First off, it is greatest song i have ever heard by wilco and its the lyrics that make it amazing for me, but the music pulls the emotion out of the 'almost' cautionary tale. Everyone may take a different perspective or meaning from the song depending on what they are going through but i feel i have analyzed the 'big picture'. If you read this, bare with me because its deep but this song shares a very intellectual, philosophical, and existential meaning.
It tells the story of a person who has become so numb from the monotony of the in's and out's of everyday life and also the internal struggle that comes with failed relationships, but the song finishes with a new realization or enlightenment where the same person who is now older can look back and see that their seemingly troubled experiences was all part of the journey of life, and its that journey that makes life amazing.
My interpretation of the metaphoric lyrics:
"I remember my mother's sister's husband's brother"
A person who is familiar but distant to mean that it could represent anyone and everyone in this world, as we are all connected.
"Working in the goldmines fulltime..."
The idea of someone living to work rather than working to live and 'goldmine' as the pursuit of money,fame,etc(things that are really meaningless in a temporary world) for happiness.
"tight lines, ordinary beehives"
Repetition through a cyclical program, whether it be work, school, drug abuse, etc
"The door screams I hate you..hanging around my blue jeans"
This lyric is awesome as it again refers to too much work where the 'front door of his house" is personified with jealously, talking to that person who is walking out everyday for more work in 'blue jeans', a typical representation of blue-collared work attire.
"Why is there no breeze...leaves...current through the water while no feelings i can see."
Describing the numbing effect brought on by a stale, mundane life and not being able to appreciate the world and whatever is happening around them.
"I trust no emotion, I believe in locomotion that turns to rust as we discuss"
Again, numbness from adaptation of routine living but the 'rust' as we discuss' is foreshadowing the rest of the story to come, and explaining how monotonous living can eventually destruct, fall apart, and ultimately fail that person who may in turn change for better or in a cautionary tale, worse
"Though I must have let you down too many times..."
Becoming familiar and maybe even comfortable with mistakes made
"I have no idea how this happens...maps...heart has been outgrown"
As the music changes and hits this is where there is a climax, the point of realization that their 'maps overwrote' are plans/dreams that have changed or however they have been living has not been working out and through unanticipated experiences has taken its toll on the heart/soul.
"everybody's feeling all alone, can't tell you who i am ...how can i tell you who i am?"
The toll taken has deadened feelings and the ability or drive of sharing who they really are with those who they love because they feel everyone is experiencing it too and won't listen or understand.
"I am looking forward towards the shadows chasing bones"
A change back to the first melody as the person is now older and has matured, enlightened from their past. and now sees the beauty of life's journey all they way til death, where shadows chasing bones is every single person living.
"Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes"
Time heals all wounds, if not understanding, accepting your past, experiences, hardships and being able to learn from them. 'Houses' as almost saying they were single or alone and now 'homes' as having a family of their own, close loved ones, or a comfortable place in the world.
"Trying to be thankful, our stories fit into phones"
Everyday still has its own challenges but now taken all in stride, knowing its part of the journey, 'stories..phones' as the ability to now comfortably express emotions, talk about the past or current issues without feeling alone and misunderstood.
"Our voices lift so easily, a gift given accidentally, when we're not sure we're not alone"
My favorite line and possibly a note to those going through or stuck in a similar situation: 'Voices lift so easily' as the bridge of the song. When life is looking bad and you are thinking that you may be all alone, in those times it is difficult to see but important to understand that we in human nature are quick to assume the worst, blame those around us or even ourselves, but by doing this we learn how to correct or cope with these issues, overcoming and learning from them and building up ourselves into better individuals. A gift, a part of our human nature that helps us realize what truth may lie beneath.
I love the irony of the repetitive melody that starts the song, changes, and then finishes with same tune, a depiction of that even though you may have been younger, had some enlightenment, and matured, you are still on the exact same journey. Finally, the truth is that there is a tomorrow, everyday a new beginning, don't dwell on your past or problems, life is too short. As the song goes, you may wake up one day and realize that experiences or problems of the past are nothing more than the past, and have shaped and made you the person you are today. It's that amazing journey that should be appreciated and not taken for granted. That is what makes life so amazing and looking forward to another day as a blessing.
Speechless. This is possibly the best analysis I've read of any song by any artist - and I've read a lot.
The music corroborates what you said perfectly. In the first third of the song there is a dragging, monotonous guitar melody that sounds almost lazily performed. In the second, energetic drums and crisp riffs give a feeling of clarity. Finally, the first theme is reprised but without that lazy melody. Instead, there is some light noodling that makes the song feel soothing, whimsical, and at ease rather than lethargic.
I woke up this morning thinking about a time of my...
Speechless. This is possibly the best analysis I've read of any song by any artist - and I've read a lot.
The music corroborates what you said perfectly. In the first third of the song there is a dragging, monotonous guitar melody that sounds almost lazily performed. In the second, energetic drums and crisp riffs give a feeling of clarity. Finally, the first theme is reprised but without that lazy melody. Instead, there is some light noodling that makes the song feel soothing, whimsical, and at ease rather than lethargic.
I woke up this morning thinking about a time of my past that I constantly find myself regretting. 4 hours later I looked up these lyrics on a whim. This has always been one of my favorite Wilco songs musically, but this analysis may have just elevated it to one of my favorite songs ever.
Thank you johny4304, I hope even though it's 5 years later you get to see how your insight affected someone for the better.
@johny4304 God I love Tweedy so much. He has such a way with melody and words. Great interpretation, mine was a little too literal, but I appreciate the general approach, as that is how most songwriters tend to write their music. I love the line, "Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes." Great word-play and the meaning is really great. I absolutely love Wilco with all my heart.
@johny4304 God I love Tweedy so much. He has such a way with melody and words. Great interpretation, mine was a little too literal, but I appreciate the general approach, as that is how most songwriters tend to write their music. I love the line, "Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes." Great word-play and the meaning is really great. I absolutely love Wilco with all my heart.
First off, it is greatest song i have ever heard by wilco and its the lyrics that make it amazing for me, but the music pulls the emotion out of the 'almost' cautionary tale. Everyone may take a different perspective or meaning from the song depending on what they are going through but i feel i have analyzed the 'big picture'. If you read this, bare with me because its deep but this song shares a very intellectual, philosophical, and existential meaning.
It tells the story of a person who has become so numb from the monotony of the in's and out's of everyday life and also the internal struggle that comes with failed relationships, but the song finishes with a new realization or enlightenment where the same person who is now older can look back and see that their seemingly troubled experiences was all part of the journey of life, and its that journey that makes life amazing.
My interpretation of the metaphoric lyrics:
"I remember my mother's sister's husband's brother" A person who is familiar but distant to mean that it could represent anyone and everyone in this world, as we are all connected.
"Working in the goldmines fulltime..." The idea of someone living to work rather than working to live and 'goldmine' as the pursuit of money,fame,etc(things that are really meaningless in a temporary world) for happiness.
"tight lines, ordinary beehives" Repetition through a cyclical program, whether it be work, school, drug abuse, etc
"The door screams I hate you..hanging around my blue jeans" This lyric is awesome as it again refers to too much work where the 'front door of his house" is personified with jealously, talking to that person who is walking out everyday for more work in 'blue jeans', a typical representation of blue-collared work attire.
"Why is there no breeze...leaves...current through the water while no feelings i can see." Describing the numbing effect brought on by a stale, mundane life and not being able to appreciate the world and whatever is happening around them.
"I trust no emotion, I believe in locomotion that turns to rust as we discuss" Again, numbness from adaptation of routine living but the 'rust' as we discuss' is foreshadowing the rest of the story to come, and explaining how monotonous living can eventually destruct, fall apart, and ultimately fail that person who may in turn change for better or in a cautionary tale, worse
"Though I must have let you down too many times..." Becoming familiar and maybe even comfortable with mistakes made
"I have no idea how this happens...maps...heart has been outgrown" As the music changes and hits this is where there is a climax, the point of realization that their 'maps overwrote' are plans/dreams that have changed or however they have been living has not been working out and through unanticipated experiences has taken its toll on the heart/soul.
"everybody's feeling all alone, can't tell you who i am ...how can i tell you who i am?" The toll taken has deadened feelings and the ability or drive of sharing who they really are with those who they love because they feel everyone is experiencing it too and won't listen or understand.
"I am looking forward towards the shadows chasing bones" A change back to the first melody as the person is now older and has matured, enlightened from their past. and now sees the beauty of life's journey all they way til death, where shadows chasing bones is every single person living.
"Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes" Time heals all wounds, if not understanding, accepting your past, experiences, hardships and being able to learn from them. 'Houses' as almost saying they were single or alone and now 'homes' as having a family of their own, close loved ones, or a comfortable place in the world.
"Trying to be thankful, our stories fit into phones" Everyday still has its own challenges but now taken all in stride, knowing its part of the journey, 'stories..phones' as the ability to now comfortably express emotions, talk about the past or current issues without feeling alone and misunderstood.
"Our voices lift so easily, a gift given accidentally, when we're not sure we're not alone" My favorite line and possibly a note to those going through or stuck in a similar situation: 'Voices lift so easily' as the bridge of the song. When life is looking bad and you are thinking that you may be all alone, in those times it is difficult to see but important to understand that we in human nature are quick to assume the worst, blame those around us or even ourselves, but by doing this we learn how to correct or cope with these issues, overcoming and learning from them and building up ourselves into better individuals. A gift, a part of our human nature that helps us realize what truth may lie beneath.
I love the irony of the repetitive melody that starts the song, changes, and then finishes with same tune, a depiction of that even though you may have been younger, had some enlightenment, and matured, you are still on the exact same journey. Finally, the truth is that there is a tomorrow, everyday a new beginning, don't dwell on your past or problems, life is too short. As the song goes, you may wake up one day and realize that experiences or problems of the past are nothing more than the past, and have shaped and made you the person you are today. It's that amazing journey that should be appreciated and not taken for granted. That is what makes life so amazing and looking forward to another day as a blessing.
Speechless. This is possibly the best analysis I've read of any song by any artist - and I've read a lot. The music corroborates what you said perfectly. In the first third of the song there is a dragging, monotonous guitar melody that sounds almost lazily performed. In the second, energetic drums and crisp riffs give a feeling of clarity. Finally, the first theme is reprised but without that lazy melody. Instead, there is some light noodling that makes the song feel soothing, whimsical, and at ease rather than lethargic. I woke up this morning thinking about a time of my...
Speechless. This is possibly the best analysis I've read of any song by any artist - and I've read a lot. The music corroborates what you said perfectly. In the first third of the song there is a dragging, monotonous guitar melody that sounds almost lazily performed. In the second, energetic drums and crisp riffs give a feeling of clarity. Finally, the first theme is reprised but without that lazy melody. Instead, there is some light noodling that makes the song feel soothing, whimsical, and at ease rather than lethargic. I woke up this morning thinking about a time of my past that I constantly find myself regretting. 4 hours later I looked up these lyrics on a whim. This has always been one of my favorite Wilco songs musically, but this analysis may have just elevated it to one of my favorite songs ever. Thank you johny4304, I hope even though it's 5 years later you get to see how your insight affected someone for the better.
@johny4304 God I love Tweedy so much. He has such a way with melody and words. Great interpretation, mine was a little too literal, but I appreciate the general approach, as that is how most songwriters tend to write their music. I love the line, "Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes." Great word-play and the meaning is really great. I absolutely love Wilco with all my heart.
@johny4304 God I love Tweedy so much. He has such a way with melody and words. Great interpretation, mine was a little too literal, but I appreciate the general approach, as that is how most songwriters tend to write their music. I love the line, "Our faces stitched and sewn, our houses hemmed into homes." Great word-play and the meaning is really great. I absolutely love Wilco with all my heart.