Working at the Car Wash Blues by Jim Croce (1973)
Jan 27, 2024
I don't know how I ended up going down a Jim Croce rabbit hole this week. I might've heard one his songs when I was listening to MeTV FM the other day putting together some Ikea furniture. Regardless... in a JC rabbit hole on Spotify is where I heard this song. He was such a great writer -- so many of his songs are these sort of blue-collar 'character' songs. Always in third person, sometimes using specific names (Jim Walker, Leroy Brown, Rapid Roy, Speedball Tucker), and the sensory details he uses in the lyrics make it all seem real and authentic. The similarities between the songs make it feel like a little world, where you could imagine these characters living and interacting. Usually there's a dash of good humor and a solid grooving backbeat too.
Some more jams
A friend made a playlist for me that had a couple Bory songs. After getting a taste, I had to dig a little deeper and found this gem on their most recent record. Fantastic songcraft, lofi sounds. Produced by Mo Troper, another Portland area fave 🤌🏻
Bandcamp find. I love the lyrics of these songs - a lot of funny, yet relatable lines. And really solid+funky grooves. FFO Cake, The Talking Heads.
Context for this week's jam
Chicago weather: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Areas of patchy fog. Low 36F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Top news: Block Club Chicago - 'Has Rat Hole Mania Gone Too Far? Neighbors Ask Fans To Chill After A Wedding, Proposal And Shrine On Site'
Posted Jan 27, 2024