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.
Down In A Hole
Jason Isbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the king of something evil in a year-long drought
With a dirty white suit, a big white hat
A bullet in his pocket, no matter where he's at
He's trouble, but ain't we all?
Trouble, but ain't we all?
His daughter was a looker but five'll get you ten
She had a rag top car, she made good grades
She didn't like her daddy 'cause he wouldn't let her date
She was trouble, but ain't we all?
Trouble, but ain't we all?
Don't work for him boy, it's like selling your soul
He?ll turn his back and leave you way down in a hole
His daddy wasn't a good man, he owned most of the town
He bought up all the farmland and tore up all the ground
He covered up the county with stone and creosote
Came to football games in a new fur coat
Had a real big wife, a real big grin
He gave thanks to Jesus for the shape that he was in
He was trouble, oh but ain't we all?
He was trouble, but ain't we all?
Big sign on the roadside, telling me how to live
A couple things that he done, real hard to forgive
So don't work for him, boy, it's like selling your soul
He'll walk away and he'll leave you way down in a hole
The song "Down In A Hole" by Jason Isbell is a haunting depiction of a wealthy and powerful man and the damage he inflicts on those around him. The opening lines paint a vivid image of this man standing in the window, looking like the "king of something evil" with a bullet in his pocket. He is clearly a dangerous figure, but as the chorus repeats, "he's trouble, but ain't we all?" suggesting that perhaps there's a little bit of this darkness in all of us.
The second verse focuses on the man's daughter, who despite her good grades and a nice car is dressed like a hooker and smells like sin. She is also trouble, and in this case, it seems to be a direct result of her father's influence. He is portrayed as controlling and oppressive, not allowing her to date and likely contributing to her rebellious behavior.
The final verse focuses on the man's father, who was also a wealthy and powerful figure, owning most of the town and buying up all the farmland. He is described as cold and ruthless, with a "real big wife" and a "real big grin." The final lines warn against working for this man, and suggest that he will "walk away and leave you way down in a hole." It's a bleak and chilling conclusion to a song that paints a vivid picture of the corruption and danger that can come with unchecked power and wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in the window with his tongue hanging out
He stands in the window with his tongue hanging out, acting like he is the ruler of something evil which is in a year-long drought
Like the king of something evil in a year-long drought
He is acting like he is the king of something evil in a year-long drought and enjoying it
With a dirty white suit, a big white hat
He is wearing a dirty white suit and a big white hat, trying to portray himself as a rich person
A bullet in his pocket, no matter where he's at
He always carries a bullet in his pocket, no matter where he goes
He's trouble, but ain't we all?
He is a person who creates problems, but aren't we all like him in some way or the other?
His daughter was a looker but five'll get you ten
His daughter was attractive, but her physical appearance does not guarantee anything
He dressed her like a hooker and she smelled like sin
He dressed his daughter like a hooker and his daughter smelled like she had done something sinful
She had a rag top car, she made good grades
His daughter had a convertible car and she did very well academically
She didn't like her daddy 'cause he wouldn't let her date
His daughter did not like him because he is an overprotective father who restricts her from dating
She was trouble, but ain't we all?
His daughter is also troublesome in her own way, but everyone has some flaws
Don't work for him boy, it's like selling your soul
Working for him is akin to giving away your soul
He'll turn his back and leave you way down in a hole
If you work for him, he will not have your back and you will be stuck in a difficult situation
His daddy wasn't a good man, he owned most of the town
His father was not a good person and he owned most of the town
He bought up all the farmland and tore up all the ground
He purchased all the farmland and destroyed everything
He covered up the county with stone and creosote
He covered up the county with stone and creosote
Came to football games in a new fur coat
He used to come to football games wearing a new fur coat
Had a real big wife, a real big grin
He had a big wife and he had a big grin on his face
He gave thanks to Jesus for the shape that he was in
He thanked Jesus for his present situation
He was trouble, oh but ain't we all?
He was a troublemaker, but aren't we all to some extent?
Big sign on the roadside, telling me how to live
There is a big sign on the roadside that is dictating how a person should live
A couple things that he done, real hard to forgive
There are a couple of things that he did, which are difficult to forgive
So don't work for him, boy, it's like selling your soul
It is advisable not to work for him as selling your soul
He'll walk away and he'll leave you way down in a hole
He will abandon you and leave you in a difficult situation if you work for him
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Isbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
spiritualseeker amor
I like it!
Mike Ozaruk
Love this - similar vibe to "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot.
Lonnie Manuel
Smelled like sin.... (inhale). Yep.
Raellives
Likey!
1414TTT
Yes.