Indigo Girls — Starkville
Album: Become YouAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1158
Length: 4:12
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If you were here in Starkville
Towny boys would love the way you stare
If you were here in starkville
Well the local girls they wouldn't have a prayer
Well I've spent a reckless night inside the wonder
Of your everlasting charm
Now I'm haunted by geography and the flora
And the fauna of your heart
At the dawning of some road worn day
I call you on a whim just to say
The morning birds are singing
But I could not do them justice
So I hung up and I fell back to sleep
But I'm in love with my mobility
Oh sometimes this life can be a drag
Like when I notice your nobility
And how my leaving
It only held you back
But I remember one occassion
When you were drinking
And you asked me to the coast
But I was hell bent on agony back then
And so I missed the boat
At the dawning of some road worn day
I call you on a whim just to say
My regrets become distractions
And I cannot do them justice
And I hung up and I fell back to sleep
When I was down in Starkville
I was hiding out inside some Comfort Inn
From a local gang of troubadours
When the homecoming queen
She come ridin in
(oooh)
Yeah but I slipped out of my room into the rain
(oooh)
And I went running for my health
(oooh)
I watched those headlights turn to moonlight
And finally I was running by myself
Now its the dawning of some road worn day
And I call you on a whim just to say
The morning birds are singing
Towny boys would love the way you stare
If you were here in starkville
Well the local girls they wouldn't have a prayer
Well I've spent a reckless night inside the wonder
Of your everlasting charm
Now I'm haunted by geography and the flora
And the fauna of your heart
At the dawning of some road worn day
I call you on a whim just to say
The morning birds are singing
But I could not do them justice
So I hung up and I fell back to sleep
But I'm in love with my mobility
Oh sometimes this life can be a drag
Like when I notice your nobility
And how my leaving
It only held you back
But I remember one occassion
When you were drinking
And you asked me to the coast
But I was hell bent on agony back then
And so I missed the boat
At the dawning of some road worn day
I call you on a whim just to say
My regrets become distractions
And I cannot do them justice
And I hung up and I fell back to sleep
When I was down in Starkville
I was hiding out inside some Comfort Inn
From a local gang of troubadours
When the homecoming queen
She come ridin in
(oooh)
Yeah but I slipped out of my room into the rain
(oooh)
And I went running for my health
(oooh)
I watched those headlights turn to moonlight
And finally I was running by myself
Now its the dawning of some road worn day
And I call you on a whim just to say
The morning birds are singing
Comments (106)add comment
the flora & fauna of your heart... WOW!
Everything was fine until the harmonica player showed up.
Damn good!!
Edweirdo wrote:
Yeah. I was passing by and they asked me, so what I could I do?
Did some random passer-by contribute the harmonica?
Yeah. I was passing by and they asked me, so what I could I do?
Did some random passer-by contribute the harmonica?
I love their ability to tell a story that draws you in.
Needs more triangle!
barf
This is album is as good as their debut album...which was really good.
I'm so grateful for their music, and so glad to hear it here on RP. To me, they've always been bold, inspirational, and impeccably good!
♥! these girls! :)
Amy...she almost walks on water. She is amazing
profound and beautiful song...
my father used to say in Graceland, "It's a long way to Tupelo..." my daddy was born in Mississippi...
he would have also starkly said that it is a long way to Starkville, too...
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song...
tipper wrote:
...roger that
It's about the music you halfwits.
...roger that
I've been to Starkville! A student competition for Civil Engineers in 1981. That year, Mississippi State hosted seven or eight southern engineering schools.
We had the usual competitions, the usual Saturday night beer blowout "banquet" — with killer MSU barbecue — and went to bed late. The next morning, our concrete canoe was missing. Someone, and it was strongly suggested "someone" was our hosts, had put all eight concrete canoes into the hotel swimming pool! Not an easy task; ours was the lightest by far at 180 pounds.
We had the usual competitions, the usual Saturday night beer blowout "banquet" — with killer MSU barbecue — and went to bed late. The next morning, our concrete canoe was missing. Someone, and it was strongly suggested "someone" was our hosts, had put all eight concrete canoes into the hotel swimming pool! Not an easy task; ours was the lightest by far at 180 pounds.
Not usually my taste, kinda countryish, but I really Like this, especially that husky voice the singer has.
Brings back to memories of good times at little 5 pts. These old ladies just won't quite. I call it 7.5.
Again, I find myself rating an 8 song a 10 to offset the yahoos on this forum, who think everything has to relate to their lives in order to be good or excellent. I'm going to post the lyrics. They are original, no doubt autobiographical, and very good:
"Starkville"
If you were here in Starkville, the townie boys would love the way you stare.
If you were here in Starkville, the local girls , they wouldn't have a prayer.
I spent a reckless night inside the wonder of your everlasting charm,
now I'm haunted by geography, and the flora and the fauna of your heart.
At the dawning of some road worn day,
I called you on a whim just to say-
"The morning birds are singing",
but I could not do them justice, so I hung up and fell back to sleep.
I'm in love with my mobility, but sometimes this life can be a drag;
like when I noticed your nobility and how my leaving only held you back.
I remember one occasion- you were drinking,-when you asked me to the coast,
but I was hell bent on agony back then, so I missed the boat.
At the dawning of a road worn day,
I called you a whim just to say,
"My regrets become distractions when I can not do them justice",
then I hung up and fell back to sleep.
When I was down in Starkville, I was hiding out inside some Comfort Inn
from a local gang of troubadors, when the homecoming queen -she come riding in.
I slipped out of my room into the rain and I went running for my health.
The headlights turned to moonlight, and finally I was running by myself.
At the dawning of this road worn day,
I call you a whim just to say,
"The morning birds are singing".
So, I continue not so much to be a fan of the IG, as much as I'm a fan of originality, creativity, and to hell with the rest of you and your limited musical tastes.
"Starkville"
If you were here in Starkville, the townie boys would love the way you stare.
If you were here in Starkville, the local girls , they wouldn't have a prayer.
I spent a reckless night inside the wonder of your everlasting charm,
now I'm haunted by geography, and the flora and the fauna of your heart.
At the dawning of some road worn day,
I called you on a whim just to say-
"The morning birds are singing",
but I could not do them justice, so I hung up and fell back to sleep.
I'm in love with my mobility, but sometimes this life can be a drag;
like when I noticed your nobility and how my leaving only held you back.
I remember one occasion- you were drinking,-when you asked me to the coast,
but I was hell bent on agony back then, so I missed the boat.
At the dawning of a road worn day,
I called you a whim just to say,
"My regrets become distractions when I can not do them justice",
then I hung up and fell back to sleep.
When I was down in Starkville, I was hiding out inside some Comfort Inn
from a local gang of troubadors, when the homecoming queen -she come riding in.
I slipped out of my room into the rain and I went running for my health.
The headlights turned to moonlight, and finally I was running by myself.
At the dawning of this road worn day,
I call you a whim just to say,
"The morning birds are singing".
So, I continue not so much to be a fan of the IG, as much as I'm a fan of originality, creativity, and to hell with the rest of you and your limited musical tastes.
I probably rated this one point higher because I actually lived in Starkville for awhile. Even if you're not gay..if you've got a brain in your head, *every* day is a "road-worn" one in that town. I'm beginning to think the reason I love Joe Bageant's books so much is because I've been in the same situation.
vit wrote:
From Regretsy.com (where DIY meets WTF): Adult onset cryabetes. This song is quite nice.
Green-eyed albinos who use the word "Belgium" in a tasteful play?
From Regretsy.com (where DIY meets WTF): Adult onset cryabetes. This song is quite nice.Always consider the source of the joke. How is it that it always comes from people....oh never mind....you wouldn't get it anyway.
redstorm wrote:
Like your sentiment! Here in my state some voters want to remove three judges simply for doing their job! In this case, declaring a law that banned same-sex marriages as violating the state constitution's equal protection provision.
Love whom you want, Lick whom you want, disenfranchise no one. there are much much more important things to worry about, than who people sleep with, if you can find someone, anyone who loves you, and respects you and you do that in return, then you are way more than halfway home. 
now in terms of their music: 5
now in terms of their music: 5Like your sentiment! Here in my state some voters want to remove three judges simply for doing their job! In this case, declaring a law that banned same-sex marriages as violating the state constitution's equal protection provision.
It's about the music you halfwits.
DoctorHooey wrote:
I'd argue the opposite approach and say that humor can break down barriers and be a gateway to acceptance. I think the South Park joke does not attack lesbians, but ignorance about what it means to be a lesbian. If we as a society are to afraid to comment on our misunderstandings and use humor to see them in a new light, then we will foster a greater adversarial attitude. I personally think the South Park boys have done more to break down barriers than create hostility. Some of their stuff goes too far for me, but I think their aim to attack taboos makes them less taboo.
Spot on Doc! Southpark and Family Guy as well as all the shows of this ilk are following in the hallowed steps of All in the Family using satire as a means to make fun of the ignorant bigots exposing them with hyperbolic humor. Those that are offended by this humor are misdirecting their anger and just don't get it quite frankly.
I'd argue the opposite approach and say that humor can break down barriers and be a gateway to acceptance. I think the South Park joke does not attack lesbians, but ignorance about what it means to be a lesbian. If we as a society are to afraid to comment on our misunderstandings and use humor to see them in a new light, then we will foster a greater adversarial attitude. I personally think the South Park boys have done more to break down barriers than create hostility. Some of their stuff goes too far for me, but I think their aim to attack taboos makes them less taboo.
Spot on Doc! Southpark and Family Guy as well as all the shows of this ilk are following in the hallowed steps of All in the Family using satire as a means to make fun of the ignorant bigots exposing them with hyperbolic humor. Those that are offended by this humor are misdirecting their anger and just don't get it quite frankly.
MsJudi wrote:
If you can't tell jokes about a large portion of the population who can you tell jokes about? Green-eyed albinos who use the word "Belgium" in a tasteful play? Only those apples with a stem that curves at a 25 degree angle? John Scofield's pinky fungus? Quite the boring night at the Improv if you ask me. (Sorry if I offended any albinos)
Yeah, no homophobia there. And let's not fall back onto the old standard line of it being, "just a joke." Because turning a large portion of the population into a joke makes it easier to take away their rights- like the right to adopt children, or to marry whoever they want.
If you can't tell jokes about a large portion of the population who can you tell jokes about? Green-eyed albinos who use the word "Belgium" in a tasteful play? Only those apples with a stem that curves at a 25 degree angle? John Scofield's pinky fungus? Quite the boring night at the Improv if you ask me. (Sorry if I offended any albinos)
Couldn't give a f*ck if they're lesbians....the music's nice.
yawn
I'm an IG fan but they lost me on the harmonica "solo".
redstorm wrote:
Perfectly stated (although I rated the song a 6!)
Love whom you want, Lick whom you want, disenfranchise no one. there are much much more important things to worry about, than who people sleep with, if you can find someone, anyone who loves you, and respects you and you do that in return, then you are way more than halfway home. now in terms of their music: 5
now in terms of their music: 5Perfectly stated (although I rated the song a 6!)
Love whom you want, Lick whom you want, disenfranchise no one. there are much much more important things to worry about, than who people sleep with, if you can find someone, anyone who loves you, and respects you and you do that in return, then you are way more than halfway home. now in terms of their music: 5
now in terms of their music: 5MsJudi wrote:
Yeah, no homophobia there. And let's not fall back onto the old standard line of it being, "just a joke." Because turning a large portion of the population into a joke makes it easier to take away their rights- like the right to adopt children, or to marry whoever they want.
Sorry, I agree with the other poster on this one. Of course, if you're looking for something offensive in South Park, Cartman's Mom is a great example of phobias being expressed. They've portrayed a trans-gendered person as a slut, put her on the cover of Crack-Whore Magazine, made her the star of a German Schiesse video, and who knows what else (I stopped watching years ago). And to top it all off, it's a running gag that she's literally spoiling her child to death ("No kitty...that's my pot pie!). If you want to be offended, there's plenty of material there. Much more solid footing than being offended by a subtle dig at commonly held mis-conceptions about lesbians.
DoctorHooey wrote:
I'd argue the opposite approach and say that humor can break down barriers and be a gateway to acceptance. I think the South Park joke does not attack lesbians, but ignorance about what it means to be a lesbian. If we as a society are to afraid to comment on our misunderstandings and use humor to see them in a new light, then we will foster a greater adversarial attitude. I personally think the South Park boys have done more to break down barriers than create hostility. Some of their stuff goes too far for me, but I think their aim to attack taboos makes them less taboo.
Eh. I agree with you in this case, but while I agree humor is a great way to combat prejudice and hatred, South Park is the last show I would use as an example. This one is almost a fluke.
MsJudi wrote:
Yeah, no homophobia there. And let's not fall back onto the old standard line of it being, "just a joke." Because turning a large portion of the population into a joke makes it easier to take away their rights- like the right to adopt children, or to marry whoever they want.
I'd argue the opposite approach and say that humor can break down barriers and be a gateway to acceptance. I think the South Park joke does not attack lesbians, but ignorance about what it means to be a lesbian. If we as a society are to afraid to comment on our misunderstandings and use humor to see them in a new light, then we will foster a greater adversarial attitude. I personally think the South Park boys have done more to break down barriers than create hostility. Some of their stuff goes too far for me, but I think their aim to attack taboos makes them less taboo.
radioparadisehead wrote:
Starkville, MS - home of Mississippi State University
Not a pretty place and definitely not filled with the type of girls Indigo describes here... more like cows.
what's the matter radioparadisehead? You changed your location from first post to this one. Ashamed of being from Oxford???
Perfectly adequate background music, cut from the generic "folk-pop music (female vocalist)" file.
Bizzarefall wrote:
Stan:
"What the hell are you doing, Cartman?"
Cartman:
"My mom said, If you wanted to become a lesbian, you had to lick carpet.'"
Kyle:
"Really?"
Stan:
"Well, I got an Indiglow Girls CD. The guy at the record store said it was perfect."
Kyle:
"And I got these killer Birkenstocks."
Cartman:
"This is a bunch of crap. I've been licking this carpet for three hours and I still don't feel like a lesbian."
I don't see how that's homophobic in the least.
Starkville, MS - home of Mississippi State University
Not a pretty place and definitely not filled with the type of girls Indigo describes here... more like cows.
the IGeez lost me years ago when they hired that drummer, but I like this song, drums, accordion, and harp...it's all good
Class Act!
Don't play Indigo Girls please please please.
Dragonfly_Launch wrote:
Jesus was a communist.
Well He sure as hell wasn't a Republican!
I hear the bigger names like this and can't figure why Dar Williams just doesn't get her due recognition.
Bizzarefall wrote:
Stan:
Cartman:
"My mom said, If you wanted to become a lesbian, you had to lick carpet.'"
Yeah, no homophobia there. And let's not fall back onto the old standard line of it being, "just a joke." Because turning a large portion of the population into a joke makes it easier to take away their rights- like the right to adopt children, or to marry whoever they want.
excellent transition.
Stan:
"What the hell are you doing, Cartman?"
Cartman:
"My mom said, If you wanted to become a lesbian, you had to lick carpet.'"
Kyle:
"Really?"
Stan:
"Well, I got an Indiglow Girls CD. The guy at the record store said it was perfect."
Kyle:
"And I got these killer Birkenstocks."
Cartman:
"This is a bunch of crap. I've been licking this carpet for three hours and I still don't feel like a lesbian."
Cannot stand IG's, but I like this.
It's nice to hear a nice subtle and well placed harmony vs. their trademark overlayed-busy sound.
Starkville, Mississippi?
I am wondering that, too... I know they have played there many times, so perhaps it is about good ol' Starkvegas! I'm gonna go look for the lyrics, just out of curiosity.
BTW, great song!
bob dylan plays a rockin' mouth harp too. I must say. and i fancy this tune.
Scanning the entire mass of prior comments I can say:
This song is fine.
The girls stir emotions for reasons outside the quality of their songs. Like confusing Brad Pitt's acting skills with his homelife. Get some focus.
Jesus was a communist.
ObsidianInfinity wrote:
You know...the Indigo Girls really surprise me sometimes. I'll like a song and wonder who it is - and when I see it is them, I'm usually shocked...like something in me says they aren't allowed to make good music! Anyways...this is a good song with strong classic rock roots. Good job, girls.
Me too, Tend to not like them due to early over exposure caused by a IG fanatic friend/roommate. Have to remember that I did like them a lot at one time...
hm, I like this. I'd given up on IG several years back... they seemed to be searching for a direction too hard. Tho I gotta agree.. the harmonica is doin nothing for me.
radioparadisehead wrote:
:-k
Starkville, Mississippi?
I wonder, too. I'm headed there in less than a week. Something serendipitous about hearing this. :-k
Starkville, Mississippi?
Harmonica could have been WAY better, unless it was Bob Dylan doing it.
You know...the Indigo Girls really surprise me sometimes. I'll like a song and wonder who it is - and when I see it is them, I'm usually shocked...like something in me says they aren't allowed to make good music! Anyways...this is a good song with strong classic rock roots. Good job, girls.
Great song. Too bad the rest of this album is so mediiocre.Great choice! "Yield" from that cd is really good too.
I LOVE the Indigo Girls and this is one of their best songs.
Originally Posted by missjanuary:
Did you know that 'Indigo Girls Starkville' is an anagram of 'commie pinko shellfish congress'?
Also "GIRLS VISIT GONAD KILLER" 
Did you know that \'Indigo Girls Starkville\' is an anagram of \'commie pinko shellfish congress\'?
Originally Posted by His_DivineShadow:
This song is really good. And that's coming from someone who is not an Indigo Girls fan.
Pretty much my reaction, too.
This song is really good. And that\'s coming from someone who is not an Indigo Girls fan.
and, btw, since when is a commie pinko an epithet? Like, since when is believing in socialism a forbidden thing? From America, land of free speech ?? You shame the ideals of your Constitution.
(and don't start about Canada being a commie paradise. HArdly. And i'm not a socialist. Just believe a free debate is healthier than an ignorant populace).
Originally Posted by bobringer:
Ironic... aren't the Indigo Girls the pinko socialist commies?
How is somebody dissing them a commie pinko?
As the last poster said... I'd normally have a bad reaction to them but this song is outstanding.
Originally Posted by El_Monty:
I really like the Girls, but this album and this song are lousy. 
Why Monty?
I think this album rules! And this song... God.. it's almost too much!! I love it! ;)
I am really enjoying this set of songs this morning! Making my work day a bit more bearable. Thanks :)
please
no
more
of
this
song
please
please
please
I really cant stand \"the girls\", but this song is great.
I really like the Girls, but this album and this song are lousy.
Argh. I\'m so f***ing sick of this song!
Originally Posted by kumarihpx:
This is such a fresh song; you can hardly believe the Indigo Girls have been making records for more than ten years. And, they can still come up with something so fresh. Sounds like they just jumped off the turnip truck in this one, and it's so great. Nice song. This is a band that has been _consistently_ good. 
More then 20 years! They have known each other and played together since they were teenagers. They are amazing.
:)
Please stop playing this song so much.
Hard to explain, but I find that little, simple harmonica part, that comes in out of the blue, rather moving.
A very nice, upbeat song.
Originally Posted by tbase:
Wow, I was really surprised to not see any comments about the harmonica- so here's one- I heard a 7 year old play the harmonica about an hour ago, and it was far less painful than the harmonica in this tune.
tbase, Alanis is one of the better live performers around now (IMO) but her harp solo's are even worse than the one here. Somebody needs to tell her to put the damn thing down and never pick it up again.
Originally Posted by smitchell:
Hey, don't dis the Indigo Girls, you commie pinko.
Ironic... aren't the Indigo Girls the pinko socialist commies?
How is somebody dissing them a commie pinko?
As the last poster said... I'd normally have a bad reaction to them but this song is outstanding.
OK, when you start hearing the same song twice in a day on RadioParadise, it\'s time to start shopping around...
I get a kick out of hearing this song, since I used to live in Starkville, MS where the Indigo Girls would occaisionally come for a concert. Thanks Bill.
Anyone else reminded of Levelland? By James McMurtry and covered nicely by James Earl Keen?
Wow, I was really surprised to not see any comments about the harmonica- so here\'s one- I heard a 7 year old play the harmonica about an hour ago, and it was far less painful than the harmonica in this tune.
Almost anything is better than that last one. How about a John Prine tune like, Please Don\'t Bury Me or Middleman ?
wow - i usually tend to find Indigo Girls to be entirely intolerable, irritating as hell - but this track is great!
Is it just me or is this starting to get old? It\'s an inoffensive song but I don\'t think it has what it takes to hold up to daily play.
It\'s funny, everytime Indigo Girls start playing, I think is Turin Brakes for the first minutes of the song....
By the way Bill, Turin Brakes is another sugestion I have... A very good Brittish band.
The richness of Amy's voice in this song is unbeleivable - truly eerie and amazing. And the lyrics are so incrediably poignant and moving to me, I can't even begin to describe what feelings this song invokes for me whenever I hear it. I love this new effort. I can't beleive that the girls continue to put forth such solid works of art and emotion. I love them.
I am a big fan of these girls. I just bought this new album and it is really growing on me. Faves so far are \"Nuevos Senoritas\" and \"Moment of Forgiveness\".
Great choice -- this song really stood out for me on the first listen of their new CD. I liked their last couple of albums, but this acoustic sound is definitely their strong suit.
Little harsh, you still out there?