I don't think i noticed before, on previous watches (because all i could focus on was his voice and the music) - but the cinematography choices in this are really well done. I love how the circling speeds up when he hits the 'drive til the rain stops' part again, like the feelings are encircling him and when he tries to pick up his pace in the car ('keep driving') to outrun them, they just circle faster. And then how effective to finally stop right next to him, when he finally gets to the brief implied reveal of what he's done. Bringing us right up close to his face as John's soft gentle voice sings those 2 lines: "I had his arms tied up behind him. We were together all day." Those lyrics are so chilling - it's like he can't give us (or the narrator can't give himself) any more details than that. But we knew he had the other man helpless, and we know how long it lasted. That in itself is horrific, for both us and for him. And then, having just touched those few words of what happened, he retreats from it to focus on where he might manage to drive to by today. The camera, after hanging on just a little longer, retreats too, down to his hands, as if unable to look at him anymore, just as he is unable to look at himself and his actions anymore after just the few words he used to describe them. And then for the camera to pull back out and pull away, as if by his order - "Keep driving!". Circling him again as he drives, not daring to look that close again.
When this man passes on, I hope that all of you keep his name alive. He is a genius with a small crowd. He is a legend, amazing, talented, witty, and incredible. He should have the credit he deserves. Remember John Darnielle as long as your alive. Show him to your kids, and tell your children to do the same. Thank you for all of your gifts to my life. You have saved me in many bad situations, and fore I do not know you personally i know your music. Thank you.
John Darnielle has the best lyrics out there, the man is an absolute literary genius. Very few musicians out there have such power with their lyrics alone.
The clouds explode and then the desert blooms Someone will need to mop this floor for me When I emerge, I find my car Like a cathedral in a dream of the future Drive until the rain stops Keep driving Pull over and blast off when I get the chance Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight Flip on the high stakes radio Try to sing the words right Drive until the rain stops Keep driving I had his arms tied up behind him We were together all day Maybe make Culiacán by sunset Try to, anyway High as the clouds now Flying Drive until the rain stops Keep driving
darnielle: so badass (in an emotional and beautiful way) that he can let the camera see it's own tracks without it detracting from the video. i'm leaving for basic training for the navy tomorrow, and the thing i'm going to miss the most in the two months is being able to fall asleep listening to these songs.
the thing about John Darnielle's voice is that its interesting. Lets put it this way; in the end, when you're reading a piece of poetry, you don't care that the poet didn't capitalize anything. When you're reading "The Road", you don't care about the author's grammar. You can hear the emotion of this song shining through in his singing and chord choice. But, of course it doesn't really matter to me what other people have to say, as long as I can continue to listen to it.
I finally got my hands of full performance of this album which includes this video. It is one of the best I've seen. Love love love The Mountain Goats.
one of the best songs i have ever heard, gave me chills the first time i heard it... So glad i turned on the colbert report and saw these guys play.... best colbert ep ever
this song makes my heart feel like it's lurching forward in a very sweet kind of sad sort of way "because when you torture a person to death who do you really torture? Yourself"
Just picked up a copy of the entire film on DVD at an indie music store for Record Store Day. It is brilliant. And I went to Pomona College and spent plenty of time in Lyman Hall, which makes this all the more beautiful to me.
They're different genres, but Aaron Weiss of MewithoutYou and Aesop Rock are the other two artists I'll listen to when I need some lyricism and solid music..... Also, thanks for Frank Turner! How have I never heard of him until now????
Your comment is 12 years old so this comment is like trying to communicate with a cave painting in terms of "internet time" but thats best the praise of John ive ever read because it hits EXACTLY why i cant (and wont) stop listening. Thanks friend ❤
@anHAT - For clarification; Ben Folds wrote the song brick. Riann Johnson did the massively critically-acclaimed cult-adored independent film "Brick." Both are pretty incredible works of art, one's just a few hours longer - and a movie.
@degracia22 He's narrating the story of a drug-addict who just tortured and killed a man in a hotel room. The character is driving back to Mexico and trying to avoid thinking about what he just did, but cannot keep his thoughts from returning to it.
The guitar is laying there mocking us. For the record, I approve of Darnielle's expanding horizons, what with the piano and all. Marvellous song, if unconventional single.
I think (THINK) that they are! On Record Store Day - at least that's what I'm hoping The Life of the World to Come (DVD) is - don't know what else it'd be.
@JDubbs1190 I won't challenge your opinions, but I don't feel the argument that he uses too few chords is really valid. Much great music has been created with a minimum of chords. There's an old joke that all of rock and roll is three chords, for example. And the blues of the early south was similarly reduced as the musicians really didn't know music theory at all. Now, if you just simply don't like the way he uses chords, that's an entire other matter and one I can't argue against.
John, beautiful piano. so weird not seeing you with a guitar and rocking the fuck out. But this is beautiful, you sound so Good. on a semi unrelated note: i have never seen you so attractive.
that's the spirit: for the words speaks louder. john darnielle doesn't sing at all. yet is a fucking great poet/musician... and his voice fits on his poems. you still have bono and beyonce for your amusement ;-))))
@Limeteaser His voice is nasally, and sounds fucking hilarious at times, but I think you are getting a bit dramatic with an adjective like, "horrible," to describe the guys voice. Lets not get crazy with the subjectivity. I listen to almost exclusively punk rock, but when I heard this particular song I felt a stirring in my stomach that I fucking loved. I don't know much about singing or composition or chord choices. All I know is that I love the way this music makes me feel.
I don't know anything about music theory or chord choices. I judge music on the type and intensity of emotion it brings me. If you have learned to judge music differently, I kind of feel sorry for you.
God has opened His Word (the Bible)in these last days so we can know many things never known before."That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."Matt13:35 No one knew the timeline of history until God revealed it inHisWord.11013 BC Creation (Adam on 6th day);5590BC BirthofNoah ;1007 BC David becomes king;2011 AD Raptureofbelieverswww05-21-2011dotZaptoORG
@thewho30rb He seems to know what he's doing as far as lyrics. I also really don't enjoy his voice either. As far as chord choices, it's kind of hard to explain unless you've taken some music theory courses. Essentially, there really isn't much of a limit to the chords you can make. The true beauty is how the writer manages to approach each chord to make it fit. In this song, I don't think he uses more than five chords. It's really plain in that sense. I feel it might be better suited as a poem.
![5 Pieces by Hans Zimmer \\ Iconic Soundtracks \\ Relaxing Piano [20min]](/img/n.gif)
I don't think i noticed before, on previous watches (because all i could focus on was his voice and the music) - but the cinematography choices in this are really well done.
I love how the circling speeds up when he hits the 'drive til the rain stops' part again, like the feelings are encircling him and when he tries to pick up his pace in the car ('keep driving') to outrun them, they just circle faster.
And then how effective to finally stop right next to him, when he finally gets to the brief implied reveal of what he's done. Bringing us right up close to his face as John's soft gentle voice sings those 2 lines:
"I had his arms tied up behind him.
We were together all day."
Those lyrics are so chilling - it's like he can't give us (or the narrator can't give himself) any more details than that. But we knew he had the other man helpless, and we know how long it lasted. That in itself is horrific, for both us and for him.
And then, having just touched those few words of what happened, he retreats from it to focus on where he might manage to drive to by today. The camera, after hanging on just a little longer, retreats too, down to his hands, as if unable to look at him anymore, just as he is unable to look at himself and his actions anymore after just the few words he used to describe them.
And then for the camera to pull back out and pull away, as if by his order - "Keep driving!". Circling him again as he drives, not daring to look that close again.
When this man passes on, I hope that all of you keep his name alive. He is a genius with a small crowd. He is a legend, amazing, talented, witty, and incredible. He should have the credit he deserves. Remember John Darnielle as long as your alive. Show him to your kids, and tell your children to do the same. Thank you for all of your gifts to my life. You have saved me in many bad situations, and fore I do not know you personally i know your music. Thank you.
Honestly? This isn't overstated. Thank you for saying it. ..9 years ago.
He's still trucking along!
This song is amazingly touching and moving for a song about a man torturing another man to death in a house in Mexico.
Dave Ellis what the shit wym
Austin Rogers That’s what the song is about
John Darnielle has the best lyrics out there, the man is an absolute literary genius. Very few musicians out there have such power with their lyrics alone.
his books are pretty good
@@noongrave6700 He has books :o Thx for telling
The clouds explode and then the desert blooms
Someone will need to mop this floor for me
When I emerge, I find my car
Like a cathedral in a dream of the future
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Pull over and blast off when I get the chance
Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight
Flip on the high stakes radio
Try to sing the words right
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
I had his arms tied up behind him
We were together all day
Maybe make Culiacán by sunset
Try to, anyway
High as the clouds now
Flying
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
darnielle: so badass (in an emotional and beautiful way) that he can let the camera see it's own tracks without it detracting from the video. i'm leaving for basic training for the navy tomorrow, and the thing i'm going to miss the most in the two months is being able to fall asleep listening to these songs.
J.D. is one of the few artists out there who continually blows me away. I love that dude -- and I've told his as much.
the thing about John Darnielle's voice is that its interesting. Lets put it this way; in the end, when you're reading a piece of poetry, you don't care that the poet didn't capitalize anything. When you're reading "The Road", you don't care about the author's grammar. You can hear the emotion of this song shining through in his singing and chord choice. But, of course it doesn't really matter to me what other people have to say, as long as I can continue to listen to it.
Lucy Smithers well said
thank you for everything, john
This is my favorite track from the life of the world to come. I wish it was on the album.
Possibly the greatest thing ever written x
I finally got my hands of full performance of this album which includes this video. It is one of the best I've seen. Love love love The Mountain Goats.
one of the best songs i have ever heard, gave me chills the first time i heard it... So glad i turned on the colbert report and saw these guys play.... best colbert ep ever
this song makes my heart feel like it's lurching forward in a very sweet kind of sad sort of way
"because when you torture a person to death who do you really torture? Yourself"
Just picked up a copy of the entire film on DVD at an indie music store for Record Store Day. It is brilliant. And I went to Pomona College and spent plenty of time in Lyman Hall, which makes this all the more beautiful to me.
this isnt a song a voice like this sounds like it should sing, but god am i glad he does
the contrast between his voice and the piano is really original. great writing. awesome music
So true, and we are so lucky to be living in his time.
his voice is just so amazing. i can listen to it all day.
can't stop crying to this song, so beautiful
I still love this version
I must say this is one of the best performances i've seen in a long time!
I just heard of this guy today and already rank him up there with Frank Turner (My favorite musician). Both have intense lyrics and incredible talent.
Are you familiar with Andrew Jackson Jihad? They remind me of both of those artists
Leavemealoneabout Usingmyname Can we add Andrew Bird to the list of incredible, talented lyrical musicians? :)
Love Jihad haha, I'll check out Bird later!
They're different genres, but Aaron Weiss of MewithoutYou and Aesop Rock are the other two artists I'll listen to when I need some lyricism and solid music..... Also, thanks for Frank Turner! How have I never heard of him until now????
Leavemealoneabout Usingmyname Mathew 25:21 and The Autopsy garland are also amazing
He and Ben Folds are the masters of
God bless John Darnielle and his amazing talent.
This hurts in the best way possible.
Another wonderful album from the Mountain Goats! Although 'Tallahassee' still is, and probably always will be, my favourite
this guy is a bad A and i hope to right and play this type of music some day and he has inspired me to do so
religious experience this song, driving.
I hear more truth in Darnielle's metaphors than I do from from most literal sources of information and opinion. He is extremely talented.
"Yes, metaphor. I definitely wasn't in Mexico in '87."
*John looks about like the shifty dog from the Simpsons*
Edit* 8 year old comment, damn. My bad
Your comment is 12 years old so this comment is like trying to communicate with a cave painting in terms of "internet time" but thats best the praise of John ive ever read because it hits EXACTLY why i cant (and wont) stop listening. Thanks friend ❤
John Darnielle is the reason that I am a musician.
Beautiful.
Oct 6, 2009. JD played Psalms 40:2
I love Rian Johnson
Hi Joel.
This song hits hard.
Same
only seen the MGs at festivals, so can't wait to catch them when they come to Oz next month for their own tour.
Wonderful. That's all I can say.
Amazing.
wow, this is beautiful. jd, you are the best.
beautiful voice
This is, for lack of a more justified/fitting word (since what I'm about to say doesn't quite do it justice), stunning.
@anHAT - For clarification; Ben Folds wrote the song brick. Riann Johnson did the massively critically-acclaimed cult-adored independent film "Brick." Both are pretty incredible works of art, one's just a few hours longer - and a movie.
Thank you very much! :)
@degracia22 He's narrating the story of a drug-addict who just tortured and killed a man in a hotel room. The character is driving back to Mexico and trying to avoid thinking about what he just did, but cannot keep his thoughts from returning to it.
The guitar is laying there mocking us. For the record, I approve of Darnielle's expanding horizons, what with the piano and all. Marvellous song, if unconventional single.
everything i feel right now
If you're not playing this with rainymoods in the background, what are you even doing
Fantastic video. The vocals aren't my style but the composition and musicianship were great.
Amazing. I too would like to ask if 4AD will be releasing the film version of this as a DVD. I'd buy it in an instant!
I wanted to listen to this in the background...but it's demanding my full attention.
I think (THINK) that they are! On Record Store Day - at least that's what I'm hoping The Life of the World to Come (DVD) is - don't know what else it'd be.
@JDubbs1190
I won't challenge your opinions, but I don't feel the argument that he uses too few chords is really valid. Much great music has been created with a minimum of chords. There's an old joke that all of rock and roll is three chords, for example. And the blues of the early south was similarly reduced as the musicians really didn't know music theory at all.
Now, if you just simply don't like the way he uses chords, that's an entire other matter and one I can't argue against.
@TheAbsolutionHowl wrong. Ben Folds wrote Brick
Especially when you factor in the guy that directed this also directed/wrote Brick.
And the best episode of Breaking Bad!
Jesus.
keep driving
WHEN WAS THIS!?!?!
This is like Pig Destroyer on piano
John, beautiful piano. so weird not seeing you with a guitar and rocking the fuck out. But this is beautiful, you sound so Good. on a semi unrelated note: i have never seen you so attractive.
there was a pretty accurate one on ultimate-guitar last i checked.
@josejcserra Heh, obviously you have not checked out my Favorites.
Cool video. I don't get the lyrics though...what is he saying??
John DAnielle is like Bob Dylan, but I feel he is very more relatable... :)
Darthmaud88 Bob Dylan in the modern era is basically what he is
i need to know how to play this song wth
that's the spirit: for the words speaks louder. john darnielle doesn't sing at all. yet is a fucking great poet/musician... and his voice fits on his poems. you still have bono and beyonce for your amusement ;-))))
I Done diddly did!
@Limeteaser
His voice is nasally, and sounds fucking hilarious at times, but I think you are getting a bit dramatic with an adjective like, "horrible," to describe the guys voice. Lets not get crazy with the subjectivity. I listen to almost exclusively punk rock, but when I heard this particular song I felt a stirring in my stomach that I fucking loved. I don't know much about singing or composition or chord choices. All I know is that I love the way this music makes me feel.
Nobody likes beer at first, either.
I don't know anything about music theory or chord choices. I judge music on the type and intensity of emotion it brings me. If you have learned to judge music differently, I kind of feel sorry for you.
@Limeteaser I disagree, but to each their own.
@degracia22 Words, my friend. He is saying words.
@thewho30rb That helps. Thanks!
...Grisly plot!
@pestilentfrost Just so you know Moral Orel does not equal "mainstream pop kids".
They're probably drinking the wrong beer, then.
is this about a drug relapse?
margi cates it’s about a guy who tortured and killed someone and is driving away high on crystal meth hence the reference to clear as an insects wing.
i don't believe he is much of a hand shaking guy. maybe a hug.
He used to work at a mental institution. I find that interesting
God has opened His Word (the Bible)in these last days so we can know many things never known before."That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."Matt13:35 No one knew the timeline of history until God revealed it inHisWord.11013 BC Creation (Adam on 6th day);5590BC BirthofNoah ;1007 BC David becomes king;2011 AD Raptureofbelieverswww05-21-2011dotZaptoORG
@thewho30rb He seems to know what he's doing as far as lyrics. I also really don't enjoy his voice either. As far as chord choices, it's kind of hard to explain unless you've taken some music theory courses. Essentially, there really isn't much of a limit to the chords you can make. The true beauty is how the writer manages to approach each chord to make it fit. In this song, I don't think he uses more than five chords. It's really plain in that sense. I feel it might be better suited as a poem.
@JustAFocus
ew
Sounded OK until he attempted to sing. Ouch.
Dude's voice is awful.