I don't remember any history for this song, not even when it was written. It appears to me that it began with the finger-picking guitar lick and went on from there. It isn't even about anything in particular, just your run-of-the-mill "cheatin'" song with a country twang and some semi-humorous lyrics. I think it was the first original song I played on stage with a band, probably because "it's got a good beat and you can dance to it".
Recording Notes:
And speaking of performing the song on stage, this recording is one of those made with a $3 valkman sized tape recorder sold under the name of a really crappy electronics comnpany. I can't believe it sounds as good as it does. The club (read bar) we are playing at on the tape was one of our regular spots, the Homeport. It was one of your typical Long Island country bars but this one was a country music bar before the temporary popularity of country in teh early 80's.
This recording was probably made around 1982 or 1983, it is definitely post-St. Thomas (see Bolongo Bay liner notes and Adventures in Paradise for Caribean details. It must have been near the time (and in this very bar) when I announced that I was going back to Minnesota for a visit in the coming summer. I can still hear the moans, groans and curses of Joel and Joe about how you can't take a vacation in the peak performing season of a working band. Well, I explained, I can only go when my son is out of school, my family back home has not seen my daughter, and I will be going.
I mention that (as if anyone cared) because that would have been the vacation in Minnesota when we (I) decided that it would be a good idea (professionally and environmentally) to move to Minnesota, which we did in 1984.
See also Stuck On Your Love for another recording from the same band at the same club.