Son Volt is an alternative country group which formed in 1994 in St. Louis,… Read Full Bio ↴Son Volt is an alternative country group which formed in 1994 in St. Louis, Missouri. The band currently consists of Jay Farrar (vocals, guitar), Chris Masterson (guitar), Andrew Duplantis (bass, vocals), Mark Spencer (keyboards) and Dave Bryson (drums). Farrar is the only original member remaining in the band.

Son Volt formed after the breakup of the band Uncle Tupelo, owing to the simmering creative differences between songwriters Farrar and Jeff Tweedy. The group's members lived in Minneapolis, St Louis, and New Orleans at the time. Son Volt is often considered the closest continuance of Uncle Tupelo's Alt-country/Americana sound and musical legacy. Jeff Tweedy would steer his post-Uncle Tupelo group Wilco towards more adventurous sonic territory - and greater critical and commercial success - in a move that has sharply divided fans.

Farrar has released albums under his own name and the Son Volt nameplate, though there is little continuity in supporting band members. After a strong initial showing with 1995's Trace, the original Son Volt lineup released two more records before going on permanent hiatus in 1999. After the original members were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a reunion, Farrar put together a new version of Son Volt in 2004. The revived Son Volt has regained its creative footing with 2005's confident Okemah and the Melody of Riot. Son Volt went on to release "The Search" in the Spring of 2007.

Bakersfield
Son Volt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What do you want? Where do you find it?
You can call it what you will
The sound of heartbreak from a jail cell
Finding work in bar all nights
Jukebox letters and numbers
The burning hearts and starving minds
Souls in pain as if I’m punishment
The ways and needs to survive

There’s a passion that’s put on the line
Money to burn and fortunes to find
Without a claim, without a stake
I’m living only for today

There will be starts, there will be stumbles
Our tongue out on the line to dry
And a piece from wagers of working
And hell breaks loose on Saturday night
Aren’t you happy? The least it’s living
Freedom to choose to stay down
Always a wild wind blowing
Just want a guitar and a radio

In the fields of the valley
The sweet and toil along with the land

No cup of gold, no candy mountain
What better place to make a stand?

Overall Meaning

The song "Bakersfield" by Son Volt is a reflection of the struggles of life in the rural areas of California, particularly in the city of Bakersfield. The opening lines of the song pose a powerful rhetorical question that immediately sets the tone for the lyrics that follow. The song is a lamentation for the hopelessness faced by those living in the rural areas who are trying to make ends meet by seeking employment in bars all night or in jail cells.

The reference to "Jukebox letters and numbers" is symbolic of the reality that these are the only things that provide any solace to the singers. The line "The burning hearts and starving minds" is another powerful metaphor that encapsulates the struggles and hunger faced by the people of Bakersfield. The lyrics "Aren't you happy? The least it's living / Freedom to choose to stay down," convey the feeling of resignation and acceptance of the difficult life situations that the people of Bakersfield face. Despite all these challenges, there is an underlying sense of hope and resilience, encapsulated by the lines: "There will be starts, there will be stumbles / Our tongue out on the line to dry / And a piece from wagers of working / And hell breaks loose on Saturday night."

The song conveys a sense of pride in making a stand amidst the toughest of circumstances, where there may not be any comforts or luxuries, but where there is a sense of community amongst those living in these areas. The song is an ode to the people of Bakersfield, who despite their hardships, continue to find joy in the simple things in life.

Line by Line Meaning

What do you want? Where do you find it?
What is your desire? Where do you search for it?

You can call it what you will
You can name it as per your convenience

The sound of heartbreak from a jail cell
The heartbreaking noise from a prison cell

Finding work in bar all nights
Working in a bar all night long

Jukebox letters and numbers
Alphabets and numbers on the Jukebox

The burning hearts and starving minds
Passionate yet deprived minds

Souls in pain as if I’m punishment
Agonized spirits as if penalized

The ways and needs to survive
The ways and requirements to endure

There’s a passion that’s put on the line
There's an ardent love that's risked

Money to burn and fortunes to find
Excess wealth and newfound riches

Without a claim, without a stake
Without any assertion, without any share