Although Uncle Tupelo broke up before it achieved commercial success, the band is renowned for its impact on the alternative country music scene. The group's first album, No Depression, became a byword for the genre and was widely influential. Uncle Tupelo's sound was unlike popular country music of the time, drawing inspiration from styles as diverse as the hardcore punk of The Minutemen and the country instrumentation and harmony of the Carter Family and Hank Williams. Farrar and Tweedy lyrics frequently referenced Middle America and the working class of Belleville.
Graveyard Shift
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics
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Same old walls closing in
Oh what a life a mess can be
I'm sitting here thinking of you once again
Won't you talk to me
Well, time won't wait, better open the gate
Get up and start what needs to be done
Working on that graveyard shift
Well, I'm not saying there's nothing wrong as the day comes along
If what I see is true I could learn to believe
Can't look away
The powers that be might take it all away
Together we burn, together we burn away
Some say a land of paradise
Some say a land of pain
Well, which side are you looking from
Some people have it all
Some all to gain
Well a man in a tie gonna break his twenty dollar bill
There's plenty of reasons in this world
We're no longer standing still
But I'm not saying there's nothing wrong as the day comes along
If what I see is true I could learn to believe
Can't look away
The powers that be might take it all away
Together we burn, together we burn away
There's too much time spent looking for a reason
It's the simple ones that beat the most truth
Oh, what a life a mess can be
I'm sitting here thinking of you once again
Give a thought to me
Well, time won't wait, better open the gate
Get up and start what needs to be done
It's running down, there's much you missed
Working on that graveyard shift
But I'm not saying there's nothing wrong as the day comes along
If what I see is true I could learn to believe
Can't look away
The powers that be might take it all away
Together we burn, together we burn away
Uncle Tupelo's "Graveyard Shift" is a reflective piece that touches on themes of lost time and disillusionment with small town life. The song seems to be about a person reflecting on their past while sitting alone in their hometown. The same old walls still surround them, and a mess of a life still haunts them. They are caught in a cycle of nostalgia, sitting and thinking about a person who they miss dearly. They call out to this missing person, asking them to "talk to me."
The chorus urges action, to "open the gate" and "start what needs to be done." The song suggests that life is finite and time is running out, but there is still much to live for. The graveyard shift becomes a metaphor for the monotony of everyday life and the passage of time. Despite the fact that it is easy to get caught up in looking for reasons and explanations, life is simple and should be lived for the moment.
Overall, "Graveyard Shift" is a reminder that life can be both beautiful and bleak, and that lamenting the past is a waste of time. The song urges us to act, to live in the present, and to embrace life for all that it is.
Line by Line Meaning
Hometown, same town blues
Being stuck in the same town can make one feel restless and bored.
Same old walls closing in
Living in the same place for a long time can feel confining and repetitive.
Oh what a life a mess can be
Life can be chaotic and unpredictable, even when we try to make sense of it.
I'm sitting here thinking of you once again
The artist is reminiscing about someone they miss and wish to talk to.
Won't you talk to me
The artist is requesting communication and connection with the person they miss.
Well, time won't wait, better open the gate
It's important to not waste time and take action towards what needs to be done.
Get up and start what needs to be done
The singer is encouraging themselves (and possibly others) to take initiative and be productive.
It's winding down, there's much you missed
Time is running out and there's a sense of regret and missed opportunities.
Working on that graveyard shift
The artist is working hard, possibly at a job with a difficult or unusual schedule (such as overnight work).
Well, I'm not saying there's nothing wrong as the day comes along
The artist acknowledges that life isn't perfect and problems arise.
If what I see is true I could learn to believe
The singer is open to learning and understanding things in a different way, if it aligns with their experiences and beliefs.
Can't look away
The artist is unable to ignore or avoid certain issues and realities that they are facing.
The powers that be might take it all away
Those in positions of authority or control could have a significant impact on the singer's life and livelihood.
Together we burn, together we burn away
The singer is suggesting that they (and others) will persevere through hardships and come out stronger on the other side by sharing the experience.
Some say a land of paradise
Some people believe that there is a perfect and ideal place to live.
Some say a land of pain
Others believe that life is full of suffering and misery.
Well, which side are you looking from
The artist is curious about other people's perspectives and how they perceive the world.
Some people have it all
Some individuals have everything they desire and more, seemingly without effort or struggle.
Some all to gain
Others are striving and working towards achieving their goals and desires.
Well a man in a tie gonna break his twenty dollar bill
Even those who seem successful and put together have their own worries and concerns.
There's plenty of reasons in this world
There are numerous factors and reasons that contribute to the way things are and why people behave in certain ways.
We're no longer standing still
The artist is suggesting that they (and others) are making progress and moving forward with their lives.
There's too much time spent looking for a reason
The singer is acknowledging that people spend too much time trying to make sense of things and find reasons for the way things are.
It's the simple ones that beat the most truth
The artist is suggesting that sometimes the simplest explanations and reasons are the most accurate and truthful.
Give a thought to me
The singer is requesting that the person they miss (from earlier in the song) thinks of them as well.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY, MIKE HEIDORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john zindler
This band nailed it, still sounds great today.
Robert Wilson
27 years later and that album still has a hold on me. Funny how that song is probably more relevant today than then.
David Ryder
Amazing how seasoned and mature they sounded from day one. They've old souls. This was the third UT song I ever heard. My friend played the 89/93 Anthology for me and I immediately fell in love with this song.
Jay Bowcott
amazing album.. got into these dudes about a year ago after being huge into wilco for a few years.. glad I did, Jay and Jeff did great work together!
sunwestdata
these are my buddies from belleville west high school! i took some of these pics at ciceros in st louis...the shots with that nasty steel pole on the side of the stage.
Adam Hovey
I used to say I didn't like country...then I started listening to Uncle Tupelo (it also enforces my idea that all music sounds better when you put "Alternative" in front of it)
a name
This is rock and roll in its purest form. Uncle Tupelo is a rock-country band, not country-rock.
GregMF
That ONLY goes for music
banjo playing bison
Alternative or classic or (even in country) outlaw. Lol seems strange that these punks we're more country than the most of the crap on "country" radio.
A Tree
I'm pretty sure 'Alternative' just means either Creativity or Energy or both at the same time, so yeah.