FAWM: "When It's Ragged But It's Right"

When It's Ragged But It's Right

1 week ago by @jeff9

Skirmish: Statue of Limitations (@atornberg)

Liner Notes

#acousticonetake #singersongwriter #country First one of FAWM 2026 and for a skirmish. Started it about a half-hour into the skirmish but I think it was finished in about an hour including getting it recorded and uploaded to Soundcloud. Pretty crude, along the lines of its theme.

Lyrics

They called my name To come onstage A little open mic in a local bar A cold, cold sweat My vision blurred I probably should’ve just stayed in my car

I climbed the steps With my guitar And accidentally whacked it on the stool But I sat down And tried to think Hoped I wouldn’t freeze up like a fool

I strummed a G chord then I tried to sing It didn’t sound as awful as I feared it surely might They say three chords and the truth can be enough Hoped I could make ‘em think It’s ragged but it’s right

Sang three songs Nobody booed I considered that a big success I didn’t faint Or forget the words And I think I sang in tune...well, more or less

Then some guy Beside the stage Said I hope you’ll do another one tonight George Jones said And I paraphrase I know it may be ragged but it’s right

I strummed another G chord and I sang I didn’t sound as awful as I feared it surely might Sometimes three chords and the truth can be enough Some people like it best When it’s ragged but it’s right

Comments

@lbrewington 1w

Like kicking off of fawm with a meta song, something for the people so to speak. There are three things i always enjoy and look forward to in a JWJr song: that beautiful guitar, signature hook, and that three chords and the truth attitude (and sometimes maybe half the truth, but still truth to be haved). You check all the boxes on this one.

I wouldn't know about the George Jones song unless you brought up, so i went and listened to it. The GJ is way more up tempo, and i absolutely love the slow burn of this one. I was trying to read along but just had to close my eyes and slow down, cause this song really pulls me with it and demands a slower pace. good stuff.

the guitar is beautiful, and the slower tempo allows for pure demonstration. i just love those fills your pull off, just fits the song so subtly and the mastery adds to the theme but in a shell game kinda way. i can understand why that guy was asking for an encore. and after the opening verse, you give us all hope in a show me don't tell me way.

and the hook. good lord how many people you speaking to directly with that one. i'm one that's for sure.

always a pleasure to hear these songs. keep up the good work and i'll keep listening!

@jeff9 5d

Thank you, Lee. You have the ability and heart to come up with the most generous and well-considered analysis. I'm really flattered, my man.

@phylo 1w

You're singing my song, Jeff! Not crude at all, honest. I could listen to this all night long. Good one.

@jeff9 1w

Many thanks, Phil. Thought about trying to record a cleaner version, but maybe that spoils the idea.

@chill4matt 1w

Great hook, Jeff. When it's ragged it's right. You have such a good voice and are great with the acoustic!

@jeff9 1w

Hey, there, Matt. And a big thank you for the kind words!

@billwhite51 1w

the first half of the song you vividly capture the open mike terrors. then, in the second haf. we get a look at a hoped-for response from at least one person in the crowd. your music is sutably ragged but right. you do sound like a guy at an open mike...but a really good one.

@jeff9 1w

You are too kind, Bill. But thank you all the same.

@james10 1w

Great job Jeff 👍 And so quick out of the gate 🤔 An echo to the comments below 🙂

@jeff9 1w

Many thanks for the encouragement!

@tjeff 1w

Fun story - I love the conversational lyric. I've played my fare share of open mics and I'm not a fan of them. "Ragged but right" is a great line. Excellent playing and singing as usual - nice one Jeff.

@jeff9 1w

Much obliged, Jeff. I've never actually done one--too chicken. But I think I can imagine. I'd probably pass out before ever playing a lick.

@mikeb 1w

I can't imagine you having issues playing at an open mic, but I know a lot of people can appreciate this story! If you ever hit New England, you've have to come to one of my open mics!

@jeff9 1w

Thank you, Mike. For the kind words and the invitation!

@texmachine_mk2021 1w

Great song. Very country with that ragged edge as you said. I really enjoyed this.

@jeff9 1w

Very kind of you to take a listen. Thanks for the encouraging words.

@jerrypettit 1w

Man, you've still got it. SUCH a great song! Do a bunch more!!!! ❤️

@jeff9 1w

Thanks much, Jerry. Not sure what IT is in the case of this old dude, but I sure enjoy the FAWMing of it all. Heading your way now to catch your latest gold nuggets.

@newukenewyork 1w

Wow, your musicality here is gorgeous. I love the earthy playing and your vocals. They make your already well-written hook line carry even more weight. “Ragged but it’s right!” Wish I’d thought of it. 😉

@jeff9 1w

Many thanks, Jenny. Wish I'd thought of it, too, but the term was popularized on an old 1957 George Jones record by that title I'm afraid. I've heard the term all my life but only realized where it came from after I used it here and thought to Google it. Apparently, even Jones' version was a cover of a song with that title first done in the 1920s. So apparently I'm only late by about a century.

@atornberg 1w

This is great and relatable to many of us singer-songwriters. I pictured the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville when you started. Love it!

@jeff9 1w

So glad you liked it. Thank you for the encouraging words.

@williamjames 1w

What a song. Does not sound rough to ears at all. Sounds from the heart and in the moment. A wonderful story of overcoming inhibitions. That tag line of ragged but right is a great one.

@jeff9 1w

Much obliged, sir. Plagiarized the hook from George Jones--always steal from the best!

@crisp1 1w

Great song to start with, Jeff. I was right there with you in that bar!

@jeff9 1w

Many thanks, Doug.

@paulcanuck 1w

Good song - simple but powerful in its emotional appeal. Great hook and bridge! Damn good for a quick write.

@jeff9 1w

Thanks, Paul. Means a lot coming from you.

@fabkebab 1w

I have lived this song - except I am much more ragged and much less right than you are. Nice song!

@jeff9 1w

Thanks, amigo.

Working on one for us.

@prsongsmith 1w

Such a pitch-perfect portrait of the artist's existence, coupled with a really top-notch performance. I could listen to your voice all day... "ragged but it’s right" is my new personal motto. Well done.

@jeff9 1w

Wow, thanks for such encouraging comments!

@jeremykazoo 1w

This captures all the feels of open mic perfectly. The only thing missing is unplugging your guitar before the sound guy give the thumbs up!

Ragged but Right is a mantra I'm going to write on my whiteboard!

@jeff9 1w

Ha! That would be something I would do if I even had the stones to ever do something onstage. Thanks for the kind words.

@sbs 1w

Love this! I can feel every emotion of the protagonist. “Whacked it on the stool” - yep that would have been me. Great start to FAWM!

@jeff9 1w

Thanks, Kathy. And sorry I spelled your name with a C before.

@headfirstonlyMod 1w

These days, I think everyone's allowed to be a little ragged, what with (waves hand at the world outside the window) and everything. And this perfectly encapsulates the performer's life; I have friends at all levels of the business who feel the same way. Nobody booed? That's a win, for sure!

@jeff9 1w

Many thanks for the encouragement, Chris.