With one of her first singles turning into a national hit, 1962's "Let Me Down Easy", Detroit-raised LaVette would seem a natural soul star, but she was never able to cut an album deal. In 1972 her album A Child of the Seventies was shelved by Atlantic Records, then thought lost forever in a fire. She eked out a living on the European festival circuit, occasionally surfacing such as with the disco single "Doin' the Best that I Can", but remained obscure until French soul collector Gilles Petard tracked down the lost masters and persuaded Atlantic to let him release them on his vanity label as Souvenirs. A live album and 2005's cover album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise followed.
With the release of The Scene of the Crime, Bettye Lavette inches closer to the mainstream, or at least a much bigger cult following. Backed by The Drive-by Truckers and released on -Anti, The Scene of the Crime is recorded at the legendary FAME studios in Muscles Shoals, Alabama. The same place as her lost album. The connection doesn't end there - Patterson Hood of the Drive-by Truckers is the son of David Hood, who played on the 1972 album.
In 2009, she appeared at President Barack Obama's Inaugural Celebration, singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" with Jon Bon Jovi. It was televised globally.
Unbelievable
Bettye Lavette Lyrics
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It's inconceivable it could happen to you
You go north and you go south
Just like bait in the fish's mouth
Ya must be livin' in the shadow of some kind of evil star
It's unbelievable it would get this far
It's undeniable what they'd have you to think
They said it was the land of milk and honey
Now they say it's the land of money
Who ever thought they could ever make that stick
It's unbelievable you can get this rich this quick
Every head is so dignified
Every moon is so sanctified
Every urge is so satisfied as long as you're with me
All the silver, all the gold
All the sweethearts you can hold
That don't come back with stories untold
Are hanging on a tree
It's unbelievable like a lead balloon
It's so impossible to even learn the tune
Kill that beast and feed that swine
Scale that wall and smoke that vine
Feed that horse and saddle up the drum
It's unbelievable, the day would finally come
Once there was a man who had no eyes
Every lady in the land told him lies
He stood beneath the silver sky and his heart began to bleed
Every brain is civilized
Every nerve is analyzed
Everything is criticized when you are in need
It's unbelievable, it's fancy-free
So interchangeable, so delightful to see
Turn your back, wash your hands
There's always someone who understands
It don't matter no more what you got to say
It's unbelievable it would go down this way
In Bettye Lavette's song "Unbelievable," she touches on the unfortunate reality that life can be unpredictable and things can take a turn for the worse in unexpected ways. The lyrics express how it's unbelievable and inconceivable that it could happen to you. She mentions how you can go north and south but still end up being caught like bait in the fish's mouth, living in the shadow of some kind of evil star. The song touches on the misconceptions of the American Dream, describing how the land of milk and honey has turned into the land of money. The notion that one can get rich quickly is described as unbelievable.
Lavette emphasizes the idea that everything has a price and that you have to pay it one way or another. She talks about how every head is dignified, every moon is sanctified, and every urge is satisfied as long as you're with me. The song mentions how all the silver, gold and sweethearts you can hold come with a cost, and if you're not careful, they could hang you on a tree. Lavette touches on the theme of greed and how it can make people do unspeakable things.
In the last verse, the song delves into the idea of lies and how people can be deceived in different ways. The lyrics describe how there was once a man who had no eyes, and every lady in the land told him lies. The song ends by mentioning how everything is so interchangeable and how there's always someone who understands, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
It's unbelievable, it's strange but true
The situation is so unusual and unexpected, yet it is a harsh reality.
It's inconceivable it could happen to you
It's impossible to imagine that this could happen to you.
You go north and you go south
You explore every direction.
Just like bait in the fish's mouth
You are easily caught and manipulated.
Ya must be livin' in the shadow of some kind of evil star
You must be cursed or have bad luck.
It's unbelievable it would get this far
It's shocking that the situation has escalated to this point.
It's undeniable what they'd have you to think
It's impossible to reject what they want you to think.
It's indescribable, it can drive you to drink
The situation is so overwhelming and daunting that it can lead you to despair.
They said it was the land of milk and honey
They used to say this place offered abundance and prosperity.
Now they say it's the land of money
Now it's all about wealth and materialism.
Who ever thought they could ever make that stick
Who could have imagined that this idea would become so ingrained in society.
It's unbelievable you can get this rich this quick
It's hard to comprehend that you can acquire such wealth in such a short amount of time.
Every head is so dignified
Everyone is so proud and self-important.
Every moon is so sanctified
Everything is revered and treated as sacred.
Every urge is so satisfied as long as you're with me
All your desires are fulfilled as long as you are in my company.
All the silver, all the gold
All the riches and treasures.
All the sweethearts you can hold
All the romantic partners you desire.
That don't come back with stories untold
That don't come with unforeseen consequences.
Are hanging on a tree
Are hard to attain and come at a heavy cost.
It's unbelievable like a lead balloon
It's so unlikely and improbable that it's like trying to inflate a lead balloon.
It's so impossible to even learn the tune
It's so difficult to even understand what's going on.
Kill that beast and feed that swine
Destroy and exploit whatever you need to reach your goals.
Scale that wall and smoke that vine
Overcome any obstacles and indulge in pleasures.
Feed that horse and saddle up the drum
Take care of your needs and prepare for a wild ride.
It's unbelievable, the day would finally come
It's surreal that the day has finally arrived.
Once there was a man who had no eyes
There was a man who was blind.
Every lady in the land told him lies
Everyone was deceitful and untrustworthy.
He stood beneath the silver sky and his heart began to bleed
He was devastated and heartbroken.
Every brain is civilized
Everyone is educated and intellectual.
Every nerve is analyzed
Everyone is hyperaware and anxious.
Everything is criticized when you are in need
You are scrutinized and judged when you need help.
It's unbelievable, it's fancy-free
It's carefree and frivolous, but also unbelievable.
So interchangeable, so delightful to see
So easily replaceable, but also enjoyable to witness.
Turn your back, wash your hands
Disappear and pretend it's not your problem.
There's always someone who understands
There's always someone who will relate to your situation.
It don't matter no more what you got to say
Your words no longer hold any weight or significance.
It's unbelievable it would go down this way
It's unimaginable that things would turn out like this.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind