I wrote this song after witnessing a tantrum of a small child and not long after the death of Amy Winehouse. There is surely some self examination involved as well. The melody is based on several old blues numbers including "Rag Mama" which I first heard on a tape of jugband music my friend Chuck Wrenn gave me back in the 90's.
lyrics
Sweet William what’s the matter with you?
You’re into something that you ought’n to.
You’re weaving and bobbing like a featherweight.
You better get yourself right before it’s too late.
Sweet William enough is enough.
You better say goodbye to this stuff.
If your friends could see you now,
what do you think they’d think of you pal?
“Oh Billy! What’s there matter with you?”
Seen ya bobbling to and fro,
you didn’t even wanna say hello.
You’re on a path that’s been well tread.
If you don’t watch out you’re gonna wind up missing
all the things that used to be, like, what it felt like to be free.
You wanted the world to know your name
and now they do. "Oh Billy! What’s the matter with you?"
Oh Bill you’re past due to take a moment and think things through.
You’re not the reason that the world is round,
why there’s up and why there’s down.
Oh Billy enough is enough.
You better say goodbye to that stuff!
If your friends could see you now,
what do you think they’d think of you pal?
“Oh Billy! What’s there matter with you?”
copyright louisledfordmusic.com
credits
from Actually,
released October 31, 2019
Louis Ledford; Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin, Percussion
Aaron Harmonson; Bass
Rob Mitchell; Piano
I loved this song a lot without context. Then at one of Kristin's shows she explained the context of this album and it broke me (in a good way).
It is still very good but now it moves me much deeper than before. jjw
Robins decided to release the recording of his 2016 comedy tour during the Covid-19 shutdown at the behest of fans. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2020
Comedian Chris Gethard’s hilarious new surprise album is devoted to the great state of New Jersey, and the great state of New Jersey alone. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 18, 2019
Think "The jukebox in the bar your car broke down in front of."
The Sons are back, baby. Setting the standard for alt-country in the PNW. If you haven't listened to "Down In Pancake Valley", you oughta. douglasdupont