The band's website once noted Cracker as "The only band to ever open for both Grateful Dead and Ramones," a unique distinction which is also indicative of the band's sound and style. Cracker comfortably mixes influences and sounds ranging from classic country music, psychedelia, punk and folk into their brand of "Americana" style rock.
Lowery and Hickman are inalterable constants. The band continues to tour (as a full band, and also as the "Cracker acoustic duo").
Family Tradition
Cracker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alternative Country singers have always been a real close family
But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me
I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction
Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition
CHORUS:
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Stop and think it over, try to put yourself in this position
When I get stoned I'm just carryin' on an old family tradition
Now I am very proud of my daddy's name
Although his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same
Stop and think it over, try to put yourself in my position
When I get stoned and sing all night long it's just a family tradition
CHORUS:
Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out them songs that you wrote?
If I'm down in a honky tonk, and some old slick's tryin' to gimme some friction
I say "Leave me alone, I'm stayin' all night long with these wing-ed lizards"
Let's go Johnny, wing-ed lizards, I see them...
A-ha!
Lordy, I have loved some ladies, and I have loved Jim Beam
But them and a wing-ed lizard tried to kill me in '73
When that doctor asks me "Son, how'd ya get in this condition?"
I says "Hey Sawbones, I'm just a-carryin' on the old family tradition."
CHORUS x2:
Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out them songs that you wrote?
Stop and think it over try to put yourself in my unique position
When I get stoned and sing all night long, it's just a family tradition
Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out them songs that you wrote?
Stop and think it over try to put yourself in my unique position
When I get stoned and sing all night long, it's just a family tradition
Cracker's "Family Tradition" is about the lead singer, David Lowery's, complicated relationship with his family and their expectations of him. The song starts off by discussing how close the alternative country music family is, but how some of his family members have disowned him due to his change in direction. Lowery questions why his family can't accept him for who he is now and why they expect him to adhere to the old family tradition, which includes drinking and smoking.
The chorus is a plea to his family members to put themselves in his shoes and understand that he's just carrying on the old family tradition, even if it's not the same as theirs. He acknowledges that he's proud of his father's name and history in music, but also wants to be recognized for his own unique talents and style.
As the song progresses, Lowery sings about his experiences with women and alcohol, including a frightening incident with a hallucinogenic drug that landed him in the hospital. Despite all of this, he remains unapologetic and insists that his family tradition includes drinking and singing all night long.
Overall, "Family Tradition" is a song about the complexities of family relationships and how difficult it can be to break away from tradition and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Alternative Country singers have always been a real close family
The Alternative Country singers always had a tight bond.
But lately some of my kinfolks have disowned a few others and me
Recently, some of his family members disowned him and others, likely because of their change in direction.
I guess it's because I kind of changed my direction
He believes his change in direction caused the divide within the family.
Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition
His actions went against their family tradition.
Why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?
The others questioned why he indulged in alcohol and cigarettes.
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
They also questioned why he had to live out the lifestyle that he sings about in his songs.
Stop and think it over, try to put yourself in this position
He asks others to step into his position and consider his perspective.
When I get stoned I'm just carryin' on an old family tradition
His family had a tradition of getting intoxicated.
Now I am very proud of my daddy's name
He is proud of his father's legacy.
Although his kind of music and mine ain't exactly the same
Despite the differences in their musical styles, he still values his father's contributions to music.
When I get stoned and sing all night long it's just a family tradition
He cherishes the tradition of getting intoxicated and singing all night long.
If I'm down in a honky tonk, and some old slick's tryin' to gimme some friction
He encounters others who criticize his behavior in bars.
I say "Leave me alone, I'm stayin' all night long with these wing-ed lizards"
He prefers to be left alone to enjoy his time with his friends who also indulge in alcohol and cigarettes.
Lordy, I have loved some ladies, and I have loved Jim Beam
He has had relationships with women and alcohol.
But them and a wing-ed lizard tried to kill me in '73
In 1973, he had a near-death experience due to his excessive drinking.
When that doctor asks me "Son, how'd ya get in this condition?"
The doctor inquired about how he got there.
I says "Hey Sawbones, I'm just a-carryin' on the old family tradition."
He attributes his condition to the family tradition of indulging in alcohol and other substances.
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim Larsen
I love this album. Don't know why it's not available on Apple Music. Thanks a lot for posting this.
David S
@Sarah & Otto I can’t blame Lowry for not taking it on the chin from Spotify etc- they give them nothing for downloads and streaming. I try to buy at concerts if possible, pay the artists directly
David S
@Bill Brasky Lowry is vocal about being ripped off by Spotify etc- can’t really blame him as they give artists pathetic royalties for their music
Sarah & Otto
@Bill Brasky I think David is a righteous and awesome guy. "Dickhead" is subjective, and he is often described as such... but i disagree. That dude is opinionated and assertive... just like the rest of us.
That being said, I think you're right, David Lowery has likely opted out of licensing this album to streaming services. I hear he has a pure hatred for online streaming and downloading.
John Flushing
The band has sorta abandoned this album so it's really hard to find.