Menlo Park, CA - The Guild Theatre

Feel Free

new song by Jeff Tweedy

Normal American Kids

I remind myself of myself long ago
Before I could drive, before I could vote
All of the time, holding a grudge
Before I knew people could die just because
Shot from a sling, head full of buzz
I knew what I liked was not very much
High at the time, tied to the grid

Always afraid of those normal American kids
Oh all of my spirit leaked like a cut
I knew what I needed would never be enough
I was too high to change my bid
Always afraid to be a normal American kid

Always hated normal American
Empty summer days
Lightning crazed and cracked like an egg
High behind the garden shed
Painting myself as a normal American kid

I always hated it
High as high as high can loom
Under the sheets in my bedroom
I was as high as high can get
Always afraid of the normal American kids

Oh bongs and jams and carpeted vans
Hate everything I don’t understand
High times tightening the lid
Had to get away from those normal American kids
Always hated those normal American kids
Always hated those normal American kids

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)
   

Gwendolyn

I don’t think I can take another day

Oh I don’t know how I could ever say

I’m OK being so far away

Oh I don’t think that I can take another day

When Gwendolyn, when she starts to speak

To a county police with a plastic cup between her teeth

The sun beating down like a big trombone

That’s right when I start missing home

She holds my hand between her knees

It’s like a dream, I never know what it means

I only know I’m feeling alone

That’s right when I start missing home

Honestly Gwen I’m not ashamed to say

Between you and me I’m relieved they put you away

Sun coming up like a piece of toast

That’s right when I started heading home

That’s right when I started heading home

Well that’s right when I started heading home

Having Been Is No Way To Be

Oh I was naive

My shoes were untied

In heaven everything is just fine

But the phones are dead

And so is the light

And so are you

And honey so am I

But the earth still turns

For the unconcerned

Days pass below like train windows

I was a sapling tree

The birds looked like me

So I begged my nerves to kick me something new

From time to time

I’d watch you sleep

I wonder how much freedom we can dream

And I’m sorry when you wake up to me

I just got tired

Shining steady like a spider web

Is an empty stage

Now people say

“What drugs did you take?”

And “Why don’t you start taking them again?”

What difference would it ever make to them

But they’re not my friends

And if I was dead

What difference would it ever make to them

If I got high

From time to time

I wonder how much freedom you would need

And I’d be sorry when you wake to me

I’m reaching out to you

I’m writing all the time

I don’t see deep but I see far and wide

I see dead trees

But the roots have leaves

Just because I can’t describe it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try

To untwist the knife

To unmake my mind

Having been is no way to be alive

And I’m alive

When I watch you sleep

I wonder how much freedom we need

And I’m here

When you wake up to me

I’m still here

When you wake up to me

 

KC Rain

I was born a little sad I never knew what I had Mom and dad let it slide No wonder I'm never satisfied I swayed and I swooned I howled at the moon Tied myself to the tide No wonder I'm never satisfied
High in the morning
High in the afternoon
High in evening
When I'm sleeping
I'm with you

I only care about the cat
Some of this, a little of that
Fat chance I'll sing the blues

Like an old welcome mat
I'm filthy and I'm flat
Oh ain't that the truth
No wonder I'm so confused
High in the morning
High in the afternoon
High in evening
When I'm sleeping
I'm with you
written by Jeff Tweedy (need to confirm lyrics with Jeff)

An Empty Corner

Eight tiny lines of cocaine

Left on a copy machine

In an empty corner of a dream

My sleep could not complete

There are sirens in the birds

And you and I are too far apart

And my eyes need a shave

What else can go wrong?

Now that I'm not longed for

Wild life seems wrong

Won't care

Won't stare

You've got family out there

The silver black boot

That cracked my front tooth

Is a new kind of truth

I'm getting used to

Come back lonely

How sad if only

I don't believe you don't care

You've got family out there

Where the power lines are down

Whipping sparks around

Like angels touching down

I see you there

How sad

If only

Don't believe you don't care

You've got family out there

You've got family out there

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

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

I Know What It's Like

Far away

From the fireworks display

Quiet and bright

I know what it’s like x 3

To not feel love

When a sunny day

Starts to rain

Keep me in mind

I know what it’s like x 3

Even when I’m wide awake

I keep turning back one page

I can’t find the plot

Something else is taking shape

I know what it’s like

To keep losing your place

My shadow stays

Even when I’m miles away

Waiting outside

I know what it’s like x 3

To not feel pain

When the lights are dim

In my window I have a twin

I’m always looking out

And he’s always looking in

I know what it’s like

Starting over again

I know what it’s like x 2

To not feel love

Far away

From the fireworks display

Quiet and bright

I know what it’s like x 3

To not feel love

Even when it’s years away

I still think it’s yesterday

I can’t find the plot

Something else is taking shape

I know it’s a lie

When you say it’s ok

I know what it’s like x 9

To not feel love

I know what it’s like

To not feel love

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

Family Ghost

I’m a dope

Blowing smoke at a tv screen

I’ve lost all hope

Based on the things I’ve seen

I’m a man content

For the sake of argument

But underneath each added straw

I feel so american

Spray paint me gold

Pull my face up to the blinds

I’m a family ghost

You’ll never leave behind

I wanna exist

Where the misfit fits

I want to have some purpose

I believe what she believes

I believe my children

When the lights go off

There’s no applause

Condescending to the hideous thought

Imprisoned in my lonely skin

I feel so american

Spray paint me gold

Pull my face up to the blinds

I’m a family ghost

You’ll never leave behind

Time will tell this story again

Different clothes than they wore back then

Digging holes and filling them in

I feel so american

Spray paint me gold

Pull my face up to the blinds

I’m a family ghost

You’ll never leave behind

Cars Can't Escape

When red is bled
And petals blue
And in my sleepless head
Our love's been dead a week or two

Sometimes, good times
Are stuck inside of you
And then they're gone
But I don't know why

A lot of things have changed
Since we said goodbye
There were reasons for you to love me
But I gave you none

So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with

So time's just time
Cars can't escape
When clouds are gray and close
Not often, too far away

And blue has no value, power, or hue
Or open skies, relationless
Carelessness is what I miss
And that's how I think of you

Sometimes, good times
Were all we had to do
So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with

So I tap my glass and nod my chin
And wonder who you've been in rhythm with

Songwriters: Jay Bennett / Jeffrey Scot Tweedy

Cars Can't Escape lyrics © Words Ampersand Music

Whole Love

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

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 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’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 Whole (love) I won’t ever forget how

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

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

Kamera

I need a camera to my eye
To my eye reminding
Which lies have I been hiding
Which echoes belong

I've counted out days
To see how far
I've driven in the dark
With echoes in my heart
Phone my family tell them I'm lost on the
Sidewalk

No it's not O.K.

I smashed a camera
I wanna know why
To my eye deciding
Which lies have I been hiding
Which echoes belong
I'm counting on
A heart I know by heart
To walk me through this war
Memories distort
Phone my family tell them I'm lost on the sidewalk

No it's not o.k.

I'm counted out
And no one knows how far (tell them I'm lost)
I've driven in the dark (tell them I'm lost)
With echoes in my heart (tell them I'm lost)
Phone my family tell them I’m lost

(yeah I’m lost)

No it's not O.K.

No it's not O.K.

No it's not O.K.

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

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

You Are Not Alone

You're not alone

I'm with you

I'm lonely too

What's that song

Can't be sung

By two?

My broken home

A broken heart

Isolated and afraid

Open up this is a raid

I want to get it through to you

You're not alone

You're not alone

Every night

I stand in your place

Every tear

On every face

Tastes the same

A broken dream

A broken heart

Isolated and afraid

Open up this is a raid

I wanna get it through to you

You're not alone

An open hand

An open....

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