Kyle’s Songbook – “The Dark End of the Street” by James Carr

LYRICS

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(This Songbook entry was submitted by Kyle Kellams, news director of KUAF, NWA’s local National Public Radio station,  and a host of Ozarks At Large.)

Country music is often credited with the best cheating songs, but for my money, the best song about the consequences of being unfaithful is James Carr’s version of  The Dark End of the Street.

The song, written by Dan Penn and Chips Moman, is a claustrophobic masterpiece.

In the lyrics and Carr’s voice, we sense the burden of living a lie … the haunting

“They’re gonna find us” served as a warning to wanderers long before Glenn Close stalked Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction.

The song has been covered by The Flying Burrito Brothers and Cat Power. A powerful version was included in The Commitments.

This, though, I think is the best version.

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