His first album, Marshall Crenshaw, was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving Crenshaw a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album, and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."
Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly -- to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989 he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993 he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994 he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continues to record, and in 1999 released the critically acclaimed #447.
Crenshaw has recently been playing guitar with the reunited members of the MC5.
One More Reason
Marshall Crenshaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my mind runs back over dreams died long ago
[Chorus]
I'm reminded again that hearts cry
Love leaves with no goodbye
It's one more reason to cry
Down streets that suggest to me
Nothing more or less than a world full of misery
[Chorus]
Where did she stay last night?
I've really got to know somehow
And another thing
Could that be where she is right now?
I'm reminded again that worlds die
Love leaves with no goodbye
It's one more reason to cry
Marshall Crenshaw's song "One More Reason" is a heart-wrenching ballad that speaks to the pain of lost love. The first two lines of the song set the stage for the emotional journey the listener is about to embark on. The singer is up late at night listening to a sad song on the radio, and his mind drifts back to dreams that died long ago. The sorrowful sentiment of the singer is immediately palpable, as he's clearly been grappling with the weight of regret for some time.
The chorus foregrounds the theme of heartbreak as a recurring experience, as the singer is "reminded again" of the ways in which love can leave one reeling with no warning or closure. This realization is "one more reason to cry", placing the loss of love as both the source of the singer's pain and an endless well from which his tears spring forth.
The second verse of the song finds the singer seeking some solace by walking outside, but he is discouraged by the bleakness of the world around him. The chorus repeats, highlighting the cyclical nature of the singer's pain, which is triggered by external events then internalized in the remembrance of lost love. The final verse of the song raises the stakes by introducing a sense of desperation, as the singer wonders where his former lover is and realizes that her absence only compounds his pain. The final chorus hammers home the idea that lost love is a universal experience that spawns infinite reasons to cry.
Line by Line Meaning
Late night, listening to a sad song on the radio
During the late hours of the night, I am listening to a melancholic song playing on the radio.
And my mind runs back over dreams died long ago
This song transported me back in time, making me remember my past dreams that never came to fruition.
I'm reminded again that hearts cry
This experience has reminded me that love is not always smooth sailing and it can break hearts.
Love leaves with no goodbye
Love can vanish without warning or explanation, leaving those in its wake lost and vulnerable.
It's one more reason to cry
All of these experiences combined with this song are giving me one more reason to feel sad and cry.
So I take a walk outside
In an attempt to clear my mind, I decide to take a stroll outside.
Down streets that suggest to me
As I walk, the streets seem to be a reminder that this world can be full of misery and pain.
Nothing more or less than a world full of misery
The world outside feels bleak and hopeless, like it's nothing but misery all around.
Where did she stay last night?
I am preoccupied with finding out where she spent the night before and am determined to figure it out.
I've really got to know somehow
Not knowing where she is causing me anxiety and I feel like I must find out to ease it.
And another thing
Another question or thought has arisen that needs to be addressed.
Could that be where she is right now?
I speculate that her whereabouts from the night before may lead me to her current location.
I'm reminded again that worlds die
All of these intense emotions have brought to mind that relationships and the world as we know it can come to an end.
Love leaves with no goodbye
Love's sudden disappearance can lead to one being left with no explanation or sense of closure.
It's one more reason to cry
Taken all together, these thoughts, emotions, and experiences are giving me one more reason to feel sad and cry.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARSHALL H CRENSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Walker
To whoever posted this long-lost shimmering masterpiece thank you so much MC forever
Randy Millhouse
Gotta walk with ya on that one Lisa. Love this music!
James Parent
Steve Lillywhite. The Rolling Stone review said this was the wrong producer for this album. Can’t disagree. Some of the songs on this album are soooo underrated/undiscovered/unappreciated.😖