Terrapin Ben Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 So i love how poetic Tweedys lyrics can be. It is one of the more appealing aspects of Wilcos music to me. Sometimes I get it, sometimes i don't. Sometimes the music moves me one way and lyrics push me another. Bottom line, there is some very powerful music produced by Wilco (lyrically adn musically) and i think Company in My Back ranks pretty high up there is this reguard. But what is the song about? I honestly have no idea. Maybe some of you do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Hmm. Distractions from Love. I guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 a bug getting squished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
learnhowtosteer Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 The tune is about migraines I think. He talks about puking and being forcibly slowed down. His body being taken over by an alien force (company in my back, steady rush). That's my guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusetc84 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I always thought the chorus line was an ellusion to the whole YHF fiasco. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrapin Ben Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 hmmm... very interesting. right now i think a bug getting squished is the most right on. or at least with me, you know? no. you don't know... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lamradio Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I always thought the chorus line was an ellusion to the whole YHF fiasco. If you've read Jeffs poetry book, there are several poems in there that contain lyrics to future Wilco songs. Company In My Back is one of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxiebean Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I always picture Kafka's The Metamorphosis ie. a cockroach carrying an egg case - a metaphor for the pressures of family, the listening public, band-mates, other responsibilities, etc etc. Not that I would claim that's what the song is about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Conrad Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I think it's about back pain. And love. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrapin Ben Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 I too would agree that it's about love. But is it about love lost? A broken heart? A difficult relationship? I mean, i just don't know. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Multinational corporations oppressing the poet, and/or an allegorical retelling of the band's split with Reprise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Distractions from Love. This. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maddie Hope Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I've thought... Love of writing music and making music... However "a company" being "life"...You learn slow to live or die from the pressures... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gobias Industries Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I'm pretty sure all it's about a bug that likes creeping on humans (I mean this in the "omg, tis guyz is creepin on my fbs!" creeping sense). But I could most definitely be wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beautiful & Stoned Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not sure but "hide your soft skin, your sorrow is sunshine, listen to my eyes, they are hissing radiator tunes" is one of my favorites. I don't know why, but my mind spins about six times faster than usual when thinking about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky speaks Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 He has the Verizon network behind him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saluqi Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 The tune is about migraines I think. He talks about puking and being forcibly slowed down. His body being taken over by an alien force (company in my back, steady rush). That's my guess. spot on Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DocShock Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 He has the Verizon network behind him. Nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I'm a poet myself, but I still took the refrain a bit more literally: http://shups.wordpress.com/2007/10/03/parasite-advertising-brand-logos-painted-on-insects/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 there's a bob edwards interview with jeff out there somewhere in which Jeff explains this song (and what a Cherry Ghost is). I'm sure Analogman can find it (he found it for me ages ago). the song is about a bee at a picnic that loves people and gets squished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrapin Ben Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 I would love to read that interview. Thanks for the heads up. What is a cherry ghost, btw? This thread has seems to have raised more questions for me than it has answered. so it goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusetc84 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I would love to read that interview. Thanks for the heads up. What is a cherry ghost, btw? This thread has seems to have raised more questions for me than it has answered. so it goes. I always thought a newly born Ghost, as in a newly dead person. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I always thought a newly born Ghost, as in a newly dead person. that's what i thought, but according to Jeff (in the radio interview, no hardcopy) it is a sweet memory. there is a thread on here somewhere about it too. the bob edwards interview might be linked in that thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrapin Ben Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 i often interpreted it as a newly formed memory. Moreover, i thought it was about ending a relationship or something along those lines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.lo Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 it is a sweet memoryawe, I love that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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