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.
I'm Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You
Silver Jews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe put my picture back on the fridge
I must've been crazy to let you get away like you did
Like a brown bird nesting in a Texas casern
I got a point of view
And the kicker is that
I'm getting back
Into getting back
Into you
I guess over time we became ducks
I never seemed to see you much
Then the world turned and got away
We fell out of touch
I've been working at the airport bar
It's like Christmas in a submarine
Wings and brandy on a winter's night
I guess you wouldn't call it a scene
Now my ex-wife's living in the suburbs with her guru and her mom
Now she finds her consolation in the stardust of a barn
You can call it a spinoff, say it's a knockoff, title it part two
But I'm getting back
Into getting back
Into getting back into you
The lyrics to Silver Jews' "I'm Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You" are reflective of a man who has realized the error of his ways and is seeking to reconcile with his past lover. The song starts with the singer asking his former lover to take a magnet and put his picture back on the fridge, indicating that he wants to be a fixture in her life once again. He admits that he was foolish to let her go and likens himself to a brown bird nesting in a Texas casern, which could be interpreted as a reference to feeling lost or out of place.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on how he and his former lover became distant over time, like ducks that no longer see each other. He laments the fact that they fell out of touch and how the world got in the way. He then goes on to describe his current situation, working at an airport bar, which he likens to "Christmas in a submarine." The imagery here is indicative of a claustrophobic environment, where one is trapped and unable to escape. Despite this, the singer is still pining for his past love.
The song title itself, "I'm Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You," is a play on words that highlights the singer's intent to rekindle his past relationship. He recognizes that it will take effort on his part to get back into her life and get her back into his life. The repetition of "getting back into" emphasizes his commitment to making it work.
Overall, the lyrics to "I'm Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You" are introspective and heartfelt, conveying a sense of regret for lost time and a desire to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby won't you take this magnet
Please put this magnet on your fridge
Maybe put my picture back on the fridge
Please put my picture back on your fridge
I must've been crazy to let you get away like you did
I regret letting you go, I was foolish to do so
Like a brown bird nesting in a Texas casern
I'm feeling comfortable and safe like a bird in its nest
I got a point of view
I have a perspective on things
And the kicker is that
What's surprising is that
I'm getting back
I'm reconnecting
Into getting back
I'm dedicating myself to reconnecting
Into you
With you specifically
I guess over time we became ducks
We drifted apart over time
I never seemed to see you much
We didn't spend much time together
Then the world turned and got away
Life got in the way
We fell out of touch
We lost contact
I've been working at the airport bar
I've been working at the airport bar
It's like Christmas in a submarine
It's an unusual situation
Wings and brandy on a winter's night
Serving wings and brandy on a cold night
I guess you wouldn't call it a scene
It's not really exciting or glamorous
Now my ex-wife's living in the suburbs with her guru and her mom
My ex-wife has moved to the suburbs and is living with her mom and her spiritual guide
Now she finds her consolation in the stardust of a barn
She has found comfort in a strange place
You can call it a spinoff, say it's a knockoff, title it part two
It could be seen as a continuation or sequel
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LoFiOscillator
This song was always the one whose lyrics blew me away—plenty of other great songs, but the line about the airport bar...so perfect!
Rest easy David!
Hellothere
did you get that from exurb1a's email?
Shadow Band
"I've been working at the airport bar, it's like Xmas in a submarine. Wings and brandy on a winter's night. I guess you wouldn't call it a scene." Just another Berman Wow.
Selton K
He was an absolute genius. That lyric is realistic blues. Like a brown bird nesting in a Texaco sign (an ugly, artificially lit, certainly derelict perch) I've got a point of view (a potholed empty parking lot). He's not complimenting her, but that'll do. Transcendental blues .
John Umm
So utterly evocative
Jamie Cusack
You can call spin off, say it's a knock off, title it part ²
Meowmello
Such a great song
lucky three
i like it when david does the monster mash talk vocal makes me happy.
Lee Eppel
love these guys
Sterling Goodwin
I got goosebumps right there at the end.