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.
If That's Alright
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics
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It seems like, in every way
And that's why
When I look back on my life
It's like a slideshow out of focus
And as the carousel goes 'round
The slides are upside-down
When will it all become concrete wouldn't that be sweet
To know where you stand
But until then, it's a slideshow
That you're yawning through
Or even sleeping
And as the carousel goes 'round
The slides are still upside-down
There's nothing to make out or even notice
And if that's alright, then it's alright
If that's alright, then it's alright
And if that's alright
Then I want to hear you say it
And if that's alright
Then I gotta hear you say it now
The song "If That's Alright" by Uncle Tupelo conveys a feeling of uncertainty and confusion towards life, through introspective lyrics. The first line "Every day is dreamlike, it seems like in every way" suggests that every day seems like a blur, and it's difficult for the singer to differentiate between reality and dreams. The line "And when I look back on my life, it's like a slideshow out of focus" supports this idea, conveying a sense that the singer's life has been unclear and indistinct, with memories overlapping and blending together.
The metaphor of the carousel and the slideshow further emphasize the feeling of uncertainty towards life. The singer implies that life is like a carousel, moving slowly and cyclically, and the slides are upside-down, which means that whatever is seen, is unclear and not in focus. The lack of clarity and focus further compounds the sense of confusion that the singer expresses when looking back on their life. The repeated refrain of "if that's alright, then it's alright," is a way to come to terms with the confusion and uncertainty that life presents.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea that life can be difficult and confusing, and it's okay to not have all of the answers. Despite the confusion, the singer finds comfort in accepting the unknown and embracing life's uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day is dreamlike
Each day feels like an unreal, imaginative experience
It seems like, in every way
It appears that every aspect of life is surreal
And that's why
This is the reason why
When I look back on my life
Reflecting on my past experiences
It's like a slideshow out of focus
The memories are hazy and unclear
And as the carousel goes 'round
The cycle of life proceeds continuously
The slides are upside-down
The memories are jumbled and disoriented
There's nothing to make out or even notice
There is nothing substantial to perceive or acknowledge
When will it all become concrete wouldn't that be sweet
It would be comforting if everything became certain and tangible
To know where you stand
To understand one's position and direction in life
But until then, it's a slideshow
Until clarity is achieved, life is like an unclear presentation
That you're yawning through
One may be bored or uninterested in this presentation
Or even sleeping
One may be disengaged or unaware of the passing of time
And if that's alright, then it's alright
If this state of confusion and uncertainty is acceptable, then it is acceptable
And if that's alright, then it's alright
If this state of confusion and uncertainty is acceptable, then it is acceptable
And if that's alright
If this state of confusion and uncertainty is acceptable
Then I want to hear you say it
I need to hear someone confirm that it is acceptable
And if that's alright
If this state of confusion and uncertainty is acceptable
Then I gotta hear you say it now
I need someone to confirm this acceptance immediately
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY, MICHAEL HEIDORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind