Valium Waltz
Old 97s · Drag It Up [2004]
Of the ultra-familiar
To hover above her
As she's checking you out
To wander around her
But never sleep with her
To watch her through windows
As she pours herself out
Scoring her shipwreck
With fiddles and DoBros
You'll laugh at the plainclothes
Who police the crowd
And carry her under
Like water or ether
And spirit her off
When the music's too loud
CHORUS
And it's written all over
The face of the daughter
Of the mayor of
Marble Falls
When she winds up in Denton town
Doin' the Valium Waltz
When she winds up In Denton town
Doin' the Valium Waltz
Dream of the day when
Your memory is fickle
You long for a time when
Your mind is made up
Wonder how long 'fore
You're pear-shaped and wrinkled
Wound up on windowsills
All knotted up
REPEAT CHORUS
When she winds up in Denton town
Doin' the Valium Waltz
Valium Waltz
Valium Waltz stands as a standout track from the Old 97s' 2004 album Drag It Up, capturing the band's signature blend of country-rock and alt-country sensibilities. Emerging during a period of refined songwriting for the Austin-based group, the recording showcases their ability to balance upbeat rhythms with introspective themes. The song reflects the band's consistent evolution since their early days on Hitchhike to Rhome, maintaining the energetic yet melancholic tone that defines their discography. As part of an album that also features tracks like Borrowed Bride, Valium Waltz contributes to a cohesive body of work that solidified the Old 97s as enduring figures in the American roots music scene. The track remains a testament to their skill in crafting memorable melodies and relatable narratives without relying on overt theatricality.