Song Origins
Dirty Side Down
Widespread Panic’s John Bell Keeps His Shiny Side Up http://www.headcount.org/interview-widespread-panics-john-bell-keeps-his-shiny-side-up/
According to John Bell, the title track of Widespread Panic’s eleventh studio album, Dirty Side Down, arrived almost as an afterthought.
On the group’s final day of recording, guitarist Jimmy Herring and his guitar tech, Eric Pretto, arrived at the session on motorbikes. “I was feeling pretty rock and roll now that we had a motorcycle in the band,” says Bell, who proceeded to write a song that offers a low, rumbling invitation to join or continue a trip long in progress, the trick being “to keep your shiny side up and your dirty side down.” While writing the song, Bell says he came to the realization that “riding a motorcycle is like skiing. It’s not about getting from point A to point B but more about the road itself. While I was writing it, though, I felt like Brian Wilson sitting in his bedroom writing songs about surfing. I mean, I ride a bike and that’s about it.” ___________
COMIN’ HOME Widespread Panic http://blurt-online.com/features/view/634/1349325662000
Guitarist Jimmy Herring - who's been with the band since George McConnell's departure in 2006 - helped inspire Bell to put lyrics to the album's title track.
"‘Dirty Side Down'" came in during the eleventh hour. Jimmy had this little riff that we all really liked, but we were already working on these other songs and didn't think we'd have the time to get around to it," Bell says. "On the last day of tracking, I asked Jimmy if I could write some lyrics to it about riding motorcycles. I don't know anything about motorcycles, so it's a little like Brian Wilson writing about surfing or sailing while he's hanging out in his bedroom. But Jimmy does, so with a little research and meditation, a few images popped up. I've been listening to a lot of Leonard Cohen recently, so some of his low vocal approach got mixed in there, which seemed to fit with the rumble of the Harley."
Herring's influence is felt throughout Dirty Side Down, whether it's in the innovative guitar riffs and leads he plays on the album or his laid-back demeanor.
"Our individual personalities are pretty well established and different from each other, and there's no identity crisis with Jimmy," Bell says. "He knows who he is, and he's as much of a freak as the rest of us are. You're not only dealing with a great musician, but he's got a personality that's interesting and steady and enriches your friendship and knowledge of yourself while you're in his company. That's really strong. There wouldn't be any room for wishy-washiness or somebody trying to find their way. Jimmy is well established in his Jimmy-ness."
# of times played: 37
First time played: 04/24/10
Frequency: 1 in every 4.46 shows
Longest drought: 9 shows (07/14/11 > 09/20/11; 10/12/11 > 10/27/11)
Most common lead in: Barstools and Dreamers, Mr. Soul, Sleeping Man (2 times)
Most common lead out: I’m Not Alone (3 times)
Most common set position: Encore, song 1 (8 times)
Notes: Appears on 'Dirty Side Down'
Burnthday's Picks:
06/24/11 Red Rocks, Morrison, CO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1z9H6nTVw0
09/28/11 The Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN