John Hiatt — Wrote It Down and Burned It
Album: Walk OnAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1955
Length: 5:56
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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There's a dead girl's body
By the railroad track
She's waiting for a train
Jimmy left town like a fade to black
In his Camero in the rain
She wrote it down and burned it
Jimmy loves who knows who
Well he wasn't from around this town
And mister neither are you
She was listening into that Monon line
For the Wabash Cannonball
Put your head on the rail
And you can hear her whine
Just like a caterwaul
She wrote it down and burned it
She clutched it flaming to her chest
It said Jimmy loves cars
And Jimmy loves trains
Ah but Jimmy, Jimmy loves me best
There's a dead girl's body
By the railroad track
Waiting for a train
Well I guess Jimmy never did come back
In his Camero in the rain
She wrote it down and burned it
Yeah the only way I know
You could still read some words
In the ashes there
But she could not watch him go
She wrote it down and burned it
By the railroad track
She's waiting for a train
Jimmy left town like a fade to black
In his Camero in the rain
She wrote it down and burned it
Jimmy loves who knows who
Well he wasn't from around this town
And mister neither are you
She was listening into that Monon line
For the Wabash Cannonball
Put your head on the rail
And you can hear her whine
Just like a caterwaul
She wrote it down and burned it
She clutched it flaming to her chest
It said Jimmy loves cars
And Jimmy loves trains
Ah but Jimmy, Jimmy loves me best
There's a dead girl's body
By the railroad track
Waiting for a train
Well I guess Jimmy never did come back
In his Camero in the rain
She wrote it down and burned it
Yeah the only way I know
You could still read some words
In the ashes there
But she could not watch him go
She wrote it down and burned it
Comments (88)add comment
john hiatt. whoo boy would to jam with him. so far, just in a vague dream.
V minor point - in the song lyrics, the car model name is spelled incorrectly - it should be Camaro,not Camero. Love John Hiatt, love RP. Cheers from rainy London! pxd
I used to play this on a small town radio station in Texas on a Saturday night. I played just about every song off this record.
Love the slow burn. Fantastic atmosphere to it as well. Brilliant song.
I enjoyed the small Indiana references in this song to "the Monon Line," which was railroad that ran through the town he grew up in (Broad Ripple) in addition to the Wabash Cannonball which was another more famous railroad that operated through the Hoosier state.
Healing vibes for Mr. John. He took a nasty fall during a hike.
After I turn this up, I checked to see if this was a 10...yep! Then I realized I have a pair of tickets for October, but when? That's when I found the email, from yesterday, stating the above, and all remaining 2023 shows are canceled.
Keep the tickets, tho, to be rescheduled.
After I turn this up, I checked to see if this was a 10...yep! Then I realized I have a pair of tickets for October, but when? That's when I found the email, from yesterday, stating the above, and all remaining 2023 shows are canceled.
Keep the tickets, tho, to be rescheduled.
8-9, love me some John Hiatt!
Great tune and sound
Railfan Comment - She must have waited quite a while alongside the Monon for the Wabash Cannonball, seeing that the Wabash Cannonball operated on the Wabash Railroad, not the Monon Railroad. ;-)
Enjoying the increased commentary by William...........and here, it was spot on.
Just one of so flipping many outstanding songs by John Hiatt... A big part of my collection...
Intro plays
Me: starts singing
Think of me what you will
I've got a little space to fill
I've got a little space to fill
AhhtheMusic wrote:
He really is a master, isn't he? I saw him last year with Lyle Lovett. They were great together. Lyle was the talker, the funny entertainer. John was just the downright guitar, harmonica, whistling master. God I love this guy!
I've seen LL several times, great shows. With John Hiatt, I'm sure that was an amazing show. They're just so genuine.
The best performers seem to be the ones who, if not up on stage, would be sitting on a porch somewhere doing the exactly the same thing. Minus electrification maybe.
Lyle and his friend Robert Earl even wrote a song about it: 'The Front Porch Song'.
c.
He really is a master, isn't he? I saw him last year with Lyle Lovett. They were great together. Lyle was the talker, the funny entertainer. John was just the downright guitar, harmonica, whistling master. God I love this guy!
The best performers seem to be the ones who, if not up on stage, would be sitting on a porch somewhere doing the exactly the same thing. Minus electrification maybe.
Lyle and his friend Robert Earl even wrote a song about it: 'The Front Porch Song'.
c.
ppopp wrote:
Maybe you're right but John Hiatt would not bother a fan of Tom Waits.
Rough on the ears this voice. The man is at least consistent. He's always rough on my ears.
Maybe you're right but John Hiatt would not bother a fan of Tom Waits.
Rough on the ears this voice. The man is at least consistent. He's always rough on my ears.
If you like that look up Naked Prey, a little rowdier and rougher but same tone.
pclancey wrote:
He really is a master, isn't he? I saw him last year with Lyle Lovett. They were great together. Lyle was the talker, the funny entertainer. John was just the downright guitar, harmonica, whistling master. God I love this guy!
Saw John this week in Green Bay. Thanks to him for the Master class in how it's done, and thanks to RP for introducing me to so many of his songs
He really is a master, isn't he? I saw him last year with Lyle Lovett. They were great together. Lyle was the talker, the funny entertainer. John was just the downright guitar, harmonica, whistling master. God I love this guy!
h8rhater wrote:
I too like it when I get to do a Lvrlover post.
I'm feeling the love enough now to go +1 again to 8....Long Live RP and LOVERS not haters!!
I too like it when I get to do a Lvrlover post.
I'm feeling the love enough now to go +1 again to 8....Long Live RP and LOVERS not haters!!
lizardking wrote:
I'll go +1 on this one, I'm finding (slowly) that I'm a fan of Hiatt. And it's good to read a post of yours that's not a reply to some #$%_}#@...LLRP!!
I too like it when I get to do a Lvrlover post.
I'll go +1 on this one, I'm finding (slowly) that I'm a fan of Hiatt. And it's good to read a post of yours that's not a reply to some #$%_}#@...LLRP!!
I too like it when I get to do a Lvrlover post.
h8rhater wrote:
Discovering John Hiatt is an awesome thing! So much material. So many great songs. The evolution of one of America's preeminent song writers. Wish I could go back and start over, but I've been a fan for 25 years. So I just wait for the next album and smile whenever I hear him on RP.
I'll go +1 on this one, I'm finding (slowly) that I'm a fan of Hiatt. And it's good to read a post of yours that's not a reply to some #$%_}#@...LLRP!!
Discovering John Hiatt is an awesome thing! So much material. So many great songs. The evolution of one of America's preeminent song writers. Wish I could go back and start over, but I've been a fan for 25 years. So I just wait for the next album and smile whenever I hear him on RP.
I'll go +1 on this one, I'm finding (slowly) that I'm a fan of Hiatt. And it's good to read a post of yours that's not a reply to some #$%_}#@...LLRP!!
Saw John this week in Green Bay. Thanks to him for the Master class in how it's done, and thanks to RP for introducing me to so many of his songs
ppopp wrote:
It also wouldn't be the same song or meet the artistic vision intended by the author.
Speed this up by about 33% and add some more imaginative drumming from someone like Andy Newmark, and this would be superb.
It also wouldn't be the same song or meet the artistic vision intended by the author.
WeAdmire wrote:
Hearing this track and obscure Hiatt's on RP are sort of black swan moments - if you do not own them or listen to RP you are very unlikely to hear them. You have already had the recommendation of the "Geffen" trio of Bring The Family, Slow Turning and Stolen Moments to which I'd add Master of Disaster among those that came later and Warming Up to The Ice Age and Slug Line as precursors. But in fact it hardly matters where you start. Wherever you start the difficulty will taking it one CD at time.
Discovering John Hiatt is an awesome thing! So much material. So many great songs. The evolution of one of America's preeminent song writers. Wish I could go back and start over, but I've been a fan for 25 years. So I just wait for the next album and smile whenever I hear him on RP.
Hearing this track and obscure Hiatt's on RP are sort of black swan moments - if you do not own them or listen to RP you are very unlikely to hear them. You have already had the recommendation of the "Geffen" trio of Bring The Family, Slow Turning and Stolen Moments to which I'd add Master of Disaster among those that came later and Warming Up to The Ice Age and Slug Line as precursors. But in fact it hardly matters where you start. Wherever you start the difficulty will taking it one CD at time.
Discovering John Hiatt is an awesome thing! So much material. So many great songs. The evolution of one of America's preeminent song writers. Wish I could go back and start over, but I've been a fan for 25 years. So I just wait for the next album and smile whenever I hear him on RP.
bc wrote:
Hearing this track and obscure Hiatt's on RP are sort of black swan moments - if you do not own them or listen to RP you are very unlikely to hear them. You have already had the recommendation of the "Geffen" trio of Bring The Family, Slow Turning and Stolen Moments to which I'd add Master of Disaster among those that came later and Warming Up to The Ice Age and Slug Line as precursors. But in fact it hardly matters where you start. Wherever you start the difficulty will taking it one CD at time.
I'm liking this!
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
Hearing this track and obscure Hiatt's on RP are sort of black swan moments - if you do not own them or listen to RP you are very unlikely to hear them. You have already had the recommendation of the "Geffen" trio of Bring The Family, Slow Turning and Stolen Moments to which I'd add Master of Disaster among those that came later and Warming Up to The Ice Age and Slug Line as precursors. But in fact it hardly matters where you start. Wherever you start the difficulty will taking it one CD at time.
What a songwriter. Chilling.
ppopp wrote:
Dammit. Now I can't unhear how ordinary the drumming is!
(Disagree about the speed, though. This slow grind is perfect.)
Speed this up by about 33% and add some more imaginative drumming from someone like Andy Newmark, and this would be superb.
Dammit. Now I can't unhear how ordinary the drumming is!
(Disagree about the speed, though. This slow grind is perfect.)
I like this. I do not know why, but this song opens my "Red Rider - Lunatic fringe" sensor.
This is very different for John Hiatt. I usually am ho-hum about his work, but this song is edgy and very cool.
This is the first John Hiatt song that I have ever liked.
jhorton wrote:
David Immerglück :)
WOW, never knew David Gilmour played in John's band?!
David Immerglück :)
WOW, never knew David Gilmour played in John's band?!
This may well be the first John Hiatt song I've ever liked!
i didn't think i was going to make it there for a minute
Nice tune. Bit of a Pink Floyd feel to the guitar
bc wrote:
Bring the Family was his turnaround masterpiece. Post wife's suicide and his getting clean/sober.
Riding with the King is great, with two distinct sides (different producers), and is the one that made me a fan.
Stolen Moments is full of greatness, too.
I'm liking this!
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
Bring the Family was his turnaround masterpiece. Post wife's suicide and his getting clean/sober.
Riding with the King is great, with two distinct sides (different producers), and is the one that made me a fan.
Stolen Moments is full of greatness, too.
bc wrote:
These three are gems:
Bring the Family, A&M Records (1987)
Slow Turning, A&M Records (1988)
Stolen Moments, A&M Records (1990)
I'm liking this!
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
These three are gems:
Bring the Family, A&M Records (1987)
Slow Turning, A&M Records (1988)
Stolen Moments, A&M Records (1990)
bc wrote:
You'll probably get half a dozen or more suggestions but for my money Bring The Family is hard to beat.
I'm liking this!
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
You'll probably get half a dozen or more suggestions but for my money Bring The Family is hard to beat.
I'm liking this!
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
I've always thought John Hiatt was decent, but never enough to buy some CDs. Maybe it's time to reconsider. There's a huge catalog... Where to start? Anybody have a favorite album?
ppopp wrote:
The pace is the point.
Speed this up by about 33% and add some more imaginative drumming from someone like Andy Newmark, and this would be superb.
The pace is the point.
Speed this up by about 33% and add some more imaginative drumming from someone like Andy Newmark, and this would be superb.
Good! Looking forward to seeing John Hiatt (and many others) on the Cayamo Cruise January 2016! Yes!
pk53 wrote:
If you are not listening closely it sounds like a cover of Sunny...
oh, looking down I see this point has been covered.
and tonight Bill follows this song with Shawn Colvin — Sunny Come Home. Sweet!
If you are not listening closely it sounds like a cover of Sunny...
oh, looking down I see this point has been covered.
calypsus_1 wrote:
I saw this tour. It was awkward, having four legends on stage that all looked like they were there for John Hiatt's performance.
I saw this tour. It was awkward, having four legends on stage that all looked like they were there for John Hiatt's performance.
Imkirok wrote:
This album is a great choice for a starting point. Bring the Family or Stolen Moments would be a good follow up.
Been a modest John Hiatt fan for a while, but have never owned any of his stuff. That just changed after listening to this song. I read the reviews for this album and decided it was time to take the plunge.
This album is a great choice for a starting point. Bring the Family or Stolen Moments would be a good follow up.
Been a modest John Hiatt fan for a while, but have never owned any of his stuff. That just changed after listening to this song. I read the reviews for this album and decided it was time to take the plunge.
and tonight Bill follows this song with Shawn Colvin — Sunny Come Home. Sweet!
weez wrote:
YES! I was hearing that too, and had to see if anyone posted this comment. Good call.
Same with me! It's the wah-wah/bass combination, isn't it?
YES! I was hearing that too, and had to see if anyone posted this comment. Good call.
Same with me! It's the wah-wah/bass combination, isn't it?
Dgradeworkunit wrote:
You know, just about every time I hear Bill play this, I think "Who's doing this nice cover of Shawn Colvin's song?". 
This ought to have been followed by Shawn Colvin's Facts About Jimmy
You know, just about every time I hear Bill play this, I think "Who's doing this nice cover of Shawn Colvin's song?". It's the eerie guitars that really make this number - spooky, and with more than a touch of Pink Floyd IMO. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
calypsus_1 wrote:
Could anyone ever ask for a better ensemble? Holy crap - Jim Keltner alone has two lifetimes of music with some very heavy hitters. Add Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe, and - in my opinion - you have the best go-to band since, well, The Band.
Thanks, Calypsus_1 - as always.
All rights reservedCould anyone ever ask for a better ensemble? Holy crap - Jim Keltner alone has two lifetimes of music with some very heavy hitters. Add Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe, and - in my opinion - you have the best go-to band since, well, The Band.
Thanks, Calypsus_1 - as always.
sirdroseph wrote:
Agreed.
John Hiatt is 2 kewl 4 skool!
Agreed.
John Hiatt is 2 kewl 4 skool!
Giving this an instant 9, just for the title.
As always, not vouching for the accuracy of the lyrics, but you get the idea... What a dark song!
As always, not vouching for the accuracy of the lyrics, but you get the idea... What a dark song!
Huey wrote:
Yo también, por lo pronto.
Edit: intriguing lyrics, by the way.
Me likey mucho 
Yo también, por lo pronto.
Edit: intriguing lyrics, by the way.
Me likey mucho
Very nice!
This ought to have been followed by Shawn Colvin's Facts About Jimmy
WhiteNinja wrote:
Vocals by Roy Harper on that one.
I love John Hiatt - a great song writer (so is Roy Harper, for that matter!).
Reminds me a bit of "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd...
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
Vocals by Roy Harper on that one.
I love John Hiatt - a great song writer (so is Roy Harper, for that matter!).
Great Album
What a fantabulously moody track - love it!
geiler Song...mehr davon >> glatte 10
I love to sing harmony with this cut. Makes The Mo howl.
WhiteNinja wrote:
YES! I was hearing that too, and had to see if anyone posted this comment. Good call.
Reminds me a bit of "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd...
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
YES! I was hearing that too, and had to see if anyone posted this comment. Good call.
Don't generally like Mr. Hiatt, but I DO like this one. Nice edge. Melancholy. Dark. Just my style.
7 — > 8
7 — > 8
Reminds me a bit of "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd...
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
Pretty good song, I give it a solid 7.
sharkey wrote:
I couldn't have said it better myself. John Hiatt is a living legend. For the songs he's written AND the songs that he's performed... and the unwashed that don't realize that should go back to their local FM radio and enjoy the Morning Zoo. Thanks RP for playing this hidden Hiatt gem.
Excelsior wrote:
Guess you have the same to say about Dylan, Neil Young et al.
It's all about you isn't it? Get over yourself.
Has it occurred to you that your opinion is irrelevant?
Mainstream, terrestrial radio don't play Dylan, Hiatt Young etc. Check it out!!! Please!!!!
Wish he had burned the master tapes of this song (and all his recordings) instead. Worst singing voice ever. He should stick to writing songs and selling them to other artists.
Guess you have the same to say about Dylan, Neil Young et al.
It's all about you isn't it? Get over yourself.
Has it occurred to you that your opinion is irrelevant?
Mainstream, terrestrial radio don't play Dylan, Hiatt Young etc. Check it out!!! Please!!!!
I couldn't have said it better myself. John Hiatt is a living legend. For the songs he's written AND the songs that he's performed... and the unwashed that don't realize that should go back to their local FM radio and enjoy the Morning Zoo. Thanks RP for playing this hidden Hiatt gem.
Echoes of Tom Petty - love the soaring ethereal guitar. Lyrics reminiscent of Tom Waits, but with a tuneful voice ;). 7 from the Nottingham jury.
radiolicious wrote:
Makes me want to buy a Firebird, wear feather earrings and ride off into the sunset with Smokey the Bandit. Kinda boring 70s sounding in a cool way.
Probably most tolerable while under the influence of a foreign substanceMakes me want to buy a Firebird, wear feather earrings and ride off into the sunset with Smokey the Bandit. Kinda boring 70s sounding in a cool way.
Can it get more boring?
Damn you, Jimmy!
Excelsior wrote:
Guess you have the same to say about Dylan, Neil Young et al.
It's all about you isn't it? Get over yourself.
Has it occurred to you that your opinion is irrelevant?
Mainstream, terrestrial radio don't play Dylan, Hiatt Young etc. Check it out!!! Please!!!!
Wish he had burned the master tapes of this song (and all his recordings) instead. Worst singing voice ever. He should stick to writing songs and selling them to other artists.
Guess you have the same to say about Dylan, Neil Young et al.
It's all about you isn't it? Get over yourself.
Has it occurred to you that your opinion is irrelevant?
Mainstream, terrestrial radio don't play Dylan, Hiatt Young etc. Check it out!!! Please!!!!
...what an awesome title...
Wish he had burned the master tapes of this song (and all his recordings) instead. Worst singing voice ever. He should stick to writing songs and selling them to other artists.
this is a side of JH I haven't heard before....
I also 'Wrote It Down and Burned It'...and it proved very helpful...
Mad songwriting skilz! This is just the tip of the iceberg...
Damm my stream keeps rebuffering!
John Hiatt is God.
trekhead wrote:
Long time , no hear. Thanks! 9.
Completely agree 9.
"JIM....JIMMY WONT FORGET YOU KRAMER...JIMMY HOLDS GRUDGES. LET JIMMY GO......"
davin wrote:
Never heard of him or this before, but it's quite good. Which makes it even better..
He's been around for a long while...check out "Riding with the King" or the albums after that.
Never heard of him or this before, but it's quite good. Which makes it even better..
Long time , no hear. Thanks! 9.
9.Anything from this CD is worth a lesson. Along with "Stolen Moments" I think this is Hiatt at his best. Great simmering, smoldering darkness in this one.
My third favorite from this CD. Or fourth maybe. The Easter egg at the end is the best.
Well, I like it