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Patty Griffin — Tony
Album: Flaming Red
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 518









Released: 1998
Length: 4:07
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Does anyone remember Tony?
He was a quiet boy, a little overweight, he had breasts like a girl
When I wasn't too busy feeling lonely
I'd stare over his shoulder at a map of the world

He always finished all his homework
Raised his hand in homeroom
For the morning attendance
And the pledge allegiance to the gloom

Hey, Tony, what's so good about dying?
I think I might do a little dying today
He looked in the mirror, saw that little faggot staring back at him
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away

I hated every day of high school
It's funny, I guess that you did too
Funny how I never knew
And there I was sitting right behind you

They wrote it in the local rag
Death comes to the local fag
I guess you finally stopped believing that any hope would ever find you
I knew that story, I was sitting right behind you

Hey, Tony, what's so good about dying?
I think I might do a little dying today
He looked in the mirror, saw that little faggot staring back at him
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away

Hey, Tony, what's so good about dying?
I think I might do a little dying today
He looked in the mirror, saw that little faggot staring back at him
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away
Pulled out a gun and blew himself away

Hey, Tony, what's so good about dying?
Comments (155)add comment
never fails to bring me to tears. every time.

first song i ever heard of hers.

hooked from that second. 
 fredriley wrote:

I disagree with this, I'm afraid. What I like about the album is the sheer power, vibrancy and range of Patty's voice - for a small woman she has one hell of a big voice.




I agree with what you are saying about Patty Griffin and her voice and this music - but this doesn't contradict what I said about the audio quality / sonics of this particular album. On this song, it is the guitars that are borderline overcooked highs - they don't have to be that way, and the music would be MORE powerful and better to listen to, if it weren't so difficult to get past the sizzling sonics.
 NeilBlanchard wrote:
I too, like this album a lot — I just wish that the person who mixed/mastered it had not made the high frequencies so piercing!  This is one recording that actually benefits (sonically) from ripping it to MP3...
 
I disagree with this, I'm afraid. What I like about the album is the sheer power, vibrancy and range of Patty's voice - for a small woman she has one hell of a big voice.


 TheFriendlyCat wrote:
really not feeling it...
 
my thoughts exactly

Sounds like a Carrie Underwood song...
 Papernapkin wrote:
Sounds like the Hanson Brothers.
 

Awesome! I looove the Hanson Brothers!!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Makes me teary-eyed.
Sounds like the Hanson Brothers.
For me this song could have been titled "Michael"  Just this day before, he chose the wrong path to go down. R.I.P. Michael, you were good people. 

I like a lot of Patty's stuff. But not this.
I too, like this album a lot — I just wish that the person who mixed/mastered it had not made the high frequencies so piercing!  This is one recording that actually benefits (sonically) from ripping it to MP3...

If Patty ever felt moved to have it remixed/remastered, I would buy it in a second!  Please?

Sincerely, Neil

New CD August 11!!!!!!
{#Dancingbanana} Agreed!!!

 
a_genuine_find wrote:
{#Dancingbanana_2}R O C K S !
 

What a talent and thanks RP I never would have heard her without you!
{#Dancingbanana_2}R O C K S !

My album of the year.
loved this the first time i heard it. broke my heart. still does. love it, though.
 sirrus wrote:
Weakest song on the album...
...and still worthy of a 7+.
 
I really like this song a lot. I'd rate the album at least an 8 but for me the weakest song is the title track, "Flaming Red." I always skip right over it. I didn't even put that song on my iPod.

I sure don't ever need to hear this again.
Patty Griffin - Goddess.

What a song. The story, the voice. Wow.
I. LOVE. THIS. SONG.

Patty is amazing; this is the song that hooked me.
 gutboy wrote:

I remember when people were saying Sheryl Crow sounded like Bonnie Raitt minus the whiskey, cigarettes, and talent. I never cared much for Bonnie though, but I kinda like Sheryl. I like this song too.
A solid 7. 
 
Interesting!  I've always loved Bonnie, but Patty has taken her spot at the top of my GODDESS OF SONG list.

One hot Irish gal! And she sings like an angel missing Paradise, to boot!
 ce wrote:
To me, this sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow.
Nice song.

 
I remember when people were saying Sheryl Crow sounded like Bonnie Raitt minus the whiskey, cigarettes, and talent. I never cared much for Bonnie though, but I kinda like Sheryl. I like this song too.
A solid 7. 


I bought this CD over a year ago when I first heard it on here and it is one of my favorites of all time. She is definitely one of the greatest song writers ever. I love her very much.
yep....you can say that about so many of her songs...
Flily34 wrote:
the very first griffin song that caught my attention. love it to this day. makes me cry a little, too.



Weakest song on the album...
...and still worthy of a 7+.
really not feeling it...
lovely voice but the lyrics are trite and i do not dig her crossover crap. i fear this talent is being wasted
the very first griffin song that caught my attention. love it to this day. makes me cry a little, too.
I love her voice
Yeah, thats a 9.
This is indeed a great song off of what I consider to be her best album.
ce wrote:
To me, this sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow. Nice song.
I don't really hear that, but ok. I don't really like Sheryl Crow, and I think Patty is amazing. This song (and the whole CD, for that matter) is more rocking than her other ones, so it does sound more like all of the other "chicks with guitars" on the radio.
ce wrote:
To me, this sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow.
Hadn't considered the parallel - good catch!
ce wrote:
To me, this sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow. Nice song.
Really ...
I like that she's not afraid to use the "f" word, though I clearly am.
To me, this sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow. Nice song.
This song's a little "American Idol" like...but still ok
Hello, I love the music on this disk, but the mix is so shrill sounding -- the highs are too piercing to make it easy to listen too. Easily the most shrill (all digital?) CD that I have heard since the mid 80's...too bad. Neil
Best is the operative word. I saw her in concert with John Prine this summer. He was the headliner - go figure? Best songs: "I don't ever give up", "Useless desires", "Sooner or Later", "When it don't come easy", "Christina",.....
BikeCoachDave wrote:
The best song, on the best album I have bought in the last 5 years.
serious?
The best song, on the best album I have bought in the last 5 years.
can anybody tell me who's patty loveless?
Fantastic song, one of PG's best. The whole album is quite unlike everything he did before or has done since, but it's excellent, and this is one of the highlights.
splooge wrote:
Whew, boy, I love this girl. Thanks for introducing us to her Bill.
Yes, thank you! When I wrote down my very favorite songs heard on RP, I saw that a few were by "Patty Griffin". Who's that? I checked her out and was floored. Now one of my favorite artists. Thanks RP!
The more I hear this lady the more I like her.
most excellent. I think I should buy this. I did not know of PG before RP. This album seems to have several songs I dig
This song totally caught me off guard when I first heard it. Incredible, still haunting.
patty, yum, sorry about your friend . .
miahfost wrote:
Its 'weep' you dumbass.
It's "It's", genius.
meower215 wrote:
I guess you finally stopped believing that any hope would ever find you~ I knew that story I was Sitting Right Behind You..... boy oh boy was I there too Patty
Eh :) Nice song.
sonofpick wrote:
Dude, relax.
Whoa! U2 ranks above Patty - Never - Prince above Stevie Wonder - a poor Facsimile... Bruce at No. 3 outrageous! That list ranking living songwriters needs some corecting! I'll leave that up to the rest of you.
I believe that this song right here solidified my affection for Patty Griffin into a flaming crush.
mikecrawler77 wrote:
Just because YOU cry doesn't make it good music. It certainly isn't intrinsic to human nature to weap along with you. However, I'm pretty sure I'd cry too if I had to sit through a whole performance of this crap.
Its 'weep' you dumbass.
Blown away
What a relief from that Zappa crap. Thanks!
lester wrote:
I think I'm failing to understand fully. Is this to imply that, due to liking a particular artist, the poster is inclined to not listen to the artist's work? Odd. Though I might half expect a person disliking a particular artist to be more inclined to avoid listening. Well, I've listened. Closely. Repeatedly. And I still don't quite understand "how much it sucks." I must be slow-witted.
I think you understand fully, lester, and your wit's quite fine, indeed. This tune is most excellent.
wow. this song sure conjures up emotion ... even in the RP message board. a 9.
rogersullivan wrote:
"Takes more then a sad story to make a good song. If thats all you got, then it's pretty much the same as all the sad 'ol country songs out there" Hmmm, interesting thought, except did you explore the lyrics before you made the comment? I assume you did, in which case I'd love to know the country song that berates an entire town and one's own high school for its bigotry against homosexuals. Don't stereotype Griffin just because she's has a natural twang in her voice. She actually grew up in Maine. As to the other cranky poster who calls Patty talentless, the music with regard to "Tony" and the rest of the Flaming Red album is anything but pedestrian. Even Jackson Browne thought it one of the best albums of the last 25 years. And he's not alone. Paste magazine polled 50 top music industry critics about the top 100 living songwriters and Patty came in 19th between U2 and Van Morrisson. I know polls are weird but if these guys agree that she's talented, it does give credence to the rest of us who think she's great. Here are the top 25 from the list, in the event anyone is interested. 100 Best Living Songwriters 1. Bob Dylan 2. Neil Young 3. Bruce Springsteen 4. Waits/Brennan 5. Paul McCartney 6. Leonard Cohen 7. Brian Wilson 8. Elvis Costello 9. Joni Mitchell 10. Prince 11. Randy Newman 12. Jagger/Richards 13. Paul Simon 14. Stevie Wonder 15. Willie Nelson 16. David Bowie 17. Holland/Dozier/Holland 18. U2 19. Patty Griffin 20. Van Morrison 21. Lou Reed 22. Lucinda Williams 23. John/Taupin 24. Jeff Tweedy 25. Chuck Berry
Dude, relax.
"Takes more then a sad story to make a good song. If thats all you got, then it's pretty much the same as all the sad 'ol country songs out there" Hmmm, interesting thought, except did you explore the lyrics before you made the comment? I assume you did, in which case I'd love to know the country song that berates an entire town and one's own high school for its bigotry against homosexuals. Don't stereotype Griffin just because she's has a natural twang in her voice. She actually grew up in Maine. As to the other cranky poster who calls Patty talentless, the music with regard to "Tony" and the rest of the Flaming Red album is anything but pedestrian. Even Jackson Browne thought it one of the best albums of the last 25 years. And he's not alone. Paste magazine polled 50 top music industry critics about the top 100 living songwriters and Patty came in 19th between U2 and Van Morrisson. I know polls are weird but if these guys agree that she's talented, it does give credence to the rest of us who think she's great. Here are the top 25 from the list, in the event anyone is interested. 100 Best Living Songwriters 1. Bob Dylan 2. Neil Young 3. Bruce Springsteen 4. Waits/Brennan 5. Paul McCartney 6. Leonard Cohen 7. Brian Wilson 8. Elvis Costello 9. Joni Mitchell 10. Prince 11. Randy Newman 12. Jagger/Richards 13. Paul Simon 14. Stevie Wonder 15. Willie Nelson 16. David Bowie 17. Holland/Dozier/Holland 18. U2 19. Patty Griffin 20. Van Morrison 21. Lou Reed 22. Lucinda Williams 23. John/Taupin 24. Jeff Tweedy 25. Chuck Berry
Takes more then a sad story to make a good song. If thats all you got, then it's pretty much the same as all the sad 'ol country songs out there
mikecrawler77 wrote:
Just because YOU cry doesn't make it good music. It certainly isn't intrinsic to human nature to weap along with you. However, I'm pretty sure I'd cry too if I had to sit through a whole performance of this crap.
Sniff...Sniff...does anyone smell a troll? Seriously though, I believe emotion is at the heart of music. Good music will move people and this song moves a LOT of people in very deep ways. You just happen to be in the extreme minority.
I didn't know this song was crap. I only knew that I liked it. Thanks for letting me know. I'm going to change my rating and start hating it. I'm glad there's someone here to tell me what sucks and what doesn't :P mikecrawler77 wrote:
No, Let me tell you what we need. We need better artists to be put in place of this crap. I'm serious here. Crap! Sorry about all of the negative comments. When a good song comes on I choose to listen and enjoy it, Maybe if you would stop writing about the artist you like and instead listen to the song in question. Maybe then you'd understand how much it sucks.
mikecrawler77 wrote:
No, Let me tell you what we need. We need better artists to be put in place of this crap. I'm serious here. Crap! Sorry about all of the negative comments. When a good song comes on I choose to listen and enjoy it, Maybe if you would stop writing about the artist you like and instead listen to the song in question. Maybe then you'd understand how much it sucks.
Whoa, quite a bit of anger happening there...
A 9. Great song.
mikecrawler77 wrote:
No, Let me tell you what we need. We need better artists to be put in place of this crap. I'm serious here. Crap! Sorry about all of the negative comments. When a good song comes on I choose to listen and enjoy it, Maybe if you would stop writing about the artist you like and instead listen to the song in question. Maybe then you'd understand how much it sucks.
I think I'm failing to understand fully. Is this to imply that, due to liking a particular artist, the poster is inclined to not listen to the artist's work? Odd. Though I might half expect a person disliking a particular artist to be more inclined to avoid listening. Well, I've listened. Closely. Repeatedly. And I still don't quite understand "how much it sucks." I must be slow-witted.
No, Let me tell you what we need. We need better artists to be put in place of this crap. I'm serious here. Crap! Sorry about all of the negative comments. When a good song comes on I choose to listen and enjoy it, Maybe if you would stop writing about the artist you like and instead listen to the song in question. Maybe then you'd understand how much it sucks. slowhand wrote:
All of your song comments are negative. We need people that only see the dead trees in the forest.
mikecrawler77 wrote:
Just because YOU cry doesn't make it good music. It certainly isn't intrinsic to human nature to weap along with you. However, I'm pretty sure I'd cry too if I had to sit through a whole performance of this crap.
All of your song comments are negative. We need people that only see the dead trees in the forest.
Patty,Patty,Patty! Best female artist in 27yrs with that country "twang" in her voice. She will take over rock soon- just wait.
Just because YOU cry doesn't make it good music. It certainly isn't intrinsic to human nature to weap along with you. However, I'm pretty sure I'd cry too if I had to sit through a whole performance of this crap. JCEntMan wrote:
Oh...wait. You weren't joking. For anyone who doesn't get Patty Griffin, please see her in concert. If you're human at all she'll make you weep in your seat.
mikecrawler77 wrote:
Dime a dozen. I can't stand that synthesized over produced voice sound. Predictable and the exact opposite of timeless.
Oh...wait. You weren't joking. For anyone who doesn't get Patty Griffin, please see her in concert. If you're human at all she'll make you weep in your seat.
Patty's awesome. This is one of my favorite songs of her's from an album that diverged from her sole-woman-and-a-guitar sound. I love it! Saw her in concert and she's wonderful.
Dime a dozen. I can't stand that synthesized over produced voice sound. Predictable and the exact opposite of timeless.
I guess you finally stopped believing that any hope would ever find you~ I knew that story I was Sitting Right Behind You..... boy oh boy was I there too Patty
Patty Griffin is one of the best singer songwriters ever. The build-up and power in this song is incredible.
Whew, boy, I love this girl. Thanks for introducing us to her Bill.
Country music on RP?
Neither tune nor lyrics rock my boat.
what a picker uper
PATTY IS AWESOME!!
justlistening wrote:
Like the other posters I get it too, but go the other extreme and put the words "alternative lifestyle person" in there - it doesn't have the same effect. That's the whole point of derogatory and curse words, to have an effect. They do have their place - in this case to convey the boys despair with himself.
I think the word-choice comes from typical American high school vernacular, in which any boy who's "a little overweight" and "had breasts like a girl" would be in danger of being called "faggot" by other boys (and girls too, probably). Being gay or straight doesn't have much, if anything, to do with it. Calling someone a fag (or whore) is about power and fear, not sex.
rgj13 wrote:
There's something about setting these lyrics (unsettling as they are for some posters here) to such a straight-ahead rhythm and such completely potent pop hooks that I find remarkably subversive. I've never heard another song do all that at once, and so effectively.
This song never ceases to make me stop and just listen. It makes me want to cry or scream in anger at the cruelty of people toward each other. Tony could be any of the dozens of teens that commit suicide each year.
japanmoran wrote:
I thought this was Sheryl Crow
weird. i can't shake dolly parton.
Sounds too teeny-bopperish for me.
I thought this was Sheryl Crow
Dave_Mack wrote:
Gives me chills every time. I don't know how people can listen to this and not be moved by it. Maybe they don't listen to lyrics.
There's something about setting these lyrics (unsettling as they are for some posters here) to such a straight-ahead rhythm and such completely potent pop hooks that I find remarkably subversive. I've never heard another song do all that at once, and so effectively.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
PG supposedly disliked this album's production, too, and its hard rock feel. I personally think it's a really great album, full of feminine wrath and rage. Completely different from her later works. The song ''Mary'' on this album is brilliant.
I hadn't heard that (that she disliked the production here) about this disc, only about the electrified version of Living with Ghosts. Hmm.
anniebear wrote:
WHile I applaud the artist for writing such a gay-rights / protest song, as a homosexual I find it disturbing to hear the word "faggot" repeated over and over, and I don't think it's likely to win over any bigots, nor will it really help any gay teens.
Like the other posters I get it too, but go the other extreme and put the words "alternative lifestyle person" in there - it doesn't have the same effect. That's the whole point of derogatory and curse words, to have an effect. They do have their place - in this case to convey the boys despair with himself.
This ranks as one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life. And I'm 40 years old. =) I'm guessing when I reach age 135 it will still be one of my favorites.
Dave_Mack wrote:
I agree completely, but I'm sorry she didn't like it. I remember the first time I heard "Change" and thinking, "damn - she can rock too!" Added a new level of esteem for her.
The album is great. It is probably my favorite of hers, although it is my wife's least favorite. This album has more of an angry feel, rather than a sad fell like her other albums.
ad4tise wrote:
I think this song is very good, however, I don't recommend purchasing the CD. This is the only song I liked on the CD.
With all due respect, I completely disagree with you. Every Patty album I own is amazing. This woman is talented...to the maximum. She can write songs that tear your heart out, roll it through the mud, and leave you wanting more. I love this woman!
powerfully simple, she let's the drummer drive the emotional message home.
anniebear wrote:
WHile I applaud the artist for writing such a gay-rights / protest song, as a homosexual I find it disturbing to hear the word "faggot" repeated over and over, and I don't think it's likely to win over any bigots, nor will it really help any gay teens.
Your position is a valid one, and I think I can appreciate from whence it comes, but I also think Patty Griffin needed the word -- and each repetition -- as no other could serve or suffice. In the context of the character (a real person of a surmised mindset) peering into a mirror, a less-malevolent expression would only pose as a euphemism.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
PG supposedly disliked this album's production, too, and its hard rock feel. I personally think it's a really great album, full of feminine wrath and rage. Completely different from her later works. The song ''Mary'' on this album is brilliant.
I agree completely, but I'm sorry she didn't like it. I remember the first time I heard "Change" and thinking, "damn - she can rock too!" Added a new level of esteem for her.
This an excellent album!!!
Don't listen to 'em. This is her best album. There are at least 5 or 6 gems.
ad4tise wrote:
I think this song is very good, however, I don't recommend purchasing the CD. This is the only song I liked on the CD.
PG supposedly disliked this album's production, too, and its hard rock feel. I personally think it's a really great album, full of feminine wrath and rage. Completely different from her later works. The song ''Mary'' on this album is brilliant.
anniebear wrote:
WHile I applaud the artist for writing such a gay-rights / protest song, as a homosexual I find it disturbing to hear the word "faggot" repeated over and over, and I don't think it's likely to win over any bigots, nor will it really help any gay teens.
I can understand feeling disturbed by the use of such a harsh word, but, of course, that's the point. She's saying that it's just such words, and the pain of being rejected and seen as worthless, that drove the poor guy to suicide. He came to believe that he was worthless. It's a harsh word. It's ugly. It's painful. It's deadly. But as an artist, she won't allow us to look away or ignore it. Confronting evil is the whole point. Would it help gay teens more if we pretend their pain doesn't exist?
WHile I applaud the artist for writing such a gay-rights / protest song, as a homosexual I find it disturbing to hear the word "faggot" repeated over and over, and I don't think it's likely to win over any bigots, nor will it really help any gay teens.
I think this song is very good, however, I don't recommend purchasing the CD. This is the only song I liked on the CD.
This is really shrill and way over-produced. It's a shame -- there might be a good song under all those layers of kluge.
I like it
wow. amazing lyrics
Wow. I've never heard this. The lyrics are powerful, especially given the way she sings them.
Gregorama wrote:
One of the best singer songwriters alive. I haven't heard anything of hers that I didn't think was great. I guess some folks just don't care for her, but I think she is consistently terrific.
True...true....but why haven't her following albums had the same solid tunes as this one did (aside from a couple of tracks off of Mil Besos)? This album stands out as superb - and a real rocker in some cases - minus the first track IMHO.
The first time I ever went to my wife's house, she played this song for me. Besides the lyrics being so fantastic (and the drums, according to her) it will always remind me of how sweet that day was.
ooh goodness! i just love this!
Gives me chills every time. I don't know how people can listen to this and not be moved by it. Maybe they don't listen to lyrics.
jagdriver wrote:
Just plain stupid.
Agree.
Great lyrics.
One of the best singer songwriters alive. I haven't heard anything of hers that I didn't think was great. I guess some folks just don't care for her, but I think she is consistently terrific.
brandog wrote:
Hell with it. I'm just going to go through here, mark all the PG stuff at 10, and not worry about having to stop what I'm doing to rate her everytime she comes up on the playlist.
Ditto. Jesus Christ. What a rough song. I must marry Patty Griffin.
Another one I had never heard before! Like the song and I really appreciate the message. I guess you finally stopped believing That any hope would ever find you "Social critics say that the isolation gay teens experience, due to fears of rejection or attempts to conceal their sexual identity, puts them at a serious risk of suicide." -(click here)
I really thought this sounded like Avril for a second too. But I quickly came to my senses and realized she'd never make it past Bill. That's why I'm here.
Lord, how I detest this "song".
whining and unoriginal
Just plain stupid.
upinya wrote:
So I guess I'll be the only one unmoved by this song. Is she like 8 years old or something? Why am I supposed to be impressed by this? This is different than Avril teeney boppy whatevers how?
That's a fair question. First, it's an "older" woman speaking of the experience, as I interpret it, of being a young gay adolescent. Not an Avril subject. I also don't think you'd hear the line "look in the mirror and see that little faggot staring back at you" in an Avril tune. A biting, sad song that makes me pull out my drumsticks.
I know Patty Griffin as well as anybody, but I can certainly understand the comparisons to Avril Lavigne. I thought it was at first, but then my RP sensibility kicked in. Nice tune.