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

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

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

I Might

Was I wrong
Off all night long
So high
As the stinking sun
I came alive
Then I felt
Oh Uh Oh
Some guys
Have everything I know
It’s alright
I’ve done a lot of
Crawling around outside
And I heard
It’s alright

Your sno-cone
And it’s piss and blood
It’s in the cards
(oh, oh)
Get well soon
EVERYBODY!
Do all lies
Have a taste?
Let it go
I don’t know oh
A cow’s neck
Bad shave
In the low blow slo-mo
It’s alright
You won’t set the kids on fire
Oh but I might
H0

You come on
Sentimental
If the
Solar car’s coming
I’m home
The Magna Carta’s
On a Slim Jim blood
Brutha!
The sunk soul
With the coal clean toe
Is the mutha!
Yea that’s right
When you gonna find out
I’m all inside
You still might

It’s all right
It’s all right

It’s alright
You won’t set the kids on fire
Oh but I might
Ho ho

It’s all right
It’s all right

 

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

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

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

 

Shouldn't Be Ashamed

To live without a savior
Answer to his name
Shouldn't be afraid
Shouldn't be ashamed

Like a kid behind the counter
Remembering your name
Shouldn't be afraid
Shouldn't be ashamed

'Cause if it's not like I told ya
Then it's still your call
You should live how you want
Stay with me
We should stay apart
Just shouldn't ever have to be this hard

Like a man on the sidewalk
Remembering your face
Shouldn't look away
Shouldn't be afraid

He remembers when they still wore gaiters
World war one
Shouldn't be afraid
Shouldn't be ashamed

'Cause if it's not like I told ya
Then it's still your call
You should live how you want
Stay with me
We should stay apart
Just shouldn't ever have to be this hard

Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, acoustic guitar
John Stirratt – bass
Max Johnston – mandolin
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – guitars

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

Born Alone

I have heard the war and worry of the gospel
Ferried fast across the void
I have married broken spoke charging smoke wheels
Spit and swallowed opioid
I am the driver at the wheel of the horror
Marching circles at the gate
Mine eyes have seen
The fury so flattered by fate

Tonight I’d rather count the warm fuse internally
Subtract the silence of myself
I would rather choose the middle mind of mystery
Reverse a riddle for my health
I’ll unwind strange rinds overpowering
Toss the chimneys in the sea
I believe I’ve seen
The finger divine extremity

Please come closer to the feather smooth lens fly
Sadness is my luxury
Will you weather, join the cold, come before I die
More aware of it than me
The valves are blowing stone
The kids are unabashed
Loneliness postponed
Mine eyes deceiving glory
I was born to die alone
Alone

Alone

Capitol City

Capitol city skyline photo Skyscraper shines the sun so Low in the sky Secretaries at the hotdog vendors Cabs honk at the bicycle messengers Rolling by I can’t call with a subway token Anyway the phones are all broken I wish you were here Better yet I wish I was there with you You wouldn’t like it here You should stay right there Breathe in that country air You wouldn’t like it here Capitol towers radiator steam vents Scream along with the clarinets and arguments Echo down the hall I can’t sleep, I can’t wake up I’m shaken up maybe we should break up I wish you were here Better yet I wish I was there with you You wouldn’t like it here You should stay right there Breathe in that country air You wouldn’t like it here Capitol city skyline photo Picture postcard signed the moon so Low in the sky I can’t smile when my hearts still broken Faraway, in love and unspoken I wish you were here Or I was there with you

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.

 

How to Fight Loneliness

How to fight loneliness
Smile all the time
Shine your teeth 'til meaningless
Sharpen them with lies

And whatever's going down
Will follow you around
That's how you fight loneliness
You laugh at every joke
Drag your blanket blindly
Fill your heart with smoke
And the first thing that you want
Will be the last thing you ever need
That's how you fight it

Just smile all the time
Just smile all the time
Just smile all the time
Just smile all the time

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 – guitar

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

Dawned On Me

I’ve been young
I’ve been old
I’ve been hurt
And consoled
Heart of coal
Heart of gold
So I’m told

I’ve been lost
I’ve been found
I’ve been taken
By the sound
Of my own voice
The voices in my head

I can’t help it if I fall in
Love with you again I’m calling
Just to let you know
It dawned on me

Every night is a test
To the east from the west
The sun rises and sets
That’s the sun at it’s best

I forget, then I know
I’d regret letting you go
Sometimes I can’t believe how dark it can be

I can’t help it if I fall in
Love with you again I’m calling
Just to let you know
It dawned on me
It dawned on me

So on
And so forth
And again
I will stop to begin
At the end

I can’t help it if I fall in
Love with you again I’m calling
Just to let you know
It dawned on me

Oh I can’t help it if I fall in
Love with you again I’m calling
Just to let you know
It dawned on me

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

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

Whole Love

My gold marigolds attack
My black bed of roses
I’m going to bring ‘em all back
With hypnosis Ho

And I know that I won’t be
The easiest to set free
And I know that I won’t be the last
Cold captain tied to the mast

I recall you on the telephone
I recall when you get mad
I will still love you to death
And I won’t ever forget how

And I know that it won’t be
The easiest to set free
And I know that I won’t be the last
Cold captain tied to the mast

I’m on the other side
I’m satisfied
I’m a spirit dove
I’m looking for your love

I’m simple as a matter of fact
A punch in the nose don’t overreact
I will still love you to death
And I won’t ever forget how

And I know that I won’t be
The easiest to set free
And I know that I won’t be the last
Cold captain tied to the mast

And I know that I won’t be the one
To securely know when it’s wrong
But I hope I know when it’s past
And I hope I know when to show you my
Whole love
Whole love
Whole love
Whole love
Whole love
Whole love
Whole love
I won’t ever forget how

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

 

Box Full of Letters

I've got a box full of letters
I think you might like to read
Some things that you might like to see
But they're all addressed to me

I wish I had a lotta answers
'Cause that's the way it should be
For all these questions
Being directed at me

I just can't find the time

To write my mind
The way I want it to read

You'll come back again
And I'll still be your friend

I got a lot of your records
In a separate stack
Some things that I might like to hear, but I
Guess I'll give 'em back

I wish I had a lotta answers
'Cause that's the way it should be
For all these questions
Being directed at me

Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read

You'll come back again
And I'll still be your friend

I can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read

Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read

Instrumental credits:
Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar
John Stirratt – bass, vocals
Max Johnston – dobro
Ken Coomer – drums
Brian Henneman – guitars

ELT

I should've been listening To every word you said Oh, what have I been missing Wishing (wishing) that you were dead I didn't mean to be so disturbing So far from home Oh, what have I been learning By being all alone Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing (Is gonna) tears you apart Every little thing Every little thing every little thing (Is gonna) tears you apart When, when we were younger Sleep while I'm awake I was trying to keep the door locked I realize That's a mistake Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing that you do Seems so much better than I could do Oh, I should've been listening To every word you said Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Every little thing Every little thing Every little thing Is gonna tear you apart Is gonna tear you apart Instrumental credits: Jeff Tweedy – vocals, backing vocals Jay Bennett – electric guitars, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, tambourine, backing vocals John Stirratt – bass Ken Coomer – drums

Standing O

How can you tell You’re under a spell You’re compromised You’re miles away Slow How can you know When you’re aiming low There’s nothing in your heart Don’t feel it in your soul No standing O O O Maybe you’ve noticed I’m ashamed Of anything that I’ve done Maybe you’ve noticed I’m not the same As almost anyone Why can’t you see You look funny to me You trip and fall I catch it all O How can you know When you’re aiming low You’re curling up You’re crawling now No Standing O O O Maybe you’re saying no this time Dance right around my bones It’s o.k. I’ll be fine I won’t follow you home Instead I turn my mood on a dime I’m finally off of my back I come from a long, long line I mope and I cry and attack OW OW How can you tell You’re under a spell You're compromised You're miles away No standing O O O Maybe you’ve noticed I’m not afraid Of everything that I’ve done Maybe you’ve noticed I’m not the same As almost anyone Instead I turn my mood on a dime I’m finally off of my back I come from a long, long line I mope and I cry and attack How can you tell How can you tell

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

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

Dreamer in My Dreams

Well there's a dreamer in my dreams Swinging from the beams With light shining off the snow Well there's a singer in my heart Burning up my charts With songs about things we all know Well there's a blister on his brain That's driving him insane ’Cause all good things they gotta go Well there's a child on the way It could be any day But how his life will change That we don't know Well there's a child on the way Gonna look just like him One day, he's gonna say "Ain't you my dad?" Then he's gonna look down and smile And after a while, he'll say, "That's for sure, cause you got my eyes." Well there's a dreamer in my dreams He's hanging from the beams With light shining off the snow There's a blister on his brain It's driving him insane And all good things have to go There's a dreamer in my dreams Swinging from the beams With a light shining off the lake Well I know I've made mistakes I'm passing them on But I hope he gets up before dawn There's a dreamer in my dreams Climbing up the back Of a car they used to call a Cadillac It's got a brand new set of keys It’s got a new look, it’s got a new look And he’s gonna, he’s gonna take it all the way There's a dreamer in my dreams, Swinging from the beams All jacked up in my garage He's hanging from a belt He don't know what he's done Just don't forget to say goodbye when he's gone