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.
I Can
Golden Smog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You now I always loved it, just because I can
Couldn't find the door you let me in
You said I'm always welcome, sure you will again
Call me the moment you wake up
Our hand is stretched till under edge
And on the bus, you weighed your trust
That wasn't made to be broken and it's never been
Call me the moment you wake up
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
Your eyes are bold, your heart is gold
You know I always love you, just because I can
I let you in, you're always welcome
That's how it's always been
And if it feels like no one else understands
You know I can
And if you're feeling no one else understands
You better believe I can
You know what's wrong with me
You know what's wrong with me
And you know what's wrong with me
You know what's wrong with me
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you close your eyes, do you think of, do you think of?
The lyrics to Golden Smog's song "I Can" seem to be about a friendship or relationship between two people who deeply care for each other. The first verse mentions a cold wind breaking the mold and the singer being let in through a door. This suggests a sense of warmth and familiarity between the two people. The chorus repeats the line "call me the moment you wake up," which could suggest a desire to be there for the other person at any time.
The second verse talks about trust being an important aspect of the relationship. It mentions being on a bus and weighing trust that "wasn't made to be broken." This further emphasizes the strength of their bond. The repetition of "when you close your eyes, do you think of me?" could possibly suggest a romantic relationship, but it could also be interpreted as a general sense of closeness.
The bridge of the song talks about the singer's faults and how the other person understands them. This is a common theme in relationships, where one person understands and accepts the other's shortcomings. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the phrase "you know what's wrong with me," which further reinforces this sense of understanding and acceptance.
Overall, "I Can" seems to be a song about a close and meaningful relationship between two people who deeply care for each other. The imagery and language used suggest a sense of warmth, trust, and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the cold wind broke the mold
The cold wind outside was different from what we see, and somehow more unique or special.
You know I always loved it, just because I can
I loved it regardless of anything else, just because I had the ability to love it.
Couldn't find the door you let me in
I couldn't locate the entryway through which you allowed me enter.
You said I'm always welcome, sure you will again
You assured me that I can always return since I am always welcome.
Call me the moment you wake up
Please phone me as soon as you wake up.
Our hand is stretched till under edge
We are united in our resolve to the very end, and we won't be separated.
No one could ever stop us or give a shit, my friend
We don't care what anyone else thinks about us or what we do.
And on the bus, you weighed your trust
While riding the bus, you were thinking carefully about who you trusted.
That wasn't made to be broken and it's never been
The trust we have built between us cannot be destroyed, and it never has been.
Your eyes are bold, your heart is gold
Your eyes show courage, and your heart is pure and full of kindness.
You know I always love you, just because I can
I love you as I have the capability to love you, regardless of other factors.
I let you in, you're always welcome
I allowed you in before, and you are always welcome.
That's how it's always been
Things have always been this way between us.
And if it feels like no one else understands
If it seems like we are alone in our beliefs or emotions,
You know I can
you can trust me to understand.
And if you're feeling no one else understands
If you feel unsupported or without understanding from others,
You better believe I can
you better believe that I understand and will support you.
You know what's wrong with me
You already know the faults and flaws I possess.
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you drift off to sleep, do I cross your mind?
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you close your eyes, are your thoughts with me?
When you close your eyes, do you think of me?
When you go to sleep, do you picture me in your thoughts?
When you close your eyes, do you think of, do you think of?
Do your thoughts turn to me when you're alone with your mind?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind