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.
Strand
Son Volt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Possibility at hand
Painted out of a corner
Brakes to bind the strands
To decide within the bar store
Overshadows feeding in the lurch
Just survived by a stone's throw
Used to be found it temporary
Sirens stir the seeds of regret
Gathered clouds are unleashing
Sounds to walk and place your bet
Squatters on high stations
The talkers that hold sway
The verbal backslide rushes out
Like grapeshot-fine spray
No anchor drops sanctuary
No earmark begins to show
No finding it uncovered
Just a wide swing tremolo
Broken-down lessons learned
Redeemed on epitaphs
Pop line folded regulars
With countance to switchback
Echo farewell to midnight
To the loneliness of the chase
To the minutes passed his red letter
To Elysian fields defaced
No pangs provide the levy
Breaking out of the throes
No revelry decided
Just a wide swing tremolo
No mercy in a poker face
Went in here before you go
No sentence yet decided
Just a wide swing tremolo
The lyrics of Son Volt's song Strands present a sense of desperation, uncertainty, and regret, with a somewhat distorted and chaotic imagery that adds to the overall mood of the song. One possible interpretation for the first stanza is the idea of being trapped in a difficult situation, with a need to slow down and reassess the current circumstances in order to break free. The singer seems to be stuck in a corner, with no easy way out, yet the possibility of change is still present, albeit somewhat subdued.
The second stanza introduces some conflicting elements, such as the decision-making process being overshadowed by external factors, and the survival instinct pushing the singer to the brink of disaster. The metaphor of the decision wheel adds a sense of randomness and lack of control to the situation, suggesting that the outcome of the choices made might not be entirely determined by the singer's actions.
The third stanza depicts a sense of surrealism and unease, with references to squatters, talkers, and verbal backslides. The imagery suggests a chaotic and unpredictable environment where nothing can be taken for granted, and where the singer feels isolated and disoriented. The idea of finding no sanctuary or earmark implies a sense of lost direction, with nothing to guide the singer towards a safe haven or a clear goal.
Overall, Strands is a song that conveys a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, but also a glimmer of hope, as the possibility of change is never entirely gone.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a slowness on the throttle
The pace is slow and steady
Possibility at hand
Opportunity is present
Painted out of a corner
Extracted from a tough situation
Brakes to bind the strands
Applying brakes to get a grip of the situation
To decide within the bar store
The decision has to be made within certain limits
Overshadows feeding in the lurch
Contemplations are taking over the situation
Just survived by a stone's throw
Got away by the nearest margin
The decision wheel's at work
The decision is being made effectively especially with respect to timing
Used to be found it temporary
Something that was temporary back then
Sirens stir the seeds of regret
A sense of despair and sorrow
Gathered clouds are unleashing
Something that's been building up is erupting
Sounds to walk and place your bet
To make a bold move with conviction
Squatters on high stations
People in high places who are not helping the situation
The talkers that hold sway
The ones who are dominant in the conversation
The verbal backslide rushes out
The conversation is not going in the desired direction
Like grapeshot-fine spray
A scattered and uncontrolled manner
No anchor drops sanctuary
No calming factor in sight
No earmark begins to show
No sign of any indication
No finding it uncovered
No easy answer to the question
Just a wide swing tremolo
An uncertainty exists in the near future
Broken-down lessons learned
Experience gained from failed attempts
Redeemed on epitaphs
Only good things said after someone dies
Pop line folded regulars
People who stay as regulars for limited periods of time
With countance to switchback
Resolute to change from the current situation
Echo farewell to midnight
Goodbye to the past-dwellings
To the loneliness of the chase
A sense of isolation and uncertainty
To the minutes passed his red letter
Time already gone by
To Elysian fields defaced
Some ideal state that's long gone of no return
No pangs provide the levy
No safety net or fallback plan
Breaking out of the throes
Getting out of a tight and depressing place
No revelry decided
No instant happiness in view
Just a wide swing tremolo
An uncertainty exists in the near future
No mercy in a poker face
No special treatment to anyone regardless of their situation
Went in here before you go
A simple reminder to be prepared before taking action
No sentence yet decided
No final judgment has been made on the matter
Just a wide swing tremolo
An uncertainty exists in the near future
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Baughman
This lineup is tremendous, the new songs are great, and Jay's voice remains a force of nature. Son Volt is alive and very well!
brutusbn76
i disagree. it's a very good game, but i think donkey kong is the best game ever.
Tucker Livingston
Andrew has always been one the greatest unknown bass players in the world- one of those "effortless like breathing" players who, if they are in your band, make you sound gold every time
Andrew Bowling
The music for driving an old truck. The music for an introspective soul. The music thatll be there with you along the journey
bob kat
Just discovered this band. They're awesome.
James Hearn
Also , if you haven't.. check out Uncle Tupelo and Jay Farrar solo stuff. Just as good. Music that just feels right and it hits you... really hard to explain.
Gui-Texzan
Good sound.
Lead guitarist has killer tone in each of the three he played. 👍
Timothy Weaver
He toured with them in the fall of 2005 when I saw them in D.C. I had no idea who he was and thought he was the best thing since Leo Fender made the solid body electric. Caught them a few months later and Brad Rice had rejoined them. Nothing against him, but I was bummed the Chris Frame wasn't there. It's good to see him return.
John Fix
I just love the sound he gets on Back Against The Wall.
vik neumann
There is something about the melancholy of Jay Farrar’s songs that grab you and pull you in.