Avett Brothers, The - Long Story Short Lyrics






Here I am standing, ten feet between us
Beside me the door that I just came through
Where I walk past an overweight cop in an alley
With a beer gut bursting from a bullet-proof jacket
Who thinks to himself I've got to get back to the man that I was when I was a dreamer
With a partner in crime named Brandi McGill
A girl with a love of life bigger than normal
Who still wonders when her life will begin
Her best friend Maria who seems to have everything
Tells her she probably just needs a vacation
Away from the stress of her husbands vocation
While Maria is talking Brandi is drifting
Staring at John who just got the job busing tables to pay for community college
An associates degree in x-ray technology
John is too old to still be in college
He doesn't like class and sometimes doesn't go
Long story short his family was broken
He was freed from a past life as a kid on skid Row
He notices Brandi but stares at Maria
Her beauty well practiced and casting a spell
Imagining her naked he spills dirty dishes
On the lap of an elderly woman named Belle
A lady who won't live to see her next birthday
But shares a warm smile regardless of that
The mess that unfolds completely surrounds her
Not one bit of urgency enters her soul
She reaches for Roy, her husband forever
In love and connection her small hand he holds
And nothing comes of it but a manager's anger
Not for the mess but her father's remark
About a bad grade that she had as a child
So she takes her revenge out by firing John
Who now wonders when his life will begin
Ain't it confusing to search for the will and learn when you find it that you've lost your way
Long story short he saw a commercial that said that the 20's are the prime of your life
But that doesn't seem to be true at this moment
As he cleans out his locker and calls his best friend
Who's too busy to talk cause he's prepping with lawyers
To keep money from his ex-wife the mother of their only son
Who's naturally drawn to guns and sharp objects who now has no father
Except for on weekends two times a month
No need to worry I'm told were protected by the men passing laws in the house and the senate
From people who mix up the truth and reality with movies and games and ridiculous scenarios
Long story short, best I can tell, children can't be left to raise themselves





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Avett Brothers, The Long Story Short Comments
  1. S.... E....

    I think the John Prine dates rubbed on on them based upon the composition and lyrics of this song.

  2. R.... B....

    Every action has an equal opposite reaction

  3. E.... S....

    “I’ve got to get back to the man that I was when I was a dreamer”

    Goddamn

  4. M.... S....

    Two things:
    1. I wonder if the boys have ever listened to John Prine
    2. I need to see a music video for this song

    M.... S....

    John Prine was with them @Avettsatthebeach last year in Mexico, I had never heard him before then. He's amazing. And yes, a proper video for this would be awesome.

    M.... S....

    @yman6three it was a bit of a tongue in cheek comment because you can clearly hear the Prine writing style influence. Love John Prine, he's also inspired many fantastic artists.

  5. K.... S....

    Such a good song. My favorite on the record!

  6. c.... k....

    pretty much my favorite from Closer - and there are a lot there to like!

  7. L.... R....

    this song is very john prine-esque to me. i found myself humming this tune and muttering the words to "paradise". anyone else feeling that?

    L.... R....

    YES! I've been thinking the exact same thing.

  8. R.... G....

    I really think this is my favorite song on the album...which means I won't hear it on the radio

  9. N.... K....

    The Avetts are artists. Love their art, or hate their art, it’s subjective. I love them for their great songs and even greater concerts. Some of their songs resonate with me and some don’t, but I would never say their work is garbage. Some songs don’t speak to me as listener, but I would be pretty damn self centered to think that the Avetts should be creating music that they are sure I’ll love. Keep making yourselves happy guys. This songs is one that speaks to me and I really like it. ✊

  10. c.... ....

    The only good vintage Avett song on a garbage album.

    c.... ....

    Don't let the door hit ya on the way out... Peace and Love #AvettNation

    c.... ....

    Oh c'mon. These guys are amazing.

    c.... ....

    It's unfortunate that people can't appreciate good music when it's looking them square in the face. With all the trash on the radio and in pop music culture this is a huge breath of fresh air. The whole album is. I guess it isn't for everyone but to say it's garbage is just preposterous.

    c.... ....

    @Shane Arcane Long Story Short is a masterpiece.

    c.... ....

    If you don't think the opening track is "vintage Avett", you're interpretation of "vintage Avett" must only go back as far as "I and Love and You". You sound ignorant. They have too many "sounds" to say that there is a "vintage" sound from them, and this album is much closer to their early work than the last one was. You really must be a new fan. Bless your heart. This album is beautiful.

  11. S.... L....

    Their new stuff lacks the passion of the old

  12. s.... t....

    I wish the entire album had this vibe

  13. W.... F....

    I love The Avett Brothers. With every new album I hear, every interview I read, and every concert I attend I just love them more.

  14. D.... A....

    This song perfectly exemplifies the art of sondering and illustrates how we are all separate, yet the same, bound together with invisible thread ... ✌💜🎶

    D.... A....

    Deb Alexander whenever I listen I just imagine a video where the camera switches to the point of view of each person throughout the song

  15. D.... R....

    I love the way this song is put together! Definitely one of the best on the album! :)