Barbara Keith began her career at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village, following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby and many others who got their start in that hallowed dive. She was soon recording for MGM/Verve, A&M, and Warner Brothers. Her songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Tanya Tucker, Barbra Streisand, The Dillards, Melanie, Hank Snow, Lowell George and others. “The Bramble and the Rose” has become a folk standard – often receiving the ultimate compliment of being mistaken for a traditional song.
Her husband Doug Tibbles had a whole other life before drumming – A native of Los Angeles, he was a TV writer for such shows as “The Munsters”, “Bewitched”, “Andy Griffith”, “My Three Sons”, “Family Affair”, and many more.
Unhappy with show business in general, Barbara gave back her major label advance, Doug quit his one-day-old job as story editor for “Happy Days”, and they went underground. Doug took up drums and son John took up bass at age eleven. Reclusive by choice, the band moved from L.A. to Western Massachusetts to write and woodshed. They began playing the occasional show while recording in their cellar.
When best selling author Elmore Leonard (“Get Shorty”, “Jackie Brown”, “Out of Sight”) walked in the Troubadour in L.A. one night looking for inspiration for his sequel to “Get Shorty”, he discovered The Stone Coyotes.
They became the model for Chili Palmer’s next adventure, “Be Cool”. Leonard said, “ It was music I could understand…straight ahead rock and roll with a twang. And there are good stories going on in the songs.” He included their lyrics in the book and dedicated it to them. He and the band made a string of appearances together around the country with a Words and Music Tour – from New York’s Mercury Lounge to L.A.’s Viper Room.
More recently with five songs on "Dog the Bounty Hunter", they gained national attention, but it is the grass roots, word-of-mouth response to their music that continues their momentum.
“The Stone Coyotes are a rare wild beast in a domesticated music industry.”
- Rolling Stone Online
“The Stone Coyotes’ hefty sound melds AC/DC’s charging power chords with a country troubadour’s literate observations.”
- New York Magazine
“The Stone Coyotes crank out unpretentious rock that has grime on its fingers and transcendence in its heart.”
- The Nashville Scene
“Poised to be the coolest husband-wife-and-son rock and roll trio ever…Those wary of a hype short on substance should rest assured – this family has the chops to back it up.”
- The L. A. Weekly
“Powerful and gritty, with just a hint of sweetness and sorrow.”
- Real Detroit Weekly
“Likely one of the festival’s best discoveries… The Stone Coyotes rocked and shocked the Horseshoe audience Saturday night with their AC/DC meets Patsy Cline sound.”
- Toronto Now
If You See The One
The Stone Coyotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A girl I chanced to pass by
Something about her caught my attention
Something hard to identify
She carried a suitcase through the streets of the city
And shivered with cold in the thin coat she wore
She said, "Look at my face - it used to be pretty
If you see the one who put the tears in my eyes
He's got a gold-tipped cane and a rose tattoo
Tell him I love him - Tell him goodbye
I would stay, but I'd be crazy to
At first it was romance just like in a movie
Romeo and Juliet when we began
But then it got dark and then it got ugly
He showed me affection with the back of his hand
He liked to mix his powders and potions
Bought in the alleys away from the light
He'd say, "I'll fix you up - name your poison"
I watched him age ten years overnight
Blowing smoke rings that gave him a halo
He'd talk about his criminal mind
He'd say, "Well, I guess it's just your fate to go
Falling in love with the dangerous kind."
The Stone Coyotes's song "If You See The One" tells the story of a young woman who fell in love with a man who turned out to be abusive and dangerous. The song is set in the streets of lower Manhattan, where the woman walks with a suitcase on a cold night, looking for a way out of her situation. The lyrics describe her pain and regret for falling in love with someone who hurt her, while also expressing a sense of strength and determination to leave the relationship.
The opening verse sets the scene, as the singer walks through the city and notices a young woman shivering in the cold. The woman tells her story, revealing that she used to be beautiful but was robbed of her youth by an abusive partner. The chorus expresses her desire to leave him behind and move on with her life, even though she still loves him.
The second verse delves deeper into the relationship, describing how it started out as a romantic movie-worthy love story but turned dark and dangerous. The man is depicted as a drug user and a criminal, who promised to "fix" the woman with his potions and powders. His abusive behavior is explicitly referenced, and the lyrics suggest that he enjoyed hurting his partner.
Overall, "If You See The One" is a powerful portrayal of the cycle of abuse and the complexity of leaving a toxic relationship. The lyrics are emotional and evocative, capturing the pain and sorrow of a woman who was mistreated by someone she loved.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked out in lower Manhattan
The singer was walking around in lower Manhattan.
A girl I chanced to pass by
The singer came across a girl while walking.
Something about her caught my attention
The singer was intrigued by the girl in some way.
Something hard to identify
The reason for the singer's intrigue was not immediately evident.
She carried a suitcase through the streets of the city
The girl was carrying a suitcase while walking in the city.
And shivered with cold in the thin coat she wore
It was cold outside and the girl was only wearing a thin coat.
She said, "Look at my face - it used to be pretty
The girl drew attention to her appearance and suggested it had been more attractive in the past.
Now I'm old and I'm twenty-four."
The girl felt prematurely aged, despite being only 24 years old.
If you see the one who put the tears in my eyes
The girl was addressing someone who had caused her emotional distress.
He's got a gold-tipped cane and a rose tattoo
The person the girl was talking about had identifiable physical features.
Tell him I love him - Tell him goodbye
The girl still had feelings for this person, but needed to say goodbye.
I would stay, but I'd be crazy to
The girl recognized that it would be unhealthy or unwise to continue a relationship with this person.
At first it was romance just like in a movie
The relationship had started out as a typical, idealized romance.
Romeo and Juliet when we began
The romance was reminiscent of the iconic Shakespearean play.
But then it got dark and then it got ugly
The relationship took a turn for the worse and became unhealthy or abusive.
He showed me affection with the back of his hand
The person the girl was talking about was physically violent towards her.
He liked to mix his powders and potions
The person the girl was talking about used illicit substances.
Bought in the alleys away from the light
The substances were obtained from seedy or dangerous locations.
He'd say, "I'll fix you up - name your poison"
The person the girl was talking about was willing to provide drugs to someone else.
I watched him age ten years overnight
The person's lifestyle and drug use had noticeably affected their appearance.
Blowing smoke rings that gave him a halo
The person the girl was talking about smoked and seemed to be proud of it.
He'd talk about his criminal mind
The person the girl was talking about had a history of criminal behavior.
He'd say, "Well, I guess it's just your fate to go
The person the girl was talking about was unconcerned with the risks or consequences of their actions.
Falling in love with the dangerous kind."
The person the girl was talking about believed that they were inherently dangerous or exciting.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind