“White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo – A Song Feature

 

     Bad Flamingo remain loyal to their sound, one that they own. Their music conveys the feel of present-day cowboy, featuring sparse instrumentation and a lyrical narrative that carries sufficient clarity to paint the intended scenery while leaving some open canvas for personal interpretation. Remaining true to their sound embodies the essence of the duo’s recurring quote – “Give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth” (Oscar Wilde). Bad Flamingo always wear masks.
 
     "White T Shirt" is Bad Flamingo's most recent release.  Instrumentally, the start of the song features acoustic guitar. It isn’t until around the 1:24 mark that what sounds like an autoharp enters. The autoharp is a string instrument that sits in the zither family. The band’s website notes that the autoharp is played by “The one on the right” which is one of the many mysterious touches of the band’s description. Both members are attributed as being banjo players.
 
      Thematically, our interpretation of “White T Shirt” centers around reuniting with a first love. The other person appears to have initiated the reconnection, based on the lines “The water was still till you skipped that stone // Now I'm coming on home.” The early relationship was not necessarily a healthy one. Interestingly, this song joins a long list of tracks that make reference to the significance of 17 years old (for our first post about the musical significance of being 17, CLICK HERE). The best guesses at the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo

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Lyrics of “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo (some best guesses)
We got acres and acres of green
We got years and years of 17
The water was still till you skipped that stone
Now I'm coming on home
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
Been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Your hands got rough
But your lips are still soft
The storms are still wet and summer's still hot
Leaning me back on the hood of your car
Old habits dying so damn hard
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We've been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
First cop, first wreck, first everything
We still fit like the best damn blue jeans
 
Give me a hug, I’m off the wagon
Give me a…
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We’ve been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Drunk as before
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
I’m off…