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
Big Deal
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never be as good
And there's someone always better
To take your place
Once you were the first in line
Now you're in the back
Receiving cards and thank you letters
It's like I told you
You'll never be as fast
And there's someone always faster
To take your place
Once I told you things look brighter
And now they're turning black
In this world without a compass
And you can't find your way back
It's like I told you
Once I told you that things look brighter
And now they're turning black
In this world without a compass
And you can't find your way back
It's like I told you
The lyrics of "Big Deal" by Damien Jurado & Gathered in Song are a poignant reflection on the transience of success and the harsh reality of competition in the world. The song describes a person who was once at the top of their game, but now finds themselves pushed to the back of the line, replaced by someone who is faster, better, and more talented. The singer is blunt in their assessment that the person will never be as good as the competition, and will always be surpassed by others. The song paints a picture of a dog-eat-dog world where success is fleeting and it's difficult to find one's place in the constantly shifting power dynamic.
The lyrics are particularly impactful because they are delivered in a calm, almost comforting tone. The singer acknowledges the pain of the person they are addressing but doesn't sugarcoat the harsh reality. The line "Once you were the first in line/ Now you're in the back" is simple but devastating in its implication. The song is a reminder that even at the height of our success, there is always someone waiting in the wings to take our place. In a world where we often measure ourselves against others, "Big Deal" serves as a sobering reminder that the only true competition is ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like I told you
I already warned you that this would happen
You'll never be as good
You will never excel enough to stand out
And there's someone always better
There is always someone who outshines you
To take your place
To replace you and your achievements
Once you were the first in line
You used to be at the forefront
Now you're in the back
Now you are lagging behind
Receiving cards and thank you letters
Only receiving courtesy from your once-benefactors
PS please don't come back
You are banished and not welcome to return
You'll never be as fast
You will not be able to keep up with the competition
And there's someone always faster
There is always someone who is quicker than you
Once I told you things look brighter
I once told you that the future looked more optimistic
And now they're turning black
But now the future looks dark and grim
In this world without a compass
In this world that lacks direction and guidance
And you can't find your way back
And you are lost, with no way to return to where you once were
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind