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

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.