James McMurtry "We can't make it here"

Live acoustic performance at KFOG

[@VaughnA]

One of the best songs ever written by the best living songrwriter today. Written in 2004 and still relates to today's economy and situation.

[@johnstaton7414]

Thanks I new I've been listening to it for quite awhile, great singer songwriter the video makes it! 👋

[@seanhoffmann4560]

Yeah, even in 2024…

[@rogerbass1601]

This song should be blasted from every speaker in the country.

[@Maxwell-j9z]

Roger Bass you are right

[@zsedcftglkjh]

Maybe fifty years ago. This is recycled hippie music.

[@okpower4959]

Zachary you must mean back when people had the balls to stand up & publicize the problems in society in hopes or could lead to change for the better. Seems young adults have their heads buried up their sandy asses these days. Might you be a millennial?

[@gregladuca5090]

How fucking Tru

[@towernw9688]

@@zsedcftglkjh more like authentic hippie music.

[@petechristensen5451]

One of the true great storytellers of Indy music.

[@gary6449]

Powerful lyrics - tears of rage as I type this..

[@dollgonegood]

This song is so full of truth that it made me cry,It made me mad and made me want to stand up!!!!!!

[@kennygee2715]

Yeah, it's even worse now. The area I'm in the median household income is $55k/yr, and a starter home is $320k. Doesn't make much sense.

[@LisaFenton-h7f]

yes yes yes

[@CatskillLily]

I've met Mr. McMurtry. He is one of the most brilliant writers in the business and this song is a message to us all. True and sincere, and real. Peace, Lily

[@davidlindley2754]

He's Magnificent!!!

[@kenschubert7001]

I can just imagine all the jaws hanging open from those who just heard this for the first time. One brutally powerful song.

[@onewomanandsomesongs]

This song is timeless….it still remains pertinent today.

[@syourke3]

The most brilliant commentary on the USA since Reagan ever! Let’s hear it for “free trade”! 4 decades of neoliberal policies and corporate greed brought us to where we are today. Absolutely brilliant song!

[@epistte]

This should be played at noon on Labor Day.

[@maryliztippin-moody6856]

Long time favorite song...rings very true for so many. Nice to hear it live.

[@PalmDreams]

a great and sadly timeless song

[@stars1861]

This should be our new National Anthem. I weep for our country.

[@perrywatson8505]

Only found this guy a few days ago and I sure have been missing a talented person when it comes to gifted lyrics

[@luv24real]

We need more straight shooters like this!

[@nathanorosco8792]

Just found this guy and wow. Such a great storyteller, instantly my new favorite.

[@ugmodude]

I say we vote for this guy and Steve Earle for Pres/Veep in 2012. Pure Genius

[@june4783]

A searing comment on the times we are having to live in, a brilliant social commentary

[@WilliamValenti]

We need more songs like this. Many, many more.

[@5084fox]

I suggest we all send this song to Seth Meyers- jimmy Fallon -Jimmy Kimball. Ask JM to sing this song on national TV

[@brylorbs69]

This man is one of the great folk / rock musicians working today. Many of his songs are mini novels about middle America covering all manner of political, social, economic and cultural issues. Given who his father is, (Larry) I guess it's no surprise that James is a story teller of extraordinary ability. I own all his CDs and each one's a gem. Would love to see him live.

[@stephanaraab]

one of the best songs ever in the more recent.... this is where we are yet.... well said... darn rite...

[@dianefinkle]

Wow. . . I heard this song over the weekend and I can't get it out of my head. Performed 10 years ago and it still perfectly captures the deep angst that is contributing to Trumps popularity in the mid west. Ironically Trump himself is a perfect icon of many of the economic forces that have led to the poverty and despair. "I can see them now, they haunt my dreams, all lily white and squeaky clean. They've never known want, they'll never know need. Their shit don't stink and their kids won't bleed."

[@jillmoyer3654]

their shit don't stink, and their kids won't bleed... their kids won't bleed in their damn little war... I believe this came out in '04!

[@ronron6211]

It makes for a good hippie song, of which I was one, but instead of all the negativity about the life we have much power over, let's make a difference and go forth and make our world better.

[@coloradodogking]

@Slopjaw Johnson naw

[@jasondotson]

I first heard this song, Childish Things" on Chicago's WXRT about two or three years ago, and I thought to myself, this is better than any Steve Earle song!!!! Sadly, not enough people people are singing about "reality" and the ones that are, like this gentleman, can't get exposed to a larger audience. No one wants to hear the TRUTH, until it knocks on THEIR door, and then, IT'S TOO LATE! Thanks for posting patriotic, american music!!! Peace & Happiness, always~Jason

[@guitardedboy]

This is one of the greatest songs ever written. McMurtry tapped into something pure with this.

[@gcass672]

this man is so on point this need to be the song of USA! to true.

[@beggenbacon]

This is truely the song of who we have become and where we are headin..Its a sad tune, but goddamnit its one of the best ever..

[@coolrayfruge]

What a powerful song! Truth!

[@donnawright7263]

Never heard of him before today. what a great song, wish Trump and the Congress would be forced to listen to the words.

[@gregladuca5090]

Really

[@kathyputnam84]

Donna Wright You May already know this about him by now, his dad is a famous author, Movies & TV shows have been made from his books: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_McMurtry

[@Rawk17]

music that actually means something thank you JM for singing from your heart. there are many that feel the same.- thank you for being our voice.

[@riptdjams]

My favorite song from 2005. Still relevant

[@IETCHX69]

It became relevant for me about 8 months ago.

[@kswireworker]

This song gives me goose-bumps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This what music is all about.

[@julesotis13]

Thanks community radio for documenting such epic raw real stuff

[@IETCHX69]

He recovered well from his floof. What a Powerful song. Overwhelming.

[@JamesSmith-wl7de]

this song gave me goose bumps... so true.

[@clintonflynn815]

Same here

[@davidlindley2754]

Every Generation needs a Musical Prophet; my father's was Dylan, mine is McMurtry...

[@paulkersey7097]

Speaking truth in this song...

[@Clamman4U]

Saw hin many a year ago, but have going back to what a wordsmith he has been and will be!

[@crazyburkey3677]

Crank it up and tear off the knob, 5 years later, welcome to GileadUS...

[@orvillerooney6179]

This is a fine songwriter and singer! I have only heard two of his songs and this one is the best one. Very impressive.

[@maridobbs3160]

Now that's what I'm lookin for. I knew you had it, James; now thanks to you and your song, we've all have had it. Just tell it like it is.

[@deckles100]

This is REAL music!

[@SilentSepia]

To dissent and question is not Un-American...on the contrary...it is the ESSENCE of being American...to question is to breath life into We The People...to give substance to The Republic...to stare Tyranny in straight in the eyes! Down with The Empire...Long Live The American Republic!

[@karendubose3987]

Man I have figured out this dudes daddy Larry McMurtry wrote some of the best western movies Ive ever seen in my life!!!Hes cool besides that!!!This is a REAL songwriter!!!Got turned on to him from watchin Beer For My Horses.....Been gratefull ever since!!!!

[@sarahhaskins9540]

Hits home!!!

[@recyclea]

This expresses in music what I feel. I appreciate this tremendously.

[@usscott]

Very well put! Enough said.

[@jessthehorse]

Truth! Love it.

[@letters4jeff]

the song speaks for it self, we dont need to disect it and analyze it. dont need to argue over it. just great music from one of the best character writers around.

[@johngustin1]

awesome presence. awesome talent. killer good.

[@fatiredflyer]

Truth, Justice and the American Way. Well, you still have Truth. Thanks JM.

[@FriginHavoc]

I'm still here listening to this.

[@7918101]

James still plays every Wednesday night at midnight at the Continental Club in Austin, TX when he is not touring. I lived a couple blocks from the club for 4 years, and saw him all the time. Great show every time!

[@mcshawnboy]

I have seen him a couple of times with the band & I love their name! The last time I saw him it was solo at Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis, MD on the site of a tavern from colonial time's with a hefty ticket price for a 200 seat venue. To me it was worth it. I might not agree with all of his politics, but you can tell the difference between truth and one made to break your heart by professional songwriters at a nice place to do business. We were less than an hour from where he grew up before the Austin experience. I was in his town the first two days of last week and I was sad it wasn't Thursday to hope to see him at the Continental Club! As a long-haul trucker I saw all of what he wrote in Choctaw Bingo, but now the McDonald's ain't on the big ole bridge across the Will Rodgers Parkway & a detour had denied me seeing those neon lips! I wanted to hear the song again after watching KZbin on how so many people living in the parking lot of the local Walmart store as the safety net let's America fall through the cracks in the sidewalk! Sad!

[@50tbug]

It amazes me how this man conjures such power out of what seems like thin air! How he do dat?

[@Nemhain1117]

ii won't single out any particular president or politician, they are all the same breed to me. i'm turning everyone I know on to this man. he's awesome and i'm a friggin fraggin metal music lover!

[@ToddBoyle]

good job James M. You connected the dots. The war is all about money and greed. You are us. we are you.

[@june4783]

What an important lyric this song has. I really do not want to listen to cliches this song is about the immense difficulties that people can face and any one of us could find ourselves in this situation one day

[@dugglas]

i wish more people wrote songs this good, let alone brought them to the stage with this kind of skill and guts... what a great musician!

[@scottay69]

this guy is the real deal! I wish James would tour some more - come back to San Francisco soon.

[@SouthWestCafeRacers]

@downdavyjoneslocker Too right mate, I have just found this guy, My propective father-in-law introduced me to his music and I can't get enough! This guy rocks and has a real way with words...it's like he sings what I think about the world. Awesome.

[@nickabbott8453]

James is one hell of a fine songwriter (exceptional writing runs in the family), he is also a fine musician as your ears will testify too.

[@johnoconnor51]

Got to see James in Madison this week and believe I was witnessing history. No one is this good by accident. Keep'em coming James!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@damiendominick9024]

I love a feel good song!

[@comfyoldchair3771]

One of the truest songs ever written.

[@DimentalLabs]

I was blown away by this. Wow. Just wow.

[@rogneid]

We need more musicians, more songs like this. McMurtry rocks!

[@paulhenkelman1651]

This tune sums it up. It's awesome.

[@tallkitten7568]

Heard you for the 1st time. Love it! Truth in a song. Way to go! I see your going to be in the Hill Country in August. Sure hope I get to see you. Just lost my Viet Nam Vet friend...Today these things are even worse your song. Thank you for sharing. Love your music

[@tybaum5648]

Holy hell this is awesome.....

[@bezarker68]

it's 2023 and how have I never heard of this dude?

[@FordMonsterTruck]

I have just discovered that this guy is my 3rd or 4th cosin, aint' never met the guy and only herd of him just today. My grand pal grew up with his dad (larry) and come to find out nether of thems very socal

[@sugadrops4998]

I bought this C D when it first hit the market.But damn it Shure fits in with all this bull shit that’s going on in 2021 we tend to not listen to messages even when it’s right in front of our faces you need to listen to more of this gentleman’s songs get the message wake our woke ass’es up we can’t make it here any more.

[@ianmasters1248]

Chills from the Rust Belt. Excellent song.

[@davegillard7163]

McMurtry's coming to Ithaca NY tomorrow feb 13.2018 opening for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. I hope it's going good for both of them. Sold out!

[@lctacasey]

Mcmurtry is the absolute real deal. He and Jay Farrar should do an album together, it would be sick!

[@thestraydawgs]

This guy has great songs that are VERY FUCKING RELEVANT to what is happening in America. What is going to happen to our kids and their kids? America I love you, BUT you need to WAKE THE FUCK UP !!!!! Thanks James.

[@reggiehall7612]

Brilliant!

[@MrDrewlips]

SUCH a great song!

[@ooonurse33]

Too amazing for words, a prophet...

[@09Marcelm]

this man's a truth speaker. call it like it is. WTG, good song.

[@psychoannie6703]

I love this man

[@littleozzyboy]

EXCELLENT !!!!!!

[@MrPernell27]

going to see him again tonight Great songwrite, and a really nice guy

[@harobikes730]

Living in the Midwest all of my life, I have begun to notice that no matter where you go it's impossible to escape the oppression and blight. Our cities are scarred with desolate and rusting warehouses and factories that once fed and clothed our loyal citizens. Even in the country , the rural factories are closed farms foreclosed on and main streets dead... the current state of America is scaring me Where will we go?

[@jeffgreene9907]

Great Lyrics ! Sooo true!

[@ralphherman2122]

Make America GRATEFUL again ......

[@GeddyBre]

Beautiful work on the guitar as well. The effortlessness with which he roams the fret board makes it easier to sink into the deeper meaning behind the lyrics... music/vocals/lyrics perfectly matched as is the case with all of his music.

[@NickDelleMusic]

What a great acoustic tone!

[@michaelfreeze1791]

This is SOOOO GOOD

[@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse]

The best song forever.

[@chrisrushlau]

As Ann Landers used to say, you have to face the problem before you start to solve it.

[@radarlove007]

High on Jesus and hooked on dope. Great lyrics!

[@alfredotaylor3465]

Wow!! This song is truly awesome and damn real - hits the target dead centre. Only James can do this because he knows and he means it!!!!!

[@terryschnell1226]

great song James McMuffin i like it from Terry schnell

[@travlyte]

Brother ...I love you

[@Xandermj666]

This man needs to appear at National Gathering. So true about our country today.

[@alfredotaylor3465]

Holy shit!!! He´s saying it all!

[@IBMCertified]

Very powerful song.

[@lesterjohnson9958]

So awesome 🙏🙏🙏🎶