Here is some background information on Clear Heart Full Eyes from the No Future Songfacts . In early 2011 Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn challenged himself to write a new song every day in his Brooklyn apartment for his first solo album. "I had written a bunch of songs that were outside of the norm for The Hold Steady, a little quieter and perhaps more narrative," he said. "I wanted to gain some experience and insight into the process of making a record by working with new people." Finn enlisted producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon) and traveled to an Austin, Texas studio far away from his New York comfort zone. He hooked up with some local musicians there, including members of Phosphorescent and White Denim and sang his vocals live, keeping takes to a minimum and completed recording in a few days. The resulting album, Clear Heart Full Eyes was released on January 24, 2012 on Vagrant Records.
Blankets
Craig Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was right before some concert
On a blanket selling bracelets
She was searching for a sponsor
I moved her to Montana
We hung on for several summers
It got druggie and we crumbled
But still I never haven't loved her
When you panic in the city
It feels like one too many walls
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
I washed up and I wandered
I did whatever business looked the best
I found a savior then I lost Him
Had a kid and all the rest
Then the doctor left a message
Said we're looking at these numbers from your test
When you're lonely on the prairie
There's still a couple people you can call
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
The detective was expensive
But he thought it was something he could solve
Found her serving breakfast
In a cafe in the Skyway in St. Paul
When we got to the Twin Cities
I said man I know some songs about this place
When they swept up all the empties the parties always seemed like such a waste
When you panic in the city
It feels like one too many walls
There's an absence in the middle
The people are all high or in withdrawal
When you're lonely on the prairie
There's still a couple people you can call
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
When they're down there on the blankets
You can see the lifetime in their eyes
You can purchase what they offer
Or see if they've got something on the side
You live your whole life
Just to travel to the place you're gonna die
You travel your whole life
Just to get out to the place you're gonna die
The song "Blankets" by Craig Finn is a story about a man's past relationships and his journey through life. The opening verse describes the encounter with a woman at a racetrack where she's selling bracelets. The two end up spending several summers together in Montana, but their relationship falls apart due to drug use. Despite this, the man asserts that he has never stopped loving her.
The second verse talks about the singer's struggles with his own life. He wanders aimlessly and tries different businesses before settling down and having a child. However, his doctor leaves him a message with test results that suggest there may be something wrong. The verse ends with the lines, "When you're lonely on the prairie, there's still a couple of people you can call. When it thunders in the canyon, you get the feeling you're too small." These lines suggest that even when things in life seem overwhelming, there will always be people to support you.
The final verse tells the story of the man's search for a lost love. He hires a detective to find her, and they end up reconnecting in St. Paul, Minnesota. The verse ends with the lines, "When they swept up all the empties, the parties always seemed like such a waste." These lines suggest that the man has found something more meaningful in his reunion with his lost love than any party could provide.
Overall, the song "Blankets" is a poignant reflection on past relationships, life's struggles, and the search for meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I met her at a racetrack
I encountered her at a horse racing venue
It was right before some concert
It happened just before some musical event
On a blanket selling bracelets
She was selling bracelets on a blanket
She was searching for a sponsor
She was looking for someone to provide financial support or backing
I moved her to Montana
I took her with me to the state of Montana
We hung on for several summers
We sustained our relationship for multiple summers
It got druggie and we crumbled
Our bond became centered around drug use and we eventually fell apart
But still I never haven't loved her
Despite our issues, I have always loved her
When you panic in the city
During moments of anxiety in urban environments
It feels like one too many walls
It can seem like there are excessive barriers or obstacles to overcome
When it thunders in the canyon
When there's a thunderstorm in the large narrow valley with steep sides
You get the feeling you're too small
You experience a sense of insignificance or helplessness
I washed up and I wandered
I cleaned myself up and began to travel aimlessly
I did whatever business looked the best
I pursued any opportunity that seemed most promising or profitable
I found a savior then I lost Him
I came across a savior figure but then lost connection with them
Had a kid and all the rest
I had a child and other typical life events
Then the doctor left a message
Subsequently, the physician provided a message
Said we're looking at these numbers from your test
Stated that they were analyzing some test results
When you're lonely on the prairie
When one is feeling isolated on the grassy plains
There's still a couple people you can call
There are still a few folks to reach out to for support
The detective was expensive
The investigator charged a lot of money
But he thought it was something he could solve
However, he believed he could resolve the issue
Found her serving breakfast
Located her serving morning meals
In a cafe in the Skyway in St. Paul
At a coffee shop connected to a system of enclosed pedestrian walkways in the city of St. Paul
When we got to the Twin Cities
Upon arriving in the area consisting of Minneapolis and St. Paul
I said man I know some songs about this place
I commented that I was knowledgeable about some tunes regarding the location
When they swept up all the empties the parties always seemed like such a waste
The celebratory events felt unfulfilling or unnecessary once the aftermath was cleaned up
There's an absence in the middle
There's a lack or void in the center or heart of the city
The people are all high or in withdrawal
Individuals tend to be either under the influence of drugs or experiencing withdrawal symptoms
When they're down there on the blankets
When they're situated on the blankets
You can see the lifetime in their eyes
One can perceive the accumulation of life experiences through a person's gaze
You can purchase what they offer
You can buy what they are selling
Or see if they've got something on the side
Or check if they have any additional items or services
You live your whole life
You spend your entire existence
Just to travel to the place you're gonna die
Simply to make your way to the location where your life will end
You travel your whole life
You journey throughout your entire life
Just to get out to the place you're gonna die
To reach the place where you foresee yourself dying
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Craig Finn, Josh Kaufman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jessemoynan4332
I met her at a racetrack
It was right before some concert
On a blanket selling bracelets
She was searching for a sponsor
I moved her to Montana
We hung on for several summers
It got druggie and we crumbled
But still I never haven't loved her
When you panic in the city
It feels like one too many walls
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
I washed up and I wandered
I did whatever business looked the best
I found a savior then I lost Him
Had a kid and all the rest
Then the doctor left a message
Said we're looking at these numbers from your test
When you're lonely on the prairie
There's still a couple people you can call
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
The detective was expensive
But he thought it was something he could solve
Found her serving breakfast
In a cafe in the Skyway in St. Paul
When we got to the Twin Cities
I said man I know some songs about this place
When they swept up all the empties the parties always seemed like such a waste
When you panic in the city
It feels like one too many walls
There's an absence in the middle
The people are all high or in withdrawal
When you're lonely on the prairie
There's still a couple people you can call
When it thunders in the canyon
You get the feeling you're too small
When they're down there on the blankets
You can see the lifetime in their eyes
You can purchase what they offer
Or see if they've got something on the side
You live your whole life
Just to travel to the place you're gonna die
You travel your whole life
Just to get out to the place you're gonna die
@PartisanRecords
'I Need A New War' out April 26th! Pre-order here: craigfinn.lnk.to/newwar/craigfinn
@maximpopov8651
Whatta Masterpiece 💙☮️❤️
@kws767
Just discovered Craig Finn. I have a new favorite songwriter. He is just amazing. Love The Hold Steady stuff too.
@kingj233333
One of the very best working today. He deserves Springsteen-like acclaim. Hope he gets it.
@suzannetaylor5374
Exactly what I thought listening to this song.This is the first I've heard of Craig,this song is grand.
@brianhardy612
Tom Petty influence
@ashleyj0
This song, I can't forget it I keep coming back. I'm gonna buy it finally I want it on my mp3 player this song is epic. I'm a drummer in a local cover band, I'd love to play this during a break to give it more exposure. It's the song you hear and want to know WHAT IS THAT?!! Ppl need to hear this. I was playing it at random on youtube one day my husband heard it and right away he wanted to know what it was. We have such different taste in music, that surprised me. This song is universal.
@dagalagas
Heard Craig sing this for the first time with the We All Want the Same Things band last month in Brooklyn. Amazing show. He mostly performed the new album with a number of his older tunes sprinkled in. It was all fantastic. Don't miss them if they come by you.
@shackbhoy
Another beautiful song from one of todays greatest lyricists , love it.
@PeteHopeless
I can not stop listening to this song. The guitar is killing me.
The German Rolling Stone awards 4/5 stars in the issue of June 2019. That's right!