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.
Strangers
Golden Smog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll kill my world and I'll kill my time
So where do I go, what do I see
See many people coming out to me
So where are you going to, I don't mind
If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die
So I will follow you wherever you go
Strangers on this road, we are all
We are not two, we are one
So you been where I've just come
From the land that brings losers home
So we will share this road we walk
[Incomprehensible]
To peace we find till you what I'll do
Oh, the things I own, I will share with you
If I feel tomorrow like I feel today
We'll take everyone, give the rest away
Strangers on this road, we are all
We are not two, we are one
Holy man and holy priest
This smother loud makes me weak in my knees
When we get there make your mind
Soon I feel you're gonna carry us away
In Promised Land you made us believe
For any man there's so much grief
[Incomprehensible]
If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die
Strangers on this road, we are all
We are not two, we are one
Strangers on this road, we are all
We are not two, we are one
The lyrics of Golden Smog's song "Strangers" refer to the idea of shared experiences of people on a road. The opening line, "Where are you going, I don't mind," describes the singer's willingness to follow wherever the person they are addressing is going. However, the repeated line "If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die" evokes a sense of loneliness and fear of mortality. The lines "Strangers on this road, we are all / We are not two, we are one" suggest a universality of human experience and shared journey towards some kind of peace.
The second verse includes references to the idea of home and belonging. The singer suggests that they have come from a place of losing, and they will share what they have with the person they are addressing. The line "To peace we find till you what I'll do" could be interpreted as a vow to stay together until they find some kind of salvation or resolution.
The final verse references a "Holy man and holy priest" and the idea of a "Promised Land," which could refer to religious or spiritual beliefs. The line "For any man there's so much grief" speaks to the human experience of suffering, but there is hope in the line "Soon I feel you're gonna carry us away," suggesting some kind of release or transcendence.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are you going, I don't mind
I don't care where you're headed
I'll kill my world and I'll kill my time
I'll do whatever it takes to be with you
So where do I go, what do I see
I'm lost without you, I need your guidance
See many people coming out to me
I'm popular, but I only want to be with you
If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die
I want to be with you until the end of my days
So I will follow you wherever you go
I'll be your faithful follower
If your offered hand is still open to me
If you're willing to take me along
Strangers on this road, we are all
We're all just passing through this world without knowing what lies ahead
We are not two, we are one
We're meant to be together
So you been where I've just come
You're more experienced than me
From the land that brings losers home
You've come from a difficult place
So we will share this road we walk
We'll travel together
[Incomprehensible]
Unknown
To peace we find till you what I'll do
I'll do anything to bring us to a peaceful place
Oh, the things I own, I will share with you
I'm willing to give up my possessions for you
If I feel tomorrow like I feel today
I know my love for you won't change
We'll take everyone, give the rest away
We'll share our good fortune with others
Holy man and holy priest
Religious figures
This smother loud makes me weak in my knees
The power of their faith overwhelms me
When we get there make your mind
When we reach our destination, make your decision
Soon I feel you're gonna carry us away
I have faith that we'll be taken to a better place
In Promised Land you made us believe
We have faith in a better future
For any man there's so much grief
Life is full of sorrow
[Incomprehensible]
Unknown
Strangers on this road, we are all
We're all just passing through this world without knowing what lies ahead
We are not two, we are one
We're meant to be together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind