“The Joke” is the lead single off of Brandi Carlile’s sixth studio album, By the Way, I Forgive You. Carlile returned to work with producer Dave Cobb, who produced one of her most notable songs, “The Story”, in 2006. Carlile wanted to be as vocally ambitious on this track as she had been with “The S...
[Verse 1]
You're feeling nervous, aren't you, boy?
With your quiet voice and impeccable style
Don't ever let them steal your joy
And your gentle ways, to keep 'em from running wild
They can kick dirt in your face
Dress you down, and tell you that your place
Is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine
I see you tugging on your shirt
Trying to hide inside of it and hide how much it hurts
[Chorus]
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
[Verse 2]
You get discouraged, don't you, girl?
It's your brother's world for a while longer
You gotta dance with the devil on a river
To beat the stream
Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder
They come to kick dirt in your face
To call you weak and then displace you
After carrying your baby on your back across the desert
I saw your eyes behind your hair
And you're looking tired, but you don't look scared
[Chorus]
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
[Chorus]
Let 'em laugh while they can
Let 'em spin, let 'em scatter in the wind
I have been to the movies, I've seen how it ends
And the joke's on them
The Joke was written by Tim Hanseroth & Phil Hanseroth & Dave Cobb & Brandi Carlile.
The Joke was produced by Shooter Jennings & Dave Cobb.
Brandi Carlile released The Joke on Mon Nov 13 2017.
The song was awarded with a GRAMMY for Best American Roots Song at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards: