Thursday June 18, 2020 “The Joke” Brandi Carlile

A song about intolerance.

Written as a comment on the climate after the 2016 election, Brandi Carlile explained that "there are so many people feeling misrepresented. So many people feeling unloved. The song is just for people that feel under-represented, unloved or illegal."

Brandi Carlile, diagnosed with ADD dropped out of high school and taught herself to play guitar, piano and banjo, writes or co-writes most of her songs and has produced records for country greats like Tanya Tucker.

This song comes from Brandi Carlile’s most recent album “By the Way, I Forgive You” which was co-produced by Shooter Jennings the son of Waylon Jennings and singer Jessi Colter and in 2019 it was nominated for six Grammy’s and won three including best song for the “The Joke”.

Stay safe and well…and enjoy this remarkable performance.

You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy?

With your quiet voice and impeccable style

Don't ever let them steal your joy

And your gentle ways, to keep 'em from running wild

They can kick dirt in your face

Dress you down, and tell you that your place

Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine

I see you tugging on your shirt

Trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts

 Let 'em laugh while they can

Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind

I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends

And the joke's on them

 You get discouraged, don't you, girl?

It's your brother's world for a while longer

We gotta dance with the devil on a river

To beat the stream

Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder

They come to kick dirt in your face

To call you weak and then displace you

After carrying your baby on your back across the desert

I saw your eyes behind your hair

And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared

 Let 'em laugh while they can

Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind

I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends

And the joke's on them

 Let 'em laugh while they can

Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind

I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends

And the joke's on them