Town & Country

Album: Lifetime Achievement (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Town & Country" finds Loudon Wainwright III recounting a trip to New York City after spending two years isolated in Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic. He discovered the hubbub that used to excite him in the Big Apple now just frays his nerves.

    "I've been living out on Long Island with my girlfriend, Susan, and our two cats," he told Uncut magazine, "Every so often I mask up and go into town - not for gigs or recording sessions, but for maintenance, be it orthopedic, urological, periodontal or psychiatric. There's an initial excitement, but usually I can't wait to get the hell out. I'm convinced I'll be killed by a food delivery guy on a speeding motorized bicycle."
  • Wainwright recorded this acerbic folk song for Lifetime Achievement, his first collection of original material since 2014's Haven't Got the Blues (Yet).

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.