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.
Murder
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And not near enough for me to go
And the whole damn complicated
Situation could've been avoided if I'd only shut the window
And I may be leavin' myself open
To a murder or a heart attack
But I'm leavin' the back door open
And I may be movin' myself closer
To a real untimely end
But I'm leavin' the back door open
'Til you come home again, you come home again
And I told the neighbors, I put pictures up
And handed out some flyers at the show
And the whole town speculating
Situations could've been avoided if I'd only shut the window
And I may be leavin' myself open
To a murder or a heart attack
But I'm leavin' the back door open
'Til you come back, 'til you come back
And I may be movin' myself closer
To a real untimely end
But I'm leavin' the back door open
'Til you come home again, you come home again
'Til you come home again
And I may be leavin' myself open
To a murder or a heart attack
But I'm leavin' the back door open
'Til you come back, 'til you come back
And I may be movin' myself closer
To a real untimely end
But I'm leavin' the back door open
'Til you come home again, you come home again
'Til you come home again, 'til you come home
"Murder" by Old 97's is a song that tells the story of a man who leaves the back door of his house open, waiting for his lover to return. The exact reason for the lover's departure is not clear, but the man seems to have some culpability in the situation. He admits that the "complicated situation could've been avoided if I'd only shut the window." He's not blaming himself wholly, but he does take some responsibility.
The lyrics "And the hole in the screen is barely big enough for you / And not near enough for me to go" describe the physical space that separates the man from his lover. The hole in the screen is too small to fit through, and as such, the man is left waiting for his lover to return. He's put up posters and flyers, telling the neighbors that his lover is missing. The man seems fatalistic, stating that leaving his back door open may invite murder or even a heart attack. But he's willing to take the risk, even if it means he's closer to an "untimely end."
Overall, the song conveys a sense of helplessness and desperation. The man is left waiting for his lover to return, uncertain whether it will ever happen. The music is upbeat and lively, which creates a contrast with the dark lyrics. The use of the backdoor as a metaphor provides a poignant commentary on the situation, underscoring the idea that the man is leaving himself vulnerable, hoping that his lover will return.
Line by Line Meaning
And the hole in the screen is barely big enough for you
The hole in the screen is small, just enough for you to fit through, but not me.
And not near enough for me to go
I can't escape through the hole.
And the whole damn complicated
The situation is difficult and complex.
Situation could've been avoided if I'd only shut the window
If I had closed the window, this situation would not have happened.
And I may be leavin' myself open
I know that I am putting myself in danger.
To a murder or a heart attack
I might die from being murdered, or suffer a heart attack due to the stress.
But I'm leavin' the back door open
I keep the back door open, hoping you will come back.
'Til you come back, 'til you come back
I'll keep the door open until you return.
And I may be movin' myself closer
I am putting myself in extreme danger.
To a real untimely end
I may die a tragic death.
And I told the neighbors, I put pictures up
I've tried to get help by warning my neighbors and making flyers.
And handed out some flyers at the show
I even advertised your disappearance at a concert.
And the whole town speculating
Everyone in town is talking about it.
Situations could've been avoided if I'd only shut the window
If I had just shut the window, none of this would have happened.
But I'm leavin' the back door open
I keep the back door open, hoping you will return.
Til you come home again, you come home again
I'll wait for you to come back.
Total lines
16
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MELBOURNE MILLER, DONALD DENNIS, LOWELL DUNBAR, ROBERT LYN, ROBERT SHAKESPEARE, KEITH MORGAN, MARCUS MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomholihan4850
Thanks. Perhaps the best pop song of the past 25 years.
@mystychrysmthehumanprism3507
Goddam that's so awesome that it's about a kitten and not the overdone trope of a lover!!!
@2ezee2011
Last time I saw them live was at the Gypsy Tea Room. My friend Senia sat on my shoulders for the whole show.....she needed an unrestricted view of Rhett! LOL Great song.
@malacour4714
LOL She needed an unrestricted view of Rhett's Ass! :)
@dreemsnake1
This came out when I had just left my husband. He treated me badly. But this is what he told me (leaving the door open) so this song always made me a little sad. But “Learn to Fly” was out at about the same time and the chorus is similar. So I would turn it up thinking it was that song, but it was this one. I’m glad it was about a cat and that he got back safe.
@wheresrain
I'm sorry he treated you badly. Hope your life is better now.
@No-sx6ub
Hope you're making better decisions now, there's always red flags, you just chose to close your eyes.
@tomasinacovell4293
My favorite piece of theirs, it's what made me know them.
@slshusker
Any dudes that became invested in their neurotic feline who saved their heart...umderstands this song.
@EchosLens
@ MarburgMcEwan; I don't know if you'll get this message, but thanks for posting this song! All the live versions that I found didn't have very good sound quality at all, so it was great to find this one!