DBT Song of the Week #64 - Mercy Buckets

[beantownbubba]

When all your good days keep getting shorter, count on me
When you're about twenty-cents shy of a quarter, count on me
When you just need a place to hide out for a while
I'll help you hide the bodies in a little while
I will bring you buckets of mercy
And hold your hand when you're crossing the street
Play a song if you want it
When you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, call on me
If you're feeling that freight train running through your head, call on me
If you just need a friend to talk to or maybe not talk at all
I will bring you buckets of mercy
And put a smile back on your pretty face
Bring a shovel if you want it
Carry your secrets to my grave
When you're down and out
I'll pick you up down at the station
Give your hard times some vacation
Get you headed on your way
I will bring you buckets of mercy
And hold your hand when you're crossing the street
Pay your bail if you need it
I will be your saving grace…

Every time I listen to it, live or on disc, this song ends too soon.

If life were fair this song would have been the last dance at every prom in the country this past May and June.
If life were fair, this song would have spawned a new genre of soulful rockin' romantic songs that leave big hair band sappy power ballads in the dust heap of history.
If life were fair, this song would have been, hell should still be, #1 w/ a bullet on the Billboard charts.

But as the Drive By Truckers know as well as anyone, life isn't fair. And when life isn't fair, DBT will be our saving grace.

[Zip City]

Is there a better trifecta of "album enders" than Angels & Fuselage, World of Hurt and Mercy Buckets?

[Late4Church]

Zip, iI'd have to throw Monument Valley in as a wild card. On an album as long as BTCD it sure did a fine job of framing it well.
As far as Mercy Buckets goes it is becoming on of my all time favorites, so sweet and a perfect compliment to Everbody Needs Love.

[ScottyC]

It is amazing that the first typical love song that DBT has done is such a wonderful piece. So wonderful in fact that at our wedding 3 weeks ago we used this song for the sand ceremony. It was awesome and went over very well at the deep south baptist church!

I still love the version that someone posted about a year ago of Patterson doing this solo in front of the Classic Center for someones wedding or reception.

My gal will not be happy if we dont hear this in NOLA.

I think this song is a great set 1 closer.

SFC

[Rocky]

It is amazing that the first typical love song that DBT has done is such a wonderful piece. So wonderful in fact that at our wedding 3 weeks ago we used this song for the sand ceremony. It was awesome and went over very well at the deep south baptist church!

I still love the version that someone posted about a year ago of Patterson doing this solo in front of the Classic Center for someones wedding or reception.

My gal will not be happy if we dont hear this in NOLA.

I think this song is a great set 1 closer.

SFC

Congrats on the nuptials brother. And I'm glad someone is using the song in such a great way.

Hopefully one of the mods will read your post and pass along a note to someone in the band for your honeymoon trip to N'awlins.

[maxjkugel]

For some reason this song never really resonated with me until It's Great To Be Alive. Maybe it's because I don't listen to Go Go Boots all that often, but I'm converted.

[RolanK]

For some reason this song never really resonated with me until It's Great To Be Alive. Maybe it's because I don't listen to Go Go Boots all that often, but I'm converted.

I like the studio version quite a lot, but yeah, this live version is great. Matt and EZB are laying heavy into the song towards the end.

[Clams]

I like the studio version quite a lot, but yeah, this live version is great. Matt and EZB are laying heavy into the song towards the end.

Not to mention ridiculous shredding by Cooley.

[RolanK]

I like the studio version quite a lot, but yeah, this live version is great. Matt and EZB are laying heavy into the song towards the end.

Not to mention ridiculous shredding by Cooley.

Lots of Cooley's ridiculous shredding in this album.