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
Rachel & Cali
Damien Jurado Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's too many people out there I don't know
It's not that I'm too shy or cannot be polite
I just don't feel confident in crowds
Cali you can do what you'd like, I'll probably be here awhile
I'll leave you the car keys in case you want to leave
You're welcome to stay at my house my parents will both be out
Rachel, I am sorry to call I can't sleep at all
The closet's unfamiliar, your parents soon to be home
Cali, there's no way you'll be caught, my closet door has a lock
Keep my window open so I can get in it
Sometimes I wish you knew how I keep living for you
A friend is only a lover you're not commited tO
The song "Rachel & Cali" by Damien Jurado follows the story of two friends, Rachel and Cali, and their interactions with the singer. The song explores the singer's anxiety when it comes to social situations, and how he finds comfort in staying in the car rather than facing the crowds. The lyrics "there's too many people out there I don't know, it's not that I'm too shy or cannot be polite, I just don't feel confident in crowds" highlight this idea.
Later in the song, the singer asks Cali if she would like to go inside his house and stay there for a while. The lyrics "I'll leave you the car keys in case you want to leave, you're welcome to stay at my house my parents will both be out, there's a blanket in the closet if you decide to sleep over" show how the singer is more comfortable with people he knows well and trusts.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics "sometimes I wish you knew how I keep living for you, a friend is only a lover you're not committed to" suggest that the singer has deeper feelings for Rachel or perhaps Cali, but knows that they are only friends and that he cannot have a committed relationship with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Rachel, would it be alright, if I stayed here in the car?
Damien Jurado is uncomfortable in crowds and asks Rachel if he can wait for her in the car.
There's too many people out there I don't know
The reason why Damien Jurado is uncomfortable in crowds is that there are many unfamiliar people.
It's not that I'm too shy or cannot be polite
Damien Jurado clarifies that he's not shy or impolite; he just doesn't feel confident in crowds.
I just don't feel confident in crowds
The main reason why Damien Jurado doesn't like crowds is that he lacks confidence in such settings.
Cali you can do what you'd like, I'll probably be here awhile
Damien Jurado gives Cali the freedom to do what she wants since he will be waiting in the car for a while.
I'll leave you the car keys in case you want to leave
Damien Jurado gives the car keys to Cali in case she decides to leave while he waits in the car.
You're welcome to stay at my house my parents will both be out
Damien Jurado offers Cali to stay at his house since his parents won't be home.
There's a blanket in the closet if you decide to sleep over
Damien Jurado informs Cali about a blanket in the closet in case she wants to sleep over.
Rachel, I am sorry to call I can't sleep at all
Damien Jurado calls Rachel to apologize for disturbing her because he cannot sleep in the unfamiliar closet before her parents come home.
The closet's unfamiliar, your parents soon to be home
The reason why Damien Jurado cannot sleep is that the closet is unfamiliar to him, and Rachel's parents will soon come home.
Cali, there's no way you'll be caught, my closet door has a lock
Damien Jurado assures Cali that there's no way she'll get caught since the closet door has a lock.
Keep my window open so I can get in it
Damien Jurado tells Cali to keep his window open so that he can get in through it later.
Sometimes I wish you knew how I keep living for you
Damien Jurado acknowledges that he still has feelings for Cali and wishes he could express how much he cares for her.
A friend is only a lover you're not committed to
Damien Jurado realizes that he's only a friend to Cali and that she's not committed to their relationship as lovers.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Damien Jurado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind