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
Predictive Living
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't seem to shake the fix I'm in
Better words that were sung or heard
Years before me
Still I do my best
Pushing pens to breast
Cut out signals left
Just when you thought you had me pegged
Thinking I'm the same
Then I go and change
Three become a name
Chords just rearranged
Rhythm shoes and windows to see through
Another jealous husband to be killed
Better words have been sung out of tune
I'm happy in this hotel once again
Forcing thoughts to pen
Rehearsals for the end
Just when you thought you had me pegged
Thinking I'm the same
Then I go and change
Three become a name
Chords just rearranged
Never kill the manufactured feel
And so no longer matters in the end
Better words you're never gonna hear
Mrs. Jones your son crossed to the bank
Still he must give thanks
The money's all been made
Just when you thought you had me pegged
Thinking I'm the same
Then I go and change
Three become a name
Chords just rearranged
In "Predictive Living," Damien Jurado seems to be reflecting on the cyclical nature of life and the desire to break free from it. The first verse finds him moving furniture and feeling stuck in a rut, unable to escape the past ("Better words that were sung or heard / Years before me"). He turns to writing ("Pushing pens to breast / Cut out signals left") as a way of coping with the monotony, but even that can feel limiting.
The chorus is where Jurado asserts his desire for change and growth: "Just when you thought you had me pegged / Thinking I'm the same / Then I go and change / Three become a name / Chords just rearranged." He embraces the unexpected and unknown, even if it means opting for a completely different identity ("Three become a name").
In the second verse, Jurado alludes to themes of jealousy and violence ("Another jealous husband to be killed") and acknowledges the imperfection of his own art ("Better words have been sung out of tune"). Despite these dark thoughts, he finds solace in a familiar place ("I'm happy in this hotel once again") and continues to write with a sense of purpose ("Forcing thoughts to pen / Rehearsals for the end").
Overall, "Predictive Living" is a song about the constant push and pull between conformity and rebellion, between sticking to the familiar and embracing change.
Line by Line Meaning
Moving back, chairs broken and stacked
I am reminiscing about a time in my life where things were more stable and predictable, represented by the image of moving back and seeing broken chairs stacked up.
I can't seem to shake the fix I'm in
I am stuck in a rut and am finding it difficult to break free from this pattern of behavior.
Better words that were sung or heard, Years before me
There have been better examples of lyrical expression and creativity that have come before me and I recognize this.
Still I do my best, Pushing pens to breast, Cut out signals left
I am still trying my best to create and share my own music, and to ignore the noise and negativity from critics.
Just when you thought you had me pegged, Thinking I'm the same, Then I go and change, Three become a name, Chords just rearranged
Just when people think they have me figured out and know my style, I surprise them by changing it up and creating a new sound and identity.
Rhythm shoes and windows to see through, Another jealous husband to be killed
Despite the challenges that come with creating music, such as being criticized or envied by others, I am determined to continue following my passion and do what I love.
Better words have been sung out of tune, I'm happy in this hotel once again
I am reminded that even though I may not always sing perfectly, I am still content and happy to be able to create and perform my music.
Forcing thoughts to pen, Rehearsals for the end
I am constantly striving to come up with new ideas for lyrics and often practice and revise them in preparation for the final product.
Never kill the manufactured feel, And so no longer matters in the end
I understand that some of my music may be viewed as manufactured or commercialized, but at the end of the day what matters most is expressing myself and creating something unique.
Better words you're never gonna hear, Mrs. Jones your son crossed to the bank, Still he must give thanks, The money's all been made
Even though I may never achieve perfection in my music, as a successful artist I am grateful for the financial compensation that comes with it.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAMIEN JURADO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind