Photograph by Herb Ritts
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Eric Goodman is the author of seven, soon-to-be eight novels. He teaches most years at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival.
Eric began writing rock and roll lyrics in the 1970s, working with Kevin Kane at Yale, and later, in the early 1980s, with Jim Zimmerman in New York City. The work with Jim Zimmerman—they were introduced by legendary rock impresario John Hammond—culminated in the “sound track” for Eric’s second novel, The First Time I Saw Jenny Hall. The part of Jenny Hall was sung by Patti Scialfa, at that time a back-up singer for South Side Johnnie, and soon to be the wife and back-up singer to Bruce Springsteen. Eric’s most recent songwriting collaboration with Kevin Kane can be heard on the Kevin Kane Band’s 2010 CD, Saturday Night Coffee, and the EP, Get America Working, which can be purchased on Spotify. |
Ain’t Dead Yet
Words and Music By Eric Goodman and Kevin Kane Saw a red-headed woman At old Murphy’s Bar Crossed to her table, said “Baby, here you are. I remember your face It’s your name I forget.” She said, “You must be kidding Ain’t you dead yet?” Well, I ain’t dead yet Don’t plan to be I ain’t dead yet CHORUS Got some good years in me. Well, I ain’t dead yet Some say I should be Well, I ain’t dead yet They can kiss you know what Part of me. Well, I broke some hearts Baby, one, two three And there’re been some women Did the same for me I could of lived better I got some regrets What I like best Is that I ain’t dead yet CHORUS Now it’s getting real late Bout a quarter till three That redheaded woman’s Making eyes at me. She crossed to my table Breathed down my neck “The key to your appeal is you ain’t dead yet.” CHORUS |
Get America Working
Words and Music by Eric Goodman and Kevin Kane Shanghai towers rising The beast from the East Sao Paolo shimmers, All that new heat Our leaders compete To accomplish the least Posing for pictures While our problems increase. Twentieth Century’s over We’re stuck in a rut Get America working America working Get America working Our kids are so fucked. Bankers don’t care, They got offshore accounts Stuffed with bonus money, they sure know how to count A jobless recovery, what’s up with that? We’re losing our asses, they’re getting so fat. Twentieth Century’s over We’re stuck in a rut Get America working America working Get America working Our kids are so fucked. My son works in China, They’re no jobs at home My brother’s laid off, He’s behind on his loan The future looks bleak, But remember that we Love to work hard And we want to stay free. Twentieth Century’s over we’re stuck in a rut Get America working, America working Get America working Our kids are so fucked. Twentieth Century’s over we’re stuck in a rut Get America working, America working Get America working Our kids are so fucked. America working America working America working. America working. Our kids are so fucked. |
ERIC GOODMAN
Eric Goodman is a novelist, journalist and book doctor. Author of seven novels, teacher at the Iowa Summer Writing Professor, and retired professor of English at Miami University. |
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