dbt tracks # 22 - Outfit

[Clams]

Another song that embodies so many of the things I love about this band...



You want to grow up to paint houses like me, a trailer in my yard till you're 23
You want to be old after 42 years, keep dropping the hammer and grinding the gears

Well, I used to go out in a Mustang, a 302 Mach One in green.
Me and your Mama made you in the back and I sold it to buy her a ring.
And I learned not to say much of nothing and I figured you already know
but in case you don't or maybe forgot, I'll lay it out real nice and slow

Don't call what you're wearing an outfit. Don't ever say your car is broke.
Don't worry about losing your accent, a Southern Man tells better jokes.
Have fun but stay clear of the needle. Call home on your sister's birthday.
Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, don't give it away.

Six months in a St. Florian foundry, they call it Industrial Park.
Then hospital maintenance and Tech School just to memorize Frigidaire parts.
But I got to missing your Mama and I got to missing you too.
So I went back to painting for my old man and I guess that's what I'll always do

So don't try to change who you are boy, and don't try to be who you ain't.
And don't let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy-man's paint.

Don't call what you're wearing an outfit. Don't ever say your car is broke.
Don't sing with a fake British accent. Don't act like your family's a joke.
Have fun, but stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister's birthday.
Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, Don't give it away.

Don't give it away.

[Smitty]

Jason's anthem - has the most crossover potential of any DBT song I think
used to love Jasons improvising on the intro going into Outfit, whether he was just jamming around or throwing in a bit of another song (Thunder Road, Levelland, etc)
Saw this song on a This is Southern Rock! compilation at Wal-Mart

This Is Southern Rock CD DISC 1:
1. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. Hold on Loosely - .38 Special
3. Green Grass and High Tides - Outlaws
4. Flirtin' with Disaster - Molly Hatchet
5. Train Train - Blackfoot
6. Jim Dandy - Black Oak Arkansas
7. That Smell - Lynyrd Skynyrd
8. Tidal Wave - Sea Level
9. You Like to Rock - Doc Holiday
10. Mean to Your Queenie - Point Blank
11. Shine the Light - Target
12. Struttin' My Stuff - Elvin Bishop
13. So into You - Atlanta Rhythm Section

This Is Southern Rock Songs DISC 2:
1. Whiskey Man - Molly Hatchet
2. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
3. Put My Trust in You - Johnny Van Zant Band
4. Dixie Rock - Wet Willie
5. Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. Outfit - Drive-By Truckers
7. If You Wanna Get to Heaven - Ozark Mountain Daredevils
8. Champagne Jam - Atlanta Rhythm Section
9. Rockin' into the Night - .38 Special
10. South Bound - Hourglass
11. Shake a Leg - Sea Level
12. Southern Man - Doc Holiday
13. Holdin' On - Target

This Is Southern Rock Album DISC 3:
1. Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. Caught Up in You - .38 Special
3. Hell to Pay - Doc Holiday
4. One in the Sun - Steve Gaines
5. Hurry Sundown - Outlaws
6. Saturday Night Special - Lynyrd Skynyrd
7. Heard It in a Love Song - The Marshall Tucker Band
8. Makes More Rock - Artimus Pyle Band
9. Don't Misunderstand Me - Rossington Collins Band
10. Travelin' Shoes - Elvin Bishop
11. Imaginary Lover - Atlanta Rhythm Section
12. Are You Ready - Target
13. That's Your Secret - Sea Level

http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/mus ... n+Rock.htm

Sandwiched between Simple Man & If You Wanna Get to Heaven...
says it all right there

[never going back]

Definitely Isbell's anthem but a DBT classic nonetheless. I never get sick of this one.

Don't call what you're wearing an outfit. Don't ever say your car is broke.
Don't worry about losing your accent, a Southern Man tells better jokes.
Have fun but stay clear of the needle. Call home on your sister's birthday.
Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, don't give it away.

[Duke Silver]

love the solo at the end... is that cooley?

[Iowan]

One of those songs that just blows you away. Definitely hits you in the gut that first time (and almost every other time).

[Smitty]

love the solo at the end... is that cooley?

yup

[The Black Canary]

Just one of those songs, that tells you to be yourself, don't put on a fake persona, be true, don't worry about being cool. You are what you are and can only work on it from today out, cause tomorrow is gone.

Be a good man!!! a descent human being is all anyone can ask of another person

[Mrs Swamp]

Just LOVE this song!!~

[Tequila Cowboy]

I love this song. The lyrics are damned close to perfect. Certainly one of three favorite Isbell DBT songs. One of my first "favorites" and the first song I ever played on guitar (sort of by accident). I'll tell you though I'm kind of surprised all the comments have been positive. I think this one is a bit of a polarizer. Maybe those folks who don't like it are being polite.

[Smitty]

Think about it this way; this was the world's first introduction to Jason Isbell.
That's a helluva way to start a career.

[Slipkid42]

If you don't like this song, you prolly need a Q-Tip. Words and music were meant for each other. The melody would've been enjoyable a 1,000 years ago. The heartfelt message of being content w/one's lot in life will be relevant indefinitely. A real Grand Slam of a song. A masterpiece.

[Smitty]

If you don't like this song, you prolly need a Q-Tip. Words and music were meant for each other. The melody would've been enjoyable a 1,000 years ago. The heartfelt message of being content w/one's lot in life will be relevant indefinitely. A real Grand Slam of a song. A masterpiece.

I think alot of folks critique of the song is it's too sugary/pop-ish for DBT, which I don't get at all - altho I still think their best "pop" song (based on melody/catchiness) is Nine Bullets (subject matter aside)

[Slipkid42]

If you don't like this song, you prolly need a Q-Tip. Words and music were meant for each other. The melody would've been enjoyable a 1,000 years ago. The heartfelt message of being content w/one's lot in life will be relevant indefinitely. A real Grand Slam of a song. A masterpiece.

I think alot of folks critique of the song is it's too sugary/pop-ish for DBT, which I don't get at all - altho I still think their best "pop" song (based on melody/catchiness) is Nine Bullets (subject matter aside)

Their versatility is what separates DBT from the pack. I love this 'pop' side of them. John Henry & Carl Perkins Cadillac might be more pop than Nine Bullets, but not really better than that one. The same band that does Outfit does Lookout Mountain, Women Without Whiskey, I'm Sorry Huston & The Wig He Made Her Wear. They're a hard band to get tired of.

Got my ears pinned for the Jason reunion show that the Rock Gods have dictated must happen.

[Zip City]

Excellent song. Not always my #1 with Jason (that bounces between Outfit, Decoration Day and Danko/Manuel), but it's a fantastic song.

[Rocky]

Their versatility is what separates DBT from the pack. I love this 'pop' side of them. John Henry & Carl Perkins Cadillac might be more pop than Nine Bullets, but not really better than that one. The same band that does Outfit does Lookout Mountain, Women Without Whiskey, I'm Sorry Huston & The Wig He Made Her Wear. They're a hard band to get tired of.

Got my ears pinned for the Jason reunion show that the Rock Gods have dictated must happen.

The rock gods must be satisfied!

[beantownbubba]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

[Clams]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

I read somewhere that when JI was a teenager he was out on a date and he had been drinking and got in an accident in his dad's car. Instead of fessing up, he made up some story about the car being broken. Of course his dad figured it out.

[RevMatt]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

The first time I heard that song, I interpreted it to mean that a man never says, "My car is broke." A man knows what is wrong with the car and what he needs to do to get it running again asap. Don't say, "My car is broke." Instead, "I've got to replace the damn alternator." It is about being self reliant.

[Zip City]

whereas I interpreted it as "don't say your car is BROKE, because BROKE is bad english and will make people disrespect where you're from. Say your car is BROKEN"

[Penny Lane]

The best song...ever...probably in my top 10 of all time.
You can't listen to this song and not feel sentimental about something.
You can't ever deny Jason's gift after this, it's his magnum opus, I don't care what anyone says about Decoration Day. Melodies and words can't combine nicer.

[Steve French]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

I read somewhere that when JI was a teenager he was out on a date and he had been drinking and got in an accident in his dad's car. Instead of fessing up, he made up some story about the car being broken. Of course his dad figured it out.

my brother did that with my Mum's car: but no classic rock and roll song ensued.

[Clams]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

I read somewhere that when JI was a teenager he was out on a date and he had been drinking and got in an accident in his dad's car. Instead of fessing up, he made up some story about the car being broken. Of course his dad figured it out.

By the way, I made that up.

[Tequila Cowboy]

whereas I interpreted it as "don't say your car is BROKE, because BROKE is bad english and will make people disrespect where you're from. Say your car is BROKEN"

Exactly how I've always taken it.

[Smitty]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

The first time I heard that song, I interpreted it to mean that a man never says, "My car is broke." A man knows what is wrong with the car and what he needs to do to get it running again asap. Don't say, "My car is broke." Instead, "I've got to replace the damn alternator." It is about being self reliant.

That's my take too

[beantownbubba]

The best songs make for the most boring threads.

Why shouldn't u ever say your car is broke?

The first time I heard that song, I interpreted it to mean that a man never says, "My car is broke." A man knows what is wrong with the car and what he needs to do to get it running again asap. Don't say, "My car is broke." Instead, "I've got to replace the damn alternator." It is about being self reliant.

This was my original take on it, too. It makes sense, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be so, but somehow it feels not quite right, for no reason i can explain. At one point i took to the zip interpretation, and that too certainly makes sense but, well, you know, if TC thinks it's right then i've gotta disagree

[Slipkid42]

I agree w/the RevMatt interpretation as well.

[farmerbill]

Ah man--now you guys went and messed up my song. I have to tell you all one of the reasons I have been reluctant to follow threads is you all know so much more about these songs than I ever will. I read once where Jason said something like a song is a process or product of working through a emotion or feeling. Patterson said at an accountic show in Madison or Milwaukee that once a musician writes a song it is no longer his or hers but belongs to the auduence and what that song means or represents to them is thiers and you no longer own the song or control its meaning. It is always interesting to hear what these songs represent to other people. It is also amusing to hear what these songs "really" mean. I am guessing all of you are right in your interpretations in some kind of way.

So to me this song is the song I want to sing to my boys when they grow up, think about a song like this when they think about dad.
I will have to change words and stories but the message of the song shall remain.
Sometimes being a dad we get caught up in telling our boys to listen to your elders,work hard, try hard in school, love your momma and country and do the right thing etc......but a song like this can help us tell them the rest of the story..things they need to know when they face the real world that some day I will not be able to protect them from...........and maybe....just maybe they can begin to understand a little more about the father that loves them more than life itself and why things turn out like they do.........and why they will never catch me with a bucket of wealthy man's paint and why perhaps have fun and stay clear of the needle is a more responsible attitude about drugs/alcohol than "Just say No".

It is an interesting song also for me as I have found myself crying sometimes,reasoning sometimes and clenching my fist and saying FU to the man at other times when the song finishes. It is a song that brings up a multitude of radicaly diffrerent emotions and feeling depending on my mood when I hear it. There are not a lot of songs that can really do that for me. Normally a song tends to turn on more specific emotions and feelings every time I hear the song. This one is different is this respect. I could see how this song could evolve if you listened to this song as a young man througout your life. It would have been interesting to hear this song before I had boys and focused on my relationship wiht my father when internalizing the song as it seems Jason did when he wrote it. I did not hear it until I was in my forties so this song is a song from a dad to a son and I experience it as the dad and not the son as it seems Jason was when he wrote it.

The funnest part of the song for me is the Don't call what your wearing an outfit-----My ex-wife has always referred to the clothes she bought for our boy's as new "OUTFITS". I always got in trouble as I would tell the boys those are real nice clothes but us boy's don't wear "OUTFITS" The conversation would digress from there but it was just a funny memory from those days. Trust me these conversations were had at least a decade before Jason wrote the song.

So i am guessing the sister Jason is referring to is not the same one patterson has been referring to while introducing a good sister ".......ing" song on tour this year. makes you think...or not!

[Smitty]

to me, the most crucial (and meaningful) part of the song is the line "And don't let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy man's paint"
I first heard this song at a time I was remodeling houses in Greystone (the ritziest subdivision in Hoover/Birmingham area) and it really spoke to me.

It's just the age old tale of a father wanting a better life for his son than the one he's led.

[beantownbubba]

to me, the most crucial (and meaningful) part of the song is the line "And don't let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy man's paint"
I first heard this song at a time I was remodeling houses in Greystone (the ritziest subdivision in Hoover/Birmingham area) and it really spoke to me.

It's just the age old tale of a father wanting a better life for his son than the one he's led.

I gotta disagree w/ u there, Smitty. It's not "just" anything. This song is too good to be dismissed that easily. Actually, i know u have great appreciation for the song, but i "just" didn't like the way that sounded.

And while it is certainly partly about a father wanting a better life for his son, I'd say it's mostly about a father trying to get past all the fights, [mostly silly] rules, pontificating, reflexive no's, mistakes and general static of the relationship between father and son to the distilled truth and wisdom of a lifetime, telling his son THIS is what really matters, THIS, finally, is what I've learned after a lot of hard knocks and struggle, now take it, use it and pass it on...

[Smitty]

to me, the most crucial (and meaningful) part of the song is the line "And don't let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy man's paint"
I first heard this song at a time I was remodeling houses in Greystone (the ritziest subdivision in Hoover/Birmingham area) and it really spoke to me.

It's just the age old tale of a father wanting a better life for his son than the one he's led.

I gotta disagree w/ u there, Smitty. It's not "just" anything. This song is too good to be dismissed that easily. Actually, i know u have great appreciation for the song, but i "just" didn't like the way that sounded.

And while it is certainly partly about a father wanting a better life for his son, I'd say it's mostly about a father trying to get past all the fights, [mostly silly] rules, pontificating, reflexive no's, mistakes and general static of the relationship between father and son to the distilled truth and wisdom of a lifetime, telling his son THIS is what really matters, THIS, finally, is what I've learned after a lot of hard knocks and struggle, now take it, use it and pass it on...

Yeah, right on the money there bub - that was a poorly placed/worded statement (it's just the age old tale...) I was just referring to that one final line (don't lemme catch you in kendale), which says a lot but I was just getting at what it boils down to.
Truthfully I ain't spun DD in a while and after reading this thread I decided to throw it on on the way to Wal-Mart earlier tonight and after listening to it again I don't think I could single out any part of the song as being more meaningful or anything like that, it's such a great (on the verge of being perfect) song