And through decades of solid output, rigorous touring, and unyielding punk ethos, he cemented himself as one of the most influential heroes of the DIY scene.
Rosenstock is a self-made artist who's built a bridge between enraged, angst-ridden political catharsis and hard-hitting depressive emotional introspection. His voice is loud, raspy, and on the cusp of anger, but underneath that lies enough nuance and subtlety to make his music fun and arresting all at once.
In just a couple of years, Jeff Rosenstock has gone from beloved underground punk mainstay to a DIY legend and one of the most acclaimed figures in modern punk.
You in Weird Cities
Jeff Rosenstock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Matty's working hard in Ohio
Fitzy and Chris are very far away
Sean, Ian and Rick are in Michigan
And we try to see each other whenever we can
But there′s only so many days that we can stay
I'm always getting high
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything′s worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I′m like a bratty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
Some of my friends are good Americans
How can they empathize with the trouble that I'm in?
I don′t have to wake up, I don't have to feed a kid
And it′s got to the point where I'm
Not sure if that′s something I wanted
Instead of getting high
When no one is around
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I′m like a shitty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
But when I listen to your records
I don′t need to look at pictures
It's like I′m hanging out with you in weird cities
Getting lost, and pretending
That we'll never go back
We′ll never go back
You, laughing with me
Getting lost in weird cities
Like we'll never go back
We′ll never go back
To always getting high
When no one is around
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I′m like a shitty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
But when I listen to your records it′s like I'm hanging out with you (you)
When I listen to your records it′s like I'm hanging out with you
When I listen to your tunes it′s like I'm there with you
I wanna hang out with you
(Listen to your tunes it′s like I'm There with you)
(When I listen to your tunes it's like I′m there with you)
(I wanna hang out with you)
(I wanna hang out with you)
(I wanna hang out with you)
(I wanna hang out with you)
(I wanna hang out with you)
(You)
(You)
(You)
(You)
The song "You In Weird Cities" by Jeff Rosenstock tells the story of a group of friends who have all gone their separate ways and are now scattered across different states. The lyrics mention each friend by name and their current location, emphasizing the physical distance between them. Despite their efforts to stay in touch, the limited time and distance make it difficult for them to see each other often. The singer is struggling with finding happiness or purpose in his life, resorting to getting high when alone because nothing makes him feel worthwhile, happy, or amused.
The group of friends is distinctly American and seems to have settled into a conventional adult life while the singer has chosen a different path. This creates a sense of alienation between the singer and his friends, making it hard for them to empathize with each other. He also seems to question his own choices, wondering if he really wanted what he has now, compared to his friends' lives. Despite the physical distance, the singer feels a strong emotional connection to his friends when he listens to their records. It is music that keeps them close and brings them together, even if only in their imaginations.
Line by Line Meaning
Philip’s living up in Chicago
Philip is currently residing in Chicago.
Matty's working hard in Ohio
Matty is putting in a lot of effort at work in Ohio.
Fitzy and Chris are very far away
Fitzy and Chris are located at a great distance from me.
Sean, Ian and Rick are in Michigan
Sean, Ian and Rick are situated in Michigan.
And we try to see each other whenever we can
We make an effort to meet up whenever it is possible for us.
But there's only so many days that we can stay
However, there is a limited amount of time we can spend together due to various reasons.
I'm always getting high
I frequently engage in drug use.
When no one is around
Usually when I am by myself.
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Due to the fact that I do not derive any emotional fulfillment.
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing seems to be worth pursuing or engaging in.
Nothing makes me happy
I fail to experience joy.
I'm like a bratty child
My behavior or attitude is akin to that of a spoiled or immature child.
Nothing makes me laugh
I cannot find amusement or delight in anything.
Nothing makes me smile
I am incapable of finding joy or happiness in things.
Some of my friends are good Americans
Some of my friends embody positive American values or characteristics.
How can they empathize with the trouble that I'm in?
However, they may not be able to understand the problems or issues that I am facing.
I don't have to wake up, I don't have to feed a kid
I do not have the responsibilities of a parent or the need to follow a strict schedule.
And it's got to the point where I'm not sure if that's something I wanted
Nevertheless, I am uncertain whether this is something I truly desired.
Instead of getting high
In lieu of engaging in drug use.
'Cause nothing makes me feel
As I am incapable of deriving emotional fulfillment.
Anything's worthwhile
I feel as though nothing is worth pursuing or engaging in.
Nothing makes me happy
I cannot find joy in anything.
I'm like a shitty child
My behavior or attitude can be likened to that of an unpleasant or immature child.
Nothing makes me laugh
I cannot find humor in anything.
Nothing makes me smile
I am incapable of experiencing happiness or amusement.
But when I listen to your records
However, when I play your music.
I don't need to look at pictures
I do not need to view photos or images.
It's like I'm hanging out with you in weird cities
It feels as though I am spending time with you in strange or unfamiliar places.
Getting lost, and pretending
Feeling lost or directionless, yet still able to pretend that we will never return.
That we'll never go back
Believing that we will never have to return or go back to our present state of mind.
You, laughing with me
You are laughing amiably with me.
Getting lost in weird cities
Both of us are feeling misplaced or uncertain in unusual or strange locations.
Like we'll never go back
As though we will never have to return or revert to our original state.
To always getting high
To constantly engaging in drug use.
'Cause nothing makes me feel
As nothing seems to bring me emotional fulfillment.
Anything's worthwhile
As nothing seems worth doing or pursuing.
Nothing makes me happy
As I cannot find joy or happiness in anything.
I'm like a shitty child
My behavior or attitude is akin to that of a poor-tempered or immature child.
Nothing makes me laugh
As I cannot find anything amusing.
Nothing makes me smile
As I cannot experience feelings of happiness or amusement.
But when I listen to your records it's like I'm hanging out with you (you)
However, when I listen to your music, it feels as though I am spending time with you.
When I listen to your records it's like I'm hanging out with you
When I am listening to your music, it feels as though I am with you.
When I listen to your tunes it's like I'm there with you
When I am playing your music, I get the sensation of being with you.
I wanna hang out with you
I long to spend more time with you.
(Listen to your tunes it's like I'm There with you)
When I play your music, it feels as though we are together.
(When I listen to your tunes it's like I'm there with you)
Playing your music gives me the impression that I am spending time with you.
(I wanna hang out with you)
I desire to spend more time with you.
(I wanna hang out with you)
I wish to spend more time in your company.
(I wanna hang out with you)
I yearn to be with you more often.
(I wanna hang out with you)
I want to spend more time socializing with you.
(You)
A reference to the person being sung about.
(You)
Referring once again to the person named in the song.
(You)
Directing the listener's attention back to the person being sung about.
(You)
Emphasizing the importance of the person being sung about.
Writer(s): Jeff Rosenstock
Contributed by Callie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aleph Null
Philip's living up in Chicago
Matty's working hard in Ohio
Fitzy and Chris are very far away
Sean, Ian and Rick are in Michigan
And we try to see each other whenever we can
But there's only so many days that we can stay
I'm always getting high
When no one is around
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I'm like a bratty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
Some of my friends are good Americans
How can they empathize with the trouble that I'm in?
I don't have to wake up, I don't have to feed a kid
And it's got to the point where I'm
Not sure if that's something I wanted
Instead of getting high
When no one is around
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I'm like a shitty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
But when I listen to your records
I don't need to look at pictures
It's like I'm hanging out with you in weird cities
Getting lost, and pretending
That we'll never go back
We'll never go back
You, laughing with me
Getting lost in weird cities
Like we'll never go back
We'll never go back
To always getting high
When no one is around
'Cause nothing makes me feel
Anything's worthwhile
Nothing makes me happy
I'm like a shitty child
Nothing makes me laugh
Nothing makes me smile
But when I listen to your records it's like I'm hanging out with you (you)
When I listen to your records it's like I'm hanging out with you
When I listen to your tunes it's like I'm there with you
I wanna hang out with you
(You)
Andy Spendlove
The most underrated album of 2015, hands down. So. dayum. good.
Their choice of transportation reminds me of navigating the subways in the Capital Wasteland...
Andrew R
@Nicole Clark Worry is incredible all the way through
Nicole Clark
WORRY is even better than We Cool? IMO, which is saying quite a lot
bilwit
haven't listened to WORRY. yet but it might be my favorite album he's put out, Vacation is up there but front-to-back, We Cool? has to be it
ay
Just found out about jeff rosenstock. Damn this is good
Aleph Null
you have like 30 years of music to catch up on, you lucky sonabish
El Perry
Welcome!
Not Ewan
I swear to god every time I see jeff rosenstock he looks like a different person.
WALKEN
Thank you Jeff for being an amazing person who writes amazing music.
Also, massive thank you SideOneDummy for helping put out some of the best albums this year, it's crazy how many unreal artists you have.
Brian Arndt
"This video is unlisted. Be considerate and think twice before sharing." Love it, and also the video.