Living Like a Hobo

Album: Marvin Country! (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lone Justice were an American Country-Rock band consisting of guitarist Ryan Hedgecock, singer Maria McKee, bassist Marvin Etzioni and drummer Don Heffington. They released one critically acclaimed eponymous album before Hedgecock, Etzioni and Don Heffington all left leaving McKee to lead Lone Justice alone. In 2012 Etzioni released his solo double album Marvin Country!, reuniting with Heffington and McKee. Etzioni told us that the project evolved over 20 years. He said: "It wasn't like 20 years ago I woke up one day and said, 'I'm going to do this double album.' It wasn't really like that. I did some recordings and initially it was going to be a single disc, and then I had actually made a cassette only version of the record like 15, 20 years ago, and handed that out. There was a label that was going to put it out, but then the label folded. So it was kind of a series of events, like a car that's about to go, then it stops, the battery dies, a new battery, 'We're going.' It stops again. It was like this thing that just kept wanting to go, and then finally over the years as I was doing other things - what is that line, 'A record happens while you're busy doing other things.'" (Laughing)
  • This song also features the talents of producer and musician Buddy Miller and Etzioni told us that it was an especially "fun" track to record. He explained: "It's a deceiving record, because it's very spontaneous sounding, but it actually started with just me and Don Heffington, electric guitar, live vocal, and drums. And then we built on that. I always make sure that anything like that was like the first take. I really wanted that spirit, like the train was about to lose control at any moment. And then Buddy [Miller] added the vocal, and then that was it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

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."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."