We Couldn't Make It was was written in Livingston, Montana, during the winter of 1981-82. I was working with Tim Bailey and The Sounds of Country. Were playing at the Yellowstone Motor Inn. At least I think that was the name of the place. It had a big indoor swimming pool and the stage was right by the pool. At the time I was courting a gal who wasn't all that interested in me. As often happens with that kind of situation, it inspired a song. One of my best lyrics, I believe, at least for a song about doomed love (used to be a lot of them).
The recording was begun on the Tascam 234 4-track cassette in the early 90s. It's part of the "Detour" collection. I added the dobro track and recut the vocals last month (October, 2000) when I encountered the song on an old master tape I was reviewing.
This slinky arrangement and groovy bass riff compliments the song well, but I've noticed We Couldn't Make It is a very adaptable song. I've done it as a blues shuffle, a straight rock, a folk ditty, even a bluegrassy song. It holds up.