In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Kid from Spavinaw
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outside the town of Spavinaw
Where the red dust clouds the sun
And I ran beneath your diamond skies
And I drank your waves of grain
My name is Mickey Mantle, boys
And baseball is my game
And he worked down in the mines
He pitched to me in the evening
At least a thousand times
A thousand times again, in my nightmare and my dreams
You're going to live in the house that
Ruth built, kid
You're going to make that Yankee team
Sure enough, the Yankee scout comes drivin',
Right down route 66
He'd have never come to
Spavinaw class D ball in the sticks,
But I happened to be playing in an old wood ball park
Way out on the mother road
That Yankee scout he signed me and I went up to the the show
Strike 1, that was the drinkin'
Strike 2, there go the knees
Then my old man died in Denver
Some type of lung disease
When God starts throwing change ups
You can't swing with fame or wealth
If I'd known I's going to live this long
I'd have taken care of myself.
I don't miss the lights of Times Square
I don't miss Toots Shore's bar
I miss my old man pitchin' baseball
Near the shed in our backyard
I wish that he were still alive
To see these trophies on my shelf
If I'd known I was going to live this long
I'd have taken better care of myself
I was born in Oklahoma,
1931 Outside the town of Spavinaw
Where the red dust clouds the sun
The song "Kid from Spavinaw" by Tom Russell is a tribute to the legendary baseball player Mickey Mantle. The song is a first-person account of Mantle's life growing up in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, and his rise to fame in the world of baseball. Mantle was born in 1931 and grew up in a small town in rural Oklahoma where his father worked in the mines. As a child, he would play baseball with his father, who would pitch to him in the evenings. Mantle was an exceptional athlete and soon caught the attention of scouts from major league baseball teams.
The second stanza of the song recounts how the Yankee scout came to see Mantle play in an old wood ballpark out on Route 66. Mantle was signed by the Yankees and went up to the big leagues. However, with fame came the pitfalls of success. The chorus, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself," speaks to Mantle's struggles with alcoholism and the toll it took on his health.
The final stanza of the song is a reflection on Mantle's life and regrets. He misses his father and wishes that he had taken better care of himself. The song is a poignant reminder of the ups and downs of life and the importance of valuing and cherishing the moments we have.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Oklahoma, 1931
Tom Russell introduces himself and the time and place of his birth
Outside the town of Spavinaw
Tom Russell specifies the location of his birth
Where the red dust clouds the sun
Tom Russell describes the environment in which he was born with poetic language
And I ran beneath your diamond skies
Tom Russell reflects on running under the Oklahoma sky as a child
And I drank your waves of grain
Tom Russell speaks poetically about drinking beer in rural Oklahoma
My name is Mickey Mantle, boys
Tom Russell reveals his inspiration to write this song as being Mickey Mantle, a fellow Oklahoman and famous baseball player
And baseball is my game
Tom Russell identifies his love for baseball, which is also the central topic of the song
My father's name was 'Mutt', boy
Tom Russell introduces his father's nickname and identity
And he worked down in the mines
Tom Russell reveals his father's occupation
He pitched to me in the evening
Tom Russell recollects his father pitching baseball to him in the evenings
At least a thousand times
Tom Russell emphasizes the frequency with which his father pitched to him
A thousand times again, in my nightmare and my dreams
Tom Russell reflects on how frequently and intimately baseball was woven into his experience growing up
You're going to live in the house that Ruth built, kid
Tom Russell shares a prediction his father made about Tom's future success and employment as a baseball player
You're going to make that Yankee team
Tom Russell's father predicts that he will become a member of the New York Yankees baseball team
Sure enough, the Yankee scout comes drivin',
Tom Russell describes the moment for his big break in baseball
Right down route 66
Tom Russell identifies the route the Yankee scout took
He'd have never come to Spavinaw class D ball in the sticks,
Tom Russell recognizes that his location was not typically scouted for baseball
But I happened to be playing in an old wood ball park
Tom Russell credits his opportunity to play in front of scouts to a chance occurrence and his consistent dedication
Way out on the mother road
Tom Russell identifies the location of the ball park as being along Route 66
That Yankee scout he signed me and I went up to the the show
Tom Russell describes the moment he was signed to the Yankees team and made major leagues
Strike 1, that was the drinkin'
Tom Russell reflects on his long history of alcoholism and its impact on his life and career
Strike 2, there go the knees
Tom Russell speaks to his knee injuries and the impact they had on his playing ability and ultimately, his retirement
Then my old man died in Denver
Tom Russell expresses the grief of losing his father
Some type of lung disease
Tom Russell describes the cause of his father's death
When God starts throwing change ups
Tom Russell uses a baseball term to describe the unpredictability and unfairness of life
You can't swing with fame or wealth
Tom Russell reflects on how even his success and fame haven't been able to protect him from life's curveballs
If I'd known I's going to live this long
Tom Russell reflects on the mistakes he's made over the course of his life and career
I'd have taken care of myself.
Tom Russell acknowledges his own failure to maintain himself properly
I don't miss the lights of Times Square
Tom Russell shares that, despite his success, he doesn't feel nostalgia for all of the famous aspects of New York City
I don't miss Toots Shore's bar
Tom Russell singles out a specific location that he doesn't miss - another sign that his fame didn't bring as much joy as he would have hoped
I miss my old man pitchin' baseball
Tom Russell speaks to nostalgia he has for the simple and authentic moments shared with his father
Near the shed in our backyard
Tom Russell identifies the intimate setting that holds his fondest memories
I wish that he were still alive
Tom Russell expresses his continued love for and grief over his father's death
To see these trophies on my shelf
Tom Russell reflects on how his father's support and encouragement were part of his success
If I'd known I was going to live this long
Tom Russell repeats a line from earlier in the song, emphasizing its significance
I'd have taken better care of myself
Tom Russell repeats his acknowledgement of past mistakes in order to convey the importance of living life with intention and care
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TOM RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind