His music is often placed (perhaps inappropriately) under the genre of "alternative country". Oldham was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He briefly attended Brown University, and now calls Baltimore, Maryland home.
Viva Ultra
Palace Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always been around this place
And when I call her
It's not long before she comes to where I'm calling from
Do I hate her?
Do I know her just to hate what she does?
Are you jealous? of the show we put on
Is there justice?
Is there something which resembles pleasure?
And are you mammals?
Do you eat and drink the same as we do?
Oh!, it's OK, not to say
Is there time still? Time to forrage for a decent dinner here
Where we've settled
Where we've come to call the new century in
And when I wake up
I do not ask her
If she know just where we lay ourselves
It's better that way, and so it's this way
That we start our day to day
Oh!, it's OK, not say
The lyrics to Palace Music's "Viva Ultra" are open to interpretation, as the meaning could be different for each listener. However, there are a few possible themes that can be explored. The first verse suggests that there is a special someone in the singer's life who is always around, and they have a strong connection. The singer wonders if they hate this person or if they only hate what the person does. The second verse seems to be addressing someone who is watching the singer and the special someone, perhaps with jealousy or suspicion. The singer questions if this person is human like they are, with the same natural instincts to eat and drink.
The chorus, "Oh! It's OK, not to say," could be interpreted in a number of ways. It may suggest that it's okay to keep secrets or not share everything with everyone. Or it could mean that it's okay not to try to understand everything or have all the answers. The final verse suggests that the singer and the special someone have settled in a new place and are living their lives together, even though they may not always know exactly where they are. The singer seems content with this way of living and starting each day without too much questioning.
Overall, "Viva Ultra" leaves much up to interpretation and allows for personal connection to the lyrics. It could be about a romantic partner, a friend, a family member, or even a higher power. The underlying theme seems to be about accepting the unknown and finding contentment in the midst of it.
Line by Line Meaning
She's my lifeblood, she's my secret share
She is everything to me, the one person who truly knows me
Always been around this place
She has been a constant presence, always there for me
And when I call her
It's not long before she comes to where I'm calling from
She is always there when I need her, no matter what
Do I hate her?
Do I know her just to hate what she does?
Do I resent her for who she is or for what she does?
Are you jealous? of the show we put on
Are you wary?
Is there justice?
Is there something which resembles pleasure?
And are you mammals?
Do you eat and drink the same as we do?
Are you envious of the spectacle we create? Are you cautious? Is there fairness in this world? Is there any pleasure to be found? And are you like us, living creatures who eat and drink?
Oh!, it's OK, not to say
It's fine to keep your thoughts to yourself
Is there time still? Time to forrage for a decent dinner here
Where we've settled
Where we've come to call the new century in
Is there still time to find good food where we live? This is where we have made our home and where we will see out the new century
And when I wake up
I do not ask her
If she know just where we lay ourselves
It's better that way, and so it's this way
That we start our day to day
When I wake up, I don't ask her if she knows where we are. It's better that way, and it's the way we always start our day
Oh!, it's OK, not say
Don't feel like you have to say anything
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
frank learned
this album, but this song in particular, blew my mind on the way music could be at that time...very nostalgic
swizzili
She's my lifeblood, she's my secret share
Always been around this place
And when I call her
It's not long before she comes to where I'm calling from
Do I hate her?
Do I know her just to hate what she does?
Are you jealous? of the show we put on
Are you wary?
Is there justice?
Is there something which resembles pleasure?
And are you mammals?
Do you eat and drink the same as we do?
Oh!, it's OK, not to say
Is there time still? Time to forrage for a decent dinner here
Where we've settled
Where we've come to call the new century in
And when I wake up
I do not ask her
If she know just where we lay ourselves
It's better that way, and so it's this way
That we start our day to day
Oh!, it's OK, not say
hstickhstick
Amazing. Might be my favourite Willy Oldham song
Spectrescup
The Palace stuff had an existentialist dread it's hard to fake after you age. He did a great job of glossing on up I see a Darkness. I hated Ease down the Road with a passion until I learnt to appreciate it's sick and perverted brilliance.
Since then its been downhill, but he can still pull out magnificent cover versions.
planetaterra
my first contact!
made me think of Mercury Rev
Ithonk this one is specialy interesting..
punk rock with bubbles
My Hero
punk rock with bubbles
Will Oldham
Singular and beautiful
Human and fallible
Spectrescup
Ugh, totally time inappropriate photo.What's up with these ppl? Millennial?