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'.
Runner Ups
Kurt Vile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, old man, how many times we gotta tell ya
We don't want none, but where you been so long?
Hey, girl, come on over
That'll be just fine
If it ain't workin', take a whiz on the world
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups, yeah
When I'm walkin' my head is practically draggin'
Yeah, and all I ever see is just a whole lotta dirt
My whole life's been one long running gag
Two packs of red apples for the long ride home
Well, you know, baby
Sick of walkin' so you took a wrong way train
Then you sat down and couldn't get up
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups, yeah
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups
I don't know if it's real, but it's how I feel
Don't know if you really came, but I feel dumb in askin'
You should've been an actress, you so domineering
Take two white gold earrings for your troubles now
When it's looking dark, punch the future in the face
Instead of standing, I'm running around
The sharpest tool in school don't even know what's up
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups, yeah
Kurt Vile's lyrics in "Runner Ups" may give different meanings to different listeners. Nevertheless, the song talks about someone who's resigned to the fact that life is a series of ups and downs. The first stanza depicts such helplessness, where an old man and a girl come and go without any significant impact. The lyrics continue by referring to how he feels while walking, that he's just going through the motions, with nothing worth his attention. There is a feeling of hopelessness, ending with a dry remark about how his life has been just one long running gag.
In the second stanza, there's a subtle reference to substance abuse. The line "Two packs of red apples for the long ride home" could imply "Red apples" being a metaphor for smoking cigarettes. Then there's the mention of someone who's taken the wrong train and gotten lost, so much so that even after sitting down, they couldn't get up. This could be another reference to drug abuse's debilitating effects.
The third stanza has a hint of sarcasm, where someone suggests that he should've been an actress. The lyrics then advise that when things look bleak, he should punch the future in the face. This means to confront the future head-on rather than surrendering to it. The final line reiterates the song's title that though his best friend is long gone, he's got "runner ups."
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, old man, how many times we gotta tell ya
Addressing an older person who does not seem to listen
We don't want none, but where you been so long?
Expressing confusion at why the person still persists
Hey, girl, come on over
Inviting a girl over
That'll be just fine
Implying that the artist is easy to please
If it ain't workin', take a whiz on the world
Suggesting an act of defiance for when things are not working out
An entire nation drinkin' from a dirty cup
Describing a world where things are not as they seem
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups, yeah
Acknowledging the loss of a friend, but finding comfort in other friends
When I'm walkin' my head is practically draggin'
Describing a feeling of exhaustion
Yeah, and all I ever see is just a whole lotta dirt
Expressing a feeling of unimportance and insignificance
My whole life's been one long running gag
Acknowledging the absurdity of one's own life
Two packs of red apples for the long ride home
Describing a mundane task
Well, you know, baby
A term of endearment
Sick of walkin' so you took a wrong way train
Taking an unconventional path due to frustration
Then you sat down and couldn't get up
Facing difficulties and setbacks
I don't know if it's real, but it's how I feel
Expressing uncertainty and doubt about one's emotions
Don't know if you really came, but I feel dumb in askin'
Uncertainty about a situation and feeling awkward
You should've been an actress, you so domineering
Commenting on someone's personality traits
Take two white gold earrings for your troubles now
Offering a gift to someone for their difficulties
When it's looking dark, punch the future in the face
Encouraging resilience in the face of adversity
Instead of standing, I'm running around
Taking action instead of remaining stagnant
The sharpest tool in school don't even know what's up
Observing the limitations of intelligence
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups, yeah
Repeating the earlier acknowledgement of loss and having other friends
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Kurt Samuel Vile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Missing The 90s
Hey, old man, how many times we gotta tell ya
We don't want none, but where you been so long?
Hey, girl, come on over
That'll be just fine
If it ain't workin', take a whiz on the world
An entire nation drinkin' from a dirty cup
My best friend's long gone, but I got runner ups
When I'm walkin' my head is practically draggin'
All I ever see is just a whole lotta dirt
My whole life's been one long running gag
Two packs of red apples for the long ride home
Well, you know, baby
Sick of walkin' so you took a wrong way train
Then you sat down and couldn't get up
My best friend's long gone but I got runner ups
My best friend's long gone but I got runner ups
I don't know if it's real, but it's how I feel
Don't know if you really came, but I feel dumb in askin'
You shoulda been an actress, you so domineering
Take two white gold earrings for your troubles now
When it's looking dark, punch the future in the face
Instead of standing, I'm running around
The sharpest tool in school don't even know what's up
My best friend's long gone but I got runner ups
tsuuki
this song flat out makes me cry every time i hear it
Donovan Gallagher
@mush2pm same😢 lost him on Father’s Day:( just saw Kurt in concert too and when he played this I about broke down
mush2pm
Me too...especially since my best friend just passed away...😪
VNK MAN
probably my favourite song of all time. Love me some Kurt!
Charles Hawes
Soo Beautiful.. i set it on repeats all day all night!!
Tintin Delain
One of his best songs.
Michael Murphy
Just seen kurt play it live, unbelievable, kurt is a music God
Diego Morales Aguilera
Fantástica.
EGF
Best song I've heard in a long, long time.
March
has that "End of the Innocence" feel. and man, if you been driving or been driven out- this will encapsulate the moment, the memory, the majesty of it all.