Chris Smither — Link of Chain
Album: Up on the LowdownAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1070
Length: 3:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Can't you see? I can't explain
I'm a little like a link of chain
Just a ring around another
Runnin' in and out again
Fly me on a kite line
Smilin' like a gold mine
I don't need to do right
Go to the end
That'll do to hold me tonight
Mornin' rain, make it soon
Just a little in the afternoon
To hold me like a mother
Hang me on the evenin' moon
Set me on a low one
Show me how to go one
More whenever I finally decide
Go to the end
And take it along for the ride
Well I ain't got long
I leave 'fore day
And I never had a lot to say
Tell me like a brother
Do we throw it all away
Sittin' on the side line
Foolin' with a fine mind
Never need to know the desire
Go to the end
Play it right down to the wire
Go to the end
Play it right down to the wire
Can't you see? I can't explain
I'm a little like a link of chain
Just a ring around another
Runnin' in and out again
Runnin' in and out again
Runnin' in and out again
I'm a little like a link of chain
Just a ring around another
Runnin' in and out again
Fly me on a kite line
Smilin' like a gold mine
I don't need to do right
Go to the end
That'll do to hold me tonight
Mornin' rain, make it soon
Just a little in the afternoon
To hold me like a mother
Hang me on the evenin' moon
Set me on a low one
Show me how to go one
More whenever I finally decide
Go to the end
And take it along for the ride
Well I ain't got long
I leave 'fore day
And I never had a lot to say
Tell me like a brother
Do we throw it all away
Sittin' on the side line
Foolin' with a fine mind
Never need to know the desire
Go to the end
Play it right down to the wire
Go to the end
Play it right down to the wire
Can't you see? I can't explain
I'm a little like a link of chain
Just a ring around another
Runnin' in and out again
Runnin' in and out again
Runnin' in and out again
Comments (71)add comment
BIIIGGGG 8
Chris is an AMAZING guitarist! I swear he has 8 fingers on his left hand. See him live if you can.
Makes me want to hear Cracker's wicked "Trials and Tribulations;" I love both songs for the same reason: Gentleman's Blues!
Proclivities wrote:
Nice tune.
this is mesmerizing , and in time with the song! LOL
Nice tune.
this is mesmerizing , and in time with the song! LOL
Would love to have heard him play with J. J.
I had never heard of him until I was invited to a show of his several years ago, by a co-worker. The venue was a small room in a housing community in Durham, NC. It felt very bizarre but it was a great show.
Per Smither's, his royalties from a couple songs that he wrote that Bonnie Raitt has recorded are his biggest source of $$$s. The songs are "Love You Like a Man" and "I Feel the Same" per his wiki.
Per Smither's, his royalties from a couple songs that he wrote that Bonnie Raitt has recorded are his biggest source of $$$s. The songs are "Love You Like a Man" and "I Feel the Same" per his wiki.
nuggler wrote:
Since JJ has passed and Chris hasn't, I imagine he is quite happy being himself. Probably was anyway.
newbaby wrote:
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
Since JJ has passed and Chris hasn't, I imagine he is quite happy being himself. Probably was anyway.
Sloggydog wrote:
Love this song, the album it's from and this completely righteous dude. What a guy. Will be tryin to keep an eye out for anytime he is back touring my way.
khardog145 wrote:
I downloaded the song immediately after hearing it on RP. I'll check out the album. Hope he will find his way to Chicago and the Old Town School of Folk Music when it opens back up.
Yinz will not be disappointed. I'm seen him, like, 3 times. He is great live.
Love this song, the album it's from and this completely righteous dude. What a guy. Will be tryin to keep an eye out for anytime he is back touring my way.
khardog145 wrote:
I downloaded the song immediately after hearing it on RP. I'll check out the album. Hope he will find his way to Chicago and the Old Town School of Folk Music when it opens back up.
Yinz will not be disappointed. I'm seen him, like, 3 times. He is great live.
Sloggydog wrote:
I downloaded the song immediately after hearing it on RP. I'll check out the album. Hope he will find his way to Chicago and the Old Town School of Folk Music when it opens back up.
Love this song, the album it's from and this completely righteous dude. What a guy. Will be tryin to keep an eye out for anytime he is back touring my way.
I downloaded the song immediately after hearing it on RP. I'll check out the album. Hope he will find his way to Chicago and the Old Town School of Folk Music when it opens back up.
Proclivities wrote:
Nice tune.
brilliant.
Nice tune.
brilliant.
John Lee Hooker school. I like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOKBjpPhTCk
JIan wrote:
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
Misterfixit wrote:
He taught J.J.
? Really? Their biographies don't seem to jibe with that notion.
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
Misterfixit wrote:
He taught J.J.
? Really? Their biographies don't seem to jibe with that notion.
JIan wrote:
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
I thought so too
jj cale I really miss you
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
I thought so too
jj cale I really miss you
Love this song, the album it's from and this completely righteous dude. What a guy. Will be tryin to keep an eye out for anytime he is back touring my way.
Amazing recording quality for a record that came out in year 0.
Nice tune.
oh, and Mr. Smither will be playing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in April 2014, check him out if you can!!!!!!
Chris Smither is a GOD as far as i'm concerned, his music touches deep into my soul and being.
I really dig Chris Smither.
marmelock wrote:
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
JJ is that you?
Kind of sounds like it, doesn't it.
Love me some Chris Smither. Very good live performer also.
A real sense of forward movement on this song. Great guitar track - nothing special but it just works
Luna2 wrote:
still true 6 years later (tainted is an understatement)
This song is enjoyable enough for me to forget that woman tainted a great jimi hendrix song
still true 6 years later (tainted is an understatement)
JJ is that you?
That_SOB wrote:
I don't know but if you find out, tell me. My toe's doing the same thing.
My toe just got a mind of it's own... how do I shut it off ?
I don't know but if you find out, tell me. My toe's doing the same thing.
Does that Ovation proud.
My toe just got a mind of it's own... how do I shut it off ?
I hadn't thought much of this guy until I saw him perform solo at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2002 and he totally blew me away. As I am a lover of bands and interplay between musicians, as well as the variety they suggest, it is very seldom that a solo performer holds my interest for more than a few songs. I'm also not a huge fan of the one-guy-with-guitar singing thing, as I've seen just too many of them and they're typically flat, boring and undynamic. But THIS guy took me on a journey with his playing and I was totally rapt for his whole set.
trekhead wrote:
"Smithers! Quit this confounded nincum-boobery and change your name BACK to Waylon...at once!!!"
Lord, I JUST watched a video of Chris singing this, as well as "Father's Day", on youtube less than 15 minutes ago! Incredible timing, Bill! 
jsteer wrote:
wow cool! i didn't catch him til 2004 - a mesmerizing live performer
First saw Chris Smither on a wintery night in '70-'71 at a high school coffee house in New Hampshire .. Still have the vinyl of his first album. RP can't play too much Chris Smither.. Don't miss him if get a chance
wow cool! i didn't catch him til 2004 - a mesmerizing live performer
Me likey. New to my ears. Great example of how a simple song, in the right "hands", can be great.
flyboy wrote:
I thought this was J.J. Cale at first. I think he would probably dig this song.
He taught J.J.
I thought this was J.J. Cale at first. I think he would probably dig this song.
He taught J.J.
First saw Chris Smither on a wintery night in '70-'71 at a high school coffee house in New Hampshire .. Still have the vinyl of his first album. RP can't play too much Chris Smither.. Don't miss him if get a chance
Tappin my toes...
nuggler wrote:
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
I thought this was J.J. Cale at first. I think he would probably dig this song.
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
I thought this was J.J. Cale at first. I think he would probably dig this song.
I prefer Bonnie Raitt's covers.
Much love for the Smither man. I think when J.B. Hutto died he somehow occupied Chris' body.
I've seen this fellow in concert several times now; he never fails to impress. I *love* him.
Big big love.
WOW - this is awesome fun!!! never even heard of this guy before. RP rocks
I really liked "Train Home", but his voice was so gravelly on his latest "Leave the Light On" that I could barely understand him.
And I thought JJ Cale was cool! This guy totally rules!
Good tune, but I like the version on "Live as I'll Ever Be" better.
He's playing at Joe's Pub in NYC next month.
audiolizard wrote:
I've seen him live. He's the real deal - an exceptional musician and good storyteller with the life experience to backup his lyrics.
Agree with that.
I've seen him live. He's the real deal - an exceptional musician and good storyteller with the life experience to backup his lyrics.
SteveT wrote:
Most excellent! And if you every get a chance to see him live, do it. His shows are among the best small venue shows I've ever seen.
I was just gonna ask. He's coming to Chi.
I like this stuff. It's unfortunate that his name reminds me of the Smithers character on the Simpsons.
Most excellent! And if you every get a chance to see him live, do it. His shows are among the best small venue shows I've ever seen.
excellent!
btw, the songs this afternoon make me think it's raining somewhere. I'm high in the clear and oh so sunny southern rockie mountains and the picks this afternoon sounded incongruous... it even made me check your weather page. 466 inches of rain this year for you guys. wow. and here i am unpacking boxes from my move from the bay area....
I have to agree..don't miss him live. PHENOMANAL. You WILL be amazed by those flying fingers on that guitar. Great performer and songs.
nuggler wrote:
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
He's probably as old as JJ. Been playing since the 60's.
This song is enjoyable enough for me to forget that woman tainted a great jimi hendrix song
Mari, are you a script that's been running for 15 hours?
i cannot recommnend highly enough seeing this guy live - saw him at Wolftrap for my birthday (thanks Jeff and Margo!) and could not stop grinning while he was picking
p.s. this song almost does him an injustice because there's backup musicians. you see him live, it's just him and his guitar and his feet...
Annoying
nuggler wrote:
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
No doubt, but you've got to admit that this guys' still doing one hell of a job.
wow, this is stellar!
newbaby wrote:
this guy is awesome...........
J.J.Cale is awesome. This guy wishes he was J.J.Cale....
I love Chris Smither, but haven't listened to him in years! I saw him a ton of times in the early 90s. Wow. I heard this tune and said holy crap, that sounds like Chris Smither. GO RADIO PARADISE! Thanks for reacquanting me with the whiskey-smooth voice of Chris Smither.
Sweet. :sunny.gif:
He's been through here a few times, and I've missed him...darn. Will make a point to go see him in October when he comes back to my town. :nodhead:
"I am a man ,
of constant sorrow..."
I thought, "Gee, this sounds like Chris Smither!"
and it was. Happy day!
mmmm.....rolling thunder bass.....
Hmm, yeah ok I like it, I think, yeah I do, I think? 
You're welcome! I first heard this song on NPR about ten years ago and immediately went out and got the album which I recommend. I'm sure glad it made it on the list too :-)
jbtidwell wrote:
Fantastic reinterpretations of the classic blues! - Thanks to whoever submitted this. 
i wish it was me who submitted it........i've been listening to him for a while now and his music "moves" me
"Smithers! Quit this confounded nincum-boobery and change your name BACK to Waylon...at once!!!"
Fantastic reinterpretations of the classic blues! - Thanks to whoever submitted this.
this guy is awesome...........