I Can't Take You Anywhere

Album: The Coast Is Clear (2003)
Charted: 91
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Scotty Emerick wrote this song as a double-entendre about a relationship breaking up. "The guy can't go anywhere without somebody bringing her up in conversation," he says, "and physically he can't take her anywhere anymore. So we get the guy going out and getting something to eat, and just everywhere he goes, he's reminded of her." And he explains how the writing of that song progressed: "We started that chorus, 'Struck a nerve, hit a vein, I think from all the tears I cry and this broken-hearted pain, I wouldn't have to carry you around, but no matter where I go somebody wants to know where you've been, are you coming back again, I swear I can't take you anywhere.' It's actually a sad song with a cool R&B count beat to it."
  • As convincing as Scotty sounds singing this song, it's really not about a personal experience. He just put himself in someone else's shoes and let his imagination run. He says, "I've definitely had those feelings of losing somebody. But no, this wasn't personal. I wasn't hurting over anybody myself at that time. You kind of just have to put yourself in somebody else's spot, because every song you write can't be a personal deal. At least for me, it can't."
  • Scotty's buddy Toby Keith lends his voice to this song, as the "voice of a good friend" leaving a message on his answering machine about - what else? - the girl he can't take anywhere. (Check out our interview with Scotty Emerick.)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.