The Big Game Is Every Night

No comments till 2018?

What an amazing song. The big game is a metaphor for rock and roll, the battle against depression, the battle to survive. The players are the writers , performers, and characters who perfectly expressed this struggle 'to be me working, to be me helping, to be me honestly . . '

The first verse gives a sense of incredible silence and distance, a beautiful haunting sense of dislocation with which to view the great metaphor.

Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson ground the American literary tradition - both also were strong on not sugar-coating the truth in their own way. Luke the Drifter was Hank Williams' spiritual alias, and Zımmerman is, of course, Dylan. That's the American songwriting tradition. Johnny Unitas was a famous quarterback (the game apparently has the same rules and play as US football), I forget for which team. Berry is probably Chuck Berry, but there might also be a famous athlete by that name. All heroes who 'brought the first down again', or proved the power of their words and actions to uplift the human spirit against the darkness.

I'm not sure which Possums he's referring to - maybe a team, or maybe those who sleep and hide from the light? The line about the Man in Black seems to ask for mercy for the (recently departed, when this was recorded) Johnny Cash, to let him 'adjust his eyes to the light'.

The end is beautiful, but odd. 'I wouldn't want to disappoint them' seems to suggest that he's doing something evil and snake-like. But I think its clear which side of the big game Jason is on, and that the other team is Death.

Unfortunately for all of us, Death beat Jason one night in 2013. But he helped us win all the others - and still does. Every night.

I think the song is about legacy, artistic success and mortality.

How will you be remembered when you're gone? How will you compare to your peers and are you in the same league, or a pale imitation?

The opening verses are about what will happen when you die, when all is quiet and the light reflects on what and who you were.

Let people remember me as someone helping, my honesty, my work and my work on bettering myself, fighting my demons, trying.

The later verses referencing Twain, Jefferson, Hank Williams, Dylan are referencing the artistic greats, who play in the major leagues every night. Unitas to Berry was one of the most successful American football pairings of all time. So good it's scary. These are the major players that people can rely on, that are successful and play the big games every night.

I think the reference to moon shine and the possum stage is Jason suggesting he isn't in those leagues, he doesn't play on the big stage, he isn't reliable and is fighting his demons and more set for the backwater, dirt track, possum stages.

I think the "maybe I'm the man in black" and "You could hold a little something back" (the stage lights) to "To let his eyes adjust to the light" is a reference to Johnny Cash, and maybe with the lights down, maybe Jason could pass for one of the greats, maybe for one night?

I think the final verse is about reflecting again on who you are and how those close to you perceive you? If they already have it in their heads that you are no good, that your demons have won, what's the point in trying to change their mind? Why go to the effort? Why try to be great? Maybe accept it, and let your flaws and failures win. It's what people are expecting.

I think Jason was reflecting that he plays his own 'Big Game' every night. Not on the major stage, with the reliable and wildly successful greats, but one that is a fight for his own artistic and personal integrity and legacy and the fight for survival from his demons.

Think this song is amazing and Jason was definitely worthy of the big leagues, even if he maybe didn't think so.

Peace

Great work Nathan.

The Possum may be country singer George Jones. Molina did cover him.

Agree with what\'s written here and wanted to add that I think the line:\n"With everything against you, sweetness\nYou get the first down again"\n\nRefers to Chicago Bears great running back Walter Payton whose nickname is Sweetness. He\'s one of the all-time greats.\n\nJason Molina is one of the greats in my book, right up there with the others he mentions. It\'s a shame more people haven\'t discovered his soulful music.