One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from winter through spring 2025.
Thank you for enjoying live music. Even if it’s us. Ike Reilly
Thanks for coming out. It’s a rainy night. I would have stayed home. But then again, I’ve seen Clem Snide many times. Eef Barzelay of Clem Snide
We’re gonna play some more now, including some songs you may not wanna hear. Dave Faulkner of Hoodoo Gurus
I don’t know what you said but the answer is no. Alex Dezen of the Damnwells responding to an incoherent request shouted from the audience
I know what l’ll do. I’ll do the next one on that set list. That seems like the right move. Jason Isbell responding to a shouted request
This is what sealing your fate looks like. Sam Ryder trying to remember a requested song that he hadn’t played in years
This is a song called “Patricia”. It’s about a girl named Amy. Guthrie Trapp
This song is called “Summer in Sweden”. And it’s not about either of those things. Melanie MacLaren
It’s about the path from total obscurity to relative obscurity. Brian Dunne introducing his song “Nobody Knows Me”
I think of it more of a song about… Ah, who gives a shit. Matt Sucich introducing a newly written song
This song encompasses everything I know about the world. Which is why it’s a short song. Chris Kasper introducing “Beyond Me”
When you write an advice song, it’s almost always for you. Patton McGee introducing his song “Always Keep the Exit Sign in View”
I’ve been trying for years to de-throne “Monster Mash”. I think that one Halloween smash would set me up for life. Melanie MacLaren introducing her song “Graveyard Shift”
This is my new favorite song that I’ve ever written. You won’t agree. Graham Parker introducing his song “Cruel Stage”
There a castle by the highway. Myles said someone should write a song about it. I looked at him and he looked at me. And he said, you can have it. Andrew Duhon, referring to bassist Myles Weeks and the Duhon composition “Castle on Irish Bayou”
Some songs are so sad that I’ve consciously forgot them. Freedy Johnston
I’ve got so many songs about family I’m like Raffi for adults. Stephen Kellogg
Most songs you write are rubbish. And then you write one and realize it’s based on one you know. “Wait, that’s the Hollies.” The Bevis Frond’s Nick Saloman reminding that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
They say write what you know. But we all try to write about what we don’t know to try and make sense of it. Melanie MacLaren.
You don’t mind if I play a cover song. I’m gonna play it either way. Zach Meadows before playing “Georgia on my Mind” in Atlanta
Do y’all know the shortest blues song? “I didn’t wake up this morning”. Guthrie Trapp
I don’t like audience participation but I do like singing in a bar with people who know the song. Youth in a Roman Field leading the crowd in “The Auld Triangle”
It means so much to have you come out to hear us play music and talk awkwardly between songs. Tophouse fiddle player William Cook
You can’t get your money back so I hope you enjoyed it. Washer Dryer at the end of their set
So basically we have no fans in New York. Sam Ryder discovering that many in the audience at his NYC show were not from the US
We’re gonna be playing a gig at Ardmore in Philadelphia on Sunday. That should be good. Dan Bern on playing a gig on Super Bowl Sunday – when the Philadelphia Eagles were playing the Super Bowl.
I’m gonna let you guys fight that one out. Patterson Hood responding to cries of “Roll Tide” and “Go Dawgs” from the audience
We have one rule. Shut up. We ask that you keep the conversations to a none. Welcome greeting at New York’s The Scratcher Sessions listening room
I would play 45 records at 78 speed to hear the bass better. Sting
I was working some shifts to work off the debts from touring. Kinda like these days. Patterson Hood on working at a record store in Athens GA in 1998
Is record store day the same day every year? I feel like it’s record store day every three months. Beck at a Record Store Day event
This is side 2. For those of you who know what side 2 means. Michael Cerveris of Loose Cattle at the band’s album release show
They say all musicians want to be comedians and all comedians want to be musicians. Denitia
Someone said they’d give me $20 if I played that. Dan Bern playing the chorus of “Pink Pony Club”
I told her she could stand in the background and someone gave her a microphone. Ron Pope when his young daughter joined him on stage… and sang along
How late do they let you play here. Till we’re done? New Orleans’ Alex McMurray playing New York City
We have a band policy. If there’s a disco ball, it has to be turned on. Pete Mancini playing New York City’s Mercury Lounge
For those of you that I’ve never met, I’ve made a career out of writing songs about my ex-husbands. Sunny Sweeney
Can I be the vice president? The president of vice. Poppa Chubby
Obviously I have some experience with a trio. Sting responding to an interviewer’s question about recording a new live album with a power trio
What is the etymology of “duh”? Twin Shadow
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.