Jandek plays a very strange and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. Jandek's music is unique, but his lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of Eastern Texas.
Barely a handful of people claim to have contacted Jandek, whose steadfastness in anonymity is legendary. Without any conventional attempts at promotion, he releases albums through his own record label Corwood Industries, which is addressed at a Houston post office box. Fans can write to Corwood for a typewritten catalogue and order Jandek’s albums, usually at inexpensive prices. Jandek’s work has been available on vinyl and on compact discs. Many of his albums feature pictures of the same young man (seen above) at various ages; in light of Jandek's live performances it is almost entirely certain that the person featured on the album covers is Jandek himself.
Jandek’s first album, Ready for the House (1978), was first accredited to a band called “The Units” but it was obviously a solo work. Jandek presumably plays acoustic guitar and has recorded much of his work apparently unaccompanied (assuming that the person singing is also the person playing guitar). However many other songs feature female vocals and/or different male vocalists. Others feature bass guitar, electric guitar and/or drums, presumably played by collaborators. No proper credits list has ever appeared on an album, but song titles have included "Nancy Sings" and "John Plays Drums".
Some of Jandek’s allure stems from his small but devoted fan base which has included Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, Kurt Cobain, Indian Jewelry, and K Records founder Calvin Johnson.
The mystery of Jandek's identity was partially resolved in October 2004 when Jandek performed live in Scotland, at the Instal 04 music festival in Glasgow. This was Jandek's first known live appearance and performed with Richard Youngs (bass) and Alex Neilson (drums). The man on stage was obviously the same man who appears on the album covers. Corwood stipulated that the performance was not publicized in advance. Since then, "The Representative of Corwood Industries" (as Jandek sometimes insists on being called) has played a lot of concerts and recorded all of them for future releases. The last years have seen an even higher release frequency, even for Jandek.
For more information, you may go here:
www.tisue.net/jandek
www.jandekoncorwood.com
Naked in the Afternoon
Jandek Lyrics
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Who's growing up naked in the afternoon
I know a brother close to his mother
Who stays out late in the evening time
I keep repeating, it takes a beating
To grow up naked in the afternoon
You are a cowboy if you wear those boots
You are a cowboy when you wear those boots
Big time in the city
I got a letter
I read in the paper
It said a man was shot to death
It said a cow gave poison milk
Big time in the city when you wear those boots
I keep repeating, it takes a beating
To wear those boots in the afternoon
You call it a question
You call it a color
I got a letter
I think it's a vision
Big time in the city
I got a vision
I know a brother close to his mother
After the morning
You've had your rest
Well I got a letter
You are a cowboy
Big time in the city
Time to go naked in the afternoon
Take off your hat, take off your coat
Big time in the city
You've had your rest
I got a letter
You are a cowboy
Read in the paper
Big time in the city
It's time to go naked in the afternoon
The lyrics of "Naked in the Afternoon" by Jandek are enigmatic and cryptic, as most of his songs often are. The second line - "Who's growing up naked in the afternoon" - suggests that the song may be a commentary on adolescence, and the difficulties of growing up in an environment that is unpredictable and challenging. The line "I keep repeating, it takes a beating to grow up naked in the afternoon" seems to suggest that growing up in such an environment can be difficult, and that it requires a great deal of perseverance and strength.
The mention of a "brother close to his mother" evokes mixed meanings, which could imply dependency or possessiveness. This, along with the mention of a man shot to death and a cow giving poisonous milk, adds to the surreal and disconnected nature of the song. Whether these various elements are related thematically or only superficially connected is unclear.
Overall, the lyrics are evocative and somewhat unsettling, revealing a sense of unease and dislocation that is palpable throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a vision, a teenage daughter
I have a mental image of a young girl who is adolescent.
Who's growing up naked in the afternoon
Who is becoming an adult and exposed to life's challenges during the daylight hours.
I know a brother close to his mother
I am aware of a male who has a strong bond with his female parent.
Who stays out late in the evening time
He is one who remains out past sunset.
I keep repeating, it takes a beating
I reiterate the idea that it is difficult to endure certain situations in life.
To grow up naked in the afternoon
To adapt and progress in the face of adversity and harsh conditions.
You are a cowboy if you wear those boots
If you don boots of this design, you are symbolically embodying the archetype of a cowboy.
You are a cowboy when you wear those boots
The choice to don this footwear transforms you into the personification of a cowboy.
Big time in the city
Life is intense and fast-paced in the urban area.
I got a letter
I recently received some correspondence.
I read in the paper
I came upon some information ascertained from the pages of a periodical publication.
It said a man was shot to death
The message relayed that an individual had been fatally wounded by a gun.
It said a cow gave poison milk
Another piece of news communicated that a bovine produced harmful lactate.
To wear those boots in the afternoon
To make a statement by wearing that type of shoes during daytime hours.
You call it a question
Your manner of phrasing or perspective on an issue is causing doubt.
You call it a color
You refer to something as a hue or tonality.
After the morning
Once daytime is past its initial hours.
You've had your rest
You have had your period of rejuvenating and relaxation.
Well I got a letter
I possess a written message that I received.
Time to go naked in the afternoon
It is now the moment to face the challenges and hardships of life without any added protection or coverings.
Take off your hat, take off your coat
Remove any external garments or coverings that you have been using for proviso and defense.
Read in the paper
Previously encountered the information in a printed format.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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