Callahan started out as a highly experimental artist, utilizing sub-standard instruments and recording equipment. His reason for using the lo-fi approach was not so much an aesthetic choice, rather it came from his lack of knowledge of recording studios, and fear of giving up control to professional engineers.
His later work saw him overcoming his fear of studios and producers, and in this period he recorded two albums with the influential producer Jim O'Rourke and musicians from the circles around Drag City, as well as collaborating with the similar-minded Neil Hagerty.
His songs are based on simple, repetitive structures, strikingly characterized by his baritone vocal. His lyrics are often centered around themes of spiritual searching and the complexity of emotions, with the use of subtlety and dark irony in the classic sense. There is also a broad swathe of joy throughout Callahan's work. He is a keen storyteller using simple words to project large and deeply echoing tales.
Callahan is widely seen as one of the important figures of American rock in the '90s. He currently resides in Austin, TX where he recorded his most recent album, A River Ain't Too Much to Love.
Devotion
(Smog) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are some terrible gossips in this town
With jaws like vices
And eyes like drains
There are some little weasels in this town
Scampering around loose
With yellow teeth
We should set a standard amount of words
That I am to say to these
We should set a standard type of look
That you are to give to me
When you want to leave
There are some terrible gossips in this town
With jaws like vices
And eyes like drains
I won't tell what they say about you
I won't flourish the shit
You are my dearest friend
And I will protect you
Until the end
With a will like vices
Complete as a drain
The song "Devotion" by (Smog) speaks to the issue of malicious gossip and the negative impact it can have on individuals and communities. The lyrics describe the presence of "terrible gossips" in the town who have "jaws like vices" and "eyes like drains," highlighting the invasive nature of their behavior. The song also acknowledges the existence of "little weasels" who scurry around spreading these rumors with "yellow teeth" and "beady eyes."
The lyrics further suggest a strategy for dealing with gossip by proposing a standard approach for both the singer and the listener. The singer suggests setting a limit on the amount of words he will say in response to gossip, while the listener should use a specific type of look to signal when they want to leave the conversation.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of loyalty and protection in the face of hurtful rumors, with the singer promising to defend his friend and not "flourish the shit" that is being spread about them.
Line by Line Meaning
There are some terrible gossips in this town
In this place, there exist some individuals who enjoy spreading rumors about others
There are some terrible gossips in this town
Repeated for emphasis: There really are some awful people here who can't resist spreading gossip
With jaws like vices
These individuals have strong and stubborn personalities, like a tool used to grip something tightly
And eyes like drains
Their physical appearance is unpleasing, perhaps sunken in or dark, like a sewage pipe
There are some little weasels in this town
Here, the artist introduces another group of people, this time labeled as small and repulsive creatures
Scampering around loose
These weasels are quick and sneaky, persistently looking for something to latch onto
With yellow teeth
Their repulsiveness is reiterated along with a particular descriptor, perhaps emphasizing uncleanliness
And the beady eyes
Their gaze is piercing and untrustworthy, like small and focused marbles
We should set a standard amount of words
The artist and their companion need to come up with a consistent way to deal with these bothersome individuals
That I am to say to these
The artist is taking the lead and will carry out the plan of action against these people
We should set a standard type of look
Along with words, the singer and the companion need to agree on a specific expression/attitude to convey their desire for separation
That you are to give to me
The companion's job is to signal to the artist to disengage from the situation
When you want to leave
This plan of action will be specifically used when they want to escape the company of these unpleasant people
I won't tell what they say about you
The singer has heard things about their friend but is choosing not to spread any ill words themselves
I won't flourish the shit
They won't put on an exaggerated display of disgust for the rumors they've heard about their friend
You are my dearest friend
A reminder that the two individuals have a strong and trusting bond
And I will protect you
The artist sees it as their duty to safeguard their companion from any harmful talk
Until the end
The commitment is unwavering and will last until the very end of their friendship
With a will like vices
The determination to carry through their promise is as unyielding as the gossips' jaws
Complete as a drain
Their devotion is also total and irrevocable, like the emptiness of a sewage pipe
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN ROY SCOTT, ROBERT JR. THIELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sebastianbarron5063
If I had a nickel for every 2022 airplane movie starring Glenn Powell as one of the pilots I’d have 2 nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice
@PHlophe
El Barron, a Peseta
@ahsenkhan5386
you mean Bag man
@checkurwristwatch9739
Okay Lyshitski from Let's Go To Prison
@kevox9933
I want my Nickelback
@miloa.2684
@@kevox9933 😂😂😂
@william_toti
I knew Tom Hudner. I was his Navy liaison during the Korean War Memorial dedication in the mid-1990s, and accompanied him to the dedication and Congressional reception. I asked him what drove him to risk his life in this say. He said simply, "Jesse was my friend." Wish he (and Jesse) were around to see this. Looks like a great movie.
@GKScott-kd6xf
A class act. I'm glad there's a ship bearing his name. Proud to have attended its christening.
@michaeln3527
Awesome.
@rickbethwhite3479
Exemplars of those who wear the uniform. Five of the six men in three generations of my family -- my father, my older brother, myself, and my two sons -- served Naval aviation.