Great tune from Iris, with a little help from Mark Knopfler on guitar and Paul Franklin on steel guitar. This one's from her 1996 album of the same name "The Way I Should".
The more I listen to Iris the more I realize what a phenomenal writer she is! She has written so many great songs that are enjoyed around the world. Thank you Iris!
I have been listening to Iris Dement nearly as long as I have mark Knopfler. I live her unique phrasing, and Knopfler never played a note that was unnecessary (but always finds the ones that need to be there!).
A cold wind against my shoulder woke me up in the middle of the night An Autumn leaf was scraping against my window Like it was trying hard to get inside And then a ghost that I had met before kept me up till dawn And everything I thought was right was suddenly all wrong He said, "Your score is looking pretty bad" And then he asked me what it was that I had to show So I went running down a list of things Some were real, but on some of them I lied 'Cause I felt I had to justify each breath that I'd been breathing in this life Then I realized I was playing into someone else's rules Trying to keep my score up in a game I did not choose Then I looked that ghost straight in the eye And said "You'd better not be coming back by again" And it's true that I don't work near as hard As you tell me that I'm supposed to I don't run as fast as I could But I live just the way I want to And that's the way I should October's leaves were dancing 'round Like angels dressed in robes of Red and Gold But November's come and gone now And they're lying in the gutter out along the road They're gonna make their way out to the ditch or someday to the sea They'll get to where they're going without the help of you or me And if each life is just a grain of sand I'm telling you man, this grain of sand is mine And it's true that I don't work near as hard As you tell me that I'm supposed to I don't run as fast as I could But I live just the way I want to And that's the way I should But I live just the way I want to And that's the way I should
a great song...just like her duets with John Prine...Knopfler (while not singing) makes an immense instrumental contribution to this song...one of greatest guitar virtuosos around.......
Don't wanna be what people want me to be. Hell, don't wanna be what I am either. But gawdammit, I yam whatI yam and that's all what I yam. Who is stupid enuf to think they're better? Yep, I'm DeMented.
The more tunes I discover of hers, the more I like her music.
Love this song and her singing; especially like the great music by the best!! ❤❤❤
The more I listen to Iris the more I realize what a phenomenal writer she is! She has written so many great songs that are enjoyed around the world. Thank you Iris!
Merle Haggard once said Iris Dement had the best voice he'd ever heard. He may be right.
He was spot on she is the best pistons
He was right
Merle was always right.
He was right. .. spot on
Iris is an amazing singer, no one like her!! Love Iris!!!
Such a song- thank you Iris!
I am 68 years old and I am just discovering this wonderful musician thanks to Michael Moore.
You should hear her do “Mamas Opry”, if you haven’t.
If it’s the fat s-- Micheal Moore I’ve just lost interest!
How could I have. Missed this great talent for so many years?
Amen
If she got more air time, she'd be more popular.
Those who have heard her, love her singing.
I love Iris Dement. She is one talented lady. And right easy on the eyes as well...
😉
the best singer in the world. period.
When my morning comes around i hope all the angels are iris!
Iris is the best. I've been singing her songs for decades. Truly talented
Great singer and writer👏👏
Love this woman , songs of life
Mark Knopfler has a way of finding the best talent. Iris is special, really.
Magic voice, beautiful song, superb album an best of Iris, so special to meet Iris at Basement in Sydney
Iris is ONE OF A KIND and I do luv her kind!!
I have been listening to Iris Dement nearly as long as I have mark Knopfler. I live her unique phrasing, and Knopfler never played a note that was unnecessary (but always finds the ones that need to be there!).
This could be my theme song. Damn, Iris is good!!
A cold wind against my shoulder woke me up in the middle of the night
An Autumn leaf was scraping against my window
Like it was trying hard to get inside
And then a ghost that I had met before kept me up till dawn
And everything I thought was right was suddenly all wrong
He said, "Your score is looking pretty bad"
And then he asked me what it was that I had to show
So I went running down a list of things
Some were real, but on some of them I lied
'Cause I felt I had to justify each breath that I'd been breathing in this life
Then I realized I was playing into someone else's rules
Trying to keep my score up in a game I did not choose
Then I looked that ghost straight in the eye
And said "You'd better not be coming back by again"
And it's true that I don't work near as hard
As you tell me that I'm supposed to
I don't run as fast as I could
But I live just the way I want to
And that's the way I should
October's leaves were dancing 'round
Like angels dressed in robes of Red and Gold
But November's come and gone now
And they're lying in the gutter out along the road
They're gonna make their way out to the ditch or someday to the sea
They'll get to where they're going without the help of you or me
And if each life is just a grain of sand
I'm telling you man, this grain of sand is mine
And it's true that I don't work near as hard
As you tell me that I'm supposed to
I don't run as fast as I could
But I live just the way I want to
And that's the way I should
But I live just the way I want to
And that's the way I should
Thank you for words it adds greatly to song.
Agreed, thanks.
Among all of her great songs,this is the masterpiece!I think she is revered by other songwriters.
Are you sitting around listening to Iris instead of doing your work?😀
So nice in these crazy times stuck in Thailand good to hear your voice.!
Iris Dement: Wonderful artist. Wonderful song. Never heard those sentiments expressed in any other tune. Thanks for uploading!
Love Iris, so true to the soul.
Nashville must have hid her from the music I was listening to.
a great song...just like her duets with John Prine...Knopfler (while not singing) makes an immense instrumental contribution to this song...one of greatest guitar virtuosos around.......
Love it thank you
Mark Knopfler is an amazing artist, He really enhances her talent. A great post thanks for this.
Great Song
This Woman makes me cry, that's all I need say! Xx
Wonderful magical stuff here. Irish Dement, John Prine. Oh yeah they are so special Americana... tears possible as one finds heart pathways...
"Then I looked that ghost straight in the eye, ..." We should all be that tough.
It's Very good, very good.
Knopfler and Dement. What's not to like. Sold
WE LOVE IRIS!
Add “ALL”
Incredible
pure country, perfect
Me too
The beat reminds me of City of New Orleans.
If Iris could sing 'lay down beside me - I would be so happy !!
Great comment 👍
Yes
Marvelous!
Don't wanna be what people want me to be.
Hell, don't wanna be what I am either.
But gawdammit, I yam whatI yam and that's all what I yam.
Who is stupid enuf to think they're better?
Yep, I'm DeMented.
Iris is reading my mind!
Ha ha
Spot on mate
Oh Iris.
What talent
very pleasant, attractive lady...
Lovely
Estoy enamorado de esta mujer.....
A storyteller
Cherry
Iris und John unerreicht!