Before beginning his solo career, Fulks joined the Bluegrass band Special Consensus. Here he showcased his unique guitar playing, and appeared on the Grammy-nominated album "Hole In My Heart" released in 1989. Fulks' solo debut, "Country Love Songs" was released on Bloodshot Records in 1996 to positive reviews. This album was followed by 1997's South Mouth, which cemented Fulks' retro-alternative image.
As fans had grown used to Bloodshot's rough and sparse sound, many were shocked by the release of Fulks' third album, 1998's "Let's Kill Saturday Night," on Geffen Records. When Geffen disbanded shortly after the release of the record, Fulks found himself without a label, and did the logical thing, starting his own company, Boondoggle Records (distributed by Bloodshot), and releasing an album of previously unreleased material called "The Very Best of Robbie Fulks."
2001 saw the release of both "Couples in Trouble," a dark, brooding, and decidedly non-country album, and, just 3 months later, "13 Hillbilly Giants," a collection of covers of classic country numbers both obscure and well known.
Fulks would not release another album until 2005, when the release of "Georgia Hard" showed a return to his county roots. He also gained attention for a novelty single he wrote called "Fountains of Wayne Hotline," in which he imagined the power pop band Fountains of Wayne as having a hotline which struggling songwriters could call for help with their song structure.
Goodbye Good-Lookin'
Robbie Fulks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well it's hard to tell what's on an angel's mind
But a suitcase means the same thing every time
One minute she loved me
Goodbye, good-lookin', so long.
She had 40-karat eyes and a figure fit to kill
She had legs that would not quit; they're walking still
Too good to let go of
But too hard to hold on
So goodbye, good-lookin', so long.
I may be blue forever after
But life can't always be diamonds and dreams, love and laughter
And when I think of her I know I'll smile
Yeah, the earth sure felt like heaven for a while
But one blink of those blue eyes
And heaven was gone
Well, goodbye, good-lookin', so long.
The lyrics of Robbie Fulks's song "Goodbye, Good Lookin'" portray a bittersweet tale of love lost. The singer reflects on the unpredictable nature of emotions and the transient nature of relationships. The opening lines suggest the enigmatic nature of love, comparing it to an angel's mind which is difficult to comprehend. The symbolism of a suitcase further reinforces the idea that the woman is leaving, as it commonly represents departure and change.
The next lines describe the physical allure of the woman, emphasizing her captivating beauty and irresistible charm. Her presence is described as intoxicating, making it challenging for the singer to let go. However, despite her desirability, she is ultimately unattainable, like a dream that can quickly fade away. The repeated phrase "goodbye, good-lookin', so long" encapsulates the theme of farewell and acceptance.
The chorus adds a sense of resignation to the situation. The singer acknowledges that life is not always filled with happiness and success, represented by the reference to diamonds and dreams. However, even though the relationship has ended, the memory of the woman brings a smile to his face. The mention of heaven suggests that their time together was filled with joy and happiness. However, a sudden change, symbolized by a blink of her eyes, shattered the perfection they had experienced, leading to their separation.
In summary, "Goodbye, Good Lookin'" encapsulates the complex emotions that arise from a fleeting romance. It explores the contrast between the allure of beauty and the inevitable reality of impermanence.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's hard to tell what's on an angel's mind
Understanding the thoughts of an angel is difficult
But a suitcase means the same thing every time
A suitcase signifies departure and the end of a relationship
One minute she loved me
At one point, she had feelings of love for me
The next she was gone
Suddenly, she disappeared from my life
Goodbye, good-lookin', so long
Farewell and goodbye to someone who was attractive
She had 40-karat eyes and a figure fit to kill
Her eyes were captivating and her body was attractive
She had legs that would not quit; they're walking still
Her legs were exceptional and still possess that quality
Too good to let go of
She was too amazing to easily forget
But too hard to hold on
However, it was challenging to maintain a connection with her
So goodbye, good-lookin', so long
Therefore, farewell to someone who was attractive
I may be blue forever after
I might be saddened for a long time
But life can't always be diamonds and dreams, love and laughter
Life is not always filled with luxury, aspirations, love, and happiness
And when I think of her I know I'll smile
Despite everything, she brings a smile to my face when I reminisce about her
Yeah, the earth sure felt like heaven for a while
During a certain period, life felt incredibly blissful
But one blink of those blue eyes
However, with a single blink of her blue eyes
And heaven was gone
That happiness and contentment disappeared
Well, goodbye, good-lookin', so long
So, it is time to bid farewell to someone who was attractive
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