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.
People
Silver Jews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If your life is interesting and true.
It's just the same for a man or a girl,
The meaning of the world lies outside thw world.
People love people and they understand
if you wanna renovate your background mind
(a federal woman needs a municipal man)
people gotta synchronize to animal time.
You can't change the feeling
but you can change your feelings about the feeling in a second or two…
People always come around.
I'm studying the ceiling on a little afternoon
and when I paint my dining room
people gonna come around.
I love to see a rainbow from a garden hose
lit up like the blood of a centerfold
I love the city and the city rain,
suburban kids with biblical names.
People ask people to watch their scotch.
People send people up to the moon.
When they return, well there isn't much.
People be careful not to crest too soon.
The drums march along at the clip of an I.V. drip
like sparks from a muffler dragged down the strip.
I really hope you'll come around.
It's sunny and 75. It feels so good to be alive.
Come on baby don't stay inside.
Everybody's coming out tonight.
The Silver Jews’s song, “People,” is a complex and thought-provoking reflection on life and experiences. The opening lines of the song, “Moments can be monuments to you / If your life is interesting and true,” suggest that one’s life experiences can be meaningful, but only if they are genuine and authentic. The following lines (“It’s just the same for a man or a girl, / The meaning of the world lies outside the world.”) suggest that the true meaning of life cannot be found within the material world, but rather through external exploration and connection with others.
The song progresses to explore the idea of people understanding and loving each other, emphasizing the importance of synchronizing one’s life with the natural world. The line “People gotta synchronize to animal time” suggests that humans should align their lives with the natural world, rather than forcing their own schedules and lifestyles onto the environment. The final lines of the first verse, “You can’t change the feeling but you can change your feelings about the feeling in a second or two / People always come around,” suggest that attitudes and perceptions can change quickly, and that people are always present in some form or another.
The second verse continues to explore the theme of human connection, but juxtaposes it with more mundane activities, such as painting a dining room or watching a rainbow outside. The song ends on a celebratory tone, with the lyrics “It’s sunny and 75. / It feels so good to be alive. / Come on baby, don’t stay inside. / Everybody’s coming out tonight.” These final lines suggest that life is meant to be joyful and celebratory, and that one’s experiences and connections with others are at the heart of that celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Moments can be monuments to you
Significant and memorable moments of your life can turn into monuments of your memories
If your life is interesting and true.
Only if you live an interesting and truthful life
It's just the same for a man or a girl,
Irrespective of one's gender, the statement holds true
The meaning of the world lies outside thw world.
The true purpose of life is beyond the physical world.
People love people and they understand
Humans have an innate love and empathy for one another
if you wanna renovate your background mind
If you're seeking ways to change your perspective and attitude towards life
(a federal woman needs a municipal man)
It's the concept of fitting together two people because of their contrasting characteristics
people gotta synchronize to animal time.
Humans have to adapt their lifestyle to the natural rhythms of nature
You can't change the feeling
It's impossible to change a person's feeling
but you can change your feelings about the feeling in a second or two…
However, it is possible to change the way you feel about the situation in a matter of seconds
People always come around.
People tend to show up when required or in time of need.
I'm studying the ceiling on a little afternoon
Sitting leisurely, observing the ceiling in a rare afternoon off
and when I paint my dining room
While redecorating the dining room
people gonna come around.
People tend to visit after the house is renovated
I love to see a rainbow from a garden hose
Finding delight in common things, like seeing a rainbow caused by water sprinkler
lit up like the blood of a centerfold
Illuminated like a centerfold magazine's glossy photos
I love the city and the city rain,
Having an admiration for the hustle-bustle of city and the its rains
suburban kids with biblical names.
Naming children after old testament with significance to religious morality
People ask people to watch their scotch.
Asking people to look after their liquor while they step outside
People send people up to the moon.
Mankind's scientific endeavor of launching humans into space to explore moon and beyond.
When they return, well there isn't much.
Upon returning back from the space, not much for them to discover anymore.
People be careful not to crest too soon.
Not to reach the crest of success too early in life
The drums march along at the clip of an I.V. drip
Rhythmic drum beats accompanied by the sound of an intravenous drip.
like sparks from a muffler dragged down the strip.
Simile of exhaust sparks from a racing car exhaust against the cemented road surface.
I really hope you'll come around.
Hopeful anticipation of an upcoming visit or reconnection with someone.
It's sunny and 75. It feels so good to be alive.
The happiness and appreciation of staying alive on a warm sunny day
Come on baby don't stay inside.
Inviting someone to step outside and enjoy the beautiful day
Everybody's coming out tonight.
Impression of everyone seemingly coming out and being outdoors during this particular night.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind