Jason and the Scorchers – Absolutely Sweet Marie

I first heard this band in the 1980s in Nashville. A rock band that even hit the MTV playlists. When I first posted them years ago I didn’t think I would get a huge response. People from outside of Nashville and the surrounding states had probably never heard of them, or so I thought. People from New Zealand, UK, and around the world had heard of this band. They were big on college radio and they had many ties with Nashville and played here quite often. I can’t really explain how much of a powerful band they were in a live setting.

I first heard them do a live version of “The Race Is On”…the old George Jones song, and it won me over. They were really a big deal in the southeast in the mid-eighties and should have spread more. Their music seemed to have a kinship to the Georgia Satellites and The Blasters, but they were a little more country. They did have some MTV play with  Golden Ball and Chain. The best way to describe them is they lived in a place where country met punk, where Hank Williams shook hands with the Ramones. This is before I found The Replacements, so this excited me to hear real rock and roll on the radio and live. 

They turned Dylan’s Absolutely Sweet Marie into a barn burner of a song. What I love most is how natural it feels. They didn’t force a punk edge onto Dylan; they exposed one that was there all along. Jason Ringenberg charges into the lyrics like a man trying to outrun a tornado on an open highway. 

This song came out in 1983 and was on their Fervor EP. It was released by a small label called Praxis, but they were signed by EMI, and they re-released the EP the following year. Jason had to convince his bandmates to cover this, and I’m thankful they agreed. They broke up in 1989 but have reunited off and on since then. The last time was in Nashville last year. Jason continues to release solo albums. 

In the video of the song, you can see them going into Tootsies Orchid Lounge, a famous place in Nashville that I’ve haunted a few times in the 1980s and 90s. 

Absolutely Sweet Marie

Well, your railroad gate, you know I just can’t jump itSometimes it gets so, so hard, you see.I’m just sitting here beating on my trumpet,With all these promises you left for me.So where are you tonight?Where are you tonight, sweet Marie?

Well, I waited for you when I was-a half sickWell, I waited for you when you hated me.Well, I waited for you inside the frozen traffic,When you knew I had some other place to be.

Where are you tonight?Where are you tonight, sweet Marie?Well, I don’t know how it happenedBut the riverboat captain, he knows my fate.Let’s do this baby, even you maybe, It’s just gonna have to wait, wait, wait- Yeah!

Where are you tonight?Where are you tonight, sweet Marie?Well, anybody can be just like me, obviouslyThen again not any of them are like you, fortunately… fortunately!Six white horses, that you did promiseWere finally delivered to the penitentiaryBut to live outside the law, you must be honest, darling.I know you will always say that you agree.So, where are you tonight?Where are you tonight, sweet Marie? Alright!Where are you tonight? Where are you tonight?Where are you tonight, sweet Marie?

…

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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.

31 thoughts on “Jason and the Scorchers – Absolutely Sweet Marie”

  1. Pingback: Jason and the Scorchers – Absolutely Sweet Marie – MobsterTiger

  2. We certainly heard OF them in Toronto in the ’80s but by and large didn’t hear their music. I think in a certain mood I’d probably quite like them . They didn’t really fit quite in with any radio format back then, that was probably the problem.

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  3. The shot with a Telecaster in front of a giant flag predates Springsteen’s similar image for “Born in the USA”. Did Springsteen see this video?

    This song contains one of my favorite lines – “To live outside the law you must be honest.”

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  6. I first heard these guys on KSJS – the San Jose State University radio station- back in the 80’s and I’ve loved ’em ever since!

    “White Lies” is far and away my favorite of theirs, but they had a number of gems back in the day. Aside form thos Dylan cover they also did a great version of the Stones’ “19th Neverous Breakdown”.

    Always wanted to catch them live but never had the chance. I don’t know if they every made it to west coast back in the day.

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    1. Oh yea! I like 19th Nervous Breakdown a lot…they were raw and to the point. That is why I love their cover of the George Jones song…they pump steroids in that song. I caught them a few times in Nashville…they were great along with Webb Wilder.

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  10. Can’t think of a better way to cover that song. A huge crowd in the first video. He looked higher than a kite, but it may have been a natural high for performing in front of a mega crowd. Cool you’ve patronized Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, great name.

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  11. Don’t know why my snarky comment posted twice. Oh well.

    I am like Dave. I heard of them but didn’t really hear them. Judging from the You Tube stuff, I missed something very special.

    Am I the only one who look to so much of this Americana mix of rock and country as the sons and daughters of Gram Parsons?

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    1. Oh that is fine…
      That is a good point…they did mix country – punk (attitude) – rockabilly…really well. A lot of fun watching them live and the next thing we knew they were on MTV with Golden Ball and Chain

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    1. Yep…thats how I am with the names of the power pop bands you have…I know off the bat I’ll like them lol. They were great live…I saw them a few times. I know Obbverse likes them as well. That shocked me because he lives in New Zealand but found them.

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