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.
Easy To Be Hard
Golden Smog Lyrics
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How can people be so cruel?
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
How can people have no feelings?
How can they ignore their friends?
Easy to be proud
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend? I need a friend
How can people be so heartless?
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and social injustice
Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend? I need a friend
How can people be so heartless?
How can people be so cruel?
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
Come on easy to get laid
Easy to say no
But too easy to be cold
Easy to say no
Much too easy to say no
The lyrics to Golden Smog's song "Easy To Be Hard" speak to the frustration and disappointment one feels when people they care about seem heartless or cruel. The singer questions how someone can be so callous and ignore the feelings of others, particularly friends in need. The repetition of "easy to be hard" and "easy to say no" highlights how people can put up walls and shut others out in order to protect themselves or maintain a sense of pride.
The song also speaks to the hypocrisy of those who claim to care about social justice and the suffering of others, yet fail to extend that same compassion to those close to them. The line "Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?" suggests that some may prioritize the broader issues of the world over the individual struggles of those in their immediate circles. The final lines of the song suggest that while it may be easy to say no or to maintain a cold demeanor, it ultimately reinforces a sense of loneliness and isolation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Easy To Be Hard" capture the emotional toll of feeling let down by those we care for and the difficulties of connecting with others in a world that can feel indifferent and uncaring.
Line by Line Meaning
How can people be so heartless?
Expressing disbelief and disappointment over the fact that some individuals lack empathy and kindness.
How can people be so cruel?
Expressing disbelief and disappointment over the fact that some individuals can be malicious and inflict pain on others.
Easy to be hard
It's effortless to be distant and unapproachable, especially towards people in need of emotional support.
Easy to be cold
It's easy to be emotionally detached and unfeeling toward others, especially when confronted with their problems.
How can people have no feelings?
Expressing disbelief and disappointment over the fact that some individuals lack the ability to identify and experience emotions.
How can they ignore their friends?
Expressing disbelief and disappointment over the fact that some individuals can neglect their friendships and overlook the needs of their companions.
Easy to be proud
It's effortless to be arrogantly independent and refuse to rely on others, even when it's for one's own good.
Easy to say no
It's effortless to decline requests, even when it's within the benefit and goodwill of oneself or others.
Especially people who care about strangers
Referring to individuals who are vocal and concerned about issues that affect strangers or marginalized communities.
Who care about evil and social injustice
Referring to individuals who are vocal and mobilized in their opposition to evil and social injustices.
Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?
Asking whether those who are vocal and concerned about societal issues, only care about widely reported and sensationalized incidents of injustice, and not about the struggles of ordinary individuals.
How about a needing friend? I need a friend
Expressing a genuine request for friendship and companionship when in need, even from those who are committed to social issues.
You know I'm hung up on you
Referring to the singer's romantic interest in someone who appears apathetic and distant towards them.
Easy to get laid
It's effortless to engage in casual sexual activity, even when it comes at the cost of others' feelings and significance.
But too easy to be cold
Emphasizing how easy it is to be emotionally detached, distant, and indifferent towards others.
Much too easy to say no
Emphasizing how easy it is to refuse requests, even when it's within one's goodwill and benefits.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt Mac Dermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind