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.
Glad and Sorry
Golden Smog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For thinking of me
If I'm not smiling
I'm just thinking
Glad and sorry
Happy or sad
When all is done and spoken
Can you show me a dream
Can you show me one that's better than life
Can you stand it in the cold light of day
Well, neither can I
Can you show me a dream
Can you show me one that's better than life
Can you stand it in the cold light of day
Well, neither can I
The opening lines of Golden Smog's "Glad & Sorry" express gratitude for someone who is offering comfort during a difficult time. The singer acknowledges that they might not appear happy in that moment, but it's only because they're lost in thought. The repetition of the word "thinking" emphasizes the singer's introspective nature and suggests that they're wrestling with some complicated emotions or issues.
The chorus of the song introduces the central theme of duality, which is repeated throughout the lyrics. The chorus suggests that we all experience a range of emotions and that everything is subject to change. The singer sings about feeling "glad and sorry" and being "happy or sad," alluding to the idea that our feelings are fleeting and ever-changing. The lines "when all is done and spoken, you're up or I'm down" also capture the sense that relationships and power dynamics can shift quickly.
The repeated refrain—"Can you show me a dream / Can you show me one that's better than life / Can you stand it in the cold light of day / Well, neither can I"—touches on another recurring theme in the song: disillusionment. The singer seems to be searching for something beyond the mundane and disappointing aspects of everyday life, but they're skeptical that they'll ever find it. The phrase "the cold light of day" suggests a harsh reality that's hard to escape, and the repeated confession that neither the singer nor anyone else can find a dream that's better than life hints at a deep sense of disappointment or resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you kindly
Expressing gratitude for the thoughtfulness of the person addressing the singer
For thinking of me
Thanking someone for considering the singer's well-being
If I'm not smiling
Acknowledging that the singer may not always appear happy on the surface
I'm just thinking
Explaining that the artist's current demeanor is the result of their thoughts and not necessarily related to their overall emotional state
Glad and sorry
Describing the range of emotions experienced by the artist
Happy or sad
Further emphasizing the spectrum of emotions that the singer experiences
When all is done and spoken
Referring to the end of a situation or conversation
You're up or I'm down
Indicating that one person may be in a better position than the other
Can you show me a dream
Asking if someone can provide an idyllic fantasy or vision
Can you show me one that's better than life
Questioning if such a dream or vision can surpass reality
Can you stand it in the cold light of day
Asking if the dream or vision can hold up in reality
Well, neither can I
Admitting that the artist is unable to find such a dream or vision that can surpass or survive reality
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONNIE LANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Dibello
Absolutely LOVE the original and this cover.Would be great if other bands ( country and country crossovers) would do versions, too.
Glenn McGeoch
My all time favorite Faces song, but these guys do a good version as well.
Tim Statton
Beautiful song. Thanks for sharing.
Valentyna Belofsky
"If I'm not smiling, I'm just thinking." That's so me. When I'm lost in thought people think I look depressed, but I'm really just daydreaming.
Ed Helvey
I appreciate a (mostly) Minneapolis super-group that does covers by Thin Lizzy (Cowboy Song), Bad Company (Shooting Star) and the Faces. I don't know who was the band who originally wrote and recorded "Son".
Mike Ollier
70s band Michaelangelo
Shven Dog
1973....Faces....but WOW !!!
Anthony Grillo
I like the overall sound on this one over Faces
Anthony Grillo
Like this cover.
Sky Dog
"Thank you kindly, for thinking of me"...