Janie in the Lake

More banjo / fiddle stuff.

I wrote this with the banjo player (Catfish) - originally it had full lyrics about a young woman throwing herself into the Pontchartrain on her wedding day. Eventually the lyrics got pared down to the single line.
Personal note - I absolutely love this song. In my mind it starts out with a banjo player, falling asleep playing his banjo and dreaming the rest of the instruments into the song. I know that sounds weird but I'm a fiddle player.

Who Hit John website.

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by Baby_Balrog (8 comments total)

I think this is pretty great. That slowdown TOTALLY threw me the first time, but after three times through the song I really anticipate it and look forward to it.

Paring the lyrics down is an interesting decision. Not a lot of people would have the -- discipline? sense? -- to just throw away that many words. Now it's a song with unanswered questions and open to interpretation (until the video comes out, of course) rather than, I dunno, being another "Step it Out Mary."

So, yeah. Nifty.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 3:51 PM on January 4

Oh this is good. I promise to only tell you that once this time.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 5:59 PM on January 4

You are totally playing my next hoedown. This song made me forget how freaking FREEZING it is here. Woodledoo, yay!
posted by jessamyn at 8:27 PM on January 4

Good lord this is wonderful.

I'm going to have to reappraise my stance on people who wear fedoras.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:26 AM on January 6

Ha! awesome. thanks, Alvy.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 12:05 PM on January 6

My new favorite Who Hit John song. Every time I've listen to something new by you guys I've liked the band more. And more.

I like 'old time' itself, but WHJ has something else. I don't know what to call it, and I also don't want to bore you telling you how much of a fan I am every time you post something, so I'll stop now. But please keep posting songs.
posted by micayetoca at 2:54 PM on January 6

I totally get the paring down of the lyrics. Songs like this don't need any! This is definitely a stomper or clogger or whatever people call it now. Let's just say it makes me want to kick up my heels.
posted by snsranch at 8:16 PM on January 6

Awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome yes i just typed that over and over
posted by spiderwire at 3:43 PM on January 7