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about

Written in the throes of the Trump era, this song is overtly directed at him, in a Tom Petty-ish style and influenced somewhat by “Under the Sea” (from The Little Mermaid) and “We Are the World.” It uses rhymes like sad/bad/mad in a juvenile way, but despite it and the generally abstract quality of the song, the verses of which are accusatory (esp. verse 1) and pleading (verse 2), I somehow still find it is more meaningful than just what I’ve taken to calling in live shows one of our “snarky” songs (like the last album’s “I’m Sorry You’re Crazy”). In the studio it really came together when I added a Hammond organ part, which contributed a hymnal grandiosity, making the song all the more moving and, well, sad. Given Trump’s activities and behavior as of late, it seems especially apt somehow. Recorded in the summer of 2021, Teresa’s fiddle solo brings tears to my eyes.

lyrics

It’s sad to be you
Too good to be true
It’s bad to be blue
I’m mad that you knew
What good will it do?

You’re sad to be through
You don’t have a clue
It’s bad for the few
It had to be new
What good will it do?

Never was a choice in making
Never had the chance to start
Never heard the voices breaking
As you tried to tear this world apart

Never could have made it harder
Never did you raise the light
Never would you deign to barter
Though you couldn’t say what’s wrong or right

It’s sad to be you
(backing vocals: sad, sad you)
Too good to be true
It’s bad to be blue
I’m mad that you knew
What good will it do?

You’re sad to be through
But glad you’re on cue
It’s bad for the few
It had to be new
What good will it do?

If you could have made a difference
Would you still have let me down?
If you showed a shade of preference
You would let it burn right to the ground

If there was a tender moment
Would you ever hold my hand?
If you were a brave opponent
Could I ever make you understand?

It’s sad to be you
(backing vocals: sad, sad you)
Too good to be true
It’s bad to be blue
I’m mad that you knew
What good will it do?

You’re sad to be through
You don’t have a clue
It’s bad for the few
It had to be new
What good will it do?

credits

from The Honor and Glory of The Gated Community, released February 3, 2023
Sumanth Gopinath: lead vocals (and chorus overdubs), acoustic guitar, Hammond organ
Rosie Harris: backing vocals
Beth Hartman: backing vocals, egg shaker
Teresa Gowan: fiddle
Nathan Knutson: electric guitar
Cody Johnson: bass guitar
Paul Hatlelid: drums

written July 2019, recorded summer 2021–January 2022

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The Gated Community Minneapolis

The Gated Community is a country/bluegrass/Americana band with rock influences based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota and has been in existence since early 2006.

Bandmembers: Sumanth Gopinath
Rosie Harris
Beth Hartman
Paul Hatlelid
Cody Johnson
Nate Knutson ... more

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