Here’s one that’s quickly shaping up to be my favorite tune of the summer (right along side “Pay Me My Money Down”, which is undoubtedly my family song of the summer). Yeah I know, summer officially began on June 21st, but living in a place where it’s been over a hundred degrees for a month straight, summer kicks off a little early around here. When I walk outside in these sweet Arizona summer months, it often feels like Satan himself is holding a bus-sized blow dryer over my head, but hey, it’s still home, right? It’s not a complaint, just a fact. It’s worth living here for October through May.

The song comes to us courtesy of Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. A previous post of mine featured “Climb to Safety”, a long, powerful jam with lyrics about the struggle of overcoming addiction. “Panama”, on the other hand, has a nice groove, a funky little guitar riff, and a definite summertime feel to it. I’ve got most of the lyrics pinned down (I can’t find them online, so I resorted to pen, paper, and a sensitive ear). Who can help me fill in the gaps?

At least you’re tryin’
everybody else down here keep buyin’
whatever’s at the going rate today
always gotta be about the chase.

Well my friend Spike
so sorry but it _________
put it on the table here today
So it’s gonna have to be okay.

In Panama, Panama
In Panama, Yeah
It’s gonna have to be okay
Baby gonna give it all away.

At least you’re thinkin’
everybody else here just keeps sinkin’
sinking in a wave of regret
and I don’t think the _______ is sinkin’ yet. [fin?]

In the dancing hall
Samy and Sandra Sandoval
a finger on the heartbeat of it all
_________ [spanish]

In Panama, Panama
In Panama, Yeah Yeah
Gonna have to be okay
Yeah they’re gonna love you more each day.

And then the question come up
are we wasting our time?
Is this the presence of God
or a presence of mind?

In Panama, Panama
In Panama, Yeah
Gonna have to be okay
gonna love you more each day.

Hangin’ over
Over and a hangin’ for a party [?]
Flying season’s getting started
You take it on a wing and get away.

And at least you’re flyin’
when everybody else down here just lyin’
What you gotta love about the crocodile
at least they gonna kill you with a smile.

In Panama, Panama
In Panama, Yeah
It’s gonna have to be okay
Yeah we’re gonna give it all away.

In Panama, Panama
In Panama, Yeah
gonna have to be okay
Yeah they’re gonna love you anyway.

Can you figure out who the character in the song might be? From the bridge lyrics (“and then the question come up…”), it sounds like it might be from the perspective of a missionary. Jerry Joseph spent time living in both Utah and Central America, so this makes sense. And these lyrics: “What you gotta love about the crocodile, at least they gonna kill you with a smile.” Do lyrics get any cooler than this?

Top to bottom, this is just a great song. I figure some people out there will enjoy it as much as I do.

From ‘Into the Lovely’ [Buy on eMusic | Amazon]

• A page about Into the Lovely on Jerry & the Jackmormon’s Official Site.

File this one under Power Trio. Jerry Joseph on guitar. Junior Ruppel on bass. Brad Rosen on Drums. Together they are Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. Jerry used to front a reggae/rock band called Little Women in Boulder, Colorado through the 80’s and early 90’s. “Joseph continued to record before an oft-publicized drug addiction temporarily sidelined his career. The process of getting clean took Joseph to New York, Montana, Salt Lake City, where the Jackmormons were formed in 1996, and eventually to Portland.” [from JJ official web site]

Joseph penned this tune to describe the hell of drug addiction. It’s a 15 minute journey powered by a driving rhythm section (a great bass line in particular) and Joseph’s wicked guitar. The louder the better folks.

Check out Mouthful of Copper, the live double CD, on Amazon. Recorded live over 3 nights in Butte, Montana (from August 2002).