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.
life goes off
Jim O'Rourke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess now I know you feel more at home
With a case of Handi-Wrap
You'd hold your own if you thought that it was clean
At least give me some gloves to wear
Or a picture of St. Augustine
I'd think that you would try to find something to do
With my old school tie
That doesn't turn my skin blue
Is it hot in here, or do I feel a little draft
From these pants that you brought for me to wear
The ones that have no back
If I were to die with these things on, you might want to try
Another size
I'd take your name, if I thought it'd do me good
If it's all the same to you
I'll just take a look under your hood
If you were to die with this thing on
You coulda chose a better style
And now that you've gone off
And all of this has passed
I don't recall your face no more
But you left behind your mask
If I were to die with these things gone
I'd be frozen with a smile
The lyrics of Jim O'Rourke's "Life Goes Off" describe a person who is experiencing discomfort and dissatisfaction with the clothes and objects that their significant other provides for them. The opening lines depict the drastic change in the level of discomfort that they are experiencing. The singer used to be comfortable wearing a shower cap but now feels more comfortable with a whole case of Handi-Wrap. The next few lines bring to light another issue they are facing, which is the cleanliness of the items being given to them. The singer asks for gloves or a picture of St. Augustine to ease their unease about cleanliness. The mentioned saints along with the Handi-Wrap and clothes make it seem as if their partner is a hoarder.
As the song progresses, the singer questions their partner's choices and suggests that they could have opted for better options. The discomfort increases as the song continues, and they even question if their partner could have chosen a better style if they were to die wearing the given clothes, Handi-Wrap and all. They also express a fear that their old school tie, if used, would turn their skin blue. The song ends on a melancholic note with the singer singing of being left with a mask and a frozen smile if they were to die.
Overall, the song's lyrics describe the frustration of someone who feels trapped in a relationship where their partner continuously provides them with items that only make them more uncomfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to be quite content with your shower cap
You were comfortable with what you had before.
I guess now I know you feel more at home
I now realize that you prefer a different lifestyle.
With a case of Handi-Wrap
You now prefer a different brand of product for your use.
You'd hold your own if you thought that it was clean
You would take care of your belongings if you thought they were clean.
At least give me some gloves to wear
I might need protection to handle your stuff.
Or a picture of St. Augustine
At least give me something to ponder upon.
If I were to die with these things on, can't say I didn't try
Despite my discomfort, I gave it my best.
I'd think that you would try to find something to do
I'd expect you to have something better for me.
With my old school tie
With the items that belonged to me before.
That doesn't turn my skin blue
I hope it doesn't harm me.
Is it hot in here, or do I feel a little draft
I don't feel right with what you gave me to wear.
From these pants that you brought for me to wear
From the trousers that I'm supposed to wear.
The ones that have no back
I wonder if they're meant to be worn in public.
If I were to die with these things on, you might want to try
If you still insist on me wearing this, you might want to reconsider.
Another size
Maybe a bigger size would be a better fit for me.
I'd take your name, if I thought it'd do me good
I'd associate myself with you if it'd be rewarding for me.
If it's all the same to you
If it doesn't matter to you.
I'll just take a look under your hood
I'd rather investigate your true intentions.
If you were to die with this thing on
If you were in my situation.
You coulda chose a better style
You could have done things differently and found better alternatives.
And now that you've gone off
Now that you've moved beyond this scenario.
And all of this has passed
And now that everything related to this is finished.
I don't recall your face no more
I don't remember how you looked like anymore.
But you left behind your mask
You left a lasting impression with the way you presented yourself.
If I were to die with these things gone
If I were to be rid of this situation.
I'd be frozen with a smile
I'd be happy to be free from it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIM O'ROURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grattondominic4751
Still having trouble listening to this album. In a difficult period of my life, I intensely listened to that Masterpiece work. It kept me going. Thanks Jim. This stuff is brilliant.
@evanisovich
That makes perfect sense. The time I listened to this album was kind of a blur; I sometimes think it’s a wonder how I made it out of that time alive. Hope you’re well.
@fideosfideosfideos
I'm in a very difficult and dark time of my life and all of I can think is that I must keep going and Jim will be here with me in my headphones.
@madvail
Heavy comments I hope yall are doing alright today
@briansmith9455
Right with you a couple of years later and this is on the daily playlist.
@music6577
My god the ending is incredible
@julioortuzarmunoz13
Very interesting and original. The rithm is incredible!!!
@classicpinball9873
This goes off
@3Kierz
life goes on and off and on and off and
@matiasescarlon1864
If I were die with these things gone, I'd be frozen with a smile <3