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Chuck E. Wei… Read Full Bio ↴Chuck E. Weiss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chuck E. Weiss is an American songwriter and vocalist.
He grew up in Denver, Colorado, where his parents owned a record store (Record Center). Through his parents, and by spending time at the local blues bar Ebbett's Field, he met Lightnin' Hopkins, who was impressed with his drum playing and took him on tour. Weiss had the opportunity to play with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Roger Miller, Dr. John, and others.
Weiss released "Extremely Cool" in 1999, featuring extensive collaboration with Tom Waits, who co-produced the album for his longtime acquaintance (they met in 1972 at Ebbett's Field, where Weiss played in the house band) and appears on at least two tracks. The style is heavily reminiscent of Waits, both in composition and vocal approach. Either could have influenced the other.
"Old Souls and Wolf Tickets" was released in early 2002, perhaps less reminiscent of Tom Waits and more redolent of Delta blues acts decades older. Weiss's music includes strains of every rhythmic style from nursery rhymes to zydeco.
Chuck E. Weiss was the subject of Rickie Lee Jones's hit "Chuck E.'s in Love" from her 1979 debut album, in which she claims "Chuck E." is in love with "the little girl who's singing this song" (Jones says the song was fictional). At the time Jones was linked romantically to Tom Waits. All three lived at the time at the Tropicana Hotel in Los Angeles, in the middle of a fertile musical scene including Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, Frank Zappa and others. Playwright Sam Shepard lived at the Tropicana at the same time.
Chuck E. Weiss is also referred to in Tom Waits titles and lyrics from "Small Change."
Chuck E. Weiss has also played with legendary bassist Willie Dixon, who was quoted on the original packaging of "Extremely Cool" ("Ain't ya got ears son? That little Jew boy with the big old head be one of the best musicians in this town, this country even.") "Down the Road a Piece," from "Old Souls & Wolf Tickets," is a 1970 recording of the two playing together.
Weiss says his biggest musical idol is Louis Jordan.
Chuck E. Weiss has been associated with Los Angeles and Southern California for years, saying he does not like to travel by airplane. Weiss played 11 years of Mondays at a club called the Central before it fell on hard times. Weiss and his friend Johnny Depp (who executive produced the first track on "Extremely Cool") were instrumental in resuscitating it as the Viper Room, which became immediately trendy when River Phoenix died there in 1993. "Extremely Cool" makes reference to Canter's Kibitz Room, a small nightclub in a larger diner in Los Angeles's Fairfax District, where Weiss has also played habitually. His regular band is called The G-d Damn Liars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_E._Weiss
Anthem for Old Souls
Chuck E. Weiss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
... ol′ pal
He was found by me
Sorry I missed you at
Brother Jake's wake
I′m sorry you won't let me be
Tell Milo and
Tell Sweety and
To be good
Tell all the old souls there′s
An anthem for them
I′d stand by their sides if I could
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope and ring all the bells
Tell all me old mateys
Marcus and Katie
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Oh ladies and kitties
And puppy dog tails
Buttons and cans by the sea
All me old mateys
I'm not in the Navy
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Tell and
I′m not coming back
Tell Richie and to be good
Tell all old the old souls
Here's an anthem for them
I′d stand by their sides if I could
Yes I'd stand by their sides if I could
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope, ring all the bells
Tell all me old mateys
I′m not in the Navy
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope and ring all the bells
All me old mateys
Marcus and Katie
Expired tenants we be
The song "Anthem for Old Souls" by Chuck E. Weiss is a nostalgic and bittersweet tribute to old friendships, memories and places. The singer addresses a cat, an old friend, and reminisces about the past, mentioning Brother Jake's wake and old mateys Marcus and Katie. The lyrics suggest that the singer is leaving or has left, and bids farewell to everyone he knows, including the souls of the departed.
Although the lyrics are simple, the song captures a sense of wistful longing and regret. The anthem mentioned in the chorus may refer to the idea that the memories and relationships that make up a life can be celebrated like a song or a tribute. The repeated refrain of "Fare thee well" adds to the melancholic tone of the song, emphasizing the finality of goodbyes and the passage of time.
Overall, "Anthem for Old Souls" is a poignant and heartfelt rendition of the importance of old friendships and memories, and the beauty and sadness of past experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little kitty
Greeting to a close friend
... ol′ pal
Continuing the greeting and emphasizing friendship
He was found by me
Possibly referring to the friend being introduced or highlighting a close bond
Sorry I missed you at
Brother Jake's wake
Apologizing for not being able to attend a recent event or gathering
I′m sorry you won't let me be
Expressing regret for a friend potentially being distant or unresponsive
Tell Milo and
I'm not coming back
Sending a message to someone named Milo that the singer won't return to a certain place or situation
Tell Sweety and
To be good
Relaying a message to another person, possibly a pet, to behave well or stay out of trouble
Tell all the old souls there′s
An anthem for them
Announcing a song or message meant specifically for people who are older and have more life experience
I′d stand by their sides if I could
Expressing a desire to support and be present for the mentioned group, if possible
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope and ring all the bells
Tell all me old mateys
Marcus and Katie
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Saying goodbye through a traditional phrase and custom, while specifically addressing two people named Marcus and Katie. Possibly referencing a farewell to maritime life.
Oh ladies and kitties
And puppy dog tails
Buttons and cans by the sea
All me old mateys
I'm not in the Navy
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Acknowledging everyone present and making light of various objects and beings. Clarifying that despite previously referenced mateys and a possible maritime connection, the singer is not actually part of the Navy.
Tell and
I′m not coming back
Sending a message to someone named And that the artist won't return to a certain place or situation
Tell Richie and to be good
Relaying a message to another person, possibly another pet or close acquaintance, to behave well or stay out of trouble
Tell all old the old souls
Here's an anthem for them
Continuing to address the group of older, more experienced people and offering them a song or message tailored to them
I′d stand by their sides if I could
Yes I'd stand by their sides if I could
Restating the desire to support and stand with the mentioned group if possible
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope, ring all the bells
Tell all me old mateys
I′m not in the Navy
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Repeating the goodbye phrase and maritime references, while emphasizing that the artist is not part of the Navy.
Fare thee well
Fare thee well
Pull the rope and ring all the bells
All me old mateys
Marcus and Katie
Expired tenants we be
Final goodbye using the traditional phrase and customs, while specifically referencing Marcus and Katie again. Ending with a possibly somber note, suggesting the artist and friends may no longer be alive or are no longer connected.
Writer(s): Chuck E. Weiss, Chuck Weiss
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.