The Old 97's are an alternative country band from Dallas, Texas. Formed in 1993, they have since released ten studio albums, two full extended plays, shared split duty on another, and have one live album. Their most recent release is Most Messed Up. They are recognized as pioneers of the alt-country movement during the mid to late 1990s along with bands such as Uncle Tupelo, Drive-By Truckers, Whiskeytown, The Jayhawks, and The Bottle Rockets.
Initially a popular Dallas bar band, the Old 97's toured the country after releasing their first album, 1994's Hitchhike to Rhome and 1995's split EP release Stoned / Garage Sale with fellow Dallas band Funland on Idol Records. In Chicago, they caught the attention of Bloodshot Records and were signed to record their next album. 1995's Wreck Your Life brought them to the attention of Elektra Records, who hoped that alt-country could be a new post-grunge fad. Lead singer Rhett Miller, born in Austin, later lived in New York City and Los Angeles. Many of the band's songs include local Texas references, with New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago appearing as well.
When the day breaks on Cedar Creek Lake
Or my life rolls into Rome
When the sun goes down on Austin town,
That's when I'll know I'm home
What a time we'll have on Greenville Ave
With the big shots in Big D
I'm livin' in a state of Texas and Texas lives in me
For the girls I've known in San Anton and out El Paso way
My love grows like a yellow rose and will not fade away
When you hold tight on a summer night
I'm gone yeah I am free
I'm livin' in a state of Texas and Texas lives in me
I'm livin' in a state of Texas and Texas lives in me
Like a mystery train or a magic trick
Or a map of the world on a guitar pick
I can't explain, I got to let it be
The eyes of Texas are smiling on me
Yeah the eyes of Texas are smiling on me
Where the bluebonnets thrive on I-35
And the Guadalupe River flows
Where the stars at night are a hell of a sight
And the honkey-tonks never close
When the mornin' sun rise and I open my eyes
Yeah that's all I wanna see
I'm livin' in a state of Texas and Texas lives in me
I'm livin' in a state of Texas and Texas lives in me