1986 - October: Drivin' N Cryin' “Scarred but Smarter”

What the Riff?!?

Athens, Georgia may have been known as the music hotbed during the middle 80's, but Drivin' N Cryin' out of nearby Atlanta was benefitting from the Georgia focus as well. Scarred But Smarter was their debut album created on a shoestring budget, with songs that reflect the sound of the Athens scene (where the album was recorded), but with lyrical depth and variety. After several down years, Drivin' N Cryin' is on the upswing again, and you can catch them on tour today.
We are thrilled to have Eric Von Haessler of "The Von Haessler Doctrine" (WSB Radio) join us to present this great album. Eric’s knowledge on the band is extensive, as he produced and directed the 2012 documentary, “Scarred by Smarter: Life n Times of Drivin n Cryin.” Fans should check it out on Amazon Prime!

Scarred but Smarter
This rocking title track from the album is about picking yourself up and learning from the difficulties of life. "There's always a chance to get restarted to a new world, new life, scarred but smarter."
Keys to Me
This track discusses the hope that someone will "get" you, even if you don't understand yourself. "Turn me around and listen you to me."

Bring Home the Bacon
"Bring home the bacon and take out the trash, it's just another matter of fact." You can sense the Beatles influence in this song. This slower track provides a sense of the variety on the album.

Stand Up and Fight for It
This song in 3/4 time encourages living the life that you want to live, and don't let others define you.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Jumpin' Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones
Whoopi Goldberg starred in the movie with this title, featuring the song from decades past.

STAFF PICKS:
“The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk3
Bruce's staff pick was popular on the Georgia Tech campus and at graduations at the time, but the line wasn't supposed to be taken so optimistically. It referenced nuclear holocaust.

“To Be a Lover” by Billy Idol
Rob picked this hit single off Idol's “Whiplash Smile” album, which was a cover originally co-written and performed by Booker T. Jones and William Bell in 1968. The original title was "Forgot to Be Your Lover."

“Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone” by Glass Tiger
Brian's staff pick features a Canadian group who got a boost with a credit and a guest appearance by Bryan Adams on this song. This is off their first album “The Thin Red Line.”

“Will I Ever Understand You?” by Berlin
Despite the name, Wayne points out that this band actually originated from California. This deeper cut describes a person looking in the mirror trying to understand herself.

LAUGH TRACK:
“Addicted to Spuds” by Weird Al Yankovic
We finish off this episode with Weird Al's parody of the Robert Palmer classic.

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.