At Least That's What You Said

I like to think each verse of this song is supposed to be a direct quote from the narrator's lover up until the last line of each verse "At least that's what you said." Read like this, the song has much more poignancy and confessional power with the narrator admitting to causing his lover's black eye and casting much more doubt on the "seriousness" of the relationship.

I think the lyrics are specifically referring to him hitting her while on pills. This song is a confession and apology to his wife. Each line is a quote from her. The use of the line "At least that's what you said" is very effective at displaying how doubtful he is in them both.

He references hitting a lover once in She's a Jar as well. Seeing as the rest of the album is about rehab and reformation, it would make sense for this scene to be the catalyst for his admission to a facility.

The line "maybe if I leave you'll want me to come back home" seems to indicate this. He's leaving to go to rehab, so maybe once he's cured she won't hate him anymore.

The next song is about admission to the rehab facility and it's surreal nature to him. He hated the idea of going but once he got there he realized it wasn't the horrible place he had wanted it to be.

Spiders is about withdrawals.

The rest of the album details his struggle with remorse and as he slowly gains back his mental clarity. He gives the middle finger to religion's monopoly on his morality in Theologians. In Less Than You Think he finds his inner strength. He stops making excuses and just starts doing what he knows he should.

He recognizes that there's a part of him that will always seek self-destruction in I'm a Wheel, but the album ends with a celebration of the self love he has found again.

Anyway, I feel like the album has a full story arc which is why I included the other songs in this analysis. It's the beginning of a desperate vie for his health and the person he loves, and concludes after a journey of transformation into the person he has become.

the guitar solo in this song reminds me of the musical equivalent of a jackson pollock painting.

I think Tweedy is one of the most intersteing lyricists of our time. He tells such a story of depth in two short verses. I love the black humour in this song, which comes from the "At least that's what you said" lines.

But it's also a "serious" song, in that it's about a man and woman with relationship troubles, where probably the relationship is very near its end, and it's about miscommunication, which I think is referred to in the slight confusion as to who exactly is talking, a bit like "Tangled Up In Blue" maybe.

And the best guitar solo I've ever heard in my life - what's that guy's name? Klaus something? Where did they find him?! His guitar sounds like it's coming from another planet!!!

incredible opening song.

When I listen to this song, its so rad. My mind just connects with the guitar. Like a finger stirring my soul. Needless to say when I listen to this song I get taken back and I pretend like im playing this tight guitar part <3.

what a beautiful song. seriously. it kind of gives me a neil young vibe... and that's a good thing.

tweedy's best neil young impression, instead of cheap imitation, comes off fresh and invigorating, OH GOD, the naysayers think that at worst, wilco is bringing together a cheap amalgamation of classic acts like neil young, rolling stones, beatles........

i beg to differ and this song is a great example of their greatness.

Also the lyrics... holy crap. Amazing. "I thought it was cute for you to kiss my purple black eye, even though i caught it from you, i still think we're serious." It's like he's all upset, and she's comforting him oh please dont be sad, but if only she knew it's all her stupid fault. But not really, because people do things unintentionally. She didn't mean to treat him like she didn't love him as much as he loves her.........

things just happen. And now it's a mess and the lover's quarrel invigorated the two

This is indeed a good song, but it's probably the one I like the least on the albm is you exclude three quarters of "Less Than you Think".

It's about a relationship that was never meant to be, no matter how hard they try to make it work. Then, after they break up, they see how stupid and empty the relationship was. There wasnt much good to look back on.

Unbelievable. A musical triumph. I want to meet more fans of Wilco ( and Clinic too) because none of my friends like them.