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Jason Isbell — Traveling Alone
Album: Southeastern
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1079









Released: 2013
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Mountains rough this time of year
Close the highway down
They don't warn the town

And I've been fighting second gear
For fifteen miles or so
Trying to beat the angry snow

And I know every town worth passing through
But what good does knowing do
With no one to show it to

And I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

Won't you ride?
Won't you ride?

I quit talking to myself
Listening to the radio
Long, long time ago
Damn near strangled by my appetite
Ybor City on a Friday night
Couldn't even stand up right

So high the street girls wouldn't take my pay
They said come see me on a better day
She just danced away

And I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

Won't you ride?
Won't you ride?

Paintin the outside lane I'm tired of answerin to myself
Hard like the rebuilt part I don't know how much it's got left
How much it's got left

I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?

Won't you ride?
Won't you ride?
Comments (72)add comment
Normally I like Jason Isbell. This number seems to be channeling a Neil Young whine - not a compliment. He does much better...
Posted 3 months ago by MildGeorge    [ Reply ]
I get tired of hearing this guy's belly aching.
Posted 7 months ago by jacopo777    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Isbell is one the best singer-songwriters I've ever heard. I'm just blown-away by his lyrics.



I agree, which is why I think I cut him some slack on the repetition here (although my sense is it's deliberate to convey some desperation.)  Going to see him in concert in a week.
Posted 1 year ago by jas1776    [ Reply ]
Nice shout out to Ybor City!
Posted 1 year ago by TampaPurple    [ Reply ]
this motherfucker writes terrific songs
from DBT>>current
Posted 1 year ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:



  yes, and i've grown tired of him.


THEN STOP LISTENING
Posted 1 year ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Wow is this song bad
Posted 1 year ago by sanzinluka    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a gazillion other country western songs.  
Posted 1 year ago by marknmary    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:



  yes, and i've grown tired of him.
Normally I'd say no to that, but this is the second Isbell song today. A little goes a long way, especially considering how much other music is out there.

Posted 1 year ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

I think he's grown tired of traveling alone. Anyone else pick up on that?




  yes, and i've grown tired of him.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Unfortunately, Country music is infecting RP lately, very sad. 
Posted 1 year ago by Chimpmeister    [ Reply ]
This song breaks my heart.  
Posted 1 year ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Isbell is one the best singer-songwriters I've ever heard. I'm just blown-away by his lyrics.


Some of his couplets in this song are very good, but the repeated chorus is ... well, repeated to the point of annoyance.
Posted 2 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 MattRudely wrote:

The missus just blurted out "I've grown tired of you!" and I agree.

At least I think it was the song she meant.




I like your missus's sensibilities!
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I'm with your missus. "I've grown tired of you!" posting negative comments. 
Posted 2 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
The missus just blurted out "I've grown tired of you!" and I agree.

At least I think it was the song she meant.
Posted 2 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 Athyrius wrote:

Theres never a day when this tired 'cry your beer' lyric is helpful.  
hmm...agree about some crying in the booze tunes and don't think these are his strongest lyrics but my take was he gave up the booze and is asking his lady to marry him. have read he had a drinking problem and got beyond it. bravo - not easy
Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
I find his voice too whiney
Posted 2 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

I think he's grown tired of traveling alone. Anyone else pick up on that?




Posted 2 years ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
Ybor City on a Friday night isn't quite what it used to be. But you can still get into trouble...
Posted 3 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 Shmelo wrote:
You wouldn't be traveling alone if you didn't sing this inane, vapid, garbage!
 
I gave this a thumbs up just because it made me laugh. Tell us what you really think!

Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
Jason and Amanda sing so well together. Those country dips and bends along their phrasing. Sounds like either of them could spontaneously launch into full country twang. This take feels tastefully backed off from a full hee-haw. Time to dust off the CD and give it another listen during road trip tonight to the Sierras.
Posted 4 years ago by mrsquid    [ Reply ]
surprised by low rating, real country voice
Posted 5 years ago by yippee    [ Reply ]
nope what gives you that idea ? Grammarcop wrote:
I think he's grown tired of traveling alone. Anyone else pick up on that?
 

Posted 5 years ago by winsloh    [ Reply ]
I think he's grown tired of traveling alone. Anyone else pick up on that?
Posted 7 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Regarding his lyrics, his mother said they always had to be careful what they said around Jason.  Otherwise he would write a song about it.
Posted 7 years ago by allenrudd    [ Reply ]
Was listening to an interview Jason gave on KCPT recently, and he talked about "all his John Prine songs" saying "It's a good thing I'm his friend so he won't sue me!". 

JayCee wrote:
The phrasing sounded so familiar. It took several minutes of running through the lyrical database in my mind, but definitely echoes of Hello in There ...

I knew some smarty on here would have already identified that. {#Smile}

LizK wrote:
Got a lot of something, Joan Baez, John Prine.....?  "Old people just grow lonesome, waiting for someone to say 'Hello in there, hello".
Same phrasing...  Having said that, I'm not much on country, but I could take more Jason Bell.

 

 


Posted 7 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
Awful! I rarely have to mute RP but Good lord. 
Posted 7 years ago by weevilkinevil    [ Reply ]
Now here's something totally, completely, unusually different. Country Rock. Not bad, a bit repetitive. I guess he's tired of traveling alone? Thanks for the exposure as usual Bill.
Posted 7 years ago by greenbuilding    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 8 years ago by johnybladex    [ Reply ]
As my country flavored mom says, he's "tard".
Posted 8 years ago by volnomad    [ Reply ]
You wouldn't be traveling alone if you didn't sing this inane, vapid, garbage!
Posted 8 years ago by Shmelo    [ Reply ]
The phrasing sounded so familiar. It took several minutes of running through the lyrical database in my mind, but definitely echoes of Hello in There ...

I knew some smarty on here would have already identified that. {#Smile}

LizK wrote:
Got a lot of something, Joan Baez, John Prine.....?  "Old people just grow lonesome, waiting for someone to say 'Hello in there, hello".
Same phrasing...  Having said that, I'm not much on country, but I could take more Jason Bell.

 


Posted 8 years ago by JayCee    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
I sure like Bill's taste in country music. I'm not a country fan, but really like every country song I have heard on RP.

 
There is a lot of really great alt-country out there right now.  Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Sturgil Simpson, some would even put Neko Case in that genre.
 
Posted 8 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
I sure like Bill's taste in country music. I'm not a country fan, but really like every country song I have heard on RP.
Posted 8 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
Absolutely brilliant album.
Posted 8 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
Isbell is one the best singer-songwriters I've ever heard. I'm just blown-away by his lyrics.
Posted 9 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 SheRidesABeemer wrote:
A vote to play more from this album,I was introduced to this music when he opened for Ray LaMontagne in Boston, he had some amazing lyrics, of you're open minded enough to listen
 
OK. My openmind considers the lyrics as the strength of the song, repetition not included. Reminds me of Steve Fromholtz.
Posted 9 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
For a countryesque tune an 8 - overall for me a 5. No country for me - anytime.  Unless maybe I'm trapped in a Texas saloon!
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 Sjaaks wrote:

Maybe so. But if, like me, you're working and just want to listen to good music without having to psychoanalyse the background story to it and why he's singing the same line a hundred and fifty times over and over, then this song is really annoying!!



 
You mean like "Listen To The Music"? Or "Hey Jude"? Or "Against The Wind"? Or "Satisfaction"? {#Bananajam}
Posted 9 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
I find it hard to believe any Jason Isbell song could rate as low as a 6 here, but I guess all things are possible. IMHO, he is one of those rare artists that really put their heart and soul into what they do, and I appreciate it.
Posted 9 years ago by myasma    [ Reply ]
 Lazy8 wrote:
I might shed a little light on what he's trying to do here.

The repetition is intentional. He's not just padding the song, he's setting a mood, portraying what it's like to......

 

Sjaaks wrote:

Maybe so. But if, like me, you're working and just want to listen to good music without having to psychoanalyse the background story to it and why he's singing the same line a hundred and fifty times over and over, then this song is really annoying!!



 
Pearls before swine. 

Thanks Lazy8 for the enlightening feedback. 
Posted 9 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
All this whining about the lyrics like he's the first person to repeat a line a few times.  The following song today was First Aid Kit's "My Silver Lining" — it's odd that there's no mention of repetition in those comments ("Won't take the easy road, the easy road, the easy road").  They even lobbed an easy joke about how much effort they put into writing their lyrics!

People like Isbell restore my faith in country music.  Or rather, remind me that it is not just a garbage genre but rather has had a lot of garbage shoved into it.  I hated it all through my childhood, but I'm so happy that RP has shown me that the genre is just misrepresented and commercialized like everything else on the radio.  I saw this guy on TV a couple months ago (Austin City Limits maybe?), and while I rarely watch bands that I don't know I sat through the whole set and really enjoyed it.  I would definitely go see him if I happen to see that he's coming through my town.
Posted 9 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Really like this guy. Look up the word "open" in the dictionary... you know the rest. Reminds me of Slade Cleeves in the voice,  Kris kristofferson in the lyrics. Should marry Shawn Colvin, as a reward. PS mention Ybor City in any song and you will get my positive attention.
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
It is SO informative to glance at a nay sayer’s rating distribution before bothering with a honest reply.  Allows one to save one's emotional effort for more worthy endeavours :)

Assuming albums are considered classic in the future, I think Southeastern will be,  I saw Jason essentially in someone's back yard (Waverly, AL - Old 280 Boogie) in September of last year, and he was so good, so tight, and so grateful for the fan response to this album of redemption... it was a great thing to witness.  I highly recommend this album to anyone who will give it a chance!
Posted 10 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
I don't think it's so bad. Actually, quite likeable.  7
Posted 10 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 bev wrote:
Like the melody, like his voice, like the instruments...however, finding these lyrics repetitive to a degree that is annoying on this particular day at this particular time. I may like it better in time...but for now...not so much.

 
Theres never a day when this tired 'cry your beer' lyric is helpful.  
Posted 10 years ago by Athyrius    [ Reply ]
 Lazy8 wrote:
meauclaire wrote:
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......  

I don't have any particular need to talk you out of your opinion, but since I uploaded this (and because I'm a huge Jason Isbell fan) I thought I might shed a little light on what he's trying to do here.

The repetition is intentional. He's not just padding the song, he's setting a mood, portraying what it's like to spend a large part of your life on the road. He is a very strong songwriter (check out anything else he's done, either solo or with the Drive By Truckers if you need another example) and this is probably one of his weaker songs, but it's all I've gotten thru the LRC. In fact I just checked and this one is still reviewing, so whatever.

If you want some insight into his songwriting process (particularly about this song) watch this.

 
Great post/reply Lazy8. So happy to see this hear. Love all his Drive By Truckers stuff, and his solo albums are good, but this album is just stellar (and the story behind it is amazing as well). Thanks for the upload!
Posted 10 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Like the melody, like his voice, like the instruments...however, finding these lyrics repetitive to a degree that is annoying on this particular day at this particular time. I may like it better in time...but for now...not so much.
Posted 10 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
A vote to play more from this album,I was introduced to this music when he opened for Ray LaMontagne in Boston, he had some amazing lyrics, of you're open minded enough to listen
Posted 10 years ago by SheRidesABeemer    [ Reply ]
... life on the road. This song clicks with me as a truck driver with 45 years of experience of travelling alone.
Posted 10 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
 Lazy8 wrote:
I might shed a little light on what he's trying to do here.

The repetition is intentional. He's not just padding the song, he's setting a mood, portraying what it's like to......

 

Maybe so. But if, like me, you're working and just want to listen to good music without having to psychoanalyse the background story to it and why he's singing the same line a hundred and fifty times over and over, then this song is really annoying!!


Posted 10 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
Ybor City on a Friday night... not many people are standing upright.
Posted 10 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
meauclaire wrote:
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......  

I don't have any particular need to talk you out of your opinion, but since I uploaded this (and because I'm a huge Jason Isbell fan) I thought I might shed a little light on what he's trying to do here.

The repetition is intentional. He's not just padding the song, he's setting a mood, portraying what it's like to spend a large part of your life on the road. He is a very strong songwriter (check out anything else he's done, either solo or with the Drive By Truckers if you need another example) and this is probably one of his weaker songs, but it's all I've gotten thru the LRC. In fact I just checked and this one is still reviewing, so whatever.

If you want some insight into his songwriting process (particularly about this song) watch this.
Posted 10 years ago by Lazy8    [ Reply ]
 Athyrius wrote:
more country garbage infiltrating rp.
 
I wouldn't call this garbage and I don't have a problem with country as a whole, but this sounded awfully generic while I was focused on another task. Maybe another listen with full attention will improve my take, but right now this is forgettable.
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Got a lot of something, Joan Baez, John Prine.....?  "Old people just grow lonesome, waiting for someone to say 'Hello in there, hello".
Same phrasing...  Having said that, I'm not much on country, but I could take more Jason Bell.
Posted 10 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Ybor City  = Tampa, FL
Posted 10 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
Was already tired of country music.  Main reason for moving far away from all rednecks.

And yes... this is typical country garbage horseshit. 

Did I mention how much I detest rednecks?
Posted 10 years ago by Athyrius    [ Reply ]
 meauclaire wrote:
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......
I've grown tired of listening to this song....... 

 
this
Posted 10 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
more country garbage infiltrating rp.
Posted 10 years ago by Athyrius    [ Reply ]
Surprisingly good.
Posted 10 years ago by otaznick    [ Reply ]
 musikluvr wrote:
Nice. Good lyrics.

 

Oh you need it hammered into your head?
Posted 10 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Now this is the kind of country I want to live in!
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
I've grown tired of listening to this song.......
I've grown tired of listening to this song....... 
Posted 10 years ago by meauclaire    [ Reply ]
Pretty good album but sometimes Jason sounds like Ryan Adams.
Posted 10 years ago by Freibuerger    [ Reply ]
Nice. Good lyrics.
Posted 10 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
Fantastic album...
Posted 10 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
:) 

 ch83575 wrote:
'Ive been fighting 2nd gear for 15 miles or so..." 

Cool lyric, but such a sad song.

I've got three words for you dude: books on tape!

Edit:  I dug this song, so I went and listened to the rest of the album on spotify, dude has issues way bigger than books on tape will help with.  If you thought Warren Zevon was a little dark this dude is a new moon in midwinter. Fantastic album though, I really liked it.

 


Posted 10 years ago by JeniQ    [ Reply ]
Tedious song, use some more words dude!
Posted 10 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
I like this song, and you would not hear it anywhere except RP!  Thanks Bill & Rebecca
Posted 10 years ago by jktravl    [ Reply ]
'Ive been fighting 2nd gear for 15 miles or so..." 

Cool lyric, but such a sad song.

I've got three words for you dude: books on tape!

Edit:  I dug this song, so I went and listened to the rest of the album on spotify, dude has issues way bigger than books on tape will help with.  If you thought Warren Zevon was a little dark this dude is a new moon in midwinter. Fantastic album though, I really liked it.
Posted 11 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]