musicaddict

It's pretty clear that the song explores the singer's dependence on marijuana. If you can't figure out what

 

 

 

means, I don't know what to tell you.

I originally thought so too, but after looking at the lyrics surrounding it, it became obvious to me that he was describing the taking of a picture:

Won't you please

Bring that flash to shine

And turn my eyes red

Unless they close

When you click

And my face gets sick

Stuck, like a question unposed

I see the flash as the flash of a camera, and in pictures the eyes can turn red. Additionally, "click" I saw as referring to the click of a camera, and "stuck, like a question unposed" seems very much like a still picture to me.

I took this part to mean that the speaker's father did not earn enough income.

I agree, sorry for being unclear; I thought the speaker was exploring the possible origins of his family's turmoil, and concludes with his father/family's financial instability.

For me, She's A Jar is one of those songs you just let wash over you. The meaning of the lyrics is secondary to the way the whole thing feels -- the perfect marriage of words and music. There is clearly specific intent and meaning to many of Jeff's lyrics; however, it was so interesting to have him reveal that in writing some of the songs on The Whole Love (I Might, in particular) the lyrics grew out of grunts and the words just fit the rhythm of the song ("the sunk soul with the coal clean toe is a mutha!" WTF!!). That's the beauty of many Wilco songs to me -- a particular phrase may jump out at me as utterly gorgeous, but it doesn't necessarily have to tell me a story for it to hit me in all the right places.

I was blown away with Tweedy's approach to lyrics as well! I personally think that is the coolest thing ever. And I agree, I think Tweedy is a master of lyrical sonic flow, and meanings aside, they are just beautiful to let pass over. However, regardless of their auditory beauty, he is trying to say something. And this song is amazing, in my opinion, because it can offer both a wash of beauty and a deep, insightful theme.

I apologize, I should have made that more clear; I completely agree, I believe the narrator is an abuser as well. I kind of see that final moment of abuse as the side-effect, if you will, of issues he articulates earier in the song.

I've always had a little trouble placing the music, because, like you said, it is so sweet and melodic. A couple things I did notice, however: There are two moments of swell (with excess strings, drum rolls, etc), and they occur during both "Climb aboard..." stanzas, as if that topic is a place of tension for him. Immediately after, however, the music calms right back down, with a gorgeous harmonica solo. The only other moment of musical growth occurs in the "Are there really ones like these..." and "I believe it's just because..." stanzas, where the double tracked vocal is almost yelling behind the lead singer. I personally believe them to be moments of epiphany, or thoughts the narrator had that were important to him. Finally, I was struggling to see the connection between the soft, subdued music coupled with the tragic lyric, because Tweedy is a sheer master of capturing the specific emotion of the story with his music/instrumentation. Then I realized, the music sort of embodies the learned helplessness that the singer is feeling. It has a sort of "oh well" quality to it, a feeling that what is happening cannot be stopped or changed. And that is the lens (I think) Tweedy wants the listener to hear through. Anyway, those are just some thoughts.

I'm not as familiar with More Like the Moon, but I completely agree with Pieholden Suite. That is a perfect example of Tweedy's musical capture of emotion. Like you said, every note in that song adds to the story he is telling. And the twist of infidelity is a top Wilco moment (I'd also say Summerteeth as a whole is my favorite, if not second favorite album, so I might be a little biased).

And I agree, I think what makes good art into great art is its opened nature. But in turn, it is up to listeners/readers/observers (depending on the art) to do their job and respect, discuss, and understand its elements.

This is my favorite Wilco song at the moment (which is, of course, subject to change by tomorrow morning), so I thought I would take the time to formally analyze the lyrics, considering the thematic and emotional meaning behind the song. Enjoy! If you disagree or have an alternative opinion, I would love to hear it!

She's a Jar

“She's a jar

With a heavy lid

My pop quiz kid

A sleepy kisser

A pretty war

With feelings hid

She begs me not to miss her”

This first stanza hits the listener with a lot all at once. The first two lines “She’s a jar/with a heavy lid,” firstly portrays this woman as an introvert, not apt to let people in. At the same time, however, Tweedy plays on the sound “a jar,” with “ajar.” In this case, he intends both phrases, which is emphasized in the next line: “My pop quiz kid.” This woman is an introvert, but she has opened herself up to the singer; she is ‘his.’ “A sleepy kisser” and “A pretty war,” are there to emphasize her unique perfection. Specifically, “a sleepy kisser” portrays a sort of homey feel, a place of comfort; “A pretty war” demonstrates that this girl has flaws, but her whole self--flaws included-–makes her perfect. Finally, the stanza ends with a twist: “With feelings hid/she begs me not to miss her.” Once again, Tweedy emphasizes that the girl is “his,” but then turns around: for some reason, she is leaving him.

"She says forever

To light a fuse

We could use

A handful of wheel

And a day off

And a bruised road

However, you might feel

Tonight is real"

Starting with the second stanza, Tweedy goes to analyze the problems with their relationship-- to, eventually, provide a reason for why she left "him." The first two lines demonstrate that "he" has commitment issues; the following four drive the point home, elaborating on how badly “he” wants to escape. Whether it's driving away (“We could use/a handful of wheel”) or literally a “day off” from the relationship. But the last two lines drive home the inescapable feeling “he” has: “However, you might feel/tonight is real.” This is real. There is no “day off.”

"When I forget how to talk, I sing

Won't you please

Bring that flash to shine

And turn my eyes red

Unless they close

When you click

And my face gets sick

Stuck, like a question unposed"

This stanza is a little trickier. Here, Tweedy is exploring “his” introverted nature. The first line articulates the singer’s preference toward his art over personal interaction. The rest of the verse drives home this insecurity: a picture perfectly captures his disability in such situations. “My face gets sick/stuck, like a question unposed.”

"Just climb aboard

The tracks of a train's arm

In my fragile family tree

And watch me floating inches above

The people underneath"

This stanza is when Tweedy really begins to dig deep. Here, the singer is introducing his lover to his family-- and, depicted as “the tracks of a train’s arm,” it isn’t the smoothest ride. His family is “fragile”: not desirable, and certainly not beneficial to his upbringing. Yet he feels that he has somehow moved past them: “Watch me floating inches above/the people underneath.” This line is both beautiful and significant; it shows that while he has gotten past his family issues, he's still significantly damaged. He is, after all, only “inches above” them. This is the true start of his downfall.

"Please beware the quiet front yard

I warned you

Before there were water skies

I warned you not to drive

Dry your eyes, you poor devil"

These next three stanzas constitute the emotional climax of the piece. In this verse, the singer is blatantly apologizing to his lover for the pain he has caused her. The “quiet front yard” is a reference back to the third stanza and his introverted nature; people see him as a quiet, serene man, but inside the house, he is only “floating inches above” his “fragile family tree”-- and this perfect girl walked right into the trap. Additionally, by inserting the foreboding line “I warned you not to drive,” Tweedy emphasizes the tragic effect of the situation: they all saw this coming, but it was out of “his” control.

"Are there really ones like these?

The ones I dream

Float like leaves

And freeze to spread skeleton wings

I passed through before I knew you"

This stanza is absolutely beautiful. It's a combination both of the singer’s horrid past and gorgeous present. He is speaking of the girl: “Are there really ones like these?” The singer cannot believe there is someone of his dreams, someone better than the family he grew up with (this is emphasized by using the same tree metaphor as the previous verse, where it was used as description of his family). He relies on this girl to look past his previous baggage; and, more importantly, to help him move past it (portrayed beautifully as “skeleton wings/I passed through before I knew you”).

"I believe it's just because

Daddy's payday is not enough

Oh I believe it's all because

Daddy's payday is not enough"

This stanza is the singer’s attempt to understand the origin of his family’s horrendous experiences. The way Tweedy cries it out like a call for help is beautifully tragic, and characterizes the helplessness the singer feels: he realizes he can't keep the girl of his dreams.

"Just climb aboard

The tracks of a train's arm

In my fragile family tree

And watch me floating inches above

The people underneath"

This stanza is repeated so that the previous verse can give a basis for the “fragile family tree,” and can bring the singer’s issues full circle.

"She's a jar

With a heavy lid

My pop quiz kid

A sleepy kisser

A pretty war

With feelings hid

You know she begs me

Not to hit her"

This has to be the greatest repeat of a stanza of all time. The repetition of the line makes it sound desperate-- even tragically hopeless. At last, the final line: “You know she begs me/not to hit her.” At once, the moment when he lost her is revealed. Saving this until the end is absolutely ingenious: the listener leaves the song both questioning the singer’s sanity and feeling his unbearable pain.

All in all, this song is about an introverted man with an unforgettable past. He finally gets the chance to receive the life he deserves through this perfect girl: she can both look through and help him deal with his past. However, he eventually comes to the conclusion that he doesn’t deserve it… when it’s too late. Through the flashback form of the song, the singer slowly begins to understand the tragedy of what's occurred-- and finally ends wishing they could escape his torturous life.

Sorry I couldn’t analyze the musical aspects of this song as well, there was just so much poetic material to work with!