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.
Twice
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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When the lights along the street
When the TVs in the mo-tel shine
When the fingertips are fro-zen
When the empty wind starts closing
If they've got one they're all going, home
You and me, nobody else but me
Sometimes shadows are the only light we see
Every night somebody's cryin'
Down the alley, on the cold, cold, ground
Someone's running, but they'll never, never, think
There's a shadow underneath the trees
Someone running, someone no one needs
Sometimes darkness is the only light we see
There's a shadow underneath the tree
Someone running, someone no one needs
Sometimes darkness is the only light we see
In "Twice," Leo Kottke paints a bleak picture of a world where the only certainty is that every night someone is crying. The lyrics suggest that all people share the experience of feeling isolated and disconnected, even in the midst of a bustling city. Kottke uses repeated images of light and shadow to convey a sense of duality - the reality of hardship and tragedy alongside the beauty and wonder of everyday life. He mentions stars in the sky and lights along the street, creating a contrast that highlights the harshness of reality. When he sings "If they've got one they're all going, home," he conveys a sense of community and shared struggles.
The line "Sometimes shadows are the only light we see" is particularly powerful because it suggests that even when everything seems bleak and hopeless, there is still something worth holding onto. The reference to crying, running figures, and unwanted people underline the message of isolation even further. In this song, Kottke captures something essential about the human experience - the struggle to find meaning in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
When the stars up in the sky
At nighttime when the stars are shining bright
When the lights along the street
Also at night, the lights on the street are shining
When the TVs in the mo-tel shine
The TVs in a motel are also on and shining
When the fingertips are fro-zen
When it's cold enough for fingertips to get frozen
When the empty wind starts closing
When the wind starts to pick up and feel desolate
If they've got one they're all going, home
Those with a home to go to will leave in these conditions
We're just sitting here, all by myself
We are alone sitting here together
You and me, nobody else but me
There's only the two of us and no one else around
Sometimes shadows are the only light we see
In the darkness, shadows become the only visible source of light
Every night somebody's cryin'
Every night someone is crying and upset
Down the alley, on the cold, cold, ground
Someone is on the ground, on a cold alley
Someone's running, but they'll never, never, think
Someone is running but not thinking about where they're going
There's a shadow underneath the trees
A shadow can be seen under the trees
Someone running, someone no one needs
Someone is running, but no one needs or wants them
Sometimes darkness is the only light we see
In a dark situation, darkness is the only thing we have to see
There's a shadow underneath the tree
Again, a shadow is seen under the trees
Someone running, someone no one needs
Once again, someone is running but no one needs or wants them
Sometimes darkness is the only light we see
And again, darkness is the only source of light in this situation
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.