Old 97's are an alt-country band originally based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Th… Read Full Bio ↴Old 97's are an alt-country band originally based in Dallas, Texas, USA. The group formed in 1993 and took their name from a song popularized by Johnny Cash, "Wreck of the Old '97". They describe themselves as a rock band with influences as varied as the Kinks, the Beatles, Pixies, David Bowie, X, and Merle Haggard. The band often performs songs made famous by the latter two musicians, and has interspersed a number of these on their eight releases since 1994.

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.

ivy
Old 97's Lyrics

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Ivy's got a boyfriend problem
Ivy's got a creep
Me, I'm working overtime
Working on a novel in my sleep

Tell it to the jury, baby
Tell it to your mom
Well, I think it's a whodunit, oh, but

I don't know who done it

Well, it may be an alarm clock
But it just might be a bomb
Nobody wants me but the law
And I'll lay it down

Yeah, I'll lay it down
Hands across the watermelon
Waiting on the rain
What I've got to offer

Is academic, I ain't selling
Goodbye, close the screen door
See you later
Go away

Nobody wants me but the law
And I'll lay it down
Yeah, I'll lay it down for you
Yeah, I'll lay it down

I keep turning up The Wedding Present
You're too tired to turn me down
Well, you're probably gonna tell me
that this sounds a little adolescent

Counting me, there's one-point-three million lonely people in this town
Nobody wants me but the law
And I'll lay it down
Yeah, I'll lay it down for you

Yeah, I'll lay it down for you

Yeah, I'll lay it down for you
Yeah, I'll lay it down

Overall Meaning

The song "Ivy" by Old 97's tells the story of a man named me who is trying to navigate his complicated feelings for a woman named Ivy. Ivy has a boyfriend who is a problem and a "creep," which creates tension and confusion for the singer. Meanwhile, the singer is working on a novel and finds himself constantly thinking about Ivy, who may or may not be interested in him. He is unsure of who to trust and suspects that something sinister may be going on. The lyrics "Tell it to the jury, baby, Tell it to your mom, Well, I think it's a whodunit, oh, but, I don't know who done it" suggest a feeling of desperation and confusion.

The second half of the song addresses the singer's loneliness and feelings of isolation. He feels unappreciated and rejected, singing "Nobody wants me but the law, And I'll lay it down." He finds comfort in music, mentioning The Wedding Present, but still feels like he is not able to connect with Ivy or anyone else. The repetition of the phrase "Yeah, I'll lay it down for you" at the end of the song adds a sense of finality and resignation. Despite his longing and confusion, the singer seems resigned to his fate and is willing to lay down his feelings for Ivy.

Line by Line Meaning

Ivy's got a boyfriend problem
Ivy is having issues with her boyfriend

Ivy's got a creep
Someone is creeping Ivy out

Me, I'm working overtime... Working on a novel in my sleep
The singer is busy working on his novel and even dreams about it

Tell it to the jury, baby... I don't know who done it
The situation Ivy is in seems like a mystery and the singer has no clue who is responsible

Well, it may be an alarm clock... And I'll lay it down
The singer is willing to face whatever consequences come his way and do whatever he must do to help Ivy

Hands across the watermelon... What I've got to offer... Is academic, I ain't selling
The singer has nothing to offer Ivy in a material sense, but he is still willing to help her

Goodbye, close the screen door... See you later... Go away
The singer is saying goodbye to Ivy and wants her to leave

I keep turning up The Wedding Present... You're too tired to turn me down...
The singer keeps trying to make a connection with Ivy, but she seems uninterested

Counting me, there's one-point-three million lonely people in this town
The singer feels lonely and thinks that there are many other lonely people in the town

Yeah, I'll lay it down for you... Yeah, I'll lay it down
The singer is willing to do everything in his power to help Ivy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kendall Dewayne Bethea, Murry Hammond, Philip Wayne Peeples, Stewart Ransom Miller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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