Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".[1] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on 6- and 12-string guitars.
Julie
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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The place I used to live
I climbed the steps and tried the door
And let myself in
The kitchen clock I used to watch
Had stopped at five to five
A photograph I'd never seen
I stood outside the kitchen door
And when she turned her head
I said that I was back to stay
She laughed at what I said
She said that I'd grow old believing
That I was what mattered most
That I'd uncover real feelings
As I got close
I climbed the hill to Julie's house
The place I used to live
I climbed the steps and tried the door
And let myself in
She said that I'd grow old believing
That I was what mattered most
That I'd uncover real feelings
As I got close
The song Julie's House by Leo Kottke is a haunting and introspective reflection on past relationships and the idea of returning to a place we used to call home. The singer describes climbing the hill to the titular Julie's house, which he used to live in, and letting himself in. As he explores the house, he realizes that time has stopped, and he discovers a photograph he's never seen before. He then sees a car pull up and decides to wait outside the kitchen door to try and speak with Julie. When she finally turns around, he tells her he's come back to stay, and she laughs at him.
The heart of the song lies in the exchange between the singer and Julie. She tells him that he'll grow old believing that he is what matters most, and that only as he gets older will he begin to uncover real feelings. This line is a profound one, hinting at the idea that we often get caught up in our own stories and egos, and that it takes time and perspective to truly see the world as it is. The singer's desire to return to Julie's house represents a yearning for a simpler time, a time before he had to confront some of the more difficult aspects of life.
One interpretation of this song is that it's about the idea of coming home after a long journey, only to find that everything has changed. The idea of time stopping in the kitchen clock is a metaphor for the way that the past can sometimes feel suspended in time, even as everything else moves on. The singer's encounter with Julie suggests that he is searching for a sense of belonging and comfort, but that he may ultimately be disappointed if he can't let go of his own ego and truly connect with the people around him.
Line by Line Meaning
I climbed the hill to Julie's house
I made the effort to return to a place from my past where someone named Julie lived
The place I used to live
I used to reside in this location
I climbed the steps and tried the door
I ascended the stairs and attempted to enter the house
And let myself in
I entered without permission
The kitchen clock I used to watch
I once regularly checked the time on the clock in the kitchen
Had stopped at five to five
The clock had stopped functioning at 4:55
A photograph I'd never seen
I noticed a picture I had not seen before
A car came up the drive
I observed a vehicle arriving at the house
I stood outside the kitchen door
I positioned myself in front of the entranceway to the kitchen
And when she turned her head
When she looked in my direction
I said that I was back to stay
I proclaimed that I would remain present
She laughed at what I said
She found my statement amusing
She said that I'd grow old believing
She voiced her prediction that I would continue to believe
That I was what mattered most
That I believed I was the most important thing
That I'd uncover real feelings
She believed that being in close proximity would reveal true emotions
As I got close
Upon becoming close to others
I climbed the hill to Julie's house
I traversed the steep incline towards Julie's dwelling
The place I used to live
The location where I resided in the past
I climbed the steps and tried the door
I mounted the steps and attempted entry
And let myself in
I gained admittance without others allowing me in
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEO KOTTKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@julieberkowitz2750
Also Kottke has an absolutely beautiful voice.
@coolmodine
Leo has always had such interesting picking patterns. He never gets old or ceases to amaze me. Could listen to this all day.
@uneedtherapy42
when you see him in concert you get so into his stories and anecdotes that you forget for a second how great he is at music (the reason you went to see him) and then he starts to play and you crap your pants at how great he is!!
@rpieces5461
Kottke is a guitar player extraordinaire. Always has been amazing.
@texasredneckhippy
i have been a Kottke fan since mid seventies,people who know anything about acoustic guitar will ALWAYS take notice when they hear leo for the first time or the !hundreth
@marilyncummins1117
Me, too, from early '80s, anyway. A friend in Chicago played one of his albums for me, then I saw him perform at Ravinia. Can't remember if I saw him when I moved to Philly, but did catch him in the early 2000s at The Blue Note in Columbia, MO. Love all his music.
@peterhodes6708
Only discovered Leo in early Covid days. Heard him play "Poor Boy" then sought (and bought ) everything i could find by him ,absolute genius!
@rebeccakfinley4832
One of the BEST folk music ever is sung by Leo Kottke!
@fuciledacaccia
Unbelievable talent. An artist not too many can match.
@johntrik
I can't imagine life without the music of John Fahey and Leo Kottke !!!!!!!