Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, The La-Di-Da's. After leaving that group he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.; Stipe produced Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).
In 1992 Chesnutt was the subject of a PBS documentary, Speed Racer. He also had a small role in the 1996 Billy Bob Thornton movie Sling Blade which he later described self-mockingly as a poor performance.
In 1996, Chesnutt was exposed to a wider audience with the release of the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, the proceeds from which went to the Sweet Relief Fund. The album consisted of Chesnutt covers by famous musicians including Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins (with Red Red Meat), Madonna, R.E.M. and Live.
He recorded several times with other groups and artists. Most notably he made two albums with fellow Athens, GA recording artist Widespread Panic, under the name of brute. Chesnutt's album The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was recorded with alt-country group Lambchop as the backing band. The album Merriment was a collaborative effort between Chesnutt and Kelly and Nikki Keneipp, with Vic writing and singing the songs, and the Keneipps playing the music. The 2005 album Ghetto Bells features famed guitarist Bill Frisell, whom Chesnutt met in 2004 at the renowned Century of Song concert series at the German festival RuhrTriennale. Chesnutt's wife, Tina Chesnutt, frequently plays bass on his albums. His niece, and fellow songwriter, Liz Durrett also appeared on the Ghetto Bells album.
Chesnutt's first four albums were released on the independent Texas Hotel label. He then recorded About to Choke (1996) for Capitol, which was his first and only major record label recording. The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was on PolyGram; Merriment (2000) was on the Backburner Records label; spinART was the label for the self performed and recorded Left to His Own Devices (2001). Vic then found a new home at the New West Records label, who have released two albums for him so far. In 2004 New West also re-released the early Texas Hotel recordings, including expanded liner notes and extra tracks.
In the winter of 2006, he recorded his newest album, North Star Deserter at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal. It was released on September 11, 2007 by Constellation Records. The record includes contributions from Constellation artists Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as well as Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto. The album was produced by documentary filmmaker Jem Cohen. He also appeared as a guest musician on Cowboy Junkies' 2007 album Trinity Revisited, a 20th anniversary edition of their classic album The Trinity Session.
On Dec 25th 2009, Vic Chesnutt died after falling into a coma following a suicide attempt.
Official Website: Vic Chesnutt
Bakersfield
Vic Chesnutt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On my dusty shelf
Well I get out the Tarn-X,
And I polish them myself
Yes, posters are falling,
But who needs them at my age?
Well I've learned to smile,
When all I feel is rage
So I think I will go to Bakersfield
With Gabriel and Paul
And I will hide behind the garbage cans
While the holy platitudes fall
And blow the gates,
I am coming through
With my albatrosses and all
And it's strategy not protocol
Yes, it's strategy, not protocol,
That brings me here.
In the opening lines of Vic Chesnutt's song Bakersfield, he speaks of the souvenirs on his dusty shelf that he polishes himself with Tarn-X. The souvenirs could represent memories, and his polishing them could be interpreted as reflecting on his past experiences. He remarks that posters are falling, but at his age, who needs them? This could be a reflection on how he is growing older and becoming less concerned with worldly possessions or material things. Additionally, Chesnutt mentions that he has learned to smile when all he feels is rage, suggesting that he has learned to put on a front or appear happy despite feeling angry or upset.
In the chorus, he sings about going to Bakersfield with Gabriel and Paul and hiding behind garbage cans while "holy platitudes" fall. This could represent a desire to retreat from society and escape the pressures of daily life. However, he also expresses a need to break free and overcome the obstacles he faces with his "albatrosses and all." Chesnutt notes that it's strategy, not protocol, that brings him to Bakersfield, suggesting that this is not a conventional decision but rather a more calculated move.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the souvenirs
These sentimental items on my dusty shelf
On my dusty shelf
Collecting dust, unused and forgotten
Well I get out the Tarn-X,
I clean them up myself with Tarn-X solvents
And I polish them myself
I take care of them myself, with dedication
Yes, posters are falling,
The posters on my wall are falling apart
But who needs them at my age?
They have lost their significance to me since I have aged
Well I've learned to smile,
I smile even though I feel angry
When all I feel is rage
I feel only anger but I mask it with a smile
So I think I will go to Bakersfield
I plan to visit Bakersfield
With Gabriel and Paul
Accompanied by Gabriel and Paul
And I will hide behind the garbage cans
I plan to seclude behind the trash cans
While the holy platitudes fall
To avoid being hit by religious cliches
And blow the gates,
And I'll breach the entryway
I am coming through
I'm making my way through
With my albatrosses and all
Carrying all my difficulties with me
And it's strategy not protocol
My actions are motivated by strategy, not obligation
Yes, it's strategy, not protocol,
The reason for my actions is a tactical plan, not mandatory procedure
That brings me here.
Thus, I end up here
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESNUTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind