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.
Four Leaf Clover
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it ain't done one single lick of good
I'm still a drunk I'm still a loser
Living in a lousy neighborhood
I got a real live horseshoe
And I hung it upside down above my door
But it ain't done nothing to attract you
Why don't you come over
I'll show you my four leaf clover
Who am I tryin' to kid
I'm not the kind of guy you'd go for
I got a four leaf clover
But I ain't got no hope of getting you
I gotta oooooooooo
Oh I got a lucky silver dollar
My granddaddy gave it to me now he's dead
At times like this I wish that I could join him
So I can stop this pounding in my head
Why don't you come over
I'll show you my four leaf clover
Who am I tryin' to kid
I'm not the kind of guy you go for
I got a four leaf clover
But I ain't got no hope of getting you
Well I ain't got no hope of getting you
No I ain't got no hope of getting you
The lyrics to Old 97's's song Four Leaf Clover tell the story of someone who has tried everything to get the person they desire, but nothing seems to work. The singer begins by talking about their four leaf clover and how it hasn't brought them any luck. They still struggle with their problems, and their neighborhood is still lousy. Despite hanging a horseshoe above their door, nothing has changed.
The singer then addresses the person they desire, asking them to come over to see their four leaf clover. However, they know deep down that they aren't the kind of person that the other person would go for. They continue to express their frustration, telling the other person that they have a lucky silver dollar but even that can't help them. The desperation in the lyrics reaches its climax when the singer wishes they could join their grandfather, who gave them the lucky silver dollar, in death just to end their suffering.
Overall, the song paints a picture of someone who is trying everything they can to win the affections of someone they desire but failing miserably at every turn. They are in a dark place, hoping for any kind of luck to turn their life around.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a four leaf clover
I have something that is traditionally considered lucky
And it ain't done one single lick of good
But it hasn't brought me any good fortune
I'm still a drunk I'm still a loser
I'm still struggling with addiction and feel like a failure
Living in a lousy neighborhood
And I'm stuck living in a run-down area
I got a real live horseshoe
I also have another item considered lucky (a horseshoe)
And I hung it upside down above my door
But I didn't hang it correctly (upside down), which may negate any potential luck
But it ain't done nothing to attract you
Despite having these supposed lucky items, I still haven't won over the person I desire
So I don't know what the hell it's for
So I don't really see the point of it all
Why don't you come over
I invite you to visit me
I'll show you my four leaf clover
And I'll show you this item I think is lucky
Who am I tryin' to kid
But deep down, I know that it probably won't impress or attract you
I'm not the kind of guy you'd go for
Because I'm aware that I lack the qualities you look for in a partner
I got a four leaf clover
Again, I have this item considered fortunate
But I ain't got no hope of getting you
But I don't have any realistic chance of winning your affection
I gotta oooooooooo
A drawn-out exclamation expressing frustration or defeat
Oh I got a lucky silver dollar
I have another object I believe to be fortunate (a silver dollar)
My granddaddy gave it to me now he's dead
It also has sentimental value, given to me by my deceased grandfather
At times like this I wish that I could join him
In moments like this, I feel so hopeless that I wish I could be with him in death
So I can stop this pounding in my head
To escape the pain and frustration I feel in my life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KENDALL DEWAYNE BETHEA, MURRAY HAMMOND, STEWART RANSOM MILLER, PHILIP WAYNE PEEPLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bclarkphoto
I got a four leaf clover.
It ain't done one single lick of good.
I'm still a drunk and I'm still a loser.
I'm living in a lousy neighborhood.
I got a real live horseshoe,
And I hung it upside-down above my door.
But it don't do nothing to impress you,
So I don't know what the hell it's for.
@jefffordoutlaw9325
It's no wonder these guys have been around 20 years there just fantastic
@erikfreymuth6137
By track 12, Too Fat to Care is already a classic. Then track 13 rolls in Exene Cervenka from X and the album goes immortal. What an album closer.
@nrohrs3689
where the hell have I been for 20 years? I love them!
@cherrybomb1386
This has been in my head the last few months and I couldnt remember where I heard it and now I am rewatching Veronica Mars and BAM I remember
@bclarkphoto
Nice!!
@bclarkphoto
I got a four leaf clover.
It ain't done one single lick of good.
I'm still a drunk and I'm still a loser.
I'm living in a lousy neighborhood.
I got a real live horseshoe,
And I hung it upside-down above my door.
But it don't do nothing to impress you,
So I don't know what the hell it's for.
@NMMojavePoet
I think this is Lucinda Williams singing also on this tract. Been one of my favorite songs since the 90's! Thanks for posting it!
@darbymorrison
Exene Cervenka from X
@vene_unsweetened
Love it! See ya in Atlanta!
@deniselayton1845
Exene Cervenka ya got that right Mark Guertin!!