Recently, Brion experimented Hip-Hop style as producer on Kanye West last album, "Late Registration". The result is brilliant, with real-life instruments mashed up with heavy beats. To complete this mutation, Kanye West did a live recording of his record at the mythic Abbey Road Studio, Jon Brion being the missing link between Hip Hop and The Beatles pop music.
In addition to his prolific studio work, he also has held a long-term position as "the house band" Friday nights at the high-profile Hollywood nightclub Largo. At his live shows, the crowd can expect anything from guest appearances by Aimee Mann, Michael Stipe, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, or Grant Lee Phillips, and Brion is infamous for making up songs on the spot (often from titles shouted from the audience). He also is beloved for his quirky cover versions of songs by Cheap Trick, the Beatles, and Cole Porter, proudly likening his on-stage antics to "spraying musical Raid on the classics, until each dying song flips on its back and wiggles its little musical legs in surrender." Whatever music he was involved in, his eclectic touch undeniably shaped the sound of many progressive alternative musicians throughout the '90s.
Get What It
Jon Brion Lyrics
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But I always make my way
I move forward with my hopes
And I sometimes save the day
Where do I begin?
Cause there?s a whirl pool of information
That you?ve got to sort through
It falls flat and it makes you crazy
But I get the feeling
That I get what it?s about
It?s just a feeling
I can?t really spell it out
I get the feeling
That I get what it?s about
>From the bar to the car park
Theories fly about
They fall short for the most part
But I?m not keeping count
And why should I begin?
Cause there?s a whirl pool
Of people who will stop
And they will tell you
The things that you will not
They roll their eyes and they call you crazy
But you get the feeling
That you get what it's about
It?s just a feeling
You can?t really spell it out
You get the feeling
That you get what it?s about
In "Get What It's About," Jon Brion expresses the struggle of sorting through the complexities of life's information to truly understand the essence of a situation. He acknowledges that he may not process information as quickly as others, but he still manages to navigate his way through life with hope and occasionally becoming a hero. The song is a reminder that true understanding and comprehension of life's mysteries is not easily achieved and cannot always be put into words.
The lyrics suggest that there is a constant barrage of information that must be sifted through to truly grasp the nature of things. Brion likens this task to trying to navigate a whirlpool of information. Despite the mental effort required, he still feels like he "gets what it's about." He acknowledges that he cannot fully articulate what he understands, but it is a feeling that he experiences nonetheless. The song touches on the frustration of feeling like you are the only one who truly grasps the situation, while others roll their eyes and dismiss your understanding.
One interpretation of the song is that it speaks to the human experience of struggling to find meaning in life's complexities. Brion seems to be saying that while understanding the world around us isn't always easy, there is value in attempting to do so. The song can be seen as a call to persevere through the chaos and find the silver lining in any situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be slower than some folks
While my progress may not match up to others', I still make my way forward.
But I always make my way
I may take my time, but I never give up on my goals.
I move forward with my hopes
I push myself towards my aspirations, always looking ahead.
And I sometimes save the day
My perseverance has led to me occasionally being able to make a significant impact.
Where do I begin?
The task ahead of me seems daunting and overwhelming.
Cause there's a whirl pool of information
There is an immense amount of data to sift through to reach my objective.
That you've got to sort through
To make sense of it all, you need to work hard and methodically analyze each piece of information.
To get to where it's at
Only after working tirelessly can you reach your ultimate goal.
It falls flat and it makes you crazy
Sometimes, the solutions and answers you find aren't satisfactory, and it can drive you insane.
But I get the feeling
Despite the frustration, I have an intuition that guides me.
That I get what it's about
I understand the essence and core of the problem, even if the solution eludes me.
It's just a feeling
I can't explain or articulate this intuition, but I trust it all the same.
I can't really spell it out
I can't put into words what I understand, but it's still there all the same.
From the bar to the car park
Wherever you go, people are eager to share their opinions and theories.
Theories fly about
Rumors and conjectures abound, but they are not always correct.
They fall short for the most part
The vast majority of these theories are incomplete or inadequate in some way.
But I'm not keeping count
I don't get hung up on these falsehoods or let them deter me from my path.
And why should I begin?
Why start listening to all these other opinions when I have my own understanding?
Cause there's a whirl pool
There is a perpetual cycle of people all claiming to know the truth.
Of people who will stop
These individuals are often so convinced of their ideas, they will try to persuade and convince others.
And they will tell you
They are quick to speak and slow to listen, disregarding anyone else's perspective.
The things that you will not
They may provide more information, but it's not what I'm looking for or what I need.
They roll their eyes and they call you crazy
These people may mock and ridicule me for not following their ideas, but I won't be discouraged.
But you get the feeling
Despite their disapproval, I still have that same intuition guiding me.
That you get what it's about
I may not agree with their take, but I still understand what lies at the heart of the matter.
It's just a feeling
I can't explain how I arrived at my understanding, but it's there.
You can't really spell it out
Though others may want a clear explanation, it's not something I can provide - it's just a gut instinct.
You get the feeling
Despite the confusion and chaos around you, you still have an innate sense of what's what.
That you get what it's about
You understand the core issue or problem, even if a solution evades you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON BRION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexkuhn5078
I've listened to this a hundred times and I just now noticed the whispering at 2:55 between the two channels: "Creation... Destruction... Creation... Destruction..."
@MimichoRaider
This is a masterpiece.
@handyuchiha
Jon brion is underrated
@albertanosantacruz496
Jon Brion is the best musician
@handyuchiha
+Albertano Santa Cruz indeed
@koino7716
WAY too underrated. here i am, a year late.
@rianmeir
I wish I would see more of his work. Magnolia is overlooked for the most part (my favorite, as well as it is for most fans. There simply aren't many that hold so much emotion. Also, I like Howard Shore's The Game and Panic Room.
@handyuchiha
It was Eternal Sunshine what made me like Jon Brion.
@tuanjim799
Jon Brion is great. A hint of Beatles-esque pop wistfulness, also some loungey, jazzy strains.
@josuadevries
Jon Brion is a modern day one-man beatle. Just like Harry Nilsson was back in the day.