I know this was written about the feeling of isolation during the lockdown, but it really speaks to me as someone who dealt with depression (or rather, put off dealing with it), when people would say "you just need to get outside more, get some sunlight" and you just keep saying "I've tried!". And the lines about "I know you're scared of me" really remind me of how my wife had to deal with my inability to process my emotions, she'd talk about how she'd try to walk quietly around me when she knew I was in a bad mood. Then at the end of the song "til I notice I've been crying this whole time", just really speaks to the experience at least for me when I finally got help and was able to feel those emotions again. Just a killer song, can't wait for the album!
Heard this on the radio yesterday driving from Minnesota w/ my uncle and it instantly grabbed my attention. I had to go find it and hear again. Best decision ever ❤
Sometime between covid and nearly dying in an accident that took 3 years to recover...i fell out of touch with a lot of Isbell music. Im just hearing this and it's like a warm blanket on a cold lonely night.
My ex-husband passed away last night. He used to terrorize me. I have never heard this song until now. Brought back many memories. I wonder if my ex had these thoughts. I have so many emotions right now. I feel so bad for my daughters, but just knowing that the man who took joy in hurting me is gone for good is a relief. Thank you, Jason for your beautiful lyrics. You are the most talented songwriter of this generation.
thought the same thing! his vocals remind me a lot of the appearance he did on Letterman with John Paul White, Candi Staton and the Muscle Shoals rhythm section
Cannot wait to hear more of this album. Between this and Death Wish, it’s gonna be a gut punch in the best possibly way. No one else writes like Jason right now.
8 months since your post and were you ever right-what an incredible album! I say this with caution but if Jason keeps writing songs like “Cast Iron Skillet”, “Deathwiah” “Middle of the Morning”, “Why Haven’t I”, “This Ain’t It” and many others he has written, he might ascend to that hallowed ground of Dylan, Petty, Willie, Springsteen, Prine and maybe a few others. What they all have in common is an amazing ability to tell a story with an economy of words and cast those words in music that so beautifully carries the lyrics. Amazing!
The first melody line is obviously a nod to The Allman Bros. Jason hits it out of the park again. He avoided “the sophomore slump”, “the junior slump”, etc. This song will be remembered as one of his best - alongside of Cover Me Up and If We Were Vampires”. The lyrics are, of course, sublime. He’s STILL at the top of his game.
Jason screaming into the mystic...as if leaning over a cratered canyon. Echoes emanating of lonliness, despair, hope, and a brighter tomorrow. The burdens of an unlikely prophet opening up to the world...shining a torch of truth Mouthpiece for those too timid or meek to speak. Keep yelling into the void, Jason...we hear you. 👂
"I'm tired of living in the moment and sleeping through the dream..." Jesus, man... I feel personally attacked, or at least noticed in a crowd. This song rattles my soul and made my knees physically weak at that moment in that line... Two singles in and this is THE album of 2023.
I know if you’re here, then you already know Jason has made a career singing directly to our souls. This one not only did he sing directly to our souls, he shook the sh*t out of them. Only Jason can invite you in to share in his emotions, while knowing they are universally all our emotions. His songs have made me Happy, Excited, Content, Resilient, Hopeful, Sad, Lost, Crushed and Abandoned. This song the word Rattled comes to mind. Rattled by the lyrics and his vocals still reverberating through like a 1000 megaton blast to the bone. Well played Mr Isbell. We anxiously await what comes next and remain forever in your debt.
Isbell writes in a way that compells one to listen. Not many have that gift. In much the same way writers such as John Prine, Townes VanZandt, and David Olney compelled us, Isbell has the good fortune of being as talented a singer and musician as he is a songwriter.
That first little guitar riff sounded close to son of a preacher man. It’s very Muscle Shoals sounding. I love his analogies, an unattended child you can’t quite trust. I can’t wait for my album to show up.
That was my first thought, then also Allman's as another commenter said, then few minutes in, that etherial (steel guitar?) bit, that's just pure inspiration.
Just saw you in Paso Robles two nights ago. Was not very familiar with you, your band, or your music but what an incredible show. And your performance of this song, which I didn't know but just figured out by cross-referencing your set list, was absolutely stunning. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your tour.
I'm tired. Of stepping on your shadow, and feeling in the way. Yes I'm tired. By the middle of the morning, I'm out of shit to say. I ain't used to this, seein everybody's hand. I was raised to be a strong and silent southern man. I ain't used to this. A thousand days alone. In my bed, or in my head, or in my phone. This man must have a camera in our home.
My dad showed me Jason Isbell when I was 8 years old, and I loved it. When this album came out I didn't expect it to be so good. To think, his most popular song was Decoration Day. The Drive By Truckers really shaped him.
Two songs from this new album and man they are both killers. I used to (and still do) miss some of the more guitar heavy tracks but his songwriting is really making me forget about that.
He has a way of making you think about it differently. This song may be about lock down but It definitely has broader meaning. I’m sure he knew that. 1000 days alone, in my bed, in my head, or in my phone. (My not be exact lyrics only listened twice).But that instantly made me think of my widowed mom who spends way too much time on Facebook and we are aways fussing at her for sharing misinformation as truth. She is just lonely/board. Now I’ve changed my plans for today and Im going to see her. This song got me in my truck and on way to carry 70yo mom fishing. She will tell all what is happening to fake people and how something in a product is changing peoples lives. But that’s okay.
Love this. Love the new music. love your music. I love your Devils. I love your angels. I love you never ending energy for creating new songs for you, for us, for the world, for whoever may stumble across you in the future, Somehow, someway, somewhere. Nice work!
I have seen Jason Isbell in concert many times and never feel a connection, but I still wholeheartedly believe that he is the absolute best singer/songwriter out their rght now.
What an amazing song! Add it to the pantheon of outstanding lyrics and songs crafted by Mr. Isbell. It's clear this was written about the dissolution of his marriage in part due to his wife not trusting his sobriety
Thank you Jason for another amazing tune. The only reason my wife keeps me is to take her to as many 400 unit concerts as possible. I’m finished if you ever run out of ideas!!! And I need to get my Reunions album signed to impress my wife for her birthday. Flying her to the Greek LA show isn’t enough this year. I’ve been bad 😢
Hot Damn. Mastery of his craft and in control of his powers. I love the challenge he issues with this level of writing. I gotta hit my own songbook harder, you know?
Powerful songwriting with exquisite guitar playing. Haunting, beautiful, and poignant. Instant classic. What a gift. Can't wait to hear it live at Red Rocks and San Diego this summer!
4:31 great song and feelings sold me on getting weathervane which I received on pre-order whole CD is good. Would love to catch him live and now on his website and catching his earlier stuff. From NYC living in Delaware the last 3 years .
We came here as Spiritual Beings to go through an emotional Human Experience. Because you can't experience that as fully in the spiritual Realm... And to allow those emotions to flow through us but not to get stuck, not to resist them or avoid or deflect them. If they do, it will reflect on the condition of our bodies. Because the body is the representation direct connection to source/Spirit. I woke up at 5:11 from my friend's Cottage and went inside the main house and this song was on the radio.. totally meant to catch my ear❤ Exquisite.
