Art of Almost
Wilco Lyrics


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No!
I froze
I can't be so
Far away from my wasteland
I never know when I might
Ambulance
Hoist the horns with my own hands
Almost
Almost

I heard a faint ole
True love but
I had other ways to hurt myself
Like calling
I could open up my heart
And fall in and
I could blame it all on dust
The art of almost
Almost
Almost
Almost

I'll hold it up
I'll shake the grail
Disobey across the waves
Tomorrow
I'll have all the love I could ever ache
And I'll leave almost with you
All of almost
Almost





Art of almost, almost
Art of almost, almost

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Wilco's song "Art of Almost" seem to convey the singer's frustration with his inability to express himself truthfully. He feels frozen and unable to come out of his isolation or "wasteland." He recognizes that he could hurt himself in other ways, which suggests that he may be feeling self-destructive or may have a habit of sabotaging his own happiness. The line "I heard a faint ole true love" suggests that love or connection is something he yearns for despite his reluctance. He could "open up his heart and fall in," but chooses not to, citing the "art of almost" - referring to the almost-relationships he has had in the past that didn't quite work out.


As the song progresses, the singer seems to become more determined to break out of his self-imposed isolation. He decides to "hold it up" and "shake the grail," meaning he will seize the opportunity to change his life and fulfill his desires. He will "disobey across the waves" and take control over his own circumstances. The repetition of the word "almost" throughout the song seems to suggest that the singer is on the brink of something - almost ready to take a leap of faith or finally make a real connection with someone. However, as the song ends, we are left wondering if this is just another "almost" moment.


Line by Line Meaning

No!
The singer abruptly denies something with conviction.


I froze
The singer becomes motionless, possibly due to fear or shock.


I can't be so
The singer rejects the possibility of something being true or happening.


Far away from my wasteland
The artist feels disconnected from their own life, which they view as a desolate and uninhabitable place.


I never know when I might
The artist is uncertain about what they might do or experience in the future.


Ambulance
The singer possibly hears a distant siren and interrupts their thought process by saying the word out loud.


Hoist the horns with my own hands
The singer wants to take control of the situation and make a bold move.


Almost
The artist acknowledges that they are close to achieving something but haven't quite reached it yet.


I heard a faint ole
The artist possibly hears a far-off sound or distant memory.


True love but
The artist recognizes the concept of true love but has other ideas or desires on their mind.


I had other ways to hurt myself
The singer has harmful habits or tendencies that they engage in instead of pursuing true love or connection.


Like calling
The artist mentions a specific way they hurt themselves, potentially through contacting someone or something negative.


I could open up my heart
The singer considers the possibility of letting their guard down and being vulnerable emotionally.


And fall in and
The singer imagines themselves falling deeply in love or being completely consumed by something else.


I could blame it all on dust
The singer realizes that they could put the blame on something else, rather than taking ownership of their own thoughts and behaviors.


The art of almost
The artist recognizes that the process of almost achieving something is a valuable, creative and transformative experience in itself.


Almost
Reiterating the fact that they are very close but not quite there.


I'll hold it up
The singer will take responsibility and try to make something happen.


I'll shake the grail
The singer will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal or reach their destination.


Disobey across the waves
The artist will go against the current or expected path in order to achieve what they want.


Tomorrow
The artist is looking forward to the future with hope and optimism.


I'll have all the love I could ever ache
The artist imagines finally having an abundance of love or connection, which they have yearned for deeply.


And I'll leave almost with you
The singer will take the experience of almost achieving something with them, even if they don't ultimately succeed.


All of almost
The artist sums up the idea that even though they may not achieve their goal, the experience of working towards it is still valuable and worthwhile.


Art of almost, almost
Repeating the earlier idea that the process of almost achieving something is a form of creative or spiritual art.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEFF TWEEDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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