My Weekly Columns
Since February of 2021 I’ve been writing two to three columns a week over at Substack. For $5 a month (the price of a nice pint!) you get access to them all. A few of ’em every month are free so you can sample the goods first. I truly appreciate all the support from my subscribers. It’s been going great so far.
“…within minutes comment sections were filled with the sort of armchair gibberish I’ve come to expect from guys I went to high school with who still live with their Moms…”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
“Somebody at the State Department should probably get Paul Bremer on the phone…”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
Mike Stevens
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
“And just like that, it’s over….”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
“It’s like somebody moving something on a map of the world….”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
“I ain’t feeling it this year….”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
Demos – Rolling Easy
Complete with my flannel shirt and assorted bracelets rubbing themselves vigorously against the strings. Makes it sound like I recorded this at the beach. But when you record quicky during your lunch hour such things happen….
Rolling Easy
(Tom Flannery)
I saw a drunk Santa Claus on Mulberry St he was weaving like a fish on a line
Still pissed off about last call but making the most of his time
That’s just how we do down here they did us dirty for years
But there still ain’t no better place to be unemployed with beers
We rolling easy
Rolling easy down here
Coal mines and data centers and all them churches and bars
For the sinning and the redemption inside all them used cars
Once you pull it off the lot well son you’re on your own
Get yourself a REAL ID it’ll streamline the loan
We rolling easy
Rolling easy down here
I ain’t never had the blues that the right pill couldn’t touch
A dozen years of catholic school didn’t add up to much
‘Cept feeling guilty all the time but not quite knowing why
And waiting on that probate check when my Daddy finally died
We rolling easy
Rolling easy down here
Bridge
I ain’t paid my taxes in 17 years
They still using punch cards downtown
So I think the coast is clear
For us to have one more round
It was the only thing he done right but I loved him just the same
He left a safe deposit box under another name
Mamma lawyered up and he admitted to it all
So now I got an extra sibling working down at the mall
We rolling easy
Rolling easy down here
“George Graham is the voice of public radio in my world. And probably yours too….”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
“I’ll never understand it….”
Today’s column is now available. You can read it here…
Demos – Backwards Train
Backwards Train
(Tom Flannery)
Homecoming queen pushing at the mall never batted an eye
‘84 was a long time ago And time sure does fly
then vs now are unwritten books by the score
But I still managed to say hello as cops led her to the door
Sweatpants with elastic bands and winter caps indoors
Covering up all the bald heads that sported mullets before
I lost track of 40 years and I ain’t sure why
The road I used to get here well it always makes me cry
I want to board a backwards train
I want to board a backwards train
I want to learn to dance in the rain
The way that young lovers do
I had to dig out the yearbook she was the prettiest thing I’d seen
Looking like an angel on the cover of a magazine
A restraining order by 22 kept the football star away
He took everything that he could before moving to LA
I want to board a backwards train
I want to board a backwards train
I want to crush those pennies all over again
The way that young lovers do
Maybe I’ll meet her for a drink like in that Glory Days song
But first she’s gotta make bail for the things to move along
It ain’t always as simple as what you hear on the radio
There’s always another mile that life needs to go
I want to board a backwards train
I want to board a backwards train
I want to learn to dance in the rain
The way that young lovers do
I want to board a backwards train
I want to board a backwards train
I want to crush those pennies all over again
The way that young lovers do
Tom Flannery and the Shillelaghs
A Good Night Was Had For Days
Available Now
10 new songs
Tom Flannery and Bret Alexander
Available Now
10 new songs
Tom Flannery and the Shillelaghs
Available Now
11 new songs
Tom Flannery and Bret Alexander
Available Now
11 new songs
Tom Flannery and Bret Alexander
Available
Now
Some of the best storytelling and wit
this side of John Prine and Loudon Wainwright.....
more great work from a prolific talent
–Mike Naydock / OurTownRadio
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