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Uncle Tupelo — Life Worth Livin'
Album: No Depression
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 688









Released: 1990
Length: 3:27
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

It seems everybody wants what someone else has
There's sorrow enough for all
Just go in any bar and ask
With a beer in each hand and a smile in between
All around's a world grown mean

We've all had our ups and downs
It's been mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear

Looks like we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we drink ourselves to sleep
Yeah, we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we pray for our souls to keep

There's nothing left now but broken pieces
Of one man's broken will to care
And in the end before all is said and done
How many others might follow him there?

This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

Midnight is comin' 'round
Still mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear
Comments (56)add comment
Straight out of Flat Applachia...
Posted 2 years ago by BillE    [ Reply ]
an easy 10...
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 TLynneHenry wrote:

Anyone else sensing a theme today? 




Played after Soungarten Fell on Black Days!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Anyone else sensing a theme today? 
Posted 4 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
I'm a fan of what Jay & Jeff have done after this, but when I hear them together I think, damn, they were good together! I wish they'd stayed together for longer.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
If you like this UT song (I do), check out Wes Makepeace 639r. Always reminds me of Wes  when I hear this song


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2dAn3x3iZ0
Posted 4 years ago by PaganSkier    [ Reply ]
Another great segue from Soundgarden "fell on black days".  
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:
Excelsior wrote:
That does it. I'm bumping this up to a 10 (just to spite you and your puke emoticon).
 
Many thanks to Bill for the death of the puke emoticon many years ago.
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
WOW! You are finally playing Uncle Tupelo! 

The band from Belleville, IL...that change the world of alt country rock.  

Now...play the Carter family version of "No Depression" and then you really get the link between the two bands.  
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
This album changed my life.  inspired, unbridled, authentic.  turn it up
Posted 7 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]
 sergeant_x wrote:
This, "Screen Door", "Whiskey Bottle" - classics.

 
And lots more actually -- wonder if they've ever reunited at all, for a benefit or the like. Could be pretty special fascinating to hear, if they could stand it.
Posted 8 years ago by manonthetrail    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song... 

 
Amen (and to Cynaera's comments and the lyrics). Never heard this song so clearly before. Funny how that happens. This is Farrar singing is that right? 
Posted 8 years ago by manonthetrail    [ Reply ]
eek ... no thanks (Waits Jockey full o' bourbon that's better : )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
STFU. PSD.
Posted 8 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Another band that passed me by. Not heard of them before. Liking this track. Keen to hear it again...
Eddy Vedder- 'Society' next, perhaps?
Posted 8 years ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
The message fits my life to a tee.
Posted 10 years ago by papajay    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
I wish this band hadn't broken up, but I love all its incarnations, too...

And now - lyrics, which seem appropriate on this day before the day before the Christmas holiday.


This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

It seems everybody wants what someone else has
There's sorrow enough for all
Just go in any bar and ask
With a beer in each hand and a smile in between
All around's a world grown mean

We've all had our ups and downs
It's been mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear

Looks like we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we drink ourselves to sleep
Yeah, we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we pray for our souls to keep

There's nothing left now but broken pieces
Of one man's broken will to care
And in the end before all is said and done
How many others might follow him there?

This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

Midnight is comin' 'round
Still mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear

 
miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song... 
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
This, "Screen Door", "Whiskey Bottle" - classics.
Posted 10 years ago by sergeant_x    [ Reply ]
UT always stops me in my tracks.  This album especially, when it was all so new and raw.  Awesome how derivative they were, and how influential in turn.  A 10!
Posted 10 years ago by bobdote    [ Reply ]
there's always some fabulous info in the comments, and I'll read em almost throughout the day, so today seeing a note by (former member) from awhile ago touched my heart
Peace people 
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
You guys rock.  Thank you Radio Paradise!!!! 
Posted 11 years ago by finny264    [ Reply ]
"Bad" UT would probably get an 8, average a 9 or 10, much of it an 11.  So good, so complex, such a great collision of ideas, styles, and time periods.  What a band.
Posted 11 years ago by Biscobret    [ Reply ]
This song - and UT in general - is/are not played enough on RP.
/mytwocents
Posted 12 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
I wish this band hadn't broken up, but I love all its incarnations, too...

And now - lyrics, which seem appropriate on this day before the day before the Christmas holiday.


This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

It seems everybody wants what someone else has
There's sorrow enough for all
Just go in any bar and ask
With a beer in each hand and a smile in between
All around's a world grown mean

We've all had our ups and downs
It's been mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear

Looks like we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we drink ourselves to sleep
Yeah, we're all looking for a life worth livin'
That's why we pray for our souls to keep

There's nothing left now but broken pieces
Of one man's broken will to care
And in the end before all is said and done
How many others might follow him there?

This song is sung for anyone that's listening
This song is for the broken-spirited man
This song is for anyone left standing
After the strain of a slow, sad end

Midnight is comin' 'round
Still mostly down around here
Now this whole damn mess is becoming quite clear



Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Is that Tweedy on vocals, or Farar - sounds different?


 
It's Jay Farrar—he's on the left here in a photo from the early days.


Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]

Is that Tweedy on vocals, or Farar - sounds different?


Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Damn,  I thought it was Flogging Molly.  Oh well, it was good anyway.
Posted 13 years ago by oenyaw    [ Reply ]
 musickat wrote:
Saw them on a Halloween 1987 ?  maybe :)   in Columbia, Mo, their hometown I think.  Had never heard of them and they were great.   You know they broke up to become Wilco and Jay Ferrarer or how ever you spell it.

 
That would be Wilco and Jay Farrar's band Son Volt.  Still wish Uncle Tupelo existed though...

Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Ignorant of this band no longer.... thanks to Bill and little thingie he does in the basement...   outstanding music...   
Posted 14 years ago by asocash    [ Reply ]
Saw them on a Halloween 1987 ?  maybe :)   in Columbia, Mo, their hometown I think.  Had never heard of them and they were great.   You know they broke up to become Wilco and Jay Ferrarer or how ever you spell it.

Posted 14 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
yes excellent
H
Posted 14 years ago by cousinhub    [ Reply ]
I am so digging this station, and surprises like this tune are the reason why. Great earthy stuff.
Posted 15 years ago by dhudiburg    [ Reply ]
Bought their Anodyne CD on the basis of some of what I heard here.  Boy, was that an inappropriately titled effort! 
Posted 15 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
 kimmer wrote:


Hey, I walked a couple months ago.  Liberation is a fabulous feeling.  Good enough to get you through the drag of having to look for a new job.
 
Not these days.

Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
emo setting in
Posted 15 years ago by snakefinger    [ Reply ]
 Excelsior wrote:
I despise this idiot's voice.
 

that's ok.  we all despise your idiotic posts.
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 meydele wrote:
Hmmm. . . maybe this is resonating because I am literally, at this moment, deciding whether the joy of walking on my job is worth the drag that it will be later . . .
 

Hey, I walked a couple months ago.  Liberation is a fabulous feeling.  Good enough to get you through the drag of having to look for a new job.
Posted 16 years ago by kimmer    [ Reply ]

I love Jay Farrar's voice, it makes the song. . .

Posted 16 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
I despise this idiot's voice.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:


That does it. I'm bumping this up to a 10 (just to spite you and your puke emoticon).

 

Seriously. What could possibly be considered puke-worthy about this song? I think that idiot emoticon should be banned, at least when used with no explanation.
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
That does it. I'm bumping this up to a 10 (just to spite you and your puke emoticon).
Posted 16 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
I bet he walked.
Posted 16 years ago by sutcliff    [ Reply ]
meydele wrote:
Hmmm. . . maybe this is resonating because I am literally, at this moment, deciding whether the joy of walking on my job is worth the drag that it will be later . . .
So....what happened??
Posted 16 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
Only this cut & "Screen Door" from Uncle Tupelo's great debut release are currently played on RP? I'd love to hear any of the other first seven cuts: 1. Graveyard Shift 2. That Year 3. Before I Break 4. No Depression 5. Factory Belt 6. Whiskey Bottle 7. Outdone What a great start to an underappreciated career.
Posted 17 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Wow! It's 5:07pm and I've gotten through an entire day of PR without Cowboy Junkies or Suzanne Vega! High Fives!
Posted 17 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
This single beautiful 12" piece of vinyl is responsible for hi-jacking a metal/sci-fi/noize journey (Helios Creed, Chrome, ..)I once travelled and set me straight . Merci to Jay, Jeff and the bottles they emptied in Belleville.
Posted 17 years ago by UncleChig    [ Reply ]
meydele wrote:
Hmmm. . . maybe this is resonating because I am literally, at this moment, deciding whether the joy of walking on my job is worth the drag that it will be later . . .
DO IT!
Posted 17 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
great stuff!
Posted 17 years ago by rtkmusic    [ Reply ]
Hmmm. . . maybe this is resonating because I am literally, at this moment, deciding whether the joy of walking on my job is worth the drag that it will be later . . .
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
The words are so true...
Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Tupelo = 10 for me. Another '90s classic. The album that started the movement. Nice set Bill.
Posted 17 years ago by Dylan76    [ Reply ]
This is my new theme song.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Twang On!
Posted 17 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
Needle and the Damage Done?
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]