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.
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Jon Brion Lyrics
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To the mud upon my shoe
Everything's a memory
With strings that tie to you
In my dream I'm often running
To the place that's out of you
Of every kind of memory
Though a change has taken place
And I no longer do adore her
Still every God forsaken place is always
Right around the corner
Now I know it's either them or me
So I'll bury every clue
And every kind of memory
With strings that tie to you
And every kind of memory
With strings that tie to you
The lyrics to Jon Brion's song Strings That Tie You are a beautiful reflection on the power of memories and the way that they connect us to people from our past, even if we no longer have a relationship with them. The verses describe the way that everything in our lives can be linked to someone we used to know, as we carry memories of them with us wherever we go. From the wrinkles on our forehead to the mud on our shoes, there are always strings that connect us to our past, whether we want them to or not.
The second verse takes a more reflective tone, as the singer dreams of a place that is free from the memories that tie them to someone they used to love. The lyrics suggest that these memories can be overwhelming at times, as they keep us firmly rooted in the past and prevent us from moving forward. Even when we try to leave these memories behind, they can continue to haunt us, lurking right around the corner.
The final verse acknowledges the power of these memories but also suggests that sometimes we need to let them go. The singer recognizes that the memories tying them to their past relationship are holding them back and preventing them from living in the present. They resolve to bury every clue and memory, letting go of the strings that tie them to their past and creating the space to move forward into their future.
Line by Line Meaning
From the wrinkles on my forehead
Every expression on my face, every sign of aging reminds me of you
To the mud upon my shoe
Even the dirt and grime on my shoes is intertwined with memories of you
Everything's a memory
Every aspect of my life, from the mundane to the momentous, is tied to memories of you
With strings that tie to you
These memories are deeply rooted, inextricably linked to you
In my dream I'm often running
My mind tries to escape from the memories of you
To the place that's out of you
I long to go to a place where memories of you don't haunt me
Of every kind of memory
No matter what kind of memory it is, it reminds me of you
Though a change has taken place
Even though things have shifted and I don't love you anymore
And I no longer do adore her
And I no longer feel affection for you
Still every God forsaken place is always
Everywhere I look, there are memories of you
Right around the corner
There's no escaping the memories, they're always nearby
Now I know it's either them or me
I realize that I need to choose between these memories and my own well-being
So I'll bury every clue
I'll try to forget everything that reminds me of you
And every kind of memory
Every single memory, regardless of its nature
With strings that tie to you
Is intimately connected to you, like strings that bind me to the past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
epii10
The term "genius" has been all but rendered meaningless in our present times.
That said... Jon Brion is indeed a musical genius.
You know a musical genius when the composer can be given a bucket of random chords none of which are musically related
and sew them together with a logically coherent melody. A melody that sounds inspired and deliberate. Brion can do
this effortlessly. But then why shouldn't he? After all, his musically melodic brain is linked in with the likes of the
Beatles (mainly McCartney), Brian Wilson, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Lamm and Pankow from the original Chicago, Stevie
Wonder, Queen, and ELO, just to name a few. And they all draw from the same pool which traces its roots back to Bach,
Mozart, Beethoven et al.
A true genius has no need to proclaim their abilities to others. It is a title imbued on them from others in their
field.
Yet we live in a world today where the word "genius" has been reduced to this:
Donald Trump proclaiming "I'm a very stable genius" when in truth he is the exact opposite; an unstable ignorant
moron.
or...
Kanye West is hailed as a musical genius by many of his fans but in truth to anyone with a developed musical ear what
he creates musically is uninteresting and doesn't even rise to musical mediocrity. I'm speaking here of music, not
drum loops or lyrics.
Those are just two examples of how the social media age we live in today has completely polluted the once fresh spring
of creativity and originality by slapping the title of "genius" onto anyone they like in the moment.
Jon Brion swims in that fresh spring. Brion -- IS -- the real deal. But don't take my word for it, go and watch the
movie "I Heart Huckabees". If Brion's musical score doesn't convince you of his unique genius or that very movies
closing song "Knock Yourself Out" (a truly brilliant song both musically and lyrically, but mostly musically) if that
movies music doesn't do it for you then I would suggest you binge listen to some Beatles and or some classical music until
something inside you "clicks" on.
Jon Brion has earned the title genius. But who cares about words anyway. Just put on your headphones and let his music
wisk you off to a happy place. You won't be disappointed.
Zoe Piel
PROTECT THIS VIDEO. This is the best quality recording of this song in existence.
Alex
Share it everywhere, I wish this was on spotify
Teh Slime
Zoe Piel Seriously.
bobbynobrain
This is quite simply the BEST video on Youtube. Everything about this song is brilliant - chords, those solos, lyrics. It's those solos though - perfect melodies, just a joy to listen to over and over. I had tears in my eyes the first few times I watched/heard it. One day I'll see Jon Brion perform live. One day maybe we'll hear a follow-up to Meaningless. Thanks for a great video
Stephen Patt
an absolute delight--Jon is maybe the only bona fide genius I know, and I share the stage with him at Largo when the stars are right...this video is masterful, captures the joy and energy of his performance art, to say nothing of being a masterclass in guitar, singing, nd being a human being in love with life. Nicely done...
SithSpit Danikan
@awilco12 What if he's a recovering alcoholic??? Lol...
awilco12
thank you so much for the info and the contact I really feel i would love any of those shows. if the stars align and it is a night you are there, i will insist on buying you a drink
Stephen Patt
+awilco12 Howdy--I'm not always onstage w Jon, but he does this regularly, usually last Fri in the month--feel free to call Largo, talk to Flanagan and get some seats reserved--they do sell out. Also, the website usually has accurate info. The show varies immensely--depending on the stars, Jon's mood, etc...sometimes a massive attack of techno with loops (as in the above brilliant video), often with special guests--I've joined Jon onstage playing upright bass with guests Rickie Lee Jones, Gillian Welch, Benmont Tench...it's always creative, fun to the max. Take care, S
awilco12
+Stephen Patt I've wanted to fly out to LA for one of the Largo shows for a long time. do you when the next one is scheduled, i seem to have a hard time finding info on them
Rich Fuell
i keep going back to this brilliant clip...boring my friends with it...the song is incredible. ...wish he would release another solo album. ...this man is an abdolute genius....