Song of the Week recommended by Staff Editor Miranda Spencer: “Capturing both rage and determination, this song describes that point where we say “F*ck this!” and push our way out of a bad situation, not quite sure where or how we’re going but knowing we’ll do whatever is necessary to survive. A great anthem for a frustrated teenager, a domestic violence survivor, or someone in forced treatment.”
-Miranda Spencer
Click hereĀ for past songs.
Due to an editing error, the text should have noted that the song was originally written by Chris Cornell of the band Soundgarden, and released in 1992. Cash’s cover version is my favorite, though!
Report comment
Cash has that Midas touch.
Lots of very interesting songs these days, around the places. Eli’s Worthless is an interesting reflection of the times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N0IJmASZZU
I’m always so alone
Even when surrounded
By people that I know
I’m always so astounded
By my ability to ruin everything
Losing friends and starting fires
Everyone thinks I’m a liar
I always stay at home
‘Cause I’m not good in public
I sit here on my phone
I’m always disappointed
I watch them live their lives
I wish that I were happy
Victim of my generation
Time machines cannot erase it
[Pre-Chorus]
Who am I supposed to be?
When will I be complete?
When will they be proud of me?
It’s getting harder to see
[Chorus]
Slit my wrists, bloody fists
Questioning why I exist
Pain persists, evil gifts
Fucking up my life to shit
I’m worthless, I’m worthless
I’m worthless, slit my wrists until I bleed out
[Verse 2]
I try to stay strong
No matter what I do
I’m always in the wrong
It never gets easier
But maybe that’s the point
It’s part of growing up
Messing up and learning from it
That’s just life, it’s necessary
Clinging to hope
What else is there to live for?
Got nowhere to go
What else is pain good for?
I am confident that your life has a purpose
It’s okay, you will get through it
Don’t give up cause someone needs you
Not enough life left to consider these words but they would have been impossible, implausible 20 years ago. So too the sustained whine of the singy man, Eli. Quite dreadful, unbearable even, to listen to. Obviously the last verse was spat on to compensate, but oh my, what dirge…
I suppose this is an illustration of the current dysjunct, between the old and the young. This whiney seems miles apart from the whiney I am familiar with. Yet both likely express the same deep-down horror at existence. Only it’s stripped of anger, of youthful energy, of zany creativity. A bland, supra-breakfast cereal of whine. An SSRI’d banality.
Imagine being a kid engulfed by the headphones tuning in to this twee shite. Good grief.
Things weren’t so bad in the 70s/80s/90s after all.
Report comment