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.
Shotgun Wedding
Jason Isbell Lyrics
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You took him home from a nightclub, he took a nightclub to you
Now I watch from the window, too guilty to scream
My feet are like steel, I might be in a dream
Well, every time I see you, you look bigger than you did the day before
And even though I know it's not my fault, I wish it was
I can only ride the elevator all night long from floor to floor
So how about a shotgun wedding? What about your dignity?
What about a different setting? What about me?
All your daddy's wishes honored, all of that security
How about a shotgun wedding? What about me?
I guess I'm a loner, some call me a freak
I saw you in the hallway, too guilty to speak
Now I sleep in the daytime and I sleep on the floor
I dial your number and I knock on your door
But every time I hear your voice or footsteps, I get frozen in my place
And I have to struggle for the courage just to run
I can see the eyes of all the ones that left you glowing in your face
And I just wanna help you with this life that you've begun
So how about a shotgun wedding? What about your dignity?
What about a different setting? What about me?
All your daddy's wishes honored, all of that security
What about a shotgun wedding? What about me?
What about a shotgun wedding? What about me?
The song "Shotgun Wedding" by Jason Isbell is a heart-wrenching tale of unrequited love and confusion. The singer of the song watches helplessly as the woman he loves marries someone else, and he wonders what could have been. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song: "Ten years out of high school, still no idea what to do. You took him home from a nightclub, he took a nightclub to you." This sets the scene for a story of a woman who may be making a mistake by marrying someone she barely knows.
The singer of the song is tormented by his love for this woman and his inability to do anything about it. He sees her every day, but he can't bring himself to speak to her. He is paralyzed by his feelings, and he feels guilty for not being able to help her. He suggests a shotgun wedding in an attempt to rescue her from what he sees as a bad situation. He wants to save her from the life she has chosen, but he also wants to be with her himself. He is torn between his desire to help her and his desire to be loved by her.
The chorus asks, "What about a shotgun wedding? What about your dignity? What about a different setting? What about me?" This shows that the singer is thinking only of himself and not considering what the woman might want. He assumes that she is making a mistake and that he knows what is best for her. The song is a powerful commentary on the destructive power of unrequited love and the dangers of assuming that you know what is best for another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years out of high school, still no idea what to do
The singer is struggling with his purpose in life, and this is emphasized by the fact that it has been 10 years since he graduated high school, and he still has not found direction.
You took him home from a nightclub, he took a nightclub to you
The singer describes the night his love interest slept with another man, and the experience was so intense it has changed her.
Now I watch from the window, too guilty to scream
The singer has been watching his love interest and feels guilty for not stepping in and confessing his love for her.
My feet are like steel, I might be in a dream
The artist feels paralyzed, possibly suggesting that he wishes he could change the situation, but also might be dreaming of a life where he confessed his feelings for her.
Well, every time I see you, you look bigger than you did the day before
The artist sees his love interest changing and growing apart from him.
And even though I know it's not my fault, I wish it was
The singer wants to take the blame for the situation, even though he knows he is not responsible.
I can only ride the elevator all night long from floor to floor
The singer is stuck going nowhere, symbolized by the elevator going up and down continuously.
And I can only stand outside your window in the dust
The artist can only watch his love interest from afar, never able to truly be with her.
So how about a shotgun wedding? What about your dignity?
The artist suggests getting married quickly to solve their problems, but realizes that it might be seen as an insult to his love interest's dignity.
What about a different setting? What about me?
He asks for a change in the situation, questioning what about him and his own desires.
All your daddy's wishes honored, all of that security
The shotgun wedding would fulfill her father's wishes and provide security for both parties involved.
I guess I'm a loner, some call me a freak
The artist is seen as an outsider by others, possibly because of his situation.
I saw you in the hallway, too guilty to speak
He sees her and feels guilty for not being able to tell her his feelings.
Now I sleep in the daytime and I sleep on the floor
The singer's life has deteriorated to the point where he is sleeping on the floor during the day.
I dial your number and I knock on your door
He tries to reach out to her but always falls short.
But every time I hear your voice or footsteps, I get frozen in my place
He is afraid to confront her when he is around her.
And I have to struggle for the courage just to run
He has trouble leaving the situation because he cares about her so much.
I can see the eyes of all the ones that left you glowing in your face
The singer sees the damage done to his love interest by past relationships and how they have left a mark on her.
And I just wanna help you with this life that you've begun
The singer wants to help her move on from her past relationships and start a new life with him.
What about a shotgun wedding? What about me?
He reiterates his plea for her to marry him and also considers his own needs.
What about a shotgun wedding? What about me?
He repeats his suggestion of a shotgun wedding, emphasizing his own desires and needs for their relationship.
Lyrics © 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.