Doughty's sound is that of muted acoustic guitar rhythms and nasally vocals with impeccable melodies. His lyrics are unique, and he can be described as a master wordsmith. He turned to a new direction for his 2008 album, Golden Delicious. Instead of an acoustic gritty sound, he began using things like electric guitars, stronger vocal backgrounds and even a cello.
Doughty's album, Yes and Also Yes, was released in August 2011. In January 2012, The Book of Drugs, Doughty's memoir about his "ugly, drug-doing years", was published by Da Capo Press. In 2012 Doughty recorded a version of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" for a fund-raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU. Doughty's album, The Question Jar Show, was released in late January 2012. It is a two disc set containing highlights from his Question Jar tour.
Discography:
Skittish LP (recorded 1996; released 2000)
Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis LP (2002)
Rockity Roll EP (2003)
Skittish / Rockity Roll double LP (2004): A two disc re-release which includes the out-of-print Skittish, the Rockity Roll EP, and five bonus tracks.
Haughty Melodic LP (2005): Doughty's first full-band album, released on May 3, 2005.
The Gambler EP (2005): Six song EP. Title track is a cover of the Kenny Rogers hit.
Golden Delicious (2008)
Sad Man Happy Man (2009)
Yes and Also Yes (2011)
The Question Jar Show (2012)
The Lo-Fi Lodge (2012)
The Flip Is Another Honey (2012)
Official website: www.mikedoughty.com
Move On
Mike Doughty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can feel the changes comin' on
Bloom like flowers in bluest night
Bloom like the sunlight in my song
dumb dumb, dumb dumb, dumb
Dumb dumb, bay, dumb, dumb
Move on, move on, dumb dumb
All of the words you can't say right
Burn my ass with anger to no end
I love my country so much man
Like an exasperating friend
dumb dumb, dumb dumb, dumb
Dumb dumb, bay, dumb, dumb
Move on, move on, dumb dumb
Dumb dumb, dumb, dumb dumb, bay
Now, now, now, now, now
Now, now, now, now, now
Yeah, I believe the war is wrong
Don't believe that nations can be steered
Lead the world by smarts and compassion
By example, not coercion, force and fear
dumb dumb, dumb dumb, dumb
Dumb dumb, bay, dumb, dumb
Move on, move on, dumb dumb
Dumb dumb, dumb, dumb dumb, bay
Ads for the army on cable
Between ads for soda and skin cream
What about the kids you have signed up?
Do you really love them as you claim?
Now, now, now, now, now
Now, now, now, now, now
dumb dumb, dumb dumb, dumb
Dumb dumb, bay, dumb, dumb
Move on, move on, dumb dumb
Dumb dumb, dumb, dumb dumb, bay
Down in the mouth and not half right
But I can feel the changes comin on
Bloom like the flowers in bluest night
Bloom like the sunlight in my song
The opening lines to Mike Doughty’s song Move On reveal a narrator who’s feeling down and out of sorts, but senses a change is in the air. He compares it to “flowers in the bluest night” and the “sunlight in my song”, referencing the growth and light he perceives in the midst of darkness. The repetition of “dumb dumb” and “move on” throughout the song can be interpreted as a call to action to ignore distractions and push forward towards progress.
The second verse of the song touches on a sensitive topic - the singer clearly cares for his country, but is angry about the things he sees happening within it. It’s a complicated relationship, almost like a frustrating friendship. He grapples with things that are impossible to say aloud, which only adds to the inner turmoil he’s experiencing.
The third verse is where the song gets political, with the singer shifting his focus towards the war and the way nations are run. He expresses a belief that the war is wrong and nations should be led with smart, compassionate examples without the use of coercion, force and fear.
The song ends on a somber note, with an mention of military recruitment ads tucked between commercials for soda and skin products. He asks those who run recruitment to truly love the kids who’ve signed up, ending with the same sense of hope and impending progress that he started with.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the mouth and not half right
Feeling down and out of sorts
But I can feel the changes comin' on
Believing that good things are on the horizon
Bloom like flowers in bluest night
Positive changes happening in the darkness
Bloom like the sunlight in my song
Good things blooming because of something positive
Dumb dumb, dumb dumb, dumb
Repeating something meaningless
Dumb dumb, bay, dumb, dumb
Repeating something meaningless in different ways
Move on, move on, dumb dumb
Encouraging someone to move forward despite feeling stuck
All of the words you can't say right
Friction caused by miscommunication
Burn my ass with anger to no end
Being frustrated and angry
I love my country so much man
Expressing love for one's country
Like an exasperating friend
One's country is a friend that can be frustrating at times
Now, now, now, now, now
Emphasizing an important point
Yeah, I believe the war is wrong
Opposing the war
Don't believe that nations can be steered
Believing that countries cannot be controlled
Lead the world by smarts and compassion
Suggesting that intelligence and kindness are effective leadership qualities
By example, not coercion, force and fear
Leading through positive influence rather than through fear-mongering
Ads for the army on cable
Noticing military recruitment ads on television
Between ads for soda and skin cream
Noticing military recruitment ads on television among unrelated commercials
What about the kids you have signed up?
Questioning the well-being of young people who have enlisted in the military
Do you really love them as you claim?
Questioning the sincerity of those who say they care about military members
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind