Shannon’s Pick: Joey

“And though I used to wonder why
I used to cry till I was dry
Still sometimes I get a strange pain inside
Oh, Joey, if you're hurting so am I”

This is one of those songs that is hard to explain why it reminds you of something because the song itself isn’t about the subject matter at hand. See One Headlight about my brother Shane. 

I did not know Concrete Blonde before dating Larry, I may have heard a song by them before dating him but not enough to remember it, so I consider them to be a musical influence that he introduced me to.  The album this song came off of was released in 1990, but Larry and I did not begin dating until the end of 1992 so it was after that before I started getting into them.  By the end of 1994 I was hooked and this is important because at the end of 1994 my cousin Joey was murdered in Columbus, Ohio.  So, while this song is more about alcoholism and not specifically death and loss the fact that the song bears his name and some of the lyrics make me think of him this song for me will always be about him.

I was always pretty close with my cousins on the Rhodes side of the family due to spending summers in Ohio with them from the age of 5 until my last summer at 16, so I have so many memories of Joey but the one I will share shows just how much things can change in a short amount of time.

In February of 1994 when we got married, we were on a really tight budget and had family help out with things as much as we could, like having my uncle being the videographer or in Joey’s case the sound technician for the day.  The church member who was supposed to do this did not show up that day so at the last minute I recruited my cousin Joey.  He was very gracious about it but it did create one of my favorite unplanned moments for our wedding day.  After we said our vows and they announced us as husband and wife instead of having a traditional receiving line we went row by row and did our thing that way.  When we were done with the last row Joey came out from the sound room and I went to hug him and thank him for the last-minute help but he refused.  He wanted to sit in the last pew and be released like everyone else.  This moment was captured on video and I’m so glad it was because just 10 months later he was gone...

Larry’s Perspective:

I'd like to think that Concrete Blonde is one of those hidden gem bands. I haven't met a lot of people who know them or their songs. I suppose their cover of Everybody Knows from my boy Christian Slater's movie Pump Up The Volume might be known, but that really doesn't count.

When I think of truly unique voices, Johnette Napolitano is right up there with Geddy Lee and Jon Anderson.

This song is off of the Bloodletting album released in 1990 and I became a fan immediately. There are so many great songs and her voice is simply fantastic.

We are both supposed to bring something to the table in our marriage. I like to push Shannon's buttons and remind her of all the great music I introduced her to over the years. When doing this, I lean into the fact that while she was growing up in Kansas the radio only played farm reports and by the time I met her in '92, Kansas had just started broadcasting music in general. So she missed out on the 70's and 80's.

So if it's not in her write-up, she absolutely would not know Concrete Blonde had it not been for me. True story.

This song is autobiographical for Johnette - sung from the perspective of a woman who is in love with an alcoholic. The video portrays that love triangle - a man, a woman and alcohol. As you read the lyrics, it really could represent any type of self-harm addiction. The combination of those fantastic lyrics with her voice is, honestly, sheer perfection.

Joey
Concrete Blonde

Joey
Baby
Don't get crazy
Detours, fences
I get defensive

I know you've heard it all before
So I don't say it anymore
I just stand by and let you
Fight your secret war

And though I used to wonder why
I used to cry 'til I was dry
Still sometimes I get a strange pain inside
Oh Joey if you're hurting so am I

Joey
Honey
I've got the money

All is forgiven
Listen, listen

But if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you
And when you said I scared you
Well, I guess you scared me too

But we got lucky once before
And I don't want to close the door
And if you're somewhere out there
Passed out on the floor

Oh
Joey, I'm not angry anymore

And if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you
And when you said I scared you
Well I guess you scared me too

But if it's love you're looking for
Then I can give a little more
And if you're somewhere drunk and
Passed out on the floor

Oh
Joey, I'm not angry anymore

Angry anymore, angry anymore

30th Anniversary

Our Story - Shannon's Perspective

Our Story - Larry's Perspective

Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?