Wishful Thinking
Fill up your mind with all it can know
Don’t forget that your body will let it all go
Fill up your mind with all it can know
What would we be without wishful thinking?
Chambers of chains
With red plastic mouths
The inside of outside
No one has found
How to unring the bell
It’s just as well
The turntable sizzles
The casting of spells
The pressure devices
Hell in a nutshell
Is any song worth singing if it doesn’t help?
v
Fill up your mind with all it can know
Don’t forget that your body can let it all go
Fill up your mind with all it can know
’Cause what would love be without wishful thinking?
Open your arms
As far as they will go
Take off your dress
An embarrassing poem was written when I was alone
In love with you
I shook down these lines
To shine up the streets
I got up off my hands and knees
To thank my lucky stars that you’re not me
What would we be without wishful thinking?
What would we be without wishful thinking?
What would we be without wishful thinking?
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy Vocals, Acoustic Baritone 12 String Acoustic Guitar
John Stirratt Bass
Glenn Kotche Drums
Leroy Bach Vibes
Mikael Jorgensen Piano and Farfisa Organ
Jim O'Rourke Korg CX-3 Organ
Quiet Amplifier
I wish your world was mine
I wish your world was mine
Prayers run along the wires
Honey, no train's going to come
I have waited my whole life
I've tried in my way to love everyone
I wish your world was mine
I wish your world was mine
I have a quiet amplifier
Silence seems more true
Every guitar is denied
I've tried in my way to love you
I wish your world was mine
I wish your world was mine
I wouldn't mind feeling fine
I wish your world was mine
If only your world was mine
If only your world was mine
Shy little stars must shine
Shy little flowers on the vine
Company In My Back
I attack with love, pure bug beauty, curl my lips and crawl up to you
I attack with love, pure bug beauty, curl my lips and crawl up to you
And your afternoon
And I’ve been puking
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
Hide your soft skin; your sorrow is sunshine; listen to my eyes
Hide your soft skin; your sorrow is sunshine; listen to my eyes
They are hissing radiator tunes
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
You learn so slow, old radiant beauty; I’ll curve my flight
You learn so slow, old radiant beauty; I’ll curve my flight
Under your bended knee
And I will always die
I will always die
I will always die, so you can remember me
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
I move so slow, steady crushing hand; holy shit! there’s a company in my back
There’s a company in my back
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
John Stirratt Bass
Glenn Kotche Drums, Hammer Dulcimer & Percussion
Leroy Bach Piano & Korg CX-3 Organ
Mikael Jorgensen Fenix Modular Synthesizer & Stylophone
Jim O'Rourke Acoustic Guitar
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
I am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you
Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke so please stop smiling
What was I thinking when I said it didn't hurt
I want to glide through those brown eyes dreaming
Take you from the inside (baby) hold on tight
You were so right when you said I've been drinking
What was I thinking when we said good night
I want to hold you in the bible black predawn
You're quite a quiet domino bury me now
Take off your band aid cuz I don't believe in touchdowns
What was I thinking when we said hello
I always thought that if I held you tightly
You would always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep in the city kept blinking
What was I thinking when I let you back in
I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart
Disposable Dixie cup drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I've been hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you
(I'm the man who loves you)
One Wing
We once belonged to a bird
We cast a shadow on this world
You were a blessing, and I was a curse
I did my best not to make things worse
For you
That isn’t true
I always knew this would be your fate
This is what happens when wings separate
This happens to all dead weight
Eventually
We may as well be made of stone
We can’t be flown
One wing will never fly
Neither yours nor mine, I fear
We can only wave goodbye
One wing will never ever fly
Neither yours nor mine
One wing will never ever fly, dear
Neither yours nor mine, I fear
We can only wave goodbye
One wing will never ever fly, dear
Neither yours nor mine, I fear
We can only wave goodbye
Bye, bye
Bye, bye
Bye, bye
Bye, bye
Bird Without a Tail / Base of My Skull
There was a man with a double deed
Who sowed his garden full of seed
When the seed began to grow
Was like a garden full of snow
When the snow began to melt
Was like a ship without a belt
When the ship began to sail
Was like a bird without a tail
When the bird began to fly
Like an eagle in the sky
When the sky began to roar
Was like a lion at my door
When my door began to crack
Was like a stick across my back
When my back began to smart
Was like a penknife in my heart
When my heart began to bleed
Was death and death indeed
When my heart began to bleed
Was death and death indeed
written by Jeff Tweedy
It's Just That Simple
There's a whole lot of money that you gave me
I'd gladly empty my pockets right now
You'd parlay all that by triple
It's just that simple
Those days I'd gladly walk so long for you
Although it seemed I crawled most of the way
After some time I felt like a cripple
It's just that simple
Last week I was thinking about traveling by land
And the time you remember we were by the lake
It wasn't even like we made a ripple
It's just that simple
In my head, the time didn't make a ripple
It's just that simple
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Max Johnston – mandolin
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – guitar
Lloyd Maines – pedal steel guitar
Art of Almost
No!
I froze
I can’t be so
Far away from my wasteland
I never know when I might
Ambulance
Hoist the horns with my own hands
Almost
Almost
I heard a faint olé
True love but
I had other ways to hurt myself
Like calling
I could open up my heart
And fall in and
I could blame it all on dust
The Art of Almost
Almost
Almost
Almost
I’ll hold it up
I’ll shake the grail
Disobey across the waves
Tomorrow
I’ll have all the love I could ever ache
And I’ll leave almost with you
All of almost
Almost
Art of almost
Almost
Art of almost
Almost
Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again)
We'll find a way regardless
To make some sense out of this mess
Well it's a test but I believe
A kiss is all we need
All the above for being in love
Shouldn't that alone be enough
Oh it's tough when love's a weed
It grows inside of me
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my way again
Waste the days, waste the nights
Try to downplay being uptight
Oh you're right but I believe
A kiss is all we need
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my
Nothing's ever gonna stand in my way again
A watch that ticks is
Wrapped around my wrist, oh no
I'm a bomb regardless, oh
I'm a bomb regardless, oh
I'm a bomb regardless, oh
I'm a bomb regardless, oh
We'll find a way
We'll find a way
We'll find a way
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our way again
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our
Nothing's ever gonna stand in our way again
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar, claps
Jay Bennett – acoustic, baritone, and e-bow guitars, piano, keyboards,
tambourine, backing vocals, claps
John Stirratt – bass, backing vocals
Ken Coomer – drums
What Light
If you feel like singing a song
And you want other people to sing along
Just sing what you feel
Don’t let anyone say it’s wrong
And if you’re trying to paint a picture
But you’re not sure which colors belong
Just paint what you see
Don’t let anyone say it’s wrong
And if you’re strung out like a kite
Or stung awake in the night
It’s alright to be frightened
When there’s a light (what light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (white light)
Inside of you
If you think you might need somebody
To pick you up when you drag
Don’t lose sight of yourself
Don’t let anyone change your bag
And if the whole world’s singing your songs
And all of your paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours
Is everyone’s from now on
And that’s not wrong or right
But you can struggle with it all you like
You'll only get uptight
And there’s a light (what light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (one light)
Well, there’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (one light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (white light)
Inside of you
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (white light)
There’s a light (one light)
Written by Jeff Tweedy
Hesitating Beauty
For your sparkling cocky smile
I have walked a million miles
Begging you to come wed me in the Spring
Why do you my dear delay,
what makes you laugh and turn away?
You're a hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
Well I know that you are itching to get married,
Nora Lee
And I know I am twitching for the same thing,
Nora Lee
By the stars and clouds above,
we can spend our lives in love
You're a hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
We can build a house and home
where the flowers come to bloom
Around our yard I'll nail a fence so high
That the boys with peeping eyes
cannot see that angel face
Of my hesitating beauty, Nora Lee
We can ramble hand in hand
across the grasses of our land
I'll kiss you for each leaf on every tree
We can bring our kids to play
where the dry winds blow today
If you’ll quit your hesitating, Nora Lee
Words: Woody Guthrie 1949
Music: Jeff Tweedy 1997
Jay Bennett: piano, electric guitar, backing vocal
Billy Bragg: electric guitar
Ken Coomer: drums
John Stirratt: electric bass
Jeff Tweedy: lead vocal
Secret of the Sea
Who can guess the secret of the sea? Who can
guess the secret of the sea? If you can guess the
secret of my love for you We both could know the
secret of the sea
Tell me, could you ever tell the secret of the sea?
Of these high rolling waves along the shore? The
footprints of the lovers that come here to love, By
the tides washed away forever more
Who can guess the secret of the sea? Who can
guess the secret of the sea? If you can guess the
secret of my love for you We both could know the
secret of the sea
You claim to know the secret of a kiss and a hug
And the secret of the grass and of the trees And if
you can tell the secret of a warm friends hand
Then we all would feel the secrets of the sea
Who can guess the secret of the sea? Who can
guess the secret of the sea? If you can guess the
secret of my love for you We both could know the
secret of the sea
Published by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. (BMI)/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing
Corp./Words-Ampersand Music (BMI)/You Want A Piece Of This Music (ASCAP),
administered by Bug Music
Words: Woody Guthrie 1939
Music: Jay Bennett/Jeff Tweedy 1999
Jay Bennett: pianos, acoustic guitars, organ, tambourine, baritone guitar, slide
guitars, electric sitars, backing vocals, electric guitars
Ken Coomer: drums
John Stirratt: bass, backing vocal
Jeff Tweedy: vocal, 12-string acoutic guitar
You And I
You and I
We might be strangers
However close we get sometimes
It’s like we never met
But you and I
I think we can take it
All the good with the bad
Make something that no one else has but
You and I
You and I
Me and you
What can we do
When the words we use sometimes
Are misconstrued
I won’t guess
What’s coming next
I can’t ever tell
You’re the deepest well I’ve ever fallen into
Oh, I don’t want to know
Oh, I don’t want to know
Oh, I don’t need to know
Everything about you
Oh, I don’t want to know
And you don’t need to know
That much about me
You and I
We might be strangers
However close we get sometimes
It’s like we never met
But you and I
I think we can take it
All the good with the bad
Make something that no one else has
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
You and I
Impossible Germany
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
Wherever you go
Wherever you land
I’ll say what this means to me
I’ll do what I can
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
(The) fundamental problem
We all need to face
This is important
But I know you’re not listening
Oh I know you’re not listening
If this was still new to me
I wouldn’t understand
Impossible Germany
Unlikely Japan
But this is what love is for
To be out of place
Gorgeous and alone
Face to face
With no larger problems
That need to be erased
Nothing more important than to know
Someone’s listening
Now I know
You’ll be listening
Written by Jeff Tweedy and Wilco
Hate It Here
I try to stay busy
I do the dishes, I mow the lawn
I try to keep myself occupied
Even though I know you’re not coming home
I try to keep the house nice and neat
I make my bed I change the sheets
I even learned how to use the washing machine
But keeping things clean doesn’t change anything
What am I gonna do when I run out of shirts to fold?
What am I gonna do when I run out of lawn to mow?
What am I gonna do if you never come home?
Tell me, what am I gonna do?
I hate it
I hate it here
When you’re gone
I caught myself thinking
I caught myself thinking once again
Have to try to keep my mind out of this
Try not to pretend
I’ll check the phone
I’ll check the mail
I’ll check the phone again and I call your mom
She says you’re not there and I should take care
I hate it here
When you’re gone
I hate it
I hate it here
When you’re gone
I try to stay busy
I take out the trash, I sweep the floor
Try to keep myself occupied
Cause I know you don’t live here anymore
Written by Jeff Tweedy and Wilco
Walken
I’m walking
All by myself
I was talking to myself about you
What am I going to do
I was singing
This song about you
I was thinking about singing
This song for you
The more I think about it
The more I know it’s true
The more I think about it
The more I’m sure it’s you
Honey I think you’re just right
You’re just right
I was walking
Like I said by myself
I was talking
To myself about you
Like I always do
The more I think about it
The more I know it’s true
The more I think about it
The more I’m sure it’s you
Honey, I think you’re just right
You’re just right
The more I think about it
The more I know it’s true
The more I think about it
The more I’m sure it’s you
Honey, I think you’re just right
You’re just right
Written by Jeff Tweedy and Wilco
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, electric guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Glenn Kotche – drums
Mikael Jorgensen – piano, Hammond B3 organ
Nels Cline – lap steel
Pat Sansone – electric guitar
Dark Neon
I was sitting safely, across the road
From a rusting scaffolding, picking my nose
When a bird spoke up from high on that dark neon
He said, "I bet there're some things that you should come clean up"
Ohhhh I didn't know
Ohh where to begin
Like you do not know
Ohh I set the emotion
I was beating up babies, babies I mean
That don't look like babies, but they're babies to me
I was looking around for my very own best friend
Couldn't help feeling things would come to an end
I always let you go
And then you let me back in
This is a status quo
Oh nobody wins
I was feeling sorry
So sorry for myself
I was trying to take it easy, but that wasn't helping
Birds spoke up, this time I think it was a dove
He said, "I bet there're some things that you should come clean up"
Ohhh that's so it's so
Oh you look through my skin
Ohhh how did he know
Oh and what was he in
Keep fooling myself
Keep fooling myself
Keep fooling myself
I keep fooling myself
I might need your help
I keep fooling myself
I might need your help
I can't just keep fooling myself
I let you go
Hun you let me back in
It's the status quo
And nobody wins
Ohhhh!
The Late Greats
The greatest lost track of all-time
The Late Greats’s “Turpentine”
You can’t hear it on the radio
Can’t hear it anywhere you go
The best band will never get signed
The Kay-Sette’s starring Butcher’s Blind
So good you won’t ever know
They never even played a show
Can’t hear ‘em on the radio
The greatest singer in Rock-n-Roll
Would have to be Romeo
His vocal chords are made of gold
He just looks a little too old
The best songs will never get sung
The best life never leaves your lungs
So good you won’t ever know
You’ll never hear it on the radio
You can’t hear it on the radio
Heavy Metal Drummer
I sincerely miss
Those heavy metal bands
I used to go see
On the landing in the summer
She fell in love with the drummer
She fell in love with the drummer
She fell in love
Shiny shiny pants
Bleached blond hair
A double kick drum
By the river in the summer
she fell in love with the drummer
another
then another
she fell in love
I miss the innocence I've known
Playing Kiss covers
Beautiful and stoned
Unlock my body
And move myself to dance
Into warm liquid
flowing blowing glass
classical music blasting
masks the ringing in my ears
Oh I sincerely miss
Those heavy metal bands
I used to go see
On the landing in the summer
She fell in love with the drummer
She fell in love with another
She fell in love
I miss the innocence I've known
Playing Kiss covers
Beautiful and stoned
I miss the innocence I've known
Playing Kiss covers
Beautiful and stoned
Playing Kiss covers
Beautiful and stoned
Playing Kiss covers
Beautiful and stoned
I'm the Man Who Loves You
All I can see
Is black and white
And white and pink
With blades of blue
That lay between
The words I think
On a page
I was meaning
To send to you
I couldn't tell
If it would
Bring my heart
The way I wanted
When I started
Writing this letter to you
But if I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
All I can be
Is a busy sea
Of spinning wheels
And hands that feel
For stones to throw
And feet that run
But come back home
It makes no difference
Ever known
Makes no difference
Ever known to me
But if I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
All I can see
Is black and white
And white and pink
With blades of blue
That lay between
The words I think
On a page
I was meaning
To send to you
I couldn't tell
If it would
Bring my heart
The way I wanted
When I started
Writing this letter to you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
If I could
You know I would
Just hold your hand
And you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
I'm the man who loves you
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
I know we don't talk much
But you're such a good talker
Oh-whoa
Well I know we should take a walk
But you're such a fast walker, oh-whoa,
Well alright
I know where I'll be tonight, alright
Outta mind outta site
Well okay
I know you don't love me
But you'll still be thinking of me, oh-whoa
Well alright
I know you probably hate me
That's okay with me
Alright!
I know where I'll be tonight, alright
Outta mind outta site
Outta mind outta site
You don't see me now
You don't want to anyhow
Look out
Here I come again
And I'm bringing my friends
Look out
Here I come again
I'm bringing my friends
Okay, alright, okay alright!
I know where I'll be tonight, alright
Outta mind outta site
Outta mind outta si-ite
Outta mind outta si-i-i-ite
Falling Apart (Right Now)
Now don’t you fall apart
While I’m falling apart
Why don’t you get in line
Behind the tears I’m crying
I know our hearts
Aren’t very smart
But you’re gonna have to learn
Learn when it isn’t you turn
Somehow
‘Cause I’m gonna be the only one
Falling apart right now
Now don’t you lose your mind
While I’m looking for mine
You’re gonna have to stay strong
A little longer this time
I know our hearts
Aren’t a la carte
But baby being blue
When it comes to me and you
It’s always on the menu
So sit down
Because I’m gonna be the only one
Falling apart right now
Now don’t you fall apart
When you’re breaking my heart
Why don’t you get in line
Behind the tears I’m crying
I know our hearts
Aren’t very smart
But you’re gonna have to learn
Learn when it isn’t you turn
Your gonna have to keep it together
Somehow
‘Cause I’m gonna be the only one
I’m going to be the only one
I’m going to be the only one
Falling apart right now
written by Jeff Tweedy
Cortez The Killer [Neil Young cover]
California Stars
I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd love to feel your hand touching mine
And tell me why I must keep working on
Yes I'd give my life to lay my head tonight
On a bed of California stars
I'd like to dream my troubles all away
On a bed of California stars
Jump up from my starbed and make another day
Underneath my California stars
They hang like grapes on vines that shine
And warm the lovers' glass like friendly wine
So, I'd give this world
just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
Published by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc./Warner-Tamerlane Publishing
Corp./Words-Ampersand Music [BMI]/Titanic Majesties Music [ASCAP]
Words: Woody Guthrie [no date]
Music: Jay Bennett/Jeff Tweedy 1997
Jay Bennett: piano, backing vocal
Billy Bragg: acoustic guitar
Ken Coomer: drums and percussion
Corey Harris: lap steel guitar
Eliza Carthy: violin
John Stirratt: electric bass, backing vocal
Jeff Tweedy: acoustic guitar, lead vocal