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.
Meaningless
Jon Brion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I came to meet you, my car died in your yard
Why turn the key?
There's so much here to see
These are my memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
Old hinges squeaking in the rain
That hotel by the highway where we stayed
There's something every hour
Who needs the Eiffel Tower
When we've got memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
The pen, the car
The paint, the pier
The moon and star
The message clear
Liberty raised her hand to us
As if to say, ''It's OK, live today, live today''
I said, ''Don't leave me, don't break the tie''
Then I left you and the time went rolling by
And here's what I can't stand
I know that every landmark
Triggers memories
Of stupid places and silly things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together (repeat 3x)
In Jon Brion's song "Meaningless," the singer reflects on memories of places and things shared with a loved one. The first stanza begins with a juxtaposition between oil tankers and the National Guard, perhaps a commentary on the contrast between industry and patriotism. The singer then reflects on his car breaking down in the yard of the person he came to meet, highlighting the fragility of circumstance and the importance of chance encounters. The line "why turn the key?" suggests a reluctance to move on from this moment, as there is so much to see in the present.
The second stanza alludes to specific experiences shared with this person - old hinges squeaking in the rain, a hotel by the highway - and suggests that these seemingly insignificant moments hold more meaning simply because they were shared. The singer questions the need for grand landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower when there are memories to cherish. The final stanza mentions a number of objects - pen, car, paint, pier - before culminating in the realization that everything reminds the singer of the loved one, even "stupid places and silly things." The repetition of the final line suggests a sense of longing and nostalgia for a time when these memories were being made.
Line by Line Meaning
Oil tankers in the National Guard
The mundane objects that we see every day have become a part of our lives and memories.
I came to meet you, my car died in your yard
Our meeting was destined but had some hurdles to overcome.
Why turn the key?
Why try to start something new when there's so much to discover in what we already have?
There's so much here to see
We often overlook the beauty and value in what we see every day.
These are my memories
Our experiences and memories make up who we are.
Old hinges squeaking in the rain
Even the smallest details can hold precious memories.
That hotel by the highway where we stayed
A place that might seem insignificant can hold a special place in our memories.
There's something every hour
Every moment holds something meaningful if we take the time to appreciate it.
Who needs the Eiffel Tower
We don't need extravagant things to make our experiences meaningful.
When we've got memories
Our memories are what make our experiences valuable and meaningful.
The pen, the car
Every object we use has the potential to hold special memories.
The paint, the pier
The things we see and experience can leave an impression on us that lasts a lifetime.
The moon and star
Even the things in the sky can hold memories and meaning for us.
The message clear
The message that life is meant to be lived and appreciated is clear.
Liberty raised her hand to us
We are free to experience life and create our own memories.
As if to say, ''It's OK, live today, live today''
The message of living in the present and making the most of our experiences is echoed by the symbol of freedom.
I said, ''Don't leave me, don't break the tie''
The fear of losing the special connections and memories we have made can be overwhelming.
Then I left you and the time went rolling by
Despite our efforts to hold onto memories, time continues to pass and things change.
And here's what I can't stand
The regret and sadness that comes with realizing the meaning of past experiences.
I know that every landmark
Every place and thing we have experienced holds a memory and meaning for us.
Triggers memories
Our memories are often triggered by the things we see and experience.
Of stupid places and silly things
Even the most trivial experiences and objects can hold a special place in our memories.
That were meaningless before
The experiences and objects that we once saw as insignificant can become precious memories when shared with someone special.
We'd seen them together (repeat 3x)
Our shared experiences and memories are what give meaning and value to our lives.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON BRION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricio Astorga Jélvez
Tracklist:
0:00 Gotta Start Somewhere
4:11 I Believe She's Lying
7:39 Meaningless
11:02 Ruin My Day
14:52 Walking Through Walls
20:35 Trouble
24:04 Hook, Line, and Sinker
28:30 Dead to the World
30:53 Her Ghost
35:04 Same Mistakes
37:03 Voices
✌
daaaang
0:00
I might not have anything to offer you
I might not have anything to say that's new
But you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've gotta start somewhere
So infinite and scary too
Just ask for it
And it's coming true
I continue in hope I have a follow-up
And if I do then you might not ever shut me up
But you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've got to start somewhere
Oh, you've got to start somewhere
So I prepare to follow through
Why should I care
What it is to you?
Get a load of the lengths I go to avoid
Even admitting that I'm qualified
And I'm aware of the need to let it ride
But you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've gotta start somewhere
Yeah, you've gotta start somewhere
If, and, or but will have to do
This story's what I'm sticking to
For it might not address the need for more
And it might be less than I'm shooting for
It's just what It's coming to
Just ask for it and it's coming true
But you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've gotta start somewhere
Oh, you've gotta start somewhere
Just ask for it and it's coming true
daaaang
4:12
Although she's none the wiser
Although we've barely met
I can recognize her
From the treatment that I get
So it's my duty to advise her
If she breaks the rules
I've said I'll quit though
I'll admit that hasn't happened yet
I believe she's lying
I trust her to undermine my faith in her, in time
I have every confidence that she'll dismantle mine
Given time
As sure as she is sitting here
She's sure that she's awake
And as soon as we're committing
We're admitting our mistake
So of course it's only fitting
That the course we're going to take
Is drawn and whereupon
I'm slamming on the brakes
I believe she's lying
I trust her to undermine my faith in her, in time
I have every confidence that she'll dismantle mine
Given time
It's a given, given time
The power of suggestion
The element of chance
And the subject now in question
Is the same old song and dance
And the time that we invest in
Setting traps out in advance
So we could spend the weekend
Staring in a trance
I believe she's lying
I trust her to undermine my faith in her, in time
I have every confidence that she'll dismantle mine
Given time
It's a given, given time
It's a given, given time
daaaang
7:39
Oil tankers in the National Guard
I came to meet you, my car died in your yard
Why turn the key?
There's so much here to see
These are my memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
Old hinges squeaking in the rain
That hotel by the highway where we stayed
There's something every hour
Who needs the Eiffel Tower
When we've got memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
The pen, the car
The paint, the pier
The moon and star
The message clear
Liberty raised her hand to us
As if to say "It's OK, live today, live today"
I said "Don't leave me, don't break the tide"
Then I left you and time went rolling by
And here's what I can't stand
I know that every landmark
Triggers memories
Of stupid places and silly things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
Were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
They were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
daaaang
11:02
I know it's today so I guess you could say one recovers
It's odd you should call me but then after all we were lovers
I don't wait by the phone like I used to
I don't hope for kind words you might say
You don't prey on my mind like you used to
But you can still ruin my day
You can still ruin my day
You're telling me now you regret how we never connected
Oh as if you forget that it's me you regret you rejected
I don't easily forgive like I used to
And I seldom get carried away
No you don't have the pull that you used to
But you can still ruin my day
Oh you can still ruin my day
Love, it was nothing
It hardly hurt a bit
Sounds good to me but unfortunately I remember it
Now I don't lose my place like I used to
I'm not moved by your artful display
No you can't draw me in like you used to
But you can still ruin my day
You can still ruin my day
You can still ruin my day
You can still ruin my day
I said you can still ruin my day
daaaang
14:53
I'm standing up straight
I'm standing up tall
I've no time to waste
I'm walking through walls
Get out of my way (Motherfucker)
Start moving you all (Motherfucker)
I'm losing my brakes
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
Nothing in this world is gonna hold me
No thugs on the road are gonna roll me
No fast talking girl is gonna slow me
Nothing's gonna stop me at all
I'm walking through walls
Some people complain
Yeah, they caterwaul
I could do the same
But I'm walking through walls
I'm shooting through space
Like a big fireball
I'm falling from grace
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
Nothing in this world is gonna hold me
No thugs on the road are gonna roll me
No fast talking girl is gonna slow me
Nothing's gonna stop me at all
I'm walking through walls
I am fortified
With wherewithal
I won't be denied
I'm walking through walls
I won't be confined
I'll knock down the stall
I'll kick like a mule
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
Nothing in this world is gonna hold me
No thugs on the road are gonna roll me
No fast talking girl is gonna slow me
Nothing's gonna stop me at all
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
I'm walking through walls
daaaang
20:36
Here's the face of trouble
It's the face I wear
And it may invite you in
But I won't go there
Here's a working model
That generates despair
And this baby cranks it out
And it will take you out
And I won't care
It's a beauty
It's the mark of someone
Who's beyond repair
He'll refuse to help himself
Thinking only of himself
And though he isn't by himself
Well, it's your job now
There's a conversation
We're about to have
And it's full of twists and turns
Half truths and vague concerns
From one who never learns
To one who never learns
And I never learn
Here's the face of trouble
Peter LaChance
So glad people are enjoying the upload! Such a good album, happy to see how many people feel the same! :) have an awesome day everyone!
Steve Carter
+Peter LaChance Really appreciate you posting this....been looking for this album for wayyy too long.
Ashley rogers
Thanks a bunch for posting one of my favorite albums...I'll be sure to raise your viewer count by quite a few!
Anjeline de Dios
What a gift to find this favorite in its entirety on YT. Thank you so much!
matias valentino
Amazing recordd thx!!!
pottyputter05
I haven't heard it in a long time
Robin Johnston
can't believe after 21 years theyre finally giving it a wide release i am going to CRY
Mr Mat
Great news! Can't wait! Who are "they"?
ourSAWTOOTHgrin
@Mr Mat this is being re-released by Jealous Butcher Records out of Portland, OR on October 21, 2022
Mr Mat
@ourSAWTOOTHgrin Excellent! Thanks so much!