Silver Jews "Random Rules" (Official Music Video) 

Rest in peace, David. One of the most singular lyricists rock music had seen.

"In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection" might be the greatest opening line of any album

RIP. Possibly the best song ever written. "In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection..." And that's only the first line.

I always feel inspired to be a nicer and calmer person whenever I hear this song.

I discovered him to late. Rest In Peace you lyrical wizard. You are loved

It's been over two years since Dave's death. Really, really sucks and I am more fascinated with his work than ever. I discovered Silver Jews when I was in college about a decade ago and it changed my life, literally. This music (especially the lyrics) truly shifted the way I see the world and understand beauty in more ways than one. On a weird note that I hope doesn't come across in a negative way, I didn't actually discover this video until after Dave's death. That being said, I've only ever really seen imagery of him as an older guy, bearded and greying a little. Not a lot of imagery even exists relative to his contemporaries like Stephen Malkmus who seems to never age (anyway...). So in my head all these years listening to this ridiculously mature work I always pictured a 40-50 year old guy singing those words, because only someone with that much life experience could conceive of these concepts. However, seeing this video I realize that the man singing on the studio recordings was this young, handsome, and relatively healthy looking guy with a smile that could light up a room. It's partially inspiring as hell to know that this young dude was such a genius and it's also very sad and melancholy realizing that he only fell deeper and deeper into depression as the years went on and it culminated in his tragic death. We love you and miss you David Berman, in a way that really cannot be replicated for many other artists.

The best opening line of any album ever

"I was taking a lot of drugs at that time. And there were a lot of drugs in the studio. And all these things that would have horrified indie rock people, that I would never want them to know. I wanted to make a record that wasn't some terrible, big, painful experience. I wanted to make records like other people make records, where you're having fun when you're doing it." time has this way of reminding me of david. and im here again. i miss you, david. genuinely! and we dont even know each other. i was just a baby when this album came out and now im in my 20s crying to it. thank you for your art

His smile at 1:48 makes me cry. So beautiful.

Damn I hate discovering 'new' music when something tragic happens. This is fantastic

Aaaaaand about 20 years later I found out there was an “official video” for this song that I’ve loved for about 20 years

Maybe I've crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls. Rest in Power.

In the second verse of “Random Rules,” the standout, opening track from Silver Jews’ 1998 album American Water, singer David Berman confesses, “I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men’s room walls.” In context, he might be referring to a tendency toward vulgarity or baseness. But taken another way, it almost seems like a meta-commentary on Berman’s uncanny ability to stitch together a breathtakingly beautiful song out of vivid one-liners. As one-liners go, “Random Rules” contains some of the best Berman’s ever written. He begins with a now-legendary opening line: “In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.” Next thing you know, he’s “broken and smoking where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake,” which is somehow both evocative and cryptic to the point of being nearly indecipherable. But everything returns to a sobering, melancholy core in the song’s chorus: “I know you like to line dance/ Everything’s so democratic and cool/ But baby, there’s no guidance when random rules.” Berman’s words come together almost like Dadaist poetry - for which men’s room walls can sometimes provide the perfect venue - and Berman does, in fact, have a history of writing poetry outside of music. “It’s kind of like football players in the ‘70s who started endorsing taking ballet lessons. Who am I to argue against sharpening agility?” he told Pitchfork in 2005. “All musicians should write poetry or at least read it if they want to improve their game.” Take a step back, though, and the connections between each of Berman’s punchy, seemingly self-contained lines grow more tangible. Berman isn’t piecing together lines of a cut-and-paste word puzzle, but rather attempting to pick up the pieces of a relationship that’s been shattered. And suddenly, each of those brilliant little moments sprinkled throughout the song hit just a little bit harder, and sting just a little bit more. And when Berman narrates a conversation with a painter about why roads are colored black, it’s downright devastating: “It’s because people leave and no highway will bring them back.” By suggesting that “random rules,” Berman muses on the inherent randomness in the universe - the feeling that everything is meaningless, or at least can feel that way when its meaning is stripped away from you. But the song itself is loaded with meaning, humor and vulnerability. There’s nothing random about it at all.

i am devastated by this ending.

Rest in power, Berman. You were a wonderful American poet and songwriter with a particular intellect and humor about the internal and external that helped carry GenX listeners like me along in this world. Thank you.

Tan line on your ring finger always gets me 😪

We spent many hours in the Rainbo Club. So pleased to see it in this video. RIP David, you left behind some great songs.

I knew Berman as a poet, and now have to catch up to his music. Unfortunately, all he has done is all he will do. RIP David Berman. Words are not enough.

The first line of this song is probably the best opening line to a song ever written....

One of the most underrated and most beautiful songs, ever.

I always thought SM was in this video so many years ago. funny how memory twists and fades.

I've been listening to this for ages but I didnt know the singer was so hot

I came here after reading an obit, never heard of the Silver Jews or David Berman. No idea how they/he could have slipped my notice but after this song I’m embarrassed and somehow saddened by that lapse. One good thing is that now I have the entire Berman collection to look forward to. RIP fellow human.

"I asked a painter / why the roads are all painted black / He said " Steve, it's because people leave / And no highway will bring them back." One of my favorite lyrics. Only other lyricist I cn think of rt now that couldve wrote something that cutting and sad and real is Vic Chesnutt, (RIP). Berman probably top five under-appreciated songwriters/lyricists of the past 20 years.

"Body, the master no longer needs you" . Your poetry and music will live on.

Still can’t believe it. Been throughly enjoying Purple Mountains. It makes sense now. American water is still one of the best albums of the 90s. Rest easy, David. 😭😭😭😭

I will miss you so much.... you did so much for my life, especially with this song. RIP

Dave. It's 3:30 in the morning and I can't sleep, I keep thinking at how much you were important for me, and how much your void affected my life. I love you man, but I also hate you, because you kinda left me alone; I woke up someday and you weren't here anymore. I discovered how much just your presence was able to comfort me, and how gigantic was the hole that you left open behind your back. Hope you found your peace, you that have allowed me to find mine all those years along, just by listening to your songs. May the earth be gentle to you.

Miss David so much, unbelievable lyricist ❤

Such beautiful and sad comments here. I’m fairly new to his actual music- the biography I knew from magazine articles. But I can hear right away how seamless the pain and poetry, and the wit, are his words and music. In every generation, there are going to be people lucky enough to chance upon his music. All of you have lived with these songs for a long time. May they continue to comfort you.

RIP David. Truly a life changing artist. I dont think im alone in saying you truly touched me with your words. Changed the outlook of my life. Thank you mr Berman. Rest in piece

I am crushed by the news. What a brilliant songwriter. RIP young troubadour

Sometimes when I'm sad I go to RU-vid videos of musicians that died (doesn't hurt if I love the song too) and read the comments. So many kind words... A rarity in real life.

When great artists pass before their time in tragic circumstances, they become even more elevated, it’s like they achieve some kind of immortality or something. Knowing that their body of work is now “capped” , and that no one will ever be able to add to it , makes it so much more valuable. Been the same way for thousands of years, but still find it so sad that phenomenal artists often suffer so much in their own lives , and are only recognized for this level of greatness once they’ve left us behind :(

i still remember the first time i heard the opening line of this track, one of the few times a lyric has literally taken my breath away. rip

one of the greatest songs of all time

what a buried treasure! Videos around this time didn't look this good at all. It looks like it's shot on film. The part where David looks at Cassie when he says "turned to me and said" and they start laughing is everything missing from everything right now. I'm so happy he has a new album coming out and is touring. We've missed you so much, David!

In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection Slowly screwing my way across Europe, they had to make a correction Broken and smokin' where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake I tell you, they make it so you can't shake hands when they make your hands shake I know you like to line dance, everything so democratic and cool But baby there's no guidance when random rules I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men's room walls Maybe I've crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls But nothing can change the fact that we used to share a bed And that's why it scared me so when you turned to me and said "Yeah, you look like someone Yeah you look like someone who up and left me low Boy, you look like someone I used to know" I know you like to line dance, everything so democratic and cool But baby there's no guidance when random rules I asked the painter why the roads are colored black He said, "Steve, it's because people leave And no highway will bring them back" So if you don't want me I promise not to linger But before I go I gotta ask you dear about the tan line on your ring finger No one should have two lives Now you know my middle names are wrong and right Honey we've got two lives to give tonight To give tonight To give tonight, oh oh oh oh oh Random rules / Silver Jews

I can't stop listening to this song

Random rules!! For me, I learned that by playing my cds in the good ol Pioneer player at work on random was an amazing new wondrous way to experience music... I realized that the synchronicity that happened between the soulful poetic vibrations was fascinating! I started to write about my thoughts and feelings about life and what I was learning... This, along with finding the message of John Taylor Gatto, has changed my life... Curiosity, creativity and individuality are so important for us to foster to create a greater future for everyone. Silver Jews are a great honest band who didn't sugar coat their observations about our human condition conundrum. Rock on SOULfully!!

Can't come back here without bawling.

Thank you for leaving us this. Rest In Peace

The first Berman song i ever heard, it stopped me in my tracks. On the Domino 'Worlds of Possibility' complilation. They knew that to showcase their label they had to lead off with the best. xxx

I don't know why, but I love the scene with him becoming the one shoveling. It seems so sweet and hopeful, in a way.

Rock's greatest lyricist.

This is more than a song.

I wish I could tell him how much his music means to me

So nice to see this video. I had American Water until it was stolen. I hope whoever stole it enjoyed it as much as I did.

this is my favorite opening line to a song ever

Miss him so much.

Dudes like Dave keep me making music.

I discovered his music and fell in love. A week later he died. So I now associate all his music with his death and it's sad.

RIP David. This song will stay with me forever.

This is still one of my favorite music videos/songs ever. Rip Dave, you made this world so much better by being here for even just a bit.

Among the greatest songs ever written. RIP to one of the greats.

In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection. Slowly screwing my way across Europe, they had to make a correction. Broken and smokin' where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake. I tell you, they make it so you can't shake hands when they make your hands shake. I know you like to line dance, everything so democratic and cool, But baby there's no guidance when random rules. I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men's room walls. Maybe I've crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls. But nothing can change the fact that we used to share a bed and that's why it scared me so when you turned to me and said: "Yeah, you look like someone Yeah you look like someone who up and left me low. Boy, you look like somene I used to know." I asked the painter why the roads are colored black. He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back." So if you don't want me I promise not to linger, But before I go I gotta ask you dear about the tan line on your ring finger. No one should have two lives, now you know my middle names are wrong and right. Honey we've got two lives to give tonight Source: Musixmatch

so ahead of its time. still ahead of this time.

great song. great album. great band. great man.

10 years ago this song changed my life

One of the all timers. RIP DB.

This is such a good song. Can't believe I never heard it until recently.

"I've gotta ask you dear" onwards is the best couple sentences I've heard in a song at least since this was written. There's nothing better and "In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection" is next best. Same song.

I listen to this song every morning. When I feel like I’m full of tar and inertia and can barely move from extended drug withdrawals, for whatever reason this song and a few others by the Jews will get me off my ass and cause me to handle my business

Great musician, I only discovered 22 years too late

timeless genius! his music and poetry will stand the test of time

T-shirt, 2 x shirts and a jacket. I think that's going to be the look of 2020! I could lick the frosting off these summer days if nights were half as sweet. See you in the next one DCB.

Very sad news to hear of his passing. Such a loss. "I asked the painter why the roads are colored black. He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back." One of my all-time favorite lyrics.

Thank you for everything. You did your part.

I've lived in Chicago for nearly twenty years now. If I ever leave, this video will make me miss it, or at least what it used to be

Outstanding music!

Democratic and cool. Fell in love with this album when I was a 19 year old

reminds me of my brother who played this on our stereo all this summer and although i didnt like it at first but now when i listen to it i think of him and where he is now and what he might be doing

David, we will be truly missed

I came here when I decided to research who Pez Lenchantin is. Apparently, she plays bass and violin for various bands like A Perfect Circle (which I love). Her Wikipedia profile mentioned a band called Silver Jews. Me being a proud Jew that loves anything Jewish that has to do with music, I had to research who the Silver Jews "are" and now I just found out that Silver Jews "were". Thos is a brilliant song and I will do this young man justice by listening to all of his music that I come across and finding out more about whom he was.

May David rest in peace. His music has both exacerbated my sad feelings while also evoking this inner fun part, my wife and I sing this song in a joyous way. And yet, it makes me sad. Yeah you look like someone who up and left me alone…

I like getting drinks at Rainbo Club, bittersweet reminder of his work

love u dave x

i miss him

best intro lyrics brilliant + highly courageous/principled stance against his dad brilliant writer 🙏🏻🌈🙏🏻

I knew this would hurt, rest in peace DB.

RIP, thank you for your music and beauty and poetry. I still miss you and will always miss you. It will get less hard next year, but it still hurts. I hope you're at peace now and no longer hurting.

Perfect Timing....8 yrs ago. It is like passing a virus from one person to another.

Still one of the most beautiful guitar soli ever. Steve, you smug sad bastard.

I'm still kinda devastated. If he somehow would have toured with Pavement this year, it would have been one of the greatest experiences in my life :(

♥️♥️♥️ Tryin to not cry.

Malkmus and Berman are to me like twin brothers but maybe I am awfully wrong. Yet they are I think two of the most brilliant songwriters of their times, and worked together for a while. I enjoy their songs so much.

Why does this song make depression so cozy?

RIP David Berman

one of the greatest breakup songs of all time.

The 'I asked a painter' part slays me.

best lyrics of my life

This song is incredible

RIP Daivid 😔

Beautiful

Rest in peace David Berman❤️

Thank you, David.

To me, the part at 2:08 has always sounded like the part of a wedding reception where people are exhausted from dancing their asses off for the last few hours so they're slowdancing, flushed faces, very drunk, tired, in love with each other, late at night, distant relatives and friends meeting bumming cigs outside, hot summer air

Great work, Drag City

RIP David. You're so cute and beautiful in this video. You've done so much for my life and others. I'll never move on from you.

I feel like a broken record because i've written this so much but I've been broken hearted since Dave passed. His new record left such a mark on me (American Water is also a favorite.) But I feel like Purple Mountains comforted me at a low point in my life this past summer and when I learned of his death I was sickened. Thanks for everything, Mr. Berman.