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.
Won't Be Home
Old 97's Lyrics
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From pushing me too far
Well the problem's gettin' big
An empty compact car
So I won't feel so bad
I did all I could do
Now I'm on wounded knee
And we're at Waterloo
I was born in the backseat of a mustang
On a cold night in a hard rain
And the very first song that the radio sang
Was "I won't be home no more"
You're a rattle trap tonight
My ears are gettin' tired
So listen for awhile
Before this thing expired
Oh it was bound to fail
All because of where I'm from
Now the moon's at four o'clock
And it's high time kingdom come
So please get out, of my car
I was born in the backseat of a mustang
On a cold night in a hard rain
And the very first song that the radio sang
Was "I won't be home no more"
I was born in the backseat of a mustang
On a cold night in a hard rain
And the very first song that the radio sang
Was "I won't be home no more"
The lyrics of Old 97's's "Won't Be Home" suggests that the singer is in a car with someone who is pushing them too far. The line "You're a bottle cap away from pushing me too far" implies that the singer is feeling very close to their breaking point. The next line "Well the problem's getting big, an empty compact car" suggests that the problems in the relationship are growing and that the car they are in is almost empty, meaning there is little left between them. The singer then says that they've done all they could do and that it's time for the other person to get out of their car.
The lyrics then shift to a flashback of the singer's birth in the backseat of a Mustang on a cold, rainy night where the first song on the radio was "I won't be home no more." This line implies that the singer is no stranger to leaving and that their tendency to leave might be ingrained in them.
The following stanza further emphasizes the tense nature of the situation, with the other person being referred to as a "rattle trap" and the singer's ears getting tired. The line "All because of where I'm from" implies that there may be a cultural or societal expectation that the singer is trying to break free from. The final lines of the song reiterate the message from the beginning and that it's finally time for the other person to leave the car.
Overall, the song seems to be about someone who has reached their limit in a relationship, and that leaving might be the only option. The repeated refrain of "I won't be home no more" suggests a sense of freedom and the ability to leave the past behind.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a bottle cap away
You are very close to reaching my limit
From pushing me too far
You are on the verge of making me lose my cool
Well the problem's gettin' big
The issue between us is becoming larger and more difficult to ignore
An empty compact car
The car we are in is lacking energy and feeling desolate
So I won't feel so bad
I have tried my best to resolve the situation and have no regrets
I did all I could do
I have made every effort possible to make things work
Now I'm on wounded knee
I am feeling hurt and vulnerable
And we're at Waterloo
We have reached a point of no return, a decisive and final moment
So please get out of my car
I need you to exit the vehicle and leave me alone
I was born in the backseat of a mustang
I come from humble beginnings and a hard life
On a cold night in a hard rain
The circumstances of my birth were harsh and unforgiving
And the very first song that the radio sang
The first thing I heard in life was music that spoke of not returning home
Was "I won't be home no more"
The lyrics of the song echoed the struggles of my upbringing and the desire to escape
You're a rattle trap tonight
You are acting erratic and unpredictable
My ears are gettin' tired
I am weary of listening to your excuses
So listen for awhile
Pay attention to what I am saying and try to understand
Before this thing expired
We need to resolve our issues before it's too late and everything falls apart
Oh it was bound to fail
Our relationship was doomed to end poorly for a variety of reasons
All because of where I'm from
Our differences, particularly our backgrounds, have played a role in our problems
Now the moon's at four o'clock
It is late at night and things have gone on for too long
And it's high time kingdom come
It's about time for things to end, and for us to accept that we are not meant to be together
So please get out, of my car
I need you to leave and move on from our failed relationship
I was born in the backseat of a mustang
My humble beginnings have shaped and influenced me
On a cold night in a hard rain
The hardships I faced have made me strong and determined
And the very first song that the radio sang
The music that has accompanied me through life has reflected my struggles and triumphs
Was "I won't be home no more"
The lyrics of the song have continued to be relevant to my life, including this moment of ending a relationship
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, MARK OLSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind