AM Angel (demo)

by John Davey

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about

My dad used to drive us around in his Ford Crown Victoria and I'd lay on the plush back seat and listen to News Radio 780 WBBM AM out of Chicago. I would imagine the voices were angels giving us the weather and traffic report on the Dan Ryan Parkway. In my adolescence I would get the same feeling of comfort while I was running down the road in my own Ford on the way to the next tour stop.

I refer to this song as "Son of Spent" since it deals with some of the same themes from a different perspective. I'm a collector of small-town minutiae from different corners of the country and this song trades in that.

It'll be on the next record. In the meantime, enjoy this version.

lyrics

I'm a pack of wounded dogs
Just barking in the basement of my mind
The Man up there's obscured
He turns the key and lets us ride

Out into the street to piss and bark
And chase'm down
See? When you pull the pin
Not only good, but wicked all come out

From the dunes in Indiana
'Cross the Illinois state line
The expanse of New York City
To the fine, tall pines in Caroline
All the ways we wished we won
When in the Only-Ten-I-See
Were tucked into the back seat
Triple dipped up in Gitch-I-Gum-I-Ee

So I packed my bags and kissed my wife
Headed back out on the road
See? When you're turning 85
Everything always feels too slow

'Cause I've been back out here
Just picking up pieces of a thing I left behind
On the 27th floor
He was looking for the next state line

From the Bootheel in Missouri
To the fine, tall pines in Caroline
The ghosts in Lou-Si-Anna
'Cross the River Jordan's line
All the discounts in Kentucky
And some California sunshine
Were tucked into the back seat
Sanctified in Gitch-I-Gum-I-Ee

Sing "chariot do swing low"
On your ancient AM angel radio

credits

released September 9, 2021
John Davey - acoustic guitar, vocals
Dennis - baritone guitar

Demoed at Lakeshore Park of Marquette by John Davey and Dennis in 2021.

Image from the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Layout: John Davey

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about

John Davey Marquette, Michigan

A songwriter and recording artist in Marquette, Michigan.
A tree transplanted; West Lafayette, Indiana / Nashville, Tennesee

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