Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Goin' Down to Laurel
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Dmin] Look at Johnny jivin' across [G] the floor
He [C] can play the fool and [G] make a few mistakes,
[Dmin] But all the same he'll never be [G] a bore
[D min] Glad to be so careless in [G] my way
[C] Glad to take a chance [G] and play against the odds
[D min] Glad to be so crazy in [G] my day
Well [C] I'm goin' [C/B] down to [A min] Laurel
[G] It's a dirty stinkin' town [Am] yea
[F] But me I know [G] exactly what I'm going to [Am] find
[C-G-A min] [D min] Little girl [E min] I'm goin' to see
[Am] She is a fool for [C] lovin' me
[F] But she's in love [G] and love's a funny state of [C] mind
Yes it is (on second chorus)
Well [C] what was that you said [G] when you had a tear
[D min]Rolling down your cheek the [G] other night
[C] I couldn't catch it all [G] there's something going wrong
[D min]I hope you got it straightened out [G] alright
[C] Everything's so loud [G]and everything's so fast
[D min]I here your brother married once [G]again
Yea [C] best of luck and all and [G] try to have some fun
[D min]They tell me this great life can always [G] end
CHORUS
harmonica theme again: [C-G-D min-G]
I'm [C] smilin' from a car, I'm [G] goin' for a drive
[D min]Feel the whistle blowin' breeze gone [G]flying by
[C] Mirror's on the moon, [G] echo in the sun
[D min] See just a touch of madness [G]in my eye
[C]Please don't mention rain, [G] please don't talk of trains
[D min]Please don't mention buildings burning [G]down
[C]Everybody here seems [G] to like to laugh
[D min] Either step in time or just don't hang [G] around
The song "Goin' Down to Laurel" by Steve Forbert portrays the carefree life of a young person, who is content with taking risks and living a crazy life. The song describes the people around the singer, who all seem to have a love for fun and laughter, particularly Johnny, who dances feverishly on the floor. The singer is glad to be young, careless and crazy, and is taking a chance, playing against the odds. He feels free and is cherishing this phase of life.
The chorus reflects his eagerness to visit a place called Laurel, which is a dirty town. The singer is going there to meet his lover, who is a fool for loving him. He acknowledges that love is a funny state of mind, but he still plans to meet her anyway. The song ends with the singer expressing his happiness with life and states that everyone around him seems to like to laugh.
The song has a fast tempo with a catchy melody that fits perfectly with the message of the song. The harmonica played at intervals gives the song an interesting twist. Steve Forbert's laid-back voice adds to the carefree vibe of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well everybody here, seems to like to laugh
Everyone around me is enjoying themselves and having a good time
Look at Johnny jivin' across the floor
Johnny is dancing around and having fun at the party
He can play the fool and make a few mistakes,
Johnny is not afraid to be silly and mess up sometimes
But all the same he'll never be a bore
Despite any mistakes, Johnny always keeps things interesting and fun
I'm glad to be so young talkin' with my tongue
I'm happy to be young and carefree, expressing myself through words
Glad to be so careless in my way
I'm happy to live life without worrying too much and embracing my carefree attitude
Glad to take a chance and play against the odds
I enjoy risks and going against the norm
Glad to be so crazy in my day
I'm proud of my own unique and slightly crazy personality
Well I'm goin' down to Laurel, It's a dirty stinkin' town yea
I'm heading to Laurel, which may not be the cleanest or most desirable place to be
But me I know exactly what I'm going to find Little girl I'm goin' to see
I have a specific person in mind that I'm excited to see in Laurel
She is a fool for lovin' me
The person I'm visiting is in love with me, despite any flaws or issues I may have
But she's in love and love's a funny state of mind
Love can make people act and feel in unusual ways
Well what was that you said when you had a tear
I didn't quite catch what you said when you were crying the other night
Rolling down your cheek the other night
A tear was running down your face that night
I couldn't catch it all there's something going wrong
I was unable to fully understand what was happening, but sensed something was not right
I hope you got it straightened out alright
I hope that whatever was bothering you has been resolved
Everything's so loud and everything's so fast
Life can be overwhelming and constantly moving
I hear your brother married once again
I heard that your brother has been married again
Yea best of luck and all and try to have some fun
I wish your brother the best and hope he enjoys life despite its challenges
They tell me this great life can always end
People have told me that even when life seems great, it can all come to an unexpected end
I'm smilin' from a car, I'm goin' for a drive
I'm driving and feeling happy in this moment
Feel the whistle blowin' breeze gone flying by
I feel the wind blowing past me as I drive
Mirror's on the moon, echo in the sun
The scenery around me is beautiful and awe-inspiring
See just a touch of madness in my eye
I'm feeling a bit crazy and wild in this moment
Please don't mention rain, please don't talk of trains
I don't want to talk about negative or worrying topics right now
Please don't mention buildings burning down
More specifically, I don't want to think about destructive events or situations
Everybody here seems to like to laugh
Despite any potential worries or fears, everyone around me is still enjoying life and having fun
Either step in time or just don't hang around
Either keep up with the fast pace and rhythm of life, or move on and find your own path
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEVE FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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