Story Behind The Song

I wrote this song during a time when I was performing a lot on Austin's famous 6th Street. I also worked as a bartender on 6th Street, so I was intimately familiar with the Austin nightlife and all of its drama. The song tells the story of Austin's 6th Street -- the crowds waiting in lines at bars, the noise, the street musicians (which is represented by the trumpet on this recording), and, of course, the homeless people.

Song Description

Featuring George Porter Jr., the legendary bassist of The Meter of New Orleans, "The City Never Sleeps" is anthemic tribute to the sleepless life of the city dweller. In the spirit of "jam" bands -- like Phish or Widespread Panic -- but with a laidback tempo, "City" tells the story of urban nightlife. It takes you for a ride, with all of the highs and lows of the evening, the sober and the ecstatic moments. OffBeat, Louisiana's largest music magazine, describes the song: "'The City Never Sleeps' also prove[s] that he has a good command of Southern-rock styles."

Lyrics

Restless voices wander
down below on the airways of the city
While endless footsteps ponder
the way to go on the neon street
"Life's a party," a voice says,
"so bring your own insanity"
And it's two in the morning
and the city never sleeps

Singing la, la la la la, la de da
Singing la, la la la la, la de da

People on the corner stare
into the crowded faces at the bar
While coins of applause rattle
into the shell of a guitar
Waves of someones file in line,
like they're waiting for who to be
And it's three in the morning
and the city never sleeps

Singing la, la la la la, la de da
Singing la, la la la la, la de da

Someone sits alone,
unlike the others passing by
They think always been there,
just a fixture wrapped in a blanket sky
But he's just another shadow,
casting on the city street
And it's four in the morning
and the city never sleeps

Singing la, la la la la, la de da
Singing la, la la la la, la de da