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.
Shooting Star
Golden Smog Lyrics
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"Love me do" I think it was and from there it wouldn't take long
Got himself a guitar, he used to play it every night
Now he's in a rock and roll outfit everything is alright
Don't you know
Johnny told his momma "hey momma, I'm going away
Gonna hit the big time, gonna be a big star someday"
Johnny said "don't cry momma smile and wave goodbye"
Don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
And all the world will love you just as long
As long as you are
Johnny made a record, it went straight up to number one
Suddenly everyone loved to hear him play his song
Watching the world go by surprising it goes so fast
Johnny looked around him and said "hey I made the big time at last"
Don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
And all the world will love you just as long
As long as you are
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
And all the world will love you just as long
As long as you are
Johnny died one night, died in his bed
Bottle of whiskey, sleeping tablets by his head
Johnny's life passed him by like a warm summer day
If you listen to the wind sometimes you can still hear him play
Don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you know, don't you
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you know
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you know
Don't you know you are a shooting, a shooting star
Don't you know you are a shooting star
The lyrics of "Shooting Star" by Golden Smog narrate the life of a young musician, Johnny, who becomes successful and popular but tragically dies at a young age due to substance abuse. The song begins with Johnny hearing his first Beatles song and getting inspired to become a musician himself. He starts playing the guitar and forms a rock and roll band that gains recognition and fame. He tells his mother that he is going away to hit the big time and be a star someday. Johnny becomes an overnight sensation as his record reaches number one and his popularity surges. However, his success is short-lived as he dies due to excessive consumption of alcohol and sleeping pills.
The song reflects on the fleeting quality of life and the disastrous consequences of fame and substance abuse. Johnny's journey from a young boy with a guitar to a celebrated rock star and then tragically dying young creates a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The refrain "Don't you know that you are a shooting star" serves as a reminder of Johnny's brief yet bright life that left an indelible mark on the world.
Overall, "Shooting Star" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing fame and fortune without taking care of oneself and one's loved ones. It highlights the importance of balance and moderation and urges the listener to appreciate every moment of life and to value personal relationships over fleeting success.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatles song
"Love me do" I think it was and from there it wouldn't take long
Johnny was young when he heard his first Beatles song and was instantly hooked on music. He began playing guitar every night and eventually formed a rock and roll band.
Got himself a guitar, he used to play it every night
Now he's in a rock and roll outfit everything is alright
Johnny got himself a guitar and played it every night. He eventually joined a rock band and everything in his life seemed to be going well.
Johnny told his momma "hey momma, I'm going away
Gonna hit the big time, gonna be a big star someday"
Momma came to the door with a teardrop in her eye
Johnny told his mother that he was leaving to pursue his dreams of becoming a famous musician. His mother was sad to see him go and had tears in her eyes.
Johnny said "don't cry momma smile and wave goodbye"
Don't you know
Johnny told his mother not to cry and to instead smile and wave goodbye. He wanted her to know that he was going to make it big and she should be proud of him.
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you know
The song's message to Johnny is that he is a shooting star, someone who is destined for greatness and fame.
Johnny made a record, it went straight up to number one
Suddenly everyone loved to hear him play his song
Watching the world go by surprising it goes so fast
Johnny looked around him and said "hey I made the big time at last"
Don't you know
Johnny's music career took off quickly and he soon had a number one hit. He was amazed at how quickly everything had happened and felt like he had finally made it big in the music industry.
Johnny died one night, died in his bed
Bottle of whiskey, sleeping tablets by his head
Johnny's life passed him by like a warm summer day
If you listen to the wind sometimes you can still hear him play
Sadly, Johnny's life ended unexpectedly one night due to an overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills. The song reflects on how quickly life can pass by and how Johnny's legacy lives on through his music.
Don't you know, don't you
Don't you know that you are a shooting star
Don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you, don't you know
Don't you know you are a shooting, a shooting star
The chorus repeats the message that Johnny was a shooting star, destined for greatness in the music industry. His legacy lives on through his music and he will always be remembered as a star.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind