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Chris Smither — Maybelline
Album: Call Me Lucky
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1219









Released: 2018
Length: 2:50
Plays (last 30 days): 1
As I was motorvatin' over the hill
I saw Maybellene in a Coupe de Ville
A Cadillac a-rollin' on the open road
Nothin' will outrun my V8 Ford
The Cadillac doin' about ninety-five
She's bumper to bumper, rollin' side by side

Maybellene, why can't you be true?
Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
You done started back doin' the things you used to do

The Cadillac pulled up to a hundred and four
The Ford got hot and wouldn't do no more
It then got cloudy and started to rain
I tooted my horn for the passin' lane
The rainwater blowin' all under my hood
I know that I was doin' my motor good

Maybellene, why can't you be true?
Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
You done started back doin' the things you used to do

Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
You done started back doin' the things you used to do

The motor cooled down, the heat went down
And that's when I heard that highway sound
The Cadillac a-sittin' like a ton of lead
A hundred and ten half a mile ahead
The Cadillac lookin' like it's sittin' still
And I caught Mabellene at the top of the hill

Maybellene, why can't you be true?
Oh Maybellene, why can't you be true?
You done started back doin' the things you used to do
Comments (62)add comment
Keeping it low makes an entirely different song. Very nice!
Bumping this up to a nine.  This is amazing.
Great version, and nice shuffle!
This is one of those time when a particular cover of a famous tune, covered by many, totally changes the song and it becomes something entirely different, with totally different emotions.  Fabulous.  I suggest that, whenever you feel the need to play "White Bird" RP, please play this instead.
Nice interpretation. At first I thought it was JohnnyCash’s guitar …. Wish he’d tried it too
 Kajukenbo wrote:

In the not too distant past a 300 horsepower car was almost unimaginable. Now your average vehicle comes with that or even more. The days of engines overheating at 104 are behind us as even trucks can easily do 110 or 120 mph. And electric cars don't even have engines! The problem of Maybellene being true, however, is still with us. 



LOL.  And don't even get me started about Nadine...!
In the not too distant past a 300 horsepower car was almost unimaginable. Now your average vehicle comes with that or even more. The days of engines overheating at 104 are behind us as even trucks can easily do 110 or 120 mph. And electric cars don't even have engines! The problem of Maybellene being true, however, is still with us. 
Yes i like this song 
Dude sounds way too old to be drivin' that fast.
 thewiseking wrote:
Burl Ives meets Chuck Berry
 
You are indeed wise, oh king, cause that's truth

Thought this was Mr Waites... pleasantly surprised it wasn't... But I think he should ALSO try the cover 
 sbird wrote:

Covers should be one of two things... either a significant re-imagining of a song, or alternately, something that is different but still captures the pure heart of the song. Arguably, this does both. Wow.



Arguably? I'd kinda like to hear the counter-point, because I 100% agree with everything else you said! :)
I was fortunate enough to see Chris smither live, at a local venue in my area. He was simply amazing. Really fine guitarist, and sing er as well
I was lucky enough to see Chris Smither play a small outdoor venue maybe 10 years ago.
really liked this interpretation , not my musical taste but always keep and open mind and having an appreciation for work will done. 
Best cover of the original ever.  Chuck smiles from on high.  
Maybe Lean?
This doesn't work...especially the cello.  Please stop.
Burl Ives meets Chuck Berry
Outstanding. Stripped down arrangement and solid guitar.
This guy has such a great voice - never compare covers to the original. Does the tune have soul? With this voice it does. Saw him in a club in Portsmouth; perfect venue - rates the term intimate. He is fine - hope he feels lucky.
 dc_zee wrote:

Odd, I'm having the opposite reaction. Maybe it's just too much RP rotation...?
 

Plays (last 30 days): 2

Innumerate ...

Too bad Johnny Cash isn't still around to cover Chris!
 Canadese wrote:
A great version of the old Chuck Berry classic. I had a copy of that on a 45RPM record.
 
Somehow Commander Cody either borrowed from this or paid homage to it or paid homage to the original or something, but there's definitely a connection with Hot Rod Lincoln.

Terrible. The worst crime- boring.
Hey Bill, you should follow this with 40 Miles of Mountain Road by Kevn Kinney and also way more Kevn Kinney and Drivin' n Cryin'
Wow does this ever suck!
The minor key really works for this song!
The lyrics look to be this song, but they don't match this song.
 Boxie wrote:
Not something I would actually look for. 
 
But now that you've found it...?
Not something I would actually look for. 
Well done Mr. Smither 

radioparadise9 wrote:

Who knew that anyone could do a Chuck Berry song differently and it sound just fine.
Well done RP.
 

Covers should be one of two things... either a significant re-imagining of a song, or alternately, something that is different but still captures the pure heart of the song. Arguably, this does both. Wow.
Why?
Growin' on me...
What a GREAT version!  I like it better than the original.
But, that's just me.
A great version of the old Chuck Berry classic. I had a copy of that on a 45RPM record.
Puts me in the mind of Leo Kottke singing 'Eight Miles High'  This is some pretty good sh*t...
Doesn't anyone know why the spelling of the name is different in the title and in the lyrics ? just wondering if there is a particular reason or if it's a mistake.
different
Sounds like John Lee Hooker.
{#Sunny}
 kingart wrote:
Hey, that's a good cover. In its own way, better than Chuck's. 
 
Who knew that anyone could do a Chuck Berry song differently and it sound just fine.
Well done RP.
 expatlar wrote:
I like this version more every time I hear it. Dude swings, but with a good dose of melancholy thrown in.
 
Odd, I'm having the opposite reaction. Maybe it's just too much RP rotation...?
That gave me chills. Awesome reinterpretation.
Love this version!
Not good
Recent addition?  Not familiar with the artist.

{#Hug} Taking requests? Can we hear Trampoline next to Opaline? This version of Maybellie? Preceeded by Bodeans?

 

Brriliant.
I can finally understand all the lyrics. {#Guitarist}
Caught my ear - great voice, great guitar.  and something new!
Hey, that's a good cover. In its own way, better than Chuck's. 
So different from the original I wouldn't had guessed it if I hadn't heard the lyrics like 1000 times when I was a kid {#Jump}

Like it
I admire his ability to change it up so much, and I think it's good.
Wow. I like it! Nice reinvention, indeed, Bill!
So different... but I kind of like it.
 aelfheld wrote:
Was this necessary?

 
Yes.
...interesting cover.
Was this necessary?
Excellent little number