Before his suicide in March 2010, Linkous created many albums of beauty and discord and much of Sparklehorse's music has an introspective, melancholy feel, which Linkous credited to a chemical imbalance. His lyrics are full of odd imagery: Joe Tangari describes Linkous' songs as "defiantly surrealist... with all manner of references to smiling babies, organ music, birds, and celestial bodies... In fact, some of the lyrics are so surreal that it's hard to imagine they're even metaphors for anything."
Musically, Sparklehorse were not far removed from alt country, though there are as many differences as similarities between that genre and Sparklehorse: Linkous was fond of incorporating obsolete musical instruments or technologies (such as woozy mellotrons, scratchy, distorted wire recordings of his own voice, or cheap, tinny drum machines), in ways reminiscent of some of Tom Waits' music. As an extension of this style, Sparklehorse was a pioneering voice in dream country. Sparklehorse offered a few full-throttle hard rock numbers, as well, such as "Some Day I Will Treat You Good" or "Happy Man".
Sparklehorse's first album was the confoundingly-titled Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot (1995). The record was a modest success, mainly on college radio. The supporting tour, however, found Linkous overdosing on valium and antidepressants. As a result, Linkous passed out in his London hotel room and remained unconscious with his legs pinned beneath him for almost fourteen hours.
This caused a buildup of potassium which was released when he was moved, causing his heart to stop for two to three minutes. He was hospitalized for weeks afterwards (nearly losing both legs), enduring numerous painful surgeries.
Good Morning Spider (1999) was recorded following this incident, and with mournful songs such as "Painbirds", many critics have mistakenly conjectured that Linkous's near death experience inspired the somber, yet hopeful tone of the album. However, Linkous has stated that much of the material on GMS was written prior to 'the incident'. One song which did result from it is "St. Mary", which is dedicated to the nurses at the hospital of the same name where Linkous recuperated.
2001 saw the release of It's A Wonderful Life and features appearances by Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Nina Persson and Dave Fridmann, the pre-eminent producer of indie music at the time. Whereas much of "Vivadixie..." and "Spider" were recorded solely by Linkous in his "Static King" studio on his farm in rural Virginia, "Wonderful Life" was more of a formal effort, largely recorded by Fridmann after Linkous was asked by his label to retain an outside producer for the project.
Aside from his own music, Linkous has also become a sought-after record producer, and has helmed works such as Nina Persson's solo record, "A Camp", and Daniel Johnston's "Fear Yourself". Linkous has been one of the most ardent supporters of Johnston, an outsider artist who has had a long battle with mental illness. In 2004, Linkous curated and produced "Discovered Covered: The Late Great Daniel Johnston", a tribute album to the still-living Johnston featuring acts such as Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Vic Chesnutt, Tom Waits and Bright Eyes. It also includes a collaboration between Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips on the track "Go".
In 2003, Sparklehorse opened some concerts for R.E.M.
Linkous relocated his "Static King" studio to a remote mountaintop in North Carolina. Several years ago, he purchased a vintage recording console built by the near-mythical Daniel Flickinger. His fourth album has been delayed due to his own health problems as well as the necessity of overhauling the temperamental recording desk. Recently, Linkous has been carrying out promotional work for a new album Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain - collaborating with Danger Mouse and other notables including Christian Fennesz and Steven Drozd, and a release date of 25th September 2006 accompanied by US and UK tours was officially announced. Some of the newly released songs appeared at the time of It's A Wonderful Life as b-sides or demos, but there is a different feel to the album, thanks to stripped down production that has only been hinted at in previous albums. The ten minute long finale, with same title as the album, suggests a contemplative movie soundtrack rather than a song. Linkous has since realised his own ultimate song, remaining only now in music.
On March 6, 2010, Linkous committed suicide with a shotgun blast to his heart in the backyard of a friend's house in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 47 years old. A retail version of his delayed collaboration with Danger Mouse, "The Dark Night of the Soul", was released in July 2010.
http://www.sparklehorse.com
Rainmaker
Sparklehorse Lyrics
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All you've got to do is look in the sky and wish
You might see his face in the clouds or relaxing in a spirit ditch
He's been known to sleep on piles of dry leaves
Abandoned on October lawns
Sometimes he awakens with spiders on his eyelids
Rainmaker's coming
Rainmaker's coming to soak us with water
Sometimes you feel just like a stone tossed into the deep
All you gotta do is touch a woman's face that's warm with sleep
And he can show up at your, your back door in the deep
Trace him back before he was born
Inquiring about an honest days work for a decent meal
Rainmaker's coming
Rainmaker's coming
Rainmaker's coming to soak us with water
Sometimes he's hitching a ride in a freezer or appears as a mist
He's also been known to introduce himself as a scientist
He could be the retarded son of an old woman with
Seven fingers on each hand
Cause I know I reckon, he will come when he's beckoned for
Rainmaker's coming
Rainmaker's coming to soak us with water
The song "Rainmaker" by Sparklehorse is a surreal and dreamlike exploration of the mysterious figure known as the Rainmaker. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of this enigmatic character, who is said to be able to bring rain to drought-stricken lands. The Rainmaker is depicted as a kind of shaman or spiritual guide, who can be summoned by those in need.
The song begins with the lines "All you've got to do is look in the sky and wish / You might see his face in the clouds or relaxing in a spirit ditch." Here, the Rainmaker is presented as a mystical figure who exists in the realm of the imagination. He is associated with the natural world, sleeping on piles of dry leaves and awakening with spiders on his eyelids.
As the song progresses, the singer describes how the Rainmaker can be summoned in various ways. He can appear as a mist or hitch a ride in a freezer, and he is sometimes introduced as a scientist. The Rainmaker is also linked to the idea of honest work and the need for sustenance, reflecting the importance of the land and its resources.
Overall, "Rainmaker" is a poetic and lyrical tribute to the power of nature and the human imagination. It is a song that invites us to think beyond the mundane and embrace the mystery that surrounds us.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, shit, yeah!
Expression of approval or excitement.
All you've got to do is look in the sky and wish
Rainmaker can be summoned by wishing upon seeing his face in the clouds.
You might see his face in the clouds or relaxing in a spirit ditch
Rainmaker can be found in the clouds or resting in a spiritual retreat.
He's been known to sleep on piles of dry leaves
Rainmaker sometimes sleeps on dry leaves.
Abandoned on October lawns
Dry leaves are sometimes found scattered around lawns in October, which is when Rainmaker may rest on them.
Sometimes he awakens with spiders on his eyelids
Rainmaker can wake up with spiders on his eyelids.
Rainmaker's coming
Rainmaker is on his way.
Rainmaker's coming to soak us with water
Rainmaker will bring rain to soak the land with water.
Sometimes you feel just like a stone tossed into the deep
Sometimes life feels like being thrown into deep waters with no control over your fate.
All you gotta do is touch a woman's face that's warm with sleep
A woman's warm touch can bring comfort and solace.
And he can show up at your, your back door in the deep
Rainmaker can arrive unexpectedly at your doorstep during difficult times.
Trace him back before he was born
Rainmaker's origins are mysterious and may go back beyond human understanding.
Inquiring about an honest days work for a decent meal
Rainmaker may be willing to work in exchange for a fair meal.
Sometimes he's hitching a ride in a freezer or appears as a mist
Rainmaker can take on different forms, such as hiding in a freezer or appearing as a mist.
He's also been known to introduce himself as a scientist
Rainmaker may disguise himself using a scientific title.
He could be the retarded son of an old woman with seven fingers on each hand
Rainmaker's identity and appearance are obscure and may include unusual traits.
Cause I know I reckon, he will come when he's beckoned for
Rainmaker will come when called upon.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK LINKOUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind