Cash, and Steve Earle (to name a few) fit underneath it.


"...the beer, truck, crick, red solo cup, girls-in-cutoff-jeans variety" Perfect! Country music radio left me years before Waylon died.
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 pfreet wrote:

This  not country music.  That is an infuriating comparison. Some people assume any songwriter with a southern accent must be doing "country music." This genre is called Americana.




I don't care WHAT you call it! It is an excellent tune!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 pfreet wrote:

This  not country music.  That is an infuriating comparison. Some people assume any songwriter with a southern accent must be doing "country music." This genre is called Americana.


Genre "labels" are usually pretty meaningless.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:

Loved his rockin' Drive-By Truckers days! "...Banker Man laid into me, spread my name around...bury his body in the old sink-hole, under a cold November sky..." What a raging song! I really do like his newer work, too — very intense, passionate, sincere, deep... 



Never Gonna Change is one of my 11s, or will be the first time I hear it on RP anyway.  Got to see DBT and Isbell within a few weeks of each other a couple years ago, think they played all of The Dirty South between the two shows.  Heavy RP flavor with Tedeschi Trucks and The Decemberists filling out those shows!
Posted 2 years ago by ibribe    [ Reply ]
Jason as a kid
Posted 2 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
I was not surprised when I found out Jason Isbell and Ryan Adams knew each other
Posted 2 years ago by ray_killeen    [ Reply ]
This was a solid 8 on my first listen (thanks Bill!) as I listen to it more, it is a solid 9. The raw emotion, power in his voice and guitar... gives me the tingles!
Posted 2 years ago by xerces    [ Reply ]
Wow... sofakingpowerful...
Posted 2 years ago by xerces    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Possibly the best lyricist of the past 20 years. 
Good God, this song has some POWER inside it. 


Almost all of his songs do.  He is definitely one of my favorites right now.
Posted 2 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
A lot of norwegian wood in there.
Posted 2 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
The J. Percy Priest Lake is a reservoir in north central part of Tennessee.
Posted 3 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
Cover me up 'cause this song brings shivers up my spine.   Great song writing 
Posted 3 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
Possibly the best lyricist of the past 20 years. 
Good God, this song has some POWER inside it. 
Posted 3 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
If you like, well he’ll, bro. I’m with ya! 🤠
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
 pfreet wrote:
This  not country music.  That is an infuriating comparison. Some people assume any songwriter with a southern accent must be doing "country music." This genre is called Americana.
 
am into music, not labels
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
This  not country music.  That is an infuriating comparison. Some people assume any songwriter with a southern accent must be doing "country music." This genre is called Americana.
Posted 3 years ago by pfreet    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Agreed...and maybe why I went 7 to 8 today....it has a good 'story' involved in the song which helps....Long Live RP!!
 
Another+1 cuz the wife liked it. And I like it when she likes it..LLRP and happy spouses!!
Posted 3 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 drwhy wrote:
I am not a huge country music fan but Jason's songwriting skills and heartfelt singing have made me a huge fan of his.  I have turned on most of my friends to his music.  Best thing out of country in a long time.
 

and wonderful in concert with his wife on fiddle!
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
I am not a huge country music fan but Jason's songwriting skills and heartfelt singing have made me a huge fan of his.  I have turned on most of my friends to his music.  Best thing out of country in a long time.
Posted 3 years ago by drwhy    [ Reply ]
 freddyfender wrote:
Everything he does seems so sincere and genuine; the absolute antithesis to most country music artists.
 
Change that to "commercial pop country" music artists (of the beer, truck, crick, red solo cup, girls-in-cutoff-jeans variety) and I agree with you. 

Country itself is just too broad an umbrella considering that this artist, John Hiatt, Johnny Cash, and Steve Earle (to name a few) fit underneath it.
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 freddyfender wrote:
Everything he does seems so sincere and genuine; the absolute antithesis to most country music artists.
 
You mean country music artists played on mainstream radio these days.  There are plenty more out there that don't fit your description.  Just gotta go find 'em.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 freddyfender wrote:
Everything he does seems so sincere and genuine; the absolute antithesis to most country music artists.
 
Agreed...and maybe why I went 7 to 8 today....it has a good 'story' involved in the song which helps....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 TJOpootertoot wrote:
This sounds like an outtake from Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker.
Recent news about Mnsr. Adams notwithstanding, that's a compliment.
 
I thought it was Ryan Adams.
Posted 5 years ago by red3    [ Reply ]
This sounds like an outtake from Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker.
Recent news about Mnsr. Adams notwithstanding, that's a compliment.
Posted 5 years ago by TJOpootertoot    [ Reply ]
Everything he does seems so sincere and genuine; the absolute antithesis to most country music artists.
Posted 5 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
Georgia cold. lol. Try Gary IN during the polar vortex.
Posted 5 years ago by snitramc    [ Reply ]
I wish he was still making songs this good. This would be a very hard album to top (or even equal), though.
Posted 5 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
 LizK wrote:
Mr. Isbell always sounds, to me, like Steve Fromholz.  And that is a compliment.

 
High praise indeed! Mr. Fromholz influenced hundreds of songwriters. His legacy lives on in artists like Mr. Isbell.

Powerful song.
c.
Posted 6 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 StillAwake wrote:
The first time I heard this song it was the live version from Austin City Limits. It's still far and away my favorite version of this.

 
The most beautiful, perfect version was performed live, on the Mall, at the Unite To Face Addiction Rally a couple years back. Jason was singing to a sea of mothers who had buried their sons and thousands of others so devastated.
Posted 6 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
*stops everything and closes eyes*
 volume up
Posted 6 years ago by sparksfry    [ Reply ]
 StillAwake wrote:
The first time I heard this song it was the live version from Austin City Limits. It's still far and away my favorite version of this.

 
thanx 4 that link, real nice
Posted 6 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
The first time I heard this song it was the live version from Austin City Limits. It's still far and away my favorite version of this.
Posted 7 years ago by StillAwake    [ Reply ]
As someone who has lived in Georgia a lifetime, this album feels like the south.
Posted 7 years ago by AcesUp    [ Reply ]
 mfcrowe wrote:
I swear I hear some Beatles Norwegian Wood in his guitar...first time I have heard this guy, thanks Bill!

 
I was just going to write ditto, but I knew someone else here had heard the same as me. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Probably my favorite album of the decade thus far.  The entire thing is nearly perfect, but you have to limit exposure to avoid slipping into a deep depression.
Posted 7 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
Fresh interesting lyrics.  Not usually my choice in genres but this guy goes across a lot of different musical categories.  
Posted 7 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
Hits me like Ryan Adams. This is why I dabble in hifi.

Awesome. 
Posted 7 years ago by SECA_Alan    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:


The Festival Express- Rick Danko of The Band w/ Janis Joplin
  New computer wallpaper here.  Thanks for posting


Posted 7 years ago by Chrisjea    [ Reply ]
Huge talent. My ears love his work.  Instant 8 every time.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Best album I've heard in a long time.
Posted 7 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
GSBG do this song justice as well but this is sweet to the ears. 
Posted 8 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
 mfcrowe wrote:
I swear I hear some Beatles Norwegian Wood in his guitar...first time I have heard this guy, thanks Bill!

 
You and everyone else...............yeah and Loudon.......nothin' original. It's already been done. 
Posted 8 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
I love this passionate balad. His voice can really make bleed. 9
Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
 sieversfam wrote:
This whole damn album is a masterclass.   I don't even use that word (not British).  And, I don't care for "new country" (think: Red Solo Cup).  But really, this dude hits a HOMERUN with his  Southeastern release.   Saw him in Napa w/ his wife on fiddle.  Gotta pull for artists like this.

 
Agree, this is an excellent album.  His next album, Something More than Free, is even be better.
Posted 8 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
Loved his rockin' Drive-By Truckers days! "...Banker Man laid into me, spread my name around...bury his body in the old sink-hole, under a cold November sky..." What a raging song! I really do like his newer work, too — very intense, passionate, sincere, deep... 
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Mr. Isbell always sounds, to me, like Steve Fromhotz.  And that is a compliment.
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
First couple of lines I thought it was Loudon.
Posted 8 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
Great, rising new talent.
Loved his performance at the Unite to Face Addiction Rally in DC. Thanks Jason for coming out. 
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:


The Festival Express- Rick Danko of The Band w/ Janis Joplin
 
Jason wrote an incredible song about Rick Danko and Richard Manuel when he was with Drive-By Truckers.

Check out Danko/Manuel on The Dirty South, you won't regret it. The entire album is great IMHO...
Posted 8 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
A man who uses his pen like a stiletto, a rapier, an epee...................you get my drift.
Posted 8 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
A true Kristopherson progeny. 
Posted 8 years ago by spinoza15    [ Reply ]
I swear I hear some Beatles Norwegian Wood in his guitar...first time I have heard this guy, thanks Bill!
Posted 8 years ago by mfcrowe    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Really looking forward to seeing Jason Isbell on the Cayamo Cruise in January!  Yay.

 
unfortunately i missed the boat on this one

i live in the area and i'm hoping for a local performance before they set sail
Posted 8 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
Girl, kick him out of your bed and make him cut that wood!  The kids are freezing!
Posted 8 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
Really looking forward to seeing Jason Isbell on the Cayamo Cruise in January!  Yay.
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
This whole damn album is a masterclass.   I don't even use that word (not British).  And, I don't care for "new country" (think: Red Solo Cup).  But really, this dude hits a HOMERUN with his  Southeastern release.   Saw him in Napa w/ his wife on fiddle.  Gotta pull for artists like this.
Posted 8 years ago by sieversfam    [ Reply ]
{#Smile}
Posted 8 years ago by britton    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill - this song just grabs at a place in my gut that I didn't know I had. 
Posted 8 years ago by mrsquid    [ Reply ]
Jason is a great songwriter. 
Posted 8 years ago by Zicatela    [ Reply ]
NICE
Posted 8 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Great American poet. Southeastern was named NPR Music Critic Ken Tucker's #1 album of 2013. His wife Amanda Shire's work is very nice, as well. It's been a good last few years for the alt-country genre.

 
I can hear why, man this guy's GOOD.
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:
Had to give this song a 10...  hats off to the Drive-By Truckers...

 
Truckers were good... this album is amazing!  Mr. Isbell has really found his sound here, simply stunning from start to finish.
Posted 9 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
See Isbell's performance of this song on Austin City Limits.  Makes me weep.  Thanks for playing, Bill.
Posted 9 years ago by CrowStonecypher    [ Reply ]
Really, one of the best songs written in the last few years.
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Isn't it good - Norwegian Wood?
Posted 9 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
 Johnny-smooth wrote:
First time I've heard this guy - good stuff

 
the volume level is increased to kill every time this guy sings in my environment!

Bravo and thanks Bill and Becky, Happy 2015, continued success!
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
First time I've heard this guy - good stuff
Posted 9 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:


The Festival Express- Rick Danko of The Band w/ Janis Joplin
 
There should be a movie about janis, starring melissa leo. I think the resemblance is striking here.
Posted 9 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
my hubby's "song of the year"....I love it too...the entire album is a masterpiece.   
Posted 9 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
He's awesome in concert. But most of his albums are downers, at least from the period when he was struggling with alcohol abuse. Newer work seems more upbeat. A little. His songs are certainly passionate but I can only take so much dark subject material. This has enough sweetness too it, like someone who has bottomed out but is on the way up, that I might be able to listen to it more often than, for example the whole Live From Alabama album. Although if you haven't heard Dress Blues, you owe it to yourself.
Posted 9 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
What a sweet surprise, hearing Jason on here. My daughter (@listentojm) (has written with him in Nashville. He's the real deal, passionate, true to his craft. Thanks, Bill, for adding this...
Posted 9 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]


The Festival Express- Rick Danko of The Band w/ Janis Joplin



Posted 9 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Gregory Alan Isakov with more confidence.
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Love this guy!
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Can't wait to see him next Tuesday at the Fillmore, should be awesome!

His song Elephant from this same album is a real tear jerker...
Posted 9 years ago by Stephenater    [ Reply ]
First listen sounds very good.  I will check out his other stuff.  Great sound.
Posted 9 years ago by kenbloom    [ Reply ]
Makes me remember how much I love my wife.  8 > 9
Posted 9 years ago by jbettencourt    [ Reply ]
Good stuff. 
Posted 9 years ago by Keef    [ Reply ]
Nice song, even nicer guitar. 8
Posted 9 years ago by owchita    [ Reply ]
Had to give this song a 10...  hats off to the Drive-By Truckers...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Zoonhollis wrote:
Boooooring.

 
What, you are?
Posted 10 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
First listen and I loved it, must check him out.
Posted 10 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Boooooring.
Posted 10 years ago by Zoonhollis    [ Reply ]

I sat on the roof...


Posted 10 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
This guy has a disturbing resemblance to the young Orson Welles...

 
I see that too, but I am not yet disturbed by it.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
This guy has a disturbing resemblance to the young Orson Welles...

 
{#Angel} I can't find that nodding emoticon, but I see the resemblance, too!
Posted 10 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
This guy has a disturbing resemblance to the young Orson Welles...
Posted 10 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Man, that was righteous.
Posted 10 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
 stratrjb wrote:
It's nice to hear Jason on RP :)

 
........... it certainly is
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Just beautiful - love Jason and this album is fantastic!
Posted 10 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
Great American poet. Southeastern was named NPR Music Critic Ken Tucker's #1 album of 2013. His wife Amanda Shire's work is very nice, as well. It's been a good last few years for the alt-country genre.
Posted 10 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
I like this...it expands my horizons a bit.  It is a lyrical song that has a lot of country elements that I would probably never seek out on my own.
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
It's nice to hear Jason on RP :)
Posted 10 years ago by stratrjb    [ Reply ]
Beautiful, idn't it.
Posted 10 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]

I thought I recognized that amazing, plaintive voice. This guy is such a great songwriter it amazes me that he’s not more well known. Instant 8 and climbing.


Posted 10 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]