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'.
Jesus Fever
Kurt Vile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm already gone
Cleanse myself with vitamin health
But I'm already gone
I saw it rising through the horizon
And I saw it fall
A Jesus fever's flowin' all over, yeah
In a black hole I found a broken skull
Now I'm already gone
You can write my whole life down in a little book
When I'm already gone
I started shaking and my heart breaking
And my belly crawled
A Jesus fever's flowin' all over, yeah
Believers and lovers
When I am a ghost, I'll see no reason to run
When I'm already gone
If it wasn't taped, you could escape this song
But I'm already gone
The lyrics of Kurt Vile's song "Jesus Fever" poetically explore themes of spiritualism and the inevitable passage of time. The first verse finds Vile reflecting on his own fleeting mortality, longing to escape his current reality and “pack his suitcase with himself”. He uses the metaphor of cleansing himself with vitamin health to highlight his yearning for a spiritual cleanse before ultimately asserting that he is already gone, suggesting perhaps that his time on earth is limited.
The second verse sees Vile engaging with a more external representation of his mortality. He recounts a vision of the sun rising and falling while all around him a “Jesus Fever's flowin',” tapping into imagery of rebirth and renewal that is so often associated with spirituality. In this way, Vile seems to be suggesting that there is a universality to the feeling of spiritual longing that he is expressing. We all face the inevitability of our own deaths, and perhaps it is this shared struggle that brings people together in their quest for spiritual connection.
The final verse sees Vile conceding to the fact that his time on earth will indeed come to an end. He describes discovering a broken skull in a black hole, an image that seems to articulate the transience of life. Yet, he seems to suggest that this realization has only served to intensify his search for meaning. The final line, “If it wasn't taped, you could escape this song, but I’m already gone” feels like a final assertion that life is fleeting and that this piece of art will forever bear witness to Vile’s fleeting spiritual journey.
Overall, "Jesus Fever" expresses a deep sense of longing for a spiritual experience that is both personal and yet universally relevant. It recognizes the inevitability of death while simultaneously celebrating the impermanence of life and the power of spiritual connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd pack my suitcase with myself
I'm ready to move on, but there's nothing left of me to take.
But I'm already gone
I've mentally checked out and am not fully present anymore.
Cleanse myself with vitamin health
I'm trying to improve myself, but it's too late to make a difference.
I saw it rising through the horizon
I witnessed something powerful and transformative approaching.
And I saw it fall
But I also saw this force decline in significance.
A Jesus fever's flowin' all over, yeah
The fervor of religion is permeating society.
Believers and lovers
Those who are attracted to the idea of salvation and divine love are affected.
In a black hole I found a broken skull
I stumbled upon something dark and morbid, an omen of my own mortality.
Now I'm already gone
This discovery has only reinforced my detachment from life.
You can write my whole life down in a little book
There's not much to tell about me, and even less to remember.
I started shaking and my heart breaking
I'm overwhelmed and emotionally broken by all the chaos and confusion.
And my belly crawled
I'm so anxious and uneasy I feel physically ill.
When I am a ghost, I'll see no reason to run
Even beyond death, there's no urgency or purpose for me to cling to.
If it wasn't taped, you could escape this song
This song is a reflection of my inescapable and irreversible detachment from life.
But I'm already gone
I've accepted my fate and am at peace with the idea of fading away.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Kurt Samuel Vile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@phoule76
I packed my suitcase with myself
But I'm already gone
I cleanse myself with vitamin health
But I'm already gone
I saw a rising though the horizon
And I saw it fall
The Jesus fever is falling all over you
Believers and lovers
In a black bowl, I found a broken skull
Now I'm already gone
You can write my whole life down in a little book
When I'm already gone
I started shakin' and my heart breaking
And my belly crawls
The Jesus fever's falling all over you
Believers and lovers
When I'm a ghost, I see no reason to run
When I'm already gone
If it wasn't taped, you could escape this song
But I'm already gone
@SamuelEMPowell131
Pure peace, his vocals give me strong Lou Reed vibes and I love it. My music producer friend introduced me to Kurt Vile's music. He played pretty pimpin for me and since then i've been hooked. I wanna throw him some love for introducing me to so much great music, try searching Lonely Gimmick - All Along the Watchtower, it's a really cool take on a classic song, i think he deserves more attention, he's really talented and records it all himself
@TheRealSandorClegane
Great traveling song, I've listened to to this while hiking in colorado, driving through napa valley, wandering around san francisco, and when I go to peru this summer I will surely listen to this. Thanks Kurt!
@funkrockprospectors3074
I live in Co. and play this album every time I take a cruise through the mountains. What an atmosphere it creates.
@MarekillaBee
Kurt is an amazing traveling companion! :)
@markpav9906
A Most Exquisite song
@roberthockett270
One of the most quietly moving numbers in many many years. Just superb. Thank you, KV.
@unclefarkus
this album is my favorite of the year so far. this song is among the best too.
@christopherhall1742
Just 'discovered' Kurt Vile -- man, I keep finding one great song after another....!
@bertrandmarotte4401
If you haven't already, check out the more revved up live version at Pitchfork 2011, on youtube
@Mineav
Ridiculously catchy tune. Should be at over 1 million viewers; lots of people are really missing out.