The band's best known lineup consisted of Paul Westerberg (vocals, guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass) and Chris Mars (drums). They were infamous for their abrasive, hard drinking lifestyles and their ragged stage performances, notorious for coming to some shows too drunk to play very well at all. Sometimes, they just performed entire sets of covers, their picks showing their debt to 70s hard rock outfits.
The sound of this band showed off what their many fans saw as the very best of independent rock n' roll. More than possibly any other band since The Rolling Stones and the the Ramones, the Replacements embodied the spirit of rock, from their raucous performances, drug addictions, charismatic and romantic frontman, and wild, sometimes basic and sometimes powerfully confessional songs. At any given time, almost any list of 'The Best Rock Albums Of All Time' will include either the album 'Let It Be' or 'Tim', sometimes both.
Their sound started off as a classic rock influenced shade of punk, mutating to a melodic hardcore sound reminiscent of local buddies Hüsker Dü. They also progressed into a relatively straightforward but heartfelt rock style, with a number of highly soulful ballads from the heart of Westerberg to round out the mix.
The band broke up in 1991. Bob Stinson, who was fired from the band in 1986 (and was subsequently replaced by Slim Dunlap), died in 1995. Westerberg and Mars both have solo careers, and Tommy Stinson formed several bands, like Perfect and Bash and Pop, and now plays bass for Guns and Roses and Soul Asylum.
In 2012, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reformed the Replacements and recorded an EP, "Songs for Slim" as a benefit for former member Slim Dunlap, who had suffered a stroke. The band played their first show since 1991 on August 24, 2013 at RiotFest in Toronto, and has since played at several festivals since. The band also currently includes Josh Freese on drums and Dave Minehan on guitar. The band played its final show in June 2015.
Here Comes A Regular
The Replacements Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After a hard day of nothin' much at all
Summer's passed, it's too late to cut the grass
There ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
And sometimes I just ain't in the mood
To take my place in back with the loudmouths
You're like a picture on the fridge that's never stocked with food
And everybody wants to be special here
They call your name out loud and clear
Here comes a regular
Call out your name
Here comes a regular
Am I the only one here today?
Well a drinkin' buddy that's bound to another town
Once the police made you go away
And even if you're in the arms of someone's baby now
I'll take a great big whiskey to ya anyway
Everybody wants to be someone's here
Someone's gonna show up, never fear
'Cause here comes a regular
Call out your name
Yes here comes a regular
Am I the only one who feels ashamed?
Kneeling alongside old Sad Eyes
He says opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut
All I know is I'm sick of everything that my money can buy
A fool who wastes his life, God rest his guts
First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow
Turn your back on a pay-you-back, last call
First the glass, then the leaves that pass, then comes the snow
Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
The Replacements's song Here Comes A Regular tells a story of a person who is struggling with the daily monotony of life. The singer is experiencing an unrelenting thirst for something more, but cannot seem to find it. The lyrics describe a person who has come to grips with the fact that life isn't always what we want it to be. They have gone from living at home to now just simply staying at a house.
The second verse describes the feeling of not wanting to be a part of the loudmouths at the back of the bar. The singer feels like they are a picture on a fridge, just there for show. The song goes on to describe the familiar scene at the bar where everyone wants to be special and heard, yet the singer feels ashamed of their own existence. The reference to old Sad Eyes is reminiscent of the desperation that permeates the entire song. The singer is confronting their own insignificance and wondering if anyone else feels the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a person can work up a mean mean thirst
Someone can become intensely thirsty after a tiresome day
After a hard day of nothin' much at all
After a grueling day of doing virtually nothing
Summer's passed, it's too late to cut the grass
The summer season has gone away, and it's now too late to trim the lawn
There ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
During Autumn, there's rarely any leaves to gather
And sometimes I just ain't in the mood
Occasionally, I do not want to participate
To take my place in back with the loudmouths
To sit at the rear with the raucous individuals
You're like a picture on the fridge that's never stocked with food
You resemble an image on the refrigerator without anything inside
I used to live at home, now I stay at the house
Previously, I lived with my parents, but now I reside in my home
And everybody wants to be special here
Each person desires to be unique in this place
They call your name out loud and clear
They shout your name audibly and distinctly
Here comes a regular
A frequently-appearing individual is approaching
Call out your name
Announce your moniker
Here comes a regular
An ordinary person is on their way
Am I the only one here today?
Is it just me present at the moment?
Well a drinkin' buddy that's bound to another town
An alcohol-consumption companion who's obligated to relocate
Once the police made you go away
You left because the police insisted
And even if you're in the arms of someone's baby now
Even if you're currently embracing someone else's partner
I'll take a great big whiskey to ya anyway
I'll still offer you an enormous liquor anyways
Everyone wants to be someone's here
Everybody wants to belong to someone in this environment
Someone's gonna show up, never fear
Someone's bound to appear, do not worry
'Cause here comes a regular
Since a typical individual is about to arrive
Call out your name
Announce your name
Yes here comes a regular
Once again, a habitual person is approaching
Am I the only one who feels ashamed?
Is it only me who's experiencing shame?
Kneeling alongside old Sad Eyes
Bowing down next to the melancholic eyes of an elderly person
He says opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut
He believes that opportunities arise only once, then they disappear permanently
All I know is I'm sick of everything that my money can buy
All I'm aware of is that I'm tired of everything that I can pay for
A fool who wastes his life, God rest his guts
A silly person who squanders their existence, may God bless them
First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow
Initially, the lights die out, then the shirt collar rises, and finally, the wind becomes gustier
Turn your back on a pay-you-back, last call
Dismiss a person who wishes to repay you at the final invitation
First the glass, then the leaves that pass, then comes the snow
Initially, the glass empties, then the leaves drift by, and eventually, it begins to snow
Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
There aren't many leaves to collect during the autumn season
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Westerberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robjones2408
The Replacements were a classic example of the "We could have been contenders" genre. They made great albums, but their self-destructive
streak saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory time and time
again.
This haunting track of an alcoholic who knows he is on the road to
ruin, is made all the more poignant when one considers the fate of
Bob Stinson who died aged only 35.
Maybe Iggy Pop was right when he said: "Not everything is meant to be big."
Let's hear it for this band who deserved much better.
@sallysomethinginthewind
Well a person can work up a mean mean thirst
After a hard day of nothin' much at all
Summer's passed, it's too late to cut the grass
There ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
And sometimes I just ain't in the mood
To take my place in back with the loudmouths
You're like a picture on the fridge that's never stocked with food
I used to live at home, now I stay at the house
And everybody wants to be special here
They call your name out loud and clear
Here comes a regular
Call out your name
Here comes a regular
Am I the only one here today?
Well a drinkin' buddy that's bound to another town
Once the police made you go away
And even if you're in the arms of someone's baby now
I'll take a great big whiskey to ya anyway
Everybody wants to be someone's here
Someone's gonna show up, never fear
'Cause here comes a regular
Call out your name
Yes here comes a regular
Am I the only one who feels ashamed?
Kneeling alongside old Sad Eyes
He says opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut
All I know is I'm sick of everything that my money can buy
A fool who wastes his life, God rest his guts
First the lights, then the collar goes up, and the wind begins to blow
Turn your back on a pay-you-back, last call
First the glass, then the leaves that pass, then comes the snow
Ain't much to rake anyway in the fall
@angief6364
I admit it, I listen it in the final of Season 7 in Regular Show, and I am not ashamed about it. Now after checking with more detail the lyrics, really I appreciate it, it really matched with Mordecai, Rigby and Benson's internal worries and current situations.
@alexkaizokuoni0590
Im watching season 7 final episode right now, and I completely agree with you. Regular Show is awesome, and this song and its lyrics are simply amazing.
@jeffdawson2786
Wonderfully sad and strong. “I’m sick of everything that my money can buy.” What a great line.
@shatrissecooper6259
One Tree Hill brought me here. This song makes me feel so many emotions...apart of me feel a great sadness and longing when I hear this song but on the other hand I feel so appreciative of life and it’s beauty. Thank you The Replacements & OTH❤️
@katiecannon8483
Same here
@moggingmaster
Same here
But I first heard it on regular show
@lakitaharry9715
I came here looking for this comment.
@kylerozek8411
Peyton finding her mom like that was definitely an intense scene. But isn't it the dream to go out listening to your favorite song, thinking your favorite memories
@stevenpina1983
What? This was on one tree hill? Wtf
@micncue
These lyrics are genius. To anyone who says there's no poetry in rock 'n roll need look no further. You can see in your mind exactly what Paul's talking about, and it ain't Cheers. In the context of this song the line "Everybody wants to be someone's here" is absolutely brilliant, as is "opportunity knocks once, then the door slams shut."