I’m 64 years old and I heard this song as a young man. I then spent half my life doing doing sound for bands. To this day it still touches my heart. Somewhere in basement I still have it on vinyl. Classic nostalgia I tell you what.
True! There is only one other song that is of this caliber. "1967" by Tom Robinson on The Secret Policeman's Ball from 1979. You would probably like it since you already have impeccable music taste!
This is without a doubt one of the greatest and most original songs ever written. Lyrics, music, theme...whole package, genius... so glad I had this band in my formative teen years...really helped me appreciate all the good things about music, life....made me want to pass the feeling on to others....thanks so much for posting!
The studio version (the one we have here) is one of the single most difficult songs to find on the web. Eternal thanks NeotRonCorp. This is one the most beautiful, and original songs from an era saturated with great Indie/Underground music (if you knew where to look). And when the hell was the last time you heard "discombuberate" thrown so smoothly into a lyric? Gorgeous !
I worked at a great FM Radio station in Ottawa Canada (CHEZ-FM) which had this song on its setlists, back in the day .Now you know why I said our station was a great one because it played artists like The Reivers, Rubber Rodeo, 10,000 Maniacs and other off the beaten track groups which our Music Director, Greg Torrington, added to playlists simply because he liked them.. btw I still like to hear this song...
I've always held that this band had a real handle on the middle 8...and John Croslin managed every time to write the very best lyric of the song for that middle 8..."If you're looking at me, if you watch me make my way, I hope you're proud of what you see"...best tribute to grandpa ever.
I realize I am late to the party here - seeing some comments from 11 years ago. I was a college DJ (WEGL) and loved these guys; had a big poster on the dorm wall at Auburn. I found Keep Me Guessing a while ago in digital format then I searched all over for this CD, found a re-master that is generally a little tinny but I am so glad to have it. Star Telegram is one of my all time favorite songs from the era and still one I listen to with great affection and reverence. If it was only the lyric recited, or only the amazing soaring crossing vocal lines or only the music any of these would be classic. Together the Zeitgeist creates a gestalt that is just perfection. I fell in love with the female vocalist immediately, sight unseen. Thank you for this timeless art.
I'm not from Texas, but I'm from the South and I think the sentiment translates across the board...not a better song written about the freedom and innocence of youth in my memory.
One of my favorite songs of all time by one of my favorite bands of all time. Saw them twice in concert. Met Cindy Toth in a record store in Jacksonville, FL and she was just the nicest. She was just shopping for records but made time to chat it up with me and my friend. Such good times.
I fell in love with Zeitgeist in 1985/86 when I heard the song Things Don't Change. And there were several good songs on that first album. But Star Telegram was and still is one of my favorite songs ever.
I had all but forgotten about the Reivers. I was trying to remember who did the alternative version of Lazy Afternoon, then I finally came across them again. Now I remember this album and Star Telegram. Thanks so much for posting!
Great stuff. I stumbled onto this by accident somewhere around 89/90ish. I had just thought about pulling this disc out for a spin the other day, when a friend posted this on FB and reminded me. Wish I had had the chance to catch them live.
I have worked for the Star Telegram in Fort Worth Texas for 22 years and never heard this song until today. Very cool song. Very sad day for the Star Telegram as they will cease printing the paper locally after this weekend. They had been printing the paper in Fort Worth since 1906. The printing will be out sourced to the Dallas Morning News whose printing plant is in Plano Texas.
Me, when I hear "backyard sulphur," I think of the well water that smelled of sulphur at my grandparents' house....which is where my brain goes every time I hear this song.
I’m 64 years old and I heard this song as a young man. I then spent half my life doing doing sound for bands. To this day it still touches my heart. Somewhere in basement I still have it on vinyl. Classic nostalgia I tell you what.
This song means more to me thirty years later than it did when I first heard it. Simply beautiful.
Simply the best song ever written about childhood
True! There is only one other song that is of this caliber. "1967" by Tom Robinson on The Secret Policeman's Ball from 1979. You would probably like it since you already have impeccable music taste!
This is without a doubt one of the greatest and most original songs ever written. Lyrics, music, theme...whole package, genius... so glad I had this band in my formative teen years...really helped me appreciate all the good things about music, life....made me want to pass the feeling on to others....thanks so much for posting!
Damn I miss pre-Portlandia Austin
The studio version (the one we have here) is one of the single most difficult songs to find on the web. Eternal thanks NeotRonCorp. This is one the most beautiful, and original songs from an era saturated with great Indie/Underground music (if you knew where to look). And when the hell was the last time you heard "discombuberate" thrown so smoothly into a lyric? Gorgeous !
I worked at a great FM Radio station in Ottawa Canada (CHEZ-FM) which had this song on its setlists, back in the day .Now you know why I said our station was a great one because it played artists like The Reivers, Rubber Rodeo, 10,000 Maniacs and other off the beaten track groups which our Music Director, Greg Torrington, added to playlists simply because he liked them.. btw I still like to hear this song...
Poets singing their beautiful song.
I've always held that this band had a real handle on the middle 8...and John Croslin managed every time to write the very best lyric of the song for that middle 8..."If you're looking at me, if you watch me make my way, I hope you're proud of what you see"...best tribute to grandpa ever.
I realize I am late to the party here - seeing some comments from 11 years ago. I was a college DJ (WEGL) and loved these guys; had a big poster on the dorm wall at Auburn. I found Keep Me Guessing a while ago in digital format then I searched all over for this CD, found a re-master that is generally a little tinny but I am so glad to have it. Star Telegram is one of my all time favorite songs from the era and still one I listen to with great affection and reverence. If it was only the lyric recited, or only the amazing soaring crossing vocal lines or only the music any of these would be classic. Together the Zeitgeist creates a gestalt that is just perfection. I fell in love with the female vocalist immediately, sight unseen. Thank you for this timeless art.
I'm not from Texas, but I'm from the South and I think the sentiment translates across the board...not a better song written about the freedom and innocence of youth in my memory.
One of my favorite songs of all time by one of my favorite bands of all time. Saw them twice in concert. Met Cindy Toth in a record store in Jacksonville, FL and she was just the nicest. She was just shopping for records but made time to chat it up with me and my friend. Such good times.
Pure indy rock... with a chorus as grand as any stadium rock anthem. That's meant as a compliment!
Brilliant is an understatement
I fell in love with Zeitgeist in 1985/86 when I heard the song Things Don't Change. And there were several good songs on that first album. But Star Telegram was and still is one of my favorite songs ever.
Same with me.
My army buddies and I would go see them at Liberty Lunch. Surreal how time flies. Thanks for posting an all time favorite for so many reasons!
Liberty Lunch...so many great shows.
If you're looking at me
If you watch me make my way
I hope you're proud of what you see
Takes me back to good times. Love her smooth soothing voice. Heavenly.
This has got to be the most nostalgic song of all time.
This is one of my top 10 albums of all time. Just beautiful.
I saw them at a club in Austin around 87-88 timeframe on UT campus. That was a cool show. Maybe 100 or so people there. What a great band.
I had all but forgotten about the Reivers. I was trying to remember who did the alternative version of Lazy Afternoon, then I finally came across them again. Now I remember this album and Star Telegram. Thanks so much for posting!
What is wrong with 3 people that could make them dislike this?!
Love this song to death. I was a child when I first listened to it. I am now 38 years old. Still love the song all all they do.
Name another song with discombobulate in the lyrics. 😉 Lucky to say I saw them play at 9:30 Club in DC in '89 (at least I think it was that year).
Brilliant song. I saw them a few times at the liberty lunch. When I was in the army. Very fond memories, thank you Reivers.
thanks for posting this! TOTALLY takes my back to college days....
I have all the music, but never saw them live after over 3 in years in Texas. One of my great losses in my life.
I am sincerely sorry that you missed them. They were great on stage, and, like, real people off it...
I miss them
This is a brilliant song...
just so good
Nice song and memories that echo mine. :-)
such awesome.
"in those golden mustang days..."
Great stuff. I stumbled onto this by accident somewhere around 89/90ish. I had just thought about pulling this disc out for a spin the other day, when a friend posted this on FB and reminded me. Wish I had had the chance to catch them live.
I have worked for the Star Telegram in Fort Worth Texas for 22 years and never heard this song until today. Very cool song. Very sad day for the Star Telegram as they will cease printing the paper locally after this weekend. They had been printing the paper in Fort Worth since 1906. The printing will be out sourced to the Dallas Morning News whose printing plant is in Plano Texas.
Damn 80's snare so high in the mix but otherwise absolutely gorgeous.
I think it's "backyard SOFA..." It's about Fort Worth, Texas; it's dry enough that you can have a sofa in your back yard. :-)
Backyard Sulphur. It's something you treat the lawn with to kill fleas and ticks, and other creepy cralwers.
Me, when I hear "backyard sulphur," I think of the well water that smelled of sulphur at my grandparents' house....which is where my brain goes every time I hear this song.
@@redred6544 Thanks for this! While I've loved Zeitgeist/The Reivers for decades, I never knew what "backyard sulphur" meant.
great stuff!
One cool ass song!
Nice !
Sounds like Chevy Chase DC, June, 1961
Hi Mark it's Paul.
What. A. Good. Band. 😅. Too. Bad. No. Airplay. John d