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Cowboy Junkies — Highway Kind
Album: Poet - a tribute to Townes Van Zandt
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 967









Released: 2001
Length: 5:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
My days, they are the highway kind
They only come to leave
But the leavin' I don't mind
It's the comin' that I crave.
Pour the sun upon the ground
Stand to throw a shadow
Watch it too into a night
And fill the spinnin' sky.

Time among the pine trees
It felt like breath of air
Usually I just walk these streets
And tell myself to care.
Sometimes I believe me
And sometimes I don't hear.
Sometimes the shape I'm in
Won't let me go.

Well, I don't know too much for true
But my heart knows how to pound
My legs know how to love someone
My voice knows how to sound.
Shame that it's not enough
Shame that it is a shame.
Follow the circle down
Where would you be?

You're the only one I want now
I never heard your name.
Let's hope we meet some day
If we don't it's all the same.
I'll meet the ones between us,
And be thinkin' 'bout you
And all the places I have seen
And why you were not there.
Comments (93)add comment
Great song!!
 MrsTom wrote:

Crikey - cheer up love!

To be fair, it's a Townes Van Zandt song: not exactly a feel-good songwriter. Well-suited to the Timminses style though.
c.

The songs are alright once in a while but don't waste your money seeing them live..... I live in Margo's hood and the stage presence the whole ensemble can put you to sleep in a fempto second. Nobody moves. But on the up side the sound at Meaford Hall is pretty fine.
think this is as good a band as any to do a tribute to Townes Van Zandt, but a bunch of them would have been interesting, too. Lyle Lovett did several tunes beautifully
Never understand all this cowboy junkies hate, beck is a lot more deserving of it
Crikey - cheer up love!
 Antochius wrote:
Deep thoughts from up north.

...

OK I'm done. I have to go and shovel my driveway with a hockey stick. Then I'll have some bacon poutine with maple syrup sauce and guzzle a case of two-four eh. Tabarnac!
 
Hope things go better this winter.
Saw these guys in Chicago in the 90s.... having  a root canal would've been a better time!
Well they're junkies and I don't know what they're taking but may I suggest to take something more stimulating once in a while!
Forgive me, but is it possible that the Cowboy Junkies are just a tad over-played on RP?
Like the Junkies but the harmonica is too much.   Sounds like someone practicing.
Years comatose more like
Love the junkies
Years active 1986–present  OMFG 
Yawn...PSD, take me away!
 ciarataylor wrote:
DEATH please cometh. To stop this song.
 
The song would go on, but the bitching would stop.
Father I want to kill you.  Mother I want to...
DEATH please cometh. To stop this song.
 Feghoot wrote:
Still suffering from lack of imagine and the "don't exceed 1/2 of an octave" syndrome.

 
Say no more, say no more.
 Bobert_ParkCity wrote:

ease up, pavlov.

 
Wonder where Laz went? Haven't seen any comments from him lately. 
7 up to 8 for me. Moody and beautiful.
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all across the holy moly world like B.F. Skinner...  we love this splendiferous song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

 
ease up, pavlov.
harmonica reminds me of catherine wheel.
Everybody in my alien space craft be dancing buck naked and cross-eyed like Willy Shakes...  we love this splendiferous song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll... time flies when we're having fun...
One mans excellent is another mans poo. 

This is poo.
GREAT BAND for sure!

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all across the holy moly world like B.F. Skinner...  we love this splendiferous song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
 icemang wrote:

Great band for a suicide party. Can't take them any more, it all sounds the same now. They should have disbanded after "Sweet Jane".

 

You are my hero, could not have said it better myself.{#Cheers} I actually thought that they should have been brought up for criminal charges for Sweet Jane, but our prisons are full enough I suppose.
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
The thing is, you know what you're getting with the 'Junkies. No middle ground. 

 

True dat. Which is why I have arranged my life to never have the misfortune of even accidentally hearing anything from them.{#Stop}
Reminds me of the sound of the Talk Talk album Garden of Eden
The thing is, you know what you're getting with the 'Junkies. No middle ground. 
 Stingray wrote:
GREAT BAND!
 
Great band for a suicide party. Can't take them any more, it all sounds the same now. They should have disbanded after "Sweet Jane".
GREAT BAND!
Not bad...but doesn't move much. Sounds a bit like filler from a good band. I've heard much worse from better bands...so...I'll take it.
If you like Townes Van Zandt stuff you GOTTA get the newer one with Steve Earle doing his stuff.  It's FANTASTIC.  the Junkies don't do this song any real justice though.  I agree, Lyle Lovett nails it!

Deep thoughts from up north.
I was listening from another room and thought this song was OK...
Didn't notice the painful harmonica that much either...
I think Pale Sun Crescent Moon is a great album also...
Some call Emmylou Harris' voice "haunting"... I find it quite depressing but I listen to it anyway(what's wrong with me?)...
Come to think of it most country music is either depressing or really annoying...

I'm Canadian(French Canadian) We have a singer/songwriter named Richard Desjardins. In 1990 he wrote what was IMHO one of the best albums of that decade. He has a very nasal voice and can be quite depressing at times also...

OK I'm done. I have to go and shovel my driveway with a hockey stick. Then I'll have some bacon poutine with maple syrup sauce and guzzle a case of two-four eh. Tabarnac!



Cowboy Junkies - "sings Townes Van Zant" Live in New York (1998):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcCorisnQ5A


{#High-five}

Subtlety is a bitch that most people don't understand or care to get to know.


I really like some of their songs but it seems the bulk of their stuff all sounds pretty much the same and this one falls into that category.
Still suffering from lack of imagine and the "don't exceed 1/2 of an octave" syndrome.
 Lonestar wrote:


Don't mess with Canadians, they are not all smiles and Maple Syrup.
 

Um . . . Hello?  Hockey goons!  {#Roflol}
Here at the Sleepy-Time Drifters Hollow, we imbue sorrow and sadness into our aged beef and cheddar sandwiches.  Please feel free to come on by and by all means drop a quarter in the dusty juke, then settle into the sun and the cracked leather couch for some dreamy Zzzzz.
 kazuma wrote:

I actually saw Cowboy Junkies and Townes on a double bill once. Townes was the opening act (no justice in the world ) and he gave what was probably the most compelling solo performance I've ever seen. Then the Cowboy Junkies (the act I came to see) came out and bored the hell out of me.

Huge mistake for them to follow Townes. Where his performance was rich with substance and almost terrifyingly real at times, the Junkies in comparison seemed so thin as to be nearly transparent.

I appreciate the tribute (and I suspect that, as admirers of his work, the Junkies may have asked for Townes to open for them here in Austin), but I'd much rather hear Townes do this song.

 

Not a huge mistake—a way for CJ to pay tribute to Townes.  Last time I saw CJ, Margo mentioned how honored they were to have been able to share the stage with Townes.  They know full well how great Townes is—moreso than you & I do, I dare say.  I don't mean to stir up a stink, as I'm sure you & I are pretty much on the same page, Kazuma.

Namaste as I wanna be,

FL


I'm not really a Junkies fan but this one has a nice burn to it.
Don't really dig them, but according to the songs they cover, they share my tastes.
kazuma wrote:
I appreciate the tribute (and I suspect that, as admirers of his work, the Junkies may have asked for Townes to open for them here in Austin), but I'd much rather hear Townes do this song.
I can appreciate that comment. I like the Junkies but I love TVZ alone with his guitar and self-deprecating wit. I only wish i had the chance to see him.
Lonestar wrote:
Don't mess with Canadians, they are not all smiles and Maple Syrup.
I sure found that out
Play "Horse in the Country"!
FlatCat wrote:
Is that a harmonica. Physically painful, at least on my headphones.
get some new ones
Is that a harmonica. Physically painful, at least on my headphones.
RobK wrote:
Ya, that really isn't one of their best. I think most fans would agree. If you're willing to try again, I would recommend Pale Sun Crescent Moon. That album amazes me with how good it is. If you don't like that one, give up. Oh and I forgot to mention Black Eyed Man. That may be even better and it's a big time fan favorite.
cool. thanx for the advice.
bowiefreak wrote:
Uhmmm...MILES FROM OUR HOME. Traded it back within a week. It was REALLY SUCKY (not just KINDA SUCKY)
Ya, that really isn't one of their best. I think most fans would agree. If you're willing to try again, I would recommend Pale Sun Crescent Moon. That album amazes me with how good it is. If you don't like that one, give up. Oh and I forgot to mention Black Eyed Man. That may be even better and it's a big time fan favorite.
RobK wrote:
What album did you get? I'm curious is you picked a bad one or if you just don't have an ear for good music. BTW, I don't like their cover of this great Townes Van Zandt song. Lyle Lovett's blows it away.
Uhmmm...MILES FROM OUR HOME. Traded it back within a week. It was REALLY SUCKY (not just KINDA SUCKY)
bowiefreak wrote:
Yeah, went to lala.com to trade for one of their albums after hearing a song on rp. Good radio filler material, good band name, but need more heroin to make it through the whole album... Perfectly insipid music, the type of which you come to expect on VH1 or the like.
What album did you get? I'm curious is you picked a bad one or if you just don't have an ear for good music. BTW, I don't like their cover of this great Townes Van Zandt song. Lyle Lovett's blows it away.
Yeah, went to lala.com to trade for one of their albums after hearing a song on rp. Good radio filler material, good band name, but need more heroin to make it through the whole album... Perfectly insipid music, the type of which you come to expect on VH1 or the like.
rah wrote:
i'm so bored of this band.
Then go on to sleep and let us enjoy. No snoring now.
Mmmm...fits my perfectly mood today.
i'm so bored of this band.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
At first I thought this was a good follow up to Chris Isaak - it has a bit of the brooding guitar so often found in Isaak's songs, but this is not a longing-for-love feel so much as a dirge
Bit erm, boring.
Lyle Lovett's version of this song simply CANNOT be topped...it is beyond anything.
When I'm in the mood for heroin music I usually put on Mazzy Star.
hahaha! especially ones that carry hockey sticks :) Lonestar wrote:
Don't mess with Canadians, they are not all smiles and Maple Syrup.
Purchased this album . . . Want my money back . . .
stickers11 wrote:
Enough with the deconstuctive blues/alt country whatever it is...
Don't mess with Canadians, they are not all smiles and Maple Syrup.
Enough with the deconstuctive blues/alt country whatever it is...
Typesbad wrote:
The Cowboy Junkies and Townes really do seem to be a perfect match.
I actually saw Cowboy Junkies and Townes on a double bill once. Townes was the opening act (no justice in the world ) and he gave what was probably the most compelling solo performance I've ever seen. Then the Cowboy Junkies (the act I came to see) came out and bored the hell out of me. Huge mistake for them to follow Townes. Where his performance was rich with substance and almost terrifyingly real at times, the Junkies in comparison seemed so thin as to be nearly transparent. I appreciate the tribute (and I suspect that, as admirers of his work, the Junkies may have asked for Townes to open for them here in Austin), but I'd much rather hear Townes do this song.
These chaps are almost invariably no better than reasonable.
OOUUCHHH! this is giving me headache, seriously!
sergeant_x wrote:
Very nice. Lyle Lovett does a great version of this song as well. More Townes please!
It is wonderful to get a new imprint and rendition of a song that is excellent all on its own. Lyle Lovett made it his and Cowboy Junkies do the same.
Like the Harmonica, like the Band. Kinda glad the song finished though.
that harmonica hurt. Too much!
and you still can't spell her name s stickittotheman wrote:
I heart Margot Timmins.
yup excellent match, the junkies and townes ... beautifully rip-your-heart-out disturbing
I heart Margot Timmins.
Mmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaargo.......mmmmmmmmm
(pimp) all day.
The local 7-11 plays classical music to keep kids from hanging around outside. They could easily play this crap for the same effect. :-k
BOOOORRRINNG!
Dave_Mack wrote:
Creepy tune. Sounds like Margot Timmons fronting Catherine Wheel.
Wow, dude, you hit that nail on the head!!
Arghhh. The harmonica sounds like some sort of electric cicada buzzing in my ear - awful!
This has long been one of my favorite Townes songs, great version.
Creepy tune. Sounds like Margo Timmins fronting Catherine Wheel.
The Cowboy Junkies and Townes really do seem to be a perfect match. His mastery of the depressing yet interesting, their mastery of the slow burn. I'd love the to see the Junkies do a whole album of his stuff. In the mean time there is this incredible album. An absolute must for anyone who appreciates great songwriting performed by artists that totally get it. You do have to be careful of that urge to slit your wrists out of despair a few times during the listening. Survive though and you'll find the music totally rewarding.
Very nice. Lyle Lovett does a great version of this song as well. More Townes please!