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Violent Femmes — Gone Daddy Gone
Album: Violent Femmes
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3373









Released: 1982
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Beautiful girl, lovely dress
High school smiles, oh yes
Beautiful girl, lovely dress
Where she is now I can only guess

'Cause it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone away

When I see you, eyes will turn blue
When I see you, thousand eyes turnin' blue

'Cause it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone away

Tell by the way that you switch and walk
I can see by the way that you baby-talk
I can know by the way you treat your man
I can love you, baby, 'til it's a-cryin...

'Cause it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone
Yeah, it's gone, daddy, gone -- your love is gone away

Beautiful girl, lovely dress
Fifteen smiles, oh, yes
Beautiful girl, lovely dress
Where she is now, I can only guess 'cause it's...
Comments (323)add comment
 zepher wrote:





 buh bye!
Posted 2 months ago by DarthPolka41    [ Reply ]
 baddog8it wrote:


My ears tell me that it's a marimba...

You are CORRECT!!  It is Todd Rundgren's personal marimba. He produced this album and actually played it on this song.
Posted 3 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 musikluvr wrote:
There are just not enough xylophone solos in rock songs these days. {#Bananajumprope}


My ears tell me that it's a marimba...
Posted 5 months ago by baddog8it    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
OK, I did some research. It IS a MARIMBA (wooden tines)! Todd Rundgren produced this album. He brought his personal marimba into the studio & played on this song!  GREAT SONG!!   



Posted 7 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Xylophone GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY


Nice one Drew
Posted 7 months ago by GarrySR07    [ Reply ]
*meh*
I generally like the Femmes, but not this particular VF tune.

why, you ask? The xylophone solo is just crappy,  uninspired, & annoying af.

Thank you for asking.
Posted 7 months ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
 musikluvr wrote:
There are just not enough xylophone solos in rock songs these days. {#Bananajumprope}


Check out some Human Ottoman.
Posted 7 months ago by Pound33    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Xylophone GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY


Too funny!  GREAT TUNE!! 
Posted 8 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 MilidelEubanks wrote:

Aging myself, but back in the day Milwaukee had a few free admission festivals on the lakefront. Saw the Femmes a couple times at these free concerts.  Great shows.




You Lucky Duck! I wish I had been there!
Posted 8 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 MilidelEubanks wrote:

Aging myself, but back in the day Milwaukee had a few free admission festivals on the lakefront. Saw the Femmes a couple times at these free concerts.  Great shows.



Likewise -- Saw them at a Portland, OR festival -- very cool how just the 3 of them filled the sound and had the crowd dancing. No kick-drum or toms for the drummer, just a snare and xylophone. Interesting bass guitar tone with the big wooden acoustic bass guitar.
Posted 9 months ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
Maybe it's part of a "Father's Day" playlist today, and I'm hearing it differently, +3 to 8.
LLRP!!
Posted 9 months ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Aging myself, but back in the day Milwaukee had a few free admission festivals on the lakefront. Saw the Femmes a couple times at these free concerts.  Great shows.
Posted 10 months ago by MilidelEubanks    [ Reply ]
 Jayesea wrote:

A fantastic debut album.  Holds up very well today imo.  Great musicianship as well.



agreed. there's just something about his voice. i wish i could put my finger on the word of how it makes me feel... like, it's not romantic, it's not a perfect singing voice, but somehow it's kinda sexy still...
Posted 11 months ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to high school in the '80s.  Dancing in my kitchen   
Nothing like The Femmes.  
Posted 1 year ago by tisha510    [ Reply ]
OK, I did some research. It IS a MARIMBA (wooden tines)! Todd Rundgren produced this album. He brought his personal marimba into the studio & played on this song!  GREAT SONG!!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
A fantastic debut album.  Holds up very well today imo.  Great musicianship as well.
Posted 1 year ago by Jayesea    [ Reply ]
 zepher wrote:



Fickle alert! 
Posted 1 year ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
6am & my coffee is kicking in. Good Morning!   Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

Is it a marimba, or a vibraphone?




Marimba!  Wooden bars (tines)!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Is it a marimba, or a vibraphone?
Posted 2 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Needs followed up with SCOTS!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
I love the marimba!!! 
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Xylophone GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

"One minute I'm happily munching on bananas in the jungle; the next thing I know..."
Posted 2 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
GREAT TUNE!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
It is hard to describe to kids these days (shakes fist at sky) just how perfect this entire album is.
Posted 2 years ago by Flying_Donut    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
Xylophone GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY



Too funny!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 musikluvr wrote:
There are just not enough xylophone solos in rock songs these days. {#Bananajumprope}


agreed!  rocking the marimba.  Milwaukee's finest!
Posted 2 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
Xylophone GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY
Posted 2 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Many think it's a xylophone, it's actually a marimba! Nice use of atonal melody in the solo. Unusual and kind of jarring!
Posted 2 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
All the hippies are dancing to this one
Posted 2 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
heck yeah..its got body and beats i don't know about stained sheets though it's your album. be4con wrote:
This entire album is brilliant. Love it!
 

Posted 3 years ago by ChuckDaring    [ Reply ]
Best xylophone since Ruth Underwood-Mothers of Invention
Posted 3 years ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
Love the xylophone
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
Forget the Cowbell     More  Xylophone!
Posted 3 years ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
Dial the Surreality Factor up to...ELEVEN!
Posted 4 years ago by SpencerAR    [ Reply ]
This entire album is brilliant. Love it!
Posted 4 years ago by be4con    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:
And the award for the best use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
Correction...
The award for the only use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
 
I got a chance to see the Violent Femmes live a few years ago. It was impressive to see the dude whale on the marimba during this song!
Posted 4 years ago by ProfessionalGeek    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:
And the award for the best use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
Correction...
The award for the only use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
 
..and thank goodness it's the only use of xylophone in a contemporary song...
Posted 4 years ago by Chwkbud    [ Reply ]
And the award for the best use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
Correction...
The award for the only use of xylophone in a contemporary song goes to!
Posted 4 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
remembering a sick dance party on 12/31/16 spinning this on vinyl at ridiculous volumes 
Posted 5 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 impediguy wrote:

The B-52s were passé by the time the Femmes came around. Even so, it was 30 years ago today my college band learned to play (this song). But who cares?

 
This is literally the only song on their debut album that even sounds remotely like the B52s, so like, nevermind.
Posted 6 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Who came first, these dudes or the B-52s?
 

 
The B-52s were passé by the time the Femmes came around. Even so, it was 30 years ago today my college band learned to play (this song). But who cares?
Posted 6 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
 zerosomething wrote:
A classic 
 
Of the Bergholt Stuttley Johnson variety.
Posted 7 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}
Posted 7 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
love it !
Posted 7 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Not as wunnerful when Bowie's "Panic in Detroit" gets played before it...

 
They fit together in an odd way; Bill knows what he's up to.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
bump 5 > 6. Not great, but fun. 
Hell, it's Christmas, let's give some extra points just for showing up.
Who came first, these dudes or the B-52s?
 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Peace0fmind wrote:
I'm lovin' the Violent retro{#Dancingbanana_2}

 
Not as wunnerful when Bowie's "Panic in Detroit" gets played before it...
Posted 7 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
A classic 
Posted 7 years ago by zerosomething    [ Reply ]
More Femmes needed on RP.
Posted 7 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
Epic Xylophone Solo!  Woohoo!  love it
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
Yeah, it was.  Just because too many were whacked out of their gourds to realise it at the time doesn't change the fact it's dreck.
 
I just love it when people complain about other folks being "whacked out of their gourds".  Makes me wonder if they're jealous.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]

Total flashback to my college day. Driving around in a van full of hot crew girls. Yummo!


Posted 10 years ago by Krakus    [ Reply ]
rock and roll xylophone. yes!
Posted 10 years ago by fiddler    [ Reply ]
There are just not enough xylophone solos in rock songs these days. {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 10 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
Oh yes.

Have to love that funky vibe - used to dance like a loon to this in my younger years. 
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
 rich95969 wrote:
F'ing annoying as hell. Finally, something that got me to abandon RP in favor of mainstream internet radio.

 

Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
Bill, you are rockin' it this morning!  Thank You!
Posted 10 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}

That is all. lol
Posted 10 years ago by eeastridge    [ Reply ]
F'ing annoying as hell. Finally, something that got me to abandon RP in favor of mainstream internet radio.
Posted 10 years ago by rich95969    [ Reply ]

Posted 10 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Elvis Costello followed by Violent Femmes.. I'll take nerdy '80s quasi-punks for $100?
Posted 10 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
Will always, always remind me of a girl I dated at ISU so many years ago. Instant flashback to those great times.{#Kiss}
Posted 10 years ago by Zonkers    [ Reply ]
I dig these guys! His voice has just the right amount of whiney creepy. Plus the bones...OY!
Posted 11 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
I'm lovin' the Violent retro{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 11 years ago by Peace0fmind    [ Reply ]
Where else can you play an partially off key marimba solo and pull it off? The Femmes...that's where!
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I was almost certain this was the Gnarls Barkley remake until I looked at the playlist. Seems like GB could have spent some more effort on giving it a twist of their own…
Posted 11 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
Yeah!  Xylophone!
Posted 11 years ago by SanchoPancho    [ Reply ]
Wanted: One Xylophone Player 4 Violent Femmes Cover Band - experience with Frank Zappa is a plus. 

Also,
Must look good in Go Go Boots.


and be willing to travel....



I know the Femmes were an 80's band, but so were the B-52s....

Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:

Yeah, it was.  Just because too many were whacked out of their gourds to realise it at the time doesn't change the fact it's dreck.
 
Were people less "whacked out of their gourds" in the 1960s and '70s?
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 blackjackshellac wrote:
Sure as hell wasn't school band slacker noise, whatever that is, in 1982.
 
Yeah, it was.  Just because too many were whacked out of their gourds to realise it at the time doesn't change the fact it's dreck.
Posted 11 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:
Those aren't go-go boots...in the true sense of the fashion statement
 zepher wrote:
Something about the xylophone makes me think of gogo boots?

 
 
Up here in the north we call them "CFM" boots!
Posted 11 years ago by Lakeview    [ Reply ]
Epic Xylophone Solo! {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Those aren't go-go boots...in the true sense of the fashion statement
 zepher wrote:
Something about the xylophone makes me think of gogo boots?

 


Posted 11 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Something about the xylophone makes me think of gogo boots?


Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
Turn up the volume!!!!{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by dw    [ Reply ]
 Xing wrote:
Raddledaddle school band slacker noise. Annoyingly boring,
 
Sure as hell wasn't school band slacker noise, whatever that is, in 1982.
Posted 11 years ago by blackjackshellac    [ Reply ]
Raddledaddle school band slacker noise. Annoyingly boring,
Posted 12 years ago by Xing    [ Reply ]
 Nice!
Posted 12 years ago by dw    [ Reply ]
Friday night in Stockholm, this is just right, solid 8+ here
Posted 12 years ago by BowTieDad    [ Reply ]
Ah the Femmes! From my home town Milwaukee! 


Posted 12 years ago by Elroweho    [ Reply ]
This song gets an 8 because it is all high school and college. Cranking the song in the car windows down in the summer. Drinking in the dorms in the winter and acting like kids. Love it.
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
 MJdub wrote:
Epic Xylophone Solo!  Woohoo!

 
Bringing this up top in hopes Bill sees it and DOES add it to the icon library! {#Pray}
Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Very good.
Posted 12 years ago by Netto    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:


Seriously?

What does Country Death Song have in common with Planet Claire?

The Femmes talk about throwing their unwanted children down wells and the 52s sing about purple dogs.

Those bands are nothing alike.

Well, I guess they are white people playing music There is that.

{#Tongue-out}
 
I hear a smidgen of the B-52s in the tone of the guitar in the bridge.  It's sounds surfy.  There could be some Ricky Wilson influence there.  Maybe. *shrug*  But "maybe some influence" is only as far as it goes, IMO.  Probably more of a general new wave influence.

Posted 12 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Deadwing wrote:
Seriously?

What does Country Death Song have in common with Planet Claire?

The Femmes talk about throwing their unwanted children down wells and the 52s sing about purple dogs.

Those bands are nothing alike.

Well, I guess they are white people playing music There is that.

{#Tongue-out}
 
I'm with you, 'wing. The only thing I can figure, it's that sorta twangy guitar, and the somewhat fractious sound of the whole affair. Other than that, I don't see any connection either.

Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
What an awesome drinking album  
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Emulating the B-52s, who weren't exactly an epiphany. People like this, but in their comments rail quite nastily against other tunes that are less gimmicky, more musical. Go figure. 
 

Seriously?

What does Country Death Song have in common with Planet Claire?

The Femmes talk about throwing their unwanted children down wells and the 52s sing about purple dogs.

Those bands are nothing alike.

Well, I guess they are white people playing music There is that.

{#Tongue-out}
Posted 12 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
I saw these guys years ago at 688 in Atlanta (Hallowed Ground tour) and when it was time for the encore Gordon and the bass player acted like they were running back out onto the stage but stopped in the wings and the drummer ran out by himself cheering, smiling, and jumping up and down. Then he realized he was alone.

It was f*ckin hilarious

I love these guys 

Good times 


Posted 12 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
Emulating the B-52s, who weren't exactly an epiphany. People like this, but in their comments rail quite nastily against other tunes that are less gimmicky, more musical. Go figure. 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 chadlymn wrote:
I hear that!!

 tkay73 wrote:
Brings back memories of being a teen driving around w/ my teen friends and yelling this song as we drove around town.
What fun!
 
 
I was JUST telling my boyfriend how this reminds me of my teenage years. Walking, Driving, Dancing, Singing around my little town, stars in my eyes & a dream in my heart.

Posted 12 years ago by jenovella70    [ Reply ]
                                       {#Wave}and don't come back until your gone !!
Posted 12 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:

Love your xylophone icon MJdub.  Hope Bill adds it to the icon bank!

Xylophone usually doesn't do it for me, but it really works with this piece.
  I second this.  Still can't handle the song, but the xylophone icon is really cool... (and I guess we'll need a cowbell icon, too...) *evil giggle*


Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Love the xylophone!
Posted 12 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:

 

{#Roflol}{#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
This is a great song off of a great album! The Gnarls Barkley remake? Well, they ought not a done that!{#Naughty}
Posted 12 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Elvis Costello - Pump It Up

Bill plays this segue enough that I look forward to this song when I hear Pump It Up, but wouldn't Blister in the Sun be a more fitting follow up, ya know, thematically?  {#Eyes}
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I heard this song in Chipotle the other day.  Mmmmmmm.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]

Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
MORE FEMMES!!! {#Bananapiano}
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
It certainly is a quirky Friday ... and I'm likin' it!!!! {#Jump}
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Ah memories ... my first born daughter was born in 1982 when this was released. The Black Keys owe much to the Violent Femmes. Love this song.
Posted 13 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
This song is one of those ear-worms that just drives me crazy in a bad way.  "GoneDaddyGoneLoveIsGone..."  It just hurts my ears. I love Violent Femmes - I hate this song. I've tried to be okay with it, but... Sorry. Can't. {#Hand}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
K   E   Y   S
Posted 13 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
I hear that!!

 tkay73 wrote:
Brings back memories of being a teen driving around w/ my teen friends and yelling this song as we drove around town.
What fun!
 


Posted 13 years ago by chadlymn    [ Reply ]
i can guess
Posted 13 years ago by peacockangel    [ Reply ]
 MJdub wrote:
Epic Xylophone Solo!  Woohoo!

 
Love your xylophone icon MJdub.  Hope Bill adds it to the icon bank!

Xylophone usually doesn't do it for me, but it really works with this piece.


Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Epic Xylophone Solo!  Woohoo!

Posted 14 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Brings back memories of being a teen driving around w/ my teen friends and yelling this song as we drove around town.
What fun!
Posted 14 years ago by tkay73    [ Reply ]
9!

 gatorade wrote:
I can't decide if it's a 7 or 8. Always go on the high side!
 


Posted 14 years ago by dggeek    [ Reply ]
I can't decide if it's a 7 or 8. Always go on the high side!
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
 siskinbob wrote:
Has it gone yet ?? {#Wall}
 
It can't go too soon. {#Eek}
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 LastChance wrote:
Oww! This just doesn't fit after Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up."
 

Just think about it...it will come too you.
Posted 14 years ago by lodian    [ Reply ]
Oww! This just doesn't fit after Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up."
Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
Has it gone yet ?? {#Wall}
Posted 14 years ago by siskinbob    [ Reply ]
Rock and roll marimba {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
 Giselle62 wrote:
Because it's playing rock on acoustic instruments- harder to do—-
What an insightful comment - I never thought of that; it makes perfect sense. Thanks :) 

Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 rez wrote:

MrGreg wrote:

He can't play the xylophone either — the player is not a percussionist in any way shape or form. It's like they just handed a pair of mallets to someone who had never played the instrument and said "Here, bang something out. We'll record it on the next take."


Seems to fit in with the band's ethos. the guitarist is struggling as well.

 
Because it's playing rock on acoustic instruments- harder to do—-and I think that xylophone's pretty punk.


Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 Smoove_D wrote:
It's on a Gnarls Barkley album too. The last band I would expect to cover a Femmes song, but a fine choice. 
 
I only knew the Gnarls version until now (from St. Elsewhere). In fact the two versions are so alike that I was sure this was GB until I saw the band name.
Posted 14 years ago by DrLex    [ Reply ]
 Aural_not_Oral wrote:
The internet skipped at the beginning of the song.  That is annoying.

Reminds me of my record collection. Songs I listened to that had skips,  when I hear them on the radio, I cringe when that part is coming up, but then it doesn't skip, but...  too late, it is burned in.   Does anyone else ever get that? 
 
{high voice} This next one... is the first song... on our new album... It just came out this week... and the song is called...

Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]