What makes 40 Odd Years by Loudon Wainwright III notable?

The album is notable for its celebration of Wainwright's extensive catalog, highlighting both popular and lesser-known songs that span his career. It received positive critical reception, underscoring Wainwright's enduring influence in folk music and his ability to blend humor with poignant observations. By the time '40 Odd Years' was released in 2011, Loudon Wainwright III had established himself as a veteran singer-songwriter with over four decades of experience. This album serves as a retrospective of his career, showcasing tracks from various points in his discography while also reflecting on his evolution as an artist and father.

Who is 40 Odd Years for?

40 Odd Years works well if you're into reflective storytelling with humor, dynamic journey of life's absurdities and ideal for long reflective sessions.

How many songs are on 40 Odd Years?

40 Odd Years has 107 tracks, running approximately 309 minutes.

40 Odd Years

Loudon Wainwright III · 2011

309 min · 107 tracks · blues · folk · traditional folk music

A reflective journey through life's absurdities, wrapped in Wainwright's signature folk storytelling and sardonic wit.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

reflective storytelling with humor
dynamic journey of life's absurdities
ideal for long reflective sessions
light-hearted moments interspersed with depth

Maybe skip if you want

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time '40 Odd Years' was released in 2011, Loudon Wainwright III had established himself as a veteran singer-songwriter with over four decades of experience. This album serves as a retrospective of his career, showcasing tracks from various points in his discography while also reflecting on his evolution as an artist and father.
Stylistic neighbors: John Prine· Steve Goodman· Ramblin' Jack Elliott

New to Loudon Wainwright III? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

1 School Days 3:07
2 I Don't Care 4:09
3 Uptown 2:44
4 Be Careful, There's a Baby in the House 3:18
5 Saw Your Name In The Paper 2:13
6 Dead Skunk 3:07
7 New Paint 3:02
8 Drinking Song 2:56
9 The Swimming Song 2:29
10 Dilated to Meet You 2:05
11 Down Drinking at the Bar 3:59
12 The Man Who Couldn't Cry 6:17
13 Whatever Happened To Us (live) 2:04
14 Crime Of Passion (live) 3:01
15 Kick In The Head (live) 2:51
16 Summer's Almost Over 3:29
17 Just Like President Thieu 4:09
18 Golfin' Blues 2:53
19 The Heckler 4:26
20 Natural Disaster 2:16
21 Red Guitar 1:57
22 Hollywood Hopeful 1:27
23 IDTTYWLM 4:07
24 Grammy Song 2:38

Disc 2

1 Westchester County 2:55
2 I'm Alright 2:23
3 Screaming Issue 4:50
4 Unhappy Anniversary 2:57
5 Your Mother And I 2:33
6 Synchronicity 3:10
7 Hard Day On The Planet 4:24
8 You Don't Want To Know 3:47
9 Bill Of Goods 3:23
10 Thanksgiving 5:42
11 Your Father's Car 2:25
12 When I'm At Your House 2:33
13 The Picture 2:34
14 Men 3:38
15 So Many Songs 3:54
16 Tip That Waitress 4:17
17 I'd Rather Be Lonely 3:00
18 April Fool's Day Morn 4:15
19 The Acid Song 5:24
20 IWIWAL 3:09
21 A Year 3:57
22 Dreaming 3:12

Disc 3

1 So Damn Happy 2:27
2 Primrose Hill 4:48
3 Bein' A Dad 3:43
4 Four Mirrors 2:57
5 It's Love And I Hate It 2:15
6 Christmas Morning 3:38
7 Pretty Good Day 4:22
8 White Winos 2:59
9 Bed 2:53
10 Surviving Twin 3:41
11 The Shit Song (live) 4:20
12 Between (live) 1:26
13 My Biggest Fan 6:02
14 When You Leave 5:24
15 Make Your Mother Mad 4:08
16 Daughter 3:35
17 Grey In L 3:17
18 Muse Blues 3:37
19 Motel Blues 3:22
20 The Deal 4:12
21 Rowena 2:35
22 High, Wide and Handsome 2:49

Disc 4

1 Weave Room Blues 3:23
2 Mcsorley's 3:48
3 Black Uncle Remus (Demo) 3:32
4 Funny Having Money 0:45
5 The Hardy Boyd At The Y (with The Boys Of The Lough) 3:36
6 Laid (Live) 3:51
7 Outsidey (Live) 3:18
8 That Cat 2:38
9 Surfin' Queen (Demo) 4:01
10 Newt 1:39
11 4x10 (Live) 2:53
12 Somethin' Stupid (with Barry Humphries) 2:10
13 The Miles (Live) 3:51
14 So Good So Far (Live) 6:09
15 Big Fish 2:59
16 No Sure Way 4:45
17 Hey There 2nd Grader 2:49
18 More I Cannot Wish You 2:30
19 Florida (Lucky You) 3:35
20 Hank And Fred (Live) 4:30
21 Your Eyes (Demo) 3:23
22 Dead Man 4:23
23 At The End Of A Long Lonely Day (with Suzzy Roche) 3:43

Disc 5

1 One Man Guy - 1993 Dutch television documentary
2 BBC4 Sessions: Loudon Wainwright: One Man Guy - Filmed at Bush Hall, London, on May 2, 2005 - 4 Songs
3 Loudon Wainwright III at The BBC - Aired on September 23, 2005 - 11 Songs
4 Dead Man - Filmed on May 24, 2010; recording session documentary
5 Entertainment Desk - Aired on Canadian television in 1995 - 1 Song with Martha Wainwright
6 High Wide & Handsome – The Charlie Poole Project - Filmed in 2009 for documentary on making of album
7 The Basement - Filmed in Sydney, Australia in 2008 - 1 Song with Lucy Wainwright Roche
8 Austin City Limits - 5 Songs
9 Saturday Night Live - Aired on NBC on November 15, 1975 - 2 Songs
10 The Garfield House - Filmed on May 24, 2010 - 6 Songs
11 826LA Benefit - Filmed on January 16, 2007 - 2 Songs
12 PBS Soundstage - Aired on February 2, 1977 - 1 Song
13 McCabe’s Guitar Shop - Filmed on February 3, 2007 - 1 Song
14 The Mike Douglas Show - Aired on April 25, 1978 - Interview and 1 Song
15 Nightline - Aired on ABC on June 22, 2005 - 1 Song
16 Carrott Confidential - Aired on BBC on February 14, 1987 - 1 Song

What to play next

Listen next

Older Than My Old Man Now

2012

Go back to

10 Songs for the New Depression

2010

Full Loudon Wainwright III discography Where to start with Loudon Wainwright III Artists like Loudon Wainwright III

blues traditional folk music

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