Crowell was born in Houston, Texas to James Walter Crowell and Addie Cauzette Willoughby. A contemporary of Steve Earle and, like Earle, influenced by the (songwriting) greats Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, Crowell played guitar and sang for three years in Emmylou Harris' "Hot Band".
He was married to Rosanne Cash (daughter of famous singer/guitarist Johnny Cash) from 1979 to 1992 and had a great influence on her career, producing most of her albums during that period. They collaborated on a number of duets, including 1988's "It's Such a Small World." Though Crowell and Cash are now divorced, they remain on friendly terms, performing together occasionally. Six years after the breakdown of his marriage to Rosanne he married Claudia Church.
Although best known as a songwriter and alternative country artist, Crowell enjoyed mainstream popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His critically acclaimed album, 1988's Diamonds and Dirt, produced five No. 1 hits during a 17-month span in 1988 and 1989: "It's Such a Small World" (a duet with Cash), "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," "She's Crazy for Leaving," "After All This Time" and "Above and Beyond." His follow-up album, 1989's "Keys to the Highway," produced two top 5 hits in 1990, which were "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway" and "If Looks Could Kill."
As Crowell's popularity in mainstream country faded, he continued his prolific songwriting. In 2001 he released The Houston Kid on Sugar Hill Records. Many songs on the album were semi-autobiographical, and the album included a duet with Crowell's ex father-in-law Johnny Cash on "I Walk the Line (Revisited)". Initially, Cash was annoyed at Crowell changing the tune to his song, but he came to like the finished product. Crowell followed up this effort with Fate's Right Hand in 2003 and The Outsider in 2005. Crowell considers these three albums his finest work as a solo artist.
2004 saw the release of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a reunion of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, a group that existed briefly in the 1970s with Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Tony Brown, and others. The future Keith Urban hit "Making Memories of Us" was included on this disc.
In 2005, Crowell served as producer for established Irish singer/songwriter Kieran Goss on the album Blue Sky Sunrise.
Come On Funny Feelin'
Rodney Crowell Lyrics
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Or become like Rilke's panther out here locked up in a cage
The old man
I've been talkin' to has cotton in his ears
But then who am I to blame him I've had mine stopped up for years
Singing come on funny feeling
L.A. out my windshield's one big Armageddon sprawl
In a science fiction world where walkin' wounded leave their mark
I just took my place among them trying to find a place to park
Singing come on funny feeling
The funny feeling comes when you're in love with everyone
And all your races have been run or laid to rest
Get this freakin' anvil off my chest
Come on funny feeling
The funny feeling knows the way the whole thing comes and goes
Make's you stop and smell the roses if your smart
Get this freakin' anvil off my heart
It's not like I'm not blessed with something special in my world
Just around the next dark corner there's a blue eyed dancing girl
Who loves me like tomorrow comes with everything I need
I just have to pay attention where this road I'm on might lead
I'm singing come on funny feeling
The funny feeling knows the truth the eye for eye & tooth for tooth
It's something way back in your youth you should not second guess
The funny feeling never lies it's there to open up your eyes
Make you stop and realize you're blessed
So get this friggin' anvil off my chest
Come on funny feeling
Rodney Crowell's melancholic and soulful ballad "Come On Funny Feelin'" is a song about life's complexities, the struggles of man's search for meaning, and the challenges of relationships. The song speaks of the dangers of bitterness and the need for the pursuit of happiness while acknowledging the imperfections of the world. The lyrics convey a sense of resignation and acceptance, urging listeners to embrace the "funny feeling" that comes with life's ups and downs.
The song's first verse references Rainer Maria Rilke's poem, "The Panther," which describes the life of a captive panther pacing back and forth within his cage: "Or become like Rilke's panther out here locked up in a cage." This is a metaphor for the feeling of being trapped in one's own mind, ruminating on the past, or being stuck in a rut. It is a call to action to break free from stagnation and live life to the fullest. The chorus, "Come on funny feeling," is an encouragement to embrace the various emotions life throws at us and never lose sight of the magic of living.
The second verse gets into the heart of the human condition, describing the struggle of living in a "science fiction world" where "walkin' wounded leave their mark." Crowell describes the chaos and absurdity of living in a sprawling metropolis, where palm trees are artificially planted in the desert, and finding a place to park is a victory. Despite the madness around him, however, the songwriter still emphasizes the importance of stopping to "smell the roses" and savoring the simple pleasures of life. The song ends on an uplifting note, with Crowell acknowledging his personal blessings, the love of a good woman, but recognizing there will always be more to learn and experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to wind up bitter lost inside a silent rage
I don't want to end up angry and alone, unable to communicate.
Or become like Rilke's panther out here locked up in a cage
I don't want to feel trapped and hopeless, like a wild animal in captivity.
The old man
I've been talkin' to has cotton in his ears
The person I've been speaking to isn't listening to me.
But then who am I to blame him I've had mine stopped up for years
But I can't blame him because I've also been ignoring things for a long time.
Singing come on funny feeling
I'm singing to the feeling inside me that I want to change and take action.
L.A. out my windshield's one big Armageddon sprawl
Los Angeles looks like a post-apocalyptic mess when I see it through my car's windshield.
Planting palm trees in the desert makes no sense to me at all
Putting non-native plants like palm trees in the desert doesn't seem logical or sustainable to me.
In a science fiction world where walkin' wounded leave their mark
In a world that feels like a dystopian, futuristic nightmare, people who are hurt still try to make their presence known.
I just took my place among them trying to find a place to park
I'm just another struggling person trying to find somewhere to park my car.
The funny feeling comes when you're in love with everyone
I get a funny feeling when I feel compassion and love for everyone, regardless of their background or situation.
And all your races have been run or laid to rest
When you've experienced all that life has to offer, or when you've died and your legacy lives on.
Get this freakin' anvil off my chest
I want to remove the weight and burden that's been weighing me down.
The funny feeling knows the way the whole thing comes and goes
The feeling inside me understands the cyclical nature of life and change.
Make's you stop and smell the roses if your smart
If you're smart, you'll pay attention to the world around you and appreciate the beauty in it.
Get this freakin' anvil off my heart
I want to remove the emotional burden that's been holding me back.
It's not like I'm not blessed with something special in my world
I know that I have good things in my life that I'm grateful for.
Just around the next dark corner there's a blue eyed dancing girl
There's always something good or beautiful just ahead, waiting to be discovered.
Who loves me like tomorrow comes with everything I need
Someone loves me so much that they're willing to give me everything I need to be happy and fulfilled.
I just have to pay attention where this road I'm on might lead
I need to be aware of my path and where it's taking me, so I can make informed decisions about my future.
The funny feeling knows the truth the eye for eye & tooth for tooth
The feeling inside me understands that revenge or retaliation doesn't solve anything.
It's something way back in your youth you should not second guess
This is something that I've known since I was young, and I shouldn't question it.
The funny feeling never lies it's there to open up your eyes
This feeling is always honest and truthful, and it helps me see things clearly.
Make you stop and realize you're blessed
It reminds me to appreciate the good in my life.
So get this friggin' anvil off my chest
I want to be free of the burden that's been weighing me down.
Come on funny feeling
I'm calling on this feeling to help guide me towards a better future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RODNEY CROWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind