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Cracker — The Golden Age
Album: The Golden Age
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1564









Released: 1996
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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This is the Golden Age
It's hard to imagine
With the way I feel today
That this is the Golden Age
The Golden Age

Somewhere I failed
Somewhere I lost you
In a black crowd of crows
And shiny things
I can't remember

This is the Golden Age
This is the Golden Age
The Golden Age

It seems like I'm high
But baby I'm crawling
In the unbearable days
I threw away
But I should have savored
The flaxen light
Off of the dying wheat
Your rye whiskey mouth
And your dandelion teeth

This is the Golden Age
This is the Golden Age
This is the Golden Age
This is the Golden Age
Comments (135)add comment
I ran away from this to the rock mix and now it's kicking me back here. Did the world just end? Is this hell?
Posted 3 days ago by xerogylt    [ Reply ]
As someone who dabbles in stamp collecting, I appreciate the album cover.
Posted 1 month ago by slugore    [ Reply ]
Enjoying this song for the first time. I gonna have a drink in honor of that sweet sounding pedal steel.  Cheers!
Posted 7 months ago by nickferrante10    [ Reply ]
Gets me every time,
"Your rye whiskey mouth and your dandelion teeth"


Posted 8 months ago by Hey_Porter    [ Reply ]
 RodneyAjax wrote:

I sort-of like the song, but please make that awful whiney slide guitar stop!



Uh...it's a pedal steel. 

And this is country rock.  Ya need pedal and slide.  And sometimes some dobro.  
Posted 8 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I sort-of like the song, but please make that awful whiney slide guitar stop!
Posted 1 year ago by RodneyAjax    [ Reply ]
can i rate it 1 multiple times?
Posted 1 year ago by vlale    [ Reply ]
Big Cracker fan, but this track is a bit twangy for me
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Also in Novato. Great show and pretty amazing that such an amazing band is accessible in a small setting!
Posted 1 year ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Saw them in Novato in June. They still got! Love them.
Posted 1 year ago by fotd    [ Reply ]
 Ipse_Dixit wrote:

Given the dystopian hellscape in which we now reside (choking on smoke, pandemic, reality tv star clown as president), this song really was prophetic. 1996 was a golden age....


Yea, and it's only getting worse...

Born in the 60s or 70s, we had the best of what there was ever going to be, i guess.
But i guess we just didn't know it at the time...

"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
Joni  Mitchell
Posted 1 year ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
Brings to mind the song Golden Age by Cook da Books.  (Just the title.)
Posted 2 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
I'm so glad RP likes Cracker.
Posted 2 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
I just hope they tour in Summer 2022 and I see them. So I can make amends for choosing to not see them in 2019. in a bar. 

Such a fool was I. 
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
One of my favourite songs...and certainly Cracker's best! Can't believe the low ratings! Great poetry and imagery....very sad and bittersweet look at the human condition.
Posted 2 years ago by Harry_Tuttle_99    [ Reply ]
This totally channels the melody from "Someday We'll Be Together".
Posted 2 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 Pioneer_Sing wrote:

The verses sound very Bowie...



You're right, never noticed that.
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 sjccroquet wrote:

These guys aren't wrong - who wouldn't take 1996 over 2020 in a heartbeat?




That's a hard call. In 1996 I was swimming in a pool with nazi revolutionaries. Now in 2021 everyone in the nation is in the same pool. I was 25 years ahead of my time. 

I realize this comment could be understood as endorsement of that ideology. It is not. Simply an observation that many militias still subscribe to this ideology. They are not ignorant (some are but this was a surprise). One guy who tried to recruit me was an aerospace engineer. In this sense, we did not prevail in WWII because we fought a ground war and neglected to attack the eugenic based philosophy which the Nazi's embraced.
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 sjccroquet wrote:
These guys aren't wrong - who wouldn't take 1996 over 2020 in a heartbeat?
 
That said, 2020 (thru 1/6/2021) is a pretty low bar to rank against. 
Posted 3 years ago by forthbrdge    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by okskyhi    [ Reply ]
The verses sound very Bowie...
Posted 3 years ago by Pioneer_Sing    [ Reply ]
I do miss the 90s.
Posted 3 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Given the dystopian hellscape in which we now reside (choking on smoke, pandemic, reality tv star clown as president), this song really was prophetic. 1996 was a golden age....
Posted 4 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
 LYS wrote:
love me some cracker! always fresh and crispy
 
and a little salty
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
These guys aren't wrong - who wouldn't take 1996 over 2020 in a heartbeat?
Posted 4 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
More Cracker!
Solid 10.
Thanks Bill.
Posted 5 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
_^ Cracker Paradise ^_
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

There ought to be some Ian Dury on the playlist, though I'm not sure how much he and Pure Prairie League would've worked out.

 
As long as it was from his New Boots and Panties album something might have worked out
Posted 6 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
his voice brings to mind Ian Dury perhaps singing along with The Pure Prairie League  {#Tongue-out}

 
There ought to be some Ian Dury on the playlist, though I'm not sure how much he and Pure Prairie League would've worked out.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
May be I heard that already somhere, may I ?
Posted 8 years ago by Pawlaw    [ Reply ]
his voice brings to mind Ian Dury perhaps singing along with The Pure Prairie League  {#Tongue-out}
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I love this lyric.  It is apropos of the song's title:

The flaxen light
Off of the dying wheat
Your rye whiskey mouth
And your dandelion teeth
Posted 8 years ago by Hey_Porter    [ Reply ]
7 > 8
Posted 8 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
 LYS wrote:
love me some cracker! always fresh and crispy

 
You are a very wise person.
Posted 9 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

A lot of Cracker songs that I've heard don't have great lyrics. The singer sounds so emotionally detached on this one that he reminds me of the "singer" from Cake. 

 
You need to listen to more Cracker.  Try the Gentleman's Blues album first,
Posted 9 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
love me some cracker! always fresh and crispy
Posted 9 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
 tiare wrote:
Seems like he is more in love with the sound of his voice, than singing anything substantial.

 
A lot of Cracker songs that I've heard don't have great lyrics. The singer sounds so emotionally detached on this one that he reminds me of the "singer" from Cake. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Is this a dude from Camper Van Beethoven? Please: skip!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Would've been (only slightly) better as an acoustic song.
Posted 13 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Beck next? Anything could top this. Boring as hell.
'Silver, Blue and Gold'?
Andrew Gold?
ANYthing.
 
Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 MojoJojo wrote:
He sings like...
 
I don't actually agree but I totally needed to see that today
Posted 13 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
relaxing
 
Posted 13 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Bill's doing a gold theme. How appropriate since the price of gold is at an all-time high today.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
Also very nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Seems like he is more in love with the sound of his voice, than singing anything substantial.
Posted 13 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
 Stranglersfan wrote:
I love Cracker!
 
nice with cheese

Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
CRACKER - a misunderstood band!

PS
DAVID LOWERY just released a solo album!


Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
TIP: DO NOT MISS "CRACKER live"...!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I love Cracker!
Posted 14 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
 holborne wrote:
Yeesh. I usually like Cracker, but this sounds to me like the sort of Lite Country stuff I'd hear on the local easy-listening station. Is it supposed to be ironic or something?
 
If an easy listening station played this... I would tune in.

Posted 14 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
This is the golden age for CEOs and Wall Street bankers....{#Grumpy}

Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
,,now here's a Cracker song i like,,#8
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
He sings like...

Posted 14 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 holborne wrote:
Yeesh. I usually like Cracker, but this sounds to me like the sort of Lite Country stuff I'd hear on the local easy-listening station. Is it supposed to be ironic or something?
 

Personally I listen here not because I'm expecting to hear specific genres,  quite the contrary I am looking for creative music played by great musicians and whether it is "lite country", jazz, R&B or whatever, I could care less.  This is certainly a good song played by one of the better bands of this decade. 
Posted 14 years ago by furaha    [ Reply ]
Going to see them next week.  Very excited!
Posted 14 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
crazy wrote:
sure it's not a peddle steel?
 
 Hannio wrote:
Sure it's not a pedal steel?
 
I guess it depends on if you are trying to sell it or play it. {#Lol}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 crazy wrote:

sure it's not a peddle steel?
 

Sure it's not a pedal steel?
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I can't decide what this song is trying to decide it wants to be.
ed 5/14/09—-sure took me a long time to get on board with these guys.  Just ordered their last album.  Like 'em.

 
I'm talking to myself now


Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Yeesh. I usually like Cracker, but this sounds to me like the sort of Lite Country stuff I'd hear on the local easy-listening station. Is it supposed to be ironic or something?
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
Ooh that beginning hurt me after the end of After the Goldrush.
Posted 15 years ago by TheFriendlyCat    [ Reply ]
Love Cracker. More Please!
Posted 15 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
i like beck's golden age much better
Posted 15 years ago by snowak    [ Reply ]
 lingchih wrote:
Nice slide guitar.
 
sure it's not a peddle steel?
Posted 15 years ago by crazy    [ Reply ]
Nice slide guitar.
Posted 16 years ago by lingchih    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
If you look up 'mediocre' in the dictionary, Cracker's discography is listed there. Edit: Ok, the chorus just kicked in and now it's downright vomit-inducing.
Yeah, well if you look up "excelsior" in the dictionary it says: "Excelsior is a wood product made of aspen fibers, used in packaging, cushioning, stuffing of stuffed animals, and for the cooling pads in home evaporative cooling systems known as swamp coolers." So there. :-P
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
If you look up 'mediocre' in the dictionary, Cracker's discography is listed there. Edit: Ok, the chorus just kicked in and now it's downright vomit-inducing.
I agree
Posted 16 years ago by reason06    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
I like Cracker, but when the chorus kicks in on this song, all I can think of is Peter Garrett belting out the identical chorus on Midnight Oil's 'The Golden Age'. And there's just no comparison.
You're right - there is no comparison. Despite the same line in the chorus, they are totally different songs meant to evoke different emotions in different styles, and I love them both!
Posted 16 years ago by Oregon_Steve    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
If you look up 'mediocre' in the dictionary, Cracker's discography is listed there. Edit: Ok, the chorus just kicked in and now it's downright vomit-inducing.
Whatever.
Posted 16 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
If you look up 'mediocre' in the dictionary, Cracker's discography is listed there.
...oh please, greenland is first-rate work...
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
If you look up 'mediocre' in the dictionary, Cracker's discography is listed there. Edit: Ok, the chorus just kicked in and now it's downright vomit-inducing.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
...that violin line in the background reminds of something by the church - from seance, maybe?..
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
is it just me or did it sound like Randy Newman was singing the chorus?
Posted 16 years ago by alevin    [ Reply ]
jimoore wrote:
This would sound good played buy some killer country guys. Kinda dumb and dull sounding here.
Yeah it does sound sorta silly. I looked up to see who was singing the silly song, and thought, "Oh. Cracker. Well."
Posted 16 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
I like Cracker, but when the chorus kicks in on this song, all I can think of is Peter Garrett belting out the identical chorus on Midnight Oil's 'The Golden Age'. And there's just no comparison.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Mari wrote:
This is The Golden Age!
Posted 17 years ago by jimoore    [ Reply ]
This would sound good played buy some killer country guys. Kinda dumb and dull sounding here.
Posted 17 years ago by jimoore    [ Reply ]
Fond of Cracker, but I just find this song boring and trite. If one is going to use a phrase like "Golden Age," one better make the song a true jewel. This isn't one.
Posted 17 years ago by BenK    [ Reply ]
Oregon_Steve wrote:
Awesome band, great album, great song.
I am really, really starting to like Cracker tons and bunches. I hated that song Low that was on every ten seconds, but it made me unfairly overlook the other stuff they have done, most of which is very good indeed.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
Umm - it's fine. Kind of like an Old Milwaukee beer.
Posted 17 years ago by timjclark    [ Reply ]
Since we are in a country vein, how about The Supersuckers "Must've Been High"? Just a wish...not expecting it here.
Posted 17 years ago by lionirons    [ Reply ]
I can't decide what this song is trying to decide it wants to be.
ed 5/14/09—-sure took me a long time to get on board with these guys.  Just ordered their last album.  Like 'em.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
Oregon_Steve wrote:
Awesome band, great album, great song.
Amen to that,
Posted 17 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Meh.
Ditto. Meh...
Posted 17 years ago by tnt_thomas    [ Reply ]
Pantagruel wrote:
Not bad at all: simple voice, simple drums ..reminds me of a Ringo Star song.
...damned with faint praise.
Posted 18 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
For me, discovering a new album for the first time usually occurs in my car. I always remember the scenes out the window and these landscapes become imprinted with the music I'm hearing (and vise versa). I always think of hot summer days when I hear this album (lazy days in June, Girls in summer dresses). Ahh, David Lowery is a great poet
Posted 18 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
-relayer- wrote:
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Oregon_Steve wrote:
Awesome band, great album, great song.
This is The Golden Age!
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Meh.
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by -relayer-    [ Reply ]
Love that steel guitar!
Posted 18 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
Not bad at all: simple voice, simple drums ..reminds me of a Ringo Star song.
Posted 18 years ago by Pantagruel    [ Reply ]
eh, so-so.
Posted 18 years ago by reznorsgrrl    [ Reply ]
jpeiv wrote:
My opinion, if you can't do it live at every show, then don't do it at all.
Fool.
Posted 18 years ago by Gorky    [ Reply ]
Awesome band, great album, great song.
Posted 18 years ago by Oregon_Steve    [ Reply ]
ralphcanoe wrote:
Love Cracker! Garage D"or was a great cd as well. What's up with these guys?
These guys are also Camper Van Beethoven with a slight change in the line-up. They have a new album out recently. Makes for a great night of music when both bands are on the same bill.
Posted 19 years ago by musicfreq    [ Reply ]
dig that low guitar bit..
Posted 19 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
Love Cracker! Garage D"or was a great cd as well. What's up with these guys?
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
Good Tune, damn good band.
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Love this song!!!!!!!!
Posted 19 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Most seem to like this song a lot so why the low 6.8? I gave it a 9!
Posted 19 years ago by earthbased    [ Reply ]
I thought I was listening to a new Tom Petty tune. I like this band; once again RP has introduced me to something new! Thanks Bill!
Posted 19 years ago by BGGA    [ Reply ]
Love Cracker! Great fit for RP!
Posted 19 years ago by ralphcanoe    [ Reply ]
What a great song, and a great sound!
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
I've seen Cracker on several tours and they were at their best when they toured behind The Golden Age. Sure the strings weren't there, but they are one of the tightest bands I've ever seen. Johnny Hickman is a ROCK STAR. I just wished it worked out with Bob Rupe.
Posted 19 years ago by pedro    [ Reply ]
Got it cranked and singing along. Love this song. Great way to end a work week. Thanks RP!
Posted 19 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
One of my favorites from an incredible band...brings back some good college memories.
Posted 19 years ago by ecorunner    [ Reply ]
KevDogRedux wrote:
I'm glad The Beatles didn't feel that way.
I knew I didn't agree with him, but couldn't figure out HOW to say it. You said it PERFECTLY!
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
jpeiv wrote:
When did they add a steel guitarist and a string section to the band? Sounds like a studio only thing to me. My opinion, if you can't do it live at every show, then don't do it at all.
I'm glad The Beatles didn't feel that way.
Posted 19 years ago by KevDogRedux    [ Reply ]
This song is so good. It's like riding to the beach or going home for the holidays.
Posted 19 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
At the very beginning, it had a Neil Young or CSN&Y sound. Maybe it's the pedal steel, which I really love when it's not paired with some twangy country singer.
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
So where's the Camper Van Beethoven?
Posted 19 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands.
Posted 20 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
I wish I had discovered Cracker in college . A friend turned me on to them about 5 years ago and they are a top five band for me now. They still tour too, though I've yet to see them. Will get around to it one of these days.
Posted 20 years ago by Kerry04    [ Reply ]
aslegros wrote:
... many of us become lost along the way.
Often, by reading others' posts... :-s Nice song, though.
Posted 20 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Without a doubt, their best song! - The average man, in many ways, lives better than the ancient kings, in terms of comforts, and options (i.e. the availability of knowledge, travel opportunities). Yet, somehow, the spirit of man is looking for something else. Most of us are still searching for fulfillment or happiness somewhere else, and many of us become lost along the way.
Posted 20 years ago by aslegros    [ Reply ]
DBCinCA wrote:
mmm, cracker yummy! Camper van Beethoven?
Yep, same lead singer.
Posted 20 years ago by stripes    [ Reply ]
mmm, cracker yummy! Camper van Beethoven?
Posted 20 years ago by DBCinCA    [ Reply ]
I LOVE that RP appreciates & plays Cracker so much!!!
Posted 21 years ago by kelty    [ Reply ]
There is nothing like the sound of the pedal steel. This is a beautiful track.
Posted 21 years ago by kinnear3    [ Reply ]
Great stuff. I never get tired of Cracker.
Posted 21 years ago by os4    [ Reply ]