grizzly_
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What is this song about?
- Thread starter grizzly_
- Start date
noharleyyet
Well-known member
There's a voice that I can hear sometimes out here on the mountain
When it's dark and the sky is pouring acid like a fountain
And the Memories like coal dust stain the window of my eyes
So ask them no more questions they can't sell you no more lies
I hear voices all around me in society's depression
Over and over they recite their first impression
The rivers are all crying but the ocean cannot speak
Until her waters crash into uncharted shores so dark and bleak
How I wish somebody'd make these voices go away
Seems they're always talking but they ain't got much to say
A picture's worth a 1000 words but a word ain't worth a dime
And we all know they'll go on talking til the end of time
Don't call it a sign of the times when it's always been this way
Forked tongues and voices behind curtains with no name
They plot their wicked schemes setting fate for all mankind
With evil that can fill God's pretty skies with clouds that burn and blind
How I wish somebody'd make these voices go away
Seems they're always talking but they ain't got much to say
A picture's worth a 1000 words but a word ain't worth a dime
And we all know they'll go on talking til the end of time
Sturgil isn't an easy ready....this critic agrees
www.nytimes.com
When it's dark and the sky is pouring acid like a fountain
And the Memories like coal dust stain the window of my eyes
So ask them no more questions they can't sell you no more lies
I hear voices all around me in society's depression
Over and over they recite their first impression
The rivers are all crying but the ocean cannot speak
Until her waters crash into uncharted shores so dark and bleak
How I wish somebody'd make these voices go away
Seems they're always talking but they ain't got much to say
A picture's worth a 1000 words but a word ain't worth a dime
And we all know they'll go on talking til the end of time
Don't call it a sign of the times when it's always been this way
Forked tongues and voices behind curtains with no name
They plot their wicked schemes setting fate for all mankind
With evil that can fill God's pretty skies with clouds that burn and blind
How I wish somebody'd make these voices go away
Seems they're always talking but they ain't got much to say
A picture's worth a 1000 words but a word ain't worth a dime
And we all know they'll go on talking til the end of time
Sturgil isn't an easy ready....this critic agrees
A Country Lament Sinks Into Despair (Published 2014)
Sturgill Simpson’s “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” is a triumph of exhaustion, one of the most jolting country albums in recent memory.
grizzly_
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Yep! I've got my theory but I'd love to hear others first so I don't poison anybody's views.
Do you have any ideas?
RobertD
Well-known member
I'll throw in.
I know it's pretentious but I'll say first, the real meaning of the song is whatever it means to you.
That out of the way, I'd say it's a general commentary on dishonesty and exploitation, and on duplicitous actors being part of the human experience, with a coal mining flavor in some of the metaphors - which appears in a lot of his work.
That'd be my best attempt but Harley is right, not an easy read. Sturgill is a treasure, I don't know if he's ever written a bad song!
I know it's pretentious but I'll say first, the real meaning of the song is whatever it means to you.
That out of the way, I'd say it's a general commentary on dishonesty and exploitation, and on duplicitous actors being part of the human experience, with a coal mining flavor in some of the metaphors - which appears in a lot of his work.
That'd be my best attempt but Harley is right, not an easy read. Sturgill is a treasure, I don't know if he's ever written a bad song!
Otto Matic
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Yeah, not a big fan.
It's a liberal anti conservative anthem.
It's a liberal anti conservative anthem.
RobertD
Well-known member
How ya figure Otto?
np307
Well-known member
Pretty sure its just a catalogue of the different "voices" calling out to Sturgill. Memories from the past, the earth itself, religion, but ultimately the corporate lever-pullers who lots of people from Kentucky and WV blame for all their problems.
He laments that the voices never stop, particularly the lever-pullers, in the continual downward spiral of humanity's existence. Promising one thing while delivering another.
He laments that the voices never stop, particularly the lever-pullers, in the continual downward spiral of humanity's existence. Promising one thing while delivering another.
R
rwc101
Guest
Play it backward and it's actually the opening paragraph of The Communist Manifesto.
MTLabrador
Well-known member
Lennonist…
geetar
Well-known member
Only Sturgill really knows but to me it seems like a lament of hard times related to the coal business in his home state of Kentucky, the effects of the environmental damage left by the coal business, and a disdain for the dishonesty of political leaders, crooked businessmen, and maybe dishonest religious leaders as well.
RobertD
Well-known member
That's just McCartneyism, accusing people of being Lennonists
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Well done....
JustinsDad
Well-known member
Evil coal mining companies. Acid rain, poisoning the rivers and ocean.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
He was 35-36 when he recorded Metamodern (2013 & 2014). Some good perspectives posted and I think everyone has to measure what it means to themselves (as per RobertD). He is no doubt one of best players, writers, and singers out there.
I believe he draws on his own experiences in the treacherous music industry, regional Kentucky stories and legends, family...etc. Or maybe he's simply an ornery outlaw country hippie. Seems like somedays he's level...others dour and pissed at the world. When he was really hard charging thru a period a couple years ago, I thought 'eff' this tortured artist guy...but he's too damn good to ignore.
Your take?
J
Jason73
Guest
That song means you should be listening to Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan. It actually doesn't mean that, but you should listen to Cody and Whitey. Sturgill can't go away soon enough for me.
RobertD
Well-known member
Love Sturgill but man I do recommend Cody any chance I get.
grizzly_
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Several others have pulled at strings that coalesce around my thoughts, much of which comes from the totality of Sturgill's work and not just this one song.
"Voices" seems to be part environmental concern as well as a commentary on the mega-complexes of the world (industrial, political, media, etc...) I also see a rejection of the war industry in the "sign of the times" verse but that may be my projecting from some of his other songs.
My take is that Sturgill is a deep thinker and I feel he is sometimes bothered by what he sees as an overly-simplistic lack-of-introspection from others that contributes to his tortured soul.
I think Sturgill is brilliant, but maybe too much so for his own good.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss... I get neither from his writings.
"Voices" seems to be part environmental concern as well as a commentary on the mega-complexes of the world (industrial, political, media, etc...) I also see a rejection of the war industry in the "sign of the times" verse but that may be my projecting from some of his other songs.
My take is that Sturgill is a deep thinker and I feel he is sometimes bothered by what he sees as an overly-simplistic lack-of-introspection from others that contributes to his tortured soul.
I think Sturgill is brilliant, but maybe too much so for his own good.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss... I get neither from his writings.
RobertD
Well-known member
...and that is probably why he covered (and did an incredible job with) "In Bloom" by Nirvana on the Sailor's Guide album.
J
Jason73
Guest
It's always odd to hear touring musicians bitch about fossil fuels/ the environment. They cruise town to town with semi's full of gear and ride on fuel guzzling busses. Neil Young did the same. It's sometimes hard to catch your own hypocrisy. I'm definitely guilty at times as well.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Good read....
radiotexaslive.com
Sturgill Simpson Was Right, But Great Music Doesn't Need Nashville's Recognition
Sturgill Simpson was right when he railroaded the ACM about Merle Haggard, but great music doesn't need help from Nashville.
radiotexaslive.com
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