Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston subway stations (particularly on the Red Line, as noted by the name she chose for her music and lyric publishing company, On the Red Line Music.)
She has claimed that she had a romantic relationship with Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain before the group's rise to mainstream fame. This claim was disputed by some, including Cobain himself, though it has been suggested that Cobain's wife Courtney Love made him publicly lie about his past relationships to prove his devotion to her. In 1994, Lord showed up uninvited at a party for Courtney Love's band Hole, which ended with Love chasing Lord down Sunset Strip.
Lord toured three separate times with Elliott Smith during the 1990s. He also wrote and helped Lord record a song called, "I Figured You Out", in 1997. Smith would later say that, "I gave that song away 'cause I thought it sounded like The Eagles and that it sucked."
Her recordings have been a mixture of covers (including songs by Elliott Smith and Richard Thompson) and original material, with a number of songs written by, or in collaboration with, Nick Saloman of the British band The Bevis Frond.
Her recording of Daniel Johnston's "Speeding Motorcycle" (which was originally featured on her self-titled 8-song Kill Rock Stars release) was featured in commercials for Target stores, after which her label reissued the song as the lead-off track of a CD single which also included two demo recordings from the sessions for Got No Shadow.
In 2001, Lord released Live City Sounds. This was a self-released disc of Mary Lou playing live in the Boston subway. The disc was later re-released after Mary Lou signed to Rubric Records.
She announced in 2005 that she suffered from a rare vocal chord affliction known as spasmodic dysphonia. She thereafter became more involved in A&R work and started Jittery Jack Management with her husband, Kevin Patey.
Hard Road
Mary Lou Lord Lyrics
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Your eyes fixed to the cement ground
Your heart is warm, your hands are cold
You know the truth, but the story gets old
You stood on the corner for a long time
People passin' by you gave
You nickels and dimes
They think you're one of the nameless
Oh, Bill, I know how you're feelin'
Your heart's on fire and your head is reelin'
But with the spirit to guide you
And a friend beside you you know you'll win
If you're only willin'
The sun's so hot and my heart is thumpin'
Let me buy you a beer or somethin'
You've been travellin' a hard road
Sit down, Bill, lighten your load
If you need a friend, give me a call
I got your picture on my wall
From one compadre to another
I love you, Bill, as I would my brother
Oh, Bill, I know how you're feelin'
Your heart's on fire and your head is reelin'
But with the spirit to guide you
And a friend beside you you know you'll win
If you're only willin'
Oh, Bill, I know how you're feelin'
Your heart's on fire and your head is reelin'
But with the spirit to guide you
And a friend beside you you know you'll win
If you're only willin'
If you're only willin'
If you're only willin'
The lyrics of "Hard Road" by Mary Lou Lord are an introspective and melancholic portrayal of a life full of mistakes and hardships. The first verse conveys a deep sense of regret, as the singer laments the life that slipped through their fingers, and wonders where they will turn next. It's almost as if they were aware of the poor choices they made and the opportunities they missed, yet couldn't help but keep messing things up.
The second stanza explains that the singer has been trying to communicate to people that they are haunted by the blues in their life, and that being born for trouble has led them down a difficult path. This is a clear acknowledgement of their innate nature, the fact that they might not be able to change the way they are, and that there is a certain fatalism attached to how their life pans out.
The third stanza recalls the relationships the singer had with women, which only resulted in many broken hearts. There's a sense of disillusionment and fatigue that pervades this verse, as if the singer has grown cynical about both love and life in general. The fourth and final verse indicates that the singer has decided to pack up and leave, likely because they feel trapped by life and want a fresh start. However, they acknowledge that pain and trouble are part of the package, and the road ahead will be rough.
Overall, "Hard Road" is a poignant ballad that doesn't shy away from honesty and vulnerability. It's a reflection on the difficulties of life, and the mistakes that shape us as human beings.
Line by Line Meaning
I let a life slip through my fingers
Regretting a missed opportunity in life, wondering where to go next.
Where am I gonna turn?
Feeling lost and unsure about the future.
I'm the causing of the trouble
Aware of personal responsibility for the problems in life.
And it makes my poor heart burn
Feeling remorse for past actions and their consequences.
I been trying to tell you people
Expressing a desire to communicate with others.
That the blues hit me in my life
Acknowledging a sense of sadness and loss.
You know I was born for trouble
Believing that experiencing difficulties is an innate part of one's character.
And it's a hard road till I die
Understanding that life is going to be challenging.
I've loved and lost so many women
Reflecting on a series of failed relationships and their impact.
The cause of many broken heart
Recognizing personal responsibility for the hurt caused to others.
Drank and drifted through the years
Admitting to making poor choices and struggling with addiction.
And watched my family fall apart
Feeling pain and sadness for the disintegration of personal relationships.
I'm gonna pack up my suitcase
Preparing to leave a situation and move on.
Put my misery inside
Coping with and carrying past pain and suffering.
Throw in a bit of pain and trouble
Expecting challenges and difficulties ahead.
And that's the road I'll ride
Accepting difficult times and moving forward into an uncertain future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Silver-jump45
If they find my body, I hope they play this at the funeral