Case has had a wide-ranging career ranging from new wave music to solo acoustic performance.
In 1976, Case teamed up with Jack Lee and Paul Collins, to form early new wave band The Nerves in San Francisco. The Nerves' 1976 single, "Hanging on the Telephone", was eventually recorded by Blondie.
After The Nerves disbanded, Case moved to Los Angeles and formed pop-rock band The Plimsouls in 1980. The group found success with the song "A Million Miles Away", but disbanded soon after. Case briefly toured with Gurf Morlix, Victoria Williams (Case's first wife), and Warren Tornado Klein in a group called the Incredibly Strung Out Band, which never released a record. Case struck out on his own with a self-titled album released in 1986 on Geffen Records and produced by T-Bone Burnett. The album included a number of songs cowritten by Williams, and also featured the talents of John Hiatt and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds.
In 1989, Case released a second solo disc, The Man With the Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar, this time with the help of artists like David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Ry Cooder, and Benmont Tench. While not a hit, the album was a favorite of critics and other musicians: Bruce Springsteen told Rolling Stone that he was listening to Peter Case more than anyone else that year.
Throughout the '90s and early 2000s, Case continued to release discs as a solo performer, moving in an increasingly acoustic-based direction, and playing clubs and small venues. His typical solo performances have featured his own compositions as well as covers of songs by Memphis Minnie, Sleepy John Estes, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and others.
In 1996, The Plimsouls reunited for a few shows and some recording sessions, and they have given occasional performances since then.
Case is also an active musicologist: in the late 1990's, he curated the musical program for the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. In 2001, Case organized, produced, and performed on a tribute album to blues music pioneer Mississippi John Hurt. Case also had the chance to perform Beatles songs at the Hollywood Bowl with Sir George Martin.
In February 2006, Hungry for Music, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, released a three-disc tribute to Case, entitled A Case for Case; the set featured cover versions of Case's songs performed by various artists, including John Prine, Susan Cowsill, and others
The Words In Red
Peter Case Lyrics
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He heft a leather bound Bible up with two hands
Then he slammed it down over my head
Now he can tell you about the sins of man
But he must of skipped over the words in red
Love your brothers and your sisters, take care of each other
Tend the poor and the sick and the ones in jail
Give away your wealth, say the words in red
Blessed are the meek, they'll inherit the earth
Blessed are the wine and bread
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst
Blessed are the words in red
Words in red, words in red
These are the words that Jesus said
The words that Jesus told
Worth the wait in the world of gold
Now, he's a sinner-huntin' preacher in the red light zone
At least that's what the papers said
The finger pointing fools are the first to go
And turn their back on the words in red
You can call it myth or a church man's dream
You can damn it all from A to zed
You can bury it deep, you can sell it out cheap
But you can never lose the words in red
Words in red, words in red
These are the words that Jesus said
The words that Jesus told
Worth the weight of the world of gold
Peter Case's song The Words in Red describes the selective interpretation of religious texts by a sinner-hunting preacher who brandishes a leather bound Bible in one hand while ignoring its fundamental teachings. The preacher's violent assault with the Bible over the singer's head ironically leads him to realize the hypocrisy of the preacher's approach to scripture. He notes that the preacher is eager to skip over "the words in red," which refer to the direct quotes of Jesus Christ in red letters in some editions of the Bible. These words espouse a message of compassion, selflessness, and humility, emphasizing the importance of loving one's neighbor and caring for those in need. The singer urges listeners to follow these teachings and live a life loving others, caring for the poor and the sick, and giving away their wealth. Despite the preacher's selective reading and the attempts of others to undermine the importance of these teachings, the singer asserts that one can never lose the value of the words in red, which hold true in any context or interpretation.
The song is a poignant commentary on the hypocrisy of religious figures who preach without living up to the principles they espouse. It draws on the contrast between the violent use of the Bible as a symbol of power and the message of love and selflessness that it contains. The singer urges listeners to pay attention to the words of Jesus and to live a life dedicated to serving others.
Line by Line Meaning
He heft a leather bound Bible up with two hands
He lifted a large, heavy Bible with two hands
Then he slammed it down over my head
He forcefully hit me on the head with the Bible
Now he can tell you about the sins of man
He has knowledge about the mistakes and shortcomings of people
But he must of skipped over the words in red
He seems to have missed the important teachings of Jesus printed in red in the Bible
Love your brothers and your sisters, take care of each other
Show compassion and kindness to all people, especially those close to you
Love your enemies as well as your friends
Extend love and forgiveness not only to those who are good to you, but even to those who harm you
Tend the poor and the sick and the ones in jail
Take care of those who are marginalized, sick or imprisoned
Give away your wealth, say the words in red
Share your blessings with others and live by the teachings of Jesus
Blessed are the meek, they'll inherit the earth
Humility is rewarded and those who are not arrogant will ultimately benefit
Blessed are the wine and bread
The Eucharist represents the body and blood of Christ and is a source of blessing for those who partake in it
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst
People who have a deep spiritual thirst and hunger will find satisfaction in God
Words in red, words in red
The important teachings of Jesus printed in red in the Bible
These are the words that Jesus said
These are the exact words spoken by Jesus
The words that Jesus told
The teachings and messages shared by Jesus
Worth the wait in the world of gold
These teachings are valuable and worth cherishing, even more than material wealth
Now, he's a sinner-huntin' preacher in the red light zone
The person referred to has now become someone who obsessively looks for the mistakes and faults of others in a sinful area
At least that's what the papers said
This information is based on what was reported in the media
The finger pointing fools are the first to go
Those who easily judge and condemn others will also be easily criticized and rejected themselves
And turn their back on the words in red
They neglect and ignore the important teachings of Jesus in the Bible
You can call it myth or a church man's dream
Some people may consider the Bible and its teachings as legend or an idealized religious concept
You can damn it all from A to zed
Others may completely reject and criticize it, from start to finish
You can bury it deep, you can sell it out cheap
Despite attempts to suppress or discredit it, the Bible and its teachings still have value and significance
But you can never lose the words in red
Regardless of how people may view the Bible, its important teachings will always remain, and cannot be taken away
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.