"Life Is Sweet"- Maria McKee

[enigmatic]

One of my all-time favorite songs from the past 10 or so years. Everything comes together on this; moving lyrics, a spare but powerful arrangement driven by Maria's ragged but ready guitar, and of course, her fabulous, supple voice.

I've always had a crush on her, and this song sealed it for me..

This one is for the girl who says she’s unlucky in love
You deserve to have the world at your feet
And if one person, one man could be enough
Then I wish it could be me
I wish it could be me

This one is for the boy whose daddy never had the time for him
Wish I could build you a little house for you to hide in
And give you back your summers
I’d give you back all your summers
You still have summers

Life is sweet life is sweet life is sweet
Bittersweet
And the days keep rollin’ along

This one is for the girl who says those voices in her head
Never leave her alone
Don’t listen to your teacher, you’re not crazy
Just smarter than the rest of them
Paint a picture, write a song
Tell your story, bang a gong

Life is sweet life is sweet life is sweet
Bittersweet
And the days keep rollin’ along
Rollin’ along

This one is for the boy who’s not allowed to be part of the gang
You don’t need those losers I think you’re beautiful
And you meet a girl and you fall in love and it doesn’t work out
Well it won’t be the first time and they don’t make a cure for that
So you eat your breakfast, read a book
Open up your window, be alone

Life is sweet life is sweet life is sweet
Bittersweet
And the days keep rollin’ along
Rollin’ along....

[driver8]

1. I don't know that one...but Maria McKee is sweet!

I've always had a thing for her, and I love her voice!

[enigmatic]

3. It's her best song

There's 2 recorded versions; the one on the "Life Is Sweet" album is the supierior version to the "High Dive" version, IMO. The whole "Life Is Sweet" album is her best work, I think; very raw..

[driver8]

4. I am going to check it out. Any more recommendations?

I'm always looking for new music.

[enigmatic]

7. You have all night? LOL!

I can't shut up about music:)

Try Richmond Fontaine is you haven't heard of them; I think they are the best band in North America right now:

http://www.richmondfontaine.com/

Richard Buckner is probably the best songwriter alive; "Devotion + Doubt" is a masterpiece:

http://www.richardbuckner.com/

That'll start you off; let me know and I'll give you some more!

[driver8]

19. Muchas Gracias!! I will check them out,

[Heidi]

2. That's lovely, enigmatic.

I especially like this part: "This one is for the boy who’s not allowed to be part of the gang
You don’t need those losers I think you’re beautiful."

[enigmatic]

5. Aren't the lyrics touching?

I wish I had this song to listen to when I was 11 or so; it's speaks about alot of what my life was at that time..

[Heidi]

6. Boy, don't I know it.

Wish I'd had it, too, but I did have Janis Ian's "At Seventeen," and that helped a little. I was sort of an inside-outsider, if that makes any sense. :shrug:

[enigmatic]

8. yep, I understand

I was an outcast among outcasts, and although it got better as the years went on to a degree, I never really let anyone in past a certain point to my heart..

[WCGreen]

12. I use to get howling drunk at the moon and come home

with out a woman and play Janis Ian at Seventeen,,,,

I don't Like Monday's and then, The River by Bruce ....

Now that would put me in a mood....

Throw in ELP Father Christmas and a little


These three or four songs would glide me into a sleep landing, take away the pain of another insane night.....

[In_The_Wind]

9. I don't know if I've ever heard anything by Maria McKee.

after reading the words to this song ... I'm gonna change that very soon


thanks ~ enigmatic

[enigmatic]

10. She's great

She started out in Lone Justice, which was one of the first cowpunk bands in the early 80's; although their albums were fine, she really hit her stride as a solo artist. Her "Maria McKee" album is great too, and her live version of "Wichita Lineman" (sounding like it was recorded at a Ramada Inn Lounge!)is really haunting..

[In_The_Wind]

17. OK ... so I may have heard her and not remembered her name.

I've always been very bad with remembering names as DU is finding out ( like when I recently told GOPisEVIL that I was looking forward to meeting him )


but back to music ... I just rearranged my bedroom this past weekend ... now I can listen to my stereo all night without the risk of Frodo's ears having a blow-out ... it's been especially wonderful for me the past few nights ... I already had a CD shopping trip in mind and I'm thinking that I should make a list before I try to bring home the entire store

[WCGreen]

11. Shelter. You may have heard that one....

[In_The_Wind]

18. *bells ringing* *light-bulbs turning on*

I may have heard it but unless you can hum a few bars for me I won't know for sure till I'm in the music section of Barnes & Nobel, ... if I decide to venture into a store again. I've grown to dislike shopping so much that I do most of it on-line.

[WCGreen]

13. Hey E, who did that song Euro Trash Girl

[enigmatic]

14. Cracker!

Another great band: ineed to put some stuff by them on my show tomorrow..

[WCGreen]

15. That makes sense.... Thanks.....

[enigmatic]

16. For those who have Quicktime

Here's an acoustic version of Maria performing "Life Is Sweet"; it's a great performance..

http://www.mixedbagradio.com/movies/MariaMcKee.html