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The Be Good Tanyas — Light Enough to Travel
Album: Blue Horse
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2023









Released: 2001
Length: 4:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Wound up drunk again on Robson St.
Strange, 'cause we always agreed
At the start of every evening
That's the last place I wanna be

Coffee drinkers dressed in black with no sugar
They don't give me no respect
They say: "Look, here comes another one,"
And I don't know what they mean yet

And I say
Keep it light enough to travel
Don't let it all unravel
Keep it light enough to travel

Promise me we won't go into the nightclub
I feel so fucked up when I'm in there
Can't tell the bouncers from the customers
And I don't know which ones I prefer
Promise me we won't go into the nightclub
I really think that it's obscene
What kind of people go to meet people
Someplace they can't be heard or seen?

Keep it light enough to travel
Don't let it all unravel
Keep it light enough to travel

I broke the windows of the logging company
Just to get a little release
I had to throw down my accordion
To get away from the police

And I say
Keep it light enough to travel
Comments (279)add comment
This could be a Cracker song.
Posted 5 months ago by ShockwaveRider    [ Reply ]
BGT! 
Never less than worthy of turning up the volume and dancing.
Posted 9 months ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Elevator music. Exchanging elevator with shopping-mall wouldn't matter.
Posted 11 months ago by thisbody    [ Reply ]
I love this track. I love the album Blue Horse in fact I love al Their albums and solo artists albums. They are all amazing❤️❤️👍👍
Posted 1 year ago by Bucketheadbobby    [ Reply ]
 Signwrtr61 wrote:
An absolutely disgustingly obscene way of insulting either of those artists. Can hardly wait to hear YOUR music, and make a comparably disgusting remark about it. Can't say something nice, keep your pie hole filled with something equally disgusting. Perhaps the aforementioned vibrator would be appropriate. 



Signwrtr61 is right..
Did you fall and hit your fucking head?
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I have yet to listen to the lyrics but I really like the beat!
Posted 1 year ago by heymull    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

echoes of natalie merchant with a huge vibrator turned to overload jammed way up her wazoo

An absolutely disgustingly obscene way of insulting either of those artists. Can hardly wait to hear YOUR music, and make a comparably disgusting remark about it. Can't say something nice, keep your pie hole filled with something equally disgusting. Perhaps the aforementioned vibrator would be appropriate. 

Posted 1 year ago by Signwrtr61    [ Reply ]
Love these ladies' music. I feel fortunate to have seen them at a great venue in SF (the Independent) at one of their last shows before calling they called it quits. 
Posted 1 year ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
Damn fine song!
Posted 1 year ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 twoplain2sea wrote:

  Six female customers, coffee drinkers dressed in black with no sugar
                           And I am just watching the scene,
                  They talk like they hail from thirteenth century
      Now, the border crosser in summer can switch to centuries ahead
                  
              So. we throw a head and tail, and talk shop
                   We all end up interviewing each other
         This is when I take notice of their eyes burning like coal.
     And, already another six broke my heart on the phone today.
                         So now I pretend to be an alien.
        


Interesting post. Who wrote this?
Posted 1 year ago by pshand    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics!
Posted 1 year ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
love her earnestness!!!!
Posted 1 year ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Seems like years since I've heard this one. Sounds great (again) today! Thanks William!
Posted 1 year ago by zapeta    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:
Is that her natural vibrato, or is she singing on a vibrating bed?
 
I'm pretty sure there wasn't one in the video I saw.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Noni163 wrote:
No
 

Oh yes indeed!   
Posted 5 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
No
Posted 5 years ago by Noni163    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Good tune, but couldn’t the guitar player have tuned up first? Sticks out like a sore thumb.
 
Your comment sticks out like a sore thumb
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Good tune, but couldn’t the guitar player have tuned up first? Sticks out like a sore thumb.
Posted 5 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
I give it a 10 just for the lyrics about nightclubs👌
Posted 5 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
I once knew a Tanya. She was not a  good Tanya.  She could punch pretty hard when mad or drunk. 
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I absolutely love the Be Good Tanyas and Frazey Ford!.....so distinctive....terrific artists!!
Posted 5 years ago by danthebeachman    [ Reply ]
Can't help but think of the song's author Geoff Berner when I hear this song. 

Check out this old video of Geoff in all his solitary glory at the Brandon Folk Festival.  He is playing on a sort of circus stage to a sparse but appreciative crowd.  There are kids running about, festival style, while he sings about stolen stereos and alleyway murders.  It's a beautiful moment and he is a true troubadour and a great songwriter:  That What Keeps the Rent Down, Baby.
Posted 5 years ago by goatshow    [ Reply ]
 Nerubo wrote:
Some of my all-time favorite lyrics:
Promise me we won't go into the nightclub
I really think that it's obscene
What kind of people go to meet people
Someplace they can't be heard or seen?


 
That's an interesting debating point.
I always thought people went to night clubs because they wanted to be ripped off by the price of drinks.
Maybe I missed the point.
Posted 5 years ago by RobN    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:
Is that her natural vibrato, or is she singing on a vibrating bed?
 
Dolly Parton vibrato i would say !
Posted 6 years ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
Is that her natural vibrato, or is she singing on a vibrating bed?
Posted 6 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
My fav Be Good Tanyas song. 
Posted 6 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
'thoroughly enjoying this song as well as the RP experience - the comments etc.
Posted 6 years ago by slikr    [ Reply ]
seriously digging this this afternoon.....
Posted 7 years ago by nook    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:
Instead of trying to turn a 2 syllable word into a 3 syllable word I guess they could have chosen "unravel" or "bravado" or "dismantle" maybe? But "tuh-rav-el"? I don't know.

 
"Unravel" is the last word in the preceding line.  I guess they could "keep it light enough to dismantle" or "light enough to bravado" though.  
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I've always loved this. This time, it really hits me just right; a couple of Leffe blondes and some killer legal Flo after a nice hike, hell yes
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
8  )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Instead of trying to turn a 2 syllable word into a 3 syllable word I guess they could have chosen "unravel" or "bravado" or "dismantle" maybe? But "tuh-rav-el"? I don't know.
Posted 8 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Sounds so much like Maria McKee and Lone Justice
Posted 8 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
"I wound up drunk again on Robson Street." That's the kind of Canadian content I can get behind! Cheers, Geoff Berner! I am looking forward to seeing you at Victoria's Copper Owl at the end of the month.
Posted 8 years ago by raenvald    [ Reply ]
it rocks, to me
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Loved, loved, loved this song ever since I heard it live at the Vancouver Folk Festival.  It's always the first one I listen to after a 10 day silent meditation retreat.
Posted 8 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]

      Six female customers, coffee drinkers dressed in black with no sugar
                           And I am just watching the scene,
                  They talk like they hail from thirteenth century
      Now, the border crosser in summer can switch to centuries ahead
                  
              So. we throw a head and tail, and talk shop
                   We all end up interviewing each other
         This is when I take notice of their eyes burning like coal.
     And, already another six broke my heart on the phone today.
                         So now I pretend to be an alien.
        
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
A seamless transition from Band of Skulls "Honest"... RP magic! {#Notworthy}
Posted 8 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
Still good after all this time. 
Posted 9 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Frazey Ford is doing a solo tour and selling out venues, so the BGTs may be history, or on a sabbatical.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of my wanderin' days. Such a good song.
Posted 10 years ago by jktravl    [ Reply ]
They always sound like they are singing through a heavy wool blanket...
Posted 10 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 tutakea wrote:
Very nice! Singing is very good: just the little bit "over-the-top" that makes it unusual enough.... As for comparisions. I´ll put in Melanie....

  
There ya go !  Yeppers.
Posted 10 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Same pitch, drums, guitar, nosy voice than a ton of other wanabees. Boring ta-ga-boom. About 8 minutes too long.
Posted 10 years ago by Chumbawamba-1984    [ Reply ]
My favourite BGT song.  Fortunate to see it live at Vancouver Folk Fest 1999? 2000?  

 
Posted 10 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]
bought this album years ago, but every time i hear it, this track particularly, i just melt, it's so cool! love RP! ;)*
Posted 10 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
I knew a girl called Tanya when I was a young man.  She wasn't good in the nicest possible way.
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Back when I did carouse with me droogies, I avoided bars with bouncers.   Where there is bouncers, there's fights.  Too much testoserone.
 
Learned that lesson in the Navy, when, I confess, I often found myself in "Tanya's" predicament.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
yuck
Posted 11 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]

I absolutely love this album.  This isn't my favourite on that release, but it's still pretty strong.  Me and my imaginary friends be dancing... {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Light on your feet is good, light in your shoes........depends.


Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]

Love this song...  we be light on our feet...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Great song....drunk and dancin' on a Sunday afternoon.........
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:

Enough with the swearing already
 

Dang, this song is soooo good...  hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute...

we be dancing...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
 
Enough with the swearing already
Posted 11 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
i don't hear this too much.  that's good, because it would suck to come to hate such a wonderful song.
Posted 12 years ago by nook    [ Reply ]
 99 wrote:
David Spade called from the set of Hollywood Minute in the mid-1990s and wants his joke back.
 
{#Roflol}
Posted 12 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Back when I did carouse with me droogies, I avoided bars with bouncers.   Where there is bouncers, there's fights.  Too much testoserone.
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}  Very catchy tune.  Enough to make me want more.
Posted 12 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
Be good Tanyas be very good.

Posted 13 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
Sounds a lot like an old Poi Dog Pondering song

Posted 13 years ago by dougmbrown    [ Reply ]
Some of my all-time favorite lyrics:
Promise me we won't go into the nightclub
I really think that it's obscene
What kind of people go to meet people
Someplace they can't be heard or seen?

Posted 14 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
Very nice! Singing is very good: just the little bit "over-the-top" that makes it unusual enough.... As for comparisions. I´ll put in Melanie....
Posted 14 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:
Maria McKee called and wants her style back.
 

David Spade called from the set of Hollywood Minute in the mid-1990s and wants his joke back.

Oh, and this is a very good song. A strong 7.

Posted 14 years ago by 99    [ Reply ]
Love this!
Posted 14 years ago by kellis    [ Reply ]
this song reminds of freer times, Humboldt, redwoods, fresh air
Posted 14 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
Maria McKee called and wants her style back.
Posted 14 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
This song gives me a headache.
Posted 14 years ago by Joy4life    [ Reply ]
What kind of people
go to meet people
where they can't be heard or seen? 

My sentiments, exactly - they won me with that one. . .  
Posted 15 years ago by onomasticator    [ Reply ]
 osbyec wrote:


By "tremolo" you would mean "vibrato," right?  It is a bit over the top.  Like the song otherwise, though.
 
Tremolo, or tremolando, is a musical term describing various trembling effects.

Posted 15 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
I broke the windows of the logging company 
Just to get a little release 
I had to throw down my accordion 
To get away from the police 

Some of my favorite lyrics ever! Love these girls!
Posted 15 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
Love that tremolo!
Posted 15 years ago by stevew    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
echoes of natalie merchant with a huge vibrator turned to overload jammed way up her wazoo
 
LMAO!  Yah, gets me how some acts "make it" . . . as I tell people, there are "X" types at all levels, fill in X with whatever works for your current statement needs.

Posted 15 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
Great Song, great album. 
Posted 15 years ago by geordiezimmerman    [ Reply ]
echoes of natalie merchant with a huge vibrator turned to overload jammed way up her wazoo
Posted 15 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Meh
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:

fixed.

 
Fixed!

Posted 15 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 palad1 wrote:
What's with the over the top tremolo?

God kills a kitten each time a singer over-uses her tremolo.
 

By "tremolo" you would mean "vibrato," right?  It is a bit over the top.  Like the song otherwise, though.
Posted 15 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
 palad1 wrote:
What's with the over the top tremolo?

God kills a kitten each time a singer over-uses her tremolo.
 
True, sounds like she is taped to the washing machine or something.
Posted 15 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Where's the mute button?
Posted 15 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
 speakerman wrote:
Any rating less than an 8 on this song is an insult.
 
fixed.

Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
oh! i like i like! honest! {#Wink}
 Misterfixit wrote:
Damn!  and Double Damn!  You guys are soooooo Cold!  You should see these ladies in concert sometime and listen carefully.  This is some of the purest country music I can imagine and I am a born and bred good ole boy from a tiny "holler" in middle Tennessee.  If ya don't like it, well then hit the mute button.  Musically, listen to the chords and harmony and remember that even IF Ghod kills a kitten each time a singer does the tremolo bit, Ghod squashes a cute, furry little puppy under a Stephen King Driven steam-roller every time someone complains about another artist's performance.
 


Posted 16 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Damn!  and Double Damn!  You guys are soooooo Cold!  You should see these ladies in concert sometime and listen carefully.  This is some of the purest country music I can imagine and I am a born and bred good ole boy from a tiny "holler" in middle Tennessee.  If ya don't like it, well then hit the mute button.  Musically, listen to the chords and harmony and remember that even IF Ghod kills a kitten each time a singer does the tremolo bit, Ghod squashes a cute, furry little puppy under a Stephen King Driven steam-roller every time someone complains about another artist's performance.


Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
This song is growing on me... <8>
It's simple clean and fun... why not? {#Bounce}

Posted 16 years ago by ord_mike    [ Reply ]
What's with the over the top tremolo?

God kills a kitten each time a singer over-uses her tremolo.
Posted 16 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
I once made a mix with songs that were the last songs on their CDs.  This song is SUCH a good closing song that I used it to close that CD.
Posted 16 years ago by vivakitty    [ Reply ]
Wait until Dolly Parton has a serious head cold, then pick her dullest song, take 8 words from it, and repeat them 200 times, and you've got "Light Enough to Travel". Good thing I was light enough to travel to the next room until this was over.

Posted 16 years ago by rajulkabir    [ Reply ]
You got it... Wish there were a 9.5... 

speakerman wrote:


Any rating less than an 8 on this song is an insult.



 


Posted 16 years ago by DJHill    [ Reply ]
will it be over soon?????
Posted 16 years ago by cattail321    [ Reply ]
Any rating less than an 8 on this song is an insult.
Posted 16 years ago by speakerman    [ Reply ]
Inspiring ...
Posted 16 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
in my head I am skipping along, singing this at the top of my lungs...and LOVING IT!!
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
love this song! thanks RP.
Posted 16 years ago by NanMac    [ Reply ]
Ooooh! What was that about Robson Street?
"Can't tell the bouncers from the customers?"
Do tell: its just around the corner but I'm safe at home.
Keepin' it light enough to travel, natch!



Posted 16 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
Most excellent. -Keep on rockin BGT
Posted 16 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
Sounds like she recorded this on a very bumpy road.
Posted 16 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
I got to know The Be Good Tanyas over here. And yes I am really enjoying these girls.
Posted 16 years ago by aragon    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of a good friend!
Posted 16 years ago by Dior    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by jameshay    [ Reply ]
huebdoo wrote:
You have to give props to anyone who has to throw away their accordian so they can get away from the police. What kind of anarchy does BC have to allow vandals to be walking around with accordians? what are the mosh-pits in Vancouver like? more like polka-pit cool - Two stepping in a mosh-pit - I dig it
What do I have to smoke in order to understand this train of thought? Will it make me like The Be Good Tanyas too?
Posted 16 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
Love the Tanyas!
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
I love it. I'll give it an 8.
Posted 16 years ago by agbar713    [ Reply ]
iiiii haaaaaa
Posted 16 years ago by otto63    [ Reply ]
Wooo!
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
amazin' synchrodipity!
Posted 16 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Be Good Tanyas, Wailin' Jennys what's with Canajun wimmen anyway? Luv it!
Posted 16 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
huebdoo wrote:
You have to give props to anyone who has to throw away their accordian so they can get away from the police. What kind of anarchy does BC have to allow vandals to be walking around with accordians? what are the mosh-pits in Vancouver like? more like polka-pit cool - Two stepping in a mosh-pit - I dig it
This song is a cover...the writer is actually an accordion-playing anarchist. Here's a story about him: https://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca/story/9220
Posted 16 years ago by HMS_Beagle    [ Reply ]
it's true " the littlest birds sing the prettiest song"
Posted 16 years ago by MrDill    [ Reply ]
Loves me some BGT.
Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Worst vocals ever.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
I had to log in just to give this a minus -1
Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Just folksy enough. It has that front porch charm that I can get into. I can see this one eliciting a Tori-esque ratings reverse bell curve... Pretty Good.
Posted 16 years ago by auburntigerrich    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
"Can't tell the bouncers from the customers...I don't know which ones I prefer" another reason I hate this group
That explains why you are different, this song is a good grove..... "keep it light enough to travel"
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
You have to give props to anyone who has to throw away their accordian so they can get away from the police. What kind of anarchy does BC have to allow vandals to be walking around with accordians? what are the mosh-pits in Vancouver like? more like polka-pit cool - Two stepping in a mosh-pit - I dig it
Posted 16 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
"Can't tell the bouncers from the customers...I don't know which ones I prefer" another reason I hate this group
How is that a reason? Just curious...
Posted 16 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
The all time best Tanyas song!
Yep, a solid 5. Edit: make that 4.
Posted 16 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
My 6 just went to 7. I like this one!
Posted 16 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Favorite off this CD, got it turned way up!
Posted 16 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
I like the song- Her voice reminds me of when I pinch my throat and wiggle up and down to do my Stevie Nicks impersonation.
Posted 17 years ago by morgsy67    [ Reply ]