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
Engine Fire
Damien Jurado Lyrics
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Brake failure and a flat tire
No water no power and an engine fire
If I kill you can I call you collect
I don't mean to be a bother
To make you upset
50 miles of broken bones
Something tells me that
How long is this or maybe that way
Here's a road map let's find Nevada
We've got places to stay
Busted taillights and no water
And sunburns and an engine fire
The lyrics in Damien Jurado's song Engine Fire depict a situation of distress while on a road trip. The singer is experiencing a multitude of problems, including brake failure, a flat tire, no water or power, and an engine fire. These issues seem to have taken a toll on the singer, as he muses about killing his companion and calling them collect. The constant stream of problems is also causing the singer to feel overwhelmed, apologizing for being a bother and making his companion upset.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the long journey ahead, with 50 miles of broken bones and broken hearts. The uncertainty of their journey is also highlighted, as the singer muses about which direction they should take. Despite all of these challenges, the singer remains optimistic, handing over a road map in search of a place to stay in Nevada.
Overall, the lyrics in Engine Fire offer a potent commentary on the unpredictability and challenges of life. It shows how even the best-laid plans can go awry, and how we must learn to adapt and make the best of difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's pull over ahead
Let's stop the car on the side of the road, ahead of us.
Brake failure and a flat tire
The brakes on our car won't work, and we have a flat tire.
No water no power and an engine fire
We don't have any water, power, or a functioning engine as there is an ongoing fire.
If I kill you can I call you collect
Can I call you collect (charges) if I accidentally cause your death?
I don't mean to be a bother
I don't intend to cause trouble or inconvenience to you.
To make you upset
And I don't want to offend you either.
50 miles of broken bones
The road ahead is hazardous and could lead to serious injury.
I've got 50 miles of broken hearts
The journey we are taking is likely to be a difficult and emotional one.
Something tells me that
My intuition tells me that something is not quite right.
How long is this or maybe that way
I'm uncertain about how we should proceed – either along this stretch of road, or by taking a different route.
Here's a road map let's find Nevada
I suggest we use this map to navigate our way to Nevada.
We've got places to stay
We have specific destinations in mind where we can rest and stay.
Busted taillights and no water
Even more things are going wrong with our car – this time the taillights are broken, and we have no water.
And sunburns and an engine fire
Our struggle continues with sunburns and the ongoing engine fire.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carl Rosenfield
Honestly, I don't understand why DJ isn't on everybody's playlist. For over 15 years, he's been putting out the most heartfelt poetry, set to truly beautiful music and sung with such deep and intricate inflection that just pulls the humanity to the surface of your very being.
Tyler Martin
I remember the first time I heard Denton, Texas and it was love at first hearing..
Great Artist