thorn in my pride

Ok, so this is a classic tbc song-- as Crowesbase describes, it's "one of the songs that defines The Black Crowes."^[1] Played 653 times live (!!!!), it's off my favourite tbc album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion....this is the album that started me on the Crowes. To be honest, I came to them rather late...but here goes: I saw Chris Robinson at the airport the night before Vegoose 2006 (there will be other entries on this, don't worry!). And, I just couldn't believe it...him...so I made sure to listen and watch their set the next day, and I can quite confidently say that it was life changing. The song that really hooked me was their encore of Remedy. However, that's another song for another time. What Remedy did do though is make me buy TSHMC. And I dare anyone to listen to TSHMC and not be instantly awakened by the entire album-- I truly love each and every song on it. But there are three highlights which are all in my top ten TBC songs now....Remedy, Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye and Thorn in My Pride.

So I was thinking it's nearly impossible to really describe a song, which is why I focus more on why I like certain songs, why I pick them to write about here.....and Thorn in My Pride....has it all! Perfect lyrics, perfect harmony-- the jamming ability... My favourite part is the end when Chris lets the words linger....when he sings "Lover . . . cover me . . . with your sleep / Let your love light shine (let it shine)." The hitch in his voice is just breath-taking. It's so sweet and yet, the song is about something bigger than just a sweet moment. Wanting something for all the right (and wrong) reasons because you physically can't not want it...I'll stop rambling now, but just so you know TSHMC and this song, in particular, are a great place to get started on tbc....just look at me!

Wake me when the day breaks
Show me how the sun shines
Tell me about your heartaches
Who could be so unkind?
Do you dream to touch me?
And smile down deep inside
Or could you just kill me?
It's hard to make up your mind, sometimes.

My angels, my devils, my thorn in my pride.
Are you wanting inspiration
You spill your secrets on me
Then you tell me with a whisper
Of things that will never be.
Do you hear me breathing?
Does it make you want to scream?
Did you ever like a bad dream?
Sometimes life is obscene.

My angels, my devils, my thorn in my pride.
Lover cover me with your sleep
Let your love light shine
Lover cover me with a good dream
Let your love light shine

[1] and Rich calls it the springboard for so many things, including TSHMC