In 1996, he released his first solo album Jason Falkner Presents Author Unknown, which was produced, written, and performed almost entirely by Falkner (the only exception being some guitar overdub done by Alain Johannes). Although it received strong critical reviews, it was not a commercial success. During that same year, he wrote several songs on Brendan Benson's album One Mississippi, and played various instruments on an album released in 1996 by Susanna Hoffs. In 1997, he worked with Eric Matthews on a second album, The Lateness of the Hour, co-producing and assisting on five tracks.
In 1999, Falkner released Can You Still Feel?, another album written and performed as an entire solo effort and was produced with Nigel Godrich. In 2000 Jason was kept very busy, touring and contributing to various projects, including working with and touring as a bassist for the French band Air, and contributing guitar parts to a few Paul McCartney songs. He recorded a song for a tribute album, and played backup on Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Brian Reitzell's album Logan's Sanctuary.
Jason is credited as performing several instruments on Beck's albums The Information and Modern Guilt from 2006 and 2008. He is currently a part of Beck and St. Vincent's touring bands.
He released his third album I'm OK... You're OK in Japan in 2007. In 2009, he released his fourth album All Quiet on the Noise Floor, again only in Japan. In 2015, he worked with R. Stevie Moore, releasing a collaboration album called Make It Be.
Author Unknown
Jason Falkner Lyrics
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The opening lines of Jason Falkner's song "Author Unknown" appear to be a commentary on the idea of taking the easy way out. Falkner suggests that if one consistently follows the path of least resistance, at least they're being consistent in their behavior. To reward this consistency, Falkner metaphorically bakes a cake for the person who takes this path. However, the lyrics soon take a turn towards the idea of creating something meaningful. Falkner suggests that we must recognize our dreams and then make them a reality by writing them down and turning them into actions. However, the process of creating meaning from our thoughts may feel tedious and endless, which is why Falkner sings, "I can't get this thing off the ground."
The chorus is a call to action, urging us to express ourselves fully and leave our mark on the world. Falkner suggests that we should put our heart and soul into what we create, even if it means being brutalized by our own beauty. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "author unknown," which could be interpreted to mean that no matter who we are or what we create, we are all unknown in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, "Author Unknown" appears to be a meditation on the creative process and the struggle to create something meaningful. The song recognizes the difficulty in turning dreams into actions but encourages us to push through and create something beautiful and lasting.
Line by Line Meaning
If the path of least resistance is all you ever take
If you always choose the easiest way out
Well at least you've been consistent and for that I baked you a cake
At least you're consistent in your decisions, so I made you a cake to celebrate that
Recognize this as a dream, wake up and write it down
Realize that what you're experiencing may not be real, so wake up and write it down to remember
From thought to actions an eternity I can't get this thing off the ground
It feels like it's taking forever to turn my thoughts into action and make progress
Author unknown
The author of these thoughts and actions is unknown
So spell me out your proverb and ink it with your soul
Tell me your personal saying and put your heart into it
And I'll count down all the reasons you lost complete control
I'll list all the reasons you lost control and couldn't handle the situation
Brutalize me with beauty, don't ever let me down
Overwhelm me with something beautiful, and never disappoint me
Suspended on this stage of grace I have to remember this sound
Captivated by the beautiful moment, I must remember the sound of it
Author unknown, author unknown...
Again, the author is unknown
Author unknown remember this sound
Even though we don't know who created this moment, let's remember its beauty
She's unknown. He's unknown. I'm unknown. We're all unknown.
We are all unknown, just like the creator of this beautiful moment
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.