The BoDeans worked with T-Bone Burnett on their debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, which appeared in 1986 to warm reviews. They recruited another big-name producer, Talking Head Jerry Harrison, to helm 1987's Outside Looking In, which found the band reduced to a trio after the departure of Hoffman. Outside Looking In broke into the Billboard Top 100, and the BoDeans grew their audience by touring alongside U2, appearing on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo album, and receiving the honor of Best New Band by Rolling Stone magazine. By the time they released their third album, Home, in 1989, keyboardist Michael Ramos and drummer Danny Gayol had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of 1991's Black and White, but the BoDeans went without a drummer once again on their next recording, Go Slow Down.
Following the release of a double-disc live album, Joe Dirt Car, the band returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of Blend's release, "Closer to Free" -- a song that had originally appeared on 1993's Go Slow Down -- became a hit, due in large part to its exposure as the theme song for the TV show Party of Five. "Closer to Free" eventually cracked the Top 20, becoming the most successful single of the band's career. The BoDeans were arguably more popular than ever, but the band took a break during the late '90s, with both frontmen devoting time to their solo careers.
By 2004, the band had reconvened and signed with a new label, Zoe. Resolution was released that year, followed in 2005 by Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden, who appeared on 2008's Still. By this point, the bandmates had found a new home on 429 Records, and they remained with that label for the release of Mr. Sad Clown in 2010 and Indigo Dreams in 2011. That same year saw the departure of Llanas, citing "differences of opinion." The band's 11th studio album, American Made, arrived the following year on the band's own Free & Alive label, and was the first with Neumann as sole leader. The BoDeans toured extensively in support of the release, and in 2014 began work on their next studio project. Released in 2015, I Cant Stop featured a new BoDeans lineup anchored by Neumann, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Hawksley, bassist Eric Holden, and drummer Kenny Aronoff, the latter a well-respected journeyman musician who had played on several BoDeans recording sessions in the '90s. In June 2016, the BoDeans brought out a single, "My Hometown," with the release benefiting the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The single was a preview of the group's next album; titled Thirteen, the 11-song set was released in April 2017.
Idaho
BoDeans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
things kinda move that way
good lord above, now he don't have to fuss
not for good hardy people like us
born with a weary eye
plain to see, my oh my
these crazy ideas, oh they don't last long
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
theres another fallen man
with hair I don't understand
its just bout as long as my wife marlene
don't it all kinda keep you to wondering
staring at the stars above
wonder what are we made of
some folks say that they know right away
so you look on a cloud for a lullaby
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
and i said hey
everywhere i see, hey
everywhere i see
theres another busted dream
staring me right in the face
good lord knows why we don't give in
trying to leave, maybe run from this place
instead of staring at the stars above
wondering what are we made of
some folks say that they know right away
so you look on a cloud for a lullaby
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
and i say staring at the world from my home little idaho
staring at the world from my home little idaho
and i say hey
everywhere i see, hey
everywhere i see
BoDeans' song "Idaho" explores the idea of feeling trapped in one's own circumstances and finding solace in the simplicity of life. The notion of being born with a "weary eye" from the start implies a sense of disillusionment with the world. This disillusionment is further emphasized through the fleeting nature of "crazy ideas" and "busted dreams" that come and go in America. The lyrics suggest that life is full of uncertainty and chaos, but finding a safe haven – in this case, in the state of Idaho – can offer a respite from it all.
The song also refers to the act of staring at the stars and searching for meaning and understanding in the universe. Through the characterizations of "fallen men" and "busted dreams", the lyrics suggest that even when we try to leave our problems behind, they have a way of following us. Despite this, the song encourages perseverance and finding strength in small moments of peace and reflection. The repeated refrain of "everywhere I see" suggests a final acceptance of the world as it is, but also a determination to keep looking for meaning and substance in the everyday.
Line by Line Meaning
theres another brazen day
Another bold and audacious day is dawning.
things kinda move that way
Things seem to be progressing as expected.
good lord above, now he don't have to fuss
God above doesn't have to worry about us hardworking folks.
not for good hardy people like us
We don't need any aid, we can handle ourselves.
born with a weary eye
We were born with a tired and disillusioned outlook on life.
plain to see, my oh my
It's clear to us, it's undeniable.
these crazy ideas, oh they don't last long
These wild and impractical ideas don't stick around for very long.
but they come and they go in america
But in America, new and crazy ideas frequently arise.
and we're staring at the world from my home little idaho
We're viewing the world from our humble home in Idaho.
theres another fallen man
There's another person who has lost his way.
with hair I don't understand
His long hair is a mystery to us.
its just bout as long as my wife marlene
It's almost as long as Marlene's hair.
don't it all kinda keep you to wondering
Doesn't it make you wonder why people do what they do?
staring at the stars above
Gazing up at the stars in the sky.
wonder what are we made of
Contemplating what humans are made of, what we're composed of.
some folks say that they know right away
Some people believe they know the answer immediately.
so you look on a cloud for a lullaby
You search for comfort and peace by looking up at the clouds.
theres another busted dream
Another failed dream is looming in front of us.
staring me right in the face
It's unmistakable and impossible to ignore.
good lord knows why we don't give in
For some reason, God knows why, we keep fighting instead of giving up.
trying to leave, maybe run from this place
We may try to escape from this situation by leaving or running away.
and i say staring at the world from my home little idaho
I repeat that we're observing the world from our humble abode in Idaho.
and i say hey
I interject with a 'hey'.
everywhere i see, hey
Wherever I look, I notice things that make me say 'hey'.
everywhere i see
I'm observing everything around me.
Contributed by Cole M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ug9qy5kc4h
Still listening after all of these years
@1meatbees
Introduced this song to my lovely wife when I met her 20 years ago. Now our son’s got hair like Marlene
@rpieces5461
Miss Sammy.
@darrellsmallwood7248
Wow still sounds fresh!
@MichaelBrown-bb7eb
This band was a competent producer from the bigtime.
@giovannimazzucchelli7487
it's as wide as it can be and sweet and calm and healing
@Meehowski
Epic...
@shinkador
Absolute jam!
@reveddro319
sweetness