Song of the Day Challenge- Day 5- A song everyone should listen to at least once in their lives: I am cheating today and putting up two songs. In listening to “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five- it put me in mind of another song- this by folk singer James McMurtry. McMurtry is the son of author Larry McMurtry. I first heard about McMurtry around 1990 when I read an interview with John Mellencamp where he had praise for McMurtry’s songwriting. His debut had come out in 1989. So of course I ran out and bought it. McMurtry is one of those great singer-songwriters who hasn’t had any hits or sold millions of albums but about everything he’s released has been critically acclaimed. “We Can’t Make It Here Anymore” was a track on his Childish Things album from 2005- but fifteen years later remains as relevant as it did back then. “We Can’t Make It Here” is political- a working class anthem. The song came out in the George Dubya Bush era but at least in my opinion its not a political thing against one individual- our politicians for decades- Democrats and Republicans have been selling the country down the river for decades. The lyrics to “We Can’t Make It Here Anymore” as spot on. Critic Robert Christgau called this song the best song of the 2000s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTW0y6kazWM
slicethelife 
EXCELLENT assessment of where we’re at. No wonder why we never heard this one on the radio. No truth allowed.
Sad isn’t it. I look back when I was growing up- we actually produced things in this country. Look at the mess we are in now- depending on other countries.
You are so right. We’ve shifted from a production economy to a service economy, and now that we are locked down it illustrates it very well. How do we get back to production!!??!
My introduction to James McMurtry was Just Us Kids. I love his work! Great choice.
Thank you. Glad you are a fan of his- great songwriter.
Love this tune and his others Hans
I listen to a radio station out of NYC. He plays a bunch of this kinda stuff and others. I think it might be your style. If you like I can send the link?
Yes sounds great I will check it out! Thanks!
His name is The Grand. It’s his own internet station. If you check it out its easier than me saying what he plays. I’m just guessing you’ll like it. He has a good mix of a lot of what I like.
I think he is going live tonight around 9/10 NY time. He is always live on Friday nights. Ill tell him he might have a new listener. His auto DJ is spinning now.
https://live365.com/station/Roots-Rock-Radio-a70335
Thank you. I will check it out!
I am very impressed with this song and the video.
The song and the video went perfectly together- good point!
Thanks.
I hadn’t heard this before. I love it and it still resonates. Great video too. I also really like how you juxtaposed it with The Message. Nice.
thanks. while I was listening to The Message- I was reminded of this song. Different styles but seemed to send a similar message. Both seem relevant today.