Jandek plays a very strange and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. Jandek's music is unique, but his lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of Eastern Texas.
Barely a handful of people claim to have contacted Jandek, whose steadfastness in anonymity is legendary. Without any conventional attempts at promotion, he releases albums through his own record label Corwood Industries, which is addressed at a Houston post office box. Fans can write to Corwood for a typewritten catalogue and order Jandek’s albums, usually at inexpensive prices. Jandek’s work has been available on vinyl and on compact discs. Many of his albums feature pictures of the same young man (seen above) at various ages; in light of Jandek's live performances it is almost entirely certain that the person featured on the album covers is Jandek himself.
Jandek’s first album, Ready for the House (1978), was first accredited to a band called “The Units” but it was obviously a solo work. Jandek presumably plays acoustic guitar and has recorded much of his work apparently unaccompanied (assuming that the person singing is also the person playing guitar). However many other songs feature female vocals and/or different male vocalists. Others feature bass guitar, electric guitar and/or drums, presumably played by collaborators. No proper credits list has ever appeared on an album, but song titles have included "Nancy Sings" and "John Plays Drums".
Some of Jandek’s allure stems from his small but devoted fan base which has included Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, Kurt Cobain, Indian Jewelry, and K Records founder Calvin Johnson.
The mystery of Jandek's identity was partially resolved in October 2004 when Jandek performed live in Scotland, at the Instal 04 music festival in Glasgow. This was Jandek's first known live appearance and performed with Richard Youngs (bass) and Alex Neilson (drums). The man on stage was obviously the same man who appears on the album covers. Corwood stipulated that the performance was not publicized in advance. Since then, "The Representative of Corwood Industries" (as Jandek sometimes insists on being called) has played a lot of concerts and recorded all of them for future releases. The last years have seen an even higher release frequency, even for Jandek.
For more information, you may go here:
www.tisue.net/jandek
www.jandekoncorwood.com
Show Me The Way
Jandek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show me the way
I got an ace to tell the time
I got my face all red with wine
I got my eyes above all men
I don't even listen to them
Would you show me the way, O Lord
Show me the way
I take everything for granted
The stars are falling
Emptiness, and I am calling
For your caress
Would you show me the way, O Lord
Show me the way
In Jandek's song "Show Me the Way O Lord," the singer is asking for guidance, presumably from a higher power. The opening line, "Would you show me the way, O Lord," sets the tone for the entire song. The repetition of the phrase throughout the song emphasizes the singer's desperation for guidance. The second stanza reveals that the singer is numbing their pain with alcohol. They have an "ace to tell the time," which could mean they have a watch or clock to keep track of their drinking or it could signify that they have a way to keep themselves distracted from their problems. The singer is also disconnected from the people around them, stating that they don't even listen to them.
The third stanza is where the singer reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings. They describe themselves as walking on a planet and taking everything for granted. The singer feels the weight of the world on their shoulders, as the stars are falling and they feel emptiness inside. The final line of the stanza, "I am calling for your caress," suggests that the singer is searching for comfort, possibly from a divine being. The repetition of "Show me the way, O Lord" in the final stanza further emphasizes the singer's desperation for guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you show me the way, O Lord
Requesting guidance and direction from God
Show me the way
Echoing the request for guidance and direction from God
I got an ace to tell the time
Possessing a means of keeping track of time, but also suggesting the insignificance of time in the grand scheme of things
I got my face all red with wine
Indulging excessively in earthly pleasures, potentially leading to a state of intoxication
I got my eyes above all men
Believing oneself to be superior to others, possibly due to a delusion of grandeur
I don't even listen to them
Being disconnected and disinterested in the opinions of others
I'm walking on a planet
Existing in the physical world, but potentially feeling disconnected from it and seeking a deeper purpose
I take everything for granted
Not appreciating the value of things, possibly due to a lack of awareness or ungratefulness
The stars are falling
Feeling a sense of chaos and upheaval in the world around oneself
Emptiness, and I am calling
Experiencing a feeling of emptiness or a lack of meaning, and seeking a response or resolution
For your caress
Desiring comfort, support, or guidance from God
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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