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
Medication
Damien Jurado Lyrics
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My brother's down the road and my lover in town
They both need affection
And some kind of love
Well I'm the one who gives it at any given time
From two in the morning to six
Call me up and cry
My lover keeps it secret that we meet under covers
When asked by her man if we two are lovers
She says, "I hardly know him.
Besides, he's not my type."
Her man's a policeman with a keen sense of trouble
He's known just by danger
And all kinds of liars
Brother called this morning in a terrible panic
Spies in the closet, bugs in the attic
He screams bloody murder saying,
"We're all gonna die.
Death is upon me, I know 'cause he showed me
Pictures of graveyards and us underneath."
I'm losing my hearing from my brother screaming,
"They're coming to get me and
Someone call the police."
Two in the morning, the phone disconnected
Her man knows I'm calling, it's what I expected
A note on my backdoor saying, "Baby not tonight."
So I sit with my brother who is nursing a cut wrist
He's mumbling "Forgive me."
And "Don't let them take me away."
I can be a good boy and stay out of trouble
Jackie I love you and
Don't let them take your brother
Strapped to a table, go in electrodes
"Jackie come save me the doctors will kill me."
"No, they're here to help you
Straighten out your mind."
The TV is blaring with some preacher saying that
God is among us and he hears our cries
Lord, do me a favor
It's wrong but I ask you
Take my brother's life
'Cause he's sick of the suffering
The pills he's inhaling
The cross he is bearing
That is his trouble mind
The lyrics of Damien Jurado’s “Medication” depict a complicated and somewhat bleak situation. Jurado sings about a person who is giving love and support to both their brother and secret lover, both of whom seem to be struggling with mental illness or paranoia. The singer is constantly on call, listening to their loved ones express their fears and concerns at all hours of the night. The lover is hiding the affair from her policeman partner, while the brother is convinced that he is being spied on and will soon die. The singer is deeply invested in both of their lives, but seems to be struggling to keep up with their needs.
Line by Line Meaning
It just so happens I have many concerns
The singer has many burdens on his shoulders.
My brother's down the road and my lover in town
Both the singer's brother and lover are nearby.
They both need affection And some kind of love
Both brother and lover require comfort and love.
Well I'm the one who gives it at any given time
The artist provides affection and care whenever needed.
From two in the morning to six
The artist is available to help all night.
Call me up and cry
The singer is always ready to answer the call of the distressed.
My lover keeps it secret that we meet under covers
The singer's lover is cheating on her partner with the singer.
When asked if two are lovers, she says, "I hardly know him. Besides, he's not my type."
She brushes off the suspicions of her partner.
Brother called this morning in a terrible panic
The artist's brother is distraught and scared.
Spies in the closet, bugs in the attic
He believes there are hidden threats in his home.
He screams bloody murder saying, "We're all gonna die.
He feels like they are all in mortal danger.
Death is upon me, I know 'cause he showed me Pictures of graveyards and us underneath."
The brother is convinced that his death is imminent.
I'm losing my hearing from my brother screaming,
The brother's shouting is causing the singer physical distress.
"They're coming to get me and Someone call the police."
The brother fears that he is being pursued and wants someone to intervene.
Two in the morning, the phone disconnected
There is a communication breakdown.
Her man knows I'm calling, it's what I expected
The lover's partner knows something is amiss.
A note on my backdoor saying, "Baby not tonight."
The lover cancels their scheduled tryst.
So I sit with my brother who is nursing a cut wrist
The singer is taking care of his self-harming brother.
He's mumbling "Forgive me." And "Don't let them take me away."
The brother is expressing remorse and fear.
I can be a good boy and stay out of trouble Jackie I love you and Don't let them take your brother
The artist pleads with his lover to help him protect his brother.
Strapped to a table, go in electrodes Jackie come save me the doctors will kill me.
The brother is being subjected to electroshock therapy and believes it is harmful.
"No, they're here to help you Straighten out your mind."
The artist reassures his brother about the medical professionals treating him.
The TV is blaring with some preacher saying that God is among us and he hears our cries
The TV is talking about God's presence and attentiveness.
Lord, do me a favor It's wrong but I ask you Take my brother's life
The artist is asking God to end his brother's suffering, even though it's a cruel request.
'Cause he's sick of the suffering The pills he's inhaling The cross he is bearing That is his troubled mind
The brother is overwhelmed by his mental health issues and can no longer endure his treatments.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind