Sunday Music: Sarah Shook’s “M***********”

You never want somebody to torture themselves to death with a drug. Even if they’re making great music under those conditions. Especially if. We still want the art. But more than anything we still want them around. It’s not better to burn out than fade away. Neil was wrong, Courtney was right.

Watching Sarah Shook turn her life around, well, listening to the soundtrack she’s written while doing it, it’s got layers of joy. 

And they’re not all pretty. But that’s never been what she’s been going for. It’s always raw. It’s always got some dirt on it. Not just in her alt-country tinged drawl, but the lived ruggedness of her stories. 

I don’t want to know who this song is about, I just want to celebrate she saw it and got away. 

The opening lyrics hooked me. The almost emo-punk sneeroff that is the chorus completely reeled me in.   

When I was young and didn't know no better

I let you pull me in

Old man actin' like he didn't know better

Just lookin' out for a friend

You got me low down set me up to fall

And Lord I f******' fell

Promised me love said I could have it all

Locked me in a living hell

Sick sick to death of you

Taking brazenly bloodsucker

You're gonna get what's comin' to ya

M**********

It’s a lot of talk about breaking the scripts others write for us or encourage us to walk down this week. She’s writing about one of the hardest ones of all in this song. Don’t write it off for a crass title. She’s got something to say. She’s earned her right to say it. 

Here’s the song (click the link below, if you’re old enough apparently), and by all means, check out her new record, Revelations, which might be my favorite Sarah Shook and the Disarmers record yet. 

Ps. You can read my 2019 post about her here.