After taking a brief recording hiatus in the mid-1990s to start a family with her husband, songwriter Doug Crider, Bogguss returned to the country music scene to find that her charting power had already faded. Although she last appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1999, Bogguss continues to record and perform around the country to a loyal following.
Her most recent recordings have ventured into swing and jazz variations of country. These albums really showcase the tremendous talent in her voice. Suzy is a true singer, and her voice has so much versatility.
In 2014, Suzy added an album of Merle Haggard songs entitled "Lucky". The country & western flavor dominates this album, unlike some of her other recent work. To promote this new album, Suzy has embarked on a nationwide tour.
Souvenirs
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics
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American car
Carrying a dream and a
Road map
Deep in my American heart
But where's those mountain
Majesties
Where's those waves of grain
Man it ain't the same
They got Mount Rushmore on a cup
Everybody needs one of those
For a dollar more more they'll fill it up
You can drink out of Lincoln's nose
They got the Hard Rock t-shirts,
They got Elvis,too
And sooner or later, mark my words
You know they're gonna get you
____
I've been searchin' for the promised land
But it's just another neon, come on
Roadside stand
Little tin toys that fall apart
That's all they got here
I come all this way to find my heart
All I get is souvenirs
Baby I believed in you,I
Thought you believed in me
I thought we had a love that's
True, not a close facsimile
Now I don't want your dimestore
Ring,turns my finger green
I don't want your dimestore love
I want the real thing
_(RC)
The song 'Souvenirs' by Suzy Bogguss tells the story of a person who sets out on a journey in search of the Promised Land, with a dream and a road map, hoping to find his heart. The track begins with a reference to American writer Jack Kerouac, who traveled across the country in the 1950s, documenting his travel experiences in his book 'On the Road.' The singer is disillusioned by the journey, expecting to see the mountain majesties and amber waves of grain of America, but instead, all she sees are billboards from sea to shining sea. She expresses her dissatisfaction, saying that it's not the same as how it's portrayed in the songs and movies.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that the journey just ends up with souvenirs, as she cannot seem to find what she is searching for. The second verse depicts the commercialization of America and the way that everything has now become a commodity or souvenir. The singer sarcastically mentions how they can even buy Mount Rushmore on a cup or drink out of Lincoln's nose; such things now have a price tag attached to them. Bogguss highlights the disillusionment of the current era of tourists by saying, "Sooner or later, mark my words, you know they're gonna get you.”
In conclusion, 'Souvenirs' reflects the disillusionment towards the American Dream engulfed by commercialization and exploitation. The song reveals how people are losing their innocence and honesty in the name of capitalization, thereby losing sight of what they truly value.
Line by Line Meaning
I set out like Kerouac in my American car
I began my journey with the same spirit of adventure as Jack Kerouac did in his writings while traveling in my car from America.
Carrying a dream and a Road map
I carried a map and a dream of my destination while traveling in my car.
Deep in my American heart
My desire to find adventure and explore new places was strong in my heart as an American.
But where's those mountain Majesties
I was looking for the grandeur of the mountains which are often depicted in American art and literature.
Where's those waves of grain
I was looking for the vast fields of grain which are often portrayed as a symbol of American prosperity and growth.
Billboards from sea to shining sea Man it ain't the same
The modernization of America has led to more advertisements and commercialization, making it harder to appreciate the beauty of the country as it once was.
They got Mount Rushmore on a cup
Even important national landmarks like Mount Rushmore are now used as commercial symbols on cups and other items.
Everybody needs one of those
People feel a need to purchase these commercialized souvenirs to remember their travels.
For a dollar more more they'll fill it up
Companies will take advantage of this desire by offering to fill the cup for a small extra fee.
You can drink out of Lincoln's nose
The commercialization of these landmarks has led to ridiculous products, like cups that allow you to drink out of Abe Lincoln's nose.
They got the Hard Rock t-shirts, They got Elvis,too
There are countless other commercialized souvenirs available, including Hard Rock t-shirts and items featuring Elvis Presley.
And sooner or later, mark my words You know they're gonna get you
Everyone eventually falls into the trap of purchasing these commercialized souvenirs, despite their lack of real value.
I've been searchin' for the promised land But it's just another neon, come on Roadside stand
Despite my desire to find a true adventure and meaningful souvenirs, all I found were cheap roadside stands selling meaningless trinkets.
Little tin toys that fall apart That's all they got here
All the souvenirs available were cheap toys that would soon break, which held no real value or meaning for me.
I come all this way to find my heart All I get is souvenirs
Despite my journey seeking adventure and love, all I found were meaningless items that would not fulfill the desires of my heart.
Baby I believed in you,I Thought you believed in me I thought we had a love that's True, not a close facsimile
I once believed in a love that was true and not a cheap imitation, like the souvenirs I encountered on my journey.
Now I don't want your dimestore Ring,turns my finger green I don't want your dimestore love I want the real thing
I don't want cheap, fake love or material possessions that hold little meaning. I want real love and genuine experiences that hold true value.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DUSTIN BENTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind