Wilco

Apr.19.2025

Chicago IL - Vic Theatre


Charities benefitting:
Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
Deborahs Place
Be Alright
Direct Effect Charities

Via Chicago

I dreamed about killing you again last night
And it felt alright to me
Dying on the banks of Embarcadero skies
I sat and watched you bleed
Buried you alive in a fireworks display
Raining down on me
Your cold, hot blood ran away from me
To the sea

I printed my name on the back of a leaf
And I watched it float away
The hope I had in a notebook full of white, dry pages
Was all I tried to save
But the wind blew me back via Chicago
In the middle of the night
And all without fight
At the crush of veils and starlight

I know I'll make it back
One of these days and turn on your TV
To watch a man with a face like mine
Being chased down a busy street
When he gets caught I won't get up
And I won't go to sleep
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Via Chicago

Where the cups are cracked and hooked
Above the sink
They make me think
Crumbling ladder tears don't fall
They shine down your shoulders
Crawling is screw faster lash
I blow it with kisses
Rest my head on a pillowy star
And a cracked door moon
Says I haven't gone too far

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Via Chicago

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home

Searching for a home
Searching for a home
Searching for a home
Via Chicago

I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers Jay Bennett – banjo, piano, organ, moog, tambourine John Stirratt – bass Ken Coomer – drums

From Far Away

From outer space

I am you

At distances

You’re me too

From far away

I assume

Everything

Needs less room

My ribs are turned

Like parentheses

And my lips have learned

What I don’t believe

Could I

Find a world just right

Or will I

Always look too high

If I die

Don’t bury me

Rattle me down

Like an old machine

Take my books

And my magazines

My photographs

Of you and me

Everything

I won’t need

Summer Teeth

Like a cloud His fingers explode On the typewriter ribbon The shadow grows His heart's in a bowl behind the bank And every evening when he gets home To make his supper and eat it alone His black shirt cries While his shoes get cold It's just a dream he keeps having And it doesn't seem to mean anything And it doesn't seem to mean anything One summer a suicide Another autumn a traveler's guide He hits snooze twice before he dies And every evening when he gets home To make his supper and eat it alone His black shirt cries While his shoes get cold It's just a dream he keeps having And it doesn't seem to mean anything It's just a dream he keeps having He feels lucky to have you here In his kitchen, in your chair Sometimes he forgets that you're even there It's just a dream he keeps having And it doesn't seem to mean anything It's just a dream he keeps having It's just a dream And it doesn't seem to mean anything Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar Jay Bennett – electric guitar, lap steel, piano, keyboards, bells, backing vocals John Stirratt – bass, backing vocals Ken Coomer – drums

White Wooden Cross

A white wooden cross by the side of the road
One someone lost that I did not know
What would I do?
What would I do?
If a white wooden cross meant that I'd lost you.
I asked myself how would I let go?
And a thought appeared like a morning dew
And my blood ran cold
My blood ran cold
As these sad ideas passed through
Tell me no lies
Tell me no lies
Is it stranger to live?
Is it stranger to die?
What would I do?
What would I do?
If a white wooden cross meant that I'd lost you
Tell me no lies
Tell me no lies
Is it stranger to live?
Is it stranger to be alive?
For all the people that I am not
And all their prayers and all their thoughts
There's so much more out there
Than here where I stand
I blow my horn for the whole band

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

Country Song Upside-Down

I found
A
Song
Upside-down
A country song
Like a trout
Dying sky and water
Rainbow
Flickering out

Inside
A dark
Cabin
The more moonlike
I become
I’m rounding all of my edges
Because
I’m worried
It can’t be sung

This is the gist
It goes
Like this

I found
A
Song
Upside-down
A country song
Without a doubt
Dying sky and water
Rainbow
Flickering out

written by Jeff Tweedy

Infinite Surprise

Staring
Eye to eye
Staring
Eye to eye

There’s nothing there to see
There’s nothing there to see
There’s nothing there to see
There’s nothing there

You’re worried
So am I
I’m sorry
I made you cry

You know that’s not like me
You know that isn’t me
No that’s not like me
To make you cry

Staring
Eye to eye
Mirror
Eye to eye
If you were only you
If I were only me
If you were only you
What would I be

Empty
Sky of mine
Any
Thing can shine

If you were only you
If I were only me
If you were only you
What would I be

Infinite surprise
Infinite surprise
Infinite surprisev Infin…

Staring
Eye to eye
Mirror
Eye to eye

It’s good to be alive
It’s good to be alive
It’s good to know we die
It’s good to know

Infinite surprise…

Misunderstood

When you're back in your old neighborhood
The cigarettes taste so good
But you're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood

There's something there that you can't find
You look honest when you're telling a lie
You hurt her but you don't know why
You love her but you don't know why

Short on long term goals
There's a party there that we ought to go to
If you still love rock and roll
If you still love rock and roll?

It's only a quarter to three
Reflecting off of your CD
You're looking at a picture of me
You're staring at a picture of me

Take the guitar player for a ride
'Cause he ain't never been satisfied
He thinks he owes some kind of debt
It'll be years before he gets over it

There's a fortune inside your head
When all you touch turns to lead
You think you might just crawl back in bed
With a fortune inside your head

I know you're just a mama's boy
You're positively unemployed
So misunderstood
So misunderstood

I know you've got a god-shaped hole
You're bleeding out your heart full of soul
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood
You're so misunderstood

I'd like to thank you all for nothing
I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all
I'd like to thank you all for nothing
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all
Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing at all

Someone 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

I Am My Mother

Dangerous dreams have been detected
Streaming over the southern border

As bad as it seems it’s worse than expected
Fleeing through the night corridor

Oh I’ve done the math
With a stick in the sand
I’ve kicked the can
Into a dead end

Oh I can’t mend
Every broken fence
I’m a new man
But I am still my mother

If it was up to me I would have rejected
The idea that money could keep you poor

And as dark as it seems it’s worse than neglected
When you need the one who loves no more

Oh I’ve done the math
With a stick in the sand
I’ve kicked the can
Into a dead end

Oh I can’t mend
Every broken fence
I’m a new man
But I am still my mother
written by Jeff Tweedy

Evicted

Oh I can take a joke but
My clothes are all soaked
It’s too late to be unclear
I’d laugh until I’d die
If it wasn’t my life
If it wasn’t me in the mirror

Am I ever going to see you again?

Maybe I’m a whistle on a lonely old train
I’m crying all the time
Listen to the sound getting further away
Fading deep
Into the night
Am I ever going to see you again?

I’m evicted
From your heart
I deserve it

Black against the shade
Shadow lovers embrace
I look away, I look away
They say heartache
Always fades
I look away I look away

I’m never gonna see you again

I’m evicted
From your heart
I deserve it

Oh I can take a joke but
My clothes are all smoke
It’s too cold to be unclear
I’d laugh until I’m old
If it wasn’t my life
If it wasn’t me in the mirror

I’m never gonna see you again

I’m evicted
From your heart
I deserve it
I’m evicted
From your heart
I deserve it
I deserve it
I deserve it

Sunken Treasure

There's rows and rows of houses
With windows painted blue
With the light from a TV
Running parallel to you

But there is no sunken treasure
Rumored to be
Wrapped inside my ribs
In a sea black with ink

I am so
Out of tune
With you

I am so out of tune
With you

If I had a mountain
I'd try to fold it over
If I had a boat (probably roll over)
You know I'd probably roll over (leave it on the shore)

And I leave it on the shore (leave it for somebody)
I'd leave it for somebody
Surely there's somebody
Who needs it more than me

I am so
Out of tune
With you

I am so out of tune
With you

For all the leaves will burn
In autumn fires and then return
For all the fires we burn
All will return

Music is my savior
I was maimed by rock and roll
I was maimed by rock and roll
I was tamed by rock and roll
I got my name from rock and roll

Airline to Heaven

There's an airline plane
Flies to Heaven every day
Past them pearly gates
If you want to ride this train
Have your ticket in your hand Before it is too late.
If the world looks wrong
And your money's spent and gone
And your friend has turned away
You can get away to Heaven
On this aeroplane
Just bow your head and pray.

Them's got ears let them hear
Them's got eyes let them see
Turn Your Eyes to the Lord of the skies
Take that airline
Plane It will
Take You Home again.
Yes, to your home behind the skies.

Well, a lot of people guess
Some say no and some say
Yes
Will it take some and leave some behind?
But you will surely know
When to the airport go
To leave this world behind

Oh, a lot of speakers speak
And a lot of preachers preach
When you lay their salary on the line
But to bow your head and pray
Is the only earthly way
That you can fly to Heaven on time.
That you can reach Heaven on time.

Your ticket you obtain
On this heavenly airline plane
You leave your sins behind
You have got to take this flight
Might be daytime, might be night,
But you can't see your way if you're blind


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 1997 Jay Bennett: 12-string acoustic slide guitars, backing vocals, shakers, saw, claps John Stirratt: backing vocals, claps Jeff Tweedy: vocal, acoustic guitar, Mellotrone, claps

Meant to Be

If my words say what you meant to say
Doesn’t that say we were meant to feel this way?

Holding our hearts closer together
Keeping to ourselves an empty sea
So we can believe
Our love is meant to be

A lonely man throws himself on an open flame
Doesn’t that say he should have found another way?

Hold my heart
Closer to yours
Vacation is starting
You’re not coming home
To me
Do you still believe?
Our love is meant to be

Each day is longer
Than the one before
Fewer left
Less and less
I need you more

Telling myself
I can wait forever
Holding my thoughts
Far away from never
Keeping to myself
Destiny
And I still believe you’re the only one
Our love is meant to be
It is to me

When You Wake Up Feeling Old

When you wake up Feelin' old At this piano filled with souls Some strange purse Stuffed nervous with gold Can you be where you want to be Walk down any street You can find Look at any clock Telling time Sing some strange verse From some strange song of vines And you'll be where you want to be I know I can't sing ’Till she brings the song to life And I blend with kings I would never change a thing Who knows anything I don't know There are so many things I must leave alone Some strange person is calling you their home Can you be where you want to be Can you be where you want to be Can you be where you want to be Can you be where you want to be Can you be where you want to be Can you be where you want to be Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar, toy harp Jay Bennett – keyboards, tiple, backing vocals John Stirratt – bass, backing vocals Ken Coomer – drums Leroy Bach – piano

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

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

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

Lou Reed Was My Babysitter

I want to sweat
Sweat next to you
With a sticky carpet
Sucking on my shoes
Rock n roll
Ain’t never gonna lose
No

I want you
To dance into me
Spill my drink
I want to feel the kick
Kicking in my teeth
My bleeding heart
Bleeding to the beat
Uh huh

I want you
To blow smoke in my eyes
Smoke in my eyes
I want to shake shake
Shake shake shake
Until my shoes untie
Rock n roll ain’t never gonna die
Not as long as you and I are alive

’Cause rock n roll is dead and the dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die

I want to feel everything
I want to feel everything
I want to hear the idiot sing
Until I can’t feel anything

’Cause rock n roll is dead and the dead don’t die
The dead don’t die
The dead don’t die

written by Jeff Tweedy

Hoodoo Voodoo

Hoodoo voodoo, seven twenty one two Haystacka hostacka, A B C High poker, low joker, ninety nine a zero Sidewalk, streetcar, dance a goofy dance Blackbirdy, bluejay; one two three four, Trash sack, jump back E F G, Biggy hat, little hat, fattyman, skinnyman, Grasshopper, greensnake, hold my hand Hoodoo voodoo, chooka chooky choochoo, True blue, how true, kissle me now Momma cat, Tommy cat, diapers on my clothes line Two four six eight, I run and hide Pretty girl, pretty boy, pony on a tincan, I'll be yours and you'll be mine Jinga jangler, tingalingle, picture on a bricky wall Hot and scamper, foamy lather, huggle me close Hot breeze, old cheese, slicky slacky fishy tails Brush my hair and kissle me some more Published by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. [BMI]/Warner- Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Words-Ampersand Music [BMI]/Titanic Majesties Music [ASCAP]/Poeyfarre Songs [BMI]/500 Ft. Toe Music [BMI]/BMG Songs/Koolhot Muzik [ASCAP] Words: Woody Guthrie  [no date] Music: Wilco/Bragg/Harris Jay Bennett: organ, Farfisa bass pedals Billy Bragg: electric guitar Ken Coomer: drums Corey Harris: electric guitar John Stirratt: electric bass, piano [bass] Jeff Tweedy: vocal

Cold Hard World [Daniel Johnston cover]

It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
Oh no
I heard Red Donley say
It was on the news today
It's a cold hard world
Oh no
It's hiking across the country
Looking for a bite to eat
You'd be surprised at the animals
And the people you'd meet
Rolling down that highway
With eyes fixed straight ahead
They have a caravan of cars
To bury the dead
And coke cans and pop bottles
Lined the streets like flowers instead
And this guy gave me a ride
I said this industrial waste sure stinks
He said he likes that smell
'cause that's the smell of money
I said "well, mister money stinks, too."
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
I met a fireman
He said you never forget burning flesh
And the librarian said
Do you have a card here?
I said I been coming here for weeks
Don't you recognize me by now
I checked out a million books
Just to get you to notice me
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
Somebody's house burned down
Somebody's hubcap fell off
Somebody's soul got lost
Somebody's heart got broke
I heard Red Donley say
It was on the news today
It's a cold hard world
It's a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
It’s a cold hard world
Oh no

Walking the Cow [Daniel Johnston cover]

Try to remember
But my feelings can't know for sure
Tried to reach out
But it's gone
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars in your eyes
I really don't know how I came here
I really don't know why I'm staying here
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Tried to point my finger
But the world keeps turning me around
In circles
Circles
Lucky stars in your eyes
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars in your eyes
I really don't know what I have to fear
I really don't know what I have to care
Oh, oh, oh
I am walking the cow
Lucky stars
Lucky stars in your eyes

True Love Will Find You in the End [Daniel Johnston cover]

True love will find you in the end
You'll find out just who was your friend
Don't be sad, I know you will
But don't give up until
True love will find you in the end
This is a promise with a catch
Only if you're looking can it find you
'Cause true love is searching too
But how can it recognize you
Unless you don’t step out into the light, the light
Don’t be sad I know you will
But don’t give up until
True love will find you in the end
 

written by Daniel Johnston