SONG OF THE DAY

“You Never Know” – Wilco (Wilco (The Album), Nonesuch, 2009). Written by Jeff Tweedy.

INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia)

– The song was released as the first single of the album, and it reached the #1 spot on the AAA Chart, their first #1 in twelve years.

– The song was written and recorded in New Zealand, and originally created for Neil Finn’s The Sun Came Out, a benefit album for Oxfam. KT Tunstall, Lisa Germano and several others also contributed to the album-for-a-cause.

– The album was recorded at two studios: Roundhead studios in Auckland, New Zealand and The Wilco Loft, Irving Park, Chicago [sounds like a cool place to hang out]

– According to lead singer Jeff Tweedy, the band “allow[ed] [themselves] a little bit more leeway in terms of sculpting the sound in the studio and doing overdubs and using the studio as another instrument” on this album.

– DRAMA & CONTROVERSY! On May 13, 2009, the album was leaked on the internet, and Wilco promptly responded by streaming the album for free on their website. The stream resulted in over 100,000 visits to Wilco’s website on the first day. The band also suggested that those who downloaded the leaked copy make a charitable donation to Inspiration Corporation, an organization that assists low-income families in Chicago.

– The album was named after the band because it “[felt] like what the band was meant to be”.

– The group named itself “Wilco” after the CB radio voice procedure for “Will Comply”, a choice which Tweedy has called “fairly ironic for a rock band to name themselves.”

– The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar’s departure. However, the lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation.

– John Stirratt’s “It’s Just That Simple” on their 1st album A.M. was the only song Wilco ever released that was lyrically solely written by a member besides Tweedy [in other words, he is either the collaborator or sole author of every single other song Wilco has released].

– DRAMA & CONTROVERSY! For their second album, Being There, Tweedy was concerned about the high retail price that a double album would be sold for (at least $30), so he asked Reprise Records to release it as a double album at a single album price ($17.98 or less). Reprise agreed to this on the terms that they received Wilco’s share of the album royalties. It was estimated in 2003 that the band lost almost $600,000 on the deal, but Tweedy was satisfied.

– DRAMA & CONTROVERSY! After the recording sessions were complete for their 4th album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002), their their-label Reprise Records rejected the album and dismissed Wilco from the label. As part of a buy-out deal, Reprise gave Wilco the rights to the album for free. After streaming Foxtrot on its website, Wilco sold the album to Nonesuch Records in 2002. Both record labels are subsidiaries of Warner Music Group, leading one critic to say that the album showed “how screwed up the music business [was] in the early twenty-first century.” Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is Wilco’s most successful release to date, selling over 590,000 copies.

– Wilco won two Grammy Awards for their fifth studio album, 2004’s A Ghost Is Born, including Best Alternative Music Album.

– Influences and inspirations for the band include the following: John Cale, particularly his album Paris 1919; John Lennon; Neil Young; Brian Wilson; Television; Jason & the Scorchers; The Minutemen; Ornette Coleman [who I know in 3 degrees]; Albert Ayler; Derek Bailey; Miles Davis; John Coltrane; William H. Gass’s In the Heart of the Heart of the Country; Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer; Harold Bloom’s The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry.

– The lyrical structure of Wilco’s songs were dictated by classic literature and cadavre exquis—an exercise where band members take turns writing lines on a typewriter, but are only allowed to see the previously written line.

–Pete Yorn’s song “Crystal Village” was influenced by Wilco’s “She’s A Jar.” On his 2004 album Live From New Jersey he introduces the song by saying, “Someone accused me of ripping off Cat Stevens. And I was like, ‘That’s bullshit, man. I would never rip off Cat Stevens.’ I ripped off Wilco on that song.”

-Norah Jones, Counting Crows, the Wallflowers and Donavon Frankenreiter have all covered Wilco songs.

MY TAKE

I will be honest and say that when I first heard this song (in the car on 93.9 The River, of course) I wrote down some lyrics, and then in large letters scrawled “Elvis Costello!?” I couldn’t place the sound, but it felt so familiar. I also thought it sounded like casual Sloan or Air song, or something from the 1970’s, maybe Gilbert O’Sullivan? It jumped off The Virgin Suicides or Girl, Interrupted soundtracks. Incidentally, I always consider these two soundtracks together, and have rarely spoken of them separately. Apparently, amazon feels the same because when I do a search for Girl, both soundtracks appear in the results.

Anyhow, I was actually very surprised when I googled and found out it was Wilco, because I’m not too familiar with their work. I’ve been meaning to, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Eventually I’ll get in the right time and place and mental-musical space for their oeuvre (see my Talking Heads post, and you’ll see how when it’s time to be a fan, it’s time).

I’ve been a mini-fan since 2000 though, when I borrowed Girl, Interrupted soundtrack from the library, burned it (of course), and never stopped listening to it to this day. Wilco’s “How To Fight Loneliness” is one of many earth-shattering tracks on the soundtrack. It’s one of my favorite sad songs… I’ve even made a music video to it (with Maggie as my trusty cohort). One day I’ll blog a list of my Top 10 All-Time Saddest Songs [but not today]. I am also soon due to produce a Top 10 Favorite Soundtracks list [but, again,
this is neither the time or the place for that. <—It sounds vaguely like I’m yelling at myself…”Stop your shenanigans, you little hooligan…” anyone? anyone? Bueller? Bueller?].

Here’s the point: I think the fact that this song reminded me of so many other great musicians, songs and works is a good thing. Even though it’s a hot new 2009 track, just ripe enough to be overplayed and for everyone to be sick of it soon, I don’t think I’ll tire of it. It fits my vibe. Sad-sounding lead vocals casually try to act like they aren’t depressed, twangy vibraphone (?) background occasionally making me remember the 70’s, “oohs” and “ahhs” of back-up vocals to sing along to until I learn the words, just the right ho-hum sort of tempo I can drive along to with my head nodding back and forth, and the overall feeling that I’m at the beginning of a sad moment but I don’t know what it will be yet. Those lyrics “I don’t care anymore, I don’t care anymore” repeat and repeat with their harmonies, but I just don’t believe them.
If the song were a movie, the next scene would be a breakdown as the facade of strength and passive denial collapsed. I’m sure of it, and I love it.

Girl, Interrupted soundtrack track list

1. Merrilee Rush – “Angel of the Morning”
2. Petula Clark – “Downtown“
3. Skeeter Davis – “The End of the World“
4. Aretha Franklin – “The Right Time”
5. Jefferson Airplane – “Comin’ Back to Me”
6. Them – “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue“
7. The Chambers Brothers – “Time Has Come Today'”
8. The Band – “The Weight”
9. The Mamas & the Papas – “Got a Feeling”
10. Wilco – “How To Fight Loneliness”
11. Simon & Garfunkel – “Bookends Theme”

Plus, an incredible score by Mychael Danna which is available for sale here along with the soundtrack (in MP3 format).

Plus, little did I know, the title of the book this film was based on was itself based on a Vermeer painting [something more certainly in my professional line].

Virgin Suicides soundtrack track list (chronologically, as they appear in the film

“On the Horizon” by Sloan (album Navy Blues, 1998)
“Can’t Face Up” (credited “How many times”) by Sloan (One Chord to Another, 1996)
“The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies (Hollies, 1974)
“Magic Man” by Heart (Dreamboat Annie, 1976)
“Crazy on You” by Heart (Dreamboat Annie, 1976)
“Strange Magic” by Electric Light Orchestra (Face the Music, 1975)
“Come Sail Away” by Styx (The Grand Illusion, 1977)
“Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan (Himself, 1971)
“So Far Away” by Carole King (Tapestry, 1971)
“The Lines You Amend” (credited “End It Peacefully”) by Sloan (One Chord to Another, 1996)
“A Dream Goes on Forever” by Todd Rundgren (Todd, 1974)
“Ce Matin-là” by Air (Moon Safari, 1998)
“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” by Al Green (Let’s Stay Together, 1972)
“Everything You’ve Done Wrong” by Sloan (One Chord to Another, 1996)
“The Good in Everyone” by Sloan (One Chord to Another, 1996)
“I’m Not in Love” by 10CC (The Original Soundtrack, 1975)
“Hello, It’s Me” by Todd Rundgren (Something/Anything?, 1972)
“Run to Me” by the Bee Gees (To Whom It May Concern, 1972)

Plus, you’ll just have to check out The Virgin Suicides score, especially if you love Air.

VIDEOS OF THE DAY

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