Callahan started out as a highly experimental artist, utilizing sub-standard instruments and recording equipment. His reason for using the lo-fi approach was not so much an aesthetic choice, rather it came from his lack of knowledge of recording studios, and fear of giving up control to professional engineers.
His later work saw him overcoming his fear of studios and producers, and in this period he recorded two albums with the influential producer Jim O'Rourke and musicians from the circles around Drag City, as well as collaborating with the similar-minded Neil Hagerty.
His songs are based on simple, repetitive structures, strikingly characterized by his baritone vocal. His lyrics are often centered around themes of spiritual searching and the complexity of emotions, with the use of subtlety and dark irony in the classic sense. There is also a broad swathe of joy throughout Callahan's work (and a singular obsession with horses that he shares with Will Oldham and Mark Linkous). He is a keen storyteller using simple words to project large and deeply echoing tales.
Callahan's love life has been documented with vigor in numerous hipster publications, including his romantic relationship with Chan Marshall (Cat Power), who allegedly penned "To Be a Good Woman" in tribute to Callahan while referencing his song "To Be Of Use." It has recently been rumored that Callahan is now involved with Drag City labelmate Joanna Newsom.
Callahan is widely seen as one of the important figures of American rock in the '90s. He currently resides in Austin, TX.
On his 2007 album "Woke on a Whaleheart" he dropped the name Smog and used his real name, Bill Callahan.
There are other artists with the same name:
2. Smog was a psychedelic rock band from Perù, wich in 1971 released the single Time for the Blues
3. Sludge/doom metal from Nuremberg, Germany
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4. Black metal from Kraków, Poland
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Golden
Smog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl, what you give me
Makes me feel like I'm four years old
It's out of control
What you give me
Oh, it's pure gold
It's out of control
The lyrics to Smog's song "Golden" express the overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy that the singer experiences when he is with his partner. The repeated phrase "girl, what you give me is pure gold" emphasizes the rarity and preciousness of their relationship. The comparison to feeling like a four-year-old suggests a return to innocence and uninhibited happiness. The line "it's out of control" indicates that the singer is overwhelmed by his feelings for this person and cannot contain them.
The lyrics also suggest that this relationship is a source of stability for the singer. The use of the phrase "pure gold" implies that this person is incorruptible and trustworthy. The beloved's presence in the singer's life is so valuable that it is out of their control, suggesting that the relationship is truly meant to be.
Overall, "Golden" is a heartfelt love song that captures the intensity and purity of a meaningful connection between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, what you give me is pure gold
The subject is saying that what they receive from their significant other is valuable and precious, just like gold.
Girl, what you give me
The subject is emphasizing the importance of what they receive from their significant other.
Makes me feel like I'm four years old
The subject is expressing that what they receive from their significant other brings them a sense of innocence and wonder, like when they were a child.
It's out of control
The subject is acknowledging that their emotions and feelings towards what they receive from their significant other are overwhelming and they're struggling to control them.
What you give me
The subject is again emphasizing the importance of what they receive from their significant other.
Oh, it's pure gold
The subject is reiterating that what they receive from their significant other is valuable and precious, just like gold.
It's out of control
The subject is once again acknowledging that their emotions and feelings towards what they receive from their significant other are overwhelming and they're struggling to control them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Matt Nolen, Tommy Lee James, Emily Marie Shackelton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lefty_jackalope
Here we are, almost 30 years later. Still miss those days.
@eowenspa2
This video is so subtle… so well made and so good. Some great nuances🏌️♂️
@BarryWarne
Golden Smog simply needs to be doing this all the time. Best. Supergroup. Ever.
@Ididntaskforahandleyoutube
George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Bob Dylan had a group. I know they aren't well know, but, you know....
@SmuffItUp
Those parts of the Wilbury's were better but the "whole" of Golden Smog was a better band.
@ms.felonystrutter2472
BLUE MURDER, BADLANDS, THE FIRM, WHITESNAKE (1987-1991), MR.BIG, everyone in the world is asking who these losers are and taking the stage name of FREDDIE FLINSTONE????FUCK YOU FAN OF NO NAME SESSION WORKERS
@edhelvey6119
@@Ididntaskforahandleyoutube Golden Smog was about the most fun band to watch in concert that I've seen. Probably had a better time playing together than the Willburys did.
@Ididntaskforahandleyoutube
@@edhelvey6119, that sounds interesting. Care to share an anecdote or two?
@gcg2366
I was a big fan back then.... And still am!.... Bring back the 80s and 90s please!
@bsculpepper
Amazing how young Jeff Tweedy is in this video.