A Chicago native, O'Rourke's work has found equal luck with experimental jazz and noise fanatics, chill room denizens, and bedroom experimentalists, and has had the resultant effect of cross-pollinating many otherwise isolated compositional communities. In early 1993, he formed an avant-rock group with Darin Gray and Dylan Posa called Brise-Glace. The band released one studio album, When in Vanitas..., in 1994.
Subsequently, O'Rourke has released a fair bit of material as a soloist, although more often in the electro-acoustic/musique concrète vein. Dealing most often with prepared guitar in improvisational group settings, he's collaborated with such contemporary improv heroes as Derek Bailey, Henry Kaiser, Eddie Prevost and Keith Rowe (of English improv group AMM), KK Null, David Jackman (Organum), and early Krautrock experimentalists Faust. O'Rourke is also engaged in an ongoing exploration of experimental rock as a member of Gastr del Sol, who've released albums through the Teen Beat and Table of the Elements labels.
Beginning with guitar at the age of 6, it wasn't until his collegiate career at DePaul University that O'Rourke's interest in the less obvious possibilities of the instrument led him through the early catalogs of the post-classical and electro-acoustic traditions. While at DePaul, O'Rourke completed much of the work that would constitute his first few releases. He also had the opportunity to meet up with noted improvisational guitarist Derek Bailey, whose invitation to O'Rourke to play at the British improv festival Company Week led to further collaborative projects with Bailey, Henry Kaiser, Eddie Prevost, and David Jackman. O'Rourke began working with Dan Burke's Illusion of Safety project in the early '90s, releasing three albums through Staalplaat and Tesco, before moving on to form experimental "rock" group Gastr Del Sol with David Grubbs. Although focusing more on collaboration after a string of solo releases in the early '90s, O'Rourke has shifted back to solo work of late, releasing Terminal Pharmacy through John Zorn's Tzadik label and completing commissioned pieces for the Kronos Quartet and the Rova Saxophone Quartet. In 1995, O'Rourke was invited by German experimental electronic label Mille Plateaux (Oval, Steel, Microstoria) to conduct an extended remix of their entire back catalog. He also produced and co-wrote a good portion of innovative German outfit Faust's Table of the Elements release, Rien. O'Rourke is also noted for his work as a producer. This role led to another project during the mixing of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, when O'Rourke combined with Jeff Tweedy and Glenn Kotche to form Loose Fur.
All Downhill From Here
Jim O'Rourke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not that you would anyway
I may be insincere
But it's all downhill from here
If I seem a bit remote
You'll feel better if you say I'm a misanthrope
Or whatever floats your boat
Even though I'm here, you should feel all alone
Maybe the point of this you've just outgrown
There are names for me that are better known
Just draw a line and I'll add my own
The lyrics to Jim O'Rourke's song All Downhill From Here suggest that the singer is advising the listener not to trust anything they say since they are insincere. The line "not that you would anyway" implies that the listener may already be skeptical of the singer's words. The singer then goes on to suggest that they may seem distant or antisocial, but the listener should not take it personally since it's just the way they are. They even suggest that the listener could label them a misanthrope, but ultimately, they don't care. The final lines "Even though I'm here, you should feel all alone / Maybe the point of this you've just outgrown / There are names for me that are better known / Just draw a line and I'll add my own" imply that the singer is content with their own company and they don't need the validation or presence of others.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the singer's own personality and the way that they interact with the world around them. It suggests that while they may not be the most personable or relatable person, they are content with who they are and don't feel the need to conform to social norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't believe a word I say
I am not trustworthy, so do not rely on my words.
Not that you would anyway
Even if I were trustworthy, you still wouldn't believe me.
I may be insincere
I am likely to be dishonest and lack genuineness.
But it's all downhill from here
Things will only get worse from this point forward.
If I seem a bit remote
I might come off as distant or unapproachable.
You'll feel better if you say I'm a misanthrope
You might find comfort in labeling me as a person who despises humanity.
Or whatever floats your boat
Or choose any other label or term that works for you.
As for me, I'd rather sink my own
I'd rather fail in my own ways, despite what others may think or say.
Even though I'm here, you should feel all alone
Even though I am present, you may still feel lonely because of my behavior.
Maybe the point of this you've just outgrown
Perhaps the lesson or purpose of this situation is no longer relevant to you.
There are names for me that are better known
There are more accurate or descriptive words for me than the ones you use.
Just draw a line and I'll add my own
You can try to define me, but I will add my own definition to it.
Lyrics © Regard Music, BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LYLE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Misslotusification
Don't believe a word I say
Not that you would anyway
I may be insincere
But it's all downhill from here
If I seem a bit remote
You'll feel better if you say I'm a misanthrope
Or whatever floats your boat
As for me, I'd rather sink my own
Even though I'm here, you should feel all alone
Maybe the point of this you've just outgrown
There are names for me that are better known
Just draw a line and I'll add my own
@madvail
Best riff ever
@RaySecoli
This is killer
@connorchapman1232
RIFF CITY
@Misslotusification
Don't believe a word I say
Not that you would anyway
I may be insincere
But it's all downhill from here
If I seem a bit remote
You'll feel better if you say I'm a misanthrope
Or whatever floats your boat
As for me, I'd rather sink my own
Even though I'm here, you should feel all alone
Maybe the point of this you've just outgrown
There are names for me that are better known
Just draw a line and I'll add my own
@music6577
HUGE riff
@adambolger3269
I FUCKING LOVE JIM O ROURKE
@oliverohaver1063
I was listening to this and then sirens went off and it sounded like it was part of the song
@communty
PRESENCE
@georgeyelliott
now yer talkin! thanks, great cut off ditto alvin
[my favest of JO heard]
@lepistanuda
shit i never realised this was in 10/8