On January 31st 2012, he released the first single, 'Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings', for his debut album under the Father John Misty moniker, "Fear Fun". The Phil Ek mixed and Jonathan Wilson produced LP was released on May 1st 2012 through Sub Pop (U.S.) and Bella Union (U.K.)
To date, Father John Misty has released 5 studio albums: Fear Fun (2012), I Love You, Honeybear (2015), Pure Comedy (2017), God's Favorite Customer (2018) and Chloë and the Next 20th Century (2022).
Q4
Father John Misty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unless the theater's how you pay the rent
A new work of some semi-memoir sits
Inside the weekend book editors desk
And while they have not mentioned it
She must watch roses get thrown at less
Oh, the indignity
"Deeply funny" was the rave refrain
It was just the thing for their Q4
It'll be on stands before the holidays
Her sister was not much long for this world
She danced as if a dancer danced as if
As if she had a body to sustain
As if an audience to entertain
This ironic distance kept her sane
While her vessel sailed away
It was all very literary
And the truth was
It was just the thing for their Q4
What's "deeply funny" mean anyhow?
It was just the thing for their Q4
These are the stories that we need right now
How could she compete? (I'm sure she wouldn't mind)
With a memory such as she (but who else than I)
Leigh died so many months ago (could write the story of her life?)
By now this tragedy's my own
Oh, oh
It was just the thing for their Q4
"Deeply funny" was the rave refrain
It was just the thing for their Q4
It'll be on stands before the holidays
It was just the thing for their Q4
The film adaptation was a total mess
It was just the thing for their Q4
'Til she was outed for her privilege
It was just a thing for their Q4
Can't see her brother now unsupervised
It was just the thing for their Q4
Her family switched care right when she inquired
In the song "Q4" by Father John Misty, the lyrics tell the story of Simone, a writer who is struggling to find success and recognition for her work. The opening lines depict Simone as someone who writes but doesn't produce anything of consequence, unless she relies on the theater as a source of income. She has a new semi-memoir that she submitted to book editors, but it appears to be overlooked and unacknowledged. Simone feels the indignity of seeing others receiving more attention and accolades while her own work is ignored.
The narrative shifts to Simone's sister, who is described as someone who danced as if she had a body to sustain and an audience to entertain. This ironic distance helped her sister maintain her sanity as her physical presence deteriorated. There is a suggestion that her sister has passed away, and Simone reflects on how her tragedy has become her own, indicating a deep connection between the two sisters.
Simone is consumed by a sense of competitiveness and insecurity. She wonders how she can compete with the memory of her sister, who had such a profound impact on her own life. She questions whether she could write a compelling story about her sister's life, and alludes to feeling overshadowed and limited by her sister's legacy.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring mention of "Q4," which refers to the fourth quarter of the year, usually leading up to the holiday season. It represents a time when certain stories or works of art are seen as particularly marketable or desirable. The phrase "deeply funny" is repeated, implying that this is the kind of content that is in demand during Q4. However, there is a suggestion that Simone's work, despite being deemed suitable for Q4, ultimately faces challenges and scrutiny. The lyrics touch on issues of privilege, the pitfalls of adaptating her work into a film, and the complications surrounding Simone's family and their caregiving dynamics.
Overall, "Q4" explores themes of artistic recognition, personal identity, and the challenges of finding success in a competitive industry. It delves into the struggles and insecurities of a writer who is grappling with her own perceptions of her work and her place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Simone writes little of much consequence
Simone writes insignificant and unimportant things
Unless the theater's how you pay the rent
Unless she earns a living from the theater
A new work of some semi-memoir sits
She has written a partially autobiographical book
Inside the weekend book editors desk
The book is waiting to be reviewed by editors
And while they have not mentioned it
The editors have not yet acknowledged the book
She must watch roses get thrown at less
She sees other less talented people receive praise and recognition
Oh, the indignity
The unfairness and humiliation she feels
It was just the thing for their Q4
The book was a perfect fit for their fourth quarter plans
"Deeply funny" was the rave refrain
"Deeply funny" was the popular review praise
It'll be on stands before the holidays
The book will be available for sale before the holiday season
Her sister was not much long for this world
Her sister was close to death
She danced as if a dancer danced as if
Her sister danced with great passion and dedication
As if she had a body to sustain
Her sister danced as if she had a strong and resilient body
As if an audience to entertain
Her sister danced as if she had an audience to please
This ironic distance kept her sane
The ironic detachment helped her maintain her sanity
While her vessel sailed away
While her sister's life came to an end
It was all very literary
Her sister's life and death had a poetic quality
And the truth was
And the reality was
What's "deeply funny" mean anyhow?
What does "deeply funny" actually signify?
These are the stories that we need right now
These types of stories are important and relevant at this moment
How could she compete? (I'm sure she wouldn't mind)
How could Simone compete with her sister's tragic story? (She probably wouldn't mind)
With a memory such as she (but who else than I)
With her sister's powerful and memorable existence and legacy (but who else but Simone)
Leigh died so many months ago (could write the story of her life?)
Leigh passed away several months ago (could Simone write a book about her sister's life?)
By now this tragedy's my own
Now this tragedy has become Simone's own personal story
The film adaptation was a total mess
The movie based on the book was a complete disaster
'Til she was outed for her privilege
Until Simone was exposed for her privileged background
Can't see her brother now unsupervised
Simone's brother needs constant supervision and cannot be left alone
Her family switched care right when she inquired
Simone's family changed their caretaker just when she asked about it
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Joshua Michael Tilman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcus 1710
What a genius! Nobody but FJM can sound both contemporary, nostalgic and futuristic at the same time.
WeirdSalt
Magnificent. Cannot wait to hear more. I just don't think I can be disappointed by fjm. Everything sounds like a masterpiece to me.
the chicantique
🎯🎯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Courtney Gallivan
SAME.
Brian Foley
Thank you Papa Juan it's an awesome song. The arrangements on this album sound unbelievable
Hiker84
Papa Juan… haha love it.
the chicantique
Omg. This sounds like it came straight out of 1968! Jay thank you for turning me onto FJM...blaring him in the car on that frozen January Saturday at 6am....as we drove into our future. RIP my love! I'll be listening to this until we meet again. 💔❤💔
miss chaudarie
sending you love and hugs ❤️ stay strong, sweetheart ❤️
the chicantique
@miss chaudarie thank you! ❤❤❤
Richard DeFino
So sorry! My wife and I blades FJM after we lost our son. He's the best. Best of luck to you