I was in rural North Carolina when Josh Ritter’s Girl in the War came on the radio for the first time. It must have been two years ago. I pulled in for gas but waited till the song was over to get out of my car. After that I bought the song and listened to it a hundred times. It might be his best. I figured it would be a good morning for us all to remember what Paul said to Peter.
30Jul, 2011
Sounds like something that would be on WNCW, one of the coolest radio stations ever.
Have you read Bright’s Passage? I’d be interested in your thoughts.
What a great music played by Josh Ritter.
Thanks Don — I have never heard this before. It is really great. I am checking out more of his stuff now.
Yes, this is a great song. I first discovered it when one of my favourite Canadian singer-songwriters, Matthew Good, covered it at a live show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S-7vIqPgZM
Ritter is a gem. What a storyteller/songwriter. Saw him from 5 feet away a couple years ago at Messiah College in PA and it was one of the best concert experiences of my life.
“Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire.”
Have you ever seen him in concert? Phenomenal. I saw him in Lawrence, KS and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. He had the entire audience slow dance in pairs for a song, and for Thin Blue Flame, he had the tech guys turn of all the lights in the theater, unplugged his guitar, and sang w/o a mic. I had chills. Amazing song you must hear by him if you haven’t already: The Curse. Also, the opener that night was the lead from Frightened Rabbit, a band from Glasgow you might like.
Josh Ritter is the best things to come out of Idaho since the potato (and that is coming from someone who lives in Idaho). This is my favorite song he sings. “The keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom” and “If they can’t find a way to help her they can go to hell” are some of the best lyrics I have ever heard. I hope everyone checks him out.
I agree with all accolades for Josh. He (and his band) are awesome in concert. Don, you and I talked about this song when we met in July of 2008. The lyrics Josh writes are mostly poetry. As much as I love his music, I have not loved his most recent albums as much as The Animal Years and Hello Starling. But there is always a gem in the mix. Sometimes it takes a few listens to discover the gem – such was the case for “The Last Temptation of Adam” for me. Thanks for sharing this video here to introduce more people to Josh.
Made me cry
This is incredible. I’m enamored by the lyrics. I’d like to know what some of you (Don included) think this song “means”.
Have you seen Josh perform live? It will change your life. Seriously. The man is so alive, so in love with life and his craft that he smiles through the entire performance. He makes you feel like you’re hanging out in his livingroom, that he thinks you’re the best thing ever, and that he just can’t believe you’re really there.
Also, The Curse is the most haunting love song I’ve heard in a long, long time.
Knew I liked you for a reason
He is an amazing songwriter. An equal mix of Faith and Doubt.
He is amazing live.
Man Burning is my favorite.