Old 97'sare an "alt-country" band originally based in Dallas, Texas. The group formed in 1993 and took their name from a song popularized by Johnny Cash, "Wreck of the Old '97." They describe themselves as a rock band with influences as varied as The Kinks, The Beatles, Pixies, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard. The band often performs country standards made famous by the latter two musicians, and has interspersed a number of these on their half-dozen albums over the last decade. Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band, although they claim to never rehearse their act. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired.
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Barrier Reef Lyrics

Old 97's

The empty bottle was half empty, tide was low, and i was thirsty.
Saw her sitting at the bar, you know how some girls are,
Always making eyes, well she wasn't making eyes.

So i sidled up beside her, settled down and shouted, "hi there."
"my name's stewart ransom miller, i'm a serial lady-killer."
She said, "i'm already dead," that's exactly what she said.

So we tripped the lights fantastic, we was both made of elastic.
Midnight came and midnight went, and i though i was the president.
She said, "do you have a car," and i said, "do i have a car?"

What's so great about the barrier reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a good times van,
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man?

My heart wasn't in it, not for one single minute.
I went through the motions with her. her on top, and me on liquor.
Didn't do no good, well i didn't think it would.

What's so great about the barrier reef?
What's so fine about art?
What's so good about a good times van,
When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man?

When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man.

When you're working on a broken,
Working on a broken,
Working on a broken man.