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.
Relatively Easy
Jason Isbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone you meet rubs you the wrong way
Dirty city streets smell like an ashtray
Morning bells are ringing in your ear
Is your brother on a church kick
Seems like just a different kind of dope sick
Better off to teach a dog a card trick
You should know compared
To people on a global scale
Our kind has had it relatively easy
And here with you there's always
Something to look forward to
Our angry heart beats relatively easy
I lost a good friend
Christmas time when folks go off the deep end
His woman took the kids and he took Klonopin
Enough to kill a man of twice his size
Not for me to understand
Remember him when he was still a proud man
A vandals smile a baseball in his right hand
Nothing but the blue sky in his eye
Still compared to those
A stones throw away from you
Our lives have both been relatively easy
Take the(a) year and make a break
There ain't that much at stake
The answers could be relatively easy
Watch that lucky man walk to work again
He may not have a friend left in the world
See him walking home again to sleep alone
Or step into a shop to buy a postcard for a girl
I broke the law boys
Shooting out the windows of my loft boys
When they picked me up I made a big noise
Everything to blame except my mind
And I should say I keep your picture with me everyday
The evenings now are relatively easy
Here with you there's always
Something to look forward to
My lonely heart beats relatively easy
My lonely heart beats relatively easy
The song "Relatively Easy" by Jason Isbell talks about the struggles people face in their daily lives and tries to put them in perspective. The lyrics describe common issues such as feeling frustrated, dealing with addiction, losing someone close to you, and even breaking the law. However, Isbell reminds us that our problems are relatively easy compared to the struggles of others around the world. He also finds comfort and hope in having someone by his side who brings joy and purpose to his life.
The opening lines describe a bad day, with every person and place adding to the frustration of the main character. Isbell goes on to contrast his friend's addiction to religion with drug addiction before concluding that teaching a dog a card trick would be a better use of time. Then, in the chorus, Isbell reminds us that we have it relatively easy compared to the rest of the world, and that there's always something to look forward to when we have someone to share our lives with.
In the other verses, Isbell tells a story of a friend who lost everything due to addiction and another friend who lost his sanity and went on a shooting spree. He contrasts these stories with his own life and that of his audience, saying that despite our struggles, we have it relatively easy compared to the people just a stone's throw away from us.
Overall, "Relatively Easy" is a song that encourages us to put our problems in perspective and find hope in the people and experiences we have in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you having a long day
Are you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted?
Everyone you meet rubs you the wrong way
Do people’s attitudes seem to be bothersome today?
Dirty city streets smell like an ashtray
Are smells in the urban environment bothering you?
Morning bells are ringing in your ear
Are you feeling like you can ‘t escape the noise around you?
Is your brother on a church kick
Has your brother recently become religious?
Seems like just a different kind of dope sick
Does your brother’s zeal seem misplaced or obsessive?
Better off to teach a dog a card trick
Is it a waste of time trying to reason with your brother?
And try to have a point and make it clear
Should you focus on being clear in your communication to avoid confusion?
You should know compared
Keep in mind the differences between your current situation and overall global prosperity
To people on a global scale
Think of how people all over the world are struggling in different ways
Our kind has had it relatively easy
Acknowledge that life is not harder compared to other people and cultures
And here with you there's always
Being with you is a comforting presence
Something to look forward to
Every day has something new and exciting to bring
Our angry heart beats relatively easy
Despite inward feelings of discontent, life is still overall easier
I lost a good friend
A beloved friend has passed away recently
Christmas time when folks go off the deep end
The holiday season can typically lead to deep and turbulent emotions
His woman took the kids and he took klonopin
When his partner took the children and he started using klonopin
Enough to kill a man of twice his size
He dangerously consumed more than his recommended dosage of klonopin
Not for me to understand
The situation is too complicated for me to comprehend
Remember him when he was still a proud man
Remembering him before life’s hardships changed him
A vandals smile, a baseball in his right hand
His playful and youthful demeanor
Nothing but the blue sky in his eye
A pure, unclouded outlook on life
Still compared to those
This situation is comparatively less difficult than others
A stones throw away from you
People in proximity face tougher circumstances
Our lives have both been relatively easy
In light of others, life has not been entirely difficult for either of us
Take the(a) year and make a break
Consider taking a year-long break to focus on self-care
There ain't that much at stake
There is likely no pressing urgency or potential loss in taking that break
The answers could be relatively easy
The solutions you seek may come easily once you can focus on them
Watch that lucky man walk to work again
Jealous of others’ fortunes
He may not have a friend left in the world
Luck does not guarantee companionship and mental well-being
See him walking home again to sleep alone
Sleeping solo is a consequence of life’s circumstances, regardless of luck
Or step into a shop to buy a postcard for a girl
Simple, everyday acts of kindness and affection for others can brighten one’s mood
I broke the law boys
I committed a serious crime
Shooting out the windows of my loft boys
I legally shot out windows in my loft, causing destruction and breaking laws
When they picked me up I made a big noise
I protested and acted aggressively when being apprehended
Everything to blame except my mind
It was not an external force that led to my crime, only my own shortcomings
I should say I keep your picture with me everyday
I keep a photo of you with me as a reminder to keep going
The evenings now are relatively easy
Evenings are no longer a time of stress, now that you’re here by my side
Here with you there's always
Being with you is a comforting presence
Something to look forward to
Each day has a positive moment to enjoy.
My lonely heart beats relatively easy
With your company, the feeling of “loneliness” is alleviated
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Isbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Preston
on Yvette
I can barely make out a little light from the house on the cul-de-sac
Bedroom upstairs, it's a family affair.
I've watched you in class, your eyes are cut glass and you stay covered up
Head to your toe, so nobody will know it was you
I might not be a man yet,
But that bastard will never be,
So I'm cleaning my Weatherby
My sight and my scope
And I hope against hope.
I hope against hope.
Your mother seems nice, I don't understand why she won't say anything.
As if she can't see who he turned out to be.
I might not be a man yet,
But your father will never be,
So I load up my Weatherby.
I let out my breath
And I couple with death.
I couple with death.
Saw your father last night in the window the light made a silhouette.
Saw him hold you that way, he won't hold you that way anymore, Yvette.