His music is often placed (perhaps inappropriately) under the genre of "alternative country". Oldham was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He briefly attended Brown University, and now calls Baltimore, Maryland home.
West Palm Beach
Palace Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This being in Florida's done a number on my blues
Just the way the women walk round here
Its plain to see the way the sand and the sea have done a number on me
And the sky is threatening black and gray and the sun is a festering red
And her head is claiming her stats ; she ain't yet risen from bed
So breakfast again delayed, postponed, I wont be fed
And the water's warmer than it has been in weeks
Grandma lives just down the road, she's making supper for me tonight
She's been nice to me since '73 when her sun lost his lights
And now his ghost is a rising host above the briny blur
I would that soon some maid would swoon and his soul would capture her
He's still a fine kid, what with all that he did, he's a fan of mine
I wasn't planning to spend so long in town
But the break in the weather has got the partner down
She won't get out, she's shotgun, seems she's sewn to the seat
It's a dirty old trick that I've yet to lick and she's yet to beat
You can see it in her eyes, she was born unwise, she was born for me
If she mourns too long I'll know something's wrong and I'll leave her be
You can tell by his shoes he was born to lose, he was born for me
The lyrics to Palace Music's "West Palm Beach" describe a man who finds himself stuck in Florida, unable to shake off the sand and the blues that come with being in the Sunshine State. The way women walk around him here is enough to draw his attention, and the sights of the sea and the sky are not helping matters. His partner seems to be struggling as well, as they both try to navigate their troubles. The surf has consumed someone he once knew, and he remembers his grandmother, who has been kind to him since her son, his uncle, passed away.
The singer seems reflective and introspective throughout the lyrics, grappling with his own issues and those of the people around him. He paints a picture of a place that can be beautiful and inviting, but also overwhelming and oppressive. He speaks of lost loved ones, present struggles, and uncertain futures, all set against the backdrop of a beachside town.
The lyrics suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of the situations he finds himself in, with a certain fatalistic humor underlying it all. Despite the challenges he faces, he seems to have a certain fondness for his surroundings and the people in his life, even as he acknowledges the difficulties they pose. Ultimately, "West Palm Beach" is a heartfelt and thoughtful reflection on the complexities of life in a place where everything seems to be in flux.
Line by Line Meaning
I cant get the sand out of my shoes
The sand and the sea in Florida have caused the singer's blues, and the sand in their shoes is a tangible reminder of their experience in this place.
Just the way the women walk round here
The women in this area move in a way that draws attention, likely due to the influence of the beach.
It's plain to see the way the sand and the sea have done a number on me
The singer's behavior and state of mind have been affected by their time spent in the sandy, ocean-side environment of Florida.
And the sky is threatening black and gray and the sun is a festering red
The weather in this location is turning ominous, with stormy skies and perhaps even pollution affecting the color of the sun.
And her head is claiming her stats ; she ain't yet risen from bed
The partner has not yet woken up, and seems preoccupied with their own thoughts or worries.
So breakfast again delayed, postponed, I wont be fed
The singer will have to go without breakfast because their partner is not awake or able to provide for them.
The surf has swallowed him up, he's a memory now
A person has been lost to the sea, and is now only a memory in the minds of those who knew them.
And the water's warmer than it has been in weeks
The temperature of the ocean has risen to a level it has not reached in recent weeks.
Grandma lives just down the road, she's making supper for me tonight
The artist has a relative nearby who is taking care of them and providing them with a meal.
She's been nice to me since '73 when her sun lost his lights
The artist's relationship with their grandmother began after a tragedy involving her son (possibly the artist's father or uncle).
And now his ghost is a rising host above the briny blur
The deceased relative's spirit is metaphorically present in the ocean, represented as a 'host' or group of spirits.
I would that soon some maid would swoon and his soul would capture her
The artist hopes that someone might be inspired by the spirit of their relative, and that they might become a vessel for capturing his essence.
He's still a fine kid, what with all that he did, he's a fan of mine
The singer still has respect for their relative, who they remember as a good person even posthumously.
I wasn't planning to spend so long in town
The singer did not expect to stay in this location for an extended period of time.
But the break in the weather has got the partner down
The partner is affected negatively by the changing weather conditions, which may be why they have not woken up yet.
She won't get out, she's shotgun, seems she's sewn to the seat
The partner is remaining in the car, and seems to be stuck there or unwilling to leave.
It's a dirty old trick that I've yet to lick and she's yet to beat
The artist is no closer to solving the issue at hand than their partner is.
You can see it in her eyes, she was born unwise, she was born for me
The partner seems to be ill-suited for the singer, and their behavior indicates this.
If she mourns too long I'll know something's wrong and I'll leave her be
If the partner continues to dwell on the situation, the singer will have no choice but to part ways with them.
You can tell by his shoes he was born to lose, he was born for me
The artist feels that their companion is fated to lose, or perhaps is only with them out of inevitability rather than genuine desire or compatibility.
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@teenagecaveman881
up to 30K views by 12/30/21...this is my old YT channel, that I dont have the password to anymore. Im happy that this video is doing so well and providing these beautiful renditions for the listeners.
@danielvine2982
Tanksalot❤
@bradleyduncan5892
I've been listening to these two songs since 1996 and they're still just as perfect now. He still plays these two songs live too, and every time I hear them they are re-imagined and fresh. Honestly, listen to live versions from 2005 or 2009! His songs grow old and mature with him. You can't beat that.
@rene9406
Reminds me of the time around when my first love left me. It was summer, and every beautiful view I saw rang with the crushing knowledge that I was seeing it without him. Every sunset, every waterfall, every shaking leaf, was about him.
It is a devastating feeling, and I had forgotten it until I heard West Palm Beach again tonight.
@teenagecaveman881
Thats beautiful and interesting, because these songs always seem to tell a story about taking somebody on a vacation to help them get over some heartbreak
@stephenberlinguette7569
West Palm Beach is just about the prettiest song I’ve ever heard
@etamommy
I find Gulf Shores also to be as beautiful a tune! A perfect couple of songs!
@tamersertoglu3496
Was perfect since it first came out
@ianmccoy1251
west palm beach is as close to perfection as i know
@ssourick
This song progression is everything in the world. I can't even begin to explain...