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.
Friend
Golden Smog Lyrics
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You shot me down, like you didn't care
You only, the only simple wish you only wish
Was born a prayer
For a friend
You toss and turn in your bed alone
You throw abuse through a telephone
Sit back and let your feelings go
With a friend
Can't you let it go
Ooh, it aches you so
Got to let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
On new years eve, you had it all
A new year came, and I watched you fall
You only plan was for a man
And you only plan was for a friend
Just a friend
Can't you let it go
Ooh, it aches you so
Got to let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go
I can't believe
The things you can't see
You're never wrong, you're always right
You're never wrong, you're always right
You got me wrong
I can't believe
The things you can't see
You're never wrong, you're always right
You're never wrong, you're always right
You got me wrong
You're never wrong, you're always right
You're never wrong, you're always right
You got me
You toss and turn in your bed alone
You throw abuse through a telephone
Why don't you just sit back relax
Sit back and let your feelings go
With a friend, with a friend...
The song "Friend" by Golden Smog is about a one-sided friendship. The lyrics talk about how the singer feels used by the other person, who only wants them around when they need something. The singer is hurt by this behavior and wishes that they can have a true friendship based on mutual respect and support.
The song begins with the singer recalling how they were treated poorly by the other person. The line "You looked me down when I was there, you shot me down like you didn't care" shows how the other person disregarded the singer. The following lines about a simple wish being born a prayer implies that the singer is longing for a real friendship, but it seems unattainable.
The chorus "Can't you let it go, ooh, it aches you so, got to let it go, let it go, let it go" is a plea for the other person to move on from whatever is holding them back from forming a genuine connection. The bridge with the repeated lines "You're never wrong, you're always right, you got me wrong" highlights the singer's frustration with the other person's attitude towards them.
In the end, the song suggests that a true friendship requires both parties to let their guard down and be vulnerable together, as described in the closing lines "Why don't you just sit back relax, sit back and let your feelings go, with a friend, with a friend."
Line by Line Meaning
You looked me down when I was there
You judged me when I was present
You shot me down, like you didn't care
You rejected me as if it meant nothing to you
You only, the only simple wish you only wish
Your one and only simple wish
Was born a prayer
Was so important that it became a prayer
For a friend
To have a friend by your side
You toss and turn in your bed alone
You struggle to find peace even when you're alone in bed
You throw abuse through a telephone
You lash out at others through the safety of a phone
Why don't you just sit back relax
Why not take a break and calm down
Sit back and let your feelings go
Take it easy and let your emotions free
With a friend
With the help and comfort of a friend
Can't you let it go
Why can't you move on from this issue
Ooh, it aches you so
It hurts you deeply
Got to let it go, let it go
It's important to release it, let go of it
On new years eve, you had it all
You had everything going for you on New Year's Eve
A new year came, and I watched you fall
The new year started with you failing or losing everything
You only plan was for a man
Your sole plan was to find a partner
And you only plan was for a friend
Your only other plan was to have a close friend
Just a friend
Only having a companion would be enough
I can't believe
I'm having a hard time accepting
The things you can't see
You're unaware of what's obvious to others
You're never wrong, you're always right
You never own up to your mistakes, always thinking you're right
You got me wrong
You misunderstood me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMEY JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rickdr23
I loved this song. I bought this album in the mid 90's, still got it. Should have way more views.
Valentyna Belofsky
the; "you're never wrong, you're always right, you're never wrong, you're always right, you got me wrong..." part sounds so Beatles-esque.
bill maloney
what a band!!!!!!