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Joe Henry — Go With God (Topless Shoeshine)
Album: Trampoline
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1174









Released: 1996
Length: 4:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I like when I can stand up here
When the night is cool and clear
And everything is at my feet
Nothing in my head
Words they seem so thick and slow
You can kill them all before they go
Watch them tumble down and spin
And leave them there for dead

And shine, shine
It almost shines like
You were here with me

Below me bandits make a beach
And they open mussels with their teeth
And try to find a little shade
To make 'em find their way
For all it took, it's my belief
We shouldn't waste one moment's (?)
I mean, what else we gonna leave our kids
When we're gone someday?

And shine, shine
It almost shines like
You were here with me

Now the trees all rage and come to life
The day gives out but it takes a wife
Who carries on behind his back
Lets the rabble through
Time has run away with us
And it laughs at all the tears and fuss
Best go with god and let me trust
The ghost in here was you

And shine, shine
It almost shines like
You were here with me
Comments (144)add comment
 DaveInSaoMiguel wrote:

Like the song, hate the cover...


But it's his song, not a cover. 
OK when i first met my wife and tried to listen this great album with her i had to hide the cover and put the inside cover above, by fear she's run away from me. But this is a great song.
This album cover really should have made the list of

The Worst Album Covers Vol. 1: 23 of the Really Bad | Team Jimmy Joe

 kazoo wrote:

The first question mark line is:
"We shouldn't waste one monents grief"
Second is:
"The day gives out but it takes a wife"

kazoo I miss you correcting my mondegreens and laughing with you about them

this reminds me

going to see wilco in couple weeks!!!!!!!
The first question mark line is:
"We shouldn't waste one monents grief"
Second is:
"The day gives out but it takes a wife"
 naomin wrote:
And now for a little perspective.  http://balancing-pointe.com/wp...
 
The piece of cod that passeth all understanding! Sheds a new light on the track title?
Panjabi MC on the chorus or is it just me
Interesting album but cannot stand the cover...underpants look soiled...
 RabbitEars wrote:
 
He produced a Hugh Laurie  song? RP, we need to hear this, whatever it is. 

Didn't It Rain by Hugh Laurie (producer, 2013)
I love this album cover. I think I gave the song a 5 or 6....but like it more now
And now for a little perspective.  http://balancing-pointe.com/wp...
 Egctheow wrote:
Man, is this trampoline or tramp line for underwear? 😀 I like it though, takes the piss in a healthy way. Beats the crap out of R'n B album art with big cars and virtually non existent clothing worn by girls. Then again, perhaps he's just putting up a Y-front 😀😀 Sorry I'm out.
 
Thumbs up for the head-scratching-worthy post lol....
Man, is this trampoline or tramp line for underwear? 😀 I like it though, takes the piss in a healthy way. Beats the crap out of R'n B album art with big cars and virtually non existent clothing worn by girls. Then again, perhaps he's just putting up a Y-front 😀😀 Sorry I'm out.
Last time a cover like this worked was ... hmm ... Sticky Fingers!
It's worth taking a look at Henry's production and songwriter credits. 
Posted this: Sep 09, 2014 
 

the awful sound has me rush across the room, then I see the really bad title and pathetic cover image (some unmuscled lanker in briefs, piss yellow sheets…)   psd'ed not fast enough

and now repeated exact same response   ick : (
 TerryS wrote:
The  Hieronymus Bosch "Garden of Earthly Delights" Tryptich is on display at the Prado, dating from around 1500.
You shouldn't go there. 

 
He was more than likely a victim of St. Anthony's Fire than perversity.  I bet he would be proud to learn that recent psychedelic drugs developed as a result of such middle ages suffering.
Sounds like Jeff Tweedy's (Wilco)  lost brother. 
I wonder what it's like when Joe Henry has to sit across from Madonna at the family Thanksgiving dinner...
The  Hieronymus Bosch "Garden of Earthly Delights" Tryptich is on display at the Prado, dating from around 1500.
You shouldn't go there. 
 adpucci wrote:
 errrr inappropriate? for what? children's books, maybe?

DaidyBoy wrote:
 d-don wrote:
Song 9, album cover 1
 

rdo wrote:


Reminds me of the work by the great artist Balthus.   Sorry, I cannot post it here, I would get kicked off or fired.

 
I sometimes wander around the comments and come across little gems which then lead me to investigate other places.  I just looked up Balthus and was a little shocked to be fair.  I don't think, in the current climate particularly, that that kind of stuff should be on public display.  Highly inappropriate imagery.

 
 
Inappropriate for any public display, I should have thought.  As a parent, I was not happy with what I was looking at.  I don't think it is prudish to be offended at sexually explicit imagery of young children.
 easmann wrote:
Cover title: Trampoline.
Cover image: You never jumped on the bed like it was a trampoline as a kid? You know you did. 
Try to see past the packaging people.

  His next album cover should be his head stuck in the ceiling {#Cheesygrin}


 errrr inappropriate? for what? children's books, maybe?

DaidyBoy wrote:
 d-don wrote:
Song 9, album cover 1
 

rdo wrote:


Reminds me of the work by the great artist Balthus.   Sorry, I cannot post it here, I would get kicked off or fired.

 
I sometimes wander around the comments and come across little gems which then lead me to investigate other places.  I just looked up Balthus and was a little shocked to be fair.  I don't think, in the current climate particularly, that that kind of stuff should be on public display.  Highly inappropriate imagery.

 

are you dead sure this is not a Tom Petty cover act?
 d-don wrote:
Song 9, album cover 1
 

rdo wrote:


Reminds me of the work by the great artist Balthus.   Sorry, I cannot post it here, I would get kicked off or fired.

 
I sometimes wander around the comments and come across little gems which then lead me to investigate other places.  I just looked up Balthus and was a little shocked to be fair.  I don't think, in the current climate particularly, that that kind of stuff should be on public display.  Highly inappropriate imagery.
Giving it a 1 just for the album cover I'll never be able to purge from my brain.
'Em are some cryptic lyrics!
 ziakut wrote:
This artist has done his job with his choice of album cover. Got all these people discussing it. Amazing. Publicity whether negative or positive is still publicity, which is better than none.

 
I rather doubt it. Since Joe Henry is not very well known, and this is not likely to change, and since his appeal is musical and probably not based on album covers, the likelihood that the bizarre cover of this album will have or ever has had any impact on any segment of the public's perception, seems quite minimal. I like his music and have this album (purchased, as chance would have it, without the cover) but the effect of the image is negligible (I suspect).
After reading the lyrics a 6. Just for the lyrics.
the awful sound has me rush across the room, then I see the really bad title and pathetic cover image (some unmuscled lanker in briefs, piss yellow sheets…)   psd'ed not fast enough
 ThePoose wrote:
Would you find it acceptable to see a woman's legs instead?


 
d48m02h1918 wrote:
Decent song....but why the AWFUL album cover? {#Stupid}

 



 
As a matter of fact, I would.....! {#Good-vibes}
Joe, "Yeah, let's go with that album cover, I think it's fine. The throat clearing at the beginning of the song? Yeah, that's fine too. I think we'er done here."

Or at least that's how I imagined it.   
 kcar wrote:

I wanna work at that place! Not

 
Give us a hint, rod...unless you're still trapped in that monitored hell. 

 
So tell me, kark, where in corporate america, or even the public sector, do they let you have nude photos in the office?  Are you actually employed are do you just troll for a living?  I am employed, and I am a serious commenter here who likes to joke around and make the board interesting.  You seem more like a pedant, a bore.  Some know-it-all with nothing interesting to say.

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Great Album!

More Joe Henry is better: bumper stickers should be issued.

{#Clap}
 Proclivities wrote:

It's like the old show-biz saying: "Say whatever you want about me - just spell my name correctly."

 
well put.
 ziakut wrote:
This artist has done his job with his choice of album cover. Got all these people discussing it. Amazing. Publicity whether negative or positive is still publicity, which is better than none.

 
It's like the old show-biz saying: "Say whatever you want about me - just spell my name correctly."
This artist has done his job with his choice of album cover. Got all these people discussing it. Amazing. Publicity whether negative or positive is still publicity, which is better than none.

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
It is not a cover: it is an original composition.

 
DaveInVA wrote:
Like the song, hate the cover...

 


Would you find it acceptable to see a woman's legs instead?


 
d48m02h1918 wrote:
Decent song....but why the AWFUL album cover? {#Stupid}

 



marvelous song...
 
Decent song....but why the AWFUL album cover? {#Stupid}
Then you should have dissauded your man from signing the waiver allowing them to use his image.
I just can't stand this album cover.
 

 hippiechick wrote:
I just can't stand this album cover.
 



..you should see the pics on his cellph..
 rdo wrote:


Reminds me of the work by the great artist Balthus.   Sorry, I cannot post it here, I would get kicked off or fired.
 
I wanna work at that place! Not

 
Give us a hint, rod...unless you're still trapped in that monitored hell. 
 midreaming wrote:
 (shhhh.. keep that down mannn... the midwest pig farmer in you is sticking out) happiness really is being a big dumb pig in the mud isn't it?
 

I'm not really sure why you just called me a big dumb pig, or where you got the idea that I have anything to do with raising pigs.  I take it you're a Bob Dylan worshipper though?
 dw wrote:
Another God song?  Is there a theme here?
  ....very religious set,thats right....whats next:...Monsters of Folk - Dear God...perhaps???.....


Yes, that should get the award for worst album cover ever.
I just can't stand this album cover.
 TJS wrote:
It sounds like Bob Dylan with just a little less suck.
  (shhhh.. keep that down mannn... the midwest pig farmer in you is sticking out) happiness really is being a big dumb pig in the mud isn't it?


It sounds like Bob Dylan with just a little less suck.
Another God song?  Is there a theme here?
Good mellow song.  I remember when this came out and I was just starting college.  One of those time stamp songs.
 d-don wrote:
Song 9, album cover 1
 

Reminds me of the work by the great artist Balthus.   Sorry, I cannot post it here, I would get kicked off or fired.
I like the song. If representative of the album, I think the cover art is great. I mean, who hasn't done the bed-as-trampoline thing at some point in their life, and found it to be OK but providing nowhere near the thrill and altitude they originally envisioned? The flaccid (sorry, had to use that) posture suggests that "not as happy as I hoped to be" feeling...as does the song.

Granted, the model for pic is doing this a little later than most, but I cannot (will not) say when I last attempted it, nor if I had more or less, uhm...support than the guy in the picture. Sometimes you just have to go with what life allows and take the leap. Go for it, Joe.
It makes me think of when Kramer modeled for Calvin Klien.

What is the theme here? Terrible cover art? The last 3 covers are the worst I've ever seen.


Like the song, hate the cover...
Song 9, album cover 1
Joe Henry....

{#Clap}

I've had this album for quite a few years and enjoy the music for sure   BUT   about 2 weeks after I bought it i Really just had to draw a pair of shorts on that guy.  just sayin'.




 Tim_in_N_FL wrote:

Worst damned CD / LP (?) cover ever...OK...in recent memory.  I know why I don't have any of his CDs on my shelf or rolling around in the front seat of my car.  {#Eek}{#Drunk}  Wait a second, I do like his "Civilians" release...thanks to RP

 

It's whats inside that counts.

OK. Get your mind out of the gutter.
I'm tallking about the music.
 hippiechick wrote:
I just hate this album cover.
 
Worst damned CD / LP (?) cover ever...OK...in recent memory.  I know why I don't have any of his CDs on my shelf or rolling around in the front seat of my car.  {#Eek}{#Drunk}  Wait a second, I do like his "Civilians" release...thanks to RP

 hippiechick wrote:
I just hate this album cover.
 

It is pretty lame. 
I just hate this album cover.
Yeesh! What an awful croak of a voice! I can't believe that I gave this an 'acceptable' rating before - 4=>1 and a mute until someone comes on who can actually sing. The lyrics may well be deeper than the Marianas Trench, going by previous comments, but the voice is like a cheese grater against the eardrums :(

JH
depend
 Roverfish wrote:
Reminds me of Scrubs and the roof-top tub with a sign: "No Banana Hammocks"
Still a likeable tune, but the cover art is a bit...well, odd.
 
Album-cover-five for The Todd reference.

Tramploine is my favorite Joe Henry album. The reference to Bob and Ray always kills me. It came out in 1996 Bill
auburntigerrich wrote:
Gah!
Song = awesome, but cover art = epic fail.


Agreed! You'd think a song called Topless Shoeshine would conjure up a better image than that!

 fatcatjb wrote:
this may be the best RP post I've ever read

 
lakeforestmark wrote:
This song is one my favorite Joe Henry songs.  It is so ethereal and seems to be about loss and death, though one can't always be sure with Joe.

In fact, I've read interviews with him where he claims that he really doesn't know what he's writing about while he's writing.

I like that.  It's all about a kind of collective unconscious, along with subtlety and nuance, which is in short supply in our society.

Joe is the best.
 

Really, that's too deeep...I'm just glad he's not wearing a jock strap!  ;-)
 


this may be the best RP post I've ever read

 
lakeforestmark wrote:
This song is one my favorite Joe Henry songs.  It is so ethereal and seems to be about loss and death, though one can't always be sure with Joe.

In fact, I've read interviews with him where he claims that he really doesn't know what he's writing about while he's writing.

I like that.  It's all about a kind of collective unconscious, along with subtlety and nuance, which is in short supply in our society.

Joe is the best.
 


JH is one of my fav artists, and this is one of my fav albums ever.  I still remember the day when I first got it, listened through the whole thing, and couldn't quite believe what a gem it was.

The cover, well, actually doesn't bother me so much.....okay, I am weird :)

Roverfish wrote:
Reminds me of Scrubs and the roof-top tub with a sign: "No Banana Hammocks"
Still a likeable tune, but the cover art is a bit...well, odd.
 
Hehe!  Encore for this comment.

Gah!
Song = awesome, but cover art = epic fail.

This song is from my favourite Joe Henry album. If you don't have it, I recommend you go & seek.
This song is one my favorite Joe Henry songs.  It is so ethereal and seems to be about loss and death, though one can't always be sure with Joe.

In fact, I've read interviews with him where he claims that he really doesn't know what he's writing about while he's writing.

I like that.  It's all about a kind of collective unconscious, along with subtlety and nuance, which is in short supply in our society.

Joe is the best.
hippiechick wrote:
The song's not bad, but I don't even have to look to get the picture of the dude standing in his undies, and it turns me right off.
It has to be said that the cover art is complete pants


The song's not bad, but I don't even have to look to get the picture of the dude standing in his undies, and it turns me right off.
 Odyzzeuz wrote:
He said blow me.
 
Well, he is standing around in his BVD's...
Well, THAT was a rather surprising click to rate this song.
SpaceCase wrote:
sounds like Dan Bern a little......
oooo that's not a good thing.
This is def. not the CD you leave out on the coffee table when your parents come a-callin'.
He said blow me.
wha...th...nevermind.
Alpine wrote:
Liked the tune, puked when I saw the cover art. I don't need to see some fuckers junk in his too loose tighty whities. Who wears those things anymore? That's the ugliest underwear. I personally wear some nice boxers or I go commando.
I bet $100 you had no problem with Scarlett Johansson similarly dressed jumping on the bed in Lost in Translation. Betcha betcha.
if ya got it, flaunt it
Reminds me of Scrubs and the roof-top tub with a sign: "No Banana Hammocks" Still a likeable tune, but the cover art is a bit...well, odd.
Alpine wrote:
I personally wear some nice boxers or I go commando.
Thanks for sharing. I feel like I know you much better now. Wanna be friends?
Cruithne3753 wrote:
kudos to Cruithne3753 for this posting - brilliant!!! oh, yeah, and the song is ok...
Cruithne3753 wrote:
i was tempted to give it a 8 or even 9 in the beginnings. however his voice doesn't really fit.
Liked the tune, puked when I saw the cover art. I don't need to see some fuckers junk in his too loose tighty whities. Who wears those things anymore? That's the ugliest underwear. I personally wear some nice boxers or I go commando.
Pablo13 wrote:
...ZEP PURPLE OBVIOUSLY...
Isn't that a carwash made by ZEP of Atlanta? Don't really know what it has to do with Topless Shoeshine, but I like the idea.
themotion wrote:
thank you. your incoherent rambling makes me happy. ZEP PURPLE . . . OBVIOUSLY! . . .
Pablo13 wrote:
New Paradiser - like what i hear very much - Will be supporting soon and merchandising. I know you have to cover a wide range of tastes , but that last MK & EH effort was a bit too MOR. WINKS - BRMC - DOVEMAN - FLOYD,ZEP PURPLE OBVIOUSLY - MORCHEEBA - ZUTONS -GARY CLAIL (EMOTIONAL HOOLIGAN ALBUM one of the few albums that hits off being political and a dan fine album- very rare) & LIVING COLOUR LOVE REARS IT'S UGLY HEAD , possibly the best track ever made!!!! but then again i could list another 1000 more!! Not enough room for all music likes - but sets stall out.
thank you. your incoherent rambling makes me happy.
I know it's about the music, not the cover art, but I will never be able to hear Joe Henry again without this image springing into my brain. When the song came up on the playlist I thought "oh - it's Underwear Man"
Yikes! I missed this when it played. I saw the title in the playlist and came to check it out but no thanks. Some things just aren't meant to be.
sounds like Dan Bern a little......
hippiechick wrote:
Bet you wouldn't think so if it was a chick on the cover in her underwear.
if that is a chick on the cover, it would creep me out even more
strick wrote:
I think this guy writes spam e-mails for a living...
agreed
Good thing I don't judge music on album covers. Boy what I'd be missing..
dwt wrote:
Nice song. Worst album cover ever.
Yup. You can almost taste the bacon strips.
Pablo13 wrote:
New Paradiser - like what i hear very much - Will be supporting soon and merchandising. I know you have to cover a wide range of tastes , but that last MK & EH effort was a bit too MOR. WINKS - BRMC - DOVEMAN - FLOYD,ZEP PURPLE OBVIOUSLY - MORCHEEBA - ZUTONS -GARY CLAIL (EMOTIONAL HOOLIGAN ALBUM one of the few albums that hits off being political and a dan fine album- very rare) & LIVING COLOUR LOVE REARS IT'S UGLY HEAD , possibly the best track ever made!!!! but then again i could list another 1000 more!! Not enough room for all music likes - but sets stall out.
I think this guy writes spam e-mails for a living...
rluking wrote:
This album cover gives me the creeps.
I think the picture matches the album title perfectly.
Pablo13 wrote:
New Paradiser - like what i hear very much - Will be supporting soon and merchandising. I know you have to cover a wide range of tastes , but that last MK & EH effort was a bit too MOR. WINKS - BRMC - DOVEMAN - FLOYD,ZEP PURPLE OBVIOUSLY - MORCHEEBA - ZUTONS -GARY CLAIL (EMOTIONAL HOOLIGAN ALBUM one of the few albums that hits off being political and a dan fine album- very rare) & LIVING COLOUR LOVE REARS IT'S UGLY HEAD , possibly the best track ever made!!!! but then again i could list another 1000 more!! Not enough room for all music likes - but sets stall out.
English! Do you speak it?
He said ''Blow Me.''
New Paradiser - like what i hear very much - Will be supporting soon and merchandising. I know you have to cover a wide range of tastes , but that last MK & EH effort was a bit too MOR. WINKS - BRMC - DOVEMAN - FLOYD,ZEP PURPLE OBVIOUSLY - MORCHEEBA - ZUTONS -GARY CLAIL (EMOTIONAL HOOLIGAN ALBUM one of the few albums that hits off being political and a dan fine album- very rare) & LIVING COLOUR LOVE REARS IT'S UGLY HEAD , possibly the best track ever made!!!! but then again i could list another 1000 more!! Not enough room for all music likes - but sets stall out.
rgrace wrote:
Like this song quite a bit after hearing it a few times. Can't say I go for the tidy-whities on the cover, though!
Raised this to a 9 from a 7. Makes me think of my wife and daughter, who are far from me during the week. Thus this can be dangerous for me to listen to....
dwt wrote:
Nice song. Worst album cover ever.
Tighty-whiteys should be banned (unless you're under the age of 10).
GolfRomeo wrote:
The Dylan influence is strong, of course. I also hear the Strummer mentioned. I also hear Pogues--- and perhaps a bit of Replacements/Westerberg thrown in for company.
Bravo for the mandolin!
Jacksonstat wrote:
Ditto
Bet you wouldn't think so if it was a chick on the cover in her underwear.
I love the album cover
steeler wrote:
I, too, hear a bit of Dylan . . .but, oddly, also something reminding me of Phil Ochs???
Arlo Guthrie, maybe?
... Why are you all so afraid of the innocent human form, haven't we all used our beds as trampolines and still do hopefully? I think this is wonderful trampolining music and the album cover embelishes it perfectly. ... ...
Nice song. Worst album cover ever.