LISTENING IN:Lyle Lovett, That´s Right You´re Not From Texas

The plan was to offer up Lyle Lovett’s “Election Day” today, but beyond the timely title ahead of the US election next week, the lyrics didn’t really fit (not sure what the heck he’s singing about tbh).

Do check out the song on YouTube – there’s an acoustic version with the equally incomparable John Hiatt looking on in the background (I caught their amazing duet tour a couple of years back in Kitchener, Ont.), but in the meantime, here’s the rather more lively “That’s Right You’re Not From Texas” – a tongue-in-cheek tune that dispels some myths about the Lone Star state, and that Lovett is merely a country artist.

Indeed, along with His Large Band swing incarnation here, Lovett (who is from Texas) equally fits into the folk, blues and gospel genres, sometimes all at once (and in evidence here).

The song also demonstrates Julia Roberts’ ex’s supremely dry sense of humour. I don’t care for country, but how could one not love his “She’s Leaving Me Because She Really Wants To,” which distills almost every C&W song ever written into one twangy classic?

Co-written by Lovett, “You’re Not From Texas” comes from the great 1996 album “The Road to Ensenada,” and has also turned up in some Texas tourism ads, with its title coming to symbolize the state’s often quirky, sometimes misunderstood nature.

Stick out the not-too-long guest artist intro, this six-minute performance is worth every second.

– Mike

Lyrics

You say you’re not from Texas
Man as if I couldn’t tell
You think you pull your boots on right
And wear your hat so well.

So pardon me my laughter
‘Cause I sure do understand
Even Moses got excited
When he saw the promised land.

That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

See I was born and raised in Texas
And it means so much to me
Though my girl comes from down in Georgia
We were up in Tennessee.

And as we were driving down the highway
She asked me baby what’s so great
How come you’re always going on
About your Lone Star State.

I said that’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

Oh the road it looked so lovely
As she stood there on the side
And she grew smaller in my mirror
As I watched her wave goodbye.

Those boys from Carolina
They sure enough could sing
But when they came on down to Texas
We all showed them how to swing.

Now David’s on the radio
And old Champ’s still on the guitar
And Uncle Walt he’s home with Heidi
Hiding in her loving arms.

That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

They’re OK in Oklahoma
Up in Arkansas they’re fair
But those old folks in Missouri
They don’t even know you’re there.

But at a dance hall down in Texas
That’s the finest place to be
The women they all look beautiful
And their men will buy your beer for free.

And they’ll say that’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

So won’t you let me help you Mister
Just pull your hat down the way I do
And buy your pants just a little longer
And next time somebody laughs at you.

You just tell ’em you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway.

That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway…