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John Hiatt — Pirate Radio
Album: Little Head
Avg rating:
5.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 461









Released: 1997
Length: 4:23
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well, those electric sheep to the valley they keep walkin
On the radio waves selling tennis shoes and beer
It induces sleep when that DJ starts his squawkin'
I'm lookin' for one song to save me on this midnight clear

So how far do we have to go to hear that Pirate Radio?
One song that could steal our hearts
Before they turn into silver and gold
Well I'm drivin' my car real slow and my baby wants to know
When we gonna hear our song on that Pirate Radio?

One star in the sky so I named it Ottis Redding
Or maybe Marvin Gaye lookin' for his Tammi Turell
There ain't no mountain high enough to stop this wedding
Rollin' out of Memphis to Detroit I can hear those bells

So how far do we have to go to hear that Pirate Radio?
One song that could steal our hearts
Before they turn into silver and gold
Well I'm drivin' my car real slow and my baby wants to know
When we gonna hear our song on that Pirate Radio?

Well, we've been drivin' all night, ever since we were teenagers,
Up to that border town where the outlaw station air waves
Where the DJ's outta sight and his heart is so courageous
And he loves every song that he's puttin' on for the free and brave

So how far do we have to go to hear that Pirate Radio?
One song that could steal our hearts
Before they turn into silver and gold
Well I'm drivin' my car real slow and my baby wants to know
When we gonna hear our song on that Pirate Radio?
Comments (81)add comment
While working as a designer at a print shop in Nashvegas, I had to call Mr. Hiatt's home and let them know their material was ready for pickup. I figured I'd get a housekeeper or his wife, instead he answered the phone. Dogs were barking in the background like crazy, and he seemed a bit flustered, like he just got in. Said his wife is the one that handled that stuff and he was clueless since he was always on the road. 
I thanked him and couldn't wipe the smile off my face the rest of the day.

By the way, Mr. Hiatt was the one that wrote the "porcupine" song that was one of Bonnie Raitt's biggest hits in the early 90's.
Posted 5 years ago by Isabeau    [ Reply ]
Horrible
Posted 6 years ago by momoney    [ Reply ]
Too bad he didn't find his niche in country music so we wouldn't have to hear it here....
Posted 6 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
too much like Costello - immediate 0 and PSD - sorry; not for me!
Posted 11 years ago by MM_Oz    [ Reply ]
PSD
Posted 11 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
Some people should just write songs and not sing them.
Posted 11 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this since I dumped the CD shortly after buying it in the late '90s. I recall it was a major disappointment coming after the excellent Walk On. Listening to this track now, it's not as bad as I remember, but it is certainly not his strongest moment. 5, I guess, but only for confirmed Hiatt fans.
Posted 11 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
Whoa, jarring transition from "Turn Your Radio On"!
Posted 11 years ago by mdnlsn    [ Reply ]
What an unfortunately lame JH tune. The album art is inane too.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Please keep it going.

Wonderful.
Posted 11 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Please make it stop

Horrible
Posted 12 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Saw John at the State Theatre in State College last summer.  Great entertainer and an incredible songwriter.  Go back to "Hanging Out at the Observatory" and "Overcoats," both Epic label vinyl to hear how strong he was even then.
Posted 12 years ago by railroadwail    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Tampa ten years ago.  I was tuning my crappy office radio to my usual rock station, and caught something wild just down the dial.  Listened to it for about a month, then it disappeared.

Turned out to be the "Party Pirate" station — a guy who was broadcasting for a while out of a van so the FCC couldn't track him down.  As usual, it ended ugly:  federal agents with guns.

Bill has taken up the 21st century equivalent.
Posted 15 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
What's he sayin' with that cover? "I'm a dickhead"? Funny segue anyway (funny as in "strange") (or rather: I don' gettit)

Posted 15 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
I tried......ugh....not his best work.
Posted 15 years ago by Kdubba    [ Reply ]
 MCKY wrote:
I'm a big hiatt fan, but this album is a major disappointment. His worst by a long shot.
 

Certainly not one of his best albums, but the guitar in this song works for me!
Posted 15 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
 ca1vinandhobbes wrote:
For some reason, this following David Bowie's "Sound and Vision" is a jarring contrast for my ears...
 
Yeah, that just happened again.

Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I'm normally pretty polite. But, sorry, this is utter shite.
Posted 15 years ago by Pieter    [ Reply ]
 moonchildsce wrote:
I  hear way too much of this junk.....Once I move out of the South, I hope I never hear anything like this again.  {#Wall}
 
Hiatt's genius goes beyond geography.  He has 54 songs here on RP.  I'm not sure why you've painted yourself into this corner.  Clear channel is everywhere.  So is RP thank goodness.  But if you need to leave the South, I-35's open.  Have a nice trip.l

Posted 16 years ago by caregiver    [ Reply ]
I  hear way too much of this junk.....Once I move out of the South, I hope I never hear anything like this again.  {#Wall}
Posted 16 years ago by moonchildsce    [ Reply ]
I resemble this song!
Except my pirate radio floated! 
{#Sunny}

Posted 16 years ago by pdjpirate    [ Reply ]
He sounds like Randy Newman, And I don't like Randy Newman. 
Posted 16 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
At first I thought he was singing: "fine little radio". The idea of that really sparked up some old memories...{#Cool}
Posted 16 years ago by toker    [ Reply ]

He and Lyle Lovett are playing here tomorrow night.  Can't wait!!


Posted 16 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
For some reason, this following David Bowie's "Sound and Vision" is a jarring contrast for my ears...
Posted 16 years ago by ca1vinandhobbes    [ Reply ]
His voice sounds like Kermit the Frog
Posted 16 years ago by MrGreg    [ Reply ]
I like JH's voice--he always sounds like he's smiling. Good singer (vocalist?), great songwriter!
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
I don't know how to rate this. Good song, annoying voice.
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
This tune is a celebration of rebel radio bucking the system, putting on real music:

Well, those electric sheep to the valley they keep walkin
On the radio waves selling tennis shoes and beer
It induces sleep when that dj starts his squawkin'
I'm lookin' for one song to save me on this midnight clear So how far do we have to go to hear that pirate radio?
One song that could steal our hearts
Before they turn into silver and gold
Well I'm drivin' my care real slow and my baby wants to know
When we gonna hear our song on that pirate radio?



Posted 16 years ago by andrewimft    [ Reply ]
Jelani wrote:
Is that album cover supposed to bea penis head sticking out of a fly? How Apropos....
Glad you're keeping up, Skippy.
Album: Little Head
Posted 16 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Is that album cover supposed to bea penis head sticking out of a fly? How Apropos....
Posted 17 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
junebaby65 wrote:
One of the most annoying voices heard on RP....
OH you are so right on Junebaby!So right on!
Posted 17 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Oh, my Sound and Vision Bowie vibe has just been destroyed.... that really SUCKS!!!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
One of the most annoying voices heard on RP....
Posted 17 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
He's fun in concert.
He'd have to be with shitty music like this
Posted 17 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
AlienRelic wrote:
Yeah, maybe Bill IS trying to tell us something. How far DO you have to go from the United States to find freedom?
Tis sad that the RIAA has more pull in congress than those they claim to be representing.
Posted 17 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
He's fun in concert.
Posted 17 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Yeah, maybe Bill IS trying to tell us something. How far DO you have to go from the United States to find freedom?
Posted 17 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
I'm a big hiatt fan, but this album is a major disappointment. His worst by a long shot.
Posted 18 years ago by MCKY    [ Reply ]
(sound of nails scraping chalkboard)
Posted 18 years ago by snowcat    [ Reply ]
Not one of his best but I can listen to John for hours on end. For me he's the thinking man's Jimmy Buffett. Nothing against Jimmy, but his music is usually mindless. And that's what I want when I listen to it.
Posted 18 years ago by Eutychus7    [ Reply ]
Boy! Friday must be THEME day here on RP. You GO Bill!!!
Posted 18 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Helchat wrote:
Would you include Sonny Landreth in your "pedestrian musical backup" list too? Come on, Sonny rocks!
Well, I did say "most of the time." And if Sonny Landreth is on this track (according to (click here), he's not), this sure isn't some of his best work.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
dango wrote:
Man, I hate this guy. Sorry to be so blunt, but I hate clunky rock tunes like this. And that's all I seem to hear from him.
I'm here in '06 and still with Dango - jeeeezusss chrissss this is boring, lazy shi* goddamn it brings me down with its....what is it?....arrogance? This is punching the clock all the way - a little play on words here or there don't a song make! "Falling in Love is Hard on the Knees" kill me
Posted 18 years ago by moshevelvul    [ Reply ]
Where the DJ's outta sight and his heart is so courageous And he loves every song that he's puttin' on for the free and brave
This should definitely be RP's theme song!
Posted 18 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
natsthename wrote:
Hiatt can TOO sing..see him in concert with the Goners, they will rock your socks off. This is not the best song to judge him from....not one of his best, that's for sure.
I've seen him twice solo and he is outstanding! I can't wait to see him at Strawberry this Memorial Day because he'll have the Goners in tow. Yeehaw!
Posted 18 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
As is often said, he really is quite a good writer, but the only thing worse than his singing, to my ears, is the amateur players he seems to choose most of the time to back him up. I don't always hate his vocals, but the combination of his croaking and the pedestrian musical backup really make this track difficult to bear. Maybe he needs a different producer.
Would you include Sonny Landreth in your "pedestrian musical backup" list too? Come on, Sonny rocks!
Posted 18 years ago by Helchat    [ Reply ]
I like Hiatt a lot, but this song is mediocre. I saw him in a private concert of 80 people a few years ago, courtesy of my local radio station (before I knew of RP, of course ) and he was great. Go listen to Cry Love or Have a Little Faith in Me to see his more accessible work.
Posted 18 years ago by Ando    [ Reply ]
dango wrote:
Man, I hate this guy. Sorry to be so blunt, but I hate clunky rock tunes like this. And that's all I seem to hear from him.
As is often said, he really is quite a good writer, but the only thing worse than his singing, to my ears, is the amateur players he seems to choose most of the time to back him up. I don't always hate his vocals, but the combination of his croaking and the pedestrian musical backup really make this track difficult to bear. Maybe he needs a different producer.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
dango wrote:
Man, I hate this guy. Sorry to be so blunt, but I hate clunky rock tunes like this. And that's all I seem to hear from him.
Check out the album "Crossing Muddy Waters"...no clunky rock tunes, just amazingly passionate songs built primarily around acoustic instruments. It's and incredible album. John Hiatt's real strength isn't his singing (which is okay) it's his songwriting. He's an American storyteller...Bruce Springsteen can't sing but you know what? He writes some interesting songs that capture real life, John Hiatt is the same. Jeez, I can't believe I just compared John Hiatt and Bruce Springsteen.... gtrguy
Posted 18 years ago by gtrguy    [ Reply ]
Utterly dreadful
Posted 19 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
I support RP and I respect the opines of others, but John Hiatt is one dood that makes me actually change the "station" when he starts "singing". I'll suffer through a Tracy Chapman song here and there, maybe even Nina and her frickin luftblahloons, but not this. Let's just say Right Said Fred isn't as low on my list as this.
Posted 19 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Saw him live a couple of weeks ago with the North Mississippi All Stars and what a great show. The world requires all tastes, but I feel sorry for those who dont get this guy (voice and all).
Posted 19 years ago by oufason    [ Reply ]
How far? All the way to Paradise, CA of course.
Posted 19 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
Man, I hate this guy. Sorry to be so blunt, but I hate clunky rock tunes like this. And that's all I seem to hear from him.
Posted 19 years ago by dango    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Him and John Pryne(?), Steve Earle,and Lyle Lovett should team up. There's a CD!
i might be totally hallucinating, but i think that hiatt and steve earle may have worked together on something...
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Something wrong with this MP3 file - It sounds terrible, really rattly
Posted 20 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Him and John Pryne(?), Steve Earle,and Lyle Lovett should team up. There's a CD!
Posted 20 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by -relayer-    [ Reply ]
Requires beer.
Posted 20 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
One of the best songwriters in rock and roll. I'd love his royalty stream...
Posted 20 years ago by MrBoyo    [ Reply ]
yee haa!
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
laozilover wrote:
I like this song a lot. Gave it a "7" (Quite Likeable) - even bought the CD - couldn't get it direct from Amazon.com - they patched me through to cdgiveaways.com - kinda scary, but it worked just fine.
Oh man... you like a lot and just gave it a seven? so do you ever consider giving a song a ten??
Posted 20 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
I'm a Hiatt fan and while this is not a bad song, this is definitely not one of his better albums.
Posted 20 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
sergeant_x wrote:
This should be considered as RP's official theme song. Love the sentiment.
Love the sentiment. But he shouldn't sing... ever.
Posted 20 years ago by red5_bc    [ Reply ]
sergeant_x wrote:
This should be considered as RP's official theme song. Love the sentiment.
Agree!
Posted 20 years ago by mapple    [ Reply ]
I love Hiatt, but this certainly isn't my favorite.
Posted 20 years ago by scottc    [ Reply ]
I like this song a lot. Gave it a "7" (Quite Likeable) - even bought the CD - couldn't get it direct from Amazon.com - they patched me through to cdgiveaways.com - kinda scary, but it worked just fine.
Posted 20 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
John's got so many storys to tell. This is a great one!
Posted 21 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
sergeant_x wrote:
This should be considered as RP's official theme song. Love the sentiment.
Right on!
Posted 21 years ago by sass    [ Reply ]
This should be considered as RP's official theme song. Love the sentiment.
Posted 21 years ago by sergeant_x    [ Reply ]
Hiatt can TOO sing..see him in concert with the Goners, they will rock your socks off. This is not the best song to judge him from....not one of his best, that's for sure.
Posted 21 years ago by natsthename    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by pimpbot5000    [ Reply ]
is it over?
Posted 21 years ago by cyndromeda    [ Reply ]
A fun rock song, appealing to our maverick, loose-cannon personality types. Would like to hear it again! Maybe I would even buy a Hiatt CD!
Posted 21 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
phleek wrote:
It totally must be a Hoosier thing...this is the first song (Pirate Radio) of John Hiatt's that I've heard...it's a really catchy tune. Good choice!
It must be. As far as I'm concerned, this guy can't sing! (But he can still sing better than me).
Posted 21 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
\"One star in the sky, so I named it Otis Redding.\" I mean, sure there\'s a country flavor here: Muscle Shoals country!
Posted 22 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]