Bright Leaves
I don't like
The way you're treating me
Warm winter rain
I found my keys
Under the snow
An empty page glowing
Alone for days
Behind a quiet door
Sitting in a drift
Us in a car
Arguing I'd forgive
But I always forget
Which side I'm on
I never change
You never change
It's my fault
There's no decision
Sometimes I'm just a hole
For you to get in
I never change
You never change
Somehow we're bright leaves
You and I beneath the old snow
Being set free by the winter rain
And I know it'll never change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You're never gonna change
You're never gonna change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You never change
You're never gonna change
You're never gonna change
Either Way
Maybe the sun will shine today
The clouds will blow away
Maybe I won’t feel so afraid
I will try to understand
Either way
Maybe you still love me
Maybe you don’t
Either you will or you won’t
Maybe you just need some time alone
I will try to understand
Everything has its plan
Either way
I’m gonna stay
Right for you
Maybe the sun will shine today
The clouds will roll away
Maybe I won’t be so afraid
I will understand everything has its plan
Either way
Written by Jeff Tweedy
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, electric guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Glenn Kotche – drums
Mikael Jorgensen – piano
Nels Cline – lead electric gutiar
Pat Sansone – Hammond A100 organ
Karen Waltuch – viola, violin
Handshake Drugs
I was chewing gum
For something to do
The blinds were being pulled
Down on the dew
Inside out of love
What a laugh I was looking for you
The saxophones
Started blowing me down
I was buried in sound
And the taxi cabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
They were translating poorly
I felt like a clown
I looked like someone I used to know
I felt alright
And if I ever was myself
I wasn’t that night
Oh it’s ok for you to say what you want from me
I believe that’s the only way for me to be
Exactly what you want me to be
Oh it’s ok for you to say what you want from me
I believe that’s the only way for me to be
Exactly what you want me to be
I was chewing gum
For something to do
The blinds were being pulled
Down on the dew
Inside out of love
What a laugh I was looking for you
The saxophones
Started blowing me down
I was buried in sound
And the taxi cabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
Oh it’s ok for you to say what you want from me
I believe that’s the only way for me to be
Exactly what you want me to be
Exactly what do you want me to be
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitar
John Stirratt Bass & Background Vocals
Glenn Kotche Drums
Leroy Bach Piano
Mikael Jorgensen RMI Rock-si-chord
Jim O'Rourke Electric Rhythm Guitar
Tim Barnes Percussion
Side with the Seeds
Tires type black
Where the blacktop cracks
Weeds spark through
Dark green enough to be blue
When the mysteries we believe in
Aren’t dreamed enough to be true
Some side with the leaves
Some side with the seeds
The treetops nod
The rain applauds
The park grows dark
And the swings all slowly die
But you and I will be undefeated
By agreeing to disagree
No one wins but the thieves
So why side with anything
The streetlights glow
Comes and goes
When the sun comes back
As we all can plainly see
Embracing the situation
Is our only chance to be free
I’ll side with you
If you side with me
Written by Jeff Tweedy and Mikael Jorgensen
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, electric guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Glenn Kotche – drums
Mikael Jorgensen – piano
Nels Cline – lead electric gutiar
Pat Sansone – Hammond A100 organ, Mellotron
One and a Half Stars
I wish
Too much
For you
To care
Goldfish
I won
At the fair
Meet the mother
Can't complain
There is
No mother
Like pain
I'm left with only my desire to change
So what
I stay
In bed
All day
I can't
Escape
My domain
Two stories high
In bed
All day
I can't
Escape
My domain
You mean
Too much
To me
I'm angry
I could need
So much
I'm worried
About the way
We're all living
And this
Is my
Love song
I'm left with only my desire to change
So if
I stay
In bed
All day
I won't
Escape
My domain
Two stories high in bed all day
I can't escape my domain
I can't escape my domain
I won't escape my domain
I Must Be High
You
Always wanted more time
To do
What you always wanted to do
Now you got it
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye
You
Never said you needed this
Now you're pissed that you missed
The very last kiss
From my lips
And I, I must be high
To say goodbye
Bye bye bye
You
Never looked in my eyes
Long enough to find
Any piece of mind
But now you got it
And I, I must be high
To let you say goodbye
I must be high
Bye bye bye
Bye bye bye
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Max Johnston – dobro
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – guitar
Lloyd Maines – pedal steel guitar
The Joke Explained
I never held your gaze
I never know my place
I stare at the eyes staring at my face
It always ends in a tie
There is no knitting the divide
I cry at the joke explained
Ah but if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed
I never smoked my chain
Whoever measures the crest
Ah they can have my broken chest
It's a staring contest, in a hall of mirrors
I sweat tears but I don't ever cry
Ah but if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed
I never knelt at the news
My parrot perished in the pews
I climb back into the yolk
It always ends in a tie
There is no knitting the divide
I cry at the joke explained
Ah if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed (x3)
I'll Fight
I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go
I’ll go for you
I’ll fight, I’ll fight, I’ll fight
I’ll fight for you
I’ll kill, I’ll kill, I’ll kill
I’ll kill for you
I will, I will, I will
I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go
I’ll go for you
I’ll fight, I’ll fight, I’ll fight
I’ll fight for you
I’ll die, I’ll die, I’ll die
I’ll die for you
I will, I will, I will
And if I die, I’ll die, I’ll die alone
On some forgotten hill
Abandoned by the mill
All my blood will spring and spill
I’ll thrash the air, then be still
You’ll wake with a start from a dream
And know that I am gone
You’ll feel it in your heart but not for very long
You’ll rise each day as planned
Your will as your command
And stand each Sunday
A hymnal steady in your hand
And you’ll sing to yourself the rising,
falling melody
That you could never read
Without the choir’s lead
Still alone and lost indeed
And your soul will not be free
I will go, I will go, I will go
Into war’s waters, I will wade
And I will know without remorse
Or regret the fairness of our trade
For you to live, I took your place
A deal was made and I was paid
And in gold as I was told
With a place where my body could be laid
You will steer your life and die old in bed at home
Surrounded by your peers
Without suffering or fear
Grandchildren far and near
And none will shed a tear
For their love no longer here
I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go
I’ll go for you
I will
I’ll fight, I’ll fight, I’ll fight
I’ll fight for you
I will, I will, I will
I’ll kill, I’ll kill, I’ll kill
I’ll kill for you
I will
I’ll die, I’ll die, I’ll die
I’ll die for you
I will, I will, I will
And if I die
I’ll die, I’ll die alone
Like Jesus on the cross
My faith cannot be tossed
My life will not be lost
If my love comes across
Too Far Apart
You came to meet me out on the line
You couldn't believe I was feeling fine
When I really needed you, you were gone
So long
We were too far apart
Right from the start
I couldn't be any closer to you now
Is it really punk rock, like the party line?
Do you have to think about that?
Can I give you some time?
'Cause when I really needed you, you were gone
So long
We were too far apart
Right from the start
I couldn't be any closer to you now
Too far apart
Right from the start
And I couldn't be any closer to you now
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar
John Stirratt – bass, organ
Max Johnston – dobro
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – guitarSomeone to Lose
Where you gonna go in your winter coat
I wonder what you’re hiding cause it’s not too cold
It’s already too late
Somebody’s gonna get you
And if I hold you to tight, someone else won’t get to
Ohhhh wouldn’t you know it, I keep it rolling
Considering no one punching a path
Facing the blast and the moon and the math
But you still never know where your soul is attached
Oh, wouldn’t you know it, ah wouldn’t you know it
I’m so confused
I can’t move
I can’t even try
I hope you find
Someone to lose, someday
Now where you gonna go like a cobra coiled
Sweating in sweater, you’ve got too much style
But you’re never alone, someday they’re gonna get you
I hope you find
Someone to lose, someday
I hope you find
I hope you find
Someone to lose, someday
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
Hotel Arizona
Hotel in Arizona
Made us all want to feel like stars
Rental cars with tinted windows
Leave another number for me
And even if I make it through
That's just something that I have to get used to
That's just something I have to get used to
I feel some connection between you and me
Well I guess there's some direction
Maybe you can't see
But even at the interview
That's not something that I'm gonna get used to
That's not something I'm gonna get used to
Hello?
Can you hear me?
Hello?
That's all there is
That's all there is
(That's all)
I guess all this history is just a mystery to me
One more worried whisper right in my ear
Ashes of American Flags
The cash machine
Is blue and green
For a hundred in twenties
And a small service fee
I could spend three dollars
And sixty-three cents
On diet coca-cola
And unlit cigarettes
I wonder why
We listen to poets
When nobody gives a fuck
How hot and sorrowful
This machine begs for luck
All my lies are always wishes
I know I would die
If I could come back new
I want a good life
With a nose for things
A fresh wind and bright sky
To enjoy my suffering
A hole without a key
If I break my tongue
Speaking of tomorrow
How will it ever come
All my lies are always wishes
I know I would die
If I could come back new
I'm down on my hands and knees
Every time the doorbell rings
I shake like a toothache
When I hear myself sing
All my lies are only wishes
I know I would die
If I could come back new
I would like to salute
The ashes of American flags
And all the falling leaves
Filling up shopping bags
Hummingbird
his goal in life was to be an echo
riding alone, town after town, toll after toll
a fixed bayonet through the great southwest
to forget her
she appears
in his dreams
but in his car, and in his arms
a dream could mean anything
a cheap sunset on a television set could upset her
but he never could
remember to remember me
standing still in your past
floating fast like a hummingbird
his goal in life was to be an echo
the type of sound that floats around
and then back down like a feather
but in the deep chrome canyons of the loudest Manhattans
no one could hear him
or anything
so he slept, on a mountain
in a sleeping bag underneath the stars,
he would lie awake and count them
but the great fountain spray of the great Milky Way
would never let him
die alone
remember to remember me
standing still in your past
floating fast like a hummingbird
remember to remember me
standing still in your past
floating fast like a hummingbird
a hummingbird
a hummingbird
Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy Vocals
John Stirratt Electric Rhythm Guitar & Background Vocals
Glenn Kotche Drums
Mikael Jorgensen Piano
Jim O'Rourke Bass & Electric Lead Guitar
Frankie Montouro Hammer Dulcimer
Karen Waltuch Viola
Passenger Side
Hey, wake up
Your eyes weren't open wide
For the last couple of miles
You've been swerving from side to side
You're gonna make me spill my beer
If you don't learn how to steer
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Roll another number for the road
You're the only sober person I know
Won't you let me make you a deal
Just get behind the wheel
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Should've been the driver
Could've been the one
I should've been your lover
But I hadn't seen
Can you take me to the store, and then the bank?
I've got five dollars we can put in the tank
I've got a court date coming this June
I'll be driving soon
Passenger side
Passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
I don't like riding
On the passenger side
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Max Johnston – mandolin, fiddle
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – small stoned guitar
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
Someday Soon
Wind will blow and the sun will shine
On that hill where we used to climb
I’ll look in your eyes and you'll be mine
Someday soon
I won't even make a scene
That will be just like a dream
Cash is gonna flow down by the old mainstream
Someday soon
You don't know me, but I know you (you don't know me)
You have no idea what I’d do (what I’d do)
To make you mine and see you swoon
Someday soon
Sun's gonna shine, wind's gonna blow
On that hill where we used to go
I’ll look in your eyes and down I will roll
Someday soon
Someday, someday soon
Someday, someday soon
I'm Always In Love
Why, I wonder is my heart full of holes
And the feeling goes but my hair keeps growing
Will I set the sun
On a big-wheeled wagon
Well I'm bragging
I'm always in love
When I let go of your throat, sweet throttle
When I clean the lash of your black-belt model
Will I catch the moon
Like a bird in a cage
It's for you I swoon
I'm always in love
I don't get the connection
If this is only a test
I hope I do my best
You know I won't forget
When I fold the cold in my jet-lag palm
When I soak so long I forget my mother
Will I set the sun
On a big-wheeled wagon
Well I'm bragging
I'm always in love
It's a drag I snag
Well I'm always in love
Well I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm worried
I'm always in love
Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, baritone guitar
Jay Bennett – bass, piano, keyboards, drums, backing vocals
John Stirratt – piano, backing vocals
Ken Coomer – drums
Hold Me Anyway
So
You might not give a dam
I'm like a hologram
Light is all I am
Time is nothing I can keep
It's the same as when I sleep
If time is just to kill
Then I will
Overflowing like a crowd
I'm freaking the fuck out
I'll try to do my best
I guess
High in an old dead tree
That plastic bag is me
That's where I want to be
Are we all in love just because?
No! I think it's poetry and magic
Something too big to have a name
And when you get it right it's still tragic
And when you die who's to blame?
Did you think everything
Would be okay?
Are we all in love just because?
No! I think it's poetry and magic
Something too big to have a name
And when you get it right it's still tragic
And when you die who's to blame?
Did you think everything
Would be okay?
No! I think it's poetry and magic
Something too big to have a name
And when you get it right it's still tragic
And when you die who's to blame?
Do you think, everything
Will be, okay
Okay
Red-Eyed and Blue
We've got solid-state technology
Tapes on the floor
Some songs we can't afford to play
When we came here today
All I wanted to say
Is how much I miss you
Alcohol and cotton balls
And some drugs
We can't afford on the way
When we came here today
We all felt something true
Now I'm red-eyed and blue
I Got You (At the End of the Century)
I got you and that's all I need
I got you and that's all I need
I got you and that's all I need
I got you
I got you and I still believe
That you are all I will ever need
It's you, oh
All the way back in the seventies
You were my little TV queen
Tarzan and your friend Janine
I got you
I got you and I still believe
That you are all I will ever need
It's you, oh
It's the end of the century
And I can't think of anything
Except you
It's the end of the century
And I can't think of anything
But you, oh
All, I, need
I got you
I got you, babe
I got you
You
You, ooh ooh
I got you
I got you
Oooh
I got you
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
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
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Spiders are singing in the salty breeze
Spiders are filling out tax returns
Spinning out webs of deductions and melodies
On a private beach in Michigan
Why can’t we wish their kisses good
Why do they miss when their kisses should
Fly like winging birds fighting for the keys
On a private beach in Michigan
This recent rash of kidsmoke
All these telescopic poems
It’s good to be alone
Why can’t they say what they want
Why can’t they just say what they need
Come clean, listen and talk
Hello private caller
ID blocked
The sun will rise, we’ll climb into cars
The future has a valley and a shortcut around
Who will wear the crown of drowning award
Hold a private light
On the Michigan shore
Fool me with a kiss of kidsmoke
From a microscopic home
It’s good to be alone
I’ll be in my bed
You can be the stone
That raises from the dead
And carries us all home
There’s no blood on my hands
I just do as I’m told