Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 - December 25, 2009) was a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who lived in Athens, Georgia, United States.
Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, The La-Di-Da's. After leaving that group he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.; Stipe produced Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991). Read Full BioVic Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 - December 25, 2009) was a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who lived in Athens, Georgia, United States.
Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, The La-Di-Da's. After leaving that group he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.; Stipe produced Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).
In 1992 Chesnutt was the subject of a PBS documentary, Speed Racer. He also had a small role in the 1996 Billy Bob Thornton movie Sling Blade which he later described self-mockingly as a poor performance.
In 1996, Chesnutt was exposed to a wider audience with the release of the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, the proceeds from which went to the Sweet Relief Fund. The album consisted of Chesnutt covers by famous musicians including Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins (with Red Red Meat), Madonna, R.E.M. and Live.
He recorded several times with other groups and artists. Most notably he made two albums with fellow Athens, GA recording artist Widespread Panic, under the name of brute. Chesnutt's album The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was recorded with alt-country group Lambchop as the backing band. The album Merriment was a collaborative effort between Chesnutt and Kelly and Nikki Keneipp, with Vic writing and singing the songs, and the Keneipps playing the music. The 2005 album Ghetto Bells features famed guitarist Bill Frisell, whom Chesnutt met in 2004 at the renowned Century of Song concert series at the German festival RuhrTriennale. Chesnutt's wife, Tina Chesnutt, frequently plays bass on his albums. His niece, and fellow songwriter, Liz Durrett also appeared on the Ghetto Bells album.
Chesnutt's first four albums were released on the independent Texas Hotel label. He then recorded About to Choke (1996) for Capitol, which was his first and only major record label recording. The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was on PolyGram; Merriment (2000) was on the Backburner Records label; spinART was the label for the self performed and recorded Left to His Own Devices (2001). Vic then found a new home at the New West Records label, who have released two albums for him so far. In 2004 New West also re-released the early Texas Hotel recordings, including expanded liner notes and extra tracks.
In the winter of 2006, he recorded his newest album, North Star Deserter at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal. It was released on September 11, 2007 by Constellation Records. The record includes contributions from Constellation artists Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as well as Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto. The album was produced by documentary filmmaker Jem Cohen. He also appeared as a guest musician on Cowboy Junkies' 2007 album Trinity Revisited, a 20th anniversary edition of their classic album The Trinity Session.
On Dec 25th 2009, Vic Chesnutt died after falling into a coma following a suicide attempt.
Official Website: Vic Chesnutt
Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, The La-Di-Da's. After leaving that group he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.; Stipe produced Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991). Read Full BioVic Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 - December 25, 2009) was a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who lived in Athens, Georgia, United States.
Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, The La-Di-Da's. After leaving that group he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.; Stipe produced Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).
In 1992 Chesnutt was the subject of a PBS documentary, Speed Racer. He also had a small role in the 1996 Billy Bob Thornton movie Sling Blade which he later described self-mockingly as a poor performance.
In 1996, Chesnutt was exposed to a wider audience with the release of the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, the proceeds from which went to the Sweet Relief Fund. The album consisted of Chesnutt covers by famous musicians including Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins (with Red Red Meat), Madonna, R.E.M. and Live.
He recorded several times with other groups and artists. Most notably he made two albums with fellow Athens, GA recording artist Widespread Panic, under the name of brute. Chesnutt's album The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was recorded with alt-country group Lambchop as the backing band. The album Merriment was a collaborative effort between Chesnutt and Kelly and Nikki Keneipp, with Vic writing and singing the songs, and the Keneipps playing the music. The 2005 album Ghetto Bells features famed guitarist Bill Frisell, whom Chesnutt met in 2004 at the renowned Century of Song concert series at the German festival RuhrTriennale. Chesnutt's wife, Tina Chesnutt, frequently plays bass on his albums. His niece, and fellow songwriter, Liz Durrett also appeared on the Ghetto Bells album.
Chesnutt's first four albums were released on the independent Texas Hotel label. He then recorded About to Choke (1996) for Capitol, which was his first and only major record label recording. The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was on PolyGram; Merriment (2000) was on the Backburner Records label; spinART was the label for the self performed and recorded Left to His Own Devices (2001). Vic then found a new home at the New West Records label, who have released two albums for him so far. In 2004 New West also re-released the early Texas Hotel recordings, including expanded liner notes and extra tracks.
In the winter of 2006, he recorded his newest album, North Star Deserter at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal. It was released on September 11, 2007 by Constellation Records. The record includes contributions from Constellation artists Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as well as Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto. The album was produced by documentary filmmaker Jem Cohen. He also appeared as a guest musician on Cowboy Junkies' 2007 album Trinity Revisited, a 20th anniversary edition of their classic album The Trinity Session.
On Dec 25th 2009, Vic Chesnutt died after falling into a coma following a suicide attempt.
Official Website: Vic Chesnutt
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Flirted With You All My Life
Vic Chesnutt Lyrics
I am a man. I am self aware.
Everywhere I go, you're always right there with me.
I flirted with you all my life
Even kissed you once or twice
To this day I swear it was nice.
But clearly, I was not ready.
When you touched a friend of mine, I thought I would loose my mind.
But I found out with time,
That really, i was not ready.
No, No
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really, I'm not ready.
Of death you hinder me.
Death makes those dear to me.
Tease me with your sweet relief.
You're cool, and you are constant.
When my mom was cancer sick,
She fought but then succumb to it.
But you made her beg for it,
Lord Jesus, please, I'm ready.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really I'm not ready.
No no.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Clearly I'm not ready.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Vic Chesnutt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Jeff Rogers
I've been doing a once a week radio show for 30 some odd years. On Christmas Eve 2009, I knew through the network that Vic was closing in on the end of his life and was about to die. I was on the air that night and finished my show with "See You Around." On Christmas morning I received the news that his life was over. There's that 'thing' about music and art and poetry when one can, through the words of others, fly close to that bright and frightening source of all that is...the beauty and horror of life on earth. In a quiet way, I think Vic showed us how to fly closer to the light and not melt our wings.
I'm very grateful for what he gave us!
Terry Quesenberry
Merriment
TJ Donaldson
Wow once in a life time performance. So tragic that he is passed. He kind of reminds me Daniel Johnston...the every man...the guy next door singer song writer. I love you Vic thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your music and story helped me when 2 of my bro-in laws each suffered traumatic brain injuries months apart. One from a car wreck, the second from multiple brainstem strokes. They are not as mobile or independent as Vic in this video but they are fighting!
Thank you Vic for giving me hope. RIP God Bless You
Vic Chesnutt
thinktwice
I cannot even express how much this touches me. I remember when I first saw Vic live for the first time playing live in a former brothel in my home town Cologne (Germany). It was one of the most touching concert experiences of my life. The way Vic interacted with the audience and with his band / his wife. I couldnt sleep the night because I was so excited. After that I propably visited another 20 concerts and Vic never disappointed me. He was such a heart warming person. I wish he is doing well wherever he is now. Love you Vic!
Devin Miller
One the greatest songs written in the last 20 years.
D Shrute
Absolutely beautiful performance. Amazing song and amazing writer. (And what an amazing surprise to see the great Guy Picciotto playing alongside Vic on this, that smooth e-bow on the Rickenbacker. And if you're not familiar with Guy's work, check it out, your life is about to change...)
sunkenindeaf
It's pointless to try to explain a monumental song like this, immortal in every detail. Smiling and waving at dear Mr Chesnutt.
May I compliment the production team as well, who have shot and edited the performance to perfection.
Desierto's Cacti
Vic, you are greatly missed, such a talent, such a songwriter, a singer, what a voice!
David Anton Savage
It has been an honor to play that man's music on the radio.
Brent Gould
"If the audience isn't into it I feel like I suck. But if the audience is into it..."
Truer words never before spoken