In 1983, she travelled to Toronto to seek a musical career. In 1986, she founded a trio with bassist David Piltch and pianist Aaron Davis. Offered a record deal in 1989, the Holly Cole Trio released an EP, Christmas Blues, that year, which featured a version of The Pretenders' "2,000 Miles". This was followed by their first full album, Girl Talk, in 1990.
A succession of releases followed through the early 1990s. For example, 1991's Blame It On My Youth, covered songs by Tom Waits ("Purple Avenue", aka "Empty Pockets"), Lyle Lovett ("God Will"), includes show tunes such as "If I Were a Bell" (from Guys and Dolls) and "On the Street Where You Live" (from My Fair Lady), and even remakes "Trust In Me", from Disney's The Jungle Book, into a strikingly sultry and sinister song of seduction and death. Also recorded in this period was "Alison", a reinterpretation of Elvis Costello's original.
Following 1993's Don't Smoke in Bed, the trio released a CD entirely of songs by Tom Waits, called Temptation. With this 1995 release, the "Trio" was dropped from the group's name.
Cole next went into a two-album flirtation with pop music, perhaps keeping with the "diva" fad of the late 90s. These albums, Dark Dear Heart (1997) and Romantically Helpless (2000) veered further from jazz by introducing pop elements to Cole's sound.
In 2001, she returned to the Christmas jazz roots of her first CD with Baby It's Cold Outside, which included such should-be classics as "Christmas Time is Here" (from A Charlie Brown Christmas), "Santa Baby", and the title track. Swapping cold for hot, she moved to a Summer theme in 2003's Shade, this time reinterpreting Cole Porter ("Too Darn Hot"), Irving Berlin ("Heatwave"), and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows").
Cole's latest album, Holly Cole (originally entitled This House Is Haunted) was released in Canada in March 2007. It was released in the US in January 2008 and was followed by a US tour.
Cole tours frequently, particularly around the holiday season, in Canada. She was also a part of the 1999 Lilith Fair tour.
Good Time Charlie
Holly Cole Lyrics
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They said they're movin' to L.A.
There's not a soul I know around
Everybody's leavin' town
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
Find the sunshine leave the rain
They say this town will waste your time
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
You know my heart keeps telling me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
Play around you lose your wife
You play too hard and lose your life
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Good time Charlie's got the blues
In "Good Time Charlie" by Holly Cole, the lyrics depict a sense of loneliness and isolation as the singer observes that everyone around them has left town, specifically moving to Los Angeles. There is a feeling of abandonment as not a single person the singer knows remains in the town they are in. The mention of catching freights and planes to find sunny places while leaving the rain behind symbolizes a desire for a better life elsewhere. It suggests that the town being left behind is perceived as a place that wastes time and offers little opportunity for success or fulfillment.
The lyrics then introduce the character of Good Time Charlie, who is described as having the blues. This character represents someone who is experiencing a downturn in their life. The phrase "some gotta win, some gotta lose" reflects the idea that in life, not everyone can always be successful or have everything go their way. Good Time Charlie serves as an example of someone who is currently on the losing side, feeling down and disheartened.
The singer's heart tells them that Good Time Charlie is not as young as they may appear, despite being only thirty-three years old. This suggests that Charlie has perhaps lived a life filled with excess and recklessness, which has prematurely aged them or caused them to miss out on important milestones and experiences. The lyrics caution against living a life of constant indulgence, as it can lead to losing important relationships and even one's life.
The song concludes with the repeated refrain that Good Time Charlie has the blues. This emphasizes his ongoing struggle and serves as a reminder that even when some people win in life, others have to face losses and hardships. It conveys a sense of empathy towards Charlie's situation while acknowledging the reality of life's ups and downs. Overall, the lyrics of "Good Time Charlie" highlight themes of loneliness, the consequences of excessive living, and the fluctuating nature of success and failure in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's gone away
All of my companions have departed from this place
They said they're movin' to L.A.
They have expressed their intention to relocate to Los Angeles
There's not a soul I know around
I am now devoid of any acquaintance in proximity
Everybody's leavin' town
The entire population is abandoning this locality
Some caught a freight, some caught a plane
A few embarked on freight trains, while others boarded airplanes
Find the sunshine leave the rain
They seek a sunnier disposition and escape from their current troubles
They say this town will waste your time
It is commonly said that this town will futilely consume your valuable time
I guess they're right, it's wasted mine
Regrettably, I must acknowledge their correctness as my own time here has been squandered
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Certain individuals must experience victory, while others must endure defeat
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, known for his revelry, is now overwhelmed by melancholy
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie, previously associated with joyousness, is now consumed by sadness
You know my heart keeps telling me
My emotions persistently convey to me
You're not a kid at thirty-three
Despite being thirty-three years old, you should not act as if you were still an immature child
Play around you lose your wife
If you engage in promiscuous behavior, you will inevitably lose your spouse
You play too hard and lose your life
Excessive indulgence in pleasure-seeking activities can lead to a premature demise
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Certain individuals must experience victory, while others must endure defeat
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, known for his revelry, is now overwhelmed by melancholy
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Good time Charlie, previously associated with joyousness, is now consumed by sadness
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Certain individuals must experience victory, while others must endure defeat
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, known for his revelry, is now overwhelmed by melancholy
Some gotta win, some gotta lose
Certain individuals must experience victory, while others must endure defeat
Good time Charlie's got the blues
Charlie, known for his revelry, is now overwhelmed by melancholy
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Danny O'Keefe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind