Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)

Written by Joe Maphis, Max Fidler, Rose Lee Maphis
Originally recorded by Flatt & Scruggs

Sung by my buddy Fen, I had never even heard this song before this day, if you can believe that! I know, right? Kinda sad. But sure glad I know it now. Marty Stuart’s done it, Conway Twitty’s done it, Dwight Yoakam’s done it, Porter Wagoner’s done it. Gram Parsons did it. Buck Owens supposedly inspired the writing of it. I hear they even put a story about this song up in the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’d love to go there someday.

Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
Is the only kind of life you’ll ever even understand
Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
You’ll never make a wife to a home loving man

A home with little children means nothing to you
A house full of love, and a husband so true
You’d rather have a drink with the first guy that you meet
The only house you’ll ever call a home is the bar room down the street

Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
Is the only kind of life you’ll ever even understand
Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
You’ll never make a wife to a home loving man

Drinking and dancing to a honky tonk band
Is the only kind of life you’ll ever even understand
Go on and have your fun, you think you played it smart
I feel sorry for you now, in your honky tonk heart

Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
It’s the only kind of life you’ll ever even understand
Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
You’ll never make a wife to a home loving man