The Cracker Barrel Playlist

I'm obsessed with Cracker Barrel. Not just the death-defying Farmer's Breakfast (sausage patties, please, and hashbrown casserole instead of those horrific fried apples) or that confounding peg game that makes me feel like a dumbass. Or even the fact that my daughters turn into jelly-hurling demons whenever we eat there. I'm all about the Barrel's store, too, stuffed as it is with old-timey candy, road games that 21st century kids scoff at and great gobs of God-fearing, straight-down-the-middle music: Dolly Parton, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, hymns galore. I'm on the Barrel's media contact list, and they just sent me an Alan Jackson hits disc plus a full catalogue of Barrel-sponsored Alan Jackson regalia (cowboy hats, shirts, mugs, skillets, etc.). It's a sweet marketing deal for the country singer -- the man knows his audience for sure. Plus it got me thinking: Maybe Cracker Barrel is the Last American Music Store, affordable tunes for mobility on Route 66, down-home hits as a source of freedom and expansion and that trip to see the grandkids. I dunno. There might be something there. Or maybe I just sprinkled too much peyote on my grits.

In the meantime, let's do a little playlisting, a little somethin' for breakfast on this fine Tuesday. All things Cracker Barrel: the food, the clientele, those rocking chairs. And don't forget the 37 biscuits they provide with every meal. 

Breakfast in America -- Supertramp
Old Man -- Neil Young
Dancing Across the USA -- Lindsey Buckingham
Peg -- Steely Dan
Keep on the Sunny Side -- Doc Watson
The Rocking Chair -- Beautiful South
Burnt Biscuits -- Booker T. and the MGs
Ham N Eggs -- A Tribe Called Quest
Heart Attack -- Olivia Newton-John
Route 66 -- Chuck Berry
Drivin' on 9 -- the Breeders
Roll Out the Barrel -- Bobby Vinton
Sweet Thistle Pie -- Cracker

Comments

[Jeff in Mpls]

But let's not forget the English Beat's "French Toast (Soleil trop chaud)...."

[Jeff in Mpls]

Peg, ha! Love it.

[Sean Daly]

Ricky Van Shelton makes the cut, Riss. Nice one.

[Marissa]

From the Fryin' Pan -- Ricky Van Shelton
G.R.I.T.S. -- Brantley Gilbert

[GAGirl]

I guess I must be reading things backwards anonymous - thought you were being mean and instead you were playing nice. Warning - THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE KIDS ARE HOME FOR A LONG WEEKEND - BRAIN CELLS DIE! That and you have to read REALLY fast because they are bothering you or wanting the computer.

Sorry, I suck, Sorry, I was wrong. Sorry - well just sorry.

[Bob]

anonymous's comment was a compliment to the pop life blog

[JillyBean]

Glad you liked the addition SD! :)

[Heidi]

GEZELLIG!

[d]

I don't understand your comment GAGgirl.

[GAGirl]

Really Anonymous - just admit already you are a closet Daly fan. If not, why are you here? For the most part the people who frequent Daly's blog are regular people who like to talk music and bond over some fun tidbits. If you take your "artery clogging" bs I am sure we can pitch in and get you some downloads for "Beat It" - MJ and "Take Off" - Bob & Doug McKenzie. I have never understood what gives some people such pleasure in acting like a tool.

Oh - have a nice day.

[anonymous]

Yeah Dr. Dim, you're typing "sotally tober" .... hic!

[Dr. Dim]

MEANT Arrrgh! Dang typos!

[Dr. Dim]

Darn it! I might to comment once! But this darn TypePad didn't work properly and didn't post my first comment. Until, that is, I posted my rewritten pithy response to anonymous.

Which response do you think zings him better?

[Gene]

EXCELLENT work Dr. Dim.

[Dr. Dim]

Thanks, anonymous! I was really worried that we would never get to hear your wonderful insights on Facebook commentary. I thought we would never know. I can get some sleep tonight. Thank you, anonymous, thank you. Thank you!

[Dr. Dim]

Why thanks, anonymous! We were all waiting for your insights on Facebook commentary. I was getting worried that we might never get to hear your thoughts on the matter. Phew, now I'll be able to sleep tonight. Thank you, anonymous, thank you. Thank you.

[anonymous]

You know, your blog comments are much wittier.

Facebook comments are lame and too kiss-a55. Not just yours Sean, FB comments in general -- time waste, a55 suck is all it really is.

[Dr. Dim]

Who wants to go?
Customer - The Replacements

Why do you want to go?
Feed Me - Wire
Eat Y'self Fitter - The Fall
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Up For the Crack - Buzzcocks

How do you get there?
Public Highway - Luxuria
Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads
On Interstate 15 - Wall of Voodoo
The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles

Is it a busy place?
No Reservations - Husker Du

The wait staff?
Serve the Servants - Nirvana
Iris - Split Enz
Maggie's Dream - Don Williams

What's on the menu?
Cheeseburger - Gang of Four
I Love Onions - Susan Christie
Rubber Biscuit - The Blue Brothers

And for dessert?
Banana Pudding - Southern Culture on the Skids

How do you know when it's time to leave?
All Gassed Up - The Screaming Blue Messiahs

[Sean Daly]

Banana Pancakes -- good one, JB! That'll make the final list in Sunday's paper.

[JillyBean]

Bahaha! I love Cracker Barrel. It's definitely one of the only places where I can wear my cowboy boots and NOT get like ten moderately pop-cultured people telling me I look like Taylor Swift, each of them thinking their hilariously witty for thinking up that comparison because of my choice of shoe-wear.
Being home sick today, I looked through my itunes trying to find songs for the playlist. My attention span failed me about a fourth of the way through my songs, but alas, "Oh In The Morning" by Arlo Guthrie and "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson stood out.

[GAGirl]

How timely - we went to Cracker Barrel Sunday night! I have been eating really good lately but wanted a little homestyle food. It was sooo worth it - especially the biscuits.

I too love the store. My husband and I go through and play "Remember This?" with the candy.

[Sean Daly]

"Peg" = this stupid game that's on all the tables at the Barrel. The object is to jump and elminate pegs, leaving as few as possible on the triangular board. The ultimate goal is 1 peg -- I'm more of a 3 pegs kinda guy.

As a footnote, after I play the peg game, my kids like to scatter the pieces everywhere, thus annoying everyone in a three-table radius.

[Bassnote]

I know Chicken And Dumplings isn't a breakfast dish, but Cracker Barrel serves an awesome recipe for that dish.

[Bassnote]

Country Comfort - Elton John
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Perfectly Lethal - The Replacements
Butter and Eggs - Gabby La La
Eggs - Urge Overkill
Eggs and Sausage - Tom Waits
Chicken And Dumplings - Kermit Ruffins
Omelets and Hash Browns - Dan Pelletier
Too Much - Dave Matthews Band
Keep It Greasy - Frank Zappa
Hotcakes - Carly Simon
Applebutter - Béla Fleck (my kids live for their applebutter)
Sheer Heart Attack - Queen

[Suzy]

I've never been to a Cracker Barrel but after reading this I'd love to go.

[Suzy]

Sean, how does the song "Peg" figure into this list? I don't get it?