The only thing I hate more than a dirty hippie is being mistaken for one. Some folks assume that just because I don’t have a job, shave infrequently and live out of a car with a bleeding-heart-liberal California girl, I must be a free-spirited member of the counter culture. I get offered pot. It’s assumed I like Phish.
Well, like the good people of Muskogee, Okla., I don’t smoke marijuana. And I deplore Phish and just about every other trippy-dippy jam band whose frontman wears a Jesus beard and an oversize sweater.
But about 11 times a day I find myself making an exception for Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. This is because Jill has fallen in flowery, hairy, hippie love with the song “Home.”
We have Jessica Stefan of Santa Barbara, Calif., to thank for introducing us to “Home.” We’ve never met Jessica, but she’s a friend of a friend who discovered the blog and thought “Home” might suit us. And it does.
Make no mistake: I would never pitch a tent next to these people, and some of the guys I might be inclined to punch in the face without provocation. But I do love to listen to Jill sing the lyrics as she bobs and sways in the passenger seat like a Muppet on Ecstasy.
Thank you, Jessica, for following our blog, brightening our days and broadening our musical horizons. When we make it to Santa Barbara, we would love to meet you. I’ve got a Lynyrd Skynyrd mixtape I think you might dig.
—Scott
Thanks! I am now obsessed with it, too!
Miss you guys!!
Hello! Glad you are enjoying the song, or should I say, enjoying Jill enjoying the song! Once you make it to the chorus and hear those lyrics you can’t help but sing along and feel happy…even if they are hippies.
I actually live in Santa Monica…so yes, anytime you pass through would love to meet you!
Happy travels,
Jessica S.
No wonder you used to get so upset when I called you a hippie and said your office smelt like patchouli oil.
“some of the guys I might be inclined to punch in the face without provocation” This one made me laugh out loud too Brett.
That was truly one of the most erratic performances I have ever seen. I found I could not look away. I think I would have to be a Muppet on Ecstasy to listen to this again. Sorry Jill. Look forward to seeing you guys soon. Maybe the flood waters will have receded by then. Check out some of the photos linked on my facebook page.
I really like that song and wow that performance was something else! Totally gave me a glimpse of what a 70′s counterculture hippie parade might have been like… I’m not gonna lie, it looks like it’d have been FUN!
ps, these guys kinda reminded me of a great band called “The Future Kings of Nowhere” who I discovered while living in Baltimore. Their music has some great story telling lyrics that I think you both might enjoy.
http://www.thefuturekings.com/
“as she bobs and sways in the passenger seat like a Muppet on Ecstasy.” – that one made me laugh out loud.
Hey Ya’ll -
This is completely random but Lido and I are equally obsessed with this song and are actually thinking of having two of our friends play it for our wedding. Random. You should Google the NPR Tiny Desk Sessions with them and watch their performance. It’s awesome. Also in other news: we put an offer on a house yesterday so by the time you get to Montana we might have a real house for you to hang in with a real yard for your dogs. That’s right — we’re grown ups now.
Okay, I gave it a chance. Like a 20-second chance (no, it really was more than that – before Jill gets upset) but I agree with your post, and I happen to hate this song so much. The only thing worse is their performance which is borderline creepy. Listening to this is like drinking raw vinegar. I shoulda stopped at “hippie.”
Hi you guys!!!
FYI: Eddy Sharpe & the MZ’s are touring right now. You might be able to catch them in your travels. They are playing here on June 22nd. So, If you happen to be “home”, It would be great to see you two there. Kisses and hugs and safe travels!!!
Your Pal,
Laura