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.
Loose String
Son Volt Lyrics
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The answers don't come from any one direction
Not a care in the world, no better way to go
It's fine here, watching it go down
Half the trouble's in the asking
And I know you're not the kind to wait around
Taking chances with no intent to make a killing
Loose string
Find the pieces don't fit in
Loose string
Coming up for air again and again
Loose string
Too much living is no way to die
See the ground sinking 'round
Tomorrow's a card to play
Same old words heard in storms
Repeated doom
Too many rules, it will bleed you dry
Half the trouble's in the asking
And I know you're not the kind to wait around
Taking chances with no intent to make a killing
Too much living is no way to die
Loose string
Find the pieces don't fit in
Loose string
Coming up for air again and again
Loose string
Too much living is no way to die
Said you haven't seen it all
Just keep on searching for just one single reason
Half the trouble's in the asking
And I know you're not the kind to wait around
Taking chances with no intent to make a killing
Too much living is no way to die
Loose string
Find the pieces don't fit in
Loose string
Coming up for air again and again
Loose string
Loose string
In "Loose String," Son Volt presents a narrative of searching for meaning and purpose in a world that often feels directionless. The lyrics conjure up images of a person wandering through the maze of life, trying different paths and approaches to find what fits. They acknowledge the difficulty of this pursuit, with lines like "Half the trouble's in the asking" and "Too many rules, it will bleed you dry." However, the song also encourages taking risks and being unafraid of failure, as evidenced by the line "Taking chances with no intent to make a killing." Overall, the song suggests that finding one's place in the world requires a combination of perseverance, courage, and a willingness to let go of expectations.
The phrase "loose string" functions as both the title and a recurring motif throughout the song. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the disorientation and uncertainty that the singer is feeling. They are trying to tie together the loose ends of their life - the pieces that don't fit - but the string keeps slipping through their fingers. The repeated refrain of "loose string" creates a sense of urgency and frustration, as if the singer is running out of time to solve the puzzle of their existence. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a sense of optimism, as the singer insists that they will keep searching for answers, no matter how elusive they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
One-way streets and square one
Life is full of dead-end paths and starting over
The answers don't come from any one direction
There are multiple paths to find the answers we seek
Not a care in the world, no better way to go
Being carefree is the best way to enjoy life
It's fine here, watching it go down
Being a spectator to life events is often enjoyable
Half the trouble's in the asking
Asking questions is often the first step to finding solutions
And I know you're not the kind to wait around
You're not one to sit idly and wait for things to happen
Taking chances with no intent to make a killing
Taking risks without necessarily expecting a big reward
Too much living is no way to die
Living too fast and recklessly can lead to an early death
Loose string
Something out of place or not fitting in
Find the pieces don't fit in
Look for the things that don't fit smoothly into your life
Coming up for air again and again
Taking frequent breaks to rest and recharge
See the ground sinking 'round
Feeling like things are falling apart
Tomorrow's a card to play
The future is uncertain and unpredictable
Same old words heard in storms
Dealing with the same issues over and over again during tough times
Repeated doom
Experiencing failure or bad luck repeatedly
Too many rules, it will bleed you dry
Being trapped by too many restrictions can be emotionally draining
Said you haven't seen it all
You believe there's still much more to experience in life
Just keep on searching for just one single reason
Continuing the search for a purpose or motivation in life
Loose string
Something out of place or not fitting in
Coming up for air again and again
Taking frequent breaks to rest and recharge
Loose string
Something out of place or not fitting in
Too much living is no way to die
Living too fast and recklessly can lead to an early death
Loose string
Something out of place or not fitting in
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind