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
January 23-30 1978
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanging out like I used to do, hope to find some old friends I knew
Hear the news in the honky tonk, who got married, yes, and who split up G
Drinking beer while the jukebox plays, brand new songs for brand new days
Quiet nights and empty streets, sleepy town, humble home
Same old waltz in the wind, by the railroad track
Riding out to a country bridge, moonlight shining across the ridge
Frozen trees neath a billion stars, 7 friends jammed in Robby's car
Back at home I say good night (Good night) and I close the door
Sunday morning the church bell rings, the organ plays and the choir
sings. Where am I while the preacher speaks? Dreaming dreams neath
my sheets asleep
Waking up and trying to think, what went down, what'd we do? I rub
my eyes and I shake my head and feel the sun
Plane takes off on the old runway, snow fell light on the ground
today Lost an hour that I gained before, headed back to my New York
door. fare thee well, adios, adieu and best of luck to all of you I
ain't no saint and I don't pretend to be, but I hope you all found a G
friend in me
ity lights blink and shine, down below, let it change
It's often said that life is strange, oh yes, but compared to what?
The song "January 23-30, 1978" by Steve Forbert tells the story of a man who returns to his hometown after some time away. The opening lines of the song set the scene perfectly as the singer describes his plane landing on the old runway, indicating time has passed since he last visited. He plans to stay for a week and reconnect with old friends. He immerses himself in his old way of life, hanging out in the local honky-tonk and drinking beer while the jukebox plays brand new songs. He describes the famous small-town feeling of everyone knowing one another's business as he hears the news about who got married and who split up. He takes a ride across a country bridge with friends, enjoying the simple pleasures of life under the moonlight.
The song takes a melancholic turn as the singer returns home and takes stock of his life's current state. He awakens on Sunday morning to the sound of the church bells and realizes he has been dreaming under his sheets. The contrast between his nostalgic week in the past and his current state of existence is tangible. In the closing verse, he leaves once again on the same old runway, feeling grateful for the connections he's made and the memories he's rekindled. The song ends with a rhetorical question that encapsulates its central theme; "It's often said that life is strange, oh yes, but compared to what?" The song leaves the listener pondering what is truly important in life while acknowledging that memories of simpler times remain an integral part of our identities.
Line by Line Meaning
Plane comes down on the old runway, home again for a week I'll stay
Arrived at the old runway and staying home for a week.
Hanging out like I used to do, hope to find some old friends I knew
Spending time like the old days and hoping to find old friends.
Hear the news in the honky tonk, who got married, yes, and who split up G
Hearing about the latest news, including who got married and who broke up, at the honky tonk.
Drinking beer while the jukebox plays, brand new songs for brand new days
Drinking beer and listening to new songs as the jukebox plays.
Quiet nights and empty streets, sleepy town, humble home
Experiencing peaceful nights and empty streets in a quiet and humble town.
Same old waltz in the wind, by the railroad track
Hearing the same old waltz in the wind by the railroad track.
Riding out to a country bridge, moonlight shining across the ridge
Going for a ride to a country bridge and seeing the moonlight shining across the ridge.
Frozen trees neath a billion stars, 7 friends jammed in Robby's car
Seeing frozen trees underneath a billion stars while 7 friends are crammed into Robby's car.
High as kites and wild and gone, drunk as well and laughing loud
Being high and wild, drunk and laughing loudly.
Back at home I say good night (Good night) and I close the door
Saying good night and closing the door upon returning home.
Sunday morning the church bell rings, the organ plays and the choir sings. Where am I while the preacher speaks? Dreaming dreams neath my sheets asleep
Hearing the church bell ring, the organ play and choir sing but sleeping and dreaming while the preacher speaks.
Waking up and trying to think, what went down, what'd we do? I rub my eyes and I shake my head and feel the sun
Waking up and trying to remember what happened, rubbing my eyes and feeling the sun.
Plane takes off on the old runway, snow fell light on the ground today Lost an hour that I gained before, headed back to my New York door. fare thee well, adios, adieu and best of luck to all of you I ain't no saint and I don't pretend to be, but I hope you all found a G friend in me
Taking off from the old runway in the snow, losing an hour gained before and headed back to my New York door. Saying goodbye and wishing everyone good luck, as I am not perfect but hoping to have been a good friend.
City lights blink and shine, down below, let it change
Observing the city lights blinking and shining below, and letting it change.
It's often said that life is strange, oh yes, but compared to what?
Reflecting on the common saying that life is strange, but questioning what it's being compared to.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: S. FORBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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