Family Favorites takes the listener on a semi-autobiographical sonic tour of Shmitt’s woeful observations as he and those closest to him stumble, kick, scream, falter and embrace life at its toughest and poignant best. The moods range from manic to somber, passionate to disenchanted… all with an under-pinning of humor and hope. It is this light amidst the darkness that makes Shmitt’s songs infinitely listenable. The sensitivity of Shmitt’s viewfinder on the world gives his words, music and rich vocals a tender, hard hitting and universal appeal. His songs resonate deeper with each listen.
On his third release, Other People’s Stuff (Realistic Records), Shmitt delivers an upbeat and thoroughly enjoyable musical journey of fourteen cover tunes, expertly spanning decades and genres. Shmitt’s interpretation of these songs is a departure from his previous two self-penned releases, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real (Realistic Records). His understanding and respect for the songwriting process is clear, shining through in his production, musical arrangements, mixes and vocal performances.
Shmitt’s supporting cast of players on Other People’s Stuff is outstanding and includes special appearances by celebrities and legends such as David Johansen (NY Dolls, Buster Pointdexter, The Harry Smiths), Levon Helm (The Band), Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes), Jayotis Washington (The Persuasions), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), and Stockard Channing (The West Wing, Grease).
Through his production choices on Other People’s Stuff, Shmitt pays tribute to the original songwriters and performers of the tunes, while at the same time putting his personal thumbprint on the work, making it fresh and undeniably his own. His lush vocals and top-notch guitar playing make the CD timeless and infinitely listenable. The CD possess the warmth of the past, and manages to be thoroughly modern.
On Dog Steal The Moon, Shmitt followed up the critical success of his debut release, Nothing Is Real, by delivering a new collection of original songs; Shmitt’s trademark ballads are made even more poignant, on Dog Steal The Moon, by their juxtaposition to a set of uptempo rockers that prove Shmitt’s ability to crank it up. Written, performed, arranged and produced by Shmitt, he demonstrates his audio-fluency, and capacity to conceptualize a cohesive project. His confessional style of writing possesses a familiarity and a uniqueness. “A singular voice whose songs get as much power from the words as from the music... lyrically poetic,” wrote New York Post rock reviewer Dan Aquilante.
Shmitt’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Radio personality Vin Scelsa (NYC) sang praises, “artist Stuffy Shmitt... his tunes knock me out” and called Nothing Is Real “a mesmerizing piece of work.” And radio host Peter Bochan (NYC) named the debut CD “one of the best indie releases this year.” Shmitt has two songs featured in the independent feature “Thirty Days” (An Araca Group/Arielle Tepper Production). He composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary, “Abandoned,” (Crowing Rooster Arts, Inc.) which premiered at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival at Lincoln Center in New York City and won the Dupont/Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Other film music credits include “The Heavenly Kid” (Orion Pictures) and the award-winning educational children’s film “Whatever Happened To The Dinosaurs?” (Blackwatch Productions). Shmitt also co-wrote the theme song for the Ace Award winning MTV show “Turn It Up.” His music can be heard in the film "Happy Tears" starring Rip Torn and Demi Moore and in the Showtime series "Californication". He has performed his own material in venues coast to coast.
Stuffy Shmitt’s albums Family Favorites, Other People’s Stuff, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real are available at CDBaby.com and iTunes. www.stuffyshmitt.com
Rollin'
Stuffy Shmitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never drink alone
But I sure do like a drink or two
When I get home
Let me tell you what I do
I sit here in this chair
I pour myself some whiskey
And watch my troubls vanish into the air
[Chorus]
Rollin', rollin'
Ain't gonna worry no more
Rollin', rollin'
Ain't gonna worry no more
Used to worry about gamblin'
Throwin' my money away
Used to worry about wastin' time
And layin' round the house all day
But I'm all right now
I'm all right now
I never thought I'd make it
But I always do somehow
I'm all right
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Stuffy Shmitt's song Rollin' in 2-3 talk about a man who likes to have a drink or two when he gets home but never drinks alone or in the afternoon. He explains that he sits in his chair, pours himself some whiskey and all his worries vanish into the air - he's "rollin'" and not going to worry anymore. He used to worry about gambling and wasting time but now he's "...always all right now". The chorus repeats the phrase "rollin', rollin'" and reinforces his new perspective on life - he's "rollin'" and not going to worry anymore.
One interpretation could be that the man is going through a tough time and uses alcohol as a way to cope with his worries, but he has come to a point where he has realized that worrying won't solve anything and he needs to just let go and enjoy life. He has found a way to roll with the punches and not let things get to him, hence the repetition of "rollin'" in the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
I never drink in the afternoon
I refrain from consuming alcohol when it's daytime.
I never drink alone
I avoid drinking alcohol by myself.
But I sure do like a drink or two
Nonetheless, I do enjoy having a couple of drinks.
When I get home
I wait until I'm back in my abode to drink.
Let me tell you what I do
Allow me to explain my routine.
I sit here in this chair
I plant myself in this specific seat.
I pour myself some whiskey
I pour myself a measure of whiskey.
And watch my troubles vanish into the air
I observe my issues disappear into thin air.
Rollin', rollin'
Moving forward, moving forward,
Ain't gonna worry no more
I won't have any more worries on my mind.
Used to worry about gambling
In the past, I used to obsess about wagering activities.
Throwin' my money away
I agonized over squandering my hard-earned cash.
Used to worry about wasting time
Previously, I fixated on the idea of wasting precious moments of my life.
And layin' round the house all day
I had concerns about being idle around the dwelling for extended periods of time.
But I'm all right now
However, I am currently feeling good, both mentally and physically.
I'm all right now
To reiterate, I am in a good place right at this moment.
I never thought I'd make it
There was a time when I doubted that I would be able to overcome my struggles.
But I always do somehow
Despite my skepticism, I invariably manage to find a way to prevail.
I'm all right
Once more, I am in a stable, composed state of being.
Rollin', rollin'
Advancing forward, marching ahead,
Ain't gonna worry no more
I will not have any additional worries or concerns moving forward.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN NEWMAN, CARLA HENDERSON, CHRISTINA TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind