Cracker — Kerosene Hat
Album: Kerosene HatAvg rating:
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Length: 5:29
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How can I fly with these old doggy wings
While the magpie sings some shiny song
Old corn face row of teeth, she says sweetly to me
In the elevator
Everything seems like a dream
And life's a scream
Here come old Kerosene Hat
With his ear flaps waxed, a courting his girl
Come clattering in here on your old cloven skates
With that devilish spoon
Everything seems like a dream
And life's a scream
When you're submarine
So don't you bother me, death, with your leathery ways
And your old chaise lounge
Wickerman's fence of leathery tires
And the cook's gone mad, started several fires
Everything seems like a dream
When you're submarine
Head like a stream she says softly to me
From the rattling chair
Bring me a steak and my old pair of crows
My medicine lamp
Everything seems like a dream
So life's a scream
While the magpie sings some shiny song
Old corn face row of teeth, she says sweetly to me
In the elevator
Everything seems like a dream
And life's a scream
Here come old Kerosene Hat
With his ear flaps waxed, a courting his girl
Come clattering in here on your old cloven skates
With that devilish spoon
Everything seems like a dream
And life's a scream
When you're submarine
So don't you bother me, death, with your leathery ways
And your old chaise lounge
Wickerman's fence of leathery tires
And the cook's gone mad, started several fires
Everything seems like a dream
When you're submarine
Head like a stream she says softly to me
From the rattling chair
Bring me a steak and my old pair of crows
My medicine lamp
Everything seems like a dream
So life's a scream
Comments (95)add comment
Jayesea wrote:
Thanks for sharing this!
David had posted some comments back in 2010 as far as inspiration for this song on his website. More details can be found on https://www.davidlowerymusic.c... but here is an excerpt which might be of interest to some:
Site of the old East Coast Gas Station in Gunsmoke. Cary and Meadow Richmond VA.
In some ways this is part of the inspiration for the song Kerosene Hat. The kerosene hat was the wool hunting cap with earflaps that I would have to wear when I walked to the gas station in the middle of the night to get more kerosene. This was sometimes a scary proposition because if it was too late and the local texaco by VCU was closed, we had to walk to the East Coast station up in the neighborhood known as “Gunsmoke”. Cary and Meadow st. This is still a sketchy area today. It was really quite dangerous in 1990.
The second part of the inspiration for this song was the simple fact that Johnny Hickman and I were older than many of our peers in the alternative and indie rock scene at that time. Also we were one of the few bands that was playing what would later be called Americana. So this is exactly what i’m talking about when I sing:
How can I fly with these old doggy wings
While a magpie sings some shiny song.
Finally the main body of the song is populated by characters that are similar to the broken down houses and people who populated the neighborhood at that time.
Thanks for sharing this!
Such a brooding track...so atmospheric. Lovely stuff.
SchrodingersCat wrote:
...along with the first Cracker album.
This whole album is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
...along with the first Cracker album.
David had posted some comments back in 2010 as far as inspiration for this song on his website. More details can be found on https://www.davidlowerymusic.c... but here is an excerpt which might be of interest to some:
Site of the old East Coast Gas Station in Gunsmoke. Cary and Meadow Richmond VA.
In some ways this is part of the inspiration for the song Kerosene Hat. The kerosene hat was the wool hunting cap with earflaps that I would have to wear when I walked to the gas station in the middle of the night to get more kerosene. This was sometimes a scary proposition because if it was too late and the local texaco by VCU was closed, we had to walk to the East Coast station up in the neighborhood known as “Gunsmoke”. Cary and Meadow st. This is still a sketchy area today. It was really quite dangerous in 1990.
The second part of the inspiration for this song was the simple fact that Johnny Hickman and I were older than many of our peers in the alternative and indie rock scene at that time. Also we were one of the few bands that was playing what would later be called Americana. So this is exactly what i’m talking about when I sing:
How can I fly with these old doggy wings
While a magpie sings some shiny song.
Finally the main body of the song is populated by characters that are similar to the broken down houses and people who populated the neighborhood at that time.
Site of the old East Coast Gas Station in Gunsmoke. Cary and Meadow Richmond VA.
In some ways this is part of the inspiration for the song Kerosene Hat. The kerosene hat was the wool hunting cap with earflaps that I would have to wear when I walked to the gas station in the middle of the night to get more kerosene. This was sometimes a scary proposition because if it was too late and the local texaco by VCU was closed, we had to walk to the East Coast station up in the neighborhood known as “Gunsmoke”. Cary and Meadow st. This is still a sketchy area today. It was really quite dangerous in 1990.
The second part of the inspiration for this song was the simple fact that Johnny Hickman and I were older than many of our peers in the alternative and indie rock scene at that time. Also we were one of the few bands that was playing what would later be called Americana. So this is exactly what i’m talking about when I sing:
How can I fly with these old doggy wings
While a magpie sings some shiny song.
Finally the main body of the song is populated by characters that are similar to the broken down houses and people who populated the neighborhood at that time.
Still a fan of Cracker. I had them on cassette many years ago and then met them by accident in downtown Santa Cruz. Love it.
Never a bad time for Cracker tune.
Love this groove: the term 'languorous' comes to mind (in its positive sense - pleasant tiredness leaving you feeling like you can just chill for a bit and don't need to do anything else for the moment).
I just bloody love this.
I don't know what he's talking about, but it sure is a great song. Great album, too.
tomperth1 wrote:
Right?
This is a fantastic song. When I first heard it, I thought that it must be inspired by Sparklehorse. Then I saw the date of release, and was blown away.
Right?
yawn....
it seems like this is played every other day. maybe it isn't, but it seems like it. it's one of there softer songs, which i appreciate.
i do like cracker. bill does too, obviously. they get played a lot.
i'd like to hear other cuts from them more often.
i do like cracker. bill does too, obviously. they get played a lot.
i'd like to hear other cuts from them more often.
Edweirdo wrote:
Richard Thompson, before the vocal started...
A consistent thought - his 'Calvary Cross' was my previous comment!
I wasn't paying attention when this started and I thought "early Pink Floyd".
A consistent thought - his 'Calvary Cross' was my previous comment!
I wasn't paying attention when this started and I thought "early Pink Floyd".
Like several songs on this landmark record, it took awhile to fully appreciate. Johnny Hickman's a living legend! JAM!
This is a fantastic song. When I first heard it, I thought that it must be inspired by Sparklehorse. Then I saw the date of release, and was blown away.
Jack White and Cracker, perfect!
When you try to write lyrics like those in “Come Together”, this is the result. Great musical backing, though.
This. Just this. Memories of driving all over the fucking east coast doing stand up. Such a great album/band.
The guitar solo takes me there.
Bloody love this album, what a great band. Saw them live many years ago in London, awesome gig! Where are they now?
Apologies if this is already in the comments, but I love that wherever these lyrics are being pulled from have one of the lines as "And life's a scream, when you're submarine." Pretty sure it's "suffering" but if Bill follows this with "Yellow Submarine" I might have to think twice.
rcurrier wrote:
Sound check.
Probably. But they were also the 1st of 4 bands on the bill (Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters) so everyone was probably still out tailgating before the show.
Sound check.
Probably. But they were also the 1st of 4 bands on the bill (Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters) so everyone was probably still out tailgating before the show.
There´s something hauntingly beautiful about these chords. Not sure about the lyrical content, but what a sound!
ace-marc wrote:
MORE
Chicago
Crack the Sky
Camel
City Boy
Thanks Bill.
MORE Cracker, Camper Van, Clash!
NO Cougar, Counting Crows, Cranberries!
MORE
Chicago
Crack the Sky
Camel
City Boy
It's great to hear the tracks here that I recorded 20...50 years ago on the radio on cassette. This one I've heard maybe only 10 or 20 times, because the tape doesn't exist anymore. But it's like burned into my ear. And finally I know the name of the band. Thanks for listening again.
Despite liking several of the tunes, I seriously hope this tune is the end of this heroin set.
There are some songs where you kinda wish you didn't listen to RP all week
mrselfdestruct wrote:
"mrselfdestruct" wrote
Could do without the creepy whispering near the end.
"mrselfdestruct" wrote
Fantastica ballata sto sognando sospeso a mezz'aria. Bellissima 
CoYoT51 wrote:
Too much heroin if you ask me.
This tune defines by itself the genre called boring-rock.
Too much heroin if you ask me.
I like Cracker just fine (see 'em in concert several times), but RP plays TOO MUCH overall of David Lowery in all his forms.
h8rhater wrote:
That's because they have class, style, and respect for quality rock and roll. Very much unlike the Neil detractors to be found on these boards.
I saw them on that tour as well. I miss live music.
That's because they have class, style, and respect for quality rock and roll. Very much unlike the Neil detractors to be found on these boards.
I saw them on that tour as well. I miss live music.
rcurrier wrote:
Sound check.
Unfortunately the subtitle says "Cracker performing..."
Sound check.
Unfortunately the subtitle says "Cracker performing..."
I love Johnny´s guitar sound! Such perfect bloom...
This whole album is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
I laughed out out at “doggy wings” in the first line of the lyrics!
“Dodgy” makes more sense but doesn’t evoke such a surreal image.
“Dodgy” makes more sense but doesn’t evoke such a surreal image.
Sounds a lot like an Admiral Freebee tune.
I never knew that Cracker came from my birthplace. Interesting.
rcurrier wrote:
Sound check.
The article must have been edited since then, because now there is no picture.
Sound check.
The article must have been edited since then, because now there is no picture.
But its Johnny Hickman!
This tune defines by itself the genre called boring-rock.
2Hawks wrote:
Love Cracker's version of Loser By GD! Slow but... he captivated me.
Oof. Too slow for my morning.
Love Cracker's version of Loser By GD! Slow but... he captivated me.
Oof. Too slow for my morning.
ace-marc wrote:
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
That's because they have class, style, and respect for quality rock and roll. Very much unlike the Neil detractors to be found on these boards.
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
That's because they have class, style, and respect for quality rock and roll. Very much unlike the Neil detractors to be found on these boards.
ace-marc wrote:
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
Hung out with these guys after a show in Reno (Sparks).
They love Thai food.
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
Hung out with these guys after a show in Reno (Sparks).
They love Thai food.
westslope wrote:
I similarly got echoes of Richard Thompson's Calvary Cross.
There are some aspects of this song that remind me of Neil Young. I hope that does not detract from anybody's enjoyment of the tune.
I similarly got echoes of Richard Thompson's Calvary Cross.
westslope wrote:
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
There are some aspects of this song that remind me of Neil Young. I hope that does not detract from anybody's enjoyment of the tune.
Hung out with these guys after a show in Winnipeg.
They love Neil Young.
There are some aspects of this song that remind me of Neil Young. I hope that does not detract from anybody's enjoyment of the tune.
Ambitious song. Like it more on subsequent listens.
Love guitar lead, break of drums and the rythm oh this ballad... But the power of the lyrics make me feel so....
"Et même à l'autre bout du monde
Branchée sur la même fréquence
Je sais que tu recevras les ondes
Et peu importe la distance..."
Joa
"
"Et même à l'autre bout du monde
Branchée sur la même fréquence
Je sais que tu recevras les ondes
Et peu importe la distance..."
Joa
"
Slow Core Cracker... I like this alot
Bat wrote:
Sound check.
The picture from the Wikipedia link is pretty depressing. It looks like they are playing to a crowd of exactly 3 people. Even the stage security guy in the yellow shirt looks like he's sound asleep, or maybe just playing with his cell phone.
Sound check.
Thanks Bill.
MORE Cracker, Camper Van, Clash!
NO Cougar, Counting Crows, Cranberries!
MORE Cracker, Camper Van, Clash!
NO Cougar, Counting Crows, Cranberries!
Bat wrote:
google knows all: https://www.billboard.com/arti...
For better or worse I subscribe to Spotify. I know that Cracker/CVB had an issue with them and lawsuits were filed. Does anyone know how all of that is working out?
Some Cracker material is available on Spotify and some not. Who decides which songs are OK and which ones not?
Some Cracker material is available on Spotify and some not. Who decides which songs are OK and which ones not?
google knows all: https://www.billboard.com/arti...
The picture from the Wikipedia link is pretty depressing. It looks like they are playing to a crowd of exactly 3 people. Even the stage security guy in the yellow shirt looks like he's sound asleep, or maybe just playing with his cell phone.
mrselfdestruct wrote:
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that phrase...
Could do without the creepy whispering near the end.
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that phrase...
For better or worse I subscribe to Spotify. I know that Cracker/CVB had an issue with them and lawsuits were filed. Does anyone know how all of that is working out?
Some Cracker material is available on Spotify and some not. Who decides which songs are OK and which ones not?
Some Cracker material is available on Spotify and some not. Who decides which songs are OK and which ones not?
Gonna go see these guys on Wednesday in a small indoor venue.
Summertime baby! Time for live music.
Summertime baby! Time for live music.
Could do without the creepy whispering near the end.
fedtho wrote:
And one month later, I feel just like you
Bill, this segment is just making me smile and groove in my kitchen:
Patty Griffin — Boston (sounds good to me)
Missy Higgins — Secret (hot performance)
Ben Harper — Excuse Me Mister (usually not that big a fan, but I dig this a lot)
...and right now
Cracker — Kerosene Hat (never heard of them, but sounds perfect at the moment)
Moments of pleasure, (as Kate would sing), life feels worth living.
Thanks for this, Bill 8)
Patty Griffin — Boston (sounds good to me)
Missy Higgins — Secret (hot performance)
Ben Harper — Excuse Me Mister (usually not that big a fan, but I dig this a lot)
...and right now
Cracker — Kerosene Hat (never heard of them, but sounds perfect at the moment)
Moments of pleasure, (as Kate would sing), life feels worth living.
Thanks for this, Bill 8)
And one month later, I feel just like you
Bill, this segment is just making me smile and groove in my kitchen:
Patty Griffin — Boston (sounds good to me)
Missy Higgins — Secret (hot performance)
Ben Harper — Excuse Me Mister (usually not that big a fan, but I dig this a lot)
...and right now
Cracker — Kerosene Hat (never heard of them, but sounds perfect at the moment)
Moments of pleasure, (as Kate would sing), life feels worth living.
Thanks for this, Bill 8)
8 > 9 "Don't you bother me death with your leathery ways.."
Most of what I've heard from them leaves me cold, but this is pretty tasty.
This was one of my tapes I carried wandering through Europe in summer of 1993. Still is awesome.
Love it!
This here Cracker band has some depth.
This here Cracker band has some depth.
dpjag wrote:
LOL. Tell that to the Cowboy Junkies
Friends don't let friends sing asleep.
LOL. Tell that to the Cowboy Junkies
BBoyes wrote:
Agreed!
Wonderful deep groove!
Agreed!
hcg11 wrote:
It's been a long time since I had Sweet Thistle Pie....
Cracker is good no matter what, but their best tunes are the ones that rock out, like "I hate my generation", "Mr. Right" and others. Why not play some of those on RP?
It's been a long time since I had Sweet Thistle Pie....
Wonderful deep groove!
Yes! Hadn't heard this for ages.
No question one of the ten best rock albums of the 90's. And it still sounds great to this day.
thegoatmanofmd wrote:
Cracker = good. This song reminds me of Big Dipper..which is another great Cracker song.
Big Dipper is one of my favorite Cracker songs. Unfortunately, it's one of the most depressing songs in existence, and, as much as I love it, I hope I never catch it on RP while I'm at work. That would just effectively end my day right there.
I\'m listening to this at work. I need coffee pronto!
Originally Posted by dpjag:
Friends don't let friends sing asleep.
Close your eyes. Listen. 
Friends don\'t let friends sing asleep.
I think I\'ll pass on the Crackers...
Here come ol\'SorbetHead!....
Niiice. It makes me want to curl up and go to sleep in a good way. So soothing and relaxing.
sounds like \"music for suicide\"
how \'bout \"EuroTrash girl\" next time...
first time I\'ve heard this song and I like it, dreamy and melancholic. And yes, this reminds me that I\'ve got to get some tremolo effect for my electric guitar rig one of these days.
mmm... tremolo...
\"...here come \'ol...sorbet-head...\"
David Lowery can be so ridiculous...and i love it!
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that phrase...
You'd have a lovely, lovely cell....
<next to mine!>
..grin..