John Hiatt – Gone
There’s an old legend about the night they burned Atlanta down.
After his army set fire to the city, General William T. Sherman rode out of town, turned his horse around to take one last look at the city in flames, and then turned his back on Atlanta and marched to the sea.
I’ve heard many songs sung about that war and that day.
But I know only one song that taps that legend as a metaphor in a story of love lost. That song I share today.
It’s by John Hiatt.
I count him among the greatest songwriters alive. Probably in my Top-5…
…and I offer his album Crossing Muddy Waters and today’s song as Exhibit A.
This is not one of his better known albums. And many critics yawned.
But I think it’s a masterpiece.
It’s a drummer-less, unplugged album, with mandolin front-and-center.
The title track is brilliant. But the one I have to share is the one with the Atlanta reference. The song is funny and sad. And when you get to the part where he recalls his lost love — the part with the Atlanta reference — you shake your head in awe and say, “How does someone write something that good!?”
Enjoy the lyrics and the song…
Today’s Song
Title: Gone
Artist: John Hiatt
Album: Crossing Muddy Waters (2000)
YouTube Link: youtu.be/frHKxGt5Hyo
Lyrics:
Gone
Like my last paycheck
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the car I wrecked
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like a fifth of gin
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the shape I’m in
Gone, gone away
My baby’s gone away
Gone
Like a Nixon file
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like my landlord’s smile
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the furniture
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the rest of her
Gone, gone away
My baby’s gone away
Gone like the silhouette
There by the bed
Where she undressed
Gone like the candlelight
Where we made love
So sweet and bright
Gone like the one last turn
She took before Atlanta burned
Gone like everything I learned
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like my last paycheck
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the car I wrecked
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like a fifth of gin
Gone, gone away
Gone
Like the shape I’m in
Gone, gone away
My baby’s gone away
Here are the Playlists:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj
