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Bruce Cockburn — Let The Bad Air Out
Album: Breakfast in New Orleans Dinner in Timbuktu
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1164









Released: 1999
Length: 5:42
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Judge said to the hooker, "Can you come out to play?
I've been condemning people all day long, that's how I get paid
My dreams are full of criminals frolicking about
Open up the window, let the bad air out!"


Strangled by confusion, my mind is in decay
Can't picture tomorrow, can't remember yesterday
Send out for the Black & Decker and the psychiatric couch
Open up the window, let the bad air out


Traitors in high places take my money, tell me lies
Take a walk past Parliament, it smells like something died
They ask for trust, but somehow I've got serious doubts
Open up the window, let the bad air out


Too much monkey business, like Mr. Berry said
Drugs and oil and money, don't mean nothing when you're dead
At the risk of being subversive, nothing left to do but shout
"Open up the window, let the bad air out!"
Comments (104)add comment
 eeastridge wrote:


Gotta be careful with puns like that or there'll be hell toupee. 



This pun however, made me laugh out loud in the office, thank you
Posted 7 months ago by Exebeche    [ Reply ]
Have been a Bruce Cockburn fan since his first few albums but I never realized what a GREAT guitarist he was until I saw him live in Burlington Vt! See him live if you can!
Posted 1 year ago by peacockg    [ Reply ]
Why do we ignore our neighbors in the US? I would never have enjoyed Bruce's art but for RP. And he's next door.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Bruce is great
Truth to power
Society is like a stew
If you don’t stir it
The scum will rise to the top
Posted 2 years ago by michael_crf    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

It's actually "Cockburn". But thanks for throwing yourself on the grenade anyway 


pronouced   Co-burn     fyi
Posted 2 years ago by gusthemonkey    [ Reply ]
 EdEastridge wrote:


Gotta be careful with puns like that or there'll be hell toupee. 



Posted 2 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
 nutrod42 wrote:


I think I know why. His songs aren't very good.


You're right, his songs aren't very good, they are excellent! I'm glad we could clear that up.
Posted 2 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Generally......good god!
Posted 2 years ago by BlackBetty    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Let the bad hair out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuQtC8YVYAURdxt.jpg


Gotta be careful with puns like that or there'll be hell toupee. 
Posted 3 years ago by eeastridge    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite Cockburn but hey, he's Canadian so that should count for something! Eh?
Posted 3 years ago by bctreefarmer    [ Reply ]
 sandymac2010 wrote:
boober wrote:
   He's got a funny last name.
    Ouch!

It's Coburn, silly.  Now, about your name?
 
It's actually "Cockburn". But thanks for throwing yourself on the grenade anyway 
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 xkolibuul wrote:


Evidence-free hypothesis.
 
Yup....most folks who've made it as far as Cockburn are "good" enough to have a solid cadre of fans buying their music and keeping them going. All the more so with someone as long lived (in the profession) as he has been. He may not be to your personal taste, but ragging on him as not good is just your opinion, man. ;) 
Posted 4 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
 nutrod42 wrote:


I think I know why. His songs aren't very good.
 

Evidence-free hypothesis.
Posted 4 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 ChardRemains wrote:
Don't know why, but really cannot dig Bruce Cockburn. At all.
 

I think I know why. His songs aren't very good.
Posted 4 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
Let the bad hair out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuQtC8YVYAURdxt.jpg
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

In 2 days we'll know if we'll have to tolerate 4 years of his verbal farts.
Eek.

 
      Donald Trump Is Literally A Talking Head In This ‘Once In A Lifetime’ Mashup


Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

In 2 days we'll know if we'll have to tolerate 4 years of his verbal farts.
Eek.

 
"Tolerate"???
Abhor.
Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Grew up listening to Bruce Cockburn — so many good songs. I like this transition from Ray LaMontagne. Thank you, RP.
Posted 7 years ago by ariadne223    [ Reply ]
Bruce really brings out the Canadian comments.
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 sieversfam wrote:
Let the "Bad Song Go.." This sounds like he's mailing it in..

 

On the signing, yeah.  But the producer and sound engineer where busy.


Posted 7 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
"PHEEEEUUUUUUUUUUP!!!"  woopsy, pardon me
 
In 2 days we'll know if we'll have to tolerate 4 years of his verbal farts.
Eek.
Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]


"PHEEEEUUUUUUUUUUP!!!"  woopsy, pardon me
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 sieversfam wrote:
Let the "Bad Song Go.." This sounds like he's mailing it in..



 
I like this... The mail arrived right on time !!
Posted 11 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
not my cup of tea, but WAY better than its ratings might suggest.
Posted 11 years ago by hoppin_bob    [ Reply ]
(strummed around the campfire on Blazing Saddles...)
Posted 11 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Check out Nothing But A Burning Light by the same artist and produced by T-Bone.

 
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Bruce hails from the village of Cumberland, Ontario, now a suburb of Canada's capital, Ottawa, which is where I live. He has been picking, writing and singing since the late 1960s. A friend of mine who is an amazing guitar picker and teacher himself said he used to play with a group that included Bruce. My friend said, ''Bruce was always the best guitar player.'' Check out Bruce's early folkie stuff on True North records. I love Goin' to the Country.
 
Here's a wild guess. Is your friend Vince Halfhide? Played with Heaven's Radio and bunch of local bands. 
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 boober wrote:
He's got a funny last name.
Ouch!
 

It's Coburn, silly.  Now, about your name?
Posted 13 years ago by sandymac2010    [ Reply ]
Let the "Bad Song Go.." This sounds like he's mailing it in..


Posted 13 years ago by sieversfam    [ Reply ]
 boober wrote:
He's got a funny last name.
Ouch!
 
SUCH an intelligent, original, well-considered comment. {#Doh}


Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
He's got a funny last name.
Ouch!
Posted 13 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
Damn fine album
Posted 13 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
That's what I call a cold shot there, BG...{#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
No bad air on Radio Paradise.
Posted 13 years ago by BigIslandBlues    [ Reply ]
 dogturd21 wrote:
I play this sometimes on my boat when we anchor out for parties....it always gets the bikinies dancing !
 
And just who exactly parties with people named Dogturd?  I don't care, really, I'm just kinda curious.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
Canadian legend. Remember seeing Bruce in his earliest of days, playing a show solo at the Univ. of Western Ontario, London, ON, 1974. This scraggly, gangly, hairy kid saunters out on stage before about 3 000 of us. Totally engrossed in his performance then. Totally admire his work all these years later. Thanks for keeping Bruce current on RP, Bill.
 
Posted 14 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
I just saw Bruce live at the www.classictheatre.net, wow what an amazing show!  Let the Bad Air out is sooo much better live, but then so are most songs!
Posted 14 years ago by Gutter    [ Reply ]
Saw Bruce in NYC at the Bottom Line in around this time. His band then included Colin Linden with whom I think he shares writing credits on this song. Bruce said the inspiration for this song was sitting in the car with the band after a long night. Open up the window and let the bad air out." Serious musician with a sense of humour.
Posted 14 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Just heard this for the first time... I put it up along with Bullet Hole in Peggy's Wall, one of my all time favorite Cockburn song.
Thanks again Bill, for turning me onto another gem.
Posted 14 years ago by mediamarv    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
Thanks, Bill for playing more lesser known Bruce Cockburn songs.
 
{#Yes}

Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This is not for me. Not liking it. At all.
Posted 15 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
This is new for me....liking it {#Bounce}
Posted 15 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Thanks, Bill for playing more lesser known Bruce Cockburn songs.
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Anytime I'm engrossed in my work and gradually realize that I'm tapping my feet or boppin' in my chair, that automatically rates at least a 7.  Reserving the option to upgrade in the future.
Posted 16 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this in years and years.  Thanks RP!
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
Go Bruce go!
Posted 16 years ago by merkabah    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Bruce was eating baked beans again. Great tune, btw!
Posted 17 years ago by ZedLeppelin    [ Reply ]
fuh2 wrote:
Cockburn has a new instrumental album out called "Speechless" I heard.
Yes, and though I am biased (I love BC), I think his guitar work on the new CD is very, very impressive.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
ObsidianInfinity wrote:
this is one of my favorite cds of all time...but this is one of the worst songs on the cd! please, listen to the whole thing and decide for yourself.
My thoughts exactly!
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
And as for his surname, local boy (near Ottawa, capital of Canada) Bruce has long insisted on it being pronounced CO-BURN, despite the spelling.


And who could blame him?  I'm sure I would insist too, if I had that name.

Posted 17 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Damn fine!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
I play this sometimes on my boat when we anchor out for parties....it always gets the bikinies dancing !
Posted 17 years ago by dogturd21    [ Reply ]
oh no, not good even for a bar band, wth is this? comon...
Posted 17 years ago by No-thing    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
Bruce hails from the village of Cumberland, Ontario, now a suburb of Canada's capital, Ottawa, which is where I live. He has been picking, writing and singing since the late 1960s. A friend of mine who is an amazing guitar picker and teacher himself said he used to play with a group that included Bruce. My friend said, ''Bruce was always the best guitar player.'' Check out Bruce's early folkie stuff on True North records. I love Goin' to the Country.
Bruce is an amazing guitar player (not so much under-rated as unknown). It's worth seeing him live just to hear him play the guitar.
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I had never heard of this guy until I started listening to RP. His music is good, but his voice is irritating. I hate when that happens!
Posted 17 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
At the risk of being subversive, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Cockburn.
Posted 17 years ago by omniphiliac    [ Reply ]
Is that Fozzy Bear doing backup vocals at the end?
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Just saw Bruce in Santa Fe last weekend! Excellent show but not his best. Saw him at the Denver Botanic Gardens in August and that show was one of his finer ones! He didn't play this one either time but played plenty of old and new both times, as he does so well at mixing them up when he plays. Be sure to listen for THE END OF ALL RIVERS, an instrumental piece he wrote last year (2005) for his Speechless album of instrumental "oldies". END OF ALL RIVERS is one of the finest tunes he has ever written, IMHO...his use of overlays boggles the mind. In August, he told the crowd that ROCKETLAUNCHER was on hold but he played it at Santa Fe and he has improved the piece greatly with his use of the overlay method! Stunning!
Posted 17 years ago by WordMariner    [ Reply ]
If you're interested, give this one a listen with headphones on. He uses some cool stereo effects, and when he gets to the line "Let the bad air out", you can hear him doing both the low voice and the screaming. The sheer intensity of the screamed part makes the hair on my neck stand up! He sure puts his all into his songs. P.S. My 2nd favorite album cover ever.
Posted 18 years ago by Bosonator    [ Reply ]
And as for his surname, local boy (near Ottawa, capital of Canada) Bruce has long insisted on it being pronounced CO-BURN, despite the spelling.
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Bruce hails from the village of Cumberland, Ontario, now a suburb of Canada's capital, Ottawa, which is where I live. He has been picking, writing and singing since the late 1960s. A friend of mine who is an amazing guitar picker and teacher himself said he used to play with a group that included Bruce. My friend said, ''Bruce was always the best guitar player.'' Check out Bruce's early folkie stuff on True North records. I love Goin' to the Country.
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
bmeador wrote:
ok, is this guy's name really Bruce "Cockburn?" Geneaology can be so cruel sometimes.... Glad to see this poor kid channeled and turned into a great artist!
yeah, but..um..good thing it's not pronounced phonetically eh? in fact it's pronounced Coburn
Posted 18 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
Yeah. At the risk of being subversive, nothing left to do but shout open up the window, let the bad air out. Sarah
Posted 18 years ago by quesarah    [ Reply ]
definetly sounds like mark knop. but it aint bad to sound like him either
Posted 18 years ago by tnfo1    [ Reply ]
ok, is this guy's name really Bruce "Cockburn?" Geneaology can be so cruel sometimes.... Glad to see this poor kid channeled and turned into a great artist!
Posted 18 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
I really liked this one, i'll have to check out more of this guy.
Posted 18 years ago by kimbui1    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of some of Mark Knopfler's stuff.
Posted 18 years ago by laburu    [ Reply ]
Not one of his better songs. Try "Night Train"(click here) for one of his best recent tunes.
Posted 18 years ago by bigstory    [ Reply ]
Greetings, Definitely one of the best Bruce Cockburn has done. I wish RP also played "Look How Far" from it, which I think is my favorite; though depending on my state of mind, other songs are certainly right up there, too. Neil
Posted 19 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
Cockburn has a new instrumental album out called "Speechless" I heard.
Posted 19 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
bmeador wrote:
My wife always fusses so when i let my bad air out!
Posted 19 years ago by swelements    [ Reply ]
puppykicker wrote:
I immediately thought this was Dylan (Jakob or Bob).
Nothing personal, but if you don't recognize Bruce Cockburn, you need to expand your listening a bit. Stick around here, you'll hear plenty. Likeable tune from Mr. CO-BURN.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
this is one of my favorite cds of all time...but this is one of the worst songs on the cd! please, listen to the whole thing and decide for yourself.
Posted 19 years ago by ObsidianInfinity    [ Reply ]
I immediately thought this was Dylan (Jakob or Bob).
Posted 19 years ago by puppykicker    [ Reply ]
WakeUpWorld wrote:
This is one of the best cd's I own, from start to finish it's a gem.
Maybe so, but it doesn't include Heather Nova's brilliant rendition of "Gloomy Sunday." I wish RP would play it again right now.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
This is one of the best cd's I own, from start to finish it's a gem.
Posted 19 years ago by WakeUpWorld    [ Reply ]
My wife always fusses so when i let my bad air out!
Posted 19 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
ongaku wrote:
Good album .... his guitar work on "Blueberry Hill" is impressive.
LOVE use me while you can FROM THIS disc...
Posted 19 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
Good album .... his guitar work on "Blueberry Hill" is impressive.
Posted 19 years ago by ongaku    [ Reply ]
Don't know why, but really cannot dig Bruce Cockburn. At all.
Posted 20 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
JCJ wrote:
word has it he wrote this song after eating a healthy plate of rice and beans in New Orleans
Hah! Love Bruce's stuff and know it all by heart. This guy's problem is that his voice doesn't hold up to his lyricism or guitarmanship. So some of his best songs are more like slam poetry recitals with awesome accompaniment. Sometimes the effect is incredible, like in the live version of Stolen Land or his very first attempt: Hoop Dancer. This one is okay, and now thanks to JCJ I've got a permanent image in my mind of the bad air he's talking about. Anyone know where to get a flatulent emoticon?
Posted 20 years ago by Creation_dreamer    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
Please play Use Me While You Can from this same album... I love these new millenium 9 minute power anthems like Jane's Addictions' Three Days, Grateful Dead's Terrapin Station and Bruce Cokburns Use Me While You Can. They're the closest rock gets to classical orchestration and, when done correctly, they're like novels while the rest of the album is short stories.
Hi sans. I uploaded Use Me While You Can a couple of years ago and it was rejected.
Posted 20 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
What a brilliant sequence with the last 3 songs, never EVER thought I would hear something this good on radio. Are there any academy awards out there for Deejays so that I can nominate Mr. Goldsmith?
Posted 20 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Or at least a god-shaped hole.
Posted 20 years ago by phhht    [ Reply ]
Please play Use Me While You Can from this same album... I love these new millenium 9 minute power anthems like Jane's Addictions' Three Days, Grateful Dead's Terrapin Station and Bruce Cokburns Use Me While You Can. They're the closest rock gets to classical orchestration and, when done correctly, they're like novels while the rest of the album is short stories.
Posted 20 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a slowed down version of "Blood Makes Noise".
Posted 20 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
It was going well, but the ending ruined it for me. I think all the musicians got bored and decided to start playing different songs.
Posted 20 years ago by bothanesque    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's not his best work, but anything with Bruce scores highly with me.
Posted 20 years ago by llazare    [ Reply ]
This guy deserves 10/10 just to ease the pain of a burning cock.
Posted 21 years ago by deadline    [ Reply ]
Love the trombone at the end!
Posted 21 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by philarktos: Nice metaphor. Unfortunately, in the apparent absence of an omniscient, omnipotent and interested diety, it's not that easy. And yet any heartfelt aspiration for the bennefit of others has it's value.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Posted 21 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Nice metaphor. Unfortunately, in the apparent absence of an omniscient, omnipotent and interested diety, it\'s not that easy. And yet any heartfelt aspiration for the bennefit of others has it\'s value.
Posted 21 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
Forgive me.. Thought this was Dylans kid... Dig the groove .. the musicianship is very cool.. melodies are simply cool.. wait vocals at the end... eh... still cool ... thanks for the introduction RP...
Posted 21 years ago by halcatus    [ Reply ]
this sounds a lot like mark knofler; industrial disease i think
Posted 21 years ago by nexxia    [ Reply ]
oh yes, for those days driving in your vehicle with other people and you have to open the window and let the bad air out.
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by JCJ: word has it he wrote this song after eating a healthy plate of rice and beans in New Orleans
need a rimshot with that no respect, no respect
Posted 21 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Jacek: a great merging of form and content
The cadence in the lyrics and the arraingement are masterful
Posted 22 years ago by 1jerry    [ Reply ]
Yawn. Alternately dull and precious, as usual for this guy.
Posted 22 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
I actually find this song with it\'s simplistic lyrics to be a breath of fresh air for Bruce. So much of his work is incredibly intense (and that\'s why I think he is one of the best songwriters around). This is a nice change of pace for him.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
word has it he wrote this song after eating a healthy plate of rice and beans in New Orleans
Posted 22 years ago by JCJ    [ Reply ]