Slaid Cleaves’ music is marked by both the quirky blend of isolated eccentricity and steely resilience of his Yankee upbringing and the weathered soul of Texas, the state he has called home for over a decade now. First registering on the national folk scene by winning the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk competition in 1992, Cleaves released his national debut No Angel Knows (Philo/Rounder) in 1997, following a string of self-released albums and many nights logged in folk clubs as both a performer and a soundman. Met with effusive critical praise, No Angel Knows was followed by Broke Down (Philo/Rounder) in 2000, which expanded his audience exponentially by virtue of its exceedingly well-crafted songs and rugged Gurf Morlix production. In addition to the title track, a Rod Picott collaboration that won Song of the Year at the Austin Music Awards in 2001, Broke Down featured a couple of interpretations of other writers’ songs prefiguring Slaid’s later work, including a poignant reading of fellow Austinite Karen Poston’s “Lydia.”
Following Broke Down came 2004’s Wishbones (Philo/Rounder), a richly detailed exploration of life’s darker corners where still a ray of hope somehow shines. Wishbones climbed to the top of the Americana Radio chart coming in at #1 for 2004 while Slaid toured relentlessly promoting the album. It was after the recording of Wishbones that Cleaves began to consider the endeavor that became Unsung. “Over the years,” Cleaves explains, “as I grew as a songwriter, my songs began to make up the bulk of my sets. But I continued to throw in the odd song by a hero or friend, both in my shows and on the records I made. I did that partly out of tribute to my influences, but also to give my set, or album, some context and some variety.” These are songs from the songwriter trenches – compositions Cleaves first heard at late-night song-swaps, open-mic nights, during downtime at recording sessions, and on modest self-released CDs. Thanks to the work of producers David Henry and Rod Picott (a long-time Cleaves cohort and fellow Mainer), the performances and backdrops on Unsung are as evocative and captivating as the songs themselves. Cleaves’ gifts as an interpreter are such that the line between singer and song vanish completely.
"Cleaves tells gorgeously compact stories in a voice packed with Texas trail dust." -- Entertainment Weekly
"...one of the finest singer-songwriters in Texas." -- Neil Strauss, The New York Times
Beautiful Thing
Slaid Cleaves Lyrics
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Party hacks and swift-boatin′ talk-show whores
Look at all the lies it takes, the job of making kings
You can own the truth, you just gotta conceive it
Put it on the television screen, they'll believe it
It′s a beautiful thing
We wonder how our leaders could ever deceive us
While the profiteers count their cash and praise Jesus
We send our boys away to come home in parts
Believe the lies with all our hearts
It's a beautiful thing
Dissention is a song only fools and traitors sing
Just look at all the benefits your global economy brings
Today we sing the gilded age's song
The 20th century′s dead and gone
It′s a beautiful thing
I live in a land of hope and betrayal
I get up each morning, try to tell the tale
And so until my dying day whatever fate may bring
A dark age looms, there's evil at hand
Somehow I still believe in the goodness of man
It′s a beautiful thing
The song "Beautiful Thing" by Slaid Cleaves is a commentary on the state of politics and media in modern-day America. The lyrics shed light on the way that politicians and their surrogates manipulate the truth in order to gain power and control, with a particular focus on the way that the media serves as a mouthpiece for this manipulation. Cleaves suggests that it takes a lot of lies to make a king, and that those who control the narrative have the power to shape the public's understanding of reality.
Cleaves also touches on the idea of patriotism and nationalism, suggesting that blind faith in one's country can lead to dangerous consequences. He calls out the hypocrisy of those who profess to believe in freedom and democracy, while simultaneously sending young men and women off to die in wars based on false pretenses. He questions the benefits of the global economy, arguing that the supposed prosperity it brings is only available to a select few, while the rest of us are left struggling to get by.
Line by Line Meaning
Surrogates and shadowy henchmen galore
There are many people who work behind the scenes to make things happen in politics, most of whom are not known or seen.
Party hacks and swift-boatin′ talk-show whores
An insult to politicians and media personnel who use manipulative tactics to garner attention and support.
Look at all the lies it takes, the job of making kings
To create political power and control, many lies and deceitful tactics must be employed.
You can own the truth, you just gotta conceive it
If you can create a believable story or narrative, people will believe it regardless of whether it is true or not.
Put it on the television screen, they'll believe it
Television is a powerful medium that can sway people's beliefs and opinions with its persuasive messaging.
It′s a beautiful thing
The manipulation of public opinion and the acquisition of political power through deception is a thing of beauty for those who are skilled at it.
We wonder how our leaders could ever deceive us
Despite our tendency to believe in and trust our leaders, we are often shocked and disappointed when we realize they have deceived us.
While the profiteers count their cash and praise Jesus
Those who benefit financially from dishonest and corrupt systems often justify their actions and wealth using religious rhetoric.
The press sings another chorus of "Let Freedom Ring"
The media often repeats key messages that promote a sense of patriotism and allegiance to political systems that may not always be truthful or beneficial.
We send our boys away to come home in parts
War is often devastating and leads to the loss of human life for reasons that may not be fully understood or justified.
Believe the lies with all our hearts
Despite evidence to the contrary, people are often willing to accept false information if it aligns with their preconceived beliefs or desires.
Dissention is a song only fools and traitors sing
People who question or resist prevailing political systems are often seen as foolish or disloyal by those who support the status quo.
Just look at all the benefits your global economy brings
The global economy has many positive aspects, and those who benefit from it are often willing to overlook its negative consequences or injustices.
Today we sing the gilded age's song
Society often glorifies the past and romanticizes historical periods that were marked by great wealth and innovation, despite the fact that they had many problems and inequalities.
The 20th century′s dead and gone
Time moves forward, and we must confront new challenges and changes in the world rather than clinging to the past.
It′s a beautiful thing
Despite the hardships and struggles of life, there is beauty and wonder to be found in the world and in the human experience.
I live in a land of hope and betrayal
The world is a place that is full of both potential and disappointment, and we must learn to navigate its complexities.
I get up each morning, try to tell the tale
Despite the difficulties and obstacles we face, we must persevere and share our experiences and stories with others.
And so until my dying day whatever fate may bring
We must accept our lives and the events that unfold within them, both good and bad, and continue to strive for meaning and purpose.
A dark age looms, there's evil at hand
Despite our best efforts, there are many problems and challenges facing the world, and we must face them with honesty and courage.
Somehow I still believe in the goodness of man
Despite the many evils and injustices in the world, we must continue to believe in the innate goodness and potential of humanity.
It′s a beautiful thing
Despite everything, life and the human experience remain beautiful and precious, and we must cherish and protect them.
Writer(s): Richard Slaid Cleaves
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.