Social Distortion — Ball And Chain
Album: Social Distortion
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1572
Released: 1990
Length: 5:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1572
Length: 5:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Well it's been ten years and a thousand tears
And look at the mess I'm in
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin
Well I sit and I pray
In my broken down Chevrolet
While I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife
But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm sick and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room
I spent all my money
I've been drinkin' since half past noon
Well I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
And look at the mess I'm in
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin
Well I sit and I pray
In my broken down Chevrolet
While I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife
But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm sick and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room
I spent all my money
I've been drinkin' since half past noon
Well I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain
Comments (174)add comment
We could really use more SD in the library, or Mike Ness solo stuff. :)
Takes me right back 25 years ago working a dead end job in a dead end relationship living in a squat and being mostly skint most of the time. What times we had! Glad it's over. Social D was in heavy rotation in those days... Memories...
This song is 100% badass. Mike Ness is the real deal. Love the guitar, the vocals, the lyrics. More Social D please!
Good Tune!
I'm sure if I hear this another few thousand times I'm still gonna love it. It is so right on.
Mike Ness has one of the best grittiest, snarliest voices in rock.. love him
merobreno wrote:
Fixed
Wrong album art Bill.
Fixed
Wrong album art Bill.
Did not expect to hear this here, but stoked!
Loved this song since before I could comprehend it. It's even better now that i'm no longer 10 years old.
Loved this song since before I could comprehend it. It's even better now that i'm no longer 10 years old.
PURE AWESOME.
Still wrong cover art Bill......Still a kick A song by a kick A band doing a kick A song by a kick A troubadour..... !!!!
such a great song and glad to hear sxdx on rp
Oxen1morale wrote:
I think the Ball And Chain they're singing about is the weight of alcoholism... or at least dependency.
A lot of anti-marriage songs, you should play trapped by Bruce Springsteen
I think the Ball And Chain they're singing about is the weight of alcoholism... or at least dependency.
nice stuff ! hey bill some solo mike ness would good as well ! something from cheating at solitaire ? rock on
A lot of anti-marriage songs, you should play trapped by Bruce Springsteen
Oscar_the_Grouch wrote:
Song is the story of my life.
If you don't what's gets played here you should leave instead of whining like a little bitch. Hit the road haters.
THIS MEANS YOU DOWN THERE !!
If you don't what's gets played here you should leave instead of whining like a little bitch. Hit the road haters.
THIS MEANS YOU DOWN THERE !!
This is definitely an 11, a BIG 11
Cynaera wrote:
Well said, Cynaera... we miss you so very much... everybody in my galactic presidential campaigns loves this groovy song... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
I think he meant the cover of the CD...
Well said, Cynaera... we miss you so very much... everybody in my galactic presidential campaigns loves this groovy song... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
BobLoblaw wrote:
Agreed !!! Love your "handle" man......
I wish we could hear more Social D/Mike Ness on RP!
Agreed !!! Love your "handle" man......
Thanks Bill !!! Social D one of my all time faves in the rock world of things. As a slightly country leaning rock fan, Mike Ness hits the spot. How about some of his solo stuff? Excellent covers of the roots of country outlaws. BTW......wrong album cover for Social Distortion Social Distortion.
I wish we could hear more Social D/Mike Ness on RP!
rdo wrote:
Please don't say something is a cover when it is not, we don't need that here.
I think he meant the cover of the CD...
Please don't say something is a cover when it is not, we don't need that here.
I think he meant the cover of the CD...
Stingray wrote:
Please don't say something is a cover when it is not, we don't need that here.
not really!!!
(nice cover, though)
(nice cover, though)
Please don't say something is a cover when it is not, we don't need that here.
I'll take Carl Perkins "Matchbox" please
Not a big Social Distortion fan, but this is a fun little ditty.
I always thought these guys were sorta rock-a-billy hacks.
Yes! Super happy to hear Social D here.
Our rhythm guitar players favorite song from his favorite band.
We do a decent cover of this.
We do a decent cover of this.
I thought this was Old's 97 @ frist.
WEA show LA, cool band! Did FOH Sound.
Peace
WEA show LA, cool band! Did FOH Sound.
Peace
Stingray wrote:
...and what dance is that, please?
Seriously!!!!?
This is not even high-school band level!
I feel sorry for this guys! SERIOUSLY!
It's punk rock - there is no line-dance choreographed for it. If it moves you - you move.
As for 'not even high school level' - I could say something in reference to your commentary. Not that it isn't entertaining. Just sayin.
...and what dance is that, please?
Seriously!!!!?
This is not even high-school band level!
I feel sorry for this guys! SERIOUSLY!
It's punk rock - there is no line-dance choreographed for it. If it moves you - you move.
As for 'not even high school level' - I could say something in reference to your commentary. Not that it isn't entertaining. Just sayin.
Been drinkin' since a half past noon
I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail. . .
Song is the story of my life.
If you don't what's gets played here you should leave instead of whining like a little bitch. Hit the road haters.
THIS MEANS YOU DOWN THERE !!
If you don't what's gets played here you should leave instead of whining like a little bitch. Hit the road haters.
THIS MEANS YOU DOWN THERE !!
romeotuma wrote:
We be dancing...
...and what dance is that, please?
Seriously!!!!?
This is not even high-school band level!
I feel sorry for this guys! SERIOUSLY!
We be dancing...
...and what dance is that, please?
Seriously!!!!?
This is not even high-school band level!
I feel sorry for this guys! SERIOUSLY!
I exchange my previous statement for
"PRIMITIVE"
"PRIMITIVE"
Aw yeah! RP - good job.
not really!!!
(nice cover, though)
(nice cover, though)
quite likeable.
been a long time since i heard this.
been a long time since i heard this.
not my favorite Social D song, but good to hear them nonetheless!
take away this song while you're at it
zevon wrote:
Man, that was a seminal album for me. I can put myself "in the moment" very easily, just by listening to it. Good times!
If you want this song though, don't buy this CD - it's on this one:
Man, that was a seminal album for me. I can put myself "in the moment" very easily, just by listening to it. Good times!
I love this song. More please!
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Sheila's got the hump, Cobba?
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Sheila's got the hump, Cobba?
The theme song for my divorce!
I sure can relate to this song today. * sigh *
lionirons wrote:
Hilarious!
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Hilarious!
Thanks for the Social D, my first time hearing this on radioparadise. Much appreciated.
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Okay, this comment is rather funny because Bill played Midnight Oil right after it today.
EDIT: Which I now see has done in the past:
FeydBaron wrote:Congratulations, I don't know if Bill segued from Social D to Midnight Oil prior to this comment, but he does now!
Also, Social D has been spending a lot of time in Phoenix lately (three or four concerts in the last few months). Good to hear them on RP.
A 120 Minutes favorite from back in the day.
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
The name you're looking for could be AC/DC.
Open your eyes and mind, moron.
fatcatjb wrote:
I like the alter on the album jacket...I had a Les Paul like that goldtop once upon a very lost time...great rock guitar
If you want this song though, don't buy this CD - it's on this one:
kcar wrote:
I second that. How about "When She Begins" or "Bye Bye Baby" from Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.
Oooh - great album!
I like the alter on the album jacket...I had a Les Paul like that goldtop once upon a very lost time...great rock guitar
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Congratulations, I don't know if Bill segued from Social D to Midnight Oil prior to this comment, but he does now!
Also, Social D has been spending a lot of time in Phoenix lately (three or four concerts in the last few months). Good to hear them on RP.
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
Now now. What about all-time bad-ass rocker Olivia Newton John? In fairness, AC/DC kind of ROCKS...
this song was reminds me of High School, sitting around the bonfire, drinking beers singing this song at the top of our lungs! i know i know we had no idea what it was about back then, didnt stop us though!
Love this song, but it's NOT on the album Sex, Love and Rock 'n Roll. Instead it's on Social Distortion.
GreenOnion wrote:
Great to hear Social Distortion!! Damn it's been awhile. Yes, may I have another!
Ab-so-f'ing-lutely. Love 'em.
lionirons wrote:
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
dude... what about AC/DC!?!? C'mon!
Makes me want to hear Drivin and Cryin, \"Straight to Hell\"
as much as I wanna get behind the Social D, this album (as well as the others that followed) is just uninspired compared to Mommy\'s Little Monster or 1945.
I\'ll be damned! I was just thinking about this song today.
coccyx wrote:
That's some bad singing. Don't they have electronic devices that fix bad pitch?
Yes, I'm sure Britney and Hillary and JZ and Justin make good use of it. I like my music gritty.
darcyc wrote:
what a slab of sludge this song is
What the hell does an Aussie know of Rock & Roll...
Midnight F%&king Oil?
I love it. They do the blues really well:
"Times are hard, getting harder.
I'm gonna lose.
I'm destined to fail."
woolton wrote:
If I remember correctly Jason and the Scorchers, a band ahead of their time, did this song in the 80's.
Thanks RP! It's great to hear some SD!!
Mike Ness knows rock n roll.
Wow! Rather as I remembered it, pretty good. Just as begin to lament the dearth of real rock and roll on RP, Bill whips out the Social Dis. A step in the right direction, or in one of the right directions!
If I remember correctly Jason and the Scorchers, a band ahead of their time, did this song in the 80's.
Smoove_D wrote:
How many people here work at desks and listen to RP through computer speakers or headphones? I do. And I wonder how that affects the way I rate songs.
This song, for instance, plays much better in my car with the volume cranked up or at a busy bar. That's how I first heard this song. I love it, so I'm giving it a 9.
But if I were hearing it for the first time right now--on crappy little computer speakers turned way down--I'd give it a 5.
I agree here, i think this sounds like a cool song but the singer is not, I can understand a change of opinion in a...less contrained...environment.
coccyx wrote:
That's some bad singing. Don't they have electronic devices that fix bad pitch?
Yes, it's call Top 20 Pop Music
Smoove_D wrote:
How many people here work at desks and listen to RP through computer speakers or headphones? I do. And I wonder how that affects the way I rate songs.
This song, for instance, plays much better in my car with the volume cranked up or at a busy bar. That's how I first heard this song. I love it, so I'm giving it a 9.
But if I were hearing it for the first time right now--on crappy little computer speakers turned way down--I'd give it a 5.
I hear ya. Pun intended. It totally affects you rate songs. You can't hear them at their best.
Luckily, at the moment, I'm working at my home office and able to crank it.
Every time I hear SD I think of 'Trainspotting'. I don't know why.
c.
Smoove_D wrote:
How many people here work at desks and listen to RP through computer speakers or headphones? I do. And I wonder how that affects the way I rate songs.
This song, for instance, plays much better in my car with the volume cranked up or at a busy bar. That's how I first heard this song. I love it, so I'm giving it a 9.
But if I were hearing it for the first time right now--on crappy little computer speakers turned way down--I'd give it a 5.
If you are able to listen to this song with the volume turned "way down" then there is something seriously wrong with more than your listening environment.
GreenOnion wrote:
Great to hear Social Distortion!! Damn it's been awhile. Yes, may I have another!
I second that. How about "When She Begins" or "Bye Bye Baby" from Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.
underarmor wrote:
In a word, it's not about the singing.
That's five words.
underarmor wrote:
In a word, it's not about the singing.
It's not about the music either.
Reminds of an advert: "You can't sing, you can't play and you look awful- you'll go a long way"
How many people here work at desks and listen to RP through computer speakers or headphones? I do. And I wonder how that affects the way I rate songs.
This song, for instance, plays much better in my car with the volume cranked up or at a busy bar. That's how I first heard this song. I love it, so I'm giving it a 9.
But if I were hearing it for the first time right now--on crappy little computer speakers turned way down--I'd give it a 5.
Great to hear Social Distortion!! Damn it's been awhile. Yes, may I have another!
RIP Brent Liles
(click here)
Monkeysdad wrote:
Wow! A 7.2, what'd I do to miss the attraction of this song? This guy couldn't sing if he tried harder.
And when has Rock and Roll ever been about singing perfectly?
One of the best bands to rock for the last 20 years. I love it.
what a slab of sludge this song is
Monkeysdad wrote:
Wow! A 7.2, what'd I do to miss the attraction of this song? This guy couldn't sing if he tried harder.
In a word, it's not about the singing.
Sounds just like Toots & The Maytels "Pressure Drop"
That's some bad singing. Don't they have electronic devices that fix bad pitch?
I love, love, love this one. Yaaay!
Grunt music.
One of the best sing alongs ever. Love it.
Quite fun.
This song deserves an 11.
I always thought this would be a great first dance song at a wedding.
Just great rock and roll.
catchy! love the guitar shrine photo, looks like 2 of the rooms in my house!
this album never gets old for me. :rock:
cool, just cool.
If you're a budding guitarist, try playing this song.
It doesn't get any easier or deliver more bang-for-the-buck!
Second favorite Social D song, the first being an acoustic version of Angel's Wings they did for a station here.
Quite enjoyable
It's got attitude!
THEY'RE PLAYING MY SONG! love the cover art!
I don't much care for Social D in general, but I've always loved this.
Disappointed there are only two Social D songs on RP. Saw them live last year and it was (still) a good show... Even if Mike Ness is 40+ now.
Great song from a great band
5 for the artwork
Great Song!
Wow! A 7.2, what'd I do to miss the attraction of this song? This guy couldn't sing if he tried harder.
This is what I needed on a Monday morning, lemmetellya. I'm awake now!
Jacksonstat wrote:
Mike Ness, yum
Amen to that.
This really reminds me of Toots "Pressure Drop"
MickMan wrote:
120 minutes was such an awesome show. I think it was on Sunday nights back when MTV was watchable.
Sunday nights? wow, I must have been up late in those days... I think it was on at 10 or 11 on the Left Coast... You're right, MickMan, great show! Matt Pinfield was the best...
punk-a-billy woo-hoo!
Mike Ness, yum
Nope ... doesnt do it for me
sandpebble wrote:
Reminds me of the Beat Farmers. RIP Dick
Ditto - RIP Country Dick!(click here)
Rickvee wrote:
Remember seeing the video for this song back in '90 on MTV's 120 Minutes. Good memories.
120 minutes was such an awesome show. I think it was on Sunday nights back when MTV was watchable.
Remember seeing the video for this song back in '90 on MTV's 120 Minutes. Good memories.
I'd follow this song with "Battleship Chains", Georgia Satellites ;-)
Mari, the princess, awakes!
Yep-sex and drugs and rock and roll.
Mari wrote:
Sex, Love and Rock And Roll Rocks!...