Beautiful Disaster

Album: Honky Tonk Union (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Roger Clyne likes to include paradox and juxtaposition in his songwriting, which explains the title "Beautiful Disaster." Here's what he told Songfacts about this song: "It's just a fun rock song. I'd never used the highway metaphor before, and when I started to use that, I started finding myself running into the same literary devices that Bruce Springsteen uses all the time, he couldn't get around them. So I decided to put that middle section, 'Take the wheel, the highway's clear,' and basically lift that out of 'Born To Run' for however many bars that is, like 6 or 8 bars, and just to acknowledge that it's a tribute, and not a pilfering, I put the glockenspiel behind it, because it comes right out of Born To Run. But it's about being very, very enthusiastic about your power and freedom."

Comments: 1

  • Leo from Milwaukee,, WiThats a glockenspiel ?!? no wonder I couldnt identify it !! nice touch. Not a fan of Springsteen... you guys however are a totally different story ...great song, great metaphor.

    Favorite line.." you know how I love to watch those angels fighting over you"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.