Califone is the musical project of former Red Red Meat frontman Tim Rutili. Its regular and rotating contributors include many former members of Red Red Meat and some members of other Chicago bands, such as Tortoise. Their music is less rooted in blues-rock than Red Red Meat and is more directly inspired by experimental music and early American folk music as can be found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.
Califone's current lineup includes Joe Adamik (drums), Jim Becker (banjo, violin), Ben Massarella (percussion), and Tim Rutili (vocals, guitar, keyboards). Each member is a multi-instrumentalist.
Tim Rutili has collaborated with a number of other artists as well. He joined up with Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and others in 2002 to release the album Sharpen Your Teeth under the band name Ugly Casanova. Some members also toured with Freakwater and served as a backing band to record the album Thinking of You in 2005. In 2006, Tim Rutili teamed up with Wil Hendricks and Michael Krassner under the name The Unseen Hand to record the soundtrack for Rank, a documentary about bullriding. In the same year Califone worked with animator/musician Brent Green on a series of performance art pieces featuring animation, live music, and spoken word. They are also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Stranger than Fiction.
Wingbone
Califone Lyrics
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some barely on the thread orange sound
water sworn and cotton fire
cold light swallowing your song
pasture moonlight newborn legs
let the constellations drop
crack your scorn water your grave
only when you're half erased
cold light sifting through
lift the shade and let the night in
carry your bed on wingbone legs
let the constellations drop water your scorn and crack your grave
sharpening the edges of your face
lost a day bed of nails lost your lines
only when your wrecked only when you're half erased
loneliness aside it's alright
The lyrics of "Wingbone" by Califone are somewhat mysterious and open to interpretation. The song seems to be about a deep desire for something or someone, and the struggle to attain it. There is a lot of imagery related to nature, such as the "pasture moonlight" and the "constellations," which suggest a spiritual or transcendental aspect to the singer's quest. The idea of being "half erased" or losing one's lines also implies that the singer is caught between two different states of being or consciousness. Throughout the song, there is a sense of loneliness and isolation, but also a sense of hope and resilience that carries the singer forward.
One interpretation of the song might be that the singer is searching for some kind of spiritual awakening or enlightenment. The "cold light" and "pasture moonlight" could be seen as symbols of this, representing a kind of clarity or illumination that comes from within. However, the path to enlightenment is not easy, and the singer must endure pain and suffering, symbolized by the "bed of nails" and the idea of being "half erased." Ultimately, though, the singer seems to find a kind of solace in the struggle itself, as expressed in the final line, "loneliness aside it's alright."
Overall, "Wingbone" is a haunting and atmospheric song that creates a mood of quiet contemplation and introspection. Its lyrics leave a lot of room for interpretation, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences of searching for meaning or purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
fill my belly with your whispering
I want to consume all of the intimate words you speak to me.
some barely on the thread orange sound
There are faint, delicate echoes of a warm, orange sound in the air.
water sworn and cotton fire
A mixture of liquids and solids, a blend of cool and warm sensations.
cold light swallowing your song
A chilly brightness that seems to quell the music you make.
pasture moonlight newborn legs
The pale, tranquil shine of moonlight on the grass, and new, unsteady legs taking their first steps.
let the constellations drop
Allow the vast, sparkling patterns of stars to fall from the sky.
crack your scorn water your grave
Let go of your bitterness and self-pity, and nourish yourself with tears.
only when you're half erased
It's only when you're at the brink of losing yourself that you can truly let go.
forget your lines bed of nails sharpening the edges of your grace
Don't worry about the expectations and pressures placed on you - even uncomfortable situations can help you grow in strength and poise.
cold light sifting through
More of the chilling, purifying clarity mentioned before.
lift the shade and let the night in
Open up to the darkness, to the mysterious and unknown parts of life.
carry your bed on wingbone legs
Move forward in life with confidence and stability, even if you feel fragile or unsteady.
let the constellations drop water your scorn and crack your grave
As before - relinquish negativity, allow yourself to feel deeply, and embrace change.
sharpening the edges of your face
Even difficulties and hardships can add dimension and strength to your personality and appearance.
lost a day bed of nails lost your lines
If you've had a rough time, it can seem like everyday life is harder and you don't have the inspiration to be creative anymore.
only when your wrecked only when you're half erased
It's only when you're really struggling and close to giving up that you'll have a breakthrough or find a way to push through.
loneliness aside it's alright
Even if you feel alone or disconnected from others, it's okay - you can still grow and change as a person.
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.