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

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)
   

Forget the Flowers

You're trying my patience, try pink carnations
Red roses and yellow daffodils
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I know you will

Displayers of affection and all good intentions
Why don't you just send me the bill
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I know you will

Lately you've been taking me
Way too seriously, oooh
I can't ever explain why
I don't feel your pain, oooh

I left you behind, I know it's been a long time
But I'm not over you
Don't forget the flowers, someday, I hope I do

You're tryin' my patience, try pink carnations
Red roses and yellow daffodils
Don't forget the flowers, someday
I know I will

Don't forget the flowers, someday
I know I will

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

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

Muzzle Of Bees

There’s a random painted highway
And a muzzle of bees
My sleeves have come unstitched
From climbing your tree

When dogs laugh some say they’re barking
I don’t think they’re mean
Some people get so frightened
The fences in between

The sun gets passed from tree to tree
Silently
Then back to me
With a breeze blown through
Pushed up against the sea
Finally back to me

I’m assuming you got my message
On your machine
I’m assuming you love me
And you know what that means

The sun gets passed from sea to sea
Silently
And back to me
With a breeze blown through
Pushed up above the leaves
With a breeze blowing through
My head upon your knee

Half of it’s you
Half is me

Half of it’s you
Half is me

Instrumental Credits
Jeff Tweedy Vocals, Acoustic Baritone 12 String & Lead Guitar
John Stirratt Piano, Background Vocals
Glenn Kotche Drums
Leroy Bach Bass
Mikael Jorgensen Piano & Farfisa Organ
Jim O'Rourke Acoustic Guitar & Piano

At Least That's What You Said

When I sat down on the bed next to you
You started to cry
I said maybe if I leave you’ll want me
To come back home
Or maybe all you mean
Is leave me alone

At least that’s what you said

You’re irresistible when you get mad
Isn’t it sad I’m immune
And I thought it was cute
For you to kiss
My purple black-eye
Even though I caught it from you
I still think we’re serious

At least that’s what you said

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

Hell is Chrome

When the devil came
He was not red
He was chrome and he said
Come with me

You must go so I went
Where every thing was clean
So precise and towering

I was welcomed with open arms
I received so much help in every way
I felt no fear
I felt no fear

The air was crisp
Like sunny late-winter days
Springtime yawning high in the haze
And I felt like I belong
Come with me

Come with me
Come with me
Come with me
Come with me
Come with me
Come with me

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

Jesus, Etc.

Jesus, don't cry
You can rely on me honey
You can combine anything you want
I'll be around
You were right about the stars
Each one is a setting sun

Tall buildings shake
Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around

Don't cry
You can rely on me honey
You can come by any time you want
I'll be around
You were right about the stars
Each one is a setting sun

Tall buildings shake
Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around

Voices whine
Skyscrapers are scraping together
Your voice is smoking
Last cigarettes are all you can get
Turning your orbit around

Our love
Our love
Our love is all we have
Our love
Our love is all of God's money
Everyone is a burning sun

Tall buildings shake
Voices escape singing sad sad songs
Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks
Bitter melodies turning your orbit around

Voices whine
Skyscrapers are scraping together
Your voice is smoking
Last cigarettes are all you can get
Turning your orbit around

Last cigarettes are all you can get
Turning your orbit around

Last cigarettes are all you can get
Turning your orbit around

Theologians

Theologians they don’t know nothing
About my soul
About my soul

I’m an ocean
And this emotion
Slow motion, slow motion

Illiterati lumin fedei
God is with us everyday
That illiterate light
Is with us every night

Theologians, oh they don’t know nothing
About my soul
Oh they don’t know

They thin my heart with little things
And my life with change
Oh in so many ways
I find more missing every day

Theologians

I’m going away
Where you will look for me
Where I’m going you cannot come
No one’s ever gonna take my life from me
I lay it down
A ghost is born
A ghost is born
A ghost is born

I am a notion
I am all emotion
I am a cherry ghost
Cherry ghost
Hey I’m a cherry ghost
Cherry ghost

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

The Good Part

These may be your finest hours
The world is whistling and warm
We have got forgotten powers
You were charming, you could do no harm

Let's just get to the good part (let's get to the good part)
Let's just skip ahead (let's skip ahead)
Come on get to the good part (let's get to the good part)
Why can't we just skip ahead
Every artist falls apart
Thinking he's only only's art
And when the world is lonely and dark
It's a warning not to hitch apart

Let's just get to the good part (let's get to the good part)
Come on skip ahead (let's skip ahead)
Why can't we get to the good part (let's get to the good part)
Come on skip ahead (let's skip ahead)
Skip ahead
C'mon skip ahead
Let's skip ahead
Skip ahead

I can see the anxiety
Of trying to be yourself
But I can't tell you what kind of hell
It is to really think you're somebody else

Let's just get to the good part (let's get to the good part)
Come on let's skip ahead (let's skip ahead)
Come on let's get to the good part (is this the good part)
Why can't we skip ahead
Skip ahead
C'mon skip ahead
Let's skip ahead
Skip ahead

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

 

A Shot in the Arm

The ashtray says You were up all night When you went to bed With your darkest mind Your pillow wept And covered your eyes And you finally slept While the sun caught fire You've changed We fell in love In the key of C We walked along Down by the sea You followed me down The neck to D And fell again Into the sea You changed Oh, you've changed Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Something in my veins Bloodier than blood something in my veins Bloodier than blood something in my veins Bloodier than blood something in my veins Bloodier than blood The ashtray says You were up all night When you went to bed With your darkest mind You changed Oh you've changed What you once were isn't what You want to be any more What you once were isn't what You want to be any more What you once were isn't what You want to be any more What you once were isn't what You want to be any more What you once were isn't what You want to be any more  Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic and 12-string guitars, synthesizers Jay Bennett – lap steel, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, drums John Stirratt – bass Ken Coomer – timpani

A Magazine Called Sunset

There's a magazine called Sunset
And a tape machine that won't let
Me ever forget this impossible longing for you

Let's take a map across your pillow
And breathe the sky in through your window
I'll stay in the riddle and watch your books cave in

Oh maybe you're my inspiration
Just lead me to some new sensation
I'll make a little guide they can call our own

Cause there's a magazine called Sunset
And a tape machine that won't let
Me ever forget this impossible longing for you

Oh I'm a future fallout standing
In the present erase our phantom
There's a magazine
There's a magazine
Oh there's a magazine, oh yeah

Oh I'm a future fallout standing
In the present erase our phantom

Oh there's a magazine
And a tape machine
Oh that's everything

Oh there's a magazine
And a tape machine
Oh that's everything
Oh yeah

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

War On War

It's a war on war
It's a war on war
It's a war on war
It's a war on war
It's a war on war
It's a war on war
It's a war on war
There's a war on
You’re gonna lose
You have to lose
You have to learn how to die

Let's watch the miles flying by
Let's watch the miles flying by
You are not my typewriter
But you could be my demon
moving forward through flaming doors
You have to lose
You have to learn how to die
If you wanna wanna be alive

O.K.

You have to lose
You have to lose
You have to learn how to die
If you wanna wanna be alive

You have to die
You have to die
You have to learn how to die
If you wanna wanna be alive

O.K.

 

Kingpin

I wanna be your kingpin Living in Pekin I wanna be your bigwig Living in Pekin I got the flu and away I flew N.Y.C.P.D. blue Dimetapp and spinal tap City maps and hand claps Statue of Liberty play It only works once Don't throw it away ’Cause I wanna be your kingpin Living in Pekin Living in Pekin Living in How can I How can I give my love to you when I don't know what to do

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

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

The Thanks I Get

Is that the thanks I get for loving you?
Is that the thanks I get for telling you the truth?
You say you wanna know
Where I go when I go
You say you wanna communicate
But you don't hear a word I say
Is that the thanks I get for loving you?
I'm tired of the looks you give me when I get home late
And I'm getting tired of how you forget the loving things I say
I treat you right
I tuck you in at night
Now everytime I go out to play
Why you think I'm leaving?
Is that the thanks I get for loving you?

Now faith and trust are the strongest parts of us<
That's okay but you must believe in our love
We can make it better
We can make it better
We can make it better
Let's pull ourselves together
And start it again
I hold you tight
You tuck me in at night
I don't ever wanna fight again
I think we're both crazy
But that's the thanks we get for fallin in love
We can make it better
We can make it better
We can make it better
We can make it better
We can make it better (make it better)
We can make it better (make it better)
We can make it better (make it better)
We can make it better (make it better)
We can make it better
Let's pull ourselves together
And start it again