James McMurtry "We Can't Make It Here"
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 12 апр 2012
- musicfog.com James McMurtry performs a song that my be even more relevant now than when he wrote it years ago. Filmed at Threadgill's WHQ in Austin, Texas during the Music Fog Marathon in March, 2012.
Видеоклипы
![mgk - I Think I’m OKAY (with YUNGBLUD) (Sad Version) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7AC1uqQLIg4/mqdefault.jpg)
Dangerous Song even in 2024. Thanks brother.
America's best unknown singer-songwriter.
There is a Country music artist that purports to know small town America. This song is way more truthful than that other one.
This guy is so on target with his lyrics. The modern Dylan, but hey, he's been around a long time. This is the kind of music that SHOULD be played on the airwaves today.
call them...make em play it.
the airwaves are owned by the neocons, not in their interest.
Yep
His father was an great writer also
Man why do people compare mcmurtry or gil scott-heron to Bob Dylan so often? James and gil can sing and play an instrument.
“James McMurtry may be the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation” - Stephen King
This should be replacing all the Shitty songs you hear on the radio today. Makes me cry how truthful it is, and how little people understand. I struggle everyday, and this guy knows it, thanks James.
Bryan Marshall amen
I don't know all the details but it seems hard to believe that he understands exactly how it feels considering that his dad is a millionaire.
I freely admit that in my current situation I know I have that safety net. My folks aren't Larry Mcmurtry rich, but enough that I will never be homeless.
Because despite any money which he may or may not have he is one of U.S.
He moved around the country living between his Mother and Father and experienced life and turmoil among many different groups of people in this Nation.
Wow. 2022 and nothing has changed. Powerful lyrics.
Nearly 20 years later and this song is more relevant than it was when he released it.
@@mmiller1188 um... maybe check your math?
Everything has only gotten worse.
The system is working as intended
2024
That is one hell of a live music performance. I feel bad for anyone who put this on but didn't watch him play the guitar and look at his face when he was singin' those words. So powerful and unfortunately still so damned current.
Continental club brothers
This is spot on. Needs to be played every day across every station
Masterpiece of storytelling - more relevant now than ever.
Part of me has felt like simple old folk music is tired, and then a song like this comes along, pierces me to the core, and shines a brighter light into the darkness than most anything I've heard in a awfully long time. Thank you James, you stoke a fire that needs to become an inferno.
An arrow straight to the heart and soul of this country. Well done!!
Found this guy in 08 , been a huge fan since. Got a chance to see him at The Belly Up in San Diego. Got a chance to talk with him for a few minutes. I was amazed at his intelligence. He makes art from Americana and it flows like wine....
One of the best songs of all time. Have loved this guy for many many years.
I first heard him singing Choctaw Bingo. He’s outstanding.
I can only describe this song as “real.” A real person using his real voice, real language, singing about reality, with real anger and real feeling. Must be what hearing Dylan was first like.
should be the new national anthem for USA
The first time I saw this, I said the same thing!
Hell yeah brother
This should be on the air, on social media, everywhere!!!!! James, you nailed it! Kudos.
It plays regularly on KPIG in Freeedom CA, but KPIG is pretty much unique.
A unacknowledged genius- Better than Bob Dylan in the 60's - as they say if your not outraged, your not paying attention. Thanks
Years on, this song still makes me weep.
Shout out to 100.3 WKIT out of Bangor, Maine! "Stephen King's rock station." My childhood rock station... Played this at least weekly back in the day. James is a huge inspiration on my own songwriting now as a 30 year old metalhead just trying to live life. 🤘 This is such a killer performance
NOT MANY GUYS CAN ENTERTAIN LIKE THIS WITH JUST A VOICE AND GUITAR~~~~~~
Damn striget
One of the best there is. James and his lyrical talent is top tier and so true. The musician part is at the top also. I’ll be going to his show in Whitefish Montana October 22nd 🙌
Seeing him in Seattle on Thursday! Seriously so damn excited to see this show!
3 chords and the truth
Wow
hell yes!!!!!
I will take your word on how many chords, but he is singing God's honest truth.
Jason isbell
This song writing talent is humbling, it blows me away and hits the spot. Thank you.
What I absolutely love about this song is that you know he has sung it tens of thousands times since 1989 and he is still intense believes it love James see him every year he comes thru the bay area...one of the greatest songwriters making music...support him
Now THAT'S folk music!
This is truthful, meaningful; this is music. His voice, the lyrics, and the guitar are true American music. Music is not that good ANYMORE 😢
This guy is so good! We went to hear him live awhile back and enjoyed the hell out of it. He's a real nice guy too.
So good
Brilliance. Thank God there’s still protesters 💜
21st Century Woody Guthrie!
+johnny B Why do you think so? I really don't see the link between them 2...
+K GB Guthrie sang songs that told the truth about the American society and life in the days he lived. I haven't heard truth like his until McMurtry wrote about the underside of our society. He hits the nail on the head.
A particularly powerful version of this song. We need this voice now more than ever.
Love his music......musta got lost in the back yard when I went out to play...
I can't quit watching this...me and the wife both...every word rings too true...
True as gospel and tragic as Hell! Awesome tune brother, you are a visionary!
James is frankly wonderful
Every album an absolute treat
Great great great
Basedest song ever.
amazed by his ability to hold the audience - all with some good lyrics and 12 string mastery!
Best Video of this song EVER!!
EVERYONE should listen to this powerful song❤️🙏✌️... thank you from NSW Aus...
Does anyone else see the Billy Connolly resemblance?!😆
Ha! Now that you mention it, yes!
I propose that this be the new national anthem.
A true American Artist.
February 29, 2024. Google maps just mistakenly led me to a hospital that closed. Needed to hear this song. Fantastic man, writer, singer and songwriter! BEST AND PEACE
Nod of approval, from deed in the Appalachia rust belt.
Right on!
A Realists Song.....No hiding words right to the point...Couldn't ask for anything more...Great Song.
Wow, what a Visionary poet still as relevant 35 years later. Great Music, great Man, made in America. Brilliant ! Thank you for sharing your Music James !
"2023" we aren't making it, we're taking it. Got to change
Beautiful song and very true full lyrics.
Fredo Marinela you are so true
First I've heard of James and damn... just, damn... thank you.
We are fortunate to have him @ continental club...rockit James from ATX
If I wasn't already grown up & beaten down by life, I would aspire to testify like jmcmurtry...
This helps me when I'm down sometimes. Just listen to this masterpiece and forget all your worries!
watching this again....
masterpiece
James is a prophetic poet.
Couldn't describe Altoona Pennsylvania and Tyrone Pennsylvania any better.
I "hate the men that sent our jobs away" too....great song.......
One of the best!
GREAT SONG!!!!
And the people that need to see this never do.
Looking forward to seeing James live this Friday.Been a fan since I got turned on to his music back in the mid-nineties.
Love Love Love! Sad but truth wrote & sang by an extraordinary man. P.B.F.H.
great song and a damn good soundin 12 string...
That’s a tune right there, boys.
I swear we’re related I have your last name, my father served in ww2 with his brother, there father my grandpa, who I never met served in ww1. And it took me a long time to wake up but know I see. And I’m willing to die for my faith in Jesus, and my family and this country. If it be Gods will.
Excellent indeed!!! Right on!! Sad, but so true.
Really great! This song is great! Thank you James
" Vietnam Vet with a cardboard sign
Sitting there by the left turn line
Flag on the wheelchair flapping in the breeze
One leg missing, both hands free
No one's paying much mind to him
The V.A. budget's stretched so thin
And there's more comin' home from the Mideast war
We can't make it here anymore ...."
powerful as hell
2021(22 almost) and it's still Relevant!
Here we are ' 24..🔥💯😎🎵❤️
This is so profound. The media today would shit themselves, if it got played on the airwaves in today’s time.
Says it all.
That right there is the shit.
love this guy, delivering the gritty shitty truth, through gritted angry teeth, "i can see 'em now they haunt my dreams all lilly white and squeeky clean.......even i get it and im in the uk
brilliant!
absolutely outstanding!
WOW.
Thank you
Thank you
Great tune bangin on the big fear...as I was studying geology it was stressed early on by a professor-"three things you can always count on--Death, Taxes, and Change..."
Live in hopes lest ye die in despair...
I know this is about the state of the great USA but here in the UK it's just as relevant, powerful thought provoking stuff, hats off.
same policies
James McMurtry, a renowned folk singer based in Virginia, is estimated to have a net worth of $1.3 Million by the year 2023.
Ok first things first, beautifully photographed.
Second, not for nothing, but he looks seriously pissed off. Which is appropriate.
Well done, thanks for posting.
He is pissed! True singer Songwriter.
Reminds me of that bumper sticker--"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention"
Alternate title to this brutally lucid song: “The Death of the American Empire”.
Powerful stuff
Great song
Awesome video and performance. I've seen other videos, and seen him play it live a couple of times, but this one is the best rendition I've seen.
We Can't Make It Here
Song by James McMurtry
Lyrics
There's a Vietnam vet with a cardboard sign
Sitting there by the left turn line
The flag on his wheelchair flapping in the breeze
One leg missing and both hands free
No one's paying much mind to him
The V.A. budget's just stretched so thin
And now there' s more coming back from the Mideast war
We can't make it here anymore
And that big ol' building was the textile mill
That fed our kids and it paid our bills
But they turned us out and they closed the doors
'Cause we can' t make it here anymore
You see those pallets piled up on the loading dock
They're just gonna sit there 'til they rot
'Cause there's nothing to ship, nothing to pack
Just busted concrete and rusted tracks
Empty storefronts around the square
There's a needle in the gutter and glass everywhere
You don't come down here unless you're looking to score
We can't make it here anymore
The bar's still open but man it' s slow
The tip jar's light and the register' s low
The bartender don't have much to say
The regular crowd gets thinner each day
Some have maxed out all their credit cards
Some are working two jobs and living in cars
Minimum wage won't pay for a roof, won't pay for a drink
If you gotta have proof just try it yourself, Mr. CEO
See how far seven and a quarter will go
Take a part time job at one your stores
I bet you can't make it here anymore
There's a high school girl with a bourgeois dream
Just like the pictures in the magazine
She found on the floor of the laundromat
A woman with kids can forget all that
If she comes up pregnant what'll she do
Forget the career and forget about school
Can she live on faith? Live on hope?
High on Jesus or hooked on dope
When it's way too late to just say no
You can't make it here anymore
Now I'm stocking shirts in the Wal-Mart store
Just like the ones we made before
'Cept this one came from Singapore
I guess we can't make it here anymore
Should I hate a people for the shade of their skin
Or the shape of their eyes or the shape I'm in
Should I hate 'em for having our jobs today
No, I hate the men sent the jobs away
I can see them all now, they haunt my dreams
All lily white and squeaky clean
They've never known want, they'll never know need
Their shit don't stink and their kids won't bleed
Their kids won't bleed in their damn little war
And we can't make it here anymore
Will work for food, will die for oil
Will kill for power, and to us the spoils
The billionaires get to pay less tax
The working poor get to fall through the cracks
So let 'em eat jellybeans let 'em eat cake
Let 'em eat shit, whatever it takes
They can join the Air Force or join the Corps
If they can't make it here anymore
So that's how it is, that's what we got
If the president wants to admit it or not
You can read it in the paper, read it on the wall
Hear it on the wind if you're listening at all
Get out of that limo, look us in the eye
Call us on the cell phone, tell us all why
In Dayton, Ohio or Portland, Maine
Or a cotton gin out on the great high plains
That's done closed down, along with the school
And the hospital, and the swimming pool
Dust devils dance in the noonday heat
There's rats in the alley and trash in the street
Gang graffiti on a boxcar door
We can't make it here anymore
Songwriters: James Mcmurtry
We Can't Make It Here lyrics © Short Trip Music
Thanks for this. Sad saga, still too true.
love this song! so true!!
What a great storyteller
6 years later......... I have hope...
Punched me in the gut with that one brother....Some fucking gut level truth. Brutally honest, NO BULLSHIT. I fucking love it. Wake us all up. The plight of the American class that most of us are!
James is pure class.Along with Chris Knight,Mary Gauthier,Chelle Rose.America is so lucky.
TRUTH to POWER... Great that there are singer-songwriters out there paying attention and recording (literally) what they are seeing... Glad to have met James some 25 years ago in a little know town of Waterford, Va, where he lived for a while... Wished I had more time to talk with him... No matter... Great to see folks writing about the real world... I'd recommend Mark Germino's "Rat and the Snake" (might be "Economics") for other songwriters who are standing up to the f'd up deal that most of us are suffering from... Bob
outstanding!
straight to the heart....
Oh mercy. ✌🏻
Very Nice. This is my own "personal" Occupy Anthem for me.
You tell it brother. Sad but it gets truer each day. Bastards that are supposed to mind our 'store' have bought interest in the folks on other soil. What a shame, what a shame.
I'm gonna write James McMurtry in for president this November.