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Tom Russell — Out In California
Album: Rose Of The San Joaquin
Avg rating:
5.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 602









Released: 1995
Length: 3:39
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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I'm sitting here drinkin' in the last bar on earth
Sittin' here drinkin in the last bar on earth...
Out in California she's takin' off her tight red skirt

The mountains out the window - they're a woman lyin' on a bed
The mountains here are shaped like a woman lying naked on a bed
She may be out in California, but I can't get her out of my head

Out in California...

They killed off the Indians, they shot all the grizzly bears
Out in California, they shot all the grizzly bears
She just stands by the window, combing out her long black hair

If a man keeps runnin', he'll run right into himself
It a man keeps movin', he'll run into himself
Out in California she's lyin down with somebody else

Out in California...

Gonna buy me a Chevy, as soon as my luck turns around
Gonna buy me a shotgun, soon as my luck turns around
Gonna drive on back to that California town

I'm sitting here drinkin' in the last bar on earth
Sittin' here drinkin in the last bar on earth...
Out in California she's takin' off her tight red skirt
Comments (68)add comment
Frustrating to think I'd never heard of Russell until right now.  Going to look up his art now. Grateful for RP.
Posted 5 months ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
I'm familiar with this song as it is usually a centerpiece of Dave Alvin shows. And he rocks it.
Posted 3 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
I thought this was John Stewart at first but I like it...
 
I thought this was Johnny Cash.

Posted 3 years ago by rockaholic    [ Reply ]
Thi song goes well after Nick Cave`s  Nature Boy
Posted 3 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
Menacing lyrics.
Posted 3 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
I’m partial to songs that mention California. Thanks for this one, Bill.
Posted 4 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 Piranga wrote:
This type of song always makes me want bourbon.
 
An excellent endorsement...
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
I was sure this was Steven Fromholz! Same style and voice. High praise for both, unfortunately Mr. Fromholz is no longer here to appreciate it. One of the many legends of Texas song writing - covered by too many artists to name.

See 'Texas Trilogy' for Steve Fromholz's most iconic work. Brutal and spare, it depicts life in the hinterlands of West Texas.
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
CompuTech wrote:
From the kitchen this guy sounds just like Johnny Cash - is it only me? Kicky tune, though.
 

I thought I had stumbled upon a new Cash song...but the lyrics are too hollow.
 
Johnny Cash has may not think the lyrics are "hollow"; he's covered a number of this guy's songs.
Posted 4 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Makes me wonder what them Duke boys are up to these days. I like it!
Posted 4 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
This type of song always makes me want bourbon.
Posted 5 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
 Jodo901 wrote:
Thanks, but no thanks. How low of a rating does a song need before it's pulled off the playlist? {#Headache}
 
Sure it's trashy, but some of us think that's fun once in a while!
Posted 5 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
Great song, would love to see this artist.  Saw Dave Alvin and guilty women at the Black Swamp Music and Arts Festival a few years back and was completely blown away.
Sheltered farmland peasants were showered with gifts that day.
Posted 8 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
Saw Mr. Alvin in concert in a tiny venue in Ellsworth ME a few years ago, opening for James McMurtry. Dave opened with this song, and it was balls out the rest of the way!!! Great song.
Posted 8 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
Somebody's emulatin' Mr. Cash. 
 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Can't for the life of me understand how this rates so low.  Tom Russell is a living legend.  As is Dave Alvin.  Any arguments will be dispelled by history.  IF THIS IS NOT YOUR PREFERENCE IN MUSICAL STYLE......DON'T RATE IT !!!  STICK TO RATING NO BRAINERS LIKE THE BEATLES AND DYLAN AND ALL THE OBVIOUS.
Posted 8 years ago by awightman1    [ Reply ]
 ench wrote:

Methinks you might have the wrong song...

 
Stop! You're both right! Album credits Russell and Alvin as co-writers.
Posted 8 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
I have no idea who the guitarist is, but I'll be you he's got every album Jerry Reed ever made!

 
Andrew Hardin, Russell's long time collaborator.
Posted 8 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Sunman wrote:
Great Dave Alvin song. Even better album.

 
Methinks you might have the wrong song...
Posted 8 years ago by ench    [ Reply ]
I have no idea who the guitarist is, but I'll be you he's got every album Jerry Reed ever made!
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Where is the 0 Rating?

THIS

IS

HOOOORRRIIBLE! 

 
Okay, so you gave Rocky Racoon a 10 (and I do like RC, but it's not a 10, no matter how you slice it), and this is a HORRIBLE song?
Seriously? Hyperbole much? 
Posted 9 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
Chicken-pickin! Yeah, I said it.
Posted 9 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
Great Dave Alvin song. Even better album.
Posted 9 years ago by Sunman    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a cross between Country Dick & Waylon Jennings. Good toe tapping and, after a few brown tops, out for a boogie! {#Bananasplit}
Posted 9 years ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
CompuTech wrote:
From the kitchen this guy sounds just like Johnny Cash - is it only me? Kicky tune, though.
 

I thought I had stumbled upon a new Cash song...but the lyrics are too hollow.
Posted 9 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Fantastic finger picking. Great imagery. Reminds me of JJ Cale. If you don't like this, then you probably don't like anything with a hint of western in it.

I first heard this song when Bill was back on KPIG. Brings back memories.
 
Posted 10 years ago by Gamecat    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Where is the 0 Rating?

THIS

IS

HOOOORRRIIBLE! 

 
It's the"1" - which is like leaving a penny tip at the restaurant for the worst service ever
Posted 10 years ago by mash001    [ Reply ]
Good song: great lyrics and you can dance to it.  (After six cups of coffee and chugging a Red Bull.)  Likey likey a bunch.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Where is the 0 Rating?

THIS

IS

HOOOORRRIIBLE! 
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I love this song.  Keep playing it!
Posted 11 years ago by Tuesday1    [ Reply ]
Thanks, but no thanks. How low of a rating does a song need before it's pulled off the playlist? {#Headache}
Posted 11 years ago by Jodo901    [ Reply ]
If you have yet to see a live show this year - go to see this man, he's that good. A really good songsmith. This toon is atypical.

Edit: perhaps best seen in person, then.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
A quick click on artist weblink shows this release at 1995, fyi {#Angel}
Posted 11 years ago by christy_oneil    [ Reply ]
Now thats what I call ''Finger Picking Good'' {#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
No reason anyone should ever have to hear this twice.
Posted 11 years ago by Dalebarely    [ Reply ]
 jt1 wrote:
 fredriley wrote:

Try dancing to this one and you'll look like an epileptic chicken.

Love that image!

  So Do I!! ^^


Posted 12 years ago by Axelito    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

Try dancing to this one and you'll look like an epileptic chicken.

Love that image!

Posted 12 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
I saw Tom Russell a few years back at FitzGerald's in Chicago. At that time, his guitarist was Andrew Hardin. Hardin was a sheer joy to see and hear. Clear chops and a distinctive style. A very accomplished musician.

Posted 12 years ago by cmplus    [ Reply ]
 g-rod wrote:
Who's playing guitar on this? YOW!
 
Andrew Hardin, Dave Alvin, or Greg Liesz—my money's on Liesz. Man, I love blacktop blues, and this sucker cooks.

Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


umpa umpa bass and drums, but some great guitar licks...  I ain't gonna rank this one, but it has some cool stuff...
 
 
Try dancing to this one and you'll look like an epileptic chicken. Way too country and/or western for this Limey, but probably gets the good ol' boys jumpin' in the barns ;)

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Who's playing guitar on this? YOW!


Posted 12 years ago by g-rod    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
I was thinking Waylon. Learn something every day.

 
I was thinking Waylon too and came to look. I already rated it probably because of just that... but if we're going to hear this why not some real Waylon? Good pickin' though.


Posted 12 years ago by run4more    [ Reply ]
Oh no, not the grizzly bears!
Posted 12 years ago by FeydBaron    [ Reply ]
 LizDeines wrote:
I would have swore this was Johnny.
 I was thinking Waylon. Learn something every day.

Posted 12 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]

"Out in California she's takin' off her tight red skirt."

{#Tongue-out}
Posted 13 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Ahhh, the return of Tom Russell to the RP playlist.

Can "The Sky Above, The Mud Below" be next?

We've been missing Tom, Bill.
 
Posted 13 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
I thought this was John Stewart at first but I like it...
Posted 13 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
YES, this set is a masterpiece. Makes up for those times when I have to slog through 14 Radiohead wannabe bands in a row to get my RP fix. celadonstone wrote:
Me too. This great set just keeps rolling on. What a great line---"if a man keeps running he'll run right into himself"
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Coming to know this song first through Dave Alvin, I'm always pleased to hear the original source. Dave covers a number of Tom Russell's songs. I can see why, he's quite the poignant songwriter.Thanks for the diversity, Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
-relayer- wrote:
Wow - did CMT hijack the RP stream?
CMT would never play "real" country. Just that schlock with hatted pseudo-celebs playing Les Pauls and Rickenbackers with boots, maybe. This is considered "too country" for them, and Clear Channel, who won't even play Johnny Cash or George Jones. Its almost as if their corporate mantra is "forget talent, wheres the buck$?" Thanks, RP for providing an outlet to someone who would never get airplay on CC or CMT.
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
Bruceg wrote:
I thought it sounded a little like Johnny too. definitely influenced by the man in black.
Me too. This great set just keeps rolling on. What a great line---"if a man keeps running he'll run right into himself"
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
I would have swore this was Johnny.
Posted 17 years ago by LizDeines    [ Reply ]
Egregious
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Dave Alvin does an excellent version of this song on his live album. Not sure who's song it is, but I much prefer his version to this one.
I think they collaborated on it, Dave Alvin seems to do this often with various artists.
Posted 17 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]
Good to hear Tom Russell back in the playlist. Can The Sky Above, The Mud Below be far behind?
Posted 17 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
CompuTech wrote:
From the kitchen this guy sounds just like Johnny Cash - is it only me? Kicky tune, though.
I thought it sounded a little like Johnny too. definitely influenced by the man in black.
Posted 17 years ago by Bruceg    [ Reply ]
yeeeee haaaaaaaaaaa.. woop.... what the hell am I saying???????? He does sound a bit like Johnny doesn't he?
Posted 17 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Wow - did CMT hijack the RP stream?
Posted 17 years ago by -relayer-    [ Reply ]
bethbudke wrote:
Nope -- that's what I thought, too.
Me three. Is this one of those tribute bands?
Posted 17 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]
Dave Alvin does an excellent version of this song on his live album. Not sure who's song it is, but I much prefer his version to this one.
Posted 17 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Tom Russell is a master of his genre. Great addition to the RP playlist, and I'd like to hear more.
Posted 17 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by CompuTech: From the kitchen this guy sounds just like Johnny Cash - is it only me?
Nope -- that's what I thought, too.
Posted 20 years ago by bethbudke    [ Reply ]
From the kitchen this guy sounds just like Johnny Cash - is it only me? Kicky tune, though.
Posted 20 years ago by CompuTech    [ Reply ]
I like.
Posted 20 years ago by lordcruloze    [ Reply ]
Yeehaw.... :roll:
Posted 20 years ago by Tizmself    [ Reply ]