Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Crash on the Barrelhead
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll regret the things that you done
One of these days you're gonna rue
All the messed up things you do
You're gonna die the way you live
And the way you drink you're like a ri-
ver bound for falls and not much fun
Chorus:
You're gonna wake up in your shoes
No one you love a'watching you
You'll hate you're face when the morning shines
On the mirror frame and you're guilty mind.
You're gonna crash on the barrelhead son
And do the walls know what you done?
And do they listen in on you?
Do the walls know what you do?
Chorus
The lyrics to Old 97's's song Crash on the Barrelhead suggest that the singer is warning someone that they are heading down a dangerous path, and that their reckless behavior will lead to regret, eventually leading toward their death. The metaphor "crash on the barrelhead" represents the idea of hitting rock bottom, and the singer is predicting that this person will ultimately be alone, with no one who loves them to watch over them.
The second verse continues with the description of the person’s life as a river, flowing toward the inevitable outcome of hitting the falls. The use of the metaphor suggests that the person is on a set path; they can’t change their trajectory or navigate to safer waters. They are destined to fall and crash on the barrelhead.
The chorus emphasizes the loneliness of the person's final moments. They will wake up alone, with no one they love around them. The guilt they feel in the morning will consume them as they look at themselves in the mirror. The final verse is like a final pleading from the singer to the person they are addressing, asking if the walls know what they've done and listened to them. It suggests that the person’s actions have been severe and have caught the attention of those in their vicinity.
Overall the lyrics of the song convey the idea that one's actions will catch up to them eventually, and the moment of reckoning will be a lonely one. The use of metaphors throughout the song emphasizes the inevitability of this outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna crash on the barrelhead son
You will suffer the consequences of your reckless behavior
You'll regret the things that you done
You will feel remorse for your past actions
One of these days you're gonna rue
At some point in the future, you will regret
All the messed up things you do
The unethical and harmful acts you commit
You're gonna die the way you live
The manner in which you live your life will also be the way you die
And the way you drink you're like a ri-
Your drinking habits resemble those of a...
ver bound for falls and not much fun
... stream heading towards a waterfall, which is not a pleasant experience
You're gonna wake up in your shoes
You will awake alone, with nobody there for you
No one you love a'watching you
No one who cares about you will be around to witness this
You'll hate you're face when the morning shines
You will resent and regret your own appearance in the morning
On the mirror frame and you're guilty mind.
This is compounded by your conscience being plagued by feelings of guilt
And do the walls know what you done?
Are the walls aware of your actions?
And do they listen in on you?
Do the walls listen to your conversations?
Do the walls know what you do?
Do the walls know about the things you do?
Contributed by Gavin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.