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Michelle Shocked — Anchorage
Album: Short Sharp Shocked
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 234









Released: 1988
Length: 3:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I took time out to write to my old friend
I walked across that burning bridge
Mailed my letter off to Dallas
But her reply came from Anchorage, Alaska

She said:
"Hey girl, it's about time you wrote
It's been over two years you know, my old friend
Take me back to the days of the foreign telegrams
And the all-night rock and rollin'... hey Shell
We was wild then

Hey Shell, you know it's kind of funny
Texas always seemed so big
But you know you're in the largest state in the union
When you're anchored down in Anchorage

Hey Girl, I think the last time I saw you
Was on me and Leroy's wedding day
What was the name of that love song they played?
I forgot how it goes
I don't recall how it goes

Anchorage
Anchored down in Anchorage

Leroy got a better job so we moved
Kevin lost a tooth now he's started school
I got a brand new eight month old baby girl
I sound like a housewife
Hey Shell, I think I'm a housewife

Hey Girl, what's it like to be in New York?
New York City - imagine that!
Tell me, what's it like to be a skateboard punk rocker?

Leroy says "Send a picture"
Leroy says "Hello"
Leroy says "Oh, keep on rocking, girl"
"yeah, keep on rocking"

Hey Shell, you know it's kind of funny
Texas always seemed so big
But you know you're in the largest state in the union
When you're anchored down in Anchorage
Oh, Anchorage
Anchored down in Anchorage
Oh, Anchorage
Comments (37)add comment
 Queue wrote:
anyone else hearing "Levelland"?

 
a response 8 years later: given that this song predates "Leveland", the comment should be posted on that song's page. good call though.
Posted 8 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
i had a chance to dance with her at antoine's in austin
me shy
oh well

here's to you michelle sharp shocked {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Wave}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
anyone else hearing "Levelland"?
Posted 16 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Beautiful day in Anchorage today.  Clear and a million and upper 30's.

Posted 16 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
You should have heard her at Tin Pan South .. whoa ... awesome and that's an understatement.
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Always loved this album.
Posted 16 years ago by sonofpick    [ Reply ]
I'm so surprised there's so much rancor for these lyrics. I view it as a sweet, real slice-of-life song, about two friends who took different paths, but still have a connection. I've got a friend that I picture every time I hear this song, and can imagine us communicating like that. I always smile when I hear this song - I'm sorry there are those so cynical that they can't!
Posted 16 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
When I worked for WRNR in Annapolis the station owner told me that I could bring anyone for an interview except for Michelle Shocked because "she swears on air".
Posted 16 years ago by davidyoull    [ Reply ]
chuck_flacks wrote:
A rarity for RP! Whatever happened to Michelle Shocked? She seemed so promising in the late 80's early 90s. Anyone know?
MS Bio: (click here)
Posted 16 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
Wasn't this song originally done by a band called Aztec-Two Step back in 1972?
Posted 17 years ago by rconlon    [ Reply ]
Love Michelle Shocked. There is some Photo-John RP synchronicity right now because about one minute ago I was looking up her profile page on MySpace so I could add it to my friends list. And she hasn't disappeared. Far from it.
Posted 17 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
She made this great record, then disappeared. Where is she now?
Posted 17 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Hey!! Anchorage!
Posted 17 years ago by diseasedyak    [ Reply ]
ScottishWillie wrote:
By the way the album cover shown at the top of the page (which I assume a re-release) is a crop of the original photograph. Without seeing the original full size picture you don't get the point of the image as the newer crop makes no sense. What possessed the graphic designer to only use this small section and not the excellent original photograph is completely beyond me. I'm sorry that I don't have the web skills or I would post both side by side so you can see the difference.
You're right, whoever messed with the album cover didn't know what they were doing. Oh, I see someone beat me to it.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
Here ya go... ScottishWillie wrote:
Personally I never thought Michelle was taking a pop at housewives. I always assumed that this was a song was about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. Housewife's think being a artist is attractive and artist thinks housewives are lucky in having stability, a partner, a family, and a home. By the way the album cover shown at the top of the page (which I assume a re-release) is a crop of the original photograph. Without seeing the original full size picture you don't get the point of the image as the newer crop makes no sense. What possessed the graphic designer to only use this small section and not the excellent original photograph is completely beyond me. I'm sorry that I don't have the web skills or I would post both side by side so you can see the difference.
Posted 17 years ago by Radio_Man    [ Reply ]
Personally I never thought Michelle was taking a pop at housewives. I always assumed that this was a song was about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. Housewife's think being a artist is attractive and artist thinks housewives are lucky in having stability, a partner, a family, and a home. By the way the album cover shown at the top of the page (which I assume a re-release) is a crop of the original photograph. Without seeing the original full size picture you don't get the point of the image as the newer crop makes no sense. What possessed the graphic designer to only use this small section and not the excellent original photograph is completely beyond me. I'm sorry that I don't have the web skills or I would post both side by side so you can see the difference.
Posted 17 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
The song reminds me of my dear departed friend Victoria Jo ... something about the relationship between the two friends ... I miss you girl. Every day.
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
I never liked that Leroy!
Posted 17 years ago by pattiecovert    [ Reply ]
camarkim wrote:
Something about this song really bugged me. Can't exactly figure out why, but mostly the lyrics resonated in a negative way, especially the part where she is lamenting being a housewife while her friend is in NY being a punk skateboarder or some such nonsense. I guess I don't like people who complain about their situations...
As others have said, you've completely misunderstood the song. Try listening more closely.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
I remember this song....An early Anne DiFranco? with a country twist.
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
pregister wrote:
Ok, I'm responding to a post from 2004, but oh well. I never got that feeling from this song. To me, its two old friends catching up on each others life. The friend is content in Anchorage with her husband and two kids. Michelle and the friend started at some common ground, ended up at different places, are both happy, and still share a bond. Makes me feel good. ;) Lyrics. Leroy got a better job so we moved Kevin lost a tooth, now he's starting school I got a brand new eight month old baby girl I sound like a housewife Hey Chel, I think I'm a housewife quote> I agree. I liked this bit--sounds incredulous. I was just writing a letter to my best friend from high school and commenting on how it's so strange that she and another friend are both married and each have a kid. How did we grow up?
Posted 17 years ago by KSTrillian    [ Reply ]
I love this woman. See her live and experience a brilliant musician, a gifted songwriter, and a pure voice.
Posted 17 years ago by yellowfly    [ Reply ]
I sound like a housewife I think I'm a housewife I love this song.
Posted 17 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
A rarity for RP! Whatever happened to Michelle Shocked? She seemed so promising in the late 80's early 90s. Anyone know?
Posted 17 years ago by chuck_flacks    [ Reply ]
camarkim wrote:
Something about this song really bugged me. Can't exactly figure out why, but mostly the lyrics resonated in a negative way, especially the part where she is lamenting being a housewife while her friend is in NY being a punk skateboarder or some such nonsense. I guess I don't like people who complain about their situations...
Ok, I'm responding to a post from 2004, but oh well. I never got that feeling from this song. To me, its two old friends catching up on each others life. The friend is content in Anchorage with her husband and two kids. Michelle and the friend started at some common ground, ended up at different places, are both happy, and still share a bond. Makes me feel good. ;) Lyrics. I took the time to write to my old friend I walked across that burning bridge I mailed my letter off to Dallas but Her reply came from Anchorage, Alaska She said Hey girl its about time you wrote Its been over two years now my old friend Take me back to the days of the foreign telegrams And the all night rock'n rollin' hey Chel We was wild then Hey Chel you know its kinda funny Texas always seems so big But you know you're in the largest State in the Union When you're anchored down in Anchorage Hey girl I think the last time I saw you Was on me and Leroys wedding day What was the name of that Love song you played? I forgot how it goes I dont recall how it goes Leroy got a better job so we moved Kevin lost a tooth, now he's starting school I got a brand new eight month old baby girl I sound like a housewife Hey Chel, I think I'm a housewife Hey girl whats it like to be in New York New York City imagine that Whats it like to be a skateboard punk rocker Leroy says send a picture Leroy says hello Leroy says keep on rocking girl Yeh keep on rocking
Posted 18 years ago by pregister    [ Reply ]
camarkim wrote:
Something about this song really bugged me. Can't exactly figure out why, but mostly the lyrics resonated in a negative way, especially the part where she is lamenting being a housewife while her friend is in NY being a punk skateboarder or some such nonsense. I guess I don't like people who complain about their situations...
Don't get that take from it. I think we all live vicariously through friends doing different things, but that does not necessarily mean we are dissatisfied with our own existence. She does say her NYC friend should "keep on rocking, girl." And she seems, to me, to be saying she is content to be anchored down in Anchorage, and that surprises her But maybe not . . . certainly the word "anchor" carries with it negative connotations.
Posted 19 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
It sounded nice at first. Then I noticed the music was basically 10 notes played over and over and over and over. And the lyrics are totally inane. "I'm a housewife. Texas is the biggest state in the union."
Posted 19 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
This was the first Michelle Shocked song I ever heard, I was hooked! I love the narative style of the song. I don't think its all that negative of a song, it just reflects the realities of the decisions we make in life --- one person gets married, another pursues a dream of being a successful performer. Its very honest.
Posted 19 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
Something about this song really bugged me. Can't exactly figure out why, but mostly the lyrics resonated in a negative way, especially the part where she is lamenting being a housewife while her friend is in NY being a punk skateboarder or some such nonsense. I guess I don't like people who complain about their situations...
Posted 19 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
badabumm wrote:
hmmm, doesn't make me happy, this one... Gives you the impression that life becomes a lot more average after your teenage-hood and I don't like the taste of that oooh, I hear a midlife crisis knocking at my door :p
Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but.......
Posted 20 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Great song. Michelle is in the process of going back and remastering/reissuing her back catalogue. Just picked up Arkansas Traveler, which is a fantastic CD, off of her website. This song is not off of that CD, but has the same sort of "feel" to it.
Posted 20 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
If you want to play anything off of "Kind-Hearted Woman," I certainly wouldn't object :) --d
Posted 20 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
hmmm, doesn\'t make me happy, this one... Gives you the impression that life becomes a lot more average after your teenage-hood and I don\'t like the taste of that oooh, I hear a midlife crisis knocking at my door :p
Posted 22 years ago by badabumm    [ Reply ]
A great song. Please play more Shocked.
Posted 22 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
Ahhh... *yawn* Booriiiiing!
Posted 22 years ago by Gonzo    [ Reply ]