Jump to content

Sending SkyBlueSky Lyrics to Incarcerated Friend


Recommended Posts

I have a friend who recently began a stint in prison.

He was put "in the hole" for 10 days and said he would transcribe Wilco lyrics on the wall to try to maintain his sanity.

 

When I write him letters, I usually end with lyrics from a Wilco song.

I'm sure its going to be killing him that there is a new Wilco album out and he won't be able to hear it.

Anyway, anyone got any lyrics from the new LP for a future inclusion? What song would you recommend starting with for poignancy, poetic merit etc?

Link to post
Share on other sites

oh i meant "in the hole" as in solitary confinement.

 

do you guys think this is a superior wilco album in terms of songwriting?

my first impression, having barely heard the thing once and certainly subject to change, is that it may not be. the opening lines of "on and on and on" for instance sorta bothered me. (the part leading up to and including "not ignoring whats inside" or whatever)

Link to post
Share on other sites
What song would you recommend starting with for poignancy, poetic merit etc?

You should stick with the other Wilco albums if you're looking for poignancy and poetic merit. :hmm

 

How many letters can you write to a guy in 10 days anyway?

 

Not to be insensitive to his situation. I'm just curious.

I'm guessing that the '10 days in the hole' were part of a much longer prison sentence.

Link to post
Share on other sites
You should stick with the other Wilco albums if you're looking for poignancy and poetic merit. :hmm

 

this was my sort of kneejerk reaction to the new album as well. didn't appear to be the strongest of jeff tweedy songwriting albums. im waiting for someone to take issue with me on this, as i'd like to hear the counterpoints as well as a specific song where the songwriting really shines.

 

again, my instant reaction to "on and on and on" was that the opening stanza was easily the most hallmark-esque kinda like newage bullshit generic songwriting i've heard from these guys.

 

...still think i like the album a lot though.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest tandylacker

So a guy with a screen name of 'dbag', I assume it is short for dimebag. Maybe douche bag though, you never know... Anyhow, a guy with a screen name of 'dbag' comes to ask what songs he should send his friend to write on a wall in prison? Then he just starts debating the merits of the songwriting on SBS...

 

Huh?

 

Either dbag has got the most overthought and over-the-top opening line for a newbie poster or I have just entered into a new level of hell on the viachicago message board.

 

:punch

Link to post
Share on other sites
So a guy with a screen name of 'dbag', I assume it is short for dimebag. Maybe douche bag though, you never know... Anyhow, a guy with a screen name of 'dbag' comes to ask what songs he should send his friend to write on a wall in prison? Then he just starts debating the merits of the songwriting on SBS...

 

Huh?

 

Either dbag has got the most overthought and over-the-top opening line for a newbie poster or I have just entered into a new level of hell on the viachicago message board.

 

:punch

 

haha...i assure you my inquiries are genuine.

this is not a fabricated scenario, although i can see why you'd think that.

Link to post
Share on other sites
this was my sort of kneejerk reaction to the new album as well. didn't appear to be the strongest of jeff tweedy songwriting albums. im waiting for someone to take issue with me on this, as i'd like to hear the counterpoints as well as a specific song where the songwriting really shines.

 

again, my instant reaction to "on and on and on" was that the opening stanza was easily the most hallmark-esque kinda like newage bullshit generic songwriting i've heard from these guys.

 

...still think i like the album a lot though.

 

i think the whole point was simplicity...dont overthink it just write what you feel, at least thats what i got from it, and the ensuing line...

 

"Please don't cry

We're designed to die

Don't deny what's inside"

 

...certainly wouldnt come off any hallmark card ive seen

Link to post
Share on other sites
So a guy with a screen name of 'dbag', I assume it is short for dimebag.

 

Or "douchebag." (Come on. I kid because I love.)

 

As somebody who thoroughly loathed the early live versions of On and On and On, but genuinely loves the studio take, I have to say that I think the song is shortchanged unless it's regarded as a finished whole.

 

I'm not anybody's idea of a spiritual guy, but there's this great proverb in the Gita that I can never quite remember, the gist of which is that nothing can ever change the fact that we were here - that our lives, regardless of what happens next, happened. There's something beautifully reassuring about that sentiment to me, the idea that our lives are inviolate and can't be denied. The lyrics of this song remind me of that proverb, especially the part that goes:

 

"One day we'll disapear

Together in a dream

However short or long

Our lives are gonna be"

 

While I agree that there's some pap on this record (sorry, everybody who doesn't think "What Light" and "Either Way" are two of Jeff's weaker songs), I think there are also some beautiful lines. In fact, I'd argue that the stretch of songs beginning with "You Are My Face" and ending with "Shake It Off" are representative of Jeff Tweedy's writing at its very best. I'm especially fond of the first verse of "Side With the Seeds":

 

"The tires tar black

The blacktop cracks

Leaves fall through

Dark green enough to be blue"

 

Compared to AGIB, I think SBS stands up pretty well. Like that record, it's a nice mixture of straightforward Tweedy songs a la Being There and the slightly more abstract/interpretive ones from YHF. I dig both schools equally, so I'm a damned happy camper.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...