Townes Van Zandt -- Marie [REACTION]

Townes brings us a song that is about as soul-crunching and soul-searching as there is.
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#TownesVanZandt #Marie #CountryMusicReactions

[@Tyler_3]

Townes van zandt is the best songwriter that ever lived. Period. Like hank Williams he lived the songs he wrote. He wasnt writing songs, he was giving us a look inside his life, emotions, and his demons. I've gone through his entire discography hundreds of times and every time it's always eye opening. He is quite simply amazing and never got the credit he deserved.

[@pocketlama]

He got credit from anyone that mattered. "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." - Steve Earle

[@GaOutlawVinyl]

A friend of his once asked him “Why don’t you write some happy songs?” He replied “These are the happy ones.”

[@allengoyne]

He wrote a few, Loretta, If I Needed You, To Live is to Fly.

[@FasterBastard1]

He didn’t write sad songs, he wrote hopeless songs.

[@davidemswiler4351]

I'd like to write some songs that are so good that nobody understands them. Not even myself. --- Townes Van Zandt

[@RockN2Country]

@David Emswiler Soooo....Hotel California? Ha!

[@BilbusWilbury]

Townes life needs to be a movie. Hard living troubador sage. No mistaking him for anyone else. It's like listening to a southwestern William Faulkner if Faulkner sang instead of wrote novels.

[@annereidy7981]

Now that's an interesting take on a life! Most of Faulkner is about the end of a period in history that is over but won't die. Thank for the connection!

[@brucedelagarza9641]

That's beautiful billy

[@paulindawsoncr]

hart-worn highways

[@MoonshineBeforeSunshine]

"Waitin' Around to Die", "Kathleen", "Dollar Bill Blues", "Our Mother the Mountain", "St. John the Gambler", "Nothin'", "Tecumseh Valley", and "Pancho & Lefty" are just some of my favorites from the great late Van Zandt's marvelous body of work of which a good majority are sad songs or as he himself liked to describe them, "hopeless" songs. Don, it'd be splendid to have another one or two of his songs added to your great collection of reactions. "Waitin' Around to Die" could be a fair suggestion for the next reaction. Have a grand day, brother!

[@hillcountrydigger]

Carolinian Farmer those are great! I think “my proud mountains” and “tecumseh valley” are my favorites. “Loretta” is amazing too.

[@MoonshineBeforeSunshine]

@@hillcountrydigger you mentioned them & I went gave them a listen, I don't know for how many a time, again. Haha! Man, I wanted to say, "good picks" but I can't pick a favourite among them like I wrote them myself. Haha! Don't know if you've ever had this feeling, but I've come to a rare feeling with his songs like if I choose one, I've betrayed the other ones that I'd had the good ol' blues with. All of his songs delivered! That just tells how magnificent a wordsmith he was. Good picks, anyway! Haha!

[@jschuman814]

I agree with all of these so much. It’s taken years of listening, but I think in the end, Our Mother the Mountain is is my favorite song from him. He never wrote a bad one, but that one keeps tending to stand out.

[@yeastie713]

My fellas, yall are sleeping on Rex's Blues as one of the greatest folk songs ever written.

[@DarrenPanko]

Listen to Mr Mudd and Mr Gold

[@alh.9904]

She didn't die giving birth. She died with the baby "safe inside."

[@christineems8754]

Wow, now I see why his name has always been amongst the greats. What a story teller. That was like watching a whole movie in one little song.

[@RockN2Country]

@Christine Ems Right? I mean, talk about being taken into another world, wow. Also, I hope you're doing okay these days with all the demands of your work!!

[@christineems8754]

@@RockN2Country You're right Don! And thank you! 😊 Keeping busy but covid free! Thankful.

[@TheGarretdeas]

Townes, while never attaining major commercial success as a singer, has still left an enduring legacy of memorable compostions along with a faithful fanbase. It seems Texas has an uncanny knack of producing singer/songwriters with their own unique, idiosyncratic styles and genius. This guy is no exception to that rule. Billy Joe Shaver is another such artist who comes to mind but I don't think his output would be as melancholy as that of Townes. Thanks for the comprehensive reaction yet again, Don, and keep rappin' that country,

[@RockN2Country]

@TheGarretdeas Great perspective, and thanks for the kind observation, as well as the twist on "rappin' " to country. Ha!!

[@sallysalt2241]

The boy wasnt born.. he went to heaven with Marie in her belly

[@stevenmulrooney28]

This song goes well beyond sad. It’s haunting and painful.

[@tommyswonke6485]

I have been a Townes fan since the late 60's. He and anothe songster, Rex Beii owned a bar in downtown Houston. It was there when I first saw him. Years later in 1995 I had the opportunity to meet and speak with him at a performance in Houston, I learned that Townes had a very soft spot in his heart for the homeless. The song Marie was written to bring awareness to their plight.

[@jpwodusky6105]

Townes van zandt, the best that ever did it. Tecumseh Valley is my favourite of his.

[@jodyparrish637]

As someone who in my early 20’s became homeless suddenly, through a comedy of errors, with a girlfriend and for a couple of summer months had to sleep outside about half the week when I couldn’t find a couch to surf on I would say maybe the inspiration to write such a song comes from the fact that stories like these a sadder happen everyday in every American town and/or city. Most folks either aren’t aware or don’t want to be aware of how prevalent such stories are in this world. Anyway great song, artist, and reaction by you Don!! Cheers

[@RockN2Country]

@Jody Parrish That's quite a story of your own, Jody! It's amazing as many of us made it out of our 20's as we did. Thanks for the kind words, and good to see you back in here. :-)

[@rodfriesen4370]

Saddest somg ever... love it

[@tracyrogers397]

Guy Clark said he watched Towned get up one morning, write that song by 2PM and perform it that night in Austin.

[@annereidy7981]

That Man inhabited his Soul!

[@UKEYsPOWER]

Townes Van Zandt one of the Greatest talents ever! And i dont even like country music, but love Townes songs.

[@lsnaples]

when somebody plays this is a jam, the whole room goes quiet and people just listen. It's a song that just demands you listen.

[@beckyd.236]

Wow-what a terrible life this man has had, "There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help and what they cannot", I don't know if the man in this song was just too proud to ask for help or what, but I am sure had he asked someone would have been able to help him in some of his troubles, We need to open our eyes and help those in need a little more often, even if they don't ask it of us, we should be able to see it in them and do what we can... I hit the like button but this song is too sad to actually like, but made me more aware of how we need to help our brothers here on earth. Thanks Don for your reaction!

[@RaysMuleBarn]

"This song is too sad to actually like, but it made me more aware". It looks like Townes accomplished his mission with you. Some people write songs for money and fame, he wrote songs to change people's lives. You're officially a Townes fan now. God help you.

[@txdrifter38]

when i first got into his music this is one of the first couple of songs i came across. i wasn't really depressed at the time, but i wasn't in a real good place either and this song and several others of his helped put me in a better place. used to, led zeppelin was my favorite out of anyone. nowadays it's led zeppelin and townes van zandt, and maybe tyler childers. great choice to react to.

[@RandyforRoyals]

This is later Townes. He was one of our best songwriters and very well respected by his fellow songwriters. Steve Earle recorded an album of his songs. I did not look to see what you have reacted to before but "Tecumseh Valley" and "Snowing On Raton." Most of his songs were pretty somber but he did have some humor in a couple of his songs such as "No Deal."

[@wgj4everlong426]

heard a story someone once asked Townes why he didn't do happy songs,he replied these are my happy songs.true legend but always kinda scared me to think of the hurt inside him to write the songs he did.seen Tecumseh Valley mentioned a few times in the comments.that or lungs are both great lesser known Townes songs

[@lizarddogrecords8865]

As recalled by Guy Clark: some woman in the audience said, Townes, could you play a happy song? And he said, Man, these are the happy songs. You don't want to hear the sad ones.

[@pixseedustaerialimaging8191]

I read an article that said He used to say his friend Blaze Foley’s (fellow song writer) life was much of the inspiration, saying; I thought a lot about Blaze while writing that song.

[@belovedabstract3568]

townes was trying to convey the plight of the homeless , thats why he wrote the song . marie died with the baby safe inside her so it went to heaven with her is what he was saying . there is a great movie about his life titled " Be Here To Love Me " , check it out its on youtube . thanks for doin this one

[@hillcountrydigger]

Man that was rough! I’m a Townes fan but somehow ive never heard this song before.

[@allengoyne]

I can't add anything better than the other comments here about Marie as a song. I don't hear much about just how good a guitarist Townes was. He has this unassuming folk style but when you listen to it, it's so perfect and real and is near impossible to duplicate because the feel is so personal to him. Sometimes he's using thumbpicks, the version you played didn't sound like it here, though.

[@im-already-tired-tomorrow]

"If I Needed You" austin city limits version,insight in to what could have been.Loop and Lill were Townes parrots,when covered they change those lyrics. Townes has given some nonsensical interviews,may be as humor.Townes had treatments when he was a teenager,whether they helped or hurt, 'nobody knows' but you must have some issues for your mother to give consent,which she very much regretted.I am a big fan and suggest White Freightliner Blues.

[@jschuman814]

Hey don, I’m so glad you did this one. I know I requested it at some point, I think it might have been on your blaze foley reaction. This was one of the last songs Townes ever wrote, and he dedicated it to blaze foley after he was murdered. Blaze was always a huge advocate for the homeless, so I think that was part of the inspiration for it. It’s definitely a sad song, but I guess it was kind of a tribute to Blaze and writing a happy go lucky song about homelessness probably wouldn’t have done it any justice.

[@brentabbott3954]

He is singing about life

[@intotheblue96]

If you want a more uplifting, positive Townes song, check out To Live's to Fly or If I Needed You! Classics by him! Please check them out.

[@justcomments1239]

Marlene by Jackson C Frank is another sad song. There was an explosion at his school when he was younger, he got scarred and his girlfriend got killed - the song’s about her and how he still remembers her ..

[@PapaFixit]

Reminds me of a book I used to read. Meditation for Miserable people that want to stay that way.

[@PapaFixit]

It was full of gems like, "if you feel like no one loves you,....your right. Don't go outside".

[@RockN2Country]

@DaveG THAT is frickin classic!! I am so gonna remember that that book exists and reference it if I get the chance in my life coaching videos! Man that’s good.

[@PapaFixit]

It's actually hilarious if you believe it's humor. If your susceptible to negative thoughts and depression you might want read with adult supervision. ..lol

[@teeman8999]

Townes is a great singer songwriter. Stumbled upon this song on a random playlist on spotify and it really does hit hard the storytelling. Feel like I do need to request something more upbeat going forward ha

[@RockN2Country]

@Teeman 89 Exactly!! This song came on the heels of me doing Jamey Johnson's song, and I started thinking how I'm gonna need to do a reaction to the Brady Bunch or Partridge Family after this. Ha!

[@teeman8999]

@@RockN2Country BlackBerry Smoke - Ain't got the Blues is a good upbeat song (not joking either despite the title haha).

[@aarondesjardins5820]

There is a song. An amazing song. Which is considered the Official Unofficial Canadian National Anthem. Probably the greatest song that has ever blessed some speakers. This song is called Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers. There is also a power metal cover of Northwest Passage by Unleash the Archers. Both are good but you have to listen to the original first

[@hillcountrydigger]

Sorry for two comments on one video but his buddy Steve Earle wrote a pretty darn good tribute song called “Ft Worth Blues” that is definitely worth checkin out.

[@wheelmanstan]

TVZ literally wrote a song in his sleep once. haha

[@caseymurray204]

My favorite towns Van Zandt song is a song called fraternity blue which I just think is Hilarious

[@RockN2Country]

@casey murray I just added it to the list because we need some more uplifting stuff! Thanks for the rec, but it's gonna take a while to get to since the list is long.

[@lavonnacasey5724]

No not written for a movie. Townes was very deep. He wrote and recorded from the world he say around him. No the boy baby died inside the mother.

[@richardfrawley161]

hey don, my good buddy, back now from a short battle with ordinary flu, scary for a while, but keepin in touch. you know , when i was sick, before i knew it wasnt corona, i thought about death a lot, especially late at night. you helped me keep my mind occupied, thanks for that, buddy. i found a song that describes how it feels to face the reaper...desperadoes waitin for a train, by the highwaymen...listen and react please....this is rick and happy to be back

[@kimmelton3697]

I don't think she died giving birth. She starved to death because they lived under a bridge and he couldn't get money. Van Zandt lived for years in an old shack without running water and electricity, after he had been a winning song writer, but couldn't stay off heroine.

[@pixiemouse1]

As a song writer, and I suppose just as an actor or painters would, the inspiration firstly has to be objective, so many budding song Smith's begin their career writing at a subjective level, writing about there personal inner feelings..that's ok, but there can only ever be so much of that which people will want to here, so for me I need to step away from myself, look at the different perspectives around me.. there is a guy lives near me whose entire life is a railroad crash, he alone can provide buckets of inspiration, to do that I need to be voyeuristic I cannot be involved or feel sorry, that would be become a different song. With zandt, Steinbeck and karouc and John prine, these guys have the tenacity to be brutal, honest and terrifying. They can take an entire life or situation and render it down until all is left is the bare naked truth.. GREAT CHANNEL GREAT CONTENT...LOVING IT.. KEEP GOING MY FRIEND

[@ZebraStandards]

"Welcome to Rockin' Country Hits, yeah!!!" Puts on Marie. Lmao I feel like this request was a fucked up prank to send this guy into a crippling depression.

[@RockN2Country]

@ZebraStandards LOL! I’ve recovered. The murder ballads would catch me off guard (they still do) and stop me in my tracks, but then it’s onto a Jerry Reed or Paul Thorn song and I’m laughing again. Welcome to the channel, BTW!

[@jessedaniel6330]

you should react to pokey lafarge : "something in the water"

[@randycoulter4023]

Try Red Solvine "Faith in Santa Clause" it is truly sad too

[@mattrogers7521]

Towens said he wrote this for the homeless of the land

[@jamesdurham9182]

Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley were two of the greatest artist to ever take pen to paper and throw some finger-picked guitar over the top of it. I consider Todd Snider and Jason Isbell the two best singer/songwriters living today, but even they come up a little short compared to Blaze and Townes.

[@robertwilens5770]

Ian Noe, Colter Wall

[@jamesdurham9182]

Two more really good ones. Some of these newer songwriters are great. Check out Sunny Sweeney too.

[@robertwilens5770]

@@jamesdurham9182 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYjIZZhmlLqgf8U

[@adriankayombo9050]

Hi my country music funny who was the first person to sing if i needed you

[@edprzydatek8398]

Whaaaat????

[@studytime3461]

The narrative comes from the nature of poverty and sorrow itself. When you are reduced to nothing, every bit of bad luck is too much to absorb... a man in a decent situation can safely be ignored by the unemployment office for a week but a literally penniless man will walk away without even enough money to wash his clothing and look for work in a hirable state. A compunded series of this type of mishaps can lead to utter personal destruction, as happened to this songs protagonist when the poor accommodations that he could provide as an unemployed penniless man led to his pregnant woman dying of exposure induced illness. I have lived it and so has Townes vanzandt... he likely chose this story as a practiculary tragic fictitious exemplar of what it is like to suffer misfortune when you are already down.

[@nathantuckfield2199]

Please do “waiting around to die”

[@DarrenPanko]

It's about the homeless ,baby died inside Marie

[@jimmothy9290]

Bridge City Sinners hit the up

[@deborahwalsh2953]

Sorry dude you got it a little off. For obe irsxabout extreme homelessness abd uf you understand vetter Narie just died possibly during birth but if you listen to the line "He laid em in the sun where somebody fibd en" breaks my heart!! He didn't give baby away. They both died while baby was,still inside Marie. Towbes,although he cane from money had a deep understanding lijke Guthrie of the common man abd the plight of the downtrodden. RIP my Townes a beautiful soul abd storyteller!!

[@JackCerro]

Not every TVZ song is this bleak. To Live Is To Fly is a good one that isn't so angst-driven.

[@michaelbanfield7987]

he lived it don't you understand there are really poor people out there a d she died before the child was born....

[@dwatkins554]

hopeless and homeless

[@paulindawsoncr]

the baby was never born died inside with mom

[@frank9995]

Hate to break it to you, but the baby dies too.

[@keithmichaels1686]

It’s no Florida Georgia Line but it’s ok.

[@teeman8999]

Haha yeah it's not as country as FGL

[@RockN2Country]

@Keith Michaels LOL!! Good one, and welcome aboard the channel!

[@keithmichaels1686]

RockN2Country Thanks but I’ve actually been a subscriber for some time, you mentioned me in the Benjamin Tod reaction. Keep up the awesome content.

[@wgrimm88]

Townes was hopeless

[@dRTAdave]

Simply his best tune but you reacted to the worst version. I wish you were suggested Willie Nelson's cover instead. Anything from the later days his alcoholism was obviously killing him shouldn't be a first impression nor how how's remembered. His decline was the saddest waste of talent that I can think of.

[@dRTAdave]

I'm assuming you know you did the same reaction to Nothin' twice 2 years apart using a poorly mixed video that left you a bit confused both times. At least you reacted. He should never be forgotten.

[@bad-people6510]

That is not a voice any 45 year old man should have.

[@tommyward7471]

Hated his voice

[@NatureBoy1957]

Maybe someday you’ll get Townes.

[@mwallace2337]

Shame to miss out on a great song, so maybe give the Willie Nelson version a listen.

[@patriotismxkills]

Big country blues by townes. Bound to make your top 10 as well.

[@patriotismxkills]

Blaze foley wrote this song originally. He and townes were very close friends. Big country blues is another amazing song by townes.

[@im-already-tired-tomorrow]

where did you get that?i heard Guy Clark tell the story of Townes writing this song.asking for accuracy sake.'duct tape messiah' is an in depth Blaze documentary.

[@johnbrinkman3001]

She never gave birth