Cat Power - Lived In Bars

The first time I heard this song, I liked it, but didn't really pay attention. Then I listened a little more intently to the lyrics and whoa...knowing a small bit about the background of this "comeback" record, it's very sad and positive at the same time. Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) was in a bad, bad place before this record was made. Pretty much on the verge killing herself through alcohol until a friend saved her life (very similar to the lyrics). But, the girl is good to go now and never better, and this song to me speaks about being at the bottom and then coming back to life.

I love how it's a somber song in the beginning. Starts out slow, kind of like a memory. Kind of presenting itself as though, "yeah, I remember the hard times, those were the dregs...drowning myself away." They busted down the door and rescued her (the last, little destructive bit incurred) and that's the very last bad memory (couldn't get any worse). And then, right at the end, the tempo picks up and it becomes more of a "I'm in a better place now" song. Stating "yeah, I lived in bars and danced on tables, those crazy, turbulent times! But, now I'm better and I'm moving on and getting out of here.

The Memphis Rhythm Band was the backing band on the album "The Greatest" and can be seen in this clip. They toured with her in support of the album. Check out the "official video" after this live clip. (embedded below the lyrics)



we've lived in bars
and danced on the tables
hotels trains and ships that sail
we swim with sharks
and fly with aeroplanes in the air

send in the trumpets
the marching wheelchairs
open the blankets and give them some air
swords and arches bones and cement
the light and the dark of the innocent of men

we know your house so very well
and we will wake you once we've walked up
all your stairs

there's nothing like living in a bottle
and nothing like ending it all for the world
we're so glad you will come back
every living lion will lay in your lap

the kid has a homecoming the champion the horse
who's gonna play drums guitar or organ with chorus
as far as we've walked from both of ends of the sand
never have we caught a glimpse of this man

we know your house so very well
and we will bust down your door if you're not there

we've lived in bars
and danced on tables
hotels trains and ships that sail
we swim with sharks
and fly with aeroplanes out of here
out of here