The music is marked by multi-part vocal harmonies and intricate picking lines, but they are most well known for their satirical lyrics and will lampoon anyone or anything. Subjects range from the big political targets like Gingrich and Reagan to unknown cactus pluggers and from obscure locales like the Chester Nimitz Oriental garden in Fredericksburg, Texas to entire genres as in The Grunge Song.
Founded when songwriting pals Hank Card and Conrad Deisler met up with Tom Pittman at the University of Texas in Austin, the group was soon joined by bassist Boo Resnick of Detroit. Card most often leads the vocals, but Diesler, Pittman, and Resnick carry their share of the load, particularly on songs they each penned. Card and Diesler play guitar while Pittman splits his time between pedal steel guitar, banjo, and dobro. The role of fiddle player has had some turnover in the past decade, and is now occupied by German hip-hop afficianado Korey Simeone who will also pick up a Mandolin on occasion.
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Austin Lounge Lizards Lyrics
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Darling, do you talk to Irving when you're here alone?
What are all these calls to Irvine on the telephone?
Just then that phone rang; as I picked it up I knew
I handed it to her and said "It's Irving, dear, for you"
I'd stolen her away from Irving many years before
But she still dreams of Irving; she wants Irving more and more
It's Irving over breakfast, Irving through the day
There's Irving in the way
She's got Irving inside her and Irving won't come out
Though there's nothing about Irving to write home about
When I hold her and we kiss
It's Irving that and Irving this
Her six-letter word for bliss is Irving
She does not feel strongly about Ogden or Eugene
Norman, Austin, Gary, Jackson, Hannibal or Dean
Rochester, Pierre, Orlando, Sherman, Grant or Lee
Marlin, Milton, Bradley, Homer, Troy, St. Paul or me
Every night I wail and weep
She mumbles "Iirngg" in her sleep
How'd it get in her so deep, this Irving?
I've always thought that Irving was featureless and bland
But Irving has a hold on her that I can't understand
They'll always be together even when they're miles apart
She's got I-are-V-I-N-G tatooed on her heart
She's got Irving inside her and Irving's there to stay
"Irving, Irving, Irving, Irving'"s all that she would say
Though my heart was broken
I heard the word she'd spoken
I bought her a bus token back to Irving
The bus was silver, I was blue
As I bid my love adieu
And I sadly sent her back to Irving
The Austin Lounge Lizards's song "Irving" tells a story about a man who admits that his wife is still in love with Irvin, her ex-boyfriend. The man suspects his wife of talking to Irving when she's alone and making calls to him secretly. The phone rings, and he hands it to her, telling her that it’s Irving calling. The man had stolen her away from Irving many years before, but she still thinks about him all the time, wanting Irving more and more. The obsession with Irving even interferes with their lovemaking, with Irving being on her mind instead. Even though the man considers Irving to be bland and featureless, his wife cannot get over him. She does not feel anything strongly about other men; her heart is tattooed with Irving's name. Every night, the woman mumbles Irving in her sleep, indicating that Irving has a deep place in her mind, a place that is reserved only for him.
The lyrics of "Irving" highlight the idea of a person still emotionally attached to a previous partner, even when they are in a new relationship. It shows how memories of past lovers can impact present relationships, and how difficult it is to let go of past relationships. The song's melody is upbeat and humorous, yet it carries the message of how painful it can be when a person feels like they are competing against memories of another relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, do you talk to Irving when you're here alone?
Do you think about Irving when you are alone?
What are all these calls to Irvine on the telephone?
Why do you keep calling Irving?
Just then that phone rang; as I picked it up I knew
I knew it was Irving calling when the phone rang
I handed it to her and said "It's Irving, dear, for you"
I gave her the phone and said Irving was calling for her
I'd stolen her away from Irving many years before
I took her from Irving years ago
But she still dreams of Irving; she wants Irving more and more
She still dreams about Irving and desires him more and more
It's Irving over breakfast, Irving through the day
She thinks about Irving all day and even during breakfast
Even when we're making love
There's Irving in the way
Even during intimate moments, she thinks about Irving
She's got Irving inside her and Irving won't come out
Though there's nothing about Irving to write home about
She is deeply attached to Irving, even though there is nothing special about him
When I hold her and we kiss
It's Irving that and Irving this
Even when we are together, she talks about and thinks about Irving
Her six-letter word for bliss is Irving
She finds happiness in the thought of Irving
She does not feel strongly about Ogden or Eugene
Norman, Austin, Gary, Jackson, Hannibal or Dean
Rochester, Pierre, Orlando, Sherman, Grant or Lee
Marlin, Milton, Bradley, Homer, Troy, St. Paul or me
She does not have the same feelings for any of these other men
Every night I wail and weep
She mumbles "Iirngg" in her sleep
How'd it get in her so deep, this Irving?
I am sad and confused about why she is so attached to Irving
I've always thought that Irving was featureless and bland
But Irving has a hold on her that I can't understand
I do not understand how she is so attached to someone I see as plain
They'll always be together even when they're miles apart
She's got I-are-V-I-N-G tatooed on her heart
She will always be attached to Irving, even when they are far apart
She's got Irving inside her and Irving's there to stay
"Irving, Irving, Irving, Irving'"s all that she would say
She will always think about Irving and he will always be a part of her
Though my heart was broken
I heard the word she'd spoken
I bought her a bus token back to Irving
Even though I was heartbroken, I accepted that she wanted to be with Irving and sent her back to him
The bus was silver, I was blue
As I bid my love adieu
And I sadly sent her back to Irving
I watched her leave on the bus and felt very sad
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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