John Doe – The Golden State

A few years ago, CB sent me a link for a guy named John Doe (John Nommensen Duchac). At first, not knowing CB well at the time, I thought he had to be mistaken. A definition for John Doe is “originally in legal use as a name of a fictitious plaintiff.” It’s often used to identify an unidentifiable man. I knew nothing about X at that point. I was in for a pleasant surprise when I heard this man. He has many genres covered plus a very successful acting career. Doe is worth checking out if you haven’t already. 

He was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. He moved to Los Angeles in the late ’70s, where he co-founded X in 1977, along with singer Exene Cervenka, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake. The band’s sound combined punk rock, rockabilly, and other genres, creating a style that set them apart from other punk bands at the time. 

He started his solo career in 1990 with the album Meet John Doe and since, he has released 15 albums. Unlike a lot of the X material, his solo material seems to go to alt-country or Americana. X regrouped as well in the early 90s and he also is an actor. He has appeared in movies such as Ring of Fire, ER, Road House, and Great Balls of Fire! to name a few. He has 102 credits as an actor alone. 

The Golden State was released in 2007 on his solo album A Year in the Wilderness, the track showcases Doe’s blend of punk and country influences. The song is a duet that has featured various artists, including Canadian Kathleen Edwards on the original album version. The album peaked at #42 on the US Heatseeker Charts in 2007. 

I like all the versions below including The original album version because Kathleen Edwards sounds so good with Doe. He also has a version with Eddie Vedder and Corin Tucker. 

This version below is with Eddie Vedder and Corin Tucker.

The Golden State

You are the hole in my headI am the pain in your neckYou are the lump in my throatI am the aching in your heartWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are living where things are hidden

You are something in my eyeAnd I am the shiver down your spineYou are on the lick of my lipsAnd I am on the tip of your tongueWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are buried up to our necks in sand

We are luckWe are ]fateWe are the feeling you get in the golden stateWe are loveWe are hateWe are the feeling I get when you walk away….Walk away

Well you are the dream in my nightmareI am that falling sensationYou are not needles and pillsI am your hangover morningWe are tangledWe are stolenWe are living where things are hidden

We are luckWe are fateWe are the feeling you get in the golden stateWe are loveWe are hateWe are the feeling I get when you walk awayWalk awayWalk away

You are the hole in my headYou are the pain in your neckYou are the lump in my throatI am the aching in your heart

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

30 thoughts on “John Doe – The Golden State”

  1. Pingback: John Doe – The Golden State – MobsterTiger

    1. I read about them as well…now I need to listen to them. His stuff is great CB…again it’s like another world of music opened up…I’m starting to see him connect to other people…kind of like the Texas artists…you see a tree.

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      1. He’s been all over the place and hooked u with a lot of the artists I like. Dave Alvin, Tom Russell. They all have those American music influences. Leans towards country for lack of a better comparison. He hooked up with Howe Gelb (producer) and cut some great music. The guys good if you’re bent that way. I know I am.

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      2. I was going to mention Alvin when I was giving examples. So he is part of the larger…tree so to speak. That is what is cool about these artists…you keep finding more as you follow a duet or whatever.

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      3. Old buddies and they hook up with a bunch of music people I listen to. I love when that happens. We were talking Crumb yesterday and I mentioned ‘Rat Fink’. Cool doc on Ed “Big Daddy’ Roth. Sadies do the soundtrack, Surf instrumentals. I might have mentioned it before.
        Listening to your GD record. Digging it from the get go.

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  7. I really know little about him outside his pioneering influence on Punk Rock. Most notably in LA if memory serves but certainly his music resonated well beyond. I have mentioned his name in posts a couple times. I really liked that song and need to listen to some of his more ‘recent’ stuff.

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  8. Oh my, I adore those lyrics. I like this gentler John Doe. And… I may be wrong (I often am) but is this the first time you’ve posted a video with Eddie Vedder (my man of all singing men)? Damfine song! Sounds like Eddie could have written them — or maybe he learned how from John…

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    1. Yep…you are the reason I picked that version. The man is Americana and I like his songs a lot. I can see why Eddie covered it. I’ve always said…the Doors should have reunited and used Eddie for the lead singer when he wasn’t busy with Pearl Jam….I love hearing him sing with them. He did it a few times I believe. He doesn’t copy Morrison but brings his spirit.

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      3. I’ve seen this one before but it’s been awhile. Didn’t you post it?? So it isn’t the first time you posted something with Eddie in it. It’s a serious jam session.

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  11. Pingback: The Golden State (2007) – John Doe (Ft. Kathleen Edwards) | Observation Blogger

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