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Josh Ritter — Getting Ready to Get Down
Album: Sermon On The Rocks
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 809









Released: 2015
Length: 3:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Mama got a look at you and got a little worried
Papa got a look at you and got a little worried
Pastor got a look and said, "Ya'll had better hurry"
Send her off to a little bible college in Missouri
And now you come back sayin' you know a little bit about
Everything they ever seemed to hope you'd never figure out
Eve ate the apple 'cause the apple was sweet
What kinda god would ever keep a girl
From getting what she needs?
And I'm getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down

Now people cross the street when you walk in their direction
Talk between their teeth throwin' epithets
And the doctor thinks a devil musta got you by your senses
But to live the way you please doesn't sound like possession
Four long years studyin' the Bible
Infidels, jezebels, salomes, and delilahs
Back off the bus in your own home town
Sayin' you didn't like me then probably won't like me now
But I'm getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down

The men of the country club
The ladies of the 'xilliary
Talkin' 'bout love
Like it's apple pie and libery
To really be a saint
You gotta really be a virgin
Dry as a page of the
King James Version
No ohh la la's, no oh yesses yesses
No I can't waits I got to see you againses
Turn your other cheek and take no chances
Jesus hates your high school dances

They said your soul needed savin' so they sent you off to bible school
But you know a little more than they were sure was in the golden rule
Be good to everybody, be a strength to the weak
A joy to the joyful, the laughter in the grief
And give your love freely to whoever that you please
Don't let nobody tell you 'bout who you oughta be
And when you get damned in the popular opinion
It's just another damn of the damns you're not giving
I'm getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down

Mama got a look at you and got a little worried
Papa got a look at you and got a little worried
Pastor got a look and said, "Ya'll had better hurry"
Send her off to a little bible college in Missouri
And now you come back sayin' you know a little bit about
Everything they ever seemed to hope you'd never figure out
The Red Sea, the Dead Sea, the Sermon on the Mount
If you wanna see a miracle watch me get down
Cause I'm getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down
Getting ready to get down
Comments (88)add comment
”…And give your love freely to whoever that you please
Don't let nobody tell you 'bout who you oughta be
And when you get damned in the popular opinion
It's just another damn of the damns you're not giving.”

Wow! 
This is great poetry! Glad I read the lyrics!
hrmmm… I can’t help but hear a bit of:

“See-saw swinging with the boys in the school
With your feet flying up in the air
Singing "Hey, diddle-diddle with your kitty in the middle
Of the swing like I didn't care."
So I took a big chance at the high school dance
With a missy who was ready to play
Wasn't me she was fooling 'cause she knew what she was doing
And I knew love was here to stay…”

js 
 benhardt57 wrote:

If any religion other than Christianity were mocked like this the artist would be scolded. That kinda tells me something.



If there is mocking here, it is of the hypocrisy that is found amongst some Christians. I'm sure this occurs in every religion.
I think he's singing about a christian gal who is going off the prescribed course in her community's eyes. So they send her off to Bible College.  Unfortunately for them, she comes back knowing more about the world and wants to "get down".
Deja vu. . . ?

>> reunion <<
Just brilliant. The lyrics, the non-pretentious tune.  Pure genius.
I'm giving it an '8" just for the lyrics. 
Composition and production are less than subtle but that's an 8 just because of the lyrics, especially in this day and age. 

(also, it deserves more than an average 6!)
 folkrocker wrote:
Christianity bashing is all the rage now I guess.
 
"But you know a little more than they were sure was in the golden rule
Be good to everybody, be a strength to the weak
A joy to the joyful, the laughter in the grief
And give your love freely to whoever that you please
Don't let nobody tell you 'bout who you oughta be"

Where, precisely, is the bashing? 

Is it possible he is calling out the hypocrisy that disguises itself as faith? Which, of course, is not limited to any particular faith. But is certainly more common for "christianity" in the US. 
Is it possible you have the capacity for seeing that? 
 david16 wrote:
Soooooo cheesy! In my minds eyes I can see the line dancing pensioner thinking they’re hip...

Wow. There is worse stuff than Counting Crows. 

This song is definitely better than 5.9. Come on RP listeners!
Great Song...
 ziggytrix wrote:


Get off your cross already... Christians acting like they don't run the world... worst problem they have is people making fun of them. Must be fuckin nice!
 
I can assure you that Christians want to welcome you.
As my daughter once said, the Catholic church is all about forgiveness until you do something wrong. 
 benhardt57 wrote:

If any religion other than Christianity were mocked like this the artist would be scolded. That kinda tells me something.
 

Get off your cross already... Christians acting like they don't run the world... worst problem they have is people making fun of them. Must be fuckin nice!
"Be good to everybody, be a strength to the weak Be a joy to the joyful, be the laughter in the grief" And give your love freely to whoever that you please Don't let nobody tell you 'bout who you oughta be And when you get damned in the popular opinion It's just another damn of the damns you're not giving" This is Christianity at it's essence. It's ironic that people would consider this song to be bashing Christianity.
 natedog wrote:
I laugh that people think this is country music {#Roflol}. It is far from it and the same goes for Christianity bashing...it is more a realistic take, or at the very least an observation of what really occurs in small towns across the American Midwest and South.
 

If some people can't see the criticism of the judgemental, prohibitionist behavior of certain Christians as anything other than Christianity bashing, well, maybe that says something about Christians in general... 

I've known some good ones, but all too many of them pay little attention to what their book actually says and just think they're somehow better than everyone else (no matter how lousy they actually might be).
Soooooo cheesy! In my minds eyes I can see the line dancing pensioner thinking they’re hip...
Oh man,  I just love this wicky, dicky, micky, licky, quicky, nicky, zicky.....country music!  This is better than that Merle  and Willy stuff.
I don't know this guy but love the song.  I'm ready to guarantee teh rating of 5.9 goes up on repeated listenings.  Why not a little countryfied rapping?
TERRIFIC. No doubt about it, Ritter is a first class song writer. To the Dogs or Whomever, Girl in the War, and many others. Check 'em out. 
super catchy
FUNNY!
I kinda like it.  {#Music}
I laugh that people think this is country music {#Roflol}. It is far from it and the same goes for Christianity bashing...it is more a realistic take, or at the very least an observation of what really occurs in small towns across the American Midwest and South.
Nah, there is plenty of 'country' I'm willing to listen to, but this just makes me wince.
Oh, yes!
No. Just, no.
"sermon on the rocks" is an alcoholic drink, not some bible thingy majiggy
 folkrocker wrote:
Christianity bashing is all the rage now I guess.

 
Yes, I detect the white hot phosphorous of anti-Christian zeal in those wry and sardonic and kind of sweet lyrics. Oh, my. The anguish and disrespect. 
Nothing I've ever read about Christianity absolutely precludes a little self-deprecating humor now and then. Particularly when more than a few evangelicals and televangelists these days seem to need a gentle nudge as to the compromised and unenlightened politicians and mammon they consort with. 
 folkrocker wrote:
Christianity bashing is all the rage now I guess.
 
Not sure this is Christianity Bashing; it seems more about parents keeping their children from experiencing the real world.

(PS: I grew up in a church family and attended a Christian College.  Thankfully, neither attempted to "shield" me from the evils that are quite real in the outside world.   <---- and maybe that's why I like RP so much!)
 folkrocker wrote:
Christianity bashing is all the rage now I guess.

 
Yes, it is and worse. Bashing in the U.S., crucifying and beheading in other parts of the world.......by the "religion of peace".
Christianity bashing is all the rage now I guess.
 idiot_wind wrote:
I don't get it. I think this song is a joke, farce, bufoonary, tongue-in-cheek stupidity. Something so annoying its funny .

But some folks really like it.   

 
If any religion other than Christianity were mocked like this the artist would be scolded. That kinda tells me something.
 Typesbad wrote:
Like the verses, hate the chorus.

 
I can see what you mean, but the chorus is HER attitude. The verses are the opinions of the others.
File under "Achy Breaky Heart"..
This is clever and kinda growing on me.
Like the verses, hate the chorus.
I have to say I'm starting to like ol' Josh, seems every time I hear him he's singing in a different style
I really do love Josh Ritter. This may not be my favorite track of his, but I can't help but feel the hate is misplaced from some of the listeners.
I really do love Josh Ritter. This may not be my favorite track of his, but I can't help but feel the hate is misplaced from some of the listeners.
Clever lyrics so applicable here in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Even in this modern day and age that old school mindset is carved in stone in Waco.
worst thing i've heard in a long time.
Great lyrics make me full of forgiveness for the rest.
 diannemck56 wrote:

{#Frustrated}
 
Here's hoping that wall stays strong.

I don't know Josh Ritter , but he should be charged with crimes against humanity. This is an absolute atrocity.


Still awesome! Smart, funny, apt lyrics and an infectiously driving rhythm. Talented players in this band. And then there's Josh! ... Be good to everybody, be a strength to the weak A joy to the joyful, the laughter in the grief And give your love freely to whoever that you please Don't let nobody tell you 'bout who you oughta be And when you get damned in the popular opinion It's just another damn of the damns you're not giving ...
 {#Frustrated}lily34 wrote:



 


 kgage wrote:
Still terrible.
 

 

Still terrible.
 
 Larrygrrl wrote:
As a girl raised in Wichita, Kansas being subjected to Christian brainwashing and midwestern conservative limits, I understand this song all too well.  I escaped that world and discovered the "wicked" northeast & have never looked back.  I am the only happy member in my family.  This song has a nice hook in the chorus too...makes me tap my feet.

 
Hallelujah, sister
 +1

kgage wrote:
 +1 

HomeTuner wrote:
Some songs are fun to hear once every now and then. This is one of them. Like "The Toonerville Trolley" by The Electric Prunes... Multiple plays in 30 days is stretching it. How about once every quarter, Bill? Once a year? Just slooooowwww down on the frequency, please.

 

 


As a girl raised in Wichita, Kansas being subjected to Christian brainwashing and midwestern conservative limits, I understand this song all too well.  I escaped that world and discovered the "wicked" northeast & have never looked back.  I am the only happy member in my family.  This song has a nice hook in the chorus too...makes me tap my feet.
Pretty infectious.
I don't get it. I think this song is a joke, farce, bufoonary, tongue-in-cheek stupidity. Something so annoying its funny .

But some folks really like it.   
 +1 

HomeTuner wrote:
Some songs are fun to hear once every now and then. This is one of them. Like "The Toonerville Trolley" by The Electric Prunes... Multiple plays in 30 days is stretching it. How about once every quarter, Bill? Once a year? Just slooooowwww down on the frequency, please.

 


Some songs are fun to hear once every now and then. This is one of them. Like "The Toonerville Trolley" by The Electric Prunes... Multiple plays in 30 days is stretching it. How about once every quarter, Bill? Once a year? Just slooooowwww down on the frequency, please.
 taterflatpicker2 wrote:
PLEASE make this stop!!! Putting it nicely, this is,....TERRIBLE!! 
I had to check the calendar making sure it wasn't April Fools day. 

 
If so, maybe the fool was you. 
Terrific song. But opinions are like, what're those things called?  
I have never voted higher for a song than I felt it deserved but this awesome song deserves a lot more 10s to compensate for the haters.

"What kinda god would ever keep a girl
From getting what she needs?"
Sucko
Barfo
I can't believe the hate for this song! Fun rhythm, great lyrics delivered in a peppy and interesting fashion, nice little guitar parts in the background and a couple rock-a-billy breakdowns. This one is a keeper, Bill! 
{#Notworthy}
 LawDude wrote:

Usually its is 'Baptists'.

 
...who are opposed to premarital sex because it leads to dancing.  I guess life really is a circle.  
Go Josh! What a great fookin song writer. 
Josh Ritter is one of the best albums of last year! Thanks RP!
 izycrzy wrote:
Q: why don't Methodists make love standing up? 
A: they think it's too much like dancing. 

 
Usually its is 'Baptists'.
Life is a rock (but Radio Paradise rolled me)


Q: why don't Methodists make love standing up? 
A: they think it's too much like dancing. 
This makes me smile, and makes me want to dance at my desk. 8.
Thanks, I at least have heard this enough now. Are there any other tracks on the album? Maybe they will save Josh Ritter's reputation?
 Jelani wrote:
I thought this was performed by Billy-Bob's Rap Farm.

 
Me too!? {#Drunk}
Rarely, do I feel a true need to hit PSD. Josh Ritter has earned that honour. Every time. {#Frustrated}

Also can offer up that I've never rated a song as "sucko-barfo" until now. Usually I consider my tastes being outside the norm and let others make their choices. I just can't go there this time. Ritter is just too painful for me to listen to. Might as well be playing Redneck Yacht Club or Florida Georgia Line then. ugh.

Other than that, Happy Monday folks. {#Cheers}
PLEASE make this stop!!! Putting it nicely, this is,....TERRIBLE!! 
I had to check the calendar making sure it wasn't April Fools day. 
Love this. What a fun song. Makes you want to get down for sure.
Like the lyrics
I thought this was performed by Billy-Bob's Rap Farm.
Oh...this is just dreadful. 
Rockabilly rap?
Not my usual cup of tea, but a bit of a grower. 
Just not my thing, Too close to nashville crap.  ugh.  
 
Moved it up from 5 to 7. Growing on me.....
Bad girls are so much more fun. 
 LYS wrote:
Last play: Jan 4, 2016
Plays in last 30 days: 6
Maybe I've just heard it every single time it's played, but I'm almost sick of this.

 
I've heard it a few times and each time I pay closer attention. Almost an 8 now.
Last play: Jan 4, 2016
Plays in last 30 days: 6
Maybe I've just heard it every single time it's played, but I'm almost sick of this.
And it's the first time I've heard it. 7 on the first round. 
This guy is a phenomenal song writer. 
 
Nice line, "When you get damned in the popular opinion, it's just another damn of the damns you're not giving."
another recent addition
A bit cheeky - the song lyrics and album title.
This seems like it belongs on a Paul Simon album, next to "Late in the Evening"...