A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
Grey In L.A.
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause there's way too much sunshine around here
I don't know about you, I get so sick of blue skies
Wherever they always appear
And I sure love the sound of the rain pouring down
On my carport roof made out of tin
If there's a flood, then there's gonna be mudslides
And I suppose that they'll close canyon roads
And the freeways will all start to clog
And the waters will rise and you won't be surprised
When your whole house smells like your wet dog
When it's grey in L.A. it's much better that way
It reminds you that this town's so cruel
Yeah, it might feel like fun when you're sporting sunglasses
But really you're just one more fool
And I'm just a chump and this whole town's a dump
We came out here to dump all our dreams
Of making it big but we're stuck in a singular nightmare
That's just how it seems
And I suppose Laurie David sure knows
All those cars we drive heat up our earth
And sea temperatures rise and those constant blue skies
And brush fires can sure curb your mirth
Brad Grey's in L.A. yeah okay I should stay here
There's no place that's better I know
For a wannabe star stuck in a car
On a freeway with nowhere to go
When it's grey in L.A. I sure like it that way
'Cause there's way too much sunshine around here
I don't know about you, I get so sick of blue skies
Wherever they always appear
The song "Grey In L.A." by Loudon Wainwright III is a commentary on the paradoxical nature of Los Angeles. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song by expressing a love for the less-than-ideal weather in LA, which is often considered to be perfect by the rest of the world. The singer revels in the rain pouring down on his carport roof, even if it can cause mudslides, knowing that he must pay for his sin. The second stanza takes a cynical turn and comments on the nature of the entertainment industry in LA. Wainwright observes that people come out to LA with big dreams but are ultimately brought down by the cruel nature of the town. The final stanza explicitly acknowledges LA's contribution to climate change, with Wainwright calling out the industry for contributing to the rising temperatures and brush fires that often plague the city.
Line by Line Meaning
When it's grey in L.A. I sure like it that way
I prefer overcast days in Los Angeles.
'Cause there's way too much sunshine around here
The constant sunshine can be overwhelming.
I don't know about you, I get so sick of blue skies
I personally get tired of seeing blue skies all the time.
Wherever they always appear
Blue skies seem to be a constant presence in Los Angeles.
And I sure love the sound of the rain pouring down
I enjoy hearing the rain hitting the metal roof of my carport.
On my carport roof made out of tin
My carport has a roof made of tin.
If there's a flood, then there's gonna be mudslides
Potential flooding can lead to dangerous mudslides.
We all have to pay for our sin
We all face consequences for our actions.
And I suppose that they'll close canyon roads
The authorities may close roads through canyons to prevent accidents or other issues.
And the freeways will all start to clog
Heavy rain can lead to traffic congestion on the highways.
And the waters will rise and you won't be surprised
Rising water levels during heavy rain are to be expected.
When your whole house smells like your wet dog
The smell of wet dog can linger in the house after a heavy rain.
When it's grey in L.A. it's much better that way
I still prefer overcast days in Los Angeles.
It reminds you that this town's so cruel
The gloomy weather is a reminder of the harsh realities of living in Los Angeles.
Yeah, it might feel like fun when you're sporting sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses in sunny weather may seem enjoyable, but the novelty wears off quickly.
But really you're just one more fool
Wearing sunglasses doesn't make you any better than anyone else.
And I'm just a chump and this whole town's a dump
I feel foolish for coming to Los Angeles, which I now see as a disappointing place.
We came out here to dump all our dreams
Many people move to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams, but often end up disappointed.
Of making it big but we're stuck in a singular nightmare
The reality of life in Los Angeles can be a nightmare for those who came seeking fame and fortune.
That's just how it seems
This is my perception of the situation.
And I suppose Laurie David sure knows
Laurie David, an environmental activist, understands the negative impact of cars on the environment.
All those cars we drive heat up our earth
Car emissions contribute to global warming.
And sea temperatures rise and those constant blue skies
Rising temperatures can lead to ocean warming and other negative effects, even though blue skies seem innocent.
And brush fires can sure curb your mirth
Frequent fires in the dry Los Angeles region can negatively impact one's mood.
Brad Grey's in L.A. yeah okay I should stay here
Brad Grey, a prominent figure in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, is a reason to stay in the city.
There's no place that's better I know
Despite its flaws, I still believe Los Angeles is the best place for me.
For a wannabe star stuck in a car
Los Angeles is the place to be for aspiring entertainers who spend a lot of time driving around the city.
On a freeway with nowhere to go
Even though they are on a crowded freeway, they still feel lost and unsure about what the future holds.
Contributed by Elliot P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.