the mountain goats discography has always frightened me where to start but this song and album (We Shall Be Healed) is my favorite. i love the concept and theme, everything flows and everything that used to flow that addiction sooner or later fucked up. this live version has so much boom that raises the nostalgia triggered via objects
My brother died a few weeks ago and this was one of the first songs I listened to (and listened a lot) after it happened, so it's fitting this was one the set list of the new KEXP session. Beautifully done as always.
May he rest in peace. When my brother passed away the song Never Quite Free from All Eternals Deck really resonated with me. I'm sure you'll find the strength to heal.
Do you know when you wake up from a dream feeling really well like you had been cradled in your mother's lap all night? This rarely happens but sometimes we wake up with a genuinely happy smile on our lips and after a while everything goes back to normal and it was just a dream and we don't even remember what the dream was like. This song is a bit like that, rocking me and comforting me for a few minutes and for that thank you.
This version of the song has so much oomph and power to it. Mixed so perfectly. The instruments harmonize so well and John's voice weaves in and out so beautifully. It brings the song to life more than the studio version. So amazing.
When I saw him perform this live, he said it was inspired by a period when he lived in Portland and had a serious drug addiction. I think he's talked about that part of his life in several places.
I can't speak for anyone else but to ME the Belgium in this song is metaphorical. Like the narrator's departed things aren't necessarily from actual Belgium; when the two of them were together they'd thought of Belgium as like, heaven or elysium or some other mythical, wonderful place they'd go together someday. But they never made it, at least not together. I could also be ENTIRELY wrong, this one is waaaay open to interpretation and feels cloaked in mystery but that's how it strikes me, as someone having been through something similar to what I think this song is about. Certainly it's different things to different people which is a big part of why I like this band so much. Anyway I don't think anyone who didn't write it can say what it's about objectively but I CAN say with absolute certainty that it's a beautiful and sad song that reminds me of a really wonderful person who's not around anymore, and that makes it a real treasure.
Wow, these lyrics just hit different now. Since the last time I heard this song I’ve become an IV opiate/meth user (currently in recovery). “I saw the mess you left up in the east bedroom A tiger's never gonna change its stripes” Trigger warning, but my ex would always come home to find the bathroom covered in blood and syringes and shit everywhere. I would have all these wounds all over me, and I honestly couldn’t tell her how I’d managed to make such a mess. And then the number of people that say you will never change, that you will never recover, endless people (like her), a procession of people you valued with all your heart walking out of your life. They just cant watch you kill yourself anymore. Yeah this song hits deep. To anyone going through it out there, know you are not alone, you are loved, and there is always a way through, you may just need the right support from people who can relate to these kinds of experiences. Even if it is one single mustard seed worth of hope left. Keep that seed alive.
I read on Genius that "Belgium is used as a metaphor for the place that meth users are trying to get to when they do the drug." Not sure how accurate that is, but since there is a song called "Letter From Belgium" on this album.... it seems "Belgium" and "Belgian" is code for something meth related.
Nah sorry dude. As someone who was in that scene for a decade, I have never heard anyone say or mention anything like that. Genius can be good, but sometimes people are just pulling stuff out of their booties.
the mountain goats discography has always frightened me where to start but this song and album (We Shall Be Healed) is my favorite. i love the concept and theme, everything flows and everything that used to flow that addiction sooner or later fucked up. this live version has so much boom that raises the nostalgia triggered via objects
My brother died a few weeks ago and this was one of the first songs I listened to (and listened a lot) after it happened, so it's fitting this was one the set list of the new KEXP session.
Beautifully done as always.
May he rest in peace. When my brother passed away the song Never Quite Free from All Eternals Deck really resonated with me. I'm sure you'll find the strength to heal.
May he rest in peace. My mom died this september.
This helps. A little but helps.
Do you know when you wake up from a dream feeling really well like you had been cradled in your mother's lap all night? This rarely happens but sometimes we wake up with a genuinely happy smile on our lips and after a while everything goes back to normal and it was just a dream and we don't even remember what the dream was like.
This song is a bit like that, rocking me and comforting me for a few minutes and for that thank you.
This version of the song has so much oomph and power to it. Mixed so perfectly. The instruments harmonize so well and John's voice weaves in and out so beautifully. It brings the song to life more than the studio version. So amazing.
I am guessing that John Darnielle never did have ALL the experiences he writes about, but he still captures scenes like he was there.
When I saw him perform this live, he said it was inspired by a period when he lived in Portland and had a serious drug addiction. I think he's talked about that part of his life in several places.
It makes no sense to me but as a Belgian how can I not love this song.
I can't speak for anyone else but to ME the Belgium in this song is metaphorical. Like the narrator's departed things aren't necessarily from actual Belgium; when the two of them were together they'd thought of Belgium as like, heaven or elysium or some other mythical, wonderful place they'd go together someday. But they never made it, at least not together.
I could also be ENTIRELY wrong, this one is waaaay open to interpretation and feels cloaked in mystery but that's how it strikes me, as someone having been through something similar to what I think this song is about. Certainly it's different things to different people which is a big part of why I like this band so much.
Anyway I don't think anyone who didn't write it can say what it's about objectively but I CAN say with absolute certainty that it's a beautiful and sad song that reminds me of a really wonderful person who's not around anymore, and that makes it a real treasure.
Wow, these lyrics just hit different now. Since the last time I heard this song I’ve become an IV opiate/meth user (currently in recovery).
“I saw the mess you left up in the east bedroom
A tiger's never gonna change its stripes”
Trigger warning, but my ex would always come home to find the bathroom covered in blood and syringes and shit everywhere. I would have all these wounds all over me, and I honestly couldn’t tell her how I’d managed to make such a mess. And then the number of people that say you will never change, that you will never recover, endless people (like her), a procession of people you valued with all your heart walking out of your life. They just cant watch you kill yourself anymore. Yeah this song hits deep.
To anyone going through it out there, know you are not alone, you are loved, and there is always a way through, you may just need the right support from people who can relate to these kinds of experiences. Even if it is one single mustard seed worth of hope left. Keep that seed alive.
christ, that bass sounds like a whale its wonderful
With Ron Swanson on piano!
Does Duke Silver play piano in the Mountain Goats now? Im confused and excited.
That's Matt "Matty Bones" Douglas.
Wait til you see Matty Bones playing sax with them.
I read on Genius that "Belgium is used as a metaphor for the place that meth users are trying to get to when they do the drug." Not sure how accurate that is, but since there is a song called "Letter From Belgium" on this album.... it seems "Belgium" and "Belgian" is code for something meth related.
Why tho? lmao
Imagine I go on vacation over thereun the US, and say "I'm from Belgium"
*gets arrested immediately*
Nah sorry dude. As someone who was in that scene for a decade, I have never heard anyone say or mention anything like that. Genius can be good, but sometimes people are just pulling stuff out of their booties.