David Olney
David Olney (born David Charles Olney in Providence, Rhode Island on 23 March 1948 ; died 18 January 2020) was an American folk singer-songwriter.
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. Read Full BioDavid Olney (born David Charles Olney in Providence, Rhode Island on 23 March 1948 ; died 18 January 2020) was an American folk singer-songwriter.
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. He collaborated with artists such as John Hadley and Sergio Webb.
His songs have been covered by, and co-written with, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Del McCoury and Laurie Lewis, among others.
David Olney and his live performances with multi-instrumentalist Sergio Webb converted new audiences while continuing to give the fans what they wanted. MTV's Urge.com witnessed a show and testified, "Olney Unbound...part Baptist preacher, part caustic comedian, and part existential bluesman... Olney shouted, moaned and howled his sharply observed hard-luck tales and quirky character studies. Webb, who looks like he stepped out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, provided a dizzying array of textures, employing unconventional techniques"
Awarded the "People's Choice" at the Moab Folk Festival and having played the Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park & the Kerrville (TX) Wine & Music Festival, David & Sergio toured as a duo in support of Mr. Olney's critically acclaimed current studio album - "ONE TOUGH TOWN" (Red Parlor Records). The CD earned a spot on several 2007 "Best Of" lists online and in The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, The Nashville Scene (TN), The Montreal Gazette (Canada), Rhythms Magazine (Australia) and others.
Olney infused his live performances with an intensity that converted many new listeners into die-hard fans. Olney's intelligent compositions radiated that same intensity, many of which have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, Lonnie Brooks, James King, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Tom Rozum, Ann Rabson, Kevin Welch / Keiran Kane / Fats Kaplin and others.
According to late Olney friend and fan Townes Van Zandt, "Anytime anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are, I say Mozart, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I've ever heard — and that's true. I mean that from my heart."
DavidOlney.com
MySpace.com/DavidOlney
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. Read Full BioDavid Olney (born David Charles Olney in Providence, Rhode Island on 23 March 1948 ; died 18 January 2020) was an American folk singer-songwriter.
Olney moved to Nashville in 1973, attempted to sell his songs to record labels, and then formed the band "The X-Rays" who recorded two albums for Rounder Records, appeared on Austin City Limits, opened for Elvis Costello, and broke up in 1985.
Subsequently, Olney performed as a solo singer-songwriter, and released more than 20 albums over four decades, including 6 live recordings. He collaborated with artists such as John Hadley and Sergio Webb.
His songs have been covered by, and co-written with, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Del McCoury and Laurie Lewis, among others.
David Olney and his live performances with multi-instrumentalist Sergio Webb converted new audiences while continuing to give the fans what they wanted. MTV's Urge.com witnessed a show and testified, "Olney Unbound...part Baptist preacher, part caustic comedian, and part existential bluesman... Olney shouted, moaned and howled his sharply observed hard-luck tales and quirky character studies. Webb, who looks like he stepped out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, provided a dizzying array of textures, employing unconventional techniques"
Awarded the "People's Choice" at the Moab Folk Festival and having played the Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park & the Kerrville (TX) Wine & Music Festival, David & Sergio toured as a duo in support of Mr. Olney's critically acclaimed current studio album - "ONE TOUGH TOWN" (Red Parlor Records). The CD earned a spot on several 2007 "Best Of" lists online and in The Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, The Nashville Scene (TN), The Montreal Gazette (Canada), Rhythms Magazine (Australia) and others.
Olney infused his live performances with an intensity that converted many new listeners into die-hard fans. Olney's intelligent compositions radiated that same intensity, many of which have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, Lonnie Brooks, James King, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Tom Rozum, Ann Rabson, Kevin Welch / Keiran Kane / Fats Kaplin and others.
According to late Olney friend and fan Townes Van Zandt, "Anytime anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are, I say Mozart, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I've ever heard — and that's true. I mean that from my heart."
DavidOlney.com
MySpace.com/DavidOlney
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Jerusalem Tomorrow
David Olney Lyrics
Man, you should have seen me way back then
I could tell a tale I could make it spin
I could tell you black was white
I could tell you day was night
Not only that I could tell you why
Back then I could really tell a lie
Well, I'd hire a kid to say he was lame
Then I'd touch him and I'd make him walk again
Then I'd pull some magic trick
I'd pretend to heal the sick
I was takin' everything they had to give
It wasn't all that bad a way to live
Well, I'm in this desert town and it's hot as hell
But no one's buyin' what I got to sell
I make my lame kid walk
I make a dumb guy talk
I'm preachin' up a storm both night and day
Everyone just turns and walks away
Well, I can see that I'm only wasting time
So I head across the road to drink some wine
This old man comes up to me
He says, “I seen you on the street”
You're pretty good if I do say so myself
But the guy comes through here last month
He was somethin' else
Instead of callin' down fire from above
He just gets real quiet and talks about love
And I'll tell you somethin' funny
He didn't want nobody's money
I'm not exactly sure
What this all means
But it's the damnest thing
I swear I've ever seen
Well, since that time every town is the same
I can't make a dime I don't know why I came
I decide I'll go and find him
And find out who's behind him
He has everyone convinced that he's for real
Well, I figure we can work some kind of deal
Well, he offers me a job and I say fine
He says I'll get paid off on down the line
Well, I guess I'll string along
Don't see how too much can go wrong
As long as he pays my way I guess I'll follow
We're headed for Jerusalem tomorrow
Contributed by Mia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Edi Camon
It has been a great discovery for me.I really like his music. RIP David.
profcave
This is the most touching liric I´ve ever heard for sure!! You´re great, David and sing it clearly enough to make it clear for everyone who has a heart. Thanks, Olney!! I wish that the MAN of Jerusalem bless you!!
Matthew McLaughlin
Love this guy's music! Genius. I came to David Olney's music through Townes Van Zandt, another great songwriter in my book who said that Olney "is one of the best" and he wasn't wrong.
ExpatBlues
One of the best songs written EVER! PERIOD! Glad to have met the man in person. CLASSIC!
mattias östlund
Rest in peace Great one ❤️
Rose Nygren
Wow! I've been into music big time for quite some time and you guys are TOPS!
GoodbyePanama
I was on a bill with Kevin Welch years ago, and he covered this song. I'd never heard it before. It went deep, grabbed me - scared me.
♡Cayapov♡
this is amazing
Doug R
Gives me shivers. The Emmylou Harris version also includes some Klezma touches.... Surely Christ is risen!
Rooks Bailey
Wow, what a great song!