caspian915 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 hey all, I'm new to this forum. I tried to search this out, but no luck. I've been listening again to The Late Greats (any version I have) for the first time in awhile. The last stanza reads on every website: The best song will never get sung The best life never leaves your lungs So good, you won't ever know I never hear it on the radio Can't hear it on the radio However, I had been hearing "the best laugh never leaves your lungs," which I kinda think fits better. It just seems like a more precise metaphor. But honestly, I have yet to find a version of the song that helps discern between "laugh" and "life." I figure it's probably "life" at this point, but has anyone else thought it sounded like "laugh"? Does anyone know what I mean when I say that I think laugh seems like the more appropriate word in this context? sps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Jeff has said it's "life". And, welcome to Via Chicago! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Groo Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 It's "life", which I think sounds better anyway . To each his own, I suppose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barnyard pimp Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 The lyrics that come with the album (ahem) confirm 'life'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 The lyrics that come with the album (ahem) confirm 'life'. Oh, sure, read the album lyrics. Too easy and obvious! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sgtpepper64 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Wow, it's life? I always thought it was laugh and always loved that line. Good either way though. Great, underrated wilco song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lamradio Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Great, underrated wilco song. I agree.. IMO, one of their top 5 best songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 that's been my favorite line from that record since the first time I heard it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I always interpreted that line to mean that the best qualities of all of us are not tangible. When we take our last breath (ie, life leaving our lungs) the best of us lives on. Now that there's a discussion about that line I wonder if others interpret it the same way? I think my interpretation of that line certainly goes hand in hand with Less Than You Think and the drone that precedes it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Musicians often have dreams of these perfect and beautiful songs, but when they wake and try to recapture them they find them gone, or impossible to recreate. To me the line "The best song will never get sung" sort of signifies this and how somethings just sound grander in your head--due in part to the lack of physical limitations in that world--and voicing them aloud could never do justice to the way you hear them internally. The following line "The best life never leaves your lungs" I see mirroring the previous line in that the internal life (or dream life) is invariably richer or freer than the external one, and that life you carry with you always, and though it may never manifest externally, it's there to inspire you and keep you going through thick and thin. I'm sure I'm probably way off on these ideas but that's the beauty of lyrics; there are so many interpretations to be had. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Musicians often have dreams of these perfect and beautiful songs, but when they wake and try to recapture them they find them gone, or impossible to recreate. To me the line "The best song will never get sung" sort of signifies this and how somethings just sound grander in your head--due in part to the lack of physical limitations in that world--and voicing them aloud could never do justice to the way you hear them internally. The following line "The best life never leaves your lungs" I see mirroring the previous line in that the internal life (or dream life) is invariably richer or freer than the external one, and that life you carry with you always, and though it may never manifest externally, it's there to inspire you and keep you going through thick and thin. I'm sure I'm probably way off on these ideas but that's the beauty of lyrics; there are so many interpretations to be had. I like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gabe32 Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 in jeff tweedy's book of poetry, it's "laugh" not "life." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barnyard pimp Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.