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Lucinda Williams — Are You Down
Album: Essence
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3732









Released: 2001
Length: 5:21
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Can't put the rain back in the sky
Once it falls down
Please don't cry

Rain turns the dirt into mud
Warm and messy
Like your love

Can't force the river upstream
When it goes south
Know what I mean?

Nothin' will make me take you back
Are you down babe
Down with that?
Comments (384)add comment
 philip1 wrote:
The most come-to-bed voice ever. 


Not with this song! Read the lyrics....
Posted 7 months ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 ianthemadcap wrote:

What a fabulous artist. Im loving this track.



She's got a great ear for great guitar playing. 
Posted 8 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 flatop wrote:

.... When I first heard this  thought that was Doug Pettibone  but  it's Bo Ramsey on guitar f'in awesome job.






Yep.

Bo plays alot with Greg Brown.
Posted 8 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
What a fabulous artist. Im loving this track.
Posted 9 months ago by ianthemadcap    [ Reply ]
I just love how trippy, hypnotizing, and powerful this amazing song is... A song for all of us who would love to use snark back at those that snarked at us one too many times... Lucinda's been such a treasure to me!
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 carmelmik wrote:

seen Lucinda a few times in Santa Cruz, all great shows.  Talented backing band and sidemen and she's got great soul.



i too have seen her several times in Santa Cruz, simply amazing shows, amazing.
Posted 1 year ago by carmelmike    [ Reply ]
The lady defines, "exquisite".
Posted 1 year ago by mrcanard    [ Reply ]
Nice CBS Sunday Morning story on Lucinda.
Posted 1 year ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:
                   

                          Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the gut to ask if he's 'down with that.'

                     




Courage and confidence, combined with calmness, elevate that taunt.  She's bad ass.  Looks like she may know how to do that quie well.
Posted 1 year ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
this tune 'puts it all together well' - great elements put together for a wonderful whole
Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
seen Lucinda a few times in Santa Cruz, all great shows.  Talented backing band and sidemen and she's got great soul.
Posted 2 years ago by carmelmik    [ Reply ]
 xkolibuul wrote:

Lucinda is an American treasure.

This is why i gave up on commercial music radio with their SSDD songs
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Great!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Lucky to see Lucinda this summer opening for Jason Isbell.  It was her very first show after recovering from her stroke.  She greeted the crowd with "I just got out of rehab... no, not that rehab."  She sounded awesome and really sounded like singing again was good for her soul.

She ended her opening set by saying "I'm like those old blues players, I'm too mean to die."
Posted 2 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 fishelicious wrote:

Heard her for the first time and I'´m lovin her music instantly


Lucinda is an American treasure.
Posted 2 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Heard her for the first time and I'´m lovin her music instantly
Posted 3 years ago by fishelicious    [ Reply ]
.... When I first heard this  thought that was Doug Pettibone  but  it's Bo Ramsey on guitar f'in awesome job.




Posted 3 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
 igor wrote:

My now-ex introduced me to Lucinda Williams 15 years ago. Still loving Lucinda :)



You should still love your still-ex as well. That's the Essence. 
Posted 3 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
 chconger wrote:

Guitar sounds a bit like  Mark  Knopfler


 


Mark Knopfler sounds like a bit of guitar, or could be JJ Cale, or BB King. All dem a bit o' guitar.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
The more I hear this song, the stronger it gets. Much like the song itself, as it evolves.
Posted 3 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
G philip1 wrote:
The most come-to-bed voice ever. 
 
Gawd, I miss her...

Posted 3 years ago by RazzCat    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:

Could be JJ Cale backing!
 

Bo Ramsey backing
Posted 3 years ago by carmelmik    [ Reply ]
Seen Lucinda several times.  Always a great back up band.  Saw this tour and she had 
Bo Ramsey on guitar. Awesome player
Posted 3 years ago by carmelmik    [ Reply ]
Guitar sounds a bit like  Mark  Knopfler


 
Posted 3 years ago by chconger    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
I think this album and this song were the peak, so far, of her work.
 
Not sure about that.  "Car wheels on a Gravel Road" is pretty damn good. and her latest album, "Good Souls Better Angels" is quite good.  As for this album, the song "Essence" is the best song on the album, which is saying something because this album is filled with fantastic songs, like "Are You Down"
Posted 4 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
I think this album and this song were the peak, so far, of her work.
Posted 4 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 murr69st335 wrote:
my fav woman and always has great players. particularly Doug pettibone killer guitar . And also Greg leisz and Bill frisell
 
Could be JJ Cale backing!
Posted 4 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
I like how this song builds up momentum towards the end like a steam train slowly pulling out from the station

Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga 
Posted 4 years ago by drawcard    [ Reply ]

I don't think I ever truly absorbed these lyrics before.  Impactful. 

10
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Almost always the word 'but' can be replaced w/ 'and' or something less negative: 

She sings like she's drunk....AND I love it!!  I'm at an 8 on this sultry (drunken?) song....AND....Long Live RP!!
 
Thank you, that was helpful.
Posted 4 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
The most come-to-bed voice ever. 
Posted 4 years ago by philip1    [ Reply ]
That Hammond...
Posted 4 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
Saw her a few weeks ago at the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale.  Great show. 
Posted 4 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
my fav woman and always has great players. particularly Doug pettibone killer guitar . And also Greg leisz and Bill frisell
Posted 4 years ago by murr69st335    [ Reply ]
I don't usually dig her but with this production it fits! Muahhh
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
I love this version. Buick 6 drives us straight to Funkytown with Lucinda in the back seat.
Posted 5 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
 Bleyfusz wrote:


What do you mean with "but"?
 
Almost always the word 'but' can be replaced w/ 'and' or something less negative: 

She sings like she's drunk....AND I love it!!  I'm at an 8 on this sultry (drunken?) song....AND....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

she sings like she's drunk
but I love it
 

What do you mean with "but"?
Posted 5 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 Silvervanman wrote:
That is one sexy voiced chick. My girl can sing a bit like her, we might do Essence (the song, not the whole album)
 
she sings like she's drunk
but I love it
Posted 5 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
That is one sexy voiced chick. My girl can sing a bit like her, we might do Essence (the song, not the whole album)
Posted 5 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
Just saw Lucinda with her band Buick 6 a few weeks ago.  They put on a great show!
Posted 5 years ago by tlbritton    [ Reply ]
She's playing in Asheville next month ... <sigh>
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
My rating is only 7  
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
 igor wrote:
My soon-to-be-ex-wife introduced me to Lucinda Williams when we first met. How appropriate. Sigh.
 
My ex was Lucynda, 5 yrs later I married Lucie, but neither could sing like Lucinda!
Posted 5 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
smooth .. Beautiful sound for a Sunday morning on (another) snowy day in Northern Ontario
Posted 6 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
Just pulled this out the other day and I cant believe I let it get so dusty.

Jim Keltner on drums at his best. 
Posted 6 years ago by dookie    [ Reply ]
I know it's been mentioned previously but the guitar work on this is really, really good.
Posted 6 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]

Nice comment and pic. The comments on the instrumental parts made me realize 9 > 10.

sfyi2001 wrote:
                   Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the guts to ask if he's 'down with that.'      

Posted 6 years ago by danfl75    [ Reply ]
Lucinda is incredible in concert! And she tends to small venues...goddess (sigh)
Posted 6 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
                   

                          Torn up and won't take him back, and still has the gut to ask if he's 'down with that.'

                     


Posted 6 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Music: pretty cool. Lyrics: dumb.
Posted 7 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
My now-ex introduced me to Lucinda Williams 15 years ago. Still loving Lucinda :)
Posted 7 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
Lucinda ought to collaborate with Ben Harper.  They could sleepily mumble through a song together.
Posted 7 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]

        

                          Yeah, that guitar ~


 
Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
The restraint, darkness, and vocals remind me of Rachel Yamagada.  Speaking of whom:  Hey Bill, howzabout a spin for Rachel?
Posted 7 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
 zenhead wrote:
I'm not crazy about her voice - she sounds like she just shot up - but I do like her music. This has some nice minimal guitar work. Bo Ramsey?

 
Bo Ramsey is correct!
Posted 7 years ago by maxjboxer    [ Reply ]
I'm not crazy about her voice - she sounds like she just shot up - but I do like her music. This has some nice minimal guitar work. Bo Ramsey?
Posted 8 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
 emile wrote:
This is great!
 
Ridiculously great!
Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This is great!
Posted 8 years ago by emile    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
Mmmm mm, this woman is godlike

Damn fine instruments on this one too : )

 
yep
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
ax player is channeling Mark
Posted 8 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Love the instruments.
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 BillG wrote:

It's Bo Ramsey, actually (longtime associate of Greg Brown & a hell of a guitar player).  Ryan Adams does play on another track on the album.

 
Love Bo's playing. Heard the first note of this song just now and new it was him.
Posted 8 years ago by elphmorgan    [ Reply ]
 Arrius wrote:
ArtistCreditRyan AdamsGuitar (Tremolo), Tremolo

Clearly a Mark Knophler vibe but ultimately not as sparkling or full as one would expect from Mark himself.



 
It's Bo Ramsey, actually (longtime associate of Greg Brown & a hell of a guitar player).  Ryan Adams does play on another track on the album.
Posted 8 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
Lucinda Williams, Monday and Tuesday night at The Ark in Ann Arbor
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
ArtistCreditRyan AdamsGuitar (Tremolo), Tremolo

Clearly a Mark Knophler vibe but ultimately not as sparkling or full as one would expect from Mark himself.


Posted 8 years ago by Arrius    [ Reply ]

She kills it on the vocals while the band just mesmerizes .  Yea, I'm down. 


Posted 8 years ago by the1theyblame    [ Reply ]
Lovely groove right through, especially when it kicks up a gear.  Her vocals don't grab me, though.  Bit too laid back, probably.  Like she needs a cough.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
I am so down with that.
Posted 8 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
Mmmm mm, this woman is godlike

Damn fine instruments on this one too : )
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   

 
Kathleen Edwards opening for Lucinda would be too much for me to handle.  My brain would explode from the excitement.
Posted 9 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
I Love this version although her other version is also great. We saw her in a small club in Annapolis last month and she totally blew us away. She is great and her band is just incredible. Thanks RP for turning me on to Lucinda.

 

Which other version?  The one from Live at the Fillmore?


Posted 9 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
 myeinthecorner wrote:

I'd second that…three times over, baby!

 
Yeah baby, yeah...
Posted 9 years ago by saloutwest    [ Reply ]
My soon-to-be-ex-wife introduced me to Lucinda Williams when we first met. How appropriate. Sigh.
Posted 9 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
Nice song but can't get this vocals... 2.
Posted 9 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   

 
I'd second that…three times over, baby!
Posted 9 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
 easmann wrote:
Not your thing? Got it, no problem. But it's mine, and it's very fine, and it's a nine.

 
Well said. Not my thing. Take my share and have a ball! 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 We saw Lucinda live and she brought the house down. Phenomenal and lovely.

Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Have seen Lucinda Williams live and was very disappointed in her performance — but I've never heard this particular song and really liked it!

{#Clap}

 


Posted 9 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
Have seen Lucinda Williams live and was very disappointed in her performance — but I've never heard this particular song and really liked it!

{#Clap}


Posted 9 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
>>Well RP just followed this up with Dire Straits so there is a connection there

I think it's more the preceding Calexico lp that bo ramsey also played on
Posted 9 years ago by dingleberry    [ Reply ]
..... stunning, truly stunning
Posted 9 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Love Keltner on this one!
Posted 9 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
 PopKombo wrote:
Is that Mark Knopfler on guitar ... or someone who plays very much like him?

 
Well RP just followed this up with Dire Straits so there is a connection there ...
Posted 9 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Is that Mark Knopfler on guitar ... or someone who plays very much like him?
Posted 9 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Yes, I know there's a Lyrics button, but I'm posting 'em anyway:

Can't put the rain back in the sky
Once it falls down
Please don't cry
Rain turns the dirt into mud
Warm and messy
Like your love
Can't force the river upstream
When it goes south
Know what I mean?
Nothin' will make me take you back
Are you down babe
Down with that?

This song makes me happy that cavemen started banging wood on rocks . . . and so on.
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Not your thing? Got it, no problem. But it's mine, and it's very fine, and it's a nine.
Posted 9 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
My goodness - three 10s in a row. 

Tosca — Busenfreund
Chicane — Autumn Tactics
Lucinda Williams — Are You Down

Thank you
Posted 9 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
I love Lucinda's music.
Posted 9 years ago by sandythewomble    [ Reply ]
Hey Lucinda, 

Can you contact Kathleen Edwards and get her out of the coffee shop and you two tour this Summer playing small indoor and outdoor venues?

You can get Bo Ramsey (who played on a few of your previous albums) to join the road show. maybe get Trucks and Tedeshi to join a few shows. 

These shows would be freakin great.  

And bring your "Essence" along with your mojo, baby.   
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
In my dreams I can fly, fly high
Over fields and across the sky
Then I'm awake and I'm back on the ground
If you could take me back up there
I'm down, down with that
Posted 9 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 gregr79 wrote:
Lucinda and Gotye duet could be interesting if you strain you can almost hear it can't cha ?  {#Yes}

 
That made me almost like this song. Thanks for the verbal acetaminophen.
Posted 9 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
I Love this version although her other version is also great. We saw her in a small club in Annapolis last month and she totally blew us away. She is great and her band is just incredible. Thanks RP for turning me on to Lucinda.
Posted 9 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
sounds Lanoisesque. Bo Ramsey a contributor :-)
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}

 
 yeah !  great sound !  9 !!!
Posted 9 years ago by oldmanmicha    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Seconded.
Très tasty tune.

 
Mahalo (clink, schlurrrppp, ahhh .. )!
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
9 from me, everything is cool with this one
 
Seconded.
Très tasty tune.
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I guess I'm tired of this one. Good album, tho.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Lucinda and Gotye duet could be interesting if you strain you can almost hear it can't cha ?  {#Yes}
Posted 10 years ago by gregr79    [ Reply ]

Real nice tune.  I've not been too exposed to Essence and had not heard this.  

Thanks!

Love Lucinda Williams.  "Right in Time" is one of the greatest lust songs ever written.



 
Posted 10 years ago by hallogallo    [ Reply ]
Tasty guitar tone on this track.
Posted 10 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}

 
Like he said,  a revelation {#Bananajam}
Posted 10 years ago by bsmith1    [ Reply ]
She sings like she's straining on the toilet (superb guitar though)
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
I quite appreciate LW anytime...but at midnight, and with a half dozen glasses of wine, she is Magnificent! {#Good-vibes}
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Over the years she has grown to become my favorite musician.  Her back catalog is just too good.
Posted 10 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
{#Wave}...... really like this a lot, nice production  8 >>>>>>> 9
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
I'm down with this - 7>8
Posted 10 years ago by jchap5    [ Reply ]

 

Follow the link. Buy the CD. Get the Autorip for portable playing...

I seem to do this a lot when listening to RP... probably explains my 1,000+ CDs

OTOH, I have great collection and can pick-choose to follow the mood of the night


Posted 10 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
9 from me, everything is cool with this one
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
sucko - barfo, -won't end fast enough yet it seems to keep going...
Posted 10 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
If you get a chance to see Lucinda et al perform live, spring the best tickets you can afford. Incredible
Posted 10 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
 jim1964 wrote:

Fred, I fear you are missing the heart of this song, perhaps you should catch up on your zeds.

 

I have to go along with jim on this one, Fred.  Sometimes simply swaying to the feel  - and Bo's guitar - can be a very nice vibe
Posted 10 years ago by davem    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 
Fred, I fear you are missing the heart of this song, perhaps you should catch up on your zeds.
Posted 11 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
 kriskome wrote:
Nice. Who is playing guitar?
 

that would be the awesome bo ramsey.  
Posted 11 years ago by trek_29er    [ Reply ]
Oh come on baby ... One more chance
Posted 11 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
Very nice! Who is on guitar?
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
yes, babe...{#Notworthy}....beat me, rape me, make me wright bad checks,   i'm yours...
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
awesome simple song, sounds like my ex-wife wrote it. nice easy listening tune, love the emotion
Posted 11 years ago by nightmann    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
...She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 
You make that seem like a bad thing.  
{#Dancingbanana_2} 
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]

Yep, Lucinda, I'm down with it, baybay!  Sing on, girl!


Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
I'm 'down' with this dirgefest, right enough. She sounds like she's singing drunkenly in a bar at 2am having been on the sauce since lunchtime {#Sleep}

 

Hit the nail on the noggin, Senor Frederico.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]