The Stone Coyotes is an American band that debuted with their first album i… Read Full Bio ↴The Stone Coyotes is an American band that debuted with their first album in 1998. They hail from Massachusetts but tour primarily in Texas as that is where they receive most radio airplay. Barbara Keith founded the family-revolved band in Massachusetts with her family. Doug Tibbles (on drums) is her husband, and John Tibbles (on bass) is their stepson.

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

Situation Out Of Control
The Stone Coyotes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Calling all cars
My back's to the wall
Send me some assistance
We've got a bar-room brawl

Smoke-filled, dressed to kill
Looking like a full-scale riot
When all I ever wanted

Was just a little peace and quiet

Somebody get me out of this hole
(These wheels continue to roll)
(Have mercy, mercy on my soul)
Situation out of control

Takin' the curve
At a high rate of speed
He said, "Wouldn't you know
This is all I need

Bad luck, pile-up
Praying that the brakes will hold
Don't you know
It makes my blood run cold?"

Hey, hey
Flames going higher and higher
Is it World War III?
Is this a trial by fire?

Ripstop, sure shot
Lord, they're creeping up behind

Bye bye, Baby
I'm crying on the battleline

Overall Meaning

The Stone Coyotes's song "Situation Out of Control" is a tale of chaos and distress, depicting individuals caught up in various uncontrolled circumstances. The song opens with the singer calling for assistance, as he finds himself backed against the wall amidst a bar-room brawl. He longs for some peace and quiet, but instead, he is engulfed in smoke, dressed to kill, and witnessing a full-scale riot. As he cries out for assistance, he expresses his desire to escape the situation out of control, as his wheels continue to roll, with mercy on his soul.

The second verse continues with the theme of uncontrolled situations as the singer describes a driver taking a curve at a high rate of speed. The driver laments his situation, claiming that bad luck and pile-up have brought him to his knees. The singer describes the scene as flames go higher and higher, comparing it to World War III, as he witnesses a trial by fire. The driver begins to panic as the situation worsens, hoping and praying that the brakes hold, but his blood runs cold with fear. The singer's final words are for Baby, whom he bids goodbye, as he cries on the battleline.

Overall, the song's major themes center around the chaos and uncertainty of life, especially situations that seem to spiral out of control. The singer is resigned to the fact that he is powerless to control some situations, but he urges the listener to be vigilant and prepared for when such moments arise. Despite the chaos, he tries to hold onto some semblance of hope and to encourage others to do the same.

Line by Line Meaning

Calling all cars
Asking for help

My back's to the wall
In a tricky situation

Send me some assistance
Requesting aid

We've got a bar-room brawl
There's a fight happening

Smoke-filled, dressed to kill
The environment is hectic and everyone is on edge

Looking like a full-scale riot
The situation is intense and chaotic

When all I ever wanted
This wasn't what was expected

Was just a little peace and quiet
Wishing for calmness and serenity

Somebody get me out of this hole
Urgently asking for help to escape the mess

(These wheels continue to roll)
The situation keeps getting worse

(Have mercy, mercy on my soul)
Desperately pleading for leniency and help