P… Read Full Bio ↴For group credited work see Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Pokey LaFarge is a musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist, whose arsenal of talents has placed him at the forefront of American music. Over the last decade, Pokey has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing. After signing with Jack White’s Third Man Records to release his fifth full-length album (Pokey LaFarge) in 2013, he performed as a musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show on Ireland's RTÉ One network. Pokey's rendition of "Lovesick Blues" with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, featured on an episode of Boardwalk Empire, was selected for inclusion on the series' official soundtrack (Vol. 2). Additionally, Pokey appeared in Disney’s The Lone Ranger (both on screen and on the original score), was featured on A Prairie Home Companion and NPR's World Cafe, and recorded a song for ATO Records' Divided & United: Songs of the Civil War, produced by Randall Poster.
2014 looks to be Pokey’s most momentous year yet; by spring, Pokey will have brought his music to five continents, with international tours in India, Australia and New Zealand. In the past year, Pokey's tour trail (consisting of over 250 shows) included appearances at clubs and festivals across the USA and Canada as well as two extensive tours in Europe. Pokey has played with the likes of Jack White, The Raconteurs, Wanda Jackson, Old Crow Medicine Show, and most recently, Carolina Chocolate Drops. As an opening act on Jack White's Blunderbuss tour, he delighted sold out crowds at Red Rocks Amphitheater and Radio City Music Hall, among other notable venues in North America. Pokey is currently touring with a five-piece backing band, including his original bandmates (Ryan Koenig on harmonica, washboard and snare, Adam Hoskins on guitar and Joey Glynn on upright bass), in addition to Chloe Feoranzo on clarinet and TJ Muller on cornet.
At only 30 years old, Pokey’s career has not slowed in momentum since it began with his first release Marmalade (2007). Shortly followed by Beat, Move and Shake (2008) and Riverboat Soul (2010), Pokey quickly graduated from breakthrough artist to leading musical figure, receiving two consecutive Independent Music Awards for Best Americana Album (Riverboat Soul and Middle of Everywhere).
Pokey’s music transcends the confines of genre, continually challenging the notion that tradition-bearers fail to push musical boundaries. Rather than merely conjuring up half-forgotten imagery of days past, Pokey is a lyrical storyteller, the plot delivered smoothly through his dynamic vocals. Both on stage and off, his effortless wit never fails to charm audiences, giving way to a live music experience that manages to be grandiose and unassuming all at once. Born in the heartland of America and based in St. Louis, Missouri, Pokey’s Midwestern charisma welcomes his audiences with open arms.
Pokey LaFarge is on a mission, encouraging fans worldwide to think differently about what it means to celebrate musical traditions. Simply put, Pokey explains, “It’s not retro music. It’s American music that never died.”
Something In The Water
Pokey LaFarge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her mom walks around in a pink nightgown, sandals and white socks
She don’t mind a baseball game in the middle of the lightning and the rain
She’s a pain in my brain, drives me insane
But I love her just the same, boys, love her just the same
Something in the water (something in the water)
Something in the water (something in the water)
What makes her crazy I don’t know
Never seen anything like her before
There must be something in the water
She does her makeup and hair, to cook fried chicken in her underwear
She drinks malt liquor for lunch and dinner and sends me running scared
She yells, she screams and she beats me
But I don’t mind the way she treats me
She’ll someday lead to my death I know
But I’ll stay with her just the same, boys, stay with her just the same
Something in the water (something in the water)
Something in the water (something in the water)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
What makes her crazy I don’t know
Never seen anything like her before
There must be something in the water
My hoosier girl is so fine, shake the watermelon off the vine
She’ll blow you a fist, throw you a kiss and you’ll thank her every time
Mmm, they’re all so crazy and beautiful
But I tell you the woman is never dull
They’ll break your back, give you a heart attack
But you need them just the same, boys, need them just the same
Something in the water (something in the water)
Something in the water (something in the water)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
What makes her crazy I don’t know
Never seen anything like her before
There must be something in the water
The song "Something In The Water" by Pokey LaFarge is a bluesy, toe-tapping tune that describes the singer's love for a woman who is undeniably strange and unpredictable. The opening verses paint a vivid picture of the woman's chaotic existence, with her El Camino on blocks in the front yard, and her mother wandering around in a pink nightgown and white socks. The singer concedes that she drives him insane with her wild behavior, but he loves her just the same. There's something about her that draws him in, even though she's unpredictable and often unreasonable.
The chorus of the song suggests that there's "something in the water" that explains the woman's erratic behavior; a mysterious force that makes her both crazy and beautiful. The singer muses that he's never seen anything quite like her, and wonders if there's an explanation for her unique personality. He describes her penchant for putting on makeup and cooking fried chicken in her underwear, and her affinity for malt liquor. Despite the fact that she yells, screams, and even beats him, he can't resist her charm.
Ultimately, the song suggests that there's something about this woman that is irresistible. She may be unpredictable and even dangerous at times, but the singer can't resist her allure. There's a sense that the "something in the water" is a metaphor for the inexplicable attraction that we can feel toward another person, even when they're difficult or unpredictable. Pokey LaFarge's bluesy, upbeat style perfectly captures the mix of love and chaos that this woman brings into the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
She got a broke down El Camino, in the front yard up on blocks
She owns a non-functional car in her front yard on blocks
Her mom walks around in a pink nightgown, sandals and white socks
Her mother wears a pink nightgown with sandals and white socks
She don’t mind a baseball game in the middle of the lightning and the rain
She's okay with watching a baseball game during stormy weather
She’s a pain in my brain, drives me insane
She frustrates and troubles me
But I love her just the same, boys, love her just the same
Despite her flaws, I still love her
Something in the water (something in the water)
There's a mysterious quality to these women
What makes her crazy I don’t know
I'm not sure what it is that makes her act this way
Never seen anything like her before
She's unlike anyone else I've ever met
There must be something in the water
There's definitely a unique quality to these women
She does her makeup and hair, to cook fried chicken in her underwear
She applies cosmetics and styles her hair before cooking topless
She drinks malt liquor for lunch and dinner and sends me running scared
She frequently drinks malt liquor and intimidates me
She yells, she screams and she beats me
She often raises her voice, shouts, and physically hits me
But I don’t mind the way she treats me
I'm okay with how she behaves towards me
She’ll someday lead to my death I know
Her actions may eventually result in my demise
My hoosier girl is so fine, shake the watermelon off the vine
My girlfriend is attractive and irresistible
She’ll blow you a fist, throw you a kiss and you’ll thank her every time
She's capable of being both violent and affectionate, and you'll feel grateful for her regardless
Mmm, they’re all so crazy and beautiful
All of these women are both mentally unstable and physically attractive
But I tell you the woman is never dull
Despite her issues, she's never boring
They’ll break your back, give you a heart attack
They can cause physical and emotional damage
But you need them just the same, boys, need them just the same
Despite the negative aspects, we still desire and require these women
Contributed by Audrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christian Keim
6 years later..... Still touches me the same.
Timeless
COLT
The old feel of this music really makes 2021 bearable im glad this style is making somewhat of a resurgence
cliff boule
Ive seen Pokey LaFarge live. It was one of the happiest shows I’ve been to. Go see them! They are, he is, a gem!
Fallen Republic
Been watching this forever (years and years)...so super creative...well composed, sung and visually performed....so iconic. Bravo!!
Marcus Wells
This might just be the best hidden gem I've ever found.
ConnorTostevin1
same here =D... found any more...
Ione Brown
Treasure💖💖
Scott Mckenzie
Word.
Cstoreri
Marcus Wells me too
Mark Stewart
Im here for the depraved, and I want to know when the house burnt down. The circle of life has a certain stain to it. The white, the water, etc...what if its cyclical?...hmmm, let us base it on greed or some white haired "in touch".