Ten Favorite Real People Songs: Looking for Lewis and Clark (#5)

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What an emotional rollercoaster in rock and roll today. I'm elated that the Moody Blues were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but I'm celebrating with more than a touch of sadness because of the death of Smithereens front man Pat DiNizio. Onward I'll trudge, with the next song on my list of favorites that have real people in the title. This is one of three, count 'em, three songs that mention two people in the title. Double your pleasure, double your fun, here's song number five. #5: Looking for Lewis and Clark - Long Ryders And (Meriwether) Lewis and (William) Clark aren't the only people making an appearance in this song (although they're really only in the title)! The second verse drops three names: I was thinking about the late Tim Hardin Well, when Tim get [sic] to heaven, hope he told Gram [Parsons] About the Long Ryders and just who I am When posting Pat DiNizio's obituary I mentioned that the Smithereens were one of those criminally underrated bands from the 80s. Add the Long Ryders to that list. Sid Griffin, the lead singer and principle songwriter for the Long Ryders, is a hometown boy. He also wrote a book on Gram Parsons long before it was fashionable to do so. As for Lewis and Clark, their expedition to the west coast through the recently-acquired Louisiana Purchase territory began right here in Sid's hometown of Louisville. You can't get away from that fact here: we have the Clark Memorial Bridge, the Lewis & Clark Bridge, and Clarksville, Indiana. Anyway, Sid took those famous explorers who searched out the frontier and had himself on a similar journey, following figuratively in their footsteps. Not going to the west coast, but looking for that uncharted territory that's in all of our lives. Looking for Lewis and Clark Written by Sid Griffin Recorded by the Long Ryders From State of Our Union, 1985 That's where you get your kickbacks from the Navy: