Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings, beginning in 1995.
Jurado often makes use of found-sound and field-recording techniques, and has experimented with different forms of tape recordings. In 2000 he released Postcards and Audio Letters, a collection of found audio letters and fragments that he had found from sources such as thrift store tape players and answering machines. Also released in 2000 was Ghost of David,, Jurado's bleakest and most personal sounding record to date. I Break Chairs, (2002) was produced by long time friend, David Bazan. It was his last album for Sub Pop, and was a much rockier, electric affair. After signing for the Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, Damien Jurado reverted to his trademark folk ballad-based style, releasing six more albums: Where Shall You Take Me? (2003), On My Way To Absence (2005), And Now That I'm In Your Shadow (2006), Caught in the Trees (2008), Saint Bartlett (2010) and Maraqopa (2012).
Official blog: iamcaughtinthetrees.blogspot.com
Beacon Hill
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lost my voice, you lost your mind
You say you're not well, I say that you're fine
Walking with me through the aisles of a drugstore
If you return to me, oh, if you return to me
Your mother's a fake, a phantom who steals
I'll check you in if you check me out
Some lonesome wrist cutter who says I'm her brother
Oh, if you return to me, oh, if you return to me
Was I the ghost or one of your voices
You hear in your head when you're out killing horses?
Who's taking my place, who's taking you home?
I don't think it's safe to turn out the nightlight
And if you return to me, oh, if you return to me
I read your reviews, I studied the lines
I know them so well, my life's now a tragedy
One for the road, two for the plane
And I will be fine, as long as you take me
And if you return to me, oh, if you return to me
It's all right, baby
It's all right, baby
It's all right, babe
It's all right
“Beacon Hill,” a song by Damien Jurado, tells the story of a complicated relationship between two people who struggle with mental health issues. This song explores the feelings of loss, confusion, and desperation that are often part of a troubled relationship. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics: "keeping you close, falling behind, I lost my voice, you lost your mind." The disconnect between the two is clear from the start, with one person trying to keep the other close while the other is seemingly moving away mentally.
The first verse ends with the couple walking through a drugstore together, which is a somewhat ironic setting for a song about mental health. The chorus brings up the theme of return, with one person yearning for the other to return to them. The second verse contains some of the most powerful lyrics in the song, with a reference to "a lonesome wrist cutter who says I'm her brother." This line is a haunting reminder of the mental health struggles that many people face.
Line by Line Meaning
Keeping you close, falling behind
I am trying to stay close to you, but I am falling behind
I lost my voice, you lost your mind
I lost my ability to speak, and you lost your sanity
You say you're not well, I say that you're fine
You claim that you are sick, but I believe that you are okay
Walking with me through the aisles of a drugstore
We are walking together through the different toiletries and medication sections of a drugstore
If you return to me, oh, if you return to me
I am hopeful that you will come back to me
Your mother's a fake, a phantom who steals
Your mother is not genuine, and she takes away your happiness
The smile on your face is not what you feel
The smile that you have on your face is not a true reflection of your feelings
I'll check you in if you check me out
I will help you if you help me
Some lonesome wrist cutter who says I'm her brother
Someone who is lonely and hurts herself claims to be my sibling
Oh, if you return to me, oh, if you return to me
I yearn for your return to me
Was I the ghost or one of your voices
I wonder if I was a ghost or one of the many voices in your head
You hear in your head when you're out killing horses?
Do you hear my voice in your head when you are out committing heinous acts?
Who's taking my place, who's taking you home?
Does someone else occupy my position, and who is taking you home?
I don't think it's safe to turn out the nightlight
I am afraid that it is not safe to turn off the nightlight
And if you return to me, oh, if you return to me
I hope for your return to me
I read your reviews, I studied the lines
I have read your reviews and studied your words thoroughly
I know them so well, my life's now a tragedy
I know your words so well that my life has now become a tragedy
One for the road, two for the plane
One drink for the road, and two drinks for the plane ride
And I will be fine, as long as you take me
I will be okay as long as I am with you
It's all right, baby
Everything is going to be okay, my love
It's all right, baby
Everything is going to be okay, my love
It's all right, babe
Everything is going to be okay, my love
It's all right
Everything is going to be okay
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind