Jason Isbell is the best songwriter in Nashville and maybe modern music. His vernacular is huge and spans over generations so when you listen to this guy he literally immerses you into a story. It's like no one else I've ever heard, except for Prine of course.
Jason Isbell is one of the GREAT songwriters these days. You can listen to pretty much anything of his - not only Southeastern - it's all brilliant. When he "killed her" in Live Oak, it can very well be metaphoric - you often quite not know with Isbell, the depths of his lyrics... Also, it makes great sense that listening to Jason Isbell doing Cover Me Up, hits harder. Remember he usually/often sings it with the woman he wrote it for. A hint, listen to Streetlights, then Songs that she sang in the Shower, then Cover Me Up. There's a progression through those three songs. Another tip, check out John Moreland.
This song is about Jason Isbell's battle with alcoholism. The girl, the metaphor, was just that. When he "buried her so deep she touched the water table line" was when he got sober. It's a brilliant story molded to stand on itself, but has a different meeting to him.
If we were vampires, last of my kind, flagship, speed trap town, outfit, alabama pines, god damn lonely love, dress blues are all works of art. You could spend weeks going through his music and still have a ton of beautiful songs left.
The album The Nashville Sound, by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, as well as their newer album, Reunions, are both full of brilliant songs. I'd love to see someone react to Dreamsicle off of Reunions, or any of the songs off of The Nashville Sound.
I got introduced to his music about 10 years ago, Alabama pines and than DBT, I love to see the excitement in you when you listen…. Jason has a real smart and not overused way to write lyrics…
If you look up the actual meaning behind the song according to Jason Isbell, the entire song is actually a metaphor for his struggle with alcoholism. The woman he is in love with is the alcohol, him burying her is him turning away from that part of his life, and his fear of never finding another friend is his fear of exactly that seeing as he had to separate from everyone he ran with because they were alcoholics as well. VERY DEEP and is just another way of showing how creative this man is in his song writing
This is such a haunting, haunted song. How many writers could evoke a threat and a plea with so little daylight between them that for a second you forget which is which?
I always thought it was that she was only attracted to his younger outlaw ways which is the "confusing him with me" and he was trying to change his ways but he couldn't let go his history until she had died and he could bury both her and the man he used to be. Also check out his earlier work with The Drive By Truckers - Goddamn Lonely Love is still probably one of the best songs he's made
I think you're right. When it says "When I told her her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword" the next line is "All the things that she'd suspected, I'd expected her to fear, was the truth that drew her to me when I landed here". I think that was excitement in her eyes, not judgement and he realized that if he stayed with her he would wind up going back to his outlaw life. Now I don't know if killing her was absolutely necessary, but apparently that's how he chose to deal with the situation.
He killed her because she loves the man he used to be. Her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword because his past excited her. That was what drew her to him.
I think the reason you prefer his version of Cover Me Up is that he really digs in vocally, where as that other guy uses another singer and does harmony. For one artist its a real history and for the other its a performance. The new album, Georgia Blue, is all covers so you can see how he does covers. Pro tip; he fucking crushes I've Been Loving You Too Long, and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is sublime.
Fully understand what you mean about Jason's version of Cover Me Up in comparison to Morgan Wallen's. Jason wrote the song and to me you get the real sense of feeling and emotion behind the words whereas Morgan is just singing them.
Keep in mind the subject of the song was telling a story set decades ago (I take "the war" to mean one of the Word Wars), so "pining for" was a more common phrase. It's not really commonly in use today, even in the country.
It was the truth of his bad self that drew her to him when he landed there he said. He didn't like himself before so the good guy killed her and at the end the bad guy dies with her. What a tune.
I see where you say you like bluegrass. Don’t know if you have ever heard of Sturgill Simpson but he is in the same wheelhouse as Tyler Childers. Anyways, he’s just released a bluegrass “remake” double album of some of his bigger hits. He’s got a song on one of the albums called “ I Don’t Mind”. Please do a reaction video to this song, I promise you will not be disappointed. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming.
Truly, listen to any Jason Isbell song. Last of My Kind, If We We’re Vampires, Something More Than Free, 24 Frames, Cast Iron Skillet. And the reason Jason’s version of his own song, Cover Me Up, sounds more real and authentic….research the story behind it and why/who he wrote it for…then you’ll really get it.
If you are looking for other VIVID Jason Isbell tunes find the live acoustic solo version of "Street Lights" ... Also "Dress Blues" from the "Live From Alabama" album ... Might be the 2 most "LYRICALLY VIVID" songs I have ever heard ... Cheers Dude - Good Channel ...
She liked and was attracted to evil. She was turned on by the stories of the bad boys of his past. She liked that they had robbed and murdered. About her eyes flashing like sharp steel. Picture an evil look, reaction to something heard. You don’t want people to see that reaction in your eyes. Any song is open to interpretation, but that’s how I understood it. She is representative of his past.
The war...either the Indian war or the civil war. “Couldn’t stay alone out on the plains before the war”....not 9-11. The plains, as in the Great Plains, not airplanes . Isbell is the best song writer other than John Prine in a generation.
Was the story you're referring to A Rose For Emily by William Faulkner? If so, most interpretations are that Emily killed Homer Barron because she figured out that he was gay, and using Emily as a beard.
I love your passion for this song, but your interpretation is pretty far off. As others have noted, the direct storyline is about a killer who is trying to change his ways but his girl loves the man who he was, not who he's trying to become. On a deeper metaphorical level, it is about Jason's struggle with alcoholism and the 'lover' is the part of him that misses the old Jason, the alcoholic Jason. In both cases, the only way he could move on was to kill and deeply bury the 'lover' so he would not be tempted by them ever again to become "the man he used to be."
You're close. What it is metaphorically about is his worry that others won't find him as entertaining or interesting now that he is sober. The lover represents the people who are/were drawn to the darker parts of people.
Thanks for sharing. If you have time come watch my cover of The Lumineers - I'm an indie artist and think you might dig my sound. Really appreciate it!
Have you heard Home Free's Version of "Cover Me Up"? If not it brings up so many different feelings for me! Also if you haven't YOU MUST WATCH & REACT TO THE CREDITS!
Thanks for uploading! If you have a second, I recorded some original music. As a fellow music lover, I'd love if you would check it out. It's on my page. I appreciate it!
Jason’s album Southeastern is a masterpiece
100%
Jason Isbell is the best songwriter in Nashville and maybe modern music. His vernacular is huge and spans over generations so when you listen to this guy he literally immerses you into a story. It's like no one else I've ever heard, except for Prine of course.
In my personal all time top 5. New album is his best since Southeastern. So good. Glad he's back in form.
Jason said in an interview this song is about a serial killer. Listen again and you will hear it in the lyrics.
Jason Isbell is one of the GREAT songwriters these days. You can listen to pretty much anything of his - not only Southeastern - it's all brilliant. When he "killed her" in Live Oak, it can very well be metaphoric - you often quite not know with Isbell, the depths of his lyrics... Also, it makes great sense that listening to Jason Isbell doing Cover Me Up, hits harder. Remember he usually/often sings it with the woman he wrote it for.
A hint, listen to Streetlights, then Songs that she sang in the Shower, then Cover Me Up. There's a progression through those three songs.
Another tip, check out John Moreland.
This song is about Jason Isbell's battle with alcoholism. The girl, the metaphor, was just that. When he "buried her so deep she touched the water table line" was when he got sober. It's a brilliant story molded to stand on itself, but has a different meeting to him.
If we were vampires, last of my kind, flagship, speed trap town, outfit, alabama pines, god damn lonely love, dress blues are all works of art. You could spend weeks going through his music and still have a ton of beautiful songs left.
12:00 I totally feel you on this! I stopped what I was doing the first time I heard this and went back to listen again to see if I missed something!
The album The Nashville Sound, by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, as well as their newer album, Reunions, are both full of brilliant songs. I'd love to see someone react to Dreamsicle off of Reunions, or any of the songs off of The Nashville Sound.
I got introduced to his music about 10 years ago, Alabama pines and than DBT, I love to see the excitement in you when you listen…. Jason has a real smart and not overused way to write lyrics…
New subscriber. Great reactions. Jason is on a different level.
If you look up the actual meaning behind the song according to Jason Isbell, the entire song is actually a metaphor for his struggle with alcoholism. The woman he is in love with is the alcohol, him burying her is him turning away from that part of his life, and his fear of never finding another friend is his fear of exactly that seeing as he had to separate from everyone he ran with because they were alcoholics as well. VERY DEEP and is just another way of showing how creative this man is in his song writing
I think the "found another victim every couple days" line was way more violent than your take one it
This is such a haunting, haunted song. How many writers could evoke a threat and a plea with so little daylight between them that for a second you forget which is which?
He and Brandi Carlisle might be the two best songwriters of this generation.
They are.
That Song is phenomenal!😊👍
I always thought it was that she was only attracted to his younger outlaw ways which is the "confusing him with me" and he was trying to change his ways but he couldn't let go his history until she had died and he could bury both her and the man he used to be.
Also check out his earlier work with The Drive By Truckers - Goddamn Lonely Love is still probably one of the best songs he's made
I think you're right. When it says "When I told her her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword" the next line is "All the things that she'd suspected, I'd expected her to fear, was the truth that drew her to me when I landed here". I think that was excitement in her eyes, not judgement and he realized that if he stayed with her he would wind up going back to his outlaw life. Now I don't know if killing her was absolutely necessary, but apparently that's how he chose to deal with the situation.
One of my favorite country sayings, "boy, its rainin' like a tall cow pissin' on a flat rock"
just found yer channel and love yer astute analysis. Cant wait to see what else you have for us!
He killed her because she loves the man he used to be. Her eyes flickered like the sharp steel of a sword because his past excited her. That was what drew her to him.
I think the reason you prefer his version of Cover Me Up is that he really digs in vocally, where as that other guy uses another singer and does harmony. For one artist its a real history and for the other its a performance. The new album, Georgia Blue, is all covers so you can see how he does covers. Pro tip; he fucking crushes I've Been Loving You Too Long, and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is sublime.
Fully understand what you mean about Jason's version of Cover Me Up in comparison to Morgan Wallen's. Jason wrote the song and to me you get the real sense of feeling and emotion behind the words whereas Morgan is just singing them.
Keep in mind the subject of the song was telling a story set decades ago (I take "the war" to mean one of the Word Wars), so "pining for" was a more common phrase. It's not really commonly in use today, even in the country.
I was thinking civil war but yes
It was the truth of his bad self that drew her to him when he landed there he said. He didn't like himself before so the good guy killed her and at the end the bad guy dies with her. What a tune.
I like how giddy you are man! It’s clear you enjoy it
I see where you say you like bluegrass. Don’t know if you have ever heard of Sturgill Simpson but he is in the same wheelhouse as Tyler Childers. Anyways, he’s just released a bluegrass “remake” double album of some of his bigger hits. He’s got a song on one of the albums called “ I Don’t Mind”. Please do a reaction video to this song, I promise you will not be disappointed. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming.
Check out the albums when he was part of Drive By Truckers. Incredible southern rock.
Truly, listen to any Jason Isbell song. Last of My Kind, If We We’re Vampires, Something More Than Free, 24 Frames, Cast Iron Skillet.
And the reason Jason’s version of his own song, Cover Me Up, sounds more real and authentic….research the story behind it and why/who he wrote it for…then you’ll really get it.
If you are looking for other VIVID Jason Isbell tunes find the live acoustic solo version of "Street Lights" ... Also "Dress Blues" from the "Live From Alabama" album ... Might be the 2 most "LYRICALLY VIVID" songs I have ever heard ... Cheers Dude - Good Channel ...
Yvette is both disturbing and beautiful. You should do a video on it as well.
Love Jason.
He’s in my top 1
His version of Cover Me Up at Austin City Limits is good.
Completely off topic but you have great teeth! Said from someone who had braces for years and one tooth still went wonky after.
She liked and was attracted to evil. She was turned on by the stories of the bad boys of his past. She liked that they had robbed and murdered.
About her eyes flashing like sharp steel. Picture an evil look, reaction to something heard. You don’t want people to see that reaction in your eyes. Any song is open to interpretation, but that’s how I understood it.
She is representative of his past.
Try him with the DBTruckers.song is What It Means....its just heartwrencing
He was not with them then...my bad..beautiful song anyway
Can you react to Elephant from the same artist.
The war...either the Indian war or the civil war.
“Couldn’t stay alone out on the plains before the war”....not 9-11.
The plains, as in the Great Plains, not airplanes .
Isbell is the best song writer other than John Prine in a generation.
I could imagine it being before WWII during the depression as well. Talking about "the farmers digging dusty fields alone".
When a southerner refers to “the war” it is a reference to the Civil War.
Time before a social security number.
Listen to drive by truckers…he was part of them years ago…mike Cooley and Paterson hood are just as good
Was the story you're referring to A Rose For Emily by William Faulkner? If so, most interpretations are that Emily killed Homer Barron because she figured out that he was gay, and using Emily as a beard.
"Pre-9/11" yeah... um... 1850 is pre-9/11 for sure! The song is very clearly set pre-civil war.
Overseas
I love your passion for this song, but your interpretation is pretty far off. As others have noted, the direct storyline is about a killer who is trying to change his ways but his girl loves the man who he was, not who he's trying to become. On a deeper metaphorical level, it is about Jason's struggle with alcoholism and the 'lover' is the part of him that misses the old Jason, the alcoholic Jason.
In both cases, the only way he could move on was to kill and deeply bury the 'lover' so he would not be tempted by them ever again to become "the man he used to be."
You're close. What it is metaphorically about is his worry that others won't find him as entertaining or interesting now that he is sober. The lover represents the people who are/were drawn to the darker parts of people.
Thanks for sharing. If you have time come watch my cover of The Lumineers - I'm an indie artist and think you might dig my sound. Really appreciate it!
Have you heard Home Free's Version of "Cover Me Up"? If not it brings up so many different feelings for me! Also if you haven't YOU MUST WATCH & REACT TO THE CREDITS!
He also tends to use double meanings with his words.
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Pre9/11??? hilarious.
I take it as pre civil war loner
Thanks for uploading! If you have a second, I recorded some original music. As a fellow music lover, I'd love if you would check it out. It's on my page. I appreciate it!