Cracker — Loser
Album: Kerosene HatAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1290
Length: 5:50
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If I had a gun for every ace I have drawn,
I could arm a town the size of Abilene
Don't you push me baby,
Cause I'm all alone and you know I'm only in it for the gold
All that I am asking is for ten gold dollars
And I could pay you back with one good hand
You can look around about the wide world over
And you'll never find another honest man.
Last fair deal in the country,
Last fair deal in the town
Put your gold dollars where your love is baby,
Before I let my deal go down
Last fair deal in the country,
Last fair deal in the town
Put your gold dollars where your love is baby,
Before I let my deal go down
Don't you push me baby, cause I'm all alone
And I know a little something you might never know
Don't you touch our liquor, just a cup of cold coffee
I'm gonna wake up in the morning and go
Everybody prayin' and drinkin' that wine
I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines
Come to papa on an inside straight,
Causel I got no chance of losing this time
No I got no chance of losing this time
No I got no chance of losing this time
I could arm a town the size of Abilene
Don't you push me baby,
Cause I'm all alone and you know I'm only in it for the gold
All that I am asking is for ten gold dollars
And I could pay you back with one good hand
You can look around about the wide world over
And you'll never find another honest man.
Last fair deal in the country,
Last fair deal in the town
Put your gold dollars where your love is baby,
Before I let my deal go down
Last fair deal in the country,
Last fair deal in the town
Put your gold dollars where your love is baby,
Before I let my deal go down
Don't you push me baby, cause I'm all alone
And I know a little something you might never know
Don't you touch our liquor, just a cup of cold coffee
I'm gonna wake up in the morning and go
Everybody prayin' and drinkin' that wine
I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines
Come to papa on an inside straight,
Causel I got no chance of losing this time
No I got no chance of losing this time
No I got no chance of losing this time
Comments (164)add comment
I love this entire album... such a great vibe/feel to it.
I love it when a song. that's been around for a while but missed me... hits my ears. What an awesome cover of this song. Most covers of GD/Jerry don't seem to emit the soul of the songs, this guy really does a great job emitting that soul.
inklip wrote:
It sounds like he used a Fender (Stratocaster or Telecaster) guitar during the solo, a guitar sound which is not unique to Mark Knopfler, though he was widely known for it.
Someone was saying the Dire Straights guitarist had a unique sound. This guitarist seems strongly influenced.
It sounds like he used a Fender (Stratocaster or Telecaster) guitar during the solo, a guitar sound which is not unique to Mark Knopfler, though he was widely known for it.
sfyi2001 wrote:
Agonizingly mundane- taken to the level of frikking TORTURE, by the snare
'Loser' indeed ~
My rating down from 7 to 5
Agonizingly mundane- taken to the level of frikking TORTURE, by the snare
'Loser' indeed ~
My rating down from 7 to 5
fitmartin wrote:
Never thought of that but it does sound a bit like Tom Petty. Love Cracker!
Reminds of early Petty
Never thought of that but it does sound a bit like Tom Petty. Love Cracker!
Agonizingly mundane- taken to the level of frikking TORTURE, by the snare
'Loser' indeed ~
kbs wrote:
Well, I don't about what Mr. Thompson would do, but our band plays it at Mach 10...and its a pretty fun / different interpretation!
I wonder what Richard Thompson would do to this...
Well, I don't about what Mr. Thompson would do, but our band plays it at Mach 10...and its a pretty fun / different interpretation!
2X that!
FatPants wrote:
Such an awesome song.
fitmartin wrote:
I wondered if that was who is doing backing vocals!
Reminds of early Petty
I wondered if that was who is doing backing vocals!
fitmartin wrote:
Good call.
Reminds of early Petty
Good call.
This sounds like a more stable version of John Frusciante.
Such an awesome song.
lovin' that sultry guitar.. 
Not a fan of Cracker, generally, but I like this cover and concur with many of the (non-negative) comments below.
Edit: And I don't consider the "at least it's not more U2" comment negative.
Edit: And I don't consider the "at least it's not more U2" comment negative.
Reminds of early Petty
Cracker - Loser
about sums it up.
about sums it up.
Thank you Bill very nice version.
Decent cover. (Better than hearing more U2).
Love this band. This is not one of their best songs, but the band is very talented.
I wonder what Richard Thompson would do to this...
flatpicker wrote:
I can't help but echo this assessment. The lyrics cry out for an emotion that I find totally lacking. The guitars aren't bad, but if ever you had a chance to smolder a solo over some coals, Loser gives you that opportunity in Spades. While I love to hear the Dead covered, and this isn't an exception, it does make me want to run and put on some particularly searing Live versions from the godl ol' GD.
It's ok... but a little uninspired.
I can't help but echo this assessment. The lyrics cry out for an emotion that I find totally lacking. The guitars aren't bad, but if ever you had a chance to smolder a solo over some coals, Loser gives you that opportunity in Spades. While I love to hear the Dead covered, and this isn't an exception, it does make me want to run and put on some particularly searing Live versions from the godl ol' GD.
If you ask them nice, they'll open as Camper Van. I seen it!
Santa Cruz Rocks! Go Cracker
inklip wrote:
That's what Jerry said.
The guitarist is a bit too on the downer morphine (as in, on the drug not the band) side for my taste, though.
That's what Jerry said.
Hey...play the Grateful Dead version.
I like it.
The guitarist is a bit too on the downer morphine (as in, on the drug not the band) side for my taste, though.
Someone was saying the Dire Straights guitarist had a unique sound. This guitarist seems strongly influenced.
This whole album stands. Cracker could Ween Beck off of Cake.
Sounds like Wilco to my somewhat untrained ear...
oh yeah play that smoldering kerosene burnin guitar.. 
Sounds great this
morning! Love the guitar! ðððžðž
morning! Love the guitar! ðððžðž
Great song and awesome cover!
Love the stanky country guitar. Set the reverb at 11 and pass the whiskey!
Love the stanky country guitar. Set the reverb at 11 and pass the whiskey!
Ouch! ...If you can't sing a certain note, don't try to sing it...
This is mostly an instrumental song if the left speaker in your headphones isn't working.
Nice!
Well call me Polly cause I'm sure enjoying this cracker
One of my very top albums of the 90s... Love the honey dripping guitars.
A great cover - great band too :) - almost as good as CVB.
Dunkelstar wrote:
I, too, prefer the original, mostly because I don't like the vocal range on this cover (David Lowery? Yeah, well, I had to google that). Still, it's great to hear variety. It's why I love RP.
Not a bad Dead cover. I'll always prefer the original, but it's nice to hear.
I, too, prefer the original, mostly because I don't like the vocal range on this cover (David Lowery? Yeah, well, I had to google that). Still, it's great to hear variety. It's why I love RP.
8 > 9
drictor wrote:
Love this song!
Love this cover!
Love this song!
Love this cover!
A quality cover that does justice to the original.... well done
Wow. Nice work, Bill. It's not every day that you hear this one— unless you're in my garage, of course. I bought this CD when it was new ('94?) and it's one of a few that are in heavy rotation right now when I'm working on the cars. Good stuff. David Lowrey is brilliant. Although the 80-something blank tracks on the disc throw off the wrenching mojo just a bit. : )
deepwoodskev wrote:
AGREED!
Double Agreement!
AGREED!
Double Agreement!
Not a bad Dead cover. I'll always prefer the original, but it's nice to hear.
Nice Solo
My favorite version....the Knickerbocker 3-24-90 version. That whole show was sick. Favorite GD show I went to easy.
GD 3-24-90 Knickerbocker Albany Loser
GD 3-24-90 Knickerbocker Albany Loser
This version, 9. Jerry's version on "Garcia", 10.
gypsyman wrote:
Seriously? They are still making music and touring non-stop. And sound great doing so.
Love Cracker. What happened to them?
Seriously? They are still making music and touring non-stop. And sound great doing so.
Giselle62 wrote:
AGREED!
cathenley wrote:
Because Lowey was in Camper Van Beethoven? Is that why we want to say it?
Listening to this right now I couldn't help but think "what a great version"—-the voice has the insouciance (an I don't give a damn quality) that i associate in my imagination with the that whole gambler/drifter life. Very cool. I don't understand why others can't hear it. Whatever.
Can we say Camper Van Beethoven? 
Because Lowey was in Camper Van Beethoven? Is that why we want to say it?
Listening to this right now I couldn't help but think "what a great version"—-the voice has the insouciance (an I don't give a damn quality) that i associate in my imagination with the that whole gambler/drifter life. Very cool. I don't understand why others can't hear it. Whatever.
AGREED!
martinc wrote:
Man you really are a piece of work. Figures you would like this song - Loser. Uh, go figure.
Come on, it's not necessary to insult people... but then again, Stinger has done his fair share of that.
BTW, this song is excellent.
Man you really are a piece of work. Figures you would like this song - Loser. Uh, go figure.
Come on, it's not necessary to insult people... but then again, Stinger has done his fair share of that.
BTW, this song is excellent.
Stingray wrote:
Man you really are a piece of work. Figures you would like this song - Loser. Uh, go figure.
AAAAAAAAAAH....!!!!
This is true class. FIRST-LEAGUE!
How woooonderful!
CRACKER is one of the best US-bands!
And nobody knows...
What to expect from a country
with a (ex-)president that cannot count to ten!
My "10" goes to CRACKER!
Always - especially here for this song!
Woooow!
This is true class. FIRST-LEAGUE!
How woooonderful!
CRACKER is one of the best US-bands!
And nobody knows...
What to expect from a country
with a (ex-)president that cannot count to ten!
My "10" goes to CRACKER!
Always - especially here for this song!
Woooow!
Man you really are a piece of work. Figures you would like this song - Loser. Uh, go figure.
Better than the last song but still making me want to switch to my iTunes.
This is the way I like my Dead, covered. . .
AAAAAAAAAAH....!!!!
This is true class. FIRST-LEAGUE!
How woooonderful!
CRACKER is one of the best US-bands!
And nobody knows...
What to expect from a country
with a (ex-)president that cannot count to ten!
My "10" goes to CRACKER!
Always - especially here for this song!
Woooow!
This is true class. FIRST-LEAGUE!
How woooonderful!
CRACKER is one of the best US-bands!
And nobody knows...
What to expect from a country
with a (ex-)president that cannot count to ten!
My "10" goes to CRACKER!
Always - especially here for this song!
Woooow!
Plz play Dave Alvin's version!
Xeric wrote:
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
Xeric....
for me boils down to lyrics, and Hunter being a most tremendous writer.
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
Xeric....
for me boils down to lyrics, and Hunter being a most tremendous writer.
Great, love Cracker and their soul.
cathenley wrote:
Because Lowey was in Camper Van Beethoven? Is that why we want to say it?
Listening to this right now I couldn't help but think "what a great version"—-the voice has the insouciance (an I don't give a damn quality) that i associate in my imagination with the that whole gambler/drifter life. Very cool. I don't understand why others can't hear it. Whatever.
Can we say Camper Van Beethoven?
Because Lowey was in Camper Van Beethoven? Is that why we want to say it?
Listening to this right now I couldn't help but think "what a great version"—-the voice has the insouciance (an I don't give a damn quality) that i associate in my imagination with the that whole gambler/drifter life. Very cool. I don't understand why others can't hear it. Whatever.
It's ok... but a little uninspired.
Another Tom Petty-a-like sound...
ceviche wrote:
One would have to know that most all GD Lyircs come from Robert Hunter he is the desperado!
Decent cover of a great song. Have played a lot of cards to this and others by Jerry and Co. Funny that the Dead got into all these desperado tunes. Nothing very desperado about a bunch of S.F. hippies recording, touring, and partying...
One would have to know that most all GD Lyircs come from Robert Hunter he is the desperado!
Crackers cooooolest song.... Thanks 
crockydile wrote:
You snooze, you lose.
You snooze, you lose.
How can a song that has so much feeling get done with no such feeling? Worse than Zzzzz, sorry Cracker fans.
In the '70's, I never thought that I would never miss Jerry's voice. Now I hear Cracker sing this and think, Boy, do I miss Jerry's voice.
In the '70's, I never thought that I would never miss Jerry's voice. Now I hear Cracker sing this and think, Boy, do I miss Jerry's voice.
Decent cover of a great song. Have played a lot of cards to this and others by Jerry and Co. Funny that the Dead got into all these desperado tunes. Nothing very desperado about a bunch of S.F. hippies recording, touring, and partying...
Xeric wrote:
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
All a Friend can say is "Aint it a Shame" No one "saw" a dead show! They experienced it! Like another of the lyrics say it all...."said he'd throw a big old party, said he'd call it planet earth" Never look back! It's like driving while texting!
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
All a Friend can say is "Aint it a Shame" No one "saw" a dead show! They experienced it! Like another of the lyrics say it all...."said he'd throw a big old party, said he'd call it planet earth" Never look back! It's like driving while texting!
I like the guitar work, but the singing doesn't do it for me. He can't hold a candle to Jerry.
horstman wrote:
Jerry Garcia, idiot!
Cracker does a GREAT rendition of this song. They are a great band. At least until Greenland. This album is full of gems, this the least of them. But Eurotrash Girl is awesome, and set at track 69, such a great tune.
I have shit on them of late, but this is probably their best album, David Lowery is a great singer/songwriter. Folks need to see past this song to see the mastery of Cracker.
I find myself agreeing with horstman.....ack.. ...
Jerry Garcia, idiot!
Cracker does a GREAT rendition of this song. They are a great band. At least until Greenland. This album is full of gems, this the least of them. But Eurotrash Girl is awesome, and set at track 69, such a great tune.
I have shit on them of late, but this is probably their best album, David Lowery is a great singer/songwriter. Folks need to see past this song to see the mastery of Cracker.
I find myself agreeing with horstman.....ack.. ...
Tasty guitar work (Fender Telecaster, right?) and general vibe to this song. I knew the original but like Cracker's rendition pretty well. The more Cracker I hear on RP the more I like 'em. I had dismissed them prematurely for some reason... 
Love Cracker. What happened to them?
Didn't we hear someone else doing this one earlier today? I vastly prefer this version though...
FunHog wrote:
It was more than just fun, it was a way of LIFE!!!! Don't listen to Xeric, he was probably exposed to too many bad bootlegs (and there are a lot of them out there). Probably the best live band experience of the last 30 years. And BTW, I totally enjoy this cover.
I was huge into this band in the early nineties and I love this cd. The funny thing is that I always thought this was a Cracker song until Jerry died. Just wasnt into the Dead at all. I didnt start listening to them until after Jerry died. Then I realized what I had missed. Honestly that is just about my only regret in life. Not seeing the Grateful Dead live.
It was more than just fun, it was a way of LIFE!!!! Don't listen to Xeric, he was probably exposed to too many bad bootlegs (and there are a lot of them out there). Probably the best live band experience of the last 30 years. And BTW, I totally enjoy this cover.
well elaborated song, good performance and good register of voice- ** 6 / 7 **
well the title just about sums it up............solid 3 
Easy 7 to 8!
Can we say Camper Van Beethoven?
snooze... also this is depressing. And I usually like Cracker!
Didn't even notice the transition from the Dead. Are they a reincarnation?
FunHog wrote:
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
I was huge into this band in the early nineties and I love this cd. The funny thing is that I always thought this was a Cracker song until Jerry died. Just wasnt into the Dead at all. I didnt start listening to them until after Jerry died. Then I realized what I had missed. Honestly that is just about my only regret in life. Not seeing the Grateful Dead live.
Listen to some bootlegs—you'll get over it.
robco1 wrote:
Who did the original? BTW, this is on mute, as is all Cracker. 1's across the board IMO...
I wholeheartedly agree!
more country-fried goodness right over here, please. ^_^
miahfost wrote:
This dude cannot sing.
I thought it was Tom Petty til I checked... no, the playlist is wrong, I still hear Petty.
musikalia wrote:
Agreed. Jerry sang this with the depth it deserves.
Still, it's such a great song, IMO can't be ruined
Very true. Jerry sang many songs with the depth they deserved. In my opinion I never liked Joan Osborne's Brokedown palace either. Just not the same as Jerry singing it.
I liked it, over the guitar! fine
I was huge into this band in the early nineties and I love this cd. The funny thing is that I always thought this was a Cracker song until Jerry died. Just wasnt into the Dead at all. I didnt start listening to them until after Jerry died. Then I realized what I had missed. Honestly that is just about my only regret in life. Not seeing the Grateful Dead live.
o2bnsv wrote:
>Cracker lacks the emotion required to pull this one off.
Agreed. Jerry sang this with the depth it deserves.
Still, it's such a great song, IMO can't be ruined
For me Dave Alvin's version of this is definitive.
A great song is a great song, though --- even a half assed version like this gets a 6.
robco1 wrote:
Who did the original? BTW, this is on mute, as is all Cracker. 1's across the board IMO. Okay, maybe "Low" can get a 3 for nostalgia. Just too much "country-fried rock" for my taste.
Jerry Garcia, idiot!
Cracker does a GREAT rendition of this song. They are a great band. At least until Greenland. This album is full of gems, this the least of them. But Eurotrash Girl is awesome, and set at track 69, such a great tune.
I have shit on them of late, but this is probably their best album, David Lowery is a great singer/songwriter. Folks need to see past this song to see the mastery of Cracker.
this album is repetitious, but tracks are mighty tasty when peppered throughout RP. whoever said "too much country fried rock": 
.
. Nice
robco1 wrote:
Who did the original? BTW, this is on mute, as is all Cracker. 1's across the board IMO. Okay, maybe "Low" can get a 3 for nostalgia. Just too much "country-fried rock" for my taste.
ch83575 wrote:
Greatful Dead... great song, great cover.
Well, actually the original was by Jerry on his first solo album.
Ponderous
robco1 wrote:
Who did the original? BTW, this is on mute, as is all Cracker. 1's across the board IMO. Okay, maybe "Low" can get a 3 for nostalgia. Just too much "country-fried rock" for my taste.
Greatful Dead... great song, great cover.
o2bnsv wrote:
Talk about ruining a great song. Cracker lacks the emotion required to pull this one off.
Who did the original? BTW, this is on mute, as is all Cracker. 1's across the board IMO. Okay, maybe "Low" can get a 3 for nostalgia. Just too much "country-fried rock" for my taste.
Talk about ruining a great song. Cracker lacks the emotion required to pull this one off.
This dude cannot sing.
Can't believe this is the same band that did "Low." I mean, it is, right? This is so melodic and pleasant in comparison. . .not that I don't love the raw energy of Low, but it's such a shift!
Oregon_Steve wrote:
I'll probably get ''cracked'' for this, but in my book David Lowery's voice beats Jerry Garcia's hands down on any song, any day, and Johnny Hickman can outplay any Dead guitarist dead or alive.
Hmmm, don't know about that. Garcia has been cited as one of the 100 best rock and roll guitarists of all time, and as far as I know, Johnny Hickman hasn't made that list. As for your contention that Lowery's voice is better than Garcia's, you're entitled to your opinion, but I think Lowery's voice is weak compared to Jerry's in his prime. Yes, it's true that in the later years Garcia's voice had become thin, but that's what three-plus decades of chain-smoking cigarettes and doing hard drugs will do to a guy.
This whole CD is awesome.
wally42 wrote:
Where can I find that?
You can find it on his most recent album, West of the West. I don't know that you can go wrong with Dave, but this album is very good.
lmic wrote:
Sounds so much like Petty to me. Adds to the contention that Tom was proto-alt.
I just popped in to say the same...so much like Petty!
Sounds so much like Petty to me. Adds to the contention that Tom was proto-alt.
joshfm wrote:
First, who the heck is Johnny Hickman? Next, yeah, maybe he's better than Bob Weir, but who isn't? And last, to say that this "loser" is better than Jerry Garcia is just plain ignorant.
Did you see the so-called "Dead" live? Or, The Grateful Dead? The real Dead, with Jerry? Thought not.
You seem to have some self centered, misdirected aminosity.
As for the music, it's a great song and a well done cover.
Sounds like one drunk cowboy to me, which would be cool if his heart was crying out. Now it seems sort off dozing off leaving only a very clean guitar. Doesn't really take me flying.
9. Love the original, love this cover.
Always enjoy cracker, but why nothing at rp from the self-titled debut? it's still my fave thing they've done to date.
Oregon_Steve wrote:
Johnny Hickman can outplay any Dead guitarist dead or alive.
First, who the heck is Johnny Hickman? Next, yeah, maybe he's better than Bob Weir, but who isn't? And last, to say that this "loser" is better than Jerry Garcia is just plain ignorant.
Did you see the so-called "Dead" live? Or, The Grateful Dead? The real Dead, with Jerry? Thought not.
Oregon_Steve wrote:
. . .David Lowery's voice beats Jerry Garcia's hands down on any song, any day, and Johnny Hickman can outplay any Dead guitarist dead or alive. . .
totally agreed
keller1 wrote:
For me, Dave Alvin's version of this is definitive.
Where can I find that?
For me, Dave Alvin's version of this is definitive.
Great rendition of a priceless song. This coming from an original deadhead.
Oregon_Steve wrote:
I'll probably get ''cracked'' for this, but in my book David Lowery's voice beats Jerry Garcia's hands down on any song, any day, and Johnny Hickman can outplay any Dead guitarist dead or alive.
This song fit in well with the rest of the Kerosene Hat album, justifying the cover (as if they need justification), but there are many better songs on the album.
I enjoyed seeing The Dead live, but for me most of their studio stuff was pretty mediocre.
I agree 100%!
Oregon_Steve wrote:
I'll probably get ''cracked'' for this, but in my book David Lowery's voice beats Jerry Garcia's hands down on any song, any day, and Johnny Hickman can outplay any Dead guitarist dead or alive.
This song fit in well with the rest of the Kerosene Hat album, justifying the cover (as if they need justification), but there are many better songs on the album.
I enjoyed seeing The Dead live, but for me most of their studio stuff was pretty mediocre.
Gotta agree with ya! Except I think this song is very powerful and one of my favorites on the album
mcass wrote:
A friend of a friend once asked me if I was into Cracker. When I replied that I wasn't, his answer was "You'd be a lot better off if you were". I'm thinking maybe he was right?
I've seen and listened to a lotta both of these guys (jerry and david) neither one of them can "sing". But man I love whatever you may choose to call what they are doing!
A friend of a friend once asked me if I was into Cracker. When I replied that I wasn't, his answer was "You'd be a lot better off if you were". I'm thinking maybe he was right?
<snip> Listening to this right now ... the voice has the insouciance (an I don't give a damn quality) that i associate in my imagination with the that whole gambler/drifter life. Very cool. I don't understand why others can't hear it. Whatever.
I hear it, Giselle62: The Georgia Cracker lifestyle of living in a single-wide far enough down a dirt road that no one can see the litter of kid toys in the yard or the Chevy pickup that hasn't moved in eight years. Folks that were not prepared for life after age 15, and have no way to fend for themselves in modern society.
For the record, I was born in far NW Georgia, and without stern guidance from both parents, this song could very well have been about me.