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Old 97’s — Barrier Reef
Album: Too Far to Care
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 759









Released: 1997
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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The Empty Bottle was half-empty tide was low and I was thirsty
Saw her sitting at the bar you know how some girls are
Always making eyes well she wasn't making eyes
So I sidled up beside her settled down and shouted hi there
My name's Stewart Ransom Miller I'm a serial lady killer
She said I'm already dead that's exactly what she said
So we tripped the lights fantastic we was both made of elastic
Midnight came and midnight went and I thought I was the president
She said do you have a car and I said do I have a car?

What's so great about the barrier reef
What's so fine about art
What's so good about a Good Times van
When you're working on a broken working on a broken
Working on a broken man

My heart wasn't in it not for one single minute
I went through the motions with her her on top and me on liqour
Didn't do no good well I didn't think it would

What's so great about the barrier reef
What's so fine about art
What's so good about a Good Times van
When you're working on a broken working on a broken
Working on a broken man
Comments (61)add comment
i love this one - lyrics are so fun.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I like this band, but, this is not their best tune.
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

There is no musical talent or creativity demonstrated in this song.  2

Every single sound you are hearing in this song I have heard 1000 times before.  Utterly unoriginal.   


I guess you think you're the president. 
Posted 3 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
The Barrier Reef is not so great as it used to be
Posted 4 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
Playing next Sunday (4/16) at The Empty Bottle, it's a great "triple-header":

MACABRE

Brain Tentacles

and opening, 

Wild Jesus & The Devil's Lettuce

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make that one. 
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I should really just go ahead and trade in my Camry for a Good Times Van!

Van Dodge mng
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On an otherwise SHI**Y MONDAY!! 
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
is it me... or does this sound an awful lot like "waitress in the sky"- Replacements?

 
That sparse, raw production is very similar, but musically, both songs have traditional (I - IV - V) chord progressions.  I believe Tommy Stinson  worked with the Old 97s at some point.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
Great  line - 'I went through the motions with her on top and me on liquor'

 
I've always got to laugh at that one too. Painful memories.
Posted 10 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Always a great time seeing this band live. And this particular song is amazing in a live setting!
Posted 10 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
Great  line - 'I went through the motions with her on top and me on liquor'
Posted 11 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
this would be....ummmm, oh yeah, ROCK &ROLL !
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
just more of the same schlock rock.....
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
is it me... or does this sound an awful lot like "waitress in the sky"- Replacements?

 
I've thought the same too.
Posted 11 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
There is no musical talent or creativity demonstrated in this song.  2

Every single sound you are hearing in this song I have heard 1000 times before.  Utterly unoriginal.   
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Old 97s have (had?) a pretty smokin' sound. Rock me out. 
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
is it me... or does this sound an awful lot like "waitress in the sky"- Replacements?
 

Yeah, I never thought about it before, but you may be onto something there.  Westie's song is about getting dissed by a stewardess (as they were referred to back in the mid 80's).   But when you think about it, I can't imagine The Replacements looking and/or smelling too "refreshing" as they collectively boarded a plane back then.

And Rhett Miller and Co. composed a tune where Rhett apparently picks up a babe at The Empty Bottle in Chicago (which I can't imagine was very difficult for him), but is unable to "perform" later on that evening.

The first minute or so leading up the chorus sounds very similar on each song.  I guess I'll have to run that one by Rhett the next time I hoist one with him.  Ha!

   
Posted 12 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
is it me... or does this sound an awful lot like "waitress in the sky"- Replacements?
Posted 12 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
what a great post-lunch song
Posted 12 years ago by gosvimmink    [ Reply ]
Serial baby killer!!!  {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 13 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Jimmy Buffett would love this.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
This is a great sing-a-long live!
Posted 13 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Just doesn't resonate with me, but I don't know why
Posted 13 years ago by rhj4    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
this song just demands you to sing along loudly!
 
Yep - even if you don't know the words!  {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Whistle}{#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Please play more often, Bill.
Posted 13 years ago by 2cats    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
this song just demands you to sing along loudly!
 
Preferably in a bar full of happy drunks!   ; )
Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
this song just demands you to sing along loudly!
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Kinda like The Cramps, The Clash and Social Distortion all mixed together. {#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Ntropy    [ Reply ]
 vivakitty wrote:
The first few notes made me think it was going to be the original version of "Your Momma Don't Dance."  Happy and relieved to get the Old 97s instead.
 
You should hear their live cover of "Time Bomb".  It's AWESOME!!!



Posted 14 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
"I went through the motions with her, her on top and me on liquor"

Classic - I can relate to this.{#Drunk}
Posted 14 years ago by johnnygyp    [ Reply ]
The first few notes made me think it was going to be the original version of "Your Momma Don't Dance."  Happy and relieved to get the Old 97s instead.
Posted 14 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Don't know the band, but I like the lyrics.
 

ditto
Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
Like an old frayed hammock worn comfortable with sweat and love...
Posted 14 years ago by fevertree    [ Reply ]
 Boxman wrote:
"My name's Stewart Ransom Miller, I'm a serial lady killer."

Great stuff.

One of those bands you have to see live to fully appreciate.  Saw them at Irving Plaza in NYC a few years ago and the place was rocking.  {#Bounce}
 
I've seen 'em a couple times. They opened for Chris Isaak at The Backyard. Great live act.

Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Best album from a fantastic band!!  LOVE love love the Old 97's! {#Jump}
Posted 14 years ago by jameyp    [ Reply ]
Don't know the band, but I like the lyrics.
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
"My name's Stewart Ransom Miller, I'm a serial lady killer."

Great stuff.

One of those bands you have to see live to fully appreciate.  Saw them at Irving Plaza in NYC a few years ago and the place was rocking.  {#Bounce}
Posted 15 years ago by Boxman    [ Reply ]
God I love this band.
Posted 15 years ago by not-a-fish    [ Reply ]
Bill, I think you've got yourself a fan base, here.... More 97s, please!!!
Posted 16 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
More Old 97's!
Posted 16 years ago by stewliscious    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HhyHswjlJ8


Posted 16 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
These guys are new to me but I'm diggin' it! Keep spinning great tunes like these!
Posted 16 years ago by PinkFlamingo69    [ Reply ]
I love these guys!!!
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Please play more from this band. Clever and (generally) uplifting. thanks.
Posted 16 years ago by flyin_bri    [ Reply ]
One of my favoratists of all time!!! Murray Hammond is a genius and that lead singer ain't too bad himself.
Posted 16 years ago by LilFreckel    [ Reply ]
- What's so great about the Barrier Reef? - What's so fine about Art? - What's so good about a Good Times Van? THESE are the questions that have plagued man since the dawn of time... Old 97's rock the house! More please! c.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Finally some Old 97's.
Posted 17 years ago by DownHomeGirl    [ Reply ]
deepwoodskev wrote:
By the way, the Empty Bottle mentioned in the first line of this song is a bar in Chicago.
That's such a great line - "The Empty Bottle was half empty" My wife and I are major Old 97's fans and we went to The Empty Bottle for a beer as a tribute to this great song when we were in Chicago a couple of years ago. And, by the way, The Empty Bottle was indeed half empty when we were there.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
Fantastic band and an incredible live act. Just saw them at Milwaukee's Summerfest. So much energy! By the way, the Empty Bottle mentioned in the first line of this song is a bar in Chicago. Old 97s started out on the Bloodshot Records label, based in Chicago. OK, enough blabber.
Posted 17 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Hey, these guys are rock-a-lectuals!
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Rhett is such a sweetheart. I've known him since he was 15 and had to wear an underage wrist band to get into clubs. He used to recite poetry before he could play an instrument.
Posted 17 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]
Wha...? When did they start playing this? It's been in the catalog for years. Wonder what changed their minds... Anyway. 9.
Posted 17 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Luv this song! The chorus is killer.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
zipper wrote:
This racket hurts my delicate sensibilities.
At least it's still streaming.....for now.
Posted 17 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Boosiewolf wrote:
Too busy to talk to us, but not too busy to snipe at the Old 97s! Uh huh...I see how you are!
This racket hurts my delicate sensibilities. So I hadda say somethin'.
Posted 17 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
zipper wrote:
Too busy to talk to us, but not too busy to snipe at the Old 97s! Uh huh...I see how you are!
Posted 17 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
OMG!!!! Wooooohoooo!!! One of the 97s' BEST! The best tribute to erectile dysfunction everrrr! What's so great....?? Too bad Mellie isn't here to enjoy it!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
You can't play to much Old 97s...yup...
Posted 17 years ago by akstephens    [ Reply ]
What's so great about RP's boycott of this song?? NUTHIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
This song rocks, please play it!
Posted 21 years ago by PeterGriffin    [ Reply ]