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Joe Ely — Boxcars
Album: Joe Ely
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1535









Released: 1977
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well I gave all my money to the banker this month
Now I got no more money to spend
She smiled when she saw me comin' through that door
When I left she said, "Come back again."
I watched them lonesome boxcar wheels
Turnin' down the tracks out of town
And it's on that lonesome railroad track
I'm gonna lay my burden down.

I was raised on a farm the first years of my life
Life was pretty good they say
I'll probably live to be some ripe ol' age
If death'll stay out of my way
This world can take my money and time
But it sure can't take my soul
I'm goin' down to the railroad tracks
Watch them lonesome boxcars roll

There's some big ol' Buicks at the Baptist church
Caddilacs at the Church of Christ
I parked my camel by an ol' haystack
I'll be lookin for that needle all night
There ain't gonna be no radial tires
Turnin' down the streets of gold
I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
And watch them lonesome boxcars roll

Now if you ever heard the whistle on a fast freight train
Beatin' out a beautiful tune
If you ever seen the cold blue railroad tracks
Shinin' by the light of the moon
If you ever felt the locomotive shake the ground
I know you don't have to be told
Why I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
And watch them lonesome boxcars roll.

Yeah, I'm goin down to the railroad tracks
Watch them lonesome boxcars roll
Comments (128)add comment
 ezzyme wrote:

Much credit to this classic recorded in 1977!

it still sounds fresh today!
c.

Much credit to this classic recorded in 1977!
 eyke wrote:

Throw in Jimmie Dale Gilmore and you'll have the Flatlanders, another excellent group.

I must concur wholeheartedly.
 C_Lockhart wrote:

Written by Butch Hancock, worth seeking out his work as well.


Throw in Jimmie Dale Gilmore and you'll have the Flatlanders, another excellent group.
rating is higher for the lyrics...I can hear the distant train whistle now
was thinking this was a tribute to Hank Williams or Townes van Zandt and thank the post that names the writer - Butch Hancock - will look into his other music
I listen to country and bluegrass, raised on the stuff but this is new to me. Once again, big thx Bill
OH Wow! Once again RP introduces to me music I've never heard, and I love it!
 cc_rider wrote:
Glad you like it - you might notice it was released in 1978 (!!) Way, way, WAY ahead of its time.
Lubbock has produced a surprising number of highly influential songwriters.
c.



I honestly don't understand what was so ahead of its time about this. Every piece of art or anything else takes place when it does. Looking back, it's possible to see how one piece influenced others that came later. But when looked at clearly, this phrase means nothing, unless one has access to a time traveling option. Then, I suppose it's possible to insert a piece that is truly ahead of its time. This could explain a lot, but I actually don't think so.
 Jayesea wrote:

First time hearing this song (thanks once again, RP).  Fantastic stuff.  I really dig the bassline on it.

Glad you like it - you might notice it was released in 1978 (!!) Way, way, WAY ahead of its time.
Lubbock has produced a surprising number of highly influential songwriters.
c.

First time hearing this song (thanks once again, RP).  Fantastic stuff.  I really dig the bassline on it.
Personally, I hear more blues than country in this song. Maybe blues from a white guy in Texas ends up sounding vaguely "country?" Either way, I like it. Then again, I generally fall down on the "blues" side of the blues or jazz spectrum.
First listen and loving it. 8 for now.
Fuzzed-out slide guitar on pre-alt-country gold?  Here's an 8!
Never heard of him until this minute. 7. Why I listen to RP.
 oldfart48 wrote:

this ain't " country" it is Americana, or rock and roll. " listen to a " country " station you shure as hell wont hear this....{#Eek}
 
You should give 'KGID' a try. Tiny little station in Giddings TX, also on the interwebs. It doesn't get more country than KGID, but the breadth and depth of their catalog is incredible. And yes, they play Joe Ely. And Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Merle, Loretta, Charlie (Daniels and Pride),  Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb...
c.
Ah, a Flatlander! 
Most Excellent        :o)         Connecticut  
a hole in the universe was ripped
by strings and cords
and the ghost of dead
cowboys and poets
waltzed in

Dr. Strangelove
Bumped it up to nine.  looking for that needle all night.  in Happyland?
Written by Butch Hancock, worth seeking out his work as well.
Joe who? Arlo? Coming into Los Ange-leees. 

 
The second song from this guy today. Enough already! {#Stop}{#Stop}{#Stop}
A little railroad boxcar theme, eh? Nice!
Most excellent
An oft-overlooked Texas treasure.
 ïœ«mazzy wrote:
Just upped my rating with listening to the playing at the end. Good stuff!
 
I just did the exact same thing.  Up to 8 for the instrumental riffs! 
Just upped my rating with listening to the playing at the end. Good stuff!
 oldfart48 wrote:

this ain't " country" it is Americana, or rock and roll. " listen to a " country " station you shure as hell wont hear this....{#Eek}

 
That is quite true...the people who jump to the defense of country music here never seem to have actually listened to a country station...
 jpfueler wrote:
I really dislike what passes for country on mainstream radio these days, and generally most country leaves me cold with only a few exceptions.
But Bill sure knows what to best intersperse into his playlist to make me like far more than I thought I did.

 
this ain't " country" it is Americana, or rock and roll. " listen to a " country " station you shure as hell wont hear this....{#Eek}
 dig wrote:
What is not to like about this song? Lyrics, melody, instrumentation, Rock. Easy 9.

 

good ear....
 oldsaxon wrote:

He sings better than I do.

 

yep.....
 ziakut wrote:
I guess we are in the 'guys that rock and sway but can't sing well' playlist showcase.

 
He sings better than I do.
love this! 
 lkovathana wrote:
A song for these times ...

 
It is, isn't it? Kind of sad, really. The more things change, the more they stay the same...
What is not to like about this song? Lyrics, melody, instrumentation, Rock. Easy 9.
Another song that I'd love to know how they got that massive guitar tone. Cool bass line, too.
I guess we are in the 'guys that rock and sway but can't sing well' playlist showcase.
Love hearing Joe Ely on RP. He's been a fixture of the Austin scene forever, which makes some of the comments seem funny.

This still sounds fresh, and relevant, all these years on...
had to turn up the amp...did that with the last song, too...any more of this and my valves will burn
Nice combining with the previous Eilen Jewell "Dusty bocar wall"! While listening to it, I was thinking of this great Joe Ely song...
I really dislike what passes for country on mainstream radio these days, and generally most country leaves me cold with only a few exceptions.
But Bill sure knows what to best intersperse into his playlist to make me like far more than I thought I did.
 RocknAustin wrote:
Joe puts on a rock'n gooood show.  Catch him if you can!
 
Cool - thanks for the tip!  Love this song.  I just checked and what do you know?  He will be playing Seattle on Nov 21!  At the Triple Door no less, excellent small venue.

Me like a lot. Had not heard before. Thank you!

{#Clap}
Wow, this is one of the best songs I've never heard... till now. Great meld of storytelling and musicianship.

A song for these times ...
Saw him in 1989 at Fitzgeralds in oak park il. great show!!
Oh my. Memories of the Armadillo and Austin in the day~!! 
I just love Joe Ely ... so very underrated.
Joe puts on a rock'n gooood show.  Catch him if you can!
 KitKat wrote:
"Gave all my money to the bankers this morning..."?  So - almost - appropriate.  We're on the verge of giving all of our unborn descendants' money to the bankers!  Say hello to the boxcar, kids!

 
Quite. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose {#Frown}
 mvanderford60 wrote:
Godlike live - David Grissom on guitar, Bobby Keys on sax - best shows ever. Written by Butch Hancock - but Joe does it right.

"There ain't gonna be no radial tires runnin down the streets of gold . . ."

Definitely Church of Joe
 
They have been playing each others' songs so long, they admit sometimes they forget who wrote them. Not sure if that's true or not, but seeing The Flatlanders play is a magical experience.

 blotto wrote:
Is this song on True Blood or something. Sounds familiar.
 
I know, right?!  Every time I hear this song I think of Jace Everett's "Bad Things".  I am shocked to see this song is from 1978 — timeless and modern sounding.

so now i get psyched any time i hear the eilen jewell song because i know joe ely is coming up next!
Godlike live - David Grissom on guitar, Bobby Keys on sax - best shows ever. Written by Butch Hancock - but Joe does it right.

"There ain't gonna be no radial tires runnin down the streets of gold . . ."

Definitely Church of Joe
 KitKat wrote:
"Gave all my money to the bankers this morning..."?  So - almost - appropriate.  We're on the verge of giving all of our unborn descendants' money to the bankers!  Say hello to the boxcar, kids!

 
"still owe money to the money we owe'

Is this song on True Blood or something. Sounds familiar.
Ho Hum
Isn't there something Nick Cave about this guy?  Or...after seeing the release date, something this guy about Nick Cave.

 KitKat wrote:
"Gave all my money to the bankers this morning..."?  So - almost - appropriate.  We're on the verge of giving all of our unborn descendants' money to the bankers!  Say hello to the boxcar, kids!

 

Too late. Already done.
 lmic wrote:
Comin' into Los Angeles...
 
Exactly....

Thanks for a great Sunday afternoon, Bill!!!
Comin' into Los Angeles...
 wrangler wrote:
first time ever hearding this song.  very cool
 
Me, too!

Upped from a 9 to a 10 just now. There is something so very... perfect... about this song.
Amazing sound, it's as fresh today as it was back in 78!
my favorite Joe Ely song of all time (Had My Hopes Up High being a close secon). I have not listened to this in a long time. Great upload.
 liser wrote:
Am I the only one who hears a Bob Dylan song in the background? What IS the name of that song???
 
The Man in the Long Black Coat.
Thanks for playing this song!
Joe Ely is one of my favorire songwriters and preformers, I do live in Texas and have been listening to him for years  thanks RP for bringing him to other people
 jadewahoo wrote:
I HATE COUNTRY WESTERN!
I love this!
It shows the distinction between the pablum/puke choked up by the money-mongering mongrels when they pervert authentic American folk music... and this awesome soulful art.
 
You nailed it, Jade.  C&W we can actually like!  {#Eyes}

And, added bonus, he's cute, too!!!

first time ever hearding this song.  very cool
Don't check my bag if you please, Mr. Banker man...
"Gave all my money to the bankers this morning..."?  So - almost - appropriate.  We're on the verge of giving all of our unborn descendants' money to the bankers!  Say hello to the boxcar, kids!

The music is "Spot On" this morning - I'm enjoying it immensely!  Hadn't heard this song before but it was highly entertaining....Thanks!
lwilkinson wrote:
If you like Joe Ely then try to find The Maines Brothers who had one of many local/state hits (I don't think they ever made it nationally) called Panhandling Man (named after the Texas Panhandle). I'll try to upload it to Bill assuming I can find the vinyl from over 30 years ago. Ely and the Maines (Natalie Maines is blood relative to them) were always noted as exemplifying the West Texas mystique.
Man, the Maines name is part of the DNA of the West TX sound! Lloyd is still very active, but these folks had an influence on Buddy Holley, Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely, Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and on and on. Not to mention the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, is Lloyd's daughter! Talk about your musical families!
Yahoo!!! Joe Ely! :) Never heard this one, but I recognized his voice in an instant! :^D Thanks Bill! (I was just talking about having seen the Flatlanders at Floore's Country Store not long ago, with Kelly Willis opening. What a night!)
If you like Joe Ely then try to find The Maines Brothers who had one of many local/state hits (I don't think they ever made it nationally) called Panhandling Man (named after the Texas Panhandle). I'll try to upload it to Bill assuming I can find the vinyl from over 30 years ago. Ely and the Maines (Natalie Maines is blood relative to them) were always noted as exemplifying the West Texas mystique.
lwilkinson wrote:
Nope. In his own way better than Cash but same as. I lived in Lubbock in West Texas for a time and he'd play at honky-tonks there and was a regular at the Annual Tornado Jam in Lubbock and was always a crowd favorite. If you listen to his lyrics some of them speak to the problems of life in cattle, agriculture, cotton and the ever present problems of drought and greedy bankers.
Worked the one in '82 dubbed the mud fest. What a mess... I think I still have a bolo tie with the TF logo on it.
nigelr wrote:
Could stand to study Johnny Cash a little more closely, lacks soul for mine.
Nope. In his own way better than Cash but same as. I lived in Lubbock in West Texas for a time and he'd play at honky-tonks there and was a regular at the Annual Tornado Jam in Lubbock and was always a crowd favorite. If you listen to his lyrics some of them speak to the problems of life in cattle, agriculture, cotton and the ever present problems of drought and greedy bankers.
His version of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's Dallas is classic!
Could stand to study Johnny Cash a little more closely, lacks soul for mine.
Dang... but this song gets me moving! Love it!
That was a seamless transition....I thought it was the same song.
I like BOTH kinds of music: Country AND Western If you dig Joe Ely, check out: Butch Hancock Jimmy Dale Gilmore The Flatlanders (Joe, Butch and Jimmy) Also, in no particular order: Townes Van Zandt Jerry Jeff Walker Gary P. Nunn Guy Clark Billy Joe Shaver Blaze Foley The Flatlanders made their first album in 1972 (!!). Roundly rejected by the C&W establishment. It only took them 30 years to make their sophomore effort. c.
so cool...
jadewahoo wrote:
I HATE COUNTRY WESTERN! I love this! It shows the distinction between the pablum/puke choked up by the money-mongering mongrels when they pervert authentic American folk music... and this awesome soulful art.
YES! I've always said "Country Western Music" was an oxymoron, but this is great!!!
I HATE COUNTRY WESTERN! I love this! It shows the distinction between the pablum/puke choked up by the money-mongering mongrels when they pervert authentic American folk music... and this awesome soulful art.
Am I the only one who hears a Bob Dylan song in the background? What IS the name of that song???
I can definitely dig it...more Joe please. If y'all are ever in town I know of a small place he frequently visits, come on by and I'll show you.
In the past couple of years, Radio Paradise has introduced me to literally hundreds of songs I hadn't known, and now love. Of those, this is the one I love the most. And that coda! It takes all the greatness of the song to that point and doubles it.
cc_rider wrote:
Joe, Butch, Jimmie Dale, and the rest of the Lubbock gang are all fantastic: great songwriters, performers, and people.
yes indeed!
peyotecoyote wrote:
This one's not bad but I really dig his song about a fighting cock named Gaillo del Ciello or something like that. We (my daughter and I) get a kick out of that song every time we hear it.
'Gallo' (pr. guy-o) is 'rooster' en espanol. I love that song too; so sad though. Joe, Butch, Jimmie Dale, and the rest of the Lubbock gang are all fantastic: great songwriters, performers, and people. c.
Doesn't look like he gets much play on RP. Judging from the remarks, he should be getting more. He and the rest of the Flatlanders are worth listening to.
Missed Joe. Great stuff.
nothing better than sly ely!!! A true optimist is an accordian player....with a beeper!!
olsaltybastard wrote:
Pretty cool without being too twangy (is that a word?)
It is most definitely a word down here. I'm not a big Joe Ely fan but it is nice to hear him occassionaly.
Love the rippin' guitar at the end..
Now if you ever heard the whistle on a fast freight train Beatin' out a beautiful tune If you ever seen the cold blue railroad tracks Shinin' by the light of the moon If you ever felt the locomotive shake the ground I know you don't have to be told Why I'm goin down to the railroad tracks And watch them lonesome boxcars roll.
Pretty cool without being too twangy (is that a word?)
More Joe Ely! Please! One of Austin's FINEST...
I just upped my ante to a 9. I heard the first few strains of this song and something in me went YES! and turned up the volume.
This one's not bad but I really dig his song about a fighting cock named Gaillo del Ciello or something like that. We (my daughter and I) get a kick out of that song every time we hear it.
Hey! I like this!
More Joe Ely and Flatlanders please!
good stuff he has that johnny cash draw in his voice
Personally I prefer the "Live Shots" version, but this'll do. Had the good fortune to see Joe with this version of his band many times. They consistently smoked.
Baby_M wrote:
Ooooooh . . . I like this. Thank you, RP.
Me too! Once again, TY RP!
I like Joe Ely, not crazy about this song though. Love his "Live at Liberty Lunch" album.
Ooooooh . . . I like this. Thank you, RP.
I'd enjoy this so much more if not for the overbearing electric guitar.
First heard Ely on Austin City Limits. Fantastic singer/song writer who has managed to stay far below radar for too long. Huge potential for country/rock cross-over hits but seems relegated to obscurity. Even with the current "alt-rock" movement (whatever that is) few people seem to recognize the name. Kudos RP.!!
Joe Ely is one of the best live performers I've ever seen. This song is really compelling and soulful.
Tizmself wrote:
RP continues to introduce me to wonderful artists and tunes.
This rocks! Not as familiar with Joe Ely as I'd like, but this is great!
Good song, but the Rosie Flores version is even better.
Not like anybody would care, but... Sort of obscure and the songs don't sound like it... ...but the electric guitar in the background at times sounds a bit like the work Jimmy Page did on the Roy Harper album Jugula. Wonderful stuff... (click here) Man, I love that album...
Great track!! By far my favorite Joe Ely tune, Love the guitar solo. This song can barely contain itself, it's like it's set to explode at any point.