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James McMurtry — Off And Running
Album: Where'd You Hide The Body
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1609









Released: 1995
Length: 3:51
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Answer me when I call to you
What became of the life I knew
Tell me why I can't be free
Tell me what you expect of me
I'm so down about it
I can't sleep at night
I sit watching the bugs as they bounce off the light

Answer me when I'm calling out
Tell me what's all the noise about
Explain to me the rules of love
Tell me just what I'm guilty of
I somehow I must've missed it
I never knew I was blind
Repeat it real slow so I get it this time

(chorus)
I'm off and running to take what's mine
I'm off and running again

I 'm off and running
To take what's mine
I'm off and running
And I won't get caught this time
With my soul on empty and my face to the wind
I'm off and running
I'm off and running again

Answer me when I call your name
What'd you do with my ball and chain?
I'm out here in the open air
And I can't find it anywhere
And I'm so lost without it
It was such a part of me
I guess I'll get along
How hard can it be?
Comments (108)add comment
Posted 4 months ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
 blackdogsailing wrote:

I had the great pleasure of seeing him at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine several years back. We 'won' ticket for dinner and his show for an embarrassingly small sum at a charity auction. Nobody else bid! I knew of him from listening to RP, and I bought two digital albums. When we got to the venue, most of the attendees I spoke with hadn't heard of him.  I sang along, and I swear he was looking right at me all night. Can't not love him after that. 



Awesome!
Posted 7 months ago by Sunflowering    [ Reply ]
6.9 really? He’s coming to the PNW. Can’t wait. 
Posted 8 months ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
Plan to see this guy in a big bar venue in April.

he puts on a good show, even if he wears a dress. 
Posted 8 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe John Mellencamp produced this.
Posted 10 months ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
 craigandbee wrote:

Iconic wordsmith, such a gift for turn of phrase and painting so much of an image in the mind with so few words, superb live !



The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Posted 1 year ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
Iconic wordsmith, such a gift for turn of phrase and painting so much of an image in the mind with so few words, superb live !
Posted 1 year ago by craigandbee    [ Reply ]
Nice sound James! But we get nowhere trying to compare Greats, merobreno.
Posted 2 years ago by dublanica1    [ Reply ]
OK. 

I don't usually troll, but, this literally popped into my mind while listening to this song:

"Damn, James McMurtry is way better than Jackson Brown!"

Let the flames rise higher.
Posted 2 years ago by merobreno    [ Reply ]
 kevnaustin wrote:

As a rule, I'm not a fan of singer-songwriter types.  I think he is amazing.



Well rules are made to be broken, especially silly ones like this. 
Posted 3 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
 reallylost wrote:

I think you'll find the name is spelled Cockburn.
He spelled it phonetically, but yeah. Coburn, Cockburn, and a whole host of variations are based on a specific region in Scotland. 'Cock' is 'rooster' (duh), and 'burn' is a creek. Rooster Creek. The actual creek in question is disputed, but the clan is well documented.
c.


Posted 3 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 Singlow wrote:
Never heard of him... Sounds like a combination of Bruce Coburn and Warren Zevon...
 
I think you'll find the name is spelled Cockburn.
Posted 3 years ago by reallylost    [ Reply ]
 radioparadise9 wrote:
 BCarn wrote:

Agree. Thought it was Coburn at first.
 
You should get out more 

29/12/20 Really?

Anyway, it's spelled "Cockburn" not "Coburn". Unless he was speaking of James Coburn. Hmmmmm.
 
Posted 3 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
 Rooney wrote:


makes two of us...or maybe even a few more.  {#Sick}
 
Do you have multiple personalities?
Posted 4 years ago by a_geek    [ Reply ]
 jdorn1 wrote:
One of the great songwriters/ strummers. Plays live every Wednesday at midnight when he is not on the road. They don't make them like James anymore.
 
He's on Facebook live at 8pm Central Wednesdays, 1pm Sunday these days. He says "I might be over saturating the market, but the quality of the product is better if I do  a show twice a week." Worth watching.
Posted 4 years ago by keitht1    [ Reply ]
As a rule, I'm not a fan of singer-songwriter types.  I think he is amazing.
Posted 4 years ago by kevnaustin    [ Reply ]
 Singlow wrote:
Never heard of him... Sounds like a combination of Bruce Coburn and Warren Zevon...
 
Spot on!  This be the Bruce Coburn incarnation.  For the Warren Zevon flip side viz.  "Where'd You Hide the Body"  ;-)
Posted 4 years ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
I like JM a lot.  Talented song writer.  Bullet Holes in the Mailbox, from Too Tong in the Wasteland is my favorite.  He is really outlaw country rock.
Posted 4 years ago by p_d_neumiller    [ Reply ]
 BCarn wrote:

Agree. Thought it was Coburn at first.
 
You should get out more 
Posted 4 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
 Singlow wrote:
Never heard of him... Sounds like a combination of Bruce Coburn and Warren Zevon...
 
Agree. Thought it was Coburn at first.
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
test
Posted 5 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
I had the great pleasure of seeing him at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine several years back. We 'won' ticket for dinner and his show for an embarrassingly small sum at a charity auction. Nobody else bid! I knew of him from listening to RP, and I bought two digital albums. When we got to the venue, most of the attendees I spoke with hadn't heard of him.  I sang along, and I swear he was looking right at me all night. Can't not love him after that. 
Posted 6 years ago by blackdogsailing    [ Reply ]
One of the great songwriters/ strummers. Plays live every Wednesday at midnight when he is not on the road. They don't make them like James anymore.
Posted 6 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
Too much of James McMurtry. He's so repetitive !
Posted 6 years ago by Carlo9151    [ Reply ]
 Singlow wrote:
Never heard of him... Sounds like a combination of Bruce Coburn and Warren Zevon...
 
You should get out more, a lot more ..... what else have you missed?
Posted 6 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
Love JM's song writing.  Love Ray Wylie Hubbard's interpretations of his songs.
Posted 6 years ago by pdneumiller    [ Reply ]
This isn't a happy song... but it makes me feel good each time I hear it.
Maybe I want to be off and running?  {#Ask}
Posted 6 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:

I think once guys get older and their solar sex panel is exposed, the hat becomes important.

 
The hat ... That's where he hides the body.
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 dwlangham wrote:
His voice has PSD appeal.

 
It's camouflage for his extraordinary lyrics. Kinda like Lou Reed was back in the day.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
I saw James at the airport a while back, wearing his hat.  I think it might be surgically attached.

 
I think once guys get older and their solar sex panel is exposed, the hat becomes important.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Agreed. 

luv4music wrote:
One of the best songwriters around today.

 


Posted 8 years ago by Duc1098    [ Reply ]
wonder if he has ever toured with the boss
Posted 8 years ago by journeyman365    [ Reply ]
Never heard of him... Sounds like a combination of Bruce Coburn and Warren Zevon...
Posted 8 years ago by Singlow    [ Reply ]
I saw James at the airport a while back, wearing his hat.  I think it might be surgically attached.
Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
His voice has PSD appeal.
Posted 9 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
If you like this tune, you'll love the album.  One of McMurtry's best.  
Posted 10 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
My opinion of a song/artist is often determined by my mood and what issues I'm facing when it comes on... Today this is an 8.  It just fits me so-o well... Thanks RP for the mixes that seems to find me every day.
Posted 10 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
One of the best songwriters around today.
Posted 10 years ago by luv4music    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:
What's to dislike? Easy on the ear.

 
In an easy listening sort of way. Yawn.
Posted 11 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Didn't mean it that way really, after all I do have the 12minute 14 second live version on my "Fark my arse is sore" long ride motorcycle mix.

 
{#Roflol}
Posted 11 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
this guy's voice has always been nails on chalkboard for me.

 
me too.
Posted 11 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
the goods.............{#Dance}.
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:

You say that like it's a bad thing...

 
Didn't mean it that way really, after all I do have the 12minute 14 second live version on my "Fark my arse is sore" long ride motorcycle mix.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Just finished reading Under the Dome (Stephen King) where a James McMurtry song (Small Town, or is it really titled Talkin' at the Texaco) is mentioned. How's that for synchronicity? BTW the TV show is awful; at least the pilot was. The book is much better: interesting premise. He knows how to spin a good yarn!
Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
this guy's voice has always been nails on chalkboard for me.
Posted 11 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
now with this track, I won't have the relentless melody of Choctaw Bingo off and running through my mind for days
 
Choctaw Bingo was the song that turned me on to JM, here on RP.  Love that song.  It's a great story, but I agree the tune is a little monotonous.  First time I've heard this song.  Like it already.


Posted 11 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:
now with this track, I won't have the relentless melody of Choctaw Bingo off and running through my mind for days
 
You say that like it's a bad thing...
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
now with this track, I won't have the relentless melody of Choctaw Bingo off and running through my mind for days
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Weird..... I woke up this morning with the lyrics to this song going through my mind... McMurtry has been doing a series of "flash-concerts" all over the place. He posts to Facebook with a location and time and about a day's notice.  It's really cool, except so far, he hasn't ventured over to the west coast.  If I see him post that he'll be performing in Wendover, I'll make the drive.{#Mrgreen}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I like McMurtrey's storytelling quality to his songwriting. The lyrics are loaded with Americana and I like that in my music.
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
 jdorn1 wrote:
He might be famous if he could clean up and loose the crazy man persona.

 Lostfreight wrote:
One of the greats: great songwriter, great singer, great guitarist. This guy should be famous. Suggest you check out the album, "St. Mary of the Woods", as well.
 
 
I thought the crazy man persona was part of his charm?  Would anyone give a crap about The Nuge if he wasn't so wild-eyed bat shit crazy?

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 radioparadisehead wrote:

I met him in Oxford, Mississippi.  He was so unbelievably disheveled/dirty, both physically and personally, that it made his concert less enjoyable.  It wasn't the "hipster-Dylan-wannabe" messiness, either.  It was the, "I have thirty-two cats, and I don't bathe because I'm sort of angry" type of dirty.

 
Y'know, it's funny.  I met him a few years back in Lander, Wyoming, of all places.  He actually seemed to be a nice enough guy, if a little socially awkward. But so am I, so...

He didn't strike me as being overly filthy, but now that I recall the conversation, he did mention that the band had stopped at the laundromat that day. 


Posted 13 years ago by ptooey    [ Reply ]
This whole album inspires me to write.  And "Too Long in the Wasteland" is excellent, too.  I love James McMurtry's music and lyrics.  Bumping this up to a 10.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
He might be famous if he could clean up and loose the crazy man persona.

 Lostfreight wrote:
One of the greats: great songwriter, great singer, great guitarist. This guy should be famous. Suggest you check out the album, "St. Mary of the Woods", as well.
 


Posted 14 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
 meadowwoods wrote:
Don't like anything about this guy. Sorry.

 

makes two of us...or maybe even a few more.  {#Sick}
Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
 meadowwoods wrote:
Don't like anything about this guy. Sorry.

 
{#Nyah} {#Beat}  {#Moon}
Posted 14 years ago by Fiji5555    [ Reply ]
Don't like anything about this guy. Sorry.

Posted 14 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
I really can't dance to it, so I'll give it a 6.

/sarcasm off. {#Shifty}
Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
Wow. Actully his best works of late are St Mary's of the Woods and his live CD. Doubt anyone here's really taken the time - gums a flappin though - typical.
Posted 15 years ago by digizone    [ Reply ]
 Montyontherun wrote:

Skanky bloke. We should put together and buy him some soap... and a bath

 

Oh good...like I needed another reason not to like this guy. 
Posted 15 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
He speaks to me much in the same way as Jackson Browne did in the 70's.
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
What's to dislike? Easy on the ear.
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 petelincandjulie wrote:
Brilliant? I think Bob Seger beat him to the punch . . .
A gypsy wind is blowing warm tonight
the sky is starlit and the time is right
 
Yeah, really brilliant.  See also:

   I'm not talkin' 'bout movin' in,
   And I don't wanna change your life
   But there's a warm wind blowin' the stars around
   And I'd really love to see you tonight.

But compare:

   Gonna find my baby; gonna hold her tight
   Gonna grab some afternoon delight
   My motto's always been When it's right, it's right
   Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night

When trite passes for brilliant, it's time to return to instrumental music.


Posted 16 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 radioparadisehead wrote:

I met him in Oxford, Mississippi.  He was so unbelievably disheveled/dirty, both physically and personally, that it made his concert less enjoyable.  It wasn't the "hipster-Dylan-wannabe" messiness, either.  It was the, "I have thirty-two cats, and I don't bathe because I'm sort of angry" type of dirty.

 
Skanky bloke. We should put together and buy him some soap... and a bath

Posted 16 years ago by Montyontherun    [ Reply ]
 radioparadisehead wrote:

It was the, "I have thirty-two cats, and I don't bathe because I'm sort of angry" type of dirty.
 
{#Roflol}
Posted 16 years ago by TobyRush    [ Reply ]
 Odyzzeuz wrote:
Bumped into McMurtry at a little French Bistro off Sixth Street here in Austin the other night. He was dining alone. He's quite the eccentric fellow. He's known to have a spectacularly messy home, like scary messy. Excellent songwriter, interesting stylist.
 
I met him in Oxford, Mississippi.  He was so unbelievably disheveled/dirty, both physically and personally, that it made his concert less enjoyable.  It wasn't the "hipster-Dylan-wannabe" messiness, either.  It was the, "I have thirty-two cats, and I don't bathe because I'm sort of angry" type of dirty.

Posted 16 years ago by radioparadisehead    [ Reply ]
What a song writer...& performer.  Have seen him in Seattle a few times at a small tavern, not recently though, miss his visits up here.
Posted 16 years ago by jeffratte    [ Reply ]
I think this is my favorite McMurtry song, and I KNOW it's from my favorite McMurtry album.  I think it's time to put this one back in the disc player for a couple of spins.  Amazing stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by ptooey    [ Reply ]
love this guy. so there.
Posted 16 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
The arrangement at the beginning of this song reminds me of "Crazy for You" by Madonna. I'm sure that makes me evil or something.
Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Brilliant? I think Bob Seger beat him to the punch . . . A gypsy wind is blowing warm tonight the sky is starlit and the time is right
Posted 16 years ago by petelincandjulie    [ Reply ]
I happen to like abrupt shifts in gear - keep one on one's toes.
Posted 17 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
Sonic Youth to this?
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
A more ridiculous statement I've never read on RP. Comparing a few repetitive and nasally 3 minute songs (ok 20 minutes in the case of choctaw bingo) to a lifetime's treasure trove of Pulitzer prize winning novels is just vapid.
A Pulitzer, indeed--for a half-baked rehashing of the cowboy myth, and every other sentence containing a comma splice, to boot. I speak of Loathsome Duck, of course--but it was the Pulitzer made mockery of, and little better since (case in point, the idiotic story in the New Yorker a year or so ago about the Gallatin Canyon). McMurtry the Elder is a hack. /further vapidity EDIT: further proof of vapidity--the referenced New Yorker story was actually McGuane. But it was awful.
Posted 17 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
hmmm thought it was bruce coburn
Posted 17 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Interesting, I was just on his website when this tune came up. Nice job Bill!
Posted 17 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
That's debatable. I don't know where McMurtry the younger got his literary talent, but it SO FAR exceeds his father's that one doubts any connection at all. . . .
A more ridiculous statement I've never read on RP. Comparing a few repetitive and nasally 3 minute songs (ok 20 minutes in the case of choctaw bingo) to a lifetime's treasure trove of Pulitzer prize winning novels is just vapid.
Posted 17 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
That's debatable. I don't know where McMurtry the younger got his literary talent, but it SO FAR exceeds his father's that one doubts any connection at all. . . .
loo-hoo sserr - herrrr
Posted 17 years ago by coccyx    [ Reply ]
Huh - though it was Bruce Cockburn in an upbeat mood!
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I tried to introduce my wife to JM via Choctaw Bingo. I don't think she really got it. I may try this one instead.
Posted 17 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
and you and I don't talk alot we don't really have to we spent many years reading each other's mind we used up the lightning now we don't bother fighting such things will happen in time
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
Well said. But...he didn't slip through my crack...sorrry for the pun. James hit me square between the eyes and I couldn't get get Too Long in The Wasteland out of the tape deck for nearly a year. Simply Amazing storytelling, understated with a tight band! joek wrote:
If anyone likes this you should really check out his first record "Too Long In The Wasteland". It was produced by John Cougar Mellencamp and John Cougar's band was used for all the tracks....I'm not a huge JCM fan but James McMurtry's songs on that record are totally amazing and the band's playing is crazy good. I really think it's a hidden gem of the 1990's that slipped between the cracks because of grunge and the alt-country movement.
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
Bumped into McMurtry at a little French Bistro off Sixth Street here in Austin the other night. He was dining alone. He's quite the eccentric fellow. He's known to have a spectacularly messy home, like scary messy. Excellent songwriter, interesting stylist.
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
The soundtrack to a life in retrospect.
Posted 18 years ago by gradys_kitchen    [ Reply ]
If anyone likes this you should really check out his first record "Too Long In The Wasteland". It was produced by John Cougar Mellencamp and John Cougar's band was used for all the tracks....I'm not a huge JCM fan but James McMurtry's songs on that record are totally amazing and the band's playing is crazy good. I really think it's a hidden gem of the 1990's that slipped between the cracks because of grunge and the alt-country movement.
Posted 18 years ago by joek    [ Reply ]
What a great "wordsmith"..IMHO
Posted 18 years ago by cutterjudd    [ Reply ]
Moak wrote:
What a road tune, never heard that one...ridin' the 2-lane into Arizona...
... ... Hi Moak, what you do with my ball and chain? ... ... ............................ I can't do a thing without it! ................
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
What a road tune, never heard that one...ridin' the 2-lane into Arizona...
Posted 18 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
jdorn1 wrote:
Ghost of the mooon in the afternoon....bullet holes in the mailbox...
Time sure flies when you're havin' fun Wasn't it just yesterday you turned twenty-one?
Posted 18 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
I've got most of JM's stuff. I'd be lost without it...;-) Lostfreight wrote:
One of the greats: great songwriter, great singer, great guitarist. This guy should be famous. Suggest you check out the album, "St. Mary of the Woods", as well.
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
One of the greats: great songwriter, great singer, great guitarist. This guy should be famous. Suggest you check out the album, "St. Mary of the Woods", as well. jdorn1 wrote:
Ghost of the mooon in the afternoon....bullet holes in the mailbox...
Posted 18 years ago by Lostfreight    [ Reply ]
Ghost of the mooon in the afternoon....bullet holes in the mailbox...
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
Never heard of this guy-- Love the sting of that guitar! Judging from all of your comments, looks like I have a new artist to explore.
Posted 19 years ago by Mangoman    [ Reply ]
Good tune! Thanks for introducing him to me RP!
Posted 19 years ago by Doryanne    [ Reply ]
Saw him last Thursday at a small venue in Reno. I was perhaps 6 feet from him and the Heartless Bastards and they put on an outstanding show. For some reason I always thought there was another guitar player, but it's just James. He had something like 7 guitars on stage and would switch with each song. The man can really play! Hopefully he had a great turn out in SF, where he was heading the next day. Anyway, keep the McMurtry coming!
Posted 19 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
James McMurty jams! Saw him a couple months ago, and he played and played. It was a fun night.
Posted 19 years ago by freeone1    [ Reply ]
The two albums before this one were MUCH better. Please play some tracks off those albums (if possible). Thanks
Posted 19 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
His mother is an English professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia. Sat next to her when he played for about 100 folks.
Posted 19 years ago by cdemon    [ Reply ]
i like this. kinda reminds me of richard thompson.
Posted 19 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
Xeric wrote:
That's debatable. I don't know where McMurtry the younger got his literary talent, but it SO FAR exceeds his father's that one doubts any connection at all. . . .
If his father is Larry McMurtry then you have very poor taste. One of the best, if not the best, writters in recent times.
Posted 20 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
. . . inherited, I suppose from his father who is a 9 out of 10 in his field.
That's debatable. I don't know where McMurtry the younger got his literary talent, but it SO FAR exceeds his father's that one doubts any connection at all. . . .
Posted 20 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
dmax wrote:
It's rare to hear him repeat lines verbatim - he likes to say them again with slight variations, making different points each time. Brilliant.
Have you ever heard "Choctaw Bingo"? That song makes you see, hear, feel and experience a bunch of eccentric Texans at a family reunion...while repeating the same driving beat/melody. It kicks butt!
Posted 20 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
7... One of the more tolerable of the so-called "literary" singer-songwriters. His monochromatic voice always plays nicely against some dynamic storytelling, inherited, I suppose from his father who is a 9 out of 10 in his field.
Posted 20 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]