There are so many wonderful lines in "So It Goes," although collectively it's an odd mix of disparate observations. I love one you cite — “He got fifty thousand watts, in a big acoustic tower” — but for other reasons. In reality, the lyric is “He's got fifty thousand watts, in a big Acoustic tower,” a reference to the Acoustic amplifier company whose amps were expensive, premium gear for guitarists back in the 1970s. Lowe was serving a short stint as tour manager for Graham Parker & The Rumour (then opening for Thin Lizzy) and was inspired to write the first verse after watching backstage antics from the headliners, including a tantrum from "the kid," aka flashy guitarist Brian Robertson.
Have always loved Lowe & this song since I first heard it as a young university student when it was first released. I have also read Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" a long time ago but never made that connection. Given your life transitions I can see how 'So it Goes' might help get you through. I believe I will give this album a spin later today. Cheers
If there was any justice, this song woulda’ been a hit in the USA in the Spring of ‘78. I saw Nick with Rockpile that April in Mpls. when they opened for Elvis Costello and this was their set opener. Fun show…hard to believe I can remember anything from 48 years ago, but here it is:
There are so many wonderful lines in "So It Goes," although collectively it's an odd mix of disparate observations. I love one you cite — “He got fifty thousand watts, in a big acoustic tower” — but for other reasons. In reality, the lyric is “He's got fifty thousand watts, in a big Acoustic tower,” a reference to the Acoustic amplifier company whose amps were expensive, premium gear for guitarists back in the 1970s. Lowe was serving a short stint as tour manager for Graham Parker & The Rumour (then opening for Thin Lizzy) and was inspired to write the first verse after watching backstage antics from the headliners, including a tantrum from "the kid," aka flashy guitarist Brian Robertson.
Have always loved Lowe & this song since I first heard it as a young university student when it was first released. I have also read Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" a long time ago but never made that connection. Given your life transitions I can see how 'So it Goes' might help get you through. I believe I will give this album a spin later today. Cheers
If there was any justice, this song woulda’ been a hit in the USA in the Spring of ‘78. I saw Nick with Rockpile that April in Mpls. when they opened for Elvis Costello and this was their set opener. Fun show…hard to believe I can remember anything from 48 years ago, but here it is:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/rockpile/1978/state-theatre-minneapolis-mn-6b93d2e2.html
🤯🤯🤯
Here’s Rockpile’s short setlist from the very next show in Chicago:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/rockpile/1978/aragon-ballroom-chicago-il-53810bc5.html