Uncle Tupelo was an alternative country music group from Belleville, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Uncle Tupelo was an alternative country music group from Belleville, Illinois, active between 1987 and 1994. Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn formed the band after the lead singer of their previous band, The Primitives, left to attend college. The trio recorded three albums for Rockville Records, before signing with Sire Records and expanding to a five-piece. Shortly after the release of the band's major label debut album Anodyne, Farrar announced his decision to leave the band due to a soured relationship with his co-songwriter Tweedy. Uncle Tupelo split on May 1, 1994, after completing a farewell tour. Following the breakup, Farrar formed Son Volt with Heidorn, while the remaining members continued as Wilco.

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.

Whiskey Bottle
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Persuaded, paraded, inebriated, and down
Still aware of everything life carries on without
'Cause there's one too many faces with dollar sign smiles
Got to find the shortest path to the bar for a while

A long way from happiness
In a three hour away town
Whiskey bottle over Jesus

Not forever, just for now
Not forever, just for now

There's a trouble around, it's never far away
The same trouble's been around for a life and a day
I can't forget the sound, 'cause it's here to stay
The sound of people chasing money and money getting away

A long way from happiness
In a three hour away town
Whiskey bottle over Jesus
Not forever, just for now
Not forever, just for now

In between the dirt and disgust there must be

Overall Meaning

a way out, and for the singer of Uncle Tupelo's song Whiskey Bottle, it comes in the form of alcohol. Persuaded, paraded, and inebriated, the character seeks solace in the short path to the bar, where they can escape from the faces with dollar sign smiles and the sound of people chasing money.

Despite the alcohol, the character is still aware of everything and knows that life carries on without them. They are a long way from happiness, stuck in a three-hour-away town, but the temporary escape provided by the whiskey bottle is enough for now. It's not a permanent solution, but it's what they need to get through the present moment.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAY FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY, MIKE HEIDORN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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