Tears Of Blue To Gold

Album: Self Made Man (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This bluesy, hand-clapping track from Southern-rock sisters Larkin Poe follows the story of two similar boys who grow up alongside each other in Tupelo, Mississippi, but take very different paths in life. One becomes a Pepsi-Cola factory man; the other becomes a rock-and-roll legend - Elvis Presley.
  • According to Larkin Poe vocalist Rebecca Lovell, the upbeat tune was inspired by a road trip to Memphis that included a stop to soul singer turned preacher Al Green's Full Gospel Tabernacle. "It was such a memorable weekend, getting to wander around Graceland, compounded with eating Memphis food, waking up in the morning and going to church and seeing Al Green preach a sermon," she recalled to Atwood Magazine.

    "On the drive home, I really got to thinking about Elvis Presley and the trajectory of his life. So I wrote a story that is… about a kid who lived next door to Elvis Presley and sort of the parallel lines that people can share on their journey through vice."
  • The line, "Take me to the river," is a nod to Al Green's 1974 song of the same name.
  • This is featured on Larkin Poe's fourth studio album, the self-produced Self Made Man. An orchestral arrangement featuring Nu Deco Ensemble, a Miami-based hybrid chamber orchestra, was also included on the live album Paint The Roses.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.