Pavement, a band started by Malkmus post-Ectoslavia, pre-New York, at this point began to gain attention. This attention resulted in a record deal and a constant inferiority plague placed upon the 'Joos with Berman totally at the forefront of the group. Misinformed music fans now saw the band as a side-project and, even worse, Berman as being not good enough to play with Pavement, many band members being shared between the two bands.
The connection to Malkmus and the now blossoming Pavement was not all negative, however. Drag City, then not the bastion of American folk music it is today, agreed to release the band's debut EPs which has led to a fruitful relationship (the label continues to release the band's records, right up to album number 7 in 2008, (Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea).
The Silver Jews in their later days primarily consisted of David and Cassie Berman who contributed most of the lyrics, and a changing cast of characters. They had numerous indie stars in a rotating line up, including Willie T. of Lambchop, and Brian Kotzer of Tim Chad and Sherry.
David Berman is also a poet and has been published in numerous poetry magazines and journals. He also has a book of poetry and rants entitled "Actual Air," which was released in 1999 and received favorable reviews from The New Yorker and GQ.
On the 22nd of January, 2009, David Berman announced on the Drag City messageboard that their show on the 31st of January in Tennessee would be their last. "Can't be like all the careerists doncha know. I'm forty two and I know what to do. I'm a writer, see? I always said we would stop before we got bad." After 10 years off, Berman reappeared in 2019 as Purple Mountains.
David Berman died from suicide on August 22, 2019 after a long battle with depression.
Friday Night Fever
Silver Jews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I sit here while she's staying home
Watching Dalls on TV
I love the taste of whiskey straight
The strongest thing she ever takes
Is a sip from a small glass of chablis
I've got that Friday night fever
Sometimes a man just needs a breather
And I'm no cheater
I've just got that Friday night fever
She wouldn't change me if she could
I wouldn't change her, she's too good
Sometimes a man just needs a change of pace
I've heard all those come on lines
But I go home at closing time
I know no one could ever take her place
I've got that Friday night fever
Sometimes a man just needs a breather
She knows I love her and I need her
And I'm no cheater
I've just got that Friday night fever
"Friday Night Fever" by Silver Jews is a song that portrays a man's love for his wife while admitting that he needs some alone time on Friday nights. The song begins by expressing his love for the sound of a jukebox playing, but he chooses to sit at home and watch Dallas reruns on TV while his wife stays home. He further confesses his love for whiskey straight while his wife only takes a sip from a small glass of chablis, indicating how they have different tastes.
The chorus of the song highlights the man's need for a breather sometimes, which he calls "Friday night fever." However, he clarifies that he is not cheating on his wife, and she knows he loves and needs her. He feels lucky to have her and admits that he would never change her. He has probably heard many come-on lines while at the bar, but no one could ever take her place in his heart. Therefore, to him, a change of pace sometimes means spending a Friday night alone.
Overall, "Friday Night Fever" is a love song that acknowledges people's need for personal space even in a committed relationship. The song depicts a healthy balance between togetherness and separateness, showing that both are necessary for a happy life.
Line by Line Meaning
I love the sound of a jukebox playin'
I am fond of the nostalgic music played by a jukebox.
So I sit here while she's staying home
I'm a socially awkward person, so I prefer staying at a bar while my partner remains at home.
Watching Dalls on TV
I watch Dallas while sitting at a bar
I love the taste of whiskey straight
I relish the bittersweet taste of straight whiskey
The strongest thing she ever takes Is a sip from a small glass of chablis
My partner doesn't fancy alcoholic drinks as she prefers a meek-small sip of Chablis
I've got that Friday night fever
I'm very excited and in high spirits, looking forward to the weekend ahead.
Sometimes a man just needs a breather
A man, such as myself, might require a break from the monotony of domestic life and responsibilities.
She knows I love her and I need her
My partner understands that my occasional outings aren't indicative of my lack of affection for her.
And I'm no cheater
I'm loyal to my partner and indulge in no acts of infidelity.
She wouldn't change me if she could
My partner loves me as I am, and desires no alteration of my lifestyle choices
I wouldn't change her, she's too good
I also have no desire to alter my partner as she is already perfect to me
Sometimes a man just needs a change of pace
At times, a man like myself desires a different pace of life than the usual routine.
I've heard all those come on lines
I am familiar with the various flattery used by people to impress others
But I go home at closing time
I always come back to my partner at the end of the night
I know no one could ever take her place
It's impossible for anyone to replace my partner, she's unique and exceptional to me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frank Dycus, Dean Dillon, Blake Mevis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind