Story Behind The Song
Arcata is a funk-infused Blues-Rock track about murder, revenge, unlawful flight, and the simple need to survive.
Song Description
Arcata tells the story of deals gone sour in Northern California,leading to murder, escape, and the desire for revenge - despite the expected collateral damage. More than anything, morals and a desire to "do the right thing" go right out the window when you're just trying to live through the night. The track features inspired vocals and keys from Lee Parvin, lead guitar by Barney Doyle, Jon Blaufarb on rhythm guitar, Gary Davidson on bass, the incomparable Danny Montgomery on drums, and Nancy Hall on background vocals.
| Song Length |
5:05 |
Genre |
Blues - Rock, Rock - Funk |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Composed, Brutal |
Subject |
Violence, Bad Love |
| Similar Artists |
The Neville Brothers, Johnny Winter |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
ARCATA (IF YOU DON'T LIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT)
Parvin & Patterson © 2013
Hunter Thompson said the right song
On the radio takes you far
So I summoned Johnny Winter
And backed out from the bar
Then I eased her out to the frontage road
And fed that Holley gas
As I watched you shrink in the mirror
And fade into my past
Chorus:
Should've done better at saying goodbye
Well I tried to do what's right
But none of that really means a thing
If you don't live through the night
The casualties were mounting
In Arcata she'd gone mad
And by the time that I got going
Well the going had gotten bad
Well it's not like I had a lot of choice
Or a burning desire to stay
But if I could get to 101 alive
I just might stay that way
Should've done better at saying goodbye
Well I tried to do what's right
But none of that really means a thing
If you don't live through the night
(SOLO)
I detoured through Novato
It wasn't the route I chose
But I saw no point in stopping
Oh I was just too close
Just one more hour behind the wheel
Asleep beyond that bend
Lay one last liability
In bed with one loose end yeah
Should've done better at saying goodbye
Oh I tried to do what's right
Oh but none of that really means a thing
If you don't live through the night
Should've done better at saying goodbye
Yeah we don't always do what's right
But none of that really means a thing
If you don't live through the night
If you don't live through the night
Just got to get through the night