The group took their name from the name of a Flintstones character, which, in turn, was a parody of singer Mel Torme's nickname; the Velvet Fog. The group first came together in the Minneapolis area in 1989 as a country-rock reaction to the punk and hardcore music that dominated the Twin Cities' musical scene at the time; eventually Golden Smog became something of a fixture at local clubs, where they would play a handful of shows annually. Golden Smog's lineup has often changed, though Run Westy Run guitarist Kraig Jarret Johnson as well as guitarists Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) and Gary Louris (the Jayhawks) were relative constants.
The definitive beginning of Golden Smog is hard to pinpoint given the mercurial nature of the band's lineup. Some point back to a show in January of 1987 when a band billed as 'The Take It To The Limit Band' played an all Eagles cover show at the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis. This band consisted of Dan Murphy and Dave Pirner (both of Soul Asylum), Jim Boquist (later of Son Volt), and Martin Zellar (Gear Daddies). The show ended with a cover of then Bangles hit song Walk Like An Egyptian. This same band later played a The Rolling Stones themed show in 1989 under the name "Her Satanic Majesty's Paycheck."
Between these early covers shows, and Golden Smog's first album, it is unclear what happened. It's hard to claim that these early shows were by Golden Smog, but rather in hindsight they were played in the spirit of the early Golden Smog. In 1992, Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman (bassist for The Jayhawks), Kraig Johnson, and Chris Mars (the Replacements) released Golden Smog's first CD, a covers EP entitled On Golden Smog. This was followed four years later in 1996 by their full-length debut, Down By The Old Mainstream, recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio with a lineup that included Kraig Johnson, Dan Murphy, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, and Honeydogs drummer Noah Levy (all of whom recorded under pseudonyms as a result of contractual obligations). A few years later the band reformed with Jody Stephens (of Big Star) taking over for Noah on the drums (Jody had previously played with the band during a New Years Eve show in Chicago in 1996). This new incarnation of Golden Smog released Weird Tales in 1998.
In 2005 a new incarnation of the smog formed and recorded a new album in Spain. The new album is entitled Another Fine Day and was released on July, 18th 2006 on the Lost Highway Records. This album features both Jody Stephens and Linda Pitmon from Zuzu's Petals on drums. This album, like the previous couple is of a more coherent band, although Jeff Tweedy is only featured on a few songs. In the summer of 2006, the Smog played a couple of shows in Minneapolis and New York City. These shows were without Tweedy, as he had previously stated that he was too busy to tour with the band. A six-show mini-tour occured in September of 2006. In 2007 Golden Smog released an EP on Lost Highway called Blood On The Slacks.
5-22-02
Golden Smog Lyrics
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That's when I told you
5-22-02
Did you ever feel the way?
The feeling of a day gone by
I was hoping you felt that thing too
Making habits out of our gone bys?
You and I have better things to do
5-22-02
That's when I told you
5-22-02
Did you ever feel the day?
The feeling of the night gone by?
I kept hoping you felt that thing too
Now the mirror's on the bed
And the shades are black and lead, she said
It was then that everything was mine
5-22-02
That's when I told you
5-22-02
All your life you've been holding on, holding on
All your life you've been holding on, holding on
Could you stand another day
Making habits out of our gone by's?
You and I have better things to do
5-22-02
That's when I told you
5-22-02
That's when I told you
5-22-02
That's when I told you
5-22-02
22-02
22-02
22-02
The song "5-22-02" by Golden Smog speaks about seizing the moment and the feeling of a day gone by. It is a reflection on a past conversation, on May 22, 2002, which holds an important meaning to the singer. The lyrics suggest that both he and the person he spoke to have been holding onto something for their entire lives and that it's time to let go and move on to better things. The line "Could you stand another day making habits out of our gone bys?" indicates that they have been stuck in old patterns, and it’s time for a change. The singer is hoping that the person he is referring to understands him and is motivated to make a change as well.
The lyrics "Now the mirror's on the bed and the shades are black and lead, she said it was then that everything was mine" could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it seems to depict a defining moment when the person realizes that the decision to change belongs to them alone. The imagery of the shades being black and lead could suggest that the person feels trapped or weighed down by their past, but with this realization, they gain a sense of ownership over their life.
Overall, "5-22-02" is a reflection on the past and making difficult decisions to move forward. It's about recognizing the importance of the present moment and not being held back by past habits or decisions, but instead embracing the potential for better things to come.
Line by Line Meaning
That's when I told you
On May 22nd, 2002, I confided in you
5-22-02
May 22nd, 2002
Did you ever feel the way?
Did you ever experience the same feeling?
The feeling of a day gone by
The sensation of a past day
I was hoping you felt that thing too
I was wishing you shared that emotion
Could you stand another day
Can you tolerate another day
Making habits out of our gone bys?
Forming habits from our past experiences?
You and I have better things to do
We have more productive things to occupy ourselves with
Now the mirror's on the bed
The mirror is now on the bed
And the shades are black and lead, she said
She said that the window shades are dark and heavy
It was then that everything was mine
That was the moment when everything felt like it belonged to me
All your life you've been holding on, holding on
You have been grasping on, persevering, all through your life
22-02
22nd of February
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, HOLLY MARILYN, KRAIG JARRET JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind