This is my uke arrangement of the blues standard, “Don’t You Lie to Me”. I’ve played this hundreds of times with electric blues bands, but I thought it adapted pretty well to that good ole Hawaiian sound.
My shirt and I, we don’t get along
My shirt and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
It clashes with my old tie dye
It’s much too long, but it’s just my size
Oh no, we don’t get along
My dog and I, we don’t get along
My dog and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She’s a hyperactive, nervous, barking, runway beast
Full of hair and pee, but her therapy is… healing
And her love unconditional
My daughter and I, we don’t get along
My daughter and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She slams the door, makes her momma mad
LOL, I’m still her dad
You know, she’s simply amazing
My wife and I, we don’t get along
My wife and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
Half the time I’m trouble to her
The other half she is troubling me
And the other half
We go together like honey and biscuit
My God and I, we don’t get along
My God and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
He’s got an office on the top floor of heaven, I hear
Makes me wonder, what am I doing here
I think… I may have an answer
These things we know the best
Hold us to a very special test
While we may not always get along
We are divine if our love is strong
Okay, it’s actually an old song, but only to close friends and family lucky/unfortunate enough to have heard a living room rendition. So it’s new to the world at large, right?
On the surface this might seem to be about a sapient article of clothing. But oh no, it’s so much more. Like the inherent conflicts and paradoxes of human social life. That makes the shirt a metaphor, don’t it?
The following was recorded on ukulele, late December 2011. (Scroll down for lyrics.)
Lyrics – My Shirt and I
My shirt and I, we don’t get along
My shirt and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
It clashes with my old tie dye
It’s much too long, but it’s just my size
Oh no, we don’t get along
My dog and I, we don’t get along
My dog and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She’s a hyperactive, nervous, barking, runway beast
Full of hair and pee, but her therapy is… healing
And her love unconditional
My daughter and I, we don’t get along
My daughter and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
She slams the door, makes her momma mad
LOL, I’m still her dad
You know, she’s simply amazing
My wife and I, we don’t get along
My wife and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
Half the time I’m trouble to her
The other half she is troubling me
And the other half
We go together like honey and biscuit
My God and I, we don’t get along
My God and I, we don’t get along
Oh no, we don’t get along
He’s got an office on the top floor of heaven, I hear
Makes me wonder, what am I doing here
I think… I may have an answer
These things we know the best
Hold us to a very special test
While we may not always get along
We are divine if our love is strong
The Red Apples return to the Red Eyes Coffee Shop Saturday 6:30pm-8:30pm. We have a lot of new material and tighter, richer arrangements.
If you’re in the neighborhood, (on Berteau Ave. at Lincoln Ave., a couple blocks north of Irving Park), drop by. It’s a cozy joint with great coffee, generally kinda quit until we roll in to wake things up!
We’re playing acoustic trio at Phyllis’ this evening. Shakin Money Makers open. Come on down for an evening of bluesy, rockin roots, starting . (NO COVER CHARGE and a beer garden too!)
Phyllis’ Musical Inn
1800 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
ChicagoTraveler.com says Phyllis’ is “…a simple place that strives to bring beer and music to the people”.
Conveniently located just north of Division between Honore St & Wood St in Wicker Park.
We’re playing Lilly’s Saturday, starting at 8:00pm for 1-2 sets. It’s a very cool bar — sort of a catacombs architecture with lots of intimate spaces, doors and arches. Great acoustics too. Hope to see you there.
Lilly’s Bar
2515 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2422
There’s usually a reasonable cover charge, and you can find street parking (but sometimes you have to work for it).
I bid adieu to the Broken Belts this evening. It’s a unique band with some excellent musicians. I had a great time learning their material and playing with them. Best of luck to Shannon, TJ, Chuck and Tommy.
I’d like to recommend guitarist James Lee Stanley’s fantastic blog, datamusicata. I’ve subscribed to his blog for a couple of years, and am quite impressed with the frequency and quality of his writing.
James is a terrific musician, singer and songwriter. I first was exposed to him via Michael Teach’s Chicago Acoustic Underground. Teach has a podcast with live performances of musicians both local and passing through town.
The blog’s topics cover practical tips gleaned from the author’s long years of experience in practicing, performing, writing, recording, and traveling. He also regularly opines on matters more spiritual and inspirational.
For example, his latest post contained helpful advice on flying with an acoustic guitar. I haven’t had to do that, as I’m not a touring musician, but I’m interested in how I would handle it should the opportunity present itself. (As an aside, I also recommend a thread on the same topic at Acoustic Guitar Community.)
He frequently lets the reader inside the artist’s processes, such as behind-the-scenes glimpses at the progress of his recent CD, All Wood and Doors, a reinvention of Doors classics in collaboration with Cliff Eberhardt as well as Doors alums John Densmore and Robby Krieger and other renowned special guests.
I keep up with datamusicata by subscribing in my RSS/feed reader. I encourage you to do the same!
We’re doing Lilly’s tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:00-10:30. Lilly’s is starting to look like a regular thing, as we’re playing there in May as well. I’m thinking of just calling it a “residency”.
We’re continuing to hone the trio format (two acoustics and Wendy on vox) that’s been working pretty well. At least until the right bass player comes around.
Lilly’s Bar
2515 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 525-2422
There’s usually a reasonable cover charge, and you can find street parking (but sometimes you have to work for it).
