Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Barkeeper," from our January 11, 2020 show (originally from February 2, 2019). The band: Chris Thile, Sara Watkins, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Chris Eldridge, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Gabe Witcher. — Lyrics: We’re here For the vibe For the grog For the people That brought us We’re here For the love Of these Gods That ain’t trying to stop us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Why are you here, Barkeeper? We’re here For a glance From a girl Or a boy That reminds us There’s more To our lives Than the goals Dead ahead And behind us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Whispers breathe in Don’t just breathe out And I’ll stay for as many rounds As it takes you to answer Why are you here, Barkeeper? It ain’t the money ‘else You would’ve made a killing Selling out to those Scientologists They would’ve had to clear all of us to raze this building... Of the vibe Of the grog Of the people That brought us Of the love And these Gods That ain’t trying to stop us And I’m here ‘Cause it calms me down Whispers breathe in Don’t just breathe out And I’ll stay for as many rounds As it takes you to answer Why are you here, Barkeeper? It ain’t the glory ‘else You would’ve been out years ago Before the movie stars soured on your Zombies Now you’re laying ‘em on me like I’m Brando And you’re the man in the photo on the back wall And I wonder If a fella’s ever shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow Yeah, a fella’s never shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow Well, I hope you all are having a good night It’s Wednesday which is when I like to toast my dad, Ray That’s his picture up there, you’ve probably seen it. Anyway, he was the master ninja, he built the tiki, so Here’s to you Dad All right Bottoms up, everyone Have fun

Tom Papa visits wintry Kansas City, where he learns about a bit of family drama from a stranger in the hotel lobby and meets a jovial man named Big Daddy at a BBQ joint (originally from January 12, 2019). Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Fail Better (Three Advil and a Coffee)," from our January 4, 2020 show (originally from January 12, 2019). The band: Gaby Moreno, Mike Elizondo, Tyler Chester, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, and Trevor Lawrence Jr. — Lyrics: Three Advil and a coffee Could cure whatever ailed me In my twenties: Sunlight loomed like a wall (On a late morning after) I woke up in a well (They threw me a ladder) I said “thank God for y’all (I thought I was a goner”) They said “we're happy to help (At least ‘til you’re older) Soon it won’t be last call (That’s leaving you hammered) It’ll be the plight of the world (And the vanity of your efforts) So keep your eye on the ball (Your mind over matter) And they’ll help find you a girl (Sooner or later) And when you fall down a well (She’ll throw you a ladder) And when the world goes to hell (You can crawl out together) Singing ‘Darling you’re my Advil Darling you’re my coffee In the bitter light of morning Darling you’re my Advil Darling you’re my coffee In the bitter light of 2019 Everybody trying to do the right thing If only for their own’” So Darling be my Advil Darling be my coffee In the bitter light of morning Darling be my Advil Darling be my coffee In the bitter light of 2019 Everybody’s trying to do the right thing Who knows? It might get done

Our Out In America correspondent Tom Papa heads to New York City, meets a couple from Dallas at the Broome Street Bar, visits the legendary Comedy Cellar, and chats with a security guard at his hotel after he finds himself locked out of his room. (Originally from our December 16, 2017 episode.) Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

Download Chris Thile's Song of the Week, "Ornaments," from our December 28, 2019 compilation broadcast. (Originally from December 9, 2017) The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor. — Lyrics: Don we now Our winter coats Cheery as a Christmas bonus Deck the yard with icons Our neighbors may not like 'em Set up the lights And the plastic sheep Watch our seasonal belief start to trickle down May our seasonal belief forever trickle down Damn we now Our vague concerns The sky could fall, Rome might start burning Deck the hall with revelry And no regard for history It's all rum and dancing Fun and games 'Til someone slips on the perspiration that trickles down Someone catch the perspiration as it trickles down Ornaments Hang from the branches Hang from the branches The year that was Hangs from the branches (Hangs in the balance) Hangs from the branches America Hangs in the balance Hangs in the balance Dim we now Our screens in bed Exhausted as a line of credit Deck the room with worry Dream of fire and fury We smell the smoke We smell the smoke We smell the smoke From the burning hills We hear the senate swear their millions will trickle down May the good lord let their joy and comfort trickle down I know I'm on your list Because I got my wish But something's gotta give 'Cause someone always lifts you up In America we trust God's been good to us

Our traveling correspondent, comedian Tom Papa experiences the music, beer, barbeque, colorful characters, and festive weirdness of Austin, Texas. Originally from our December 15, 2018 episode. Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.