Story Behind The Song
Driving on I-94 in Wisconsin enroute to Minneapolis, I was alone on the road doing 55 mph (because I was steering, eating and talking on the phone at the same time) somewhere around Black River Falls when I noticed a car coming up slowly to pass me.
After several minutes, the car passed slowly by me. It was a mid-70's Cadillac in terrible condition with a big globe-like compass on the dashboard, one broken taillight and a driver who looked like a cross between Charles Manson and Steve Buscemi (the movie star..think "Fargo").
He was probably just some guy heading to work at the brewery or cheese factory but my fertile imagination concocted this story instead. That's what a seven hour drive will do to you.
Song Description
Country blues biography of a knucklehead
| Song Length |
3:30 |
Genre |
Country - General, Country - Traditional |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Restless, Annoyed |
Subject |
Crime, Theft, Fools |
| Similar Artists |
Lyle Lovett |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Coupe De Ville, riding low.
Compass on the dashboard pointing north
Friday evening, 6 PM
I?m driving through Wisconsin and on the lam
Chorus
I jumped bail
I don?t see myself doing time for such a petty little crime
Friday evening back 6 weeks
Held up a hasty-mart, robbed the geek
Who was taking cash with his nametag on
I knew it was illegal, I just don?t think it?s wrong
Chorus
Bridge
Keeping my speed under 60
Can?t afford a run-in with the state police
When I get out of the mess I?m in
I swear to you I will live in peace
Take the back road moving slow.
Looking for a town where I can lay low
Lonesome service station, far as I can tell
I know I shouldn?t rob it, but what the hell
Chorus
©2002 James F. Curley