At least 4 years ago, I created a playlist on Spotify for my kids called “Noah and Levi’s Goodnight Playlist.” I initially added a bunch of songs right off the bat and I’ve been playing it almost every night as the kids drift off to sleep. I don’t remember exactly when I added the song “Boats To Build,” but I know I didn’t explore the rest of the album or any other Guy Clark songs. Last week, the song got stuck in my head, and I started going through the rest of the album. It’s been on repeat since.

Guy Clark’s name might not ring a bell, but he’s been a foundational figure in country and Americana music since the late 1960s. He’s written songs recorded by legends like Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Jimmy Buffet, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and even Chris Stapleton. You may remember his song “L.A. Freeway.” Or maybe you don’t, because Guy wrote songs like a master craftsman; he wasn’t there to please record companies or music labels; he was there to create music with care and detail because he wanted to. 

Fun Fact: Susanna Talley Clark married Guy Clark in 1972, with country singer Townes Van Zandt as their best man. There’s a lot of drama between the 3 of them, but I’m hoping to learn more about that after I get a copy of a certain book about Guy’s life called “Without Getting Killed or Caught.” Anyway, Susanna was a gifted painter and singer/songwriter; she painted the album covers for Guy’s Old No. 1, Willie Nelson’s Stardust, and Emmylou Harris’ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. After she passed away in 2012, Guy wrote an incredibly beautiful tribute song to her called “My Favorite Picture of You.” Fair warning, it’s a tearjerker—I got a little misty-eyed on a flight yesterday, pretending I had something in my eye.

My Listening Tips/Thoughts: The combination of instruments on this song is fantastic. Alongside Guy’s voice and guitar, you have Verlon Thompson on guitar, Sam Bush on mandolin, Jerry Douglas on slide guitar, Travis Clark on bass, and Kenny Malone on percussion. Each instrument is very audible, so definitely try to listen closely to the moments between the singing. Each player pops out at some point with a nice lick to keep the dance going. That’s what the song feels like to me, a nice easy dance. Especially with the accented pushes on the “and of 2.”
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.
You notice it a bit more in the later choruses.

Hope you enjoy!

It’s time for a change
I’m tired of that same ol’ same
The same ol’ words the same ol’ lines
The same ol’ tricks and the same ol’ rhymes

---

Days precious days
Roll in and out like waves
I got boards to bend I got planks to nail
I got charts to make I got seas to sail

---

I’m gonna build me a boat
With these two hands
It’ll be a fair curve
From a noble plan
Let the chips fall where they will
‘Cause I’ve got boats to build

Recent Posts

My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes 🙂

Subscribe below to get some great tunes in your inbox each day. Or maybe forward to a friend you think would love the song. Hope you enjoy!