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The Jayhawks — Wichita
Album: Hollywood Town Hall
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 925









Released: 1992
Length: 5:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Come to Wichita
Won't be there in 40 days
This, an evil land
Brings a devil's cloud

Take a message
To abide in what you own
And there'll be no more
No more people singing

(Chorus)
La la la
In one morning you will be mine
Where the fields are smiling
No more people singing la la la
In one morning you will be mine
Where the fields are smiling
Where the fields are smiling

There by crook and fire
And the squatters rights
Don't your cheek get sore
And you mouth get dry
Sevens on your sleeve
Haven't counted days
Then he slouches home
To you loved ones gate

(Chorus)

With my pockets torn
By a whirlwind
Man takes what it needs
Turns you inside out

Come to Wichita
Won't be there in 40 days
This, an evil land
Brings a devil's cloud

Take a message
To abide in what you own
And there'll be no more
No more people singing

(Chorus)
Comments (79)add comment
Always loved the fat, saturated guitar and the country-twanged vocals! The sneaky way this thing starts and builds can still catch me by surprise; love it! Tasty tune!
Posted 2 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 baylees wrote:

The latter part of this piece is unusually heavy

this tune is lyrically better than a lot of their hits

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

Funny to think that this song is closer to the "sixties" than it is to now.



More scary than funny!! LOL!
Posted 2 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Having lived in Lawrence, Kansas and home to the University of Kansas, and noting the mascot is the "Jayhawks"....I never anyone ever talked about this band. 

Go figure. 

ha!
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Funny to think that this song is closer to the "sixties" than it is to now.
Posted 3 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
The latter part of this piece is unusually heavy
Posted 3 years ago by baylees    [ Reply ]
 nate917 wrote:
My initial gag reflex suggested that this was Spoon, and I'm delighted that it's not.  Now I've gotta listen to it some more (this, not Spoon), because I do like other Jayhawks tracks.  Indeed, no one in Spoon can touch that guitar solo I'm listening to now.

 
H8'n on Spoon in a Jayhawks thread. K.
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
This really is a good album throughout. It received significant radio play and increased their audience awareness and concert attendance. I've seen them twice in two different cities, both in very large club venues - they have a loyal and sizeable following. 
I think there are other songs on the album that would reach a broader audience, however. 
Posted 4 years ago by jayhamiljr    [ Reply ]
This is sweet, plus the vocals remind me of the Waterboys a bit.  7 out of the box from me, today.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Larrygrrl wrote:
I was born & raised in Wichita.  This music reminds me why I left.  Blech!

 
This opinion reminds me of why you are from there.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
I was born & raised in Wichita.  This music reminds me why I left.  Blech!
Posted 8 years ago by Larrygrrl    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


No need to jar your memory, as they're still playing live all the time (I saw them in 2011 in Milw. and 2012 in Aurora, IL) and put out a new record in 2011.

 

New release out April 29, 2016. No Mark Olsen though.
Posted 8 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
This entire album is excellent.  Highly recommend it.
Posted 10 years ago by luv4music    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
Eek. This reminds me of Ambrosia.



 
yep, pretty tasty......(the dessert, not the band, although I can dig the band too,)
Posted 10 years ago by EarthMama    [ Reply ]

Posted 10 years ago by chedak    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
I honestly don't remember this group but I'm glad Bill played it.

 

No need to jar your memory, as they're still playing live all the time (I saw them in 2011 in Milw. and 2012 in Aurora, IL) and put out a new record in 2011.
Posted 11 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Works for me right now. La La La. 
{#Bounce}
 
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Eek. This reminds me of Ambrosia.


Posted 12 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
I liked it.  I honestly don't remember this group but I'm glad Bill played it.
Posted 12 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
Very Good and nice!!   {#Bananapiano}
Posted 12 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
If there were any justice in American music culture, these guys would have been the biggest band of their time.
Posted 12 years ago by JsDad    [ Reply ]
The snow in Stephen's cover looks like fresh, fluffy stuff-so it's probably about 30 degrees while, Jayhawks look like January in Minnesota or the Dakotas-so it's more like Zero degree!
 treatment_bound wrote:

Except he didn't need a coat...


 


Posted 13 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:
Cover art remends me of a classic Steven Stills album................
 
Except he didn't need a coat...


Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Great (live) band with
"weakish" songwriting!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
I was excited to read in Rolling Stone that a new Jayhawks album is in the works.
Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
MY HOMETOWN !!  It's a different kinda place......
Posted 13 years ago by jerrieberrie    [ Reply ]
Cover art remends me of a classic Steven Stills album................
Posted 14 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
My initial gag reflex suggested that this was Spoon, and I'm delighted that it's not.  Now I've gotta listen to it some more (this, not Spoon), because I do like other Jayhawks tracks.  Indeed, no one in Spoon can touch that guitar solo I'm listening to now.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 annersjen wrote:

I could not agree more.

But you gotta give it to Tomorrow the Green Grass, dontcha? I do. I love other of their albums since, but once Olsen left, they were never quite the same. Such unique harmonies!! Bill, play Settled Down Like Rain, the best on HTH (to me)

 

Agree. I should recomend  "Tampa to Tulsa", from Rainy Day Music. Great road song. For me, one of their bests.
Posted 14 years ago by joanot    [ Reply ]
Don't find much to sing about in this song...
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]

8 {#Arrow} 9

Posted 14 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
To paraphrase the great Terry Malloy, "they coulda been contenders". 9 or 10, easy.
Posted 15 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
What gutboy said:

 gutboy wrote:
Very often, I'll hear a song that grabs me. I look , and its the Jayhawks. These guys keep flying under my radar, I really must give them more attention. They have a very "American" sound that appeals to me.
 


Posted 15 years ago by JoBo    [ Reply ]
 vit wrote:

... There are better songs than Wichita on this album, but this is their best album in my opinion (though I haven't heard much of Rainy Day Music). It's more relaxed, tighter, and the lead singer is more tighly integrated with the rest of band, which is perfectly honed. Yeah the lyrics a bit more cryptic than what I hear on their other albums, but they're also less desperate, less forced. Anyway that's my .02. If I were to recommend a Jayhawks album to anybody it would be this one.
 
I could not agree more.

But you gotta give it to Tomorrow the Green Grass, dontcha? I do. I love other of their albums since, but once Olsen left, they were never quite the same. Such unique harmonies!! Bill, play Settled Down Like Rain, the best on HTH (to me)

Posted 15 years ago by annersjen    [ Reply ]
 vit wrote:

I disagree in part. There are better songs than Wichita on this album, but this is their best album in my opinion (though I haven't heard much of Rainy Day Music). It's more relaxed, tighter, and the lead singer is more tighly integrated with the rest of band, which is perfectly honed. Yeah the lyrics a bit more cryptic than what I hear on their other albums, but they're also less desperate, less forced. Anyway that's my .02. If I were to recommend a Jayhawks album to anybody it would be this one.
 
I love this album best also.  Benmont Tench's (of TP & Heartbreakers) Hammond/keyboards made the Jayhawks completely complete.

Posted 15 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Very often, I'll hear a song that grabs me. I look , and its the Jayhawks. These guys keep flying under my radar, I really must give them more attention. They have a very "American" sound that appeals to me.
Posted 16 years ago by gutboy    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana} la la la
Posted 16 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
rdaugherty wrote:
So many better Jayhawks tunes to play than Wichita... move on Bill!
I disagree in part. There are better songs than Wichita on this album, but this is their best album in my opinion (though I haven't heard much of Rainy Day Music). It's more relaxed, tighter, and the lead singer is more tighly integrated with the rest of band, which is perfectly honed. Yeah the lyrics a bit more cryptic than what I hear on their other albums, but they're also less desperate, less forced. Anyway that's my .02. If I were to recommend a Jayhawks album to anybody it would be this one.
Posted 16 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
So many better Jayhawks tunes to play than Wichita... move on Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by rdaugherty    [ Reply ]
Belive I have to spend some money,buying me a church like town hall.
Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
I like the Jayhawks, but doesn't the vocal quality of this song sound like They Might Be Giants?
Posted 17 years ago by natural_tools    [ Reply ]
This song and the album it comes from has the most beautiful harmonies ever.
Posted 17 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
Gary is seriously overlooked as being an excellent lead guitarist. Whether he is adding little fills or simply rocking out, he's great in my book!
Posted 18 years ago by music_man    [ Reply ]
rjs wrote:
You are just plain right. About the other guy being plain wrong. In fact, not just plain wrong, but spectacularly wrong.
You got that right.
Posted 18 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
meloman wrote:
You are just plain wrong. Nothing more to say.
You are just plain right. About the other guy being plain wrong. In fact, not just plain wrong, but spectacularly wrong.
Posted 18 years ago by rjs    [ Reply ]
This strikes me as a middle-of-the-road toon (5). Maybe repeated listening will move it - one way or the other.
Posted 18 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Silver_pen wrote:
I spent the summer of 2003 in Wichita, so now I like all songs about that city. My favorite is "Wish I was in Wichita Tonight" by the Rusty String Quartet. Of course, "Wichita Lineman" is a classic country piece, and another good, old-timey tune is "Wichita Central". And Soul Coughing did a modern one: "True Dreams of Wichita". It is an inspirational city. Some* say there is a vortex in Wichita. *Allen Ginsberg
Don't forget "As falls Wichita, so falls Wichita Falls", By the great Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays.
Posted 18 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
I don't know...there's a sense of dissonence with these guys. They definitely know how to write a hook, and the harmonies are excellent. But...I keep expecting the songs to explode, or swing or something, and they just kind of plod along to that 4-4 beat. Oh well.
Posted 18 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
wondertoofar wrote:
This band just plain sucks. Nothing more to say. Not worth anymore of my time.
You are just plain wrong. Nothing more to say.
Posted 18 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
Oh, I love this album! Haven't heard it in so long, so thank you. Something about the harmonies here, combined with solid songwriting, catchy tunes...a nice package.
Posted 18 years ago by flyfree    [ Reply ]
This band just plain sucks. Nothing more to say. Not worth anymore of my time.
Posted 18 years ago by wondertoofar    [ Reply ]
Nothing to do with the song of course, but the Wichita St. Shockers are in the Sweet 16 this year. (If anyone cares...)
Posted 18 years ago by thompc    [ Reply ]
very nice. a lot like Big Head Todd in it's texture, this is certainly worthy of a purchase (or two).
Posted 18 years ago by cptbuz    [ Reply ]
Hempeltons wrote:
This is one of my "If I were stranded on an island with only 10 CDs, and a solar powered CD player." CDs. Always makes me very happy to here this.
I agree! I love this album!
Posted 18 years ago by jamm    [ Reply ]
I spent the summer of 2003 in Wichita, so now I like all songs about that city. My favorite is "Wish I was in Wichita Tonight" by the Rusty String Quartet. Of course, "Wichita Lineman" is a classic country piece, and another good, old-timey tune is "Wichita Central". And Soul Coughing did a modern one: "True Dreams of Wichita". It is an inspirational city. Some* say there is a vortex in Wichita. *Allen Ginsberg
Posted 18 years ago by Silver_pen    [ Reply ]
Voluntary update on the origin of the word "jayhawk". According to Hendrickson's Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins (Facts on File Publications, 1987), a "Jay Hawk" may have been named after an antebellum abolitionist in Kansas, a certain "Doc" Jennison, the redoubtable "Gay Yorker", which may have transmorgrified into "Jay Hawk", however improbably. Jayhawk was also 19th century slang for a bandit, who embodied the thieving characteristics of the blue jay and the warlike nature of a hawk. Indeed, Sibley identifies a number of hawks indigenous to Kansas, both harriers and buteos, but none as a "jayhawk". Perhaps the jayhawk is apocryphal or merely fanciful. Regardless, The Jayhawks are a great band, and Gary Louris kicks serious butt on guitar.
Posted 18 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
That is the cheese! Is brokemusician close by?
Posted 18 years ago by iMacomania    [ Reply ]
Hempeltons wrote:
This is one of my "If I were stranded on an island with only 10 CDs, and a solar powered CD player." CDs. Always makes me very happy to here this.
Wow. Ok. I never really took much notice of the Jayhawks. All I know is that they did that song or somethin' some years ago.... Guess I'd better pay attention to 'em at some point...
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
i own every jayhawks album. sorry to disagree with the chatter about their "best album." THIS is it (the best one). thus far. have a great day!
Posted 18 years ago by buck-arkansas    [ Reply ]
ce wrote:
Mwah... Apprently this album is some sort of classic, but I just don't get it, even after repeated try-outs at the record store. It's plain, not that special. "Tomorrow the green grass" is soooo much better.
I like HTH fine, but I would agree that Tomorrow the Green Grass is their best album. Blue could not be overplayed in my mind, and the rest of the album is just as excellent. However, while not as special as TTGG, I still find HTH in my CD player a fair amount.
Posted 19 years ago by jakeinprogress    [ Reply ]
Hempeltons wrote:
This is one of my "If I were stranded on an island with only 10 CDs, and a solar powered CD player." CDs. Always makes me very happy to here this.
Never heard this before and really love it! Nods to RP community!
Posted 19 years ago by ppak    [ Reply ]
This is one of my "If I were stranded on an island with only 10 CDs, and a solar powered CD player." CDs. Always makes me very happy to here this.
Posted 19 years ago by Hempeltons    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
Or even a band maybe named after the U. of KS's mascot? Or did they name themselves for Screamin' Jay Hawkins? Or simply a raptor that is indigenous to the midwest? Whatever...incredible band. And, yes, Louris changes personnel as often as the rest of us (hopefully) change undies, and so what? Rainy Day Music for my money was the best--and criminally ignored--disc issued in '03.
I agree... Rainy Day Music was worn thin by me(can you do that with CDs?) in '03 when it was released. This album comes in second. Great song writing.
Posted 19 years ago by ArmchairMusician    [ Reply ]
kaleb wrote:
While I can hardly find justification for comments like, "any song that uses the name of a city in kansas is automatically boring as hell," this isn't my favorite Jayhawks song. I think the novelty of the name is why I like it the most, actually. Enjoying my time in Wichita...
Or even a band maybe named after the U. of KS's mascot? Or did they name themselves for Screamin' Jay Hawkins? Or simply a raptor that is indigenous to the midwest? Whatever...incredible band. And, yes, Louris changes personnel as often as the rest of us (hopefully) change undies, and so what? Rainy Day Music for my money was the best--and criminally ignored--disc issued in '03.
Posted 19 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I love this band.
Posted 19 years ago by yogaboat    [ Reply ]
Great song by a great band.
Posted 19 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
ce wrote:
Mwah... Apprently this album is some sort of classic, but I just don't get it, even after repeated try-outs at the record store. It's plain, not that special. "Tomorrow the green grass" is soooo much better.
ditto
Posted 19 years ago by dpjag    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ce: Mwah... Apprently this album is some sort of classic, but I just don't get it, even after repeated try-outs at the record store. It's plain, not that special.
That pretty well nails it. I can't figure out the critical success of these folks. This is just extraordinaily ordinary: it doesn't suck -- it isn't great.
Posted 21 years ago by ndanger666    [ Reply ]
Mwah... Apprently this album is some sort of classic, but I just don\'t get it, even after repeated try-outs at the record store. It\'s plain, not that special. \"Tomorrow the green grass\" is soooo much better.
Posted 21 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by rmurray248: ...Falls a little short. It's almost a good song, but ends up sounding like bad Poco.
Hey! How about some Poco? Maybe Legend, A Good Feelin' To Know, Indian Summer, Widowmaker, Shoot For The Moon, Under The Gun or Makin' Love?
Posted 22 years ago by Jimmy86    [ Reply ]
Very nice- used to groove to this album driving around the country- great driving music. I\'ve never been to Witchita, btw.........
Posted 22 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Hey, nice song! Feels pleasant in the morning...
Posted 22 years ago by Z-man    [ Reply ]
While I can hardly find justification for comments like, \"any song that uses the name of a city in kansas is automatically boring as hell,\" this isn\'t my favorite Jayhawks song. I think the novelty of the name is why I like it the most, actually. Enjoying my time in Wichita...
Posted 22 years ago by kaleb    [ Reply ]
...Falls a little short. It\'s almost a good song, but ends up sounding like bad Poco.
Posted 22 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]