Summer of '74... I was playing The Rusty Nail in Rome, NY.
A woman (I say "woman" because I was 19 - she was 27) began coming in every week (Saturday).
She'd sit at the bar...alone.
Every guy in the place would approach her at some point (she was heartbreakingly beautiful).
She'd turn away from them every time. And continue her solitude.
My heart jumped every time she walked in the door.
We would often see her leave as we pulled away after packing up.

This song is about that "picture" - that "moment in time".

epilogue:
One night as we were breaking down, she came over and started talking to me.
Me?... virtually tongue-tied.
We ended up going to another bar. And then her house.
We were together for about 9 months, though long-distance, as at the end of the summer, I had to go back to school in Montreal.
(You might say she was my "Maggie May")
I almost married her. Ahh... to be young...



THE LADY DOESN'T WANT TO GO HOME

she listens to the jukebox all night long
singing the words to her favorite songs
nursing a beer, dancing in her head
pretending not to be alone
it only makes her crazy to wonder why
he said the things he said and then said goodbye
so drop another quarter make the jukebox cry
the lady doesn't want to go home
 
   why run to an empty bed
   to dream the dreams of the lonely
   bartender leave those neon lights alone
   the lady doesn't want to go home

she's had her fill of the lies men tell
knows their promises far too well
believed too hard the last time she fell
a heart's not made of stone
she stares at her glass thinking nothing at all
plays with a match and talks to the wall
dreading the sound of another last call
the lady doesn't want to go home
 
   why run to an empty bed
   to dream the dreams of the lonely
   bartender leave those neon lights alone
   the lady doesn't want to go home

another cowboy tries to talk his way into her heart
ma'am you look like you could use a friend
but she turns away without a word afraid to let it start
she knows where these things end
 
   why run to an empty bed
   to dream the dreams of the lonely
   bartender leave those neon lights alone
   the lady doesn't want to go home



And, the BAND:
Style is _BOOGNO2.STY (NewOrl.Boogie w.TrainDrms[165RS])

RealTracks in style: 2149:Bass, Electric, NewOrleansBoogie Ev 165
RealTracks in style: 2151:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansBoogieKevin Ev 165
RealTracks in style: 2150:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NewOrleansBoogie Ev 165
RealDrums in style: NewOrleansBoogie^04-a:Funky Snare , b:Snare, Tom Ride

RealTracks in song: 2152:Piano, Acoustic, Soloist NewOrleansBoogieKevin Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~501:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm StoneZ Flash 1 Ev 140 ('B' only)
RealTracks in song: ~622:Pedal Steel, Background Waylon Ev 176
RealTracks in song: ~670:Guitar, Slide, Background EasySouthern Ev 165


Hope you enjoy this
Comments welcome.
Have at it.

floyd

Cool tune but not exactly what I was expecting to hear based on the story.

Nice work Floyd.

Coming back out of the instrumental break, I'd fade that dobro/slide faster so that it doesn't end up on the same note as the singer. "Run".... only minor nit I had with the production.

Another good song, Floyd! Great lyrics and I love the instrumentation and production, especially how you did the chorus with the holds, very effective.

Also enjoyed reading the story that inspired it! Summer of '74 I was 20, I had just bought my first really good guitar on payments (still have it, '74 strat).

floyd,
that rocks!
great vocals and mix as usual! I like the way the slide ends up on the same note as your voice, sorry Herb :D,

I also like the back story, I was 24 in 74 and "working hard" for my 1st finals exam at Christmas but I did somehow play piano for the pre-release party for Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein in our hospital theatre, not surgical theatre . And I walked up the Cinema's red carpet at the opening, meeting the actors. No I don't know why the opening party was in my hospital either but I fleetingly met many of my comedy heroes then and played a short pathetic version of Bring me Sunshine for Eric Morecombe and Ernie Wise as they danced. Thank goodness for the fake books I had borrowed!!
Thanks for the memory!

"to dream the dreams of the lonely" great line.

enjoyed that a lot

Alyn

Another excellent vocal and backtrack. Loved the story that inspired the song.

Oh yes, I DO like that one.

A brilliant backing, Floyd and a mix which works well in both the 'phones and on the big Tannoys up LOUD.

Great story line - it always adds something knowing about the background to a song.

A super foot-tapper which I'm just going back to listen to again.

Classic.

ROG.

I like it! I thought I was getting' ready to hear a tender
ballad and ( I did look at the instruments and saw
New Orleans Boogie piano) was blown away by this
cool rocker. Wonderful job on this, I wonder if you're
at the top of your game now( as in best you've ever been writing songs) because I seem to like every
new song even more than the last one.
Nearly every bar I played in had some mystery woman
in it. This is great writing! love the drums and slide especially.

Kenny

Thanks for the listen, Herb. Appreciate the thought on that last lead note. It doesn't come until the very end of "run...", so it helps to extend that word/melody. So I like the effect that is has.




Thanks, Dave. Appreciate that. Always good to jog a few memories...

she stares at her glass thinking nothing at all
plays with a match and talks to the wall
dreading the sound of another last call
the lady doesn't want to go home

Some of my favorite lyrics from a song full of them!! Extremely well written and produced. The slide works perfectly. Production top notch as always, and a vocal that delivers. Interesting story too! I guess she just came back every night waiting for the guitar player to approach her. Another excellent write Floyd!! Take care. Greg

Floyd,

This is great! Some serious boogie woogie! Outstanding vocal and mix. Loved it!

Bob

Floyd, you are a true artist. Your songs are always so well put together and executed with precision and this one is no different. You have gathered quite a collection of great material. Great sound and performance on this one. Thanks, Torrey

Floyd,
The opening bars are a wake up after your backstory... we were all expecting a ballad, but this is fun. And very enjoyable-top drawer production ( love the ending),super vocals and harmonies.
I also like the detail in your lyrics, especially this:

she stares at her glass thinking nothing at all
plays with a match and talks to the wall
dreading the sound of another last call

Robert

Great rocker Floyd!!!

Well, I read the story first, and then pressed the link to play and wondered if I'd clicked on a different link.

Great and lively delivery Floyd. Right up there with your typical standard.

This is just so well produced, much more than a great song. Your use of subtle stops and the boogie style really nailed this. Just marvelous.

Different than what the story would lead one to expect but when you're thinking back, the nine months likely seem to have flown by for you; makes sense to put speed into the song.

Another good write, mix, arrangement and performance. Enjoyed it.


Charlie

Jumpin'!

Like others, as I read the story and lyrics I had ballad on the brain. So, it was quite a trick to take that and country/rock/NOLA it.

And I like the space you put in the chorus/hook ; lights alone...////.... the lady doesn't.... Really sets up hook!

Hi Floyd. Love the background story.
It sets the scene so well.
As does the lively backing.
The rhythm and the phrasing of the verses is most pleasing to my ears.
Good one. 'Make the jukebox cry'. Ahh... to be young...
Cheers.

Loved the way the background guitars fit into the lyrics.

Floyd
Great sound - loved the slide.
Top quality production all round - excellent vocal(as usual)and an engaging story to go with it.
Really nice. (running out of superlatives).

Peter

Thanks, Alyn! That's a cool story - thanks for sharing... Ahh, to be young...





Appreciate it, Scott...