Where I Come From

Taken from "Suitcase 1" 2003

"No sense in arguing
about something you believe in
Can't hope for knowledge, someones good advice
Don't have much money to lay around and grieve in
Better off just keep your mouth shut
Come on boys be nice
You can't hurt me now
I don't know how to cry
But I'm still young

I see the outstretched arms that beckon me
But I can't come
I hear the spoken words that make no sense
Where I come from

Keep everyone happy with county recreation
work 50 hours a week, take out frustrations on the field
put bars and churches on every other corner
nice the working conditions with much better yield
You can't hurt me now
I don't know how to cry
But I'm still young

I feel the stinging truth
The slaps me hard
And makes me numb
I eat the bitter fruit that grows on trees
Where I come from"

Love the gently military drumbeat that pervades that starts this song. This is very early GBV. Where they sounded like early REM. Very tuneful and wistful. This is a gem of a song and any fan of REM would love it. Whatever happened to REM? I remember their last album being crushingly dull and bland.