In addition to being a gifted songwriter, Isbell is regarded as an exceptional guitar player. His style is mostly in the alt-country genre, but is also infused with rock and blues elements.
Jason Isbell's debut solo album Sirens from the Ditch was released on July 10th, 2007, on New West Records. With his band The 400 Unit, he toured in support of this release in the US and Canada during the summer and fall of 2007. Both Isbell and the band released a follow-up album, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit on February 17, 2009.
Brand New Kind Of Actress
Jason Isbell Lyrics
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Some minor changes made, you'll miss the big parade
Another filthy day, another Hollywood sign
You missed the caution line and you just walked right in
You walked right in
There's a body there, somebody you once knew
He took a liking to your conversation cues
You're lack of hired help, the way you fit right in
The way you fit right in
'Cause you're a brand-new kind of actress
You're a brand-new kind of actress
You're the same old stubborn waitress, baby
You're a brand-new kind of actress
You swim the other way, you put your seed upstream
So many hopes and dreams, so many in-betweens
Your new reality, just make yourself at home
He's always watching me, he's never been alone
So you just walked right in
'Cause you're a brand-new kind of actress
You're a brand-new kind of actress
You're the same old stubborn waitress, baby
You're a brand-new kind of actress
You little greasy guy, I don't care what you did
In 1965 before the wife and kid
I'll leave my jacket on, so sorry, I can't stay
Just put the piece away
Just put the piece away and let me call a cab
We'll go our separate ways, we'll go our separate ways
Just put the piece away, I don't care what you did
Back in younger days, just put the piece away, get it away
'Cause I'm a brand-new kind of actress
I'm a brand-new kind of actress
I'm the same old stubborn waitress, baby
I'm a brand-new kind of actress
The song "Brand New Kind Of Actress" by Jason Isbell is a critical commentary on the Hollywood movie industry and the way it consumes and discards actors. The singer is addressing a woman who wants to be a part of the industry, but he feels she is naive to its dangers. He tells her that despite the change in her circumstances, she is still the same person - a stubborn waitress - and cannot shed her past so easily. The woman is portrayed as a "brand-new kind of actress," but the singer seems to imply that her approach to the industry is not sustainable.
The second verse elaborates on the dangers lurking in the industry, with a reference to a dead body that the woman once knew. The singer tells her that she needs to be careful and watch out for herself, as she is now part of Hollywood's machinery. He also mentions how she fits in so easily, underscoring the pressures to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior.
In the third verse, the singer confronts a "little greasy guy" who is trying to proposition the woman. He seems to act as her protector and tells the man to put the gun away, offering to help the woman leave safely. The final refrain repeats that the woman may be a "brand-new kind of actress," but she is still the same person inside.
Overall, the song is a scathing critique of the Hollywood film industry and its exploitation of young talents. It exposes the darker side of the industry and highlights how it destroys lives and careers.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you heard of me so why are you so afraid?
I am familiar to you but you seem scared, why is that?
Some minor changes made, you'll miss the big parade
If you do not make small adjustments, you will miss out on the big opportunity.
Another filthy day, another Hollywood sign
It's just another dirty day in Hollywood with the sign always present.
You missed the caution line and you just walked right in
You did not heed warnings and just walked into a potentially dangerous situation.
There's a body there, somebody you once knew
There is a person present who you previously had a connection with.
He took a liking to your conversation cues
This person is interested in how you communicate.
The way you cut your hair, the time you did it yourself
This person has noticed the way you style your hair and that you did it yourself.
You're lack of hired help, the way you fit right in
They noticed that you do not have any hired help and that you effortlessly fit in.
'Cause you're a brand-new kind of actress
You are a unique type of actress, unlike any seen before.
You swim the other way, you put your seed upstream
You tend to go against the norm and make your own path.
So many hopes and dreams, so many in-betweens
You have a lot of aspirations and uncertainties in your life.
Your new reality, just make yourself at home
You have to adjust to a new way of life and make yourself comfortable.
He's always watching me, he's never been alone
Someone is always keeping an eye on you, they are never alone.
You little greasy guy, I don't care what you did
I do not care about your past actions, you are insignificant to me.
In 1965 before the wife and kid
I do not care about what you did back in 1965 before you had a family.
I'll leave my jacket on, so sorry, I can't stay
I must leave now, I cannot stay any longer.
Just put the piece away
Please holster your weapon.
And let me call a cab
Allow me to call a taxi to leave.
We'll go our separate ways, we'll go our separate ways
We will separate and go our own paths.
Just put the piece away, I don't care what you did
Put your weapon away I do not care about your past actions.
Back in younger days, just put the piece away, get it away
Even from back in our younger days, please put away the weapon.
'Cause I'm a brand-new kind of actress
I am a unique type of actress, unlike any seen before.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Isbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomashillmeyer9819
Love this song since the first time I heard it on the radio at work years ago. Great guitarist and love his voice. I believe he’s one of the best songwriters of our time!
@Rafael-le1tz
This deserves a reply, so here it is
@fistymopar2356
The deluxe edition would be if this was uploaded as a full album so I could listen to it ad free here
@fwestah
You said you heard of me, so why are you so afraid?
Some minor changes made, you missed the big parade
Another filthy day, another Hollywood sign
You missed the caution line, and you just walked right in
You walked right in
There's a body there, somebody you once knew
He took a liking to your conversation cues
The way you cut your hair, the time you did it yourself
Your lack of hired help, the way you fit right in
The way you fit right in
Cause you're a brand new kind of actress
You're a brand new kind of actress
You're the same old stubborn waitress, baby
You're a brand new kind of actress
You swim the the other way, you put your seed upstream
So many hopes and dreams, so many in-betweens
Your new reality, just make yourself at home
He's always watchin' me, he's never been alone
So you just walked right in
Cause you're a brand new kind of actress
You're a brand new kind of actress
You're the same old stubborn waitress, baby
You're a brand new kind of actress
You little greasy guy, I don't care what you did
In 1965, before the wife and kid
I'll leave my jacket on, so sorry I can't stay
Just put the piece away
Just put the piece away, let me call a cab
We'll go our separate ways, we'll go our separate ways
Just put the piece away, I don't care what you did
Back in younger days, just put the piece away
Put it away
'Cause I'm a brand new kind of actress
I'm a brand new kind of actress
I'm the same old stubborn waitress, baby
I'm a brand new kind of actress
@suzayer
Was this his first solo album?
@Gippeyy
yes
@SusieNation
Technically yes, although most of the musicians where also members of DbT.
@matan1336
@@SusieNation that's true but every single song is written by him and it definitely sounds like an Isbell album. Most of these songs would never end up on a dbt album and obviously not all Isbell songs.