The song I chose to analyze was “Dallas” by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and the Flatlanders. The song was written and sung by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and was released by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and the Flatlanders in 1972. “Dallas” falls into the genres of acoustic folk, string-band country, and country blues. It was a very different sound from country music during the 1970s, resulting in it failing to become popular. Gilmore’s unique sound allowed him to serve as the link between his country and folk roots and the rock and roll popularization in America.
Gilmore was born in Tulia, TX, which is 49 miles south of Amarillo. His family later relocated to Lubbock, TX, which is also the hometown of Buddy Holly. When he was 16, he began playing the acoustic guitar, however, he never really developed a feel for the electric version like his father. Soon after he discovered the acoustic Gibson J-200, which became his trademark. In 1971, Gilmore along with Butch Hancock, his childhood friend, and Joe Ely formed the Flatlanders. A year later, they produced their first album which was recorded in Nashville, TN. The album received little attention, and the group split apart by the end on 1972. “Dallas” was featured on the album, which was retitled in 1990 as More a Legend than a Band. The album is believed to have received such minimal attention because it was so different from the music scene in Nashville at the time.
Before I begin to analyze “Dallas,” I think it’s important to explain why the album at the time of its release wasn’t a success, since it highlights an important distinction between the styles of country music in Texas and Nashville. The Nashville sound during the 70s involved string arrangements and background singers. This style was created as a form of protection of country music against the new popular rock and roll genre. However, many country artists, like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, were unhappy with the music scene in Nashville and packed up and moved to Texas. Once they relocated, their style of country music was named Outlaw Country or Red Dirt country. This new style had some rock, folk, and blues elements. The music made by the Flatlanders in 1972 fell into this Red Dirt country category. Their folk-influenced country style was not like the mainstream music in Nashville, which is why it had such limited success.
Getting into the song analysis, this song utilizes the imagery of calling Dallas a jewel and a jungle, which are very juxtaposing ideas. Calling Dallas a jewel plays to its beauty, which is also highlighted by the song’s opening line “Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?” Starting the song off with this line would leave one to believe that Dallas is beautiful from above, however, the song quickly takes a darker turn. By calling Dallas a jungle, Gilmore is relating it to an unfriendly place.
Before I further analyze “Dallas,” I think it’s important to mention some of Dallas’ history prior to the 1970s. The music and entertainment district of Dallas is called the Deep Ellum, located on Elm Street in downtown Dallas. In the 1920s, Deep Ellum became a retail center for residents, specifically African Americans. It also became a hub for jazz and blues artists, which are historically African American genres. This music boom with the growth of jazz and blues made Deep Ellum the heart of the Dallas music scene, with over 30 venues within the area. However, this popularity also unintentionally normalized crime. The area became notoriously dangerous, known as a red-light district, and murders were not uncommon.
This darker tone created by calling Dallas a jungle plays nicely into the rest of the song. Gilmore sings “Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you’re down” meaning that despite having a beautiful exterior like a jewel, it’s actually not a friendly place, much like a jungle. This paints a fairly negative image of the city, making it seem much uglier than one might initially think. This is also represented later on when Gilmore sings “Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes, A steel and concrete soul with a warm-hearted love disguise.” Comparing Dallas to such negative ideologies contributes to the Texan mythology of being nice on the outside and mean on the inside, much like the phrase “Bless your heart.” When you consider this long-standing aspect of Texan society, it makes sense to relate Dallas to a person who’s kind to the faces of others but talks badly about them behind their backs. This also represents their mythology regarding their superiority to the rest of America. Believing they’re superior allows them to look down on others condescendingly, hence why Dallas is a “steel and concrete soul with a warm-hearted love disguise.”
Overall, I think “Dallas” accurately captures Texan superiority and its effects on how they view others. Their condescending view makes them appear friendly when in reality, they’ll be nice until you make a mistake and then turn on you afterward.
Lyrics:
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight
And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well, Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you’re down
But when you are up, she’s the kind you want to take around
But Dallas ain’t a woman to help you get your feet on the ground
And Dallas is a woman who will walk on you when you’re down
Well, I came into Dallas with the bright lights on my mind,
But I came into Dallas with a dollar and a dime
Well Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes
A steel and concrete soul with a warm hearted love disguise
A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies
Yeah Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes
Well, I came into Dallas with the bright lights on my mind,
But I came into Dallas with a dollar and a dime Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Well Dallas is a jewel, oh yeah, Dallas is a beautiful sight
And Dallas is a jungle but Dallas gives a beautiful light
Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?
Sources
Anderson, H. Allen. “Tulia, TX.” Texas State Historical Association, 2000, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/tulia-tx. Accessed 29 January 2023.
“Deep Ellum Texas.” Deep Ellum Texas, https://www.deepellumtexas.com/history/. Accessed 3 February 2023.
“The Flatlanders – Dallas Lyrics.” Genius, https://genius.com/The-flatlanders-dallas-lyrics. Accessed 29 January 2023.
Gilmore, Jimmie Dale. “Jimmie Dale Gilmore Biography, Songs, & Albums.” AllMusic, 2022, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmie-dale-gilmore-mn0000351935/biography. Accessed 29 January 2023.
Jimmie Dale Gilmore. “Biography.” Jimmie Dale Gilmore, 2017, https://www.jimmiedalegilmore.com/bio. Accessed 29 January 2023.
Maxwell, Lisa C. “TSHA | Deep Ellum.” Texas State Historical Association, 1 December 1994, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/deep-ellum. Accessed 3 February 2023.
McElhaney, Jackie, et al. “TSHA | Dallas, TX.” Texas State Historical Association, 30 December 2022, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dallas-tx. Accessed 3 February 2023.
Morrow, John. “Jimmie Dale Gilmore Biography.” Musician Biographies, 2005, https://musicianguide.com/biographies/1608000750/Jimmie-Dale-Gilmore.html. Accessed 29 January 2023.
“Outlaw Country: How Willie, Waylon And Others Broke Free.” Groovy History, https://groovyhistory.com/outlaw-country-music/2. Accessed 3 February 2023.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4892/46772495252_9641ec343a_b.jpg
