The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. His first album, Too Long in the Wasteland (released in 1989), was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of a series of acclaimed projects for Columbia and Sugar Hill. In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for his Longform Music Video of Where'd You Hide The Body. 1997's It Had To Happen received the American Indie Award for Best Americana Album.
In 2004, McMurtry released the universally-lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records. 2005's Childish Things garnered some of the highest critical praise of McMurtry's career and spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Americana Music Radio Chart in 2005 and 2006. In September 2006, Childish Things and "We Can't Make It Here" won the Americana Music Awards for Album and Song of the Year, respectively. McMurtry received more Americana Music Award nominations for 2008's Just Us Kids. This album marked his highest Billboard 200 chart position in more than 19 years.
In 2009, Live in Europe was released, capturing The McMurtry Band's first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, the disc features special guests Ian McLagan and Jon Dee Graham. Also, for the first time ever, video of the James McMurtry Band's live performance is available on the included DVD.
The poignant lyrics of his immense catalog still ring true today. In 2011, "We Can't Make It Here" was cited among 'The Nation's' "Best Protest Songs Ever." Bob Lefsetz writes, "'We Can't Make It Here' has stood the test of time because of its unmitigated truth."
Never one to rest on his laurels, James McMurtry continues to tour constantly, and consistently puts on a "must-see" powerhouse performance. 'The Washington Post' noted McMurtry's live prowess: "Much attention is paid to James McMurtry's lyrics, and rightfully so: He creates a novel's worth of emotion and experience in four minutes of blisteringly stark couplets. What gets overlooked, however, is that he's an accomplished rock guitar player. At a sold-out Birchmere, the Austin-based artist was joined by drummer Daren Hess and bassist Ronnie Johnson in a set that demonstrated the raw power of wince-inducing imagery propelled by electric guitar. It was serious stuff, imparted by a singularly serious band."
JAMES McMURTRY LIVE IN EUROPE CD WITH BONUS DVD DOCUMENTS FIRST EURO TOUR WITH GUESTS IAN MCLAGAN AND JON DEE GRAHAM
On October 13, 2009, Lightning Rod Records released Live in Europe, a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with long-time band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set is available as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert. In early 2009, James McMurtry and his trio traveled overseas to play their first European tour. The guys played for enthusiastic crowds in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Belgium. Joining the band on keyboards for the tour was the legendary Ian McLagan (who also played on McMurtry's latest studio album, Just Us Kids). The best recordings from the Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Geislingen, Germany concerts were combined to create Live in Europe. The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune "Laredo" on the bonus DVD.
JAMES McMURTRY ALBUMS REISSUED: 'CHILDISH THINGS' & 'LIVE IN AUGHT-THREE'
On February 1, 2011, two of James McMurtry's most popular albums, Childish Things and Live in Aught-Three were reissued by Lightning Rod Records. Live in Aught-Three has been remastered since its original 2004 release and will be available on vinyl for the first time. The deluxe double LP also includes a copy of the album on CD.
Walk Between the Raindrops
James McMurtry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Must be something in your genes
About this time I was crazy, too
And most times in between
But I survived to live another day
I might have learned a trick or two
So just remember when your old and your gray
Stay alive inside, don't be a stranger
Keep a line open to the folks back home
Don't run and hide when everything changes
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
You're laying low, staying outta sight
Hanging out in your room
You're up all night by the monitor's light
And sleeping through the afternoon
Well, I won't tell you how you gotta be
You're old enough to make a choice
It's just that in between all the words on the screen
I doubt you'll ever hear a human voice
Stay alive inside, don't be a stranger
Keep a line open to the outside world
Don't run and hide when everything changes
Walk between the raindrops smooth as a pearl
You're at that age and you know it all
And you're not even hearing what I say
Knowing better never kept me outta trouble
I don't care I'm gonna tell you anyway
Stay alive inside, don't be a stranger
Keep a line open to the folks back home
Don't run and hide when everything changes
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
Stay alive inside, don't be a stranger
Keep a line open to the folks back home
Don't run and hide when everything changes
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
The lyrics to James McMurtry's song "Walk Between the Raindrops" are a life lesson to a younger person in his life who is going through a difficult time. The singer of the song is trying to impart his wisdom, having been in a similar situation in the past. He tells the person that he should stay positive and not lose hope. The lyrics suggest that the person should keep in touch with his family and friends, even if it means doing so from a distance or electronically, and not shut himself off from the world or hide from change as it comes.
The lines "Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone" symbolize the idea of navigating through tough times gracefully, without getting caught up in negativity or despair. The singer is encouraging the person to stay strong and persevere, even when the going gets tough, and to remember that there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder of the importance of staying strong and positive when faced with difficult times. It is a call to all of us to never give up hope and to always believe in ourselves, no matter what obstacles we may encounter along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know what's gotten into you
I am unsure of what is causing you to behave strangely
Must be something in your genes
Perhaps it is a genetic predisposition to act this way
About this time I was crazy, too
I can relate to your behavior because I have acted recklessly before as well
And most times in between
There have been other occasions when I have acted impulsively as well
But I survived to live another day
Even though I have made bad choices, I have managed to live through them
I might have learned a trick or two
I have gained some knowledge from my past experiences
So just remember when your old and your gray
Keep in mind that one day you will be old and wise
Some of what I taught to you
Hopefully, you will remember some of the advice I have given you
Stay alive inside, don't be a stranger
Stay true to yourself and don't become isolated from the world
Keep a line open to the folks back home
Stay in touch with your loved ones and don't drift away from them
Don't run and hide when everything changes
Don't be afraid of change, but instead face it head-on
Walk between the raindrops dry as a bone
Navigate through life's challenges without getting caught up in the mess
You're laying low, staying outta sight
You're hiding away and avoiding interaction with others
Hanging out in your room
Spending most of your time in your own private space
You're up all night by the monitor's light
Spending late nights in front of a computer
And sleeping through the afternoon
Oversleeping and missing most of the day
Well, I won't tell you how you gotta be
I'm not trying to control you or force you to act a certain way
You're old enough to make a choice
You are capable of making your own decisions
It's just that in between all the words on the screen
In the midst of spending time online and interacting digitally
I doubt you'll ever hear a human voice
You are missing out on the human interaction and connection that comes with hearing someone's voice
You're at that age and you know it all
You are at an age where you believe you know everything
And you're not even hearing what I say
You are not listening to my advice, even though it could benefit you
Knowing better never kept me outta trouble
Even though I have knowledge and experience, I still make mistakes
I don't care I'm gonna tell you anyway
Even though you may not want to hear it, I feel it's important to give you advice
Contributed by Ethan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gnawty
I'm 29 now and this song just made me realize how my parents must have felt when I was a shut in internet addict in my teens. I've turned my life around since and I'm a lot more out going, but damn this made me tear up a bit. Love my parents, definitely giving them a call tonight.
Dave Draper
Wonderful to see. Way to go!
Mary Liz Tippin-Moody
The more I hear from James the better I like his take. Great song for a Saturday afternoon coloring an illustration!
Harrison Aldrich
This song is the song that helped me realize how stupid being depressed is. I've been depressed for a year now and this song helped me realize just don't care about what others do to u or say to u. Keep on keepin on.
Albert Fachan
Ayyyyeee joe dirt
Wink X
Seen this amazing musician twice in concert. Wishing he'd come back to Maine! One of my all time favorite musicians. A lyrical genius 💯
Norm Holth
Very under rated folk singer ... Love his music
Eric Potter
This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!! God this is what music is supposed to be!
Thomas Murphy
What a great great song writer.
Bob Prickett
I love the song on its own and I also hear it as "may you stay forever young" revised for the wander years.