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Lucinda Williams — Righteously
Album: World Without Tears
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1820









Released: 2003
Length: 4:32
Plays (last 30 days): 3
You don't have to prove
Your manhood to me constantly
I know you're the man can't you see
I love you Righteously

Why you wanna dis' me
After the way you been kissin' me
After those pretty things you say
And the love we made today

When you run your hand
All up and run it back down my leg
Get excited and bite my neck
Get me all worked up like that

Think this through
I laid it down for you everytime
Respect me I give you what's mine
You're entirely way too fine

Arms around my waist
You get a taste of how good this can be
Be the man you ought to tenderly
Stand up for me

Flirt with me don't keep hurtin' me
Don't cause me pain
Be my lover don't play no game
Just play me John Coltrane

(repeat)
Comments (274)add comment
Saw her this week in Paris and it was just thrilling and moving. A true rock'n'roll heart.
 pigonline wrote:

What is all this crap about whether her accent is real or not? What kind of criterion is that? She has a twang, so what? And, if she intensifies it here, it's for a purpose. Besides which, if you haven't heard people who talk like this then you don't get out of the city enough, southern or northern. Does the song seem repetitive--well, ever had your heart broke? The pain IS repetitive. Listen to the poetry of the pounding, repetitive lyrics, and feel the visceral angst. Gawd, I get so sick of the smug, docrinaire, pseudosophisticate shit that people throw out here sometimes. And pardon my accent.


I agree with you mostly, but she over-uses the twang at the end of a rhyme is annoying. It's like she's being sarcastic or making fun of someone else...

Hope this is not more sickening "pseudosophisticate shit" for you. 
c’mon folks, this ain’t only a 6.6 rating … it’s at least an 8 …. Maybe 9!
excellent use of the distortion pedal
 Relayer wrote:

Someone is really killing it with the guitar work.  Nice!



It could be her or Doug Pettibone, they play guitar in that album
 Screature wrote:

So many of you out there should do a little dugs or have a drink, or take a day and go to the beach or something. Anything to chill out, take the stick out of your a**es, relax and stop being so nitpicking. I can't believe anybody would put Lucinda down because she sings with a twang!! How about seeing the forest for the trees and realize that she is one of the greatest singer song writers of her genre and has been for the last decade and a half. Geeshh!!!!

Not to mention, her being a LA southern gal, there's little doubt there's anything fake about her "twang"! 

 Rockit9 wrote:

I wonder if she was a loose Linda?

You ain't right. 

 Kingsized wrote:

Sexy as hell. End of story. 

And, bet she kinda still is, even at 70! Seems southern life has a way 'a doin that!! 

 On_The_Beach wrote:

Great song, artist and guitar work.
Why all the hate?

100%!!!  For me, this lady could sing the phone book, and make it sound good! Somewhat familiar with LA lifestyle, I'd have to guess, she's living as comfortable a life as one could want, given her locale. Ahh.... Southern life.... 🥰😎😁

Guitars sounds very good. Good voice. 8 ! 
 Skydog wrote:

you gotta stop talking to yourself
at least out loud


Bravo! 

The last group bigots still feel obliged to disparage: poor white folks.
This should be minimum 8!
Would be interesting to hear this track with the vocals deleted...think I'd like it a whole bunch more...
 Kingsized wrote:

Sexy as hell. End of story. 


And a great singer
Sexy as hell. End of story. 
 timmus wrote:

After those pretty things you say
And the love we made today
Someone's gonna tell you lies
Cut you down to size...
Don't do me like that
Don't do me like that


much better
 hanssachs wrote:

I just can't abide her vocals ... they just don't do it for me.



is it her "accent?" because that's my issue.  it seems to get more enhanced/pronounced with each song. not my bag either.
 Sobient wrote:
White country trash. Get rid of this garbage!


What a brainless d@@k
seems a lot of folks don't know a kick arse track when they hear one.   I suggest popping ones head down the toilet for a few minutes then having another listen .  AND Doug Pettibone is an absolute killer guitar player and backing vocalist 
I just can't abide her vocals ... they just don't do it for me.
great guitar 
Lousy song. 
 Grammarcop wrote:
Flirt with me don't keep hurtin' me
Don't cause me pain
Be my lover don't play no game
Just play me John Coltrane

Coltrane. The fashionable name to be dropped by musicians who otherwise know nothing about jazz. 



Coltrane also rhymes with who cares.
Generally not a Lucinda fan...but per Kingsized's comment - guitar work (that bass rocks!....and the lead shreds in a very "laid-back" fashion) carries it to a solid 8 for me.
Dropping a 10 on this one. Sexy as hell and that guitar work is penetrating. Also, lends itself to day-drinking in a dark pool hall. 

After those pretty things you say
And the love we made today
Someone's gonna tell you lies
Cut you down to size...
Don't do me like that
Don't do me like that
Painfully brilliant! Love Lucinda!!! whooooo
Painful
Today Bill played this as a followup to "So Long Marianne" by Leonard Cohen.  Isn't that great? In 60 years of close radio listening I don't think I have ever heard a more brilliant segue.  Only Bill could have come up with it, but it's perfect.
in the words of a KPIG DJ
"I'm all sticky"

such a smoking little number with a huge blues guitar.....
all I hear is Sympathy for the Devil too - s really bad version
This sucks.
 DaidyBoy wrote:

I don't get her either.  My loss.

This just sounds like a crib of the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" to my ears, untrained though they are.

As mentioned earlier, I'm happy to PSD and move on.


this one of hers I don't mind. Others are painful
Unstated vocals and searing guitar: delicious!
"Just play me John Coltrane".  Thank you Lucinda.  Love it.
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Ms. Williams earned two Grammy Award nominations with this album.  'Best Contemporary Folk Album', and 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for the track, 'Righteously'.
Doug Pettibone on Guitar.




 
He must still be judging by the sound of her new stuff.  i went straight to the comments to see if someone posted who was on lead.  i knew a RP fan had me covered.  Thanks!




 jnhashmi wrote:
One of those artists I just don't get. This is just awful. 1.
 
I don't get her either.  My loss.

This just sounds like a crib of the Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" to my ears, untrained though they are.

As mentioned earlier, I'm happy to PSD and move on.
One of those artists I just don't get. This is just awful. 1.
lovely seeing the words
Ms. Williams earned two Grammy Award nominations with this album.  'Best Contemporary Folk Album', and 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for the track, 'Righteously'.
Doug Pettibone on Guitar.




Awesome Guitar!
I dig it.  Sexy lyric.  Great guitar and bass work.

All you haters, just hit the PSD, and move on.
Crystal Gale said Linda's voice sound like a "rusty trailer hitch".  She meant it as a compliment. 
Holy shit. I like this so much. Blazing guitar the bass and her voice.
I wonder if she was a loose Linda?
 sqqqrly wrote:
Coltrane up next??
 
+1 to 7 on this one today, just cuz of the Coltrane line...Long Live RP and musical references within music selections BillG plays prompting music suggestions!  
uh oh...another +1 for neck biting lyric...call it an 8
Lucinda Rocks.. 
brava Lucinda bel ritmo
Coltrane up next??
 Screature wrote:
So many of you out there should do a little dugs or have a drink, or take a day and go to the beach or something. Anything to chill out, take the stick out of your a**es, relax and stop being so nitpicking. I can't believe anybody would put Lucinda down because she sings with a twang!! How about seeing the forest for the trees and realize that she is one of the greatest singer song writers of her genre and has been for the last decade and a half. Geeshh!!!!
 
Just say no to dugs.  I love Lucinda.
Best thing she ever recorded.
One Of My Favorite Sexy Lyrics : 

When you run your hand
All up and run it back down my leg
Get excited and bite my neck
Get me all worked up like that
If you ever get the chance you have to hear and see  this performed live; the guitar is just magical
Damn.  This is mighty fine.

FWIW, I was born in Rome, Georgia, and my accent has come and gone depending on where I lived and the accents around me.  And -- like any Southerner worth a nickel -- I can wind it up really tight if necessary.
 jackie0 wrote:
Disclaimer - I'm southern, and I love southern accents. 
So why does hers bother me then? 
I think because it's not authentic ....  this flat appalachian 'a' repeated-rhythmic-percussive thing, like she had just watched "O Brother Where Art Thou?". 
She's sitting down with her manager, and her manager is saying, "Lucinda, you can fill this niche, you can OWN this niche."  And so she tries.  That's partly why it doesn't sound authentic.  She tries too hard. 
 

I guess being born in Loozianna (about as Southern as you can get) entitles her to speak with a Southern accent, no?  I love her stuff.  Thanks to RP for introducing me to her!
 h8rhater wrote:

And how is it that you know that Lucinda knows nothing of John Coltrane?  The answer, of course, being that you don't.

Per Lucinda from a 2018 interview:  "Though she rarely displayed it in public, Williams had a secret love for jazz that paralleled Charles Lloyd’s love for Americana. “When I was growing up,” she says, “my dad listened to Hank Williams, but he also listened to Coltrane, Miles, Chet Baker and Dinah Washington. As an adult, I listened to Coltrane’s Ballads, Joao Gilberto, Latin music and all that. With my band, we recorded this primal, slowed-down, scary version of a Frank Sinatra song, ‘The Summer Wind,’ for that TV show Ozark. Afterward I said, ‘I want to do a whole album of this stuff.’”

...the more you know.


 
Okay, so maybe that post wasn't one of my greatest hits. That said I think the point remains true: I believe some musicians/composers drop Cotrane's name only because of his iconic status and don't otherwise know much about him or his music.

Here is a partial list of artists who have used Coltrane's name in a song: Bow Thayer, Cowboy Junkies, The Dream Syndicate, Eric Burdon and War, Earth Wind & Fire, Sheryl Crow, Mae Moore, Michael Franks, Gil Scott-Heron, Primitive Radio Gods, Uncle Kracker, Bon Jovi, Therapy? U2, Elvis Costello, Ian Drury and the Blockheads, Damon Albarn, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Gang Star, Jamie Cullum...

Gil Scott-Heron is above reproach. Others on that list?  I have my suspicions.

Please, prove me wrong!
 Zoonhollis wrote:
I generally am not a fan of country, but this song has a hook a mile wide.
 
Country?? Son this ain't country, don't recall a Coltrane reference in any country song. But you are right about that hook!
I generally am not a fan of country, but this song has a hook a mile wide.
 Relayer wrote:
 
 
Doug Pettibone.  Awesome player.  And I don't use that word lightly
 rgio wrote:
Originally Posted by hcg11: This song has definately grown on me the more I hear it. I didn't like it at all the first few time, but I just love the rawness to her voice. Plus, I'm a big fan of her past work. She's amazing live.
I am the complete opposite: seemed OK the first few times, but wouldn't worry about never hearing it again. To me, the "raw" you mention seems like she's overplaying "her sound".
 
I rated this a 2, and thought to myself...did I leave a comment?  16 years between comments on this song.  Giving it a 3 for longevity (on both our parts).
 Grammarcop wrote:
Flirt with me don't keep hurtin' me
Don't cause me pain
Be my lover don't play no game
Just play me John Coltrane

Coltrane. The fashionable name to be dropped by musicians who otherwise know nothing about jazz. 
 
And how is it that you know that Lucinda knows nothing of John Coltrane?  The answer, of course, being that you don't.

Per Lucinda from a 2018 interview:  "Though she rarely displayed it in public, Williams had a secret love for jazz that paralleled Charles Lloyd’s love for Americana. “When I was growing up,” she says, “my dad listened to Hank Williams, but he also listened to Coltrane, Miles, Chet Baker and Dinah Washington. As an adult, I listened to Coltrane’s Ballads, Joao Gilberto, Latin music and all that. With my band, we recorded this primal, slowed-down, scary version of a Frank Sinatra song, ‘The Summer Wind,’ for that TV show Ozark. Afterward I said, ‘I want to do a whole album of this stuff.’”

...the more you know.


 Relayer wrote:
 
 
Indeed.  If it was any hotter it would be burning down the house...


 Grammarcop wrote:
Flirt with me don't keep hurtin' me
Don't cause me pain
Be my lover don't play no game
Just play me John Coltrane

Coltrane. The fashionable name to be dropped by musicians who otherwise know nothing about jazz. 
 
Or people that know nothing about Lucinda Williams.
Someone is really killing it with the guitar work.  Nice!
Flirt with me don't keep hurtin' me
Don't cause me pain
Be my lover don't play no game
Just play me John Coltrane

Coltrane. The fashionable name to be dropped by musicians who otherwise know nothing about jazz. 
This one has an untamed charm to it, easy 8 from your friendly boyeee
Love it, Country rap? I hope not. Clever song, excellent album,  great guitar.
9 --> 10 because of all the ignorant comments on this thread.
 mread wrote:
The lyrics say, basically, "don't treat me like a slut." The sound of the song, however, says the opposite.
 
HA!  Yeah....the sound basically says (to me) "Come over here I'll SHOW you some  Coltrane!"   
Great song, artist and guitar work.
Why all the hate?
Take the gum out of your mouth before you sing
 jackie0 wrote:
Disclaimer - I'm southern, and I love southern accents. 
So why does hers bother me then? 
I think because it's not authentic ....  this flat appalachian 'a' repeated-rhythmic-percussive thing, like she had just watched "O Brother Where Art Thou?". 
She's sitting down with her manager, and her manager is saying, "Lucinda, you can fill this niche, you can OWN this niche."  And so she tries.  That's partly why it doesn't sound authentic.  She tries too hard. 

 
True that! 

Manager: Lucinda, I gotta fever, and the only cure is more diphthong!
 Sobient wrote:
White country trash. Get rid of this garbage!

 
12 year old comment and still true as ever.....
Disclaimer - I'm southern, and I love southern accents. 
So why does hers bother me then? 
I think because it's not authentic ....  this flat appalachian 'a' repeated-rhythmic-percussive thing, like she had just watched "O Brother Where Art Thou?". 
She's sitting down with her manager, and her manager is saying, "Lucinda, you can fill this niche, you can OWN this niche."  And so she tries.  That's partly why it doesn't sound authentic.  She tries too hard. 
The jam, the lyrics and the delivery are all smokin' hot. Ya'll just bein' ignrnt'.
 gmichaelt wrote:
...is there anything really wrong with employing elements as molecular as accents, or as atomic as individual words, with accent, from an arbitrary sub-culture or sub-group of society — so long as it's done systematically?
 
It's funny, I was just thinking that the other day.
house on haunted hill
Gritty great song! Love Lucinda! 

I made this comment on her song "Are You Down" yesterday. It applies here as well.

Music: pretty cool. Lyrics: dumb.


 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Dang, this is a fair song but she has GOT to knock of that stupid affected accent! Eesh.
 
Does she ever drop it inadvertently? If not, then there's a chance that, as accents go, this one is idiosyncratic, no? Even otherwise, is there anything really wrong with employing elements as molecular as accents, or as atomic as individual words, with accent, from an arbitrary sub-culture or sub-group of society — so long as it's done systematically?
 Skydog wrote:
you gotta stop talking to yourself
at least out loud
 
snigger!
 Bert7 wrote:
Hey Lucinda, speak english...

 
She and Mick are drawing from the same well.
WTF is this? And how long will it be until I hear it in its entirety?
It may be an authentic accent, but it is not an appealing one.
 Duc1098 wrote:
Shocking to see the disparaging remarks. Lucinda is authentic, righteous, and an icon of American roots music.
 
Agreed. Everyone has a right to their own music preferences and if Lucinda's not for you that's fine. However, those who criticize her accent as inauthentic might be surprised to learn that:

"Williams was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the daughter of poet and literature professor Miller Williams and an amateur pianist, Lucille Fern Day. (...) Her father worked as a visiting professor in Mexico and different parts of the United States, including Baton RougeNew OrleansJackson, Mississippi; and Utah before settling at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville."

Wikipedia: Lucinda Williams, Early life

Peace
Whoa!  I just had RP in the background, and this was going and going and I was just DRAGGED over here by some amazing force.  I dunno what it is about her, or this song, but I'm diggin it to death!  

I rebelled against my parents' country music in the south for a buncha years, and probably would have hated it back then, but I thoroughly enjoy older country, with its powerful memories, and she does this to me.  Not a fan of most new country, but mannnnnnnnnn. Thanks for continuing to turn us on to awesome music all day long!
 Sobient wrote:

White country trash. Get rid of this garbage!

 
you gotta stop talking to yourself
at least out loud
I am southern, and this is not a southern accent.  Regardless, this accent thing she has going here is like scraping fake nails across a blackboard.  
The anticipation of having to hear this is enough to get me sprinting across the room for the PSD button. As to whether the production aspect is good or not, I have no idea, as I cannot get past the accent 'thing'.  

 
I am southern, and this is not a southern accent, it's something she came up with.  It's like some strange birdsong with a rhythmic repeating appalachian flat A signature sound. Unlike the yellow breasted chat, one hearing is enough. 

 
Shocking to see the disparaging remarks. Lucinda is authentic, righteous, and an icon of American roots music.
Dang, this is a fair song but she has GOT to knock of that stupid affected accent! Eesh.
love this track and Doug's guitar.
Hey Lucinda, speak english...
Sorry, It is not better, in my opinion, Technically speaking, the production sound of the album is truly clean and high quality (which is not always the case in productions of neglected today). What seems to me that you ought to be mentioned is "one face and acoustic effect", spontaneity and improvisation, which gives live performances, which I prefer and I am enthusiastic, although, we must say, the process of recording live sound requires large, sophisticated technical resources, to be similar to a studio album (if the producer is responsible). For example, the guitar solo L.W. recorded live, has shortcomings and noise on hearing.I like both recordings. I appreciate the great Lady-rocker L.W. for its natural and irreverent tone, wild and rustic singing and playing, Shes rocks. Me and L.W. we are almost the same age, and listen to your songs is like going through the land, nature, the sky cleared and the fields cultivated, finished seeding, of the lands of my grandparents.


 dynamo_humm wrote:
the live version is way better
 


the live version is way better
ploafmaster wrote:
You know, maybe it can be about the accent, in this context. Yes, other singers affect accents not their own, but for some reason, in this context, in this way, Lucinda just makes me want to break stuff. I don't have to have an objective reason for that. I just don't like it.
I'd rather hear an American Idol hopeful sing this...
You know, maybe it can be about the accent, in this context. Yes, other singers affect accents not their own, but for some reason, in this context, in this way, Lucinda just makes me want to break stuff. I don't have to have an objective reason for that. I just don't like it.
Didn't know a song could get worse with each successive listen.
Anyone fighting the urge to go "woooh woooh"?
acatamongus wrote:
It's not just the accent, it's the whole song that annoys me. Sorry. I try to be open-minded. I guess it's just another of those songs that you either lover or hate.
There's nothing wrong with 'simply loving/hating a song'. You're not less open-minded if you simply just don't like this song
It's not just the accent, it's the whole song that annoys me. Sorry. I try to be open-minded. I guess it's just another of those songs that you either lover or hate.
MysticMilt wrote:
It's not a matter of attacking how she talks. In this song it's an affectation, rather than her actual speech pattern.
What's wrong with that? Why isn't she allowed te experiment a bit? Every singer does it, more or less, nobody sings in the same way he/she normally speaks. In singing there is always a bit of over-acting. In general I don't get a lot of the comments for this song. It's gezeik! (Sorry, I don't know the English equivalent at the moment )
Chunk wrote:
Geez, give the accent a break. This is the last place I would expect people to be so superficial in their judgment of music. Personally, I think this is great. Great lyrics, great music, great vocals. It all fits together to create a sultry kind of mood. Makes me miss my special lady friend. Very cool stuff.
2 years later , and your still absolutly right!
Hey I'm likin this "twang"!!
dionysius wrote:
...and the quite literate daughter of an English professor, who writes lovely and well-crafted songs with a (Southern, indeed) literary bent. So, who's the trash that must be gotten rid of here?
And she plays guitar too! Righteously, in fact!
I'd like to see Bill play some Coltrane right after this song. Might be kinda corny, but still cool.
Sobient wrote:
White country trash. Get rid of this garbage!
...and the quite literate daughter of an English professor, who writes lovely and well-crafted songs with a (Southern, indeed) literary bent. So, who's the trash that must be gotten rid of here?
White country trash. Get rid of this garbage!
PLEASE PLAY A LOT MORE LUCINDA WILLIAMS !
sqqqrly wrote:
I like the twang! At least she is interesting....
Have seen her in concert a couple of times. She's not bad on the eyes either. :)
I like the twang! At least she is interesting....
good music, bad singing. She's forcing it. Some may like it, but certain words she says makes the hair on my neck stand up, in a bad way. eck
Nope. Can't like it. Tried. But can't. Just can't stand the elongated pronunciation of words ending in "ing" or "aing"... It's annoyingggggggggg
I like it. Like her exaggerated accent. Love the Neil Youngish distorted guitar as well.
Is this twang fake or what? It sounds fake or forced to fit the rhyming structure I like the beat, session musicians are awsome but the lyrics sound fake and forced Silly sounding and no I dont have a stick up my A**
So many of you out there should do a little dugs or have a drink, or take a day and go to the beach or something. Anything to chill out, take the stick out of your a**es, relax and stop being so nitpicking. I can't believe anybody would put Lucinda down because she sings with a twang!! How about seeing the forest for the trees and realize that she is one of the greatest singer song writers of her genre and has been for the last decade and a half. Geeshh!!!!
mread wrote:
The lyrics say, basically, "don't treat me like a slut." The sound of the song, however, says the opposite.
A friend of mine, after I loaned her 'Essence,' said, 'Anna, when I listen to that it makes me blush.' Exactly. (Of course! 'John Coltrane' I could never quite figure out what she was singing....)
brighthue wrote:
It's not just the sex or the smoky voice, it's the guitar and the mention of Coltrane... I gave it a '7.' If you don't like this tune, you have a right to your opinion.
What they said.
What's with all the talk about her accent? She's from Louisiana! She has a Southern accent that I assume she comes by naturally.
Gregorama wrote:
Hey, Did anybody ever notice that when, like, the Beatles sing, or the Stones sing, that they don't always sound British? Did anybody ever bitch at Jagger for not really being from the South, when he was drivin' through Bay-kuhs-feey-uld one Sunday Mo' nin, listen't ta Gospel Music on the Raydio Stayshun? He had a Far Away accent. So what if Lucinda does or doesn't have an accent? Tip your hat to that Lady, son. She makes great music. Her band is great and this is a great song.
I think the difference is whether the artist sounds authentic or not. Lucinda just sounds sloppy to me, like she's trying to do an accent after tying one on. I don't have much respect for that kind of thing...it's just annoying.
susafina wrote:
Sounds like Mick Jagger doing a Lucinda Williams impression...
Doing a Mr. Garrison impression. Mmmm...Kay.