Though his name is sometimes assumed to be a pseudonym due to its similarity to German composer Kurt Weill, it is in fact his birth name, as given by his parents Donna and Charles Vile.
Vile began his musical career in 2003 creating lo-fi home recordings with frequent collaborator Adam Granduciel. The duo subsequently formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs in 2005. Vile departed following the release of their debut studio album, Wagonwheel Blues, in 2008.
Vile's music has been likened to Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and Tom Petty. His first album for Matador, titled Childish Prodigy was released in October 2009. Prior to signing with Matador, Vile released two albums, God Is Saying This To You and Constant Hitmaker, on Mexican Summer and Woodsist, respectively. He plays both solo shows as well as shows with a backing band called The Violators.
Smoke Ring For My Halo, released in March of 2011, is Kurt Vile's fourth album and second official release for Matador Records. Uncut placed the album at number 14 on its list of "Top 50 albums of 2011" and garnered Vile the iTunes #Rewind2011 Singer/Songwriter Album of the Year. Vile followed up the widely acclaimed album with the six-song EP release, So Outta Reach, in November of the same year. The EP was composed of tracks originating from the same sessions that birthed Smoke Ring for My Halo. So Outta Reach includes the single 'The Creature', acknowledged as one of Vile's best, and a driving rock cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Downbound Train'.
In My Time
Kurt Vile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sure I didn't know shit but now I'm lazy
One day I won't even know what was better
Then again, I won't know much of nothing anyway
Two worlds, one on each shoulder
I'm tryin' to turn
We're pullin' over onto the shoulder
I know when I get older
I'm dying
But I got everything I need anyway
That's fine now
That's fine now
That's fine
In my time I was whack and wild
I was just being myself, damn
But then I sat there trying on faces
Wanna erase my discreet disgraces
Pullin' over on the shoulder
Ain't driving
But two worlds, one on each shoulder
I'm trying to turn
I know when we get older
I'm dying
But I got everything I need anyway
That's fine now
That's fine now
That's fine
The lyrics of Kurt Vile's song In My Time seem to discuss the idea of aging and looking back on one's youth. The first few lines of the first verse reveal that the singer acknowledges that he was once young and crazy, but now he is lazy. The singer also speaks to how he won't know much in old age either way, so this could be interpreted as a reflection of how our perception of the world changes as we age. The singer recognizes there are two worlds, one on each shoulder, but is trying to turn away from them. They may represent the different paths the singer could have taken in life or different ideas that conflict with each other.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to reflect on their past. They acknowledge that they were once "whack and wild" and that they were just being themselves. However, they then reveal that they tried on different faces and have some discreet disgraces that they want to erase. This could signify an exploration of different versions of themselves throughout life, but recognizing that there are certain behaviors they are not proud of.
The chorus remains consistent throughout the song, with the singer affirming that they have everything they need and that they are content with their current state. It could be interpreted as a realization that, despite the ups and downs of life, they are happy with the way things have turned out.
Line by Line Meaning
In my day I was young and crazy
Back in the day, I used to be young and reckless.
Sure I didn't know shit but now I'm lazy
Back then, I didn't know any better but now I've become lazy.
One day I won't even know what was better
There will come a time when I won't even know what was good or bad.
Then again, I won't know much of nothing anyway
In the end, I won't know much about anything.
Two worlds, one on each shoulder
I feel like there are two sides to me, constantly battling it out.
I'm tryin' to turn
I'm trying to change myself for the better.
We're pullin' over onto the shoulder
We're taking a break from the constant rush of life.
Ain't driving
I'm not in control of where life takes me.
I know when I get older
I'm aware that I won't be young forever.
I'm dying
I know that eventually, I'll pass away.
But I got everything I need anyway
Despite everything, I'm content with what I have.
That's fine now
Everything is okay now.
In my time I was whack and wild
During my younger days, I was crazy and unpredictable.
I was just being myself, damn
I was just being true to myself, regardless of others' opinions.
But then I sat there trying on faces
I started to change who I was to please others.
Wanna erase my discreet disgraces
I want to forget my past mistakes and regrets.
That's fine now
Everything is okay now.
That's fine now
Everything is okay now.
That's fine
Everything is okay.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Kurt Samuel Vile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matias Merlos
In my day I was young and crazy
Sure I didn't know shit, but now I'm lazy
One day I won't even know what was better
Then again and now I want much of nothing anyway
Two of us, one on each shoulder, I'm tryin' to turn
We're pullin' over, on this shoulder, ain't driving
I know when I get older, I'm dyin'
Well, I got everything I need and now
And it's fine now, it's fine now, it's fine
In my time I was whack and wild
I was just being myself then
But then I sat there just tryin' on faces
Wanna erase how discreet disgrace is
Pulling over on the shoulder, ain't driving
Put two of us, one on each shoulder, I'm tryin' to turn
I know when we get older, I'm dyin'
Well, I got everything I need and now
And it's fine now, it's fine now, it's fine
Matias Merlos
In my day I was young and crazy
Sure I didn't know shit, but now I'm lazy
One day I won't even know what was better
Then again and now I want much of nothing anyway
Two of us, one on each shoulder, I'm tryin' to turn
We're pullin' over, on this shoulder, ain't driving
I know when I get older, I'm dyin'
Well, I got everything I need and now
And it's fine now, it's fine now, it's fine
In my time I was whack and wild
I was just being myself then
But then I sat there just tryin' on faces
Wanna erase how discreet disgrace is
Pulling over on the shoulder, ain't driving
Put two of us, one on each shoulder, I'm tryin' to turn
I know when we get older, I'm dyin'
Well, I got everything I need and now
And it's fine now, it's fine now, it's fine
Paul DeCoster
This song always gets right to my heart.
Oceangiraffe
One hell of a song. Smoke Ring has become one of my favorite albums of the year. I greatly look forward to more works from Kurt Vile. Nice upload!
Brian O'Hare
so refreshing to hear on the radio! and to think i thought this was early 90's!! GET IT KURT!!
tulllguy
excellent tune
SmallGremlin
This song is so goddamn underrated
sophie
In my day, I was young and crazzzzzyy.
Lawrence Frauens
Smoke ring for my heart......
Chris Hayton
I feel a new Neil Young coming along?
Brian O'Hare
if you like this check out the meat puppets or velvet underground