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'.
Slow Talkers
Kurt Vile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talks to me way too slow
I lose track what they say
Before they walk away
I told you once before
Ain't gonna say no more
Next time you come clothed in inquisitive suits
You're on my mind most times
When fear does not overflow
When that cranial cup runneth over
With things I despise over and over
My chalice of skin, bones, and blood
Pouring forth like the flood
In Kurt Vile's Slow Talkers, the singer appears to be frustrated with the way people talk to him. He notes that everyone he knows talks slowly, and he loses track of what they're saying before they're done speaking. He tells them that he's already mentioned this to them once, and he won't mention it again - the next time they come to him with questions, he'll remain silent. The singer seems to imply that the people around him need to be more direct and clear in their communication, because he can't keep up with their slow pace.
Later in the song, the singer mentions that the people who talk slowly are often on his mind, but only when he's not overwhelmed by fear. When he's calm, he thinks over and over again about the things he despises, and his frustration with the slow talkers seems to be one of those things. The final lines of the song compare the singer's brain to a chalice, which is overflowing and spilling out all his negative thoughts and emotions. The imagery in these lines suggests that the singer is struggling to keep his emotions under control, and that the slow talkers are just one of the many sources of his frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone I know
I am surrounded by people who are close to me
Talks to me way too slow
All of them speak slower than my pace
I lose track what they say
I cannot comprehend their words effectively, and their message becomes difficult to follow
Before they walk away
They stop conversing with me before I can fully understand them
I told you once before
I have advised you once in advance
Ain't gonna say no more
I have no intention of repeating this information
Next time you come clothed in inquisitive suits
If you return with questions
I'll consider myself mute
I will prefer not to respond if I cannot grasp your questions
You're on my mind most times
You occupy most of my thoughts
When fear does not overflow
Only when I don't let trepidation take control of my mind
When that cranial cup runneth over
When my mind is full of thoughts
With things I despise over and over
With repeated thoughts about things that I hate
My chalice of skin, bones, and blood
My physical form that is a container of my mind
Pouring forth like the flood
Releasing out my thoughts, like pouring water out of a full cup
Writer(s): Kurt Samuel Vile Copyright: Mattitude Music LLC
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dan Minkler
This is like month 2 of me trying to learn this song. This is a beast of a fingerpicking song... the singing part is going to be rough on top of this too. I see why he doesn't play this live too often...
Hairbawll _
Fantastic peace of music!
Ronita 69
Please release whole set <3
Paloma S
Soundtrack for a slow motion part of a drama/film set in a small or quiet town. I like
Electric Jaw
He’s the best
Jorien Klerks
great
Lalabaster
❤🐨
Weston Shumaker
I can tell if he's doing this intentionally but the last few songs I've seen him play have been sloppy.
Roland Ramirez
He doesn't really play this song that much and its not the easiest song to play when you sing
Jill Tasca
Sloppy? How do you mean?