The song Razor-Back Woman by John Stewart tells the story of a young boy growing up with his alcoholic father in a small town. His father would come home drunk from the Union Hall station with his friends and the boy witnessed him choking on the preacher's words. Despite his father's illness and addiction, the boy still feels a connection to him and falls for the same temptations as his father did. The "razor-back woman" mentioned in the song is the boy's father's partner or wife, who stood by his side through thick and thin. However, she is now skinny and fixing to die, and calling the boy home as she cries for help. The song also highlights the tough upbringing the boy had, where his father was abusive and yelled at him for minor things. Despite this, the boy still fondly remembers the days when he first tried a cigarette, suggesting that the addiction runs in the family. Overall, Razor-Back Woman depicts a tumultuous childhood filled with addiction and abuse. The lyrics suggest that despite the hardships, there is still a connection to the past and a sense of nostalgia for the old times.
