Since Father’s Day is a day for showing appreciation for our (paternal) mentors, I’ve decided to close it out with what I think of as the greatest “mentor appreciation” song of all time – Green Grass And High Tides by Outlaws:
You might want to crank that thing up!
“Green Grass and High Tides” is a song by the Southern rock band Outlaws. It is the tenth and final track on the band’s debut album, Outlaws. The song is one of their best known, and has received extensive play on album-oriented radio stations, although it was never released as a single. The song is notable for having two extended guitar solos that stretch the song to nearly 10 minutes.
A cover version of the song is playable in the music video game Rock Band, acting as the final song for the guitar’s solo career.
Outlaws founding member Henry Paul told Songfacts that this song is not about marijuana, but about deceased rock and roll luminaries, and the title, he says, was taken from the 1966 “Best Of” collection by the Rolling Stones called Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass):
“From what I gather, there was an album out, the best of The Rolling Stones, called ‘High Tides and Green Grass.’ That was the name of the Rolling Stones’ greatest hits – this is like 1966 – and I think it was a manifestation of that title turned in reverse, ‘Green Grass and High Tides.’ I know that much. And I know that it was a song written for rock and roll illuminaries, from Janis Joplin to Jimi Hendrix, and it had nothing to do with marijuana. But it had to do with, I think, a specific person’s [Thomasson’s] lyrical look at rock and roll legends. ‘As kings and queens bow and play for you.’ It’s about Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. ‘Castles of stone, soul and glory.’ A lot of it is just sort of a collage of words that really don’t have all that much to do with anything, they just fit and sounded right. But I have to say it’s one of my favorite lyrics. My songwriting is more Steinbeck, really rooted in accuracy and reality; this is definitely Alice In Wonderland. It’s the whole ‘White Rabbit.’ It’s sort of like one of those magic lyrical moments that will forever be mysteriously, unclearly conceived.”
“Green Grass and High Tides” was the usual show closer for the Outlaws and the 20 minute+ version can be found on the concert album Bring It Back Alive (1978). The song is mentioned in Molly Hatchet’s song “Gator Country” and was featured on the “Harley Davidson Road Songs” album in 1995.
I want ice water.
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This was lovely! I never heard of this band until now (I know, I’m a cave dweller. tsk tsk!) and I loved the lyrics. Wacky tabacky never crossed my mind as I listened to this but everyone always wants to make a good song about sex or drugs, it seems.
sorry i’ve been absent from your blog…books and vacation have kept me away from blogland! I intend to make it up to you, lovely boy!
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Funny, loco weed never crossed my mind either while listening to this song, at least not until the wackos got to yakking. You know, the guys who bitched about “Puff The Magic Dragon!”
Speaking as one who get lost quite frequently, I wouldn’t dare complain about your absence – though I may weep about it a bit. 😥
Never worry about it though my friend, because I know full well who “The Tickers of My Tock” are! 😉
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OMG, you ARE the Sweetest Man on Earth! I am overflowing with happiness and blushing the red of Rincewind’s last redhead post. You are one charming dude, you know that? Thanks for forgiving me, as you always do. You’d make the perfect spouse. Virtual hugs, kisses and even tears back attcha! 🙂
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You know, I’d think so too MZ. Unfortunately, my ex would beg to differ! 😯
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Your ex was not for you, that’s why she’s the ex.
Aiming a flaming arrow of love your way!
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Hey, take care with those “flaming arrows!” I’m a guy that tends to reflexively catch everything with his heart! 😯
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Me, too. Don’t despair, my aim is true. I love everything you’ve shared and that you’re such a fantastic wit. My quiver is never empty and my supply of corny comments is neverending!
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Fear not, dear lady, for I can imagine much worse than a “flaming arrow to the heart” from the lovely MoreZenNow! As for my “fantastic wit,” I owe that to temporarily being in the “up” side of the long sinusoidal wave my depression runs in, and a friggin hunk-o-junk PC that forces me to write everything in the very classy Google Docs editor! 🙄
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Let’s hope this phase lasts a long,long,long time! And your hunk-o-junk follows suit!
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Sweet dreams are made of these, and who am I to disagree? 😀
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Stop or I’m gonna catch fire again!
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Poor girl! Don’t you know better than to conjure up visions of steaming hoochie when conversing with the Devil? Light My Fire! 😈
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I hardly think you rank with the likes of Satan! You’re just a normal bloke who is a big flirt!
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Allow me to rephrase that to “a devil.” I may bemuse, and occasionally befuddle, but a Bedazzler I definitely am not. Flirting (by remote) is about as dangerous as I get, having been voted “the guy most likely to be bedazzled” many times over! 😯
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Ha Ha! That movie was about me…geek of the year! I’m like you, Mak. I must have got lucky to have a few frogs fall my way but at least I’ve landed a prince now. Or maybe the devil did make me sign that contract and I’m headed to hell after all?
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No doubt we’re all going down in this burning ship MZ. But I guess we should make the best of a bad situation. I say breakout the grahams, marshmallows, and chocolate. S’mores anyone? 😆
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oh my, please u2, get a hotel room… 😀
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Oh, if only my friend…
Apparently, the lady is immune to my Remote Sending (as opposed to Remote Sensing) techniques!
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great song though, will have to search for some more now…
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Thanks. I’m glad you liked it. The only other song by them that I know I’ve heard before is Ghost Riders in the Sky, which as been done by a LOT of people. Here’s the Outlaws version:
And, of course, the Spiderbait cover for the movie:
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Great post dude, wall pt. 2 up on mine
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I saw that! Been meaning to drop by… 😳
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