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Michelle Shocked — Secret to a Long Life
Album: Arkansas Traveler
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 523









Released: 1992
Length: 3:43
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Billy Barlow was a poor boy
That's why he robbed the Union Grove Bank
He was a sweet talking ladies man
That's what he'd have ladies all to think

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go

So when the posse came riding
Billy went hiding down south
Holed up in a shack with Maria
With the black hair and the ruby red mouth

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go

So when the news reached her lover
Billy ran for cover, don't you know
And when the bullets started ringing
Billy started singing "Time to go..."

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Ohhhh, time to go now!

Billy headed north where the sands of the Badlands blow
But in his dreams he's south
He's still kissing that ruby red mouth

Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Oh the secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Ohhhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhhh

The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
The secret to a long life's knowing when it's time to go
Comments (108)add comment
Love the acoustic Campfire Tapes version - recorded on a walkman and you can hear the fire and the trucks driving past in the background. Let the summer come!
Posted 2 years ago by Manwiththetan1    [ Reply ]
Her Campfire tapes are still my Favorite. All recorded on a Walkman.
Posted 3 years ago by Manwiththetan1    [ Reply ]
She certainly got herown sweet style. Good guitar too. 8
Posted 4 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
After the anti-gay rant, she should be banned. 
Posted 4 years ago by bigbobbybubba    [ Reply ]
Going to skip she is bat shit crazy
Posted 4 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
good voice, not a bad piece of music, thanks for including this Ms. Shocked tune but I haven't missed her
Posted 4 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Just read the credits for Arkansas Traveler. If any one knows of any other recording with a greater mass quantity of starpower performing that's not a tribute or compilation, I'd like to know. A partial listing won't do, and a full list would fill this page. Check it out!

 

Yeah, it is pretty amazing. I bought this when it came out on recommendation of a friend and have always enjoyed it. I think I uploaded the song she does with Uncle Tupelo a few years ago.
Posted 12 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
I have had many people tell me that is the secret. They just have different clocks.
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Just read the credits for Arkansas Traveler. If any one knows of any other recording with a greater mass quantity of starpower performing that's not a tribute or compilation, I'd like to know. A partial listing won't do, and a full list would fill this page. Check it out!
 
She even got Lawrence of Arabia himself to play the Bouzouki!  Impressive.
Posted 13 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
The secret to a long song's repeating the same words over and over again....
Posted 13 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song sux...  the lyrics are so asinine they are moronic...


 
Has to be the first negative comment I have seen from you romeo, must have been having a bad day.{#Ask}

Posted 13 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]


I thought the secret was to smoke lots of cigars
Posted 13 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song sux...  the lyrics are so asinine they are moronic...


 
But does it still get a 10?

Posted 13 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
Despite Romeotuma's very surprising comment, i like the country-groove this one's got going... Being a dutchman the lyrics (when English) usually are something i pay attention to after a couple of listens...

For now, a 7.

Posted 13 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song sux...  the lyrics are so asinine they are moronic...


 
You hit the nail on the head there. {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Just read the credits for Arkansas Traveler. If any one knows of any other recording with a greater mass quantity of starpower performing that's not a tribute or compilation, I'd like to know. A partial listing won't do, and a full list would fill this page. Check it out!
 
Holy crap...only one missing is Weird Al!{#Roflol}

Posted 13 years ago by btilrn    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song sux...  the lyrics are so asinine they are moronic...


 
So, this song is NOT good for the ears?

Posted 13 years ago by PFM    [ Reply ]
Shocking!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
sorry- but {#No} do not care for this song, at all.

maybe a secret to a bad song is for it to go?

IMHO

Posted 13 years ago by glassbuteo    [ Reply ]
Just read the credits for Arkansas Traveler. If any one knows of any other recording with a greater mass quantity of starpower performing that's not a tribute or compilation, I'd like to know. A partial listing won't do, and a full list would fill this page. Check it out!

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
What is the secret to a long life?
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:
The secret to a long song is repeating yourself over and over and over and over..........
 
Ha!  I came to comment the exact same thing! {#Roflol}
Posted 14 years ago by thekid    [ Reply ]
 racerx wrote:
So, based on this wanton repetition, one must conclude that Michelle Shocked and band unfortunately will not be blessed with a particularly long life.

 
Well, she's only been on the music scene for 24 years so far. Does that count as a long life??

(Still don't like this song, though)

Posted 14 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
While this is far from my favorite Michelle Shocked song, it's good to know I'm not the only one who remembers her.
Posted 14 years ago by donna_birichina    [ Reply ]
So, based on this wanton repetition, one must conclude that Michelle Shocked and band unfortunately will not be blessed with a particularly long life.

Posted 14 years ago by racerx    [ Reply ]
The secret to a long song is repeating yourself over and over and over and over..........
Posted 14 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:

 

Is that you Woody?


Posted 14 years ago by liveinthewire    [ Reply ]
I sure do like Michelle. It's past time for her to come out with new stuff, as great as she is! {#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Not much too this one for mine. 
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 passsion8 wrote:

My guess is her real name is Michelle Schacht. Or not.
 

Nice theory.  Wikipedia says her name is really Johnston, and she changed it to sound like "shell shocked".  Heh.  Whatever.
Posted 14 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 coy wrote:
ah caent hep uf ahm enluv with michelle in all you doubters ar rong
 
Indeed. I share the sentiments of the gentleman from San Antonio.

'Sides, hes jes donna road a far piece, we'ze pracally neighbors.

Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
The Secret to a Good Song Is Knowing When It's Time To Write More Interesting Lyrics
Posted 14 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
ah caent hep uf ahm enluv with michelle in all you doubters ar rong
Posted 14 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
I guess we can conclude from this that the secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go.
 
I would even say that the secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go.

Posted 14 years ago by TanteJensen    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:

 

My dear, you have eyes like clear mountain lakes. Your skin glows with the beauty of a sunset. Please say you'll be mine. (Lose the hat, though.)
Posted 14 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
It mystifies me that Bill and Rebecca can keep playing this woman's music after she came out so publicly and adamantly against internet radio a couple of years ago.  
Posted 14 years ago by yclept    [ Reply ]
 mwsteele79 wrote:
I can't figure out if "Michelle Shocked" is supposed to be cutesy, clever, or poetic... she gets a 1/10 just for the name.
 
My guess is her real name is Michelle Schacht. Or not.
Posted 15 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
Hmm, I like this album, I just wonder again why anybody would pick "Secret to a long life" which is one of the weaker tunes on the cd....
Posted 15 years ago by giotto    [ Reply ]

Amazing similarity to Donavan's "Rikki Tikki Tavvi".

Bob


Posted 15 years ago by bstjames    [ Reply ]
 mwsteele79 wrote:
I can't figure out if "Michelle Shocked" is supposed to be cutesy, clever, or poetic... she gets a 1/10 just for the name.
  She could call herself 'painful rectal itch' and I'd STILL like her music. Her body of work is outstanding. One reason she is not better known is because her albums do not stick to one genre. 'Short Sharp Shocked' is probably my fave, but I like 'em all.

c.


Posted 15 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 grimid wrote:
City Slicker: You're not too far from a durn fool, are you? Country Feller: Just a barbed-wire fence between us.
 
City Slicker: Have you lived here all your life?

Country Feller: Not yet.

Posted 15 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
I can't figure out if "Michelle Shocked" is supposed to be cutesy, clever, or poetic... she gets a 1/10 just for the name.
Posted 15 years ago by mwsteele79    [ Reply ]
Michelle Shocked is an original - thanks Bill!
Posted 15 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
That song doesn't ever need to be played again!
Posted 15 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
I gotta go.
Posted 15 years ago by stewliscious    [ Reply ]
I guess we can conclude from this that the secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Repetition really really really really really really really really sucks.
Posted 15 years ago by mwsteele79    [ Reply ]
City Slicker: You're not too far from a durn fool, are you? Country Feller: Just a barbed-wire fence between us.
Posted 16 years ago by grimid    [ Reply ]
ummmmmmmm ...... Michelle..... It's time to go!
Posted 16 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
The secret to a long life is to eat more birthday cakes.
Posted 16 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
pianocomposer wrote:
Two really terrible songs in a row. This one is repititious. I say, I say, this one is repititious. Previous song by Slainte Mhath was too, and a terrible song it was also. Ugh. Come on, RP. Play better stuff...
Agreed. The secret to a good song is knowing when to end........
Posted 16 years ago by Droidac    [ Reply ]
Wow! Just listened to Terri Gross' interview with Levon Helm this morning. Small musical world, as I always find.
Posted 16 years ago by Captain_D0D00    [ Reply ]
NeilBlanchard wrote:
Hello, Yessiree, it is Levon! There was even a brief tour, with Michelle, Levon and the boys, and Uncle Tupelo, and another group, too, I think...
The instant I heard that voice I started making my way to the RP site to see if I was correct in my guess. Two great musicians singing on this one.
Posted 16 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
The cover photo is great -- but I really prefer the one where the cop has her by the adenoids.
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
I really like this album, but I think Short Sharp Shocked is even better.
Posted 16 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
toker wrote:
I'm bumpin this sucker up to 10.
atta boy
Posted 16 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
This one is moving up. 7
Posted 16 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
great album .....great song...I like the fact she used the Gourds as her backup band
Posted 16 years ago by Stewed_Mulligan    [ Reply ]
I'm bumpin this sucker up to 10.
Posted 16 years ago by toker    [ Reply ]
YEE HAA
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
RosedaleAnnie wrote:
Arkansas Traveller is a brilliant album and was underappreciated upon its release!
You took the first bit outta my mouth. I can't speak to its commercial success. My roommates and I played the album just about to death one summer. I'm not sure that this version is from AT--this sounds live...
Posted 17 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
This song was first released on her debut album: the Texas Campfire Tapes, which was recorded on a Sony Walkman in the late 1980s. Michelle, if you read this, do you still have the black bandanna I gave you backstage after your concert with Billy Bragg in Montréal? You told me black was your favourite colour.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Arkansas Traveller is a brilliant album and was underappreciated upon its release!
Posted 17 years ago by RosedaleAnnie    [ Reply ]
Does she mean being "regular"? Or is there some hidden meaning...
Posted 17 years ago by mattc296    [ Reply ]
Clever lyric. Not necessarily clever enough to bear 27,462 repetitions, but clever.
Posted 17 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Great story teller !!! vocals always first rate(unique voice) even if you like other styles and forms of music.
Posted 17 years ago by Pablo13    [ Reply ]
More from Arkansas Traveler? Bravo! And keep it coming.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
...ya, I had to come back and lower my rating from a 7 to a 6 it does get a little repetative, not her best, but I do think she is an amazing talent - love her!
Posted 17 years ago by go_ski_mully    [ Reply ]
noladq wrote:
One of my favorite artists. Very deep thoughts conveyed with simplicity. How about something off of "Captain Swing?"
Captain Swing! The jazzey album! yes! please!
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
dogdokken wrote:
Better watch out, or RP will start playing Dokken
Posted 17 years ago by modernomad    [ Reply ]
Isn't this more of a country song than a rock piece though?
I wasn't aware RP was a straight rock radio station. I'm here because you'll hear just about type of music under the sun. And Michelle's great.
Posted 17 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
pianocomposer wrote:
Two really terrible songs in a row. This one is repititious. I say, I say, this one is repititious. Previous song by Slainte Mhath was too, and a terrible song it was also. Ugh. Come on, RP. Play better stuff...
Better watch out, or RP will start playing Dokken
Posted 17 years ago by dogdokken    [ Reply ]
Two really terrible songs in a row. This one is repititious. I say, I say, this one is repititious. Previous song by Slainte Mhath was too, and a terrible song it was also. Ugh. Come on, RP. Play better stuff...
Posted 17 years ago by pianocomposer    [ Reply ]
Play it some more...
Posted 17 years ago by toker    [ Reply ]
Michelle Shocked is one of the most interesting, innovative musicians of our times...great in person, too!
Posted 17 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
*yawns* Eh... *shrugs shoulders*
Posted 18 years ago by aquadonia    [ Reply ]
I do love Michelle Shocked, but this is not one of my favorites. Still, it's pleasant.
Posted 18 years ago by smallstakes    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for keeping her songs in rotation. I don't hear MS except on RP and it's always when I do.
Posted 18 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Hello, jbtidwell wrote:
This is a star filled album - her last on a major label. I believe that Levon Helm (from The Band) is on this song with her.
Yessiree, it is Levon! There was even a brief tour, with Michelle, Levon and the boys, and Uncle Tupelo, and another group, too, I think... Neil
Posted 18 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
hapa-banana wrote:
I like the version off of Texas Campfire Tapes better ...
yep me too. That whole album is special. Crickets, trucks and all.
Posted 18 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
Well, the secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go.....
I was going to say that! Great minds..... :nodhead:
Posted 18 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
This sounds positively 'country'. :roll:
Posted 18 years ago by frenchdenis    [ Reply ]
This is a star filled album - her last on a major label. I believe that Levon Helm (from The Band) is on this song with her.
Posted 19 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
tazochai wrote:
This song made me leave your station. I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails now to recover.
nin is great!! So is Michelle Shocked. Different music for different moods, that. Thanks Bill.
Posted 19 years ago by mfassett    [ Reply ]
way too country-sounding. yick.
Posted 19 years ago by megannnn    [ Reply ]
lolitampeg wrote:
in the begining she sounds like chester from sifl and olly
calls calls calls, calls from the public, calls calls calls, calls...smack.
Posted 19 years ago by geotrash    [ Reply ]
in the begining she sounds like chester from sifl and olly
Posted 19 years ago by lolitampeg    [ Reply ]
Not to say this is bad...but I just can't dig it... Lyrically however, there are some qualities. I like the main idea: "The secret to a long life is knowin when it's time to go." Isn't this more of a country song than a rock piece though?
Posted 19 years ago by Sin-e    [ Reply ]
Great version of a great song by a great musician ---- more Michelle Shocked on RP would be a very good thing! :nodhead:
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
When I tell the missus that she hasn't heard real country on her homogenized yee-haw local station, this is kind of song I'm thinking of. Thanks for restoring my faith that talented musicians still exist on that side of the fence.
Posted 20 years ago by Euphemism    [ Reply ]
What's the saying, "you can judge a person by the company he(she) keeps", or something like that? Anyone who has Garth Hudson and Levon Helm on their song is alright by me.
Posted 20 years ago by etwilson    [ Reply ]
I like the version off of Texas Campfire Tapes better ...
Posted 20 years ago by hapa-banana    [ Reply ]
tazochai wrote:
This song made me leave your station. I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails now to recover.
Well, the secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go.....
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
This song made me leave your station. I'm listening to Nine Inch Nails now to recover.
Posted 20 years ago by tazochai    [ Reply ]
Anything off this album is a plus for RP, keep it coming. If you have a chance to see her live don't pass it up, she puts on a great show.
Posted 20 years ago by ala_kavorka    [ Reply ]
This is a terrible song. It\'s almost as bad as listening to Chris Williams. Take this off your play list.
Posted 20 years ago by dgadbow    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite artists. Very deep thoughts conveyed with simplicity. How about something off of \"Captain Swing?\"
Posted 21 years ago by noladq    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by rw: Nice song. Let's hear some more from her.
Seconded. At least as good as Bonnie Raitt. :)
Posted 21 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
Yep that\'s Levon Helm, Garth Hudson plays on that track too. It was recorded in Woodstock, NY. It\'s a fun song to sing and play....
Posted 21 years ago by robca    [ Reply ]
Say, ain\'t that Levon Helm singing with her? Kool. bzch
Posted 21 years ago by Buzzardcheater    [ Reply ]
I really want to have a long slow dinner with this woman. Lots of conversation .....
Posted 22 years ago by MissJenn    [ Reply ]
Hadn\'t heard this before, but it\'s definitely as good as the best of her earlier stuff.
Posted 22 years ago by Max    [ Reply ]