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.
Movie on the Way Down
Jim O'Rourke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pride
Do you pride yourself on being
Polite?
Do you feel pride when you're alone?
Does the mirror say good day, today?
Does your family make you feel pride?
Is your smile so easily worn?
Worn away
Do you feel proud?
The lyrics of Jim O'Rourke's song Movie on the Way Down reveal a series of questions about pride, self-awareness and validation. The song is a slow and melancholic ballad with sparse instrumentation, leaving space for the haunting and introspective lyrics. The singer asks if the listener feels pride in being polite, suggesting that this could be a superficial form of pride that lacks meaning and depth. He also wonders if the listener feels proud when they are alone, suggesting that true pride should come from within, regardless of external validation.
The singer then asks a series of questions about the listener's relationships and possessions, suggesting that these external factors might be a source of pride. He asks if the listener feels proud of their appearance in the mirror, if their family makes them feel proud, and if their possessions (represented by pictures) give them a sense of warmth. However, he also suggests that these forms of pride can be fragile and easily worn away, leaving the listener feeling empty and lost. The final question, "Do you feel proud?", is left open-ended, inviting the listener to reflect on their own sense of pride and self-worth.
In summary, the lyrics of Movie on the Way Down offer a sobering and thought-provoking reflection on the nature of pride and validation, showing that true pride comes from within and cannot be based on external factors alone.
Line by Line Meaning
There's that word again
The singer is referring to a particular word that has come up before.
Pride
The word the singer is referring to is 'pride'.
Do you pride yourself on being
The singer is asking if the listener takes pride in their ability to be a certain way.
Polite?
The specific way the artist is asking if the listener prides themselves is on their politeness.
Do you feel pride when you're alone?
The artist questions if the listener still feels a sense of pride in themselves when there is no one else around.
Does the mirror say good day, today?
The singer asks if the listener receives validation or affirmation from their own reflection.
Does your family make you feel pride?
The singer is asking if the listener's family is a source of pride for them.
Do the pictures keep you warm?
The artist is asking if the listener turns to memories or keepsakes for comfort and affection.
Is your smile so easily worn?
The artist suggests that the listener's happy countenance is often fleeting or may be put on with ease.
Worn away
The listener's sense of pride or veneer of happiness may have diminished over time.
Do you feel proud?
The singer circles back to the main theme and asks if the listener really feels genuine pride in their life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIM O'ROURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheDudezer
This song literally gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I listen to it. Jim O rourke who i found about by pure accident is the most ingenius underrated musician ever. Hands down! It should be a crime not to know about his music.
Edward Garrity
My sadness came back. I failed. I returned. My head was full of magic but now it’s all gone. So I’ve come back here. To this song. My only friend.
Ashley Parks
At first, I didn't know. But then, it was like THIS is a work of art. So beautiful. Thank you.
Paula García
Why isn't it available in Spotify and where else can we listen to it tho? loved it
Craigmo
Such a brutal scene in Love Liza
Nick Adams
musical fucking genius
David Mitchell
Reminds me of my dad
Gris Villegas
this video is so beautiful
todaysnumberis
Watching love liza is a right of passage
R. Alexander
Love Liza