Wilco — The Joke Explained

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Total ratings: 515
Length: 2:26
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I never held your gaze
I never know my place
Oh, I stare at the eyes
Starin' at my face
It always ends in a tie
There is no needing the divine
I cry at the joke explained
Oh, but if I had known, if I had known
If I had known, I would've never believed
I never smoked my chains
Whoever measures the crest
Oh, they can have my broken chest
It's a staring contest
In a hall of mirrors
I sweat tears, but I don't ever cry
Oh, but if I had known, if I had known
If I had known, I would've never believed
I never knelt at a noose
My pair perished in the pews
I climbed back into the yoke
It always ends in a tie
There is no hitting the design
I cry at the joke explained
I would've never believed
I would've never believed
I never know my place
Oh, I stare at the eyes
Starin' at my face
It always ends in a tie
There is no needing the divine
I cry at the joke explained
Oh, but if I had known, if I had known
If I had known, I would've never believed
I never smoked my chains
Whoever measures the crest
Oh, they can have my broken chest
It's a staring contest
In a hall of mirrors
I sweat tears, but I don't ever cry
Oh, but if I had known, if I had known
If I had known, I would've never believed
I never knelt at a noose
My pair perished in the pews
I climbed back into the yoke
It always ends in a tie
There is no hitting the design
I cry at the joke explained
I would've never believed
I would've never believed
Comments (30)add comment
Yes, a total nod to Lou Reed here. Love WILCO!
kingart wrote:
...And where/how do these dudes dream up the concepts for album titles and cover art? Yeah, of course, roses in a vase, a white cat, and Star Wars in flowing script. Of course!, how unambiguous and self-evident the connection. No inside joke there.
"...First off, your new album is called Star Wars, and there‘s a cat on the cover. Please explain."
"It’s kind of an extension of the thought process behind, I don’t know, staying in touch with some sort of wild energy as much as possible and some sort of an irreverence. But that painting of that cat hangs in the kitchen at the [Wilco] loft, and every day I’d look at it and go, “You know, that should just be the album cover.” Then I started thinking about the phrase “Star Wars” recontextualized against that painting — it was beautiful and jarring. The album has nothing to do with Star Wars. It just makes me feel good. It makes me feel limitless and like there’s still possibilities and still surprise in the world, you know?"
kingart wrote:
And where/how do these dudes dream up the concepts for album titles and cover art?
drugs lol
BillG wrote:
Must have been a glitch at your end. It's not on the file here.
Thanks BillG - I'll re-rate back at a 6...
Probably related to the Wi-Fi at work being used by people actually working?
Must have been a glitch at your end. It's not on the file here.
Thanks BillG - I'll re-rate back at a 6...
Probably related to the Wi-Fi at work being used by people actually working?
lizardking wrote:
Must have been a glitch at your end. It's not on the file here.
Yikes....right after this track started I got a huge pop sound out of the right channel, and with headphones on that was a bit unpleasant. I'm dropping my 6 to a 4 as a result. Maybe it's part of the rip....anyone else notice it?
Must have been a glitch at your end. It's not on the file here.
Bert7 wrote:
You are spot on. Kind of funny.
Can you say Lou Reed...
You are spot on. Kind of funny.
Can you say Lou Reed...
If I had known, would I have changed? no
It's been awhile since I told RP how much I appreciate them! And their listeners......

Oh, they can have '' nobody knows.''
Nice job finding a spot for Nels
HMMM Lou Reed influence. Am thinking if it had been Lou, the rating would be much higher. Lou is granted dispensation for his terrible voice and disjointed music cause that is Lou!
6,2 rated is fair enough - it seems to me as a copy of a copy of a copy...
First time I heard this I thought the singer was Mark E Smith doing one of his pseudo American drawls and it was a new song by The Fall. But having said that, it's a pretty good song by a pretty good band who always surprise.
the velvet underground with a little T-Rex sprinkled on the top. Yummie..
DaveInVA wrote:
Had me fooled.
This almost sounds like old Velvet Underground...
Had me fooled.
turn it up !

A better tune than Impossible Germany and that Jesus, Don't Cry thing. Still, it's a 7 at best. And after 10 listens, it might be a 5.
And where/how do these dudes dream up the concepts for album titles and cover art? Yeah, of course, roses in a vase, a white cat, and Star Wars in flowing script. Of course!, how unambiguous and self-evident the connection. No inside joke there.
And where/how do these dudes dream up the concepts for album titles and cover art? Yeah, of course, roses in a vase, a white cat, and Star Wars in flowing script. Of course!, how unambiguous and self-evident the connection. No inside joke there.
Awful, but consistent.
Great New Wilco Album!! Thanks for playing
DaveInVA wrote:
This almost sounds like old Velvet Underground...
The new album seems okay, nothing special. Cool album art though.
Bought their stuff previously, but I don't feel like parting with cash for this. Sorry, guys.
Yikes...I really hope this isn't the best song on their new CD!
DaveInVA wrote:
Exactly!
This almost sounds like old Velvet Underground...
Exactly!
What did the joke explain anyhow?
Cool tune - they went decidedly "lo-fi" on that number.
Cool tune - they went decidedly "lo-fi" on that number.
This almost sounds like old Velvet Underground...
I want to know what the joke was. The cover and album title?
New Wilco! Always cause for celebration and dancing.
Can you say Lou Reed...
Lou Reed was his babysitter.