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.
Tilt Billings and the Student Prince
Leo Kottke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not much to look at but he knew that he'd found
That old student Prince that they made years ago
So easy to play, what unbeatable sound
Paid twenty bucks and grabbed his guitar
Still be a steal at ten times the dough
It was amazing how a mere beginner
He'd play his heart out when he was at parties
Guys would get jealous but girls were impressed
They'd ask how he did it? He'd say
"Nothin' to it, with this kind of guitar it brings out my best"
One night when he had the room captivated
He took five and set down his prince
When a drunk stumbled by and sat down where he laid it
And he's never sounded quite the same since
[Unverified]
So Tilt's still upset but he's givin' up crying
Just can't lift his eyes from the sad, sad ground
Time marches on with its fingers still trying
To find, once again, that student Prince sound
The song "Tilt Billings and the Student Prince" by Leo Kottke tells the story of Tilt Billings, a man who buys an old guitar, the Student Prince, from a pawn shop. The guitar may not have been visually impressive, but Tilt knew it was the one he had been looking for to make his music dreams come true. The Student Prince was easy to play and had an unbeatable sound, even for a mere beginner like Tilt. He paid twenty bucks for it, which was still a steal for what he got.
Tilt became the star of the party scene, impressing girls with how he played the guitar. When asked how he did it, he only had to say, "Nothin' to it, with this kind of guitar it brings out my best." One night, Tilt had a room captivated with his music when a drunk stumbled and sat on the Student Prince, and it was never quite the same again. Tilt stopped crying about it but still hopes that Time will bring back the music he once had with his beloved guitar.
The lyrics of this song take us on a journey through the highs and lows of Tilt Billings' music career, punctuated by his rare and valuable find: the Student Prince guitar. It highlights the bond between a musician and their instrument, the joy that it brings, and the sadness when that bond is broken. It also reminds us of how something as seemingly insignificant as a musical instrument can have such an impact on someone's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tilt Billings saw a guitar in a pawn shop window
Tilt Billings noticed a guitar inside the pawn shop's window
Not much to look at but he knew that he'd found
Despite its unappealing look, Tilt sensed he discovered something special
That old student Prince that they made years ago
He found an old, 'student Prince' guitar model which was created long time ago
So easy to play, what unbeatable sound
The guitar had an effortless playability and an incomparable melody
Paid twenty bucks and grabbed his guitar
Tilt bought the guitar for $20 and took it with him
Still be a steal at ten times the dough
Even if Tilt had paid ten times the price he would consider it a bargain
It was amazing how a mere beginner
It seemed incredible that someone who's just starting to play the guitar
Could play just a few notes and sound like a pro
could effortlessly produce a somewhat professional sound
He'd play his heart out when he was at parties
During parties, Tilt would exert himself and put his soul into his guitar playing
Guys would get jealous but girls were impressed
His male acquaintances were envious, but the ladies were impressed with his skills
They'd ask how he did it? He'd say
People would inquire how he makes such beautiful music, and Tilt often replied with the following answer:
"Nothin' to it, with this kind of guitar it brings out my best"
"It's simple. This specific guitar model brings out my utmost potential"
One night when he had the room captivated
During an event when Tilt enraptured his audience with his performance
He took five and set down his prince
Tilt briefly took a break and put his precious guitar aside
When a drunk stumbled by and sat down where he laid it
Unfortunately, a drunken man stumbled and sat on top of the guitar where Tilt placed it
And he's never sounded quite the same since
Ever since that incident, the guitar's tone has never been the same
[Unverified]
The meaning of this lyric is unknown
So Tilt's still upset but he's givin' up crying
Tilt is still unhappy but has stopped shedding tears
Just can't lift his eyes from the sad, sad ground
He can't help himself but feel dejected and hopeless
Time marches on with its fingers still trying
The passage of time continues, and Tilt is still on the lookout
To find, once again, that student Prince sound
To rediscover that same sweet melody unique to the 'student Prince' guitar model once more
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LEO KOTTKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Crouch
Thank you for uploading! My parents' vinyl of this album is sadly long gone. It is a shame so few people are familiar with Kottke. There really is nothing else quite like his early work.
Lesley Morgan
I still have the vinyl. One of my prized possessions!
Al Kholos
My roommate had this album. Much as I loved "Pamela Brown," as it told part of the story of my life at the time, I really loved "Tilt Billings." But a fantastic-sounding guitar and comfortable to play, never makes a mediocre player sound like a pro. No Way, No How! I haven't looked for it for a long time, but as far as I know the CD is still available. A girlfriend from back in the Sixties gave me a couple of Kottke's older albums. I've loved his stuff from the first time I heard him play.
Betsareoff
This was my first Kottke record bought in 1973. To my 21 year old mind, this song was so strange to me. Went on to buy tons of Kottke records after this one. Seen him twice in concert.
OtisX
great,great album by the king of 12 stringed guitars
amosheath
Ice Water was a great album. Lost mine in a tornado in 2007. My heart still goes out for poor oil’ Tilt Billings.
Roger Rinaldi
Lots of great memories around this album. Good friends, good hash, good music! 1975
Pete Nelson
Great tune, great tune! Thanks to whomever posted this on line! My only live Leo concert, I yelled out "Tilt Billings" for his encore finale... Since Leo was alone, he could only reply, "Tilt was a real person!" No admission of personal involvement on his part.
Thomas Lee
After he played a concert in Seattle (I think) I waited along with several other fans backstage for him to leave. This would have been late '70s. I asked him then if he was Tilt Billings. He said he wasn't and told me who it was but I can't remember now; some friend of his. Bummer. When I first listened to this album I couldn't get into this song at all. Now it's a favorite and an essential part of the whole album.
Pete Nelson
yes