Sixth Avenue Heartache

by

The Wallflowers

Album: Bringing Down The Horse      Released: 1996

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Lead singer Jakob Dylan wrote this in 1988 when he was only 18 years old. He considers it to be his first real song. Part of the song is about some time that Jakob spent in New York City, and the things he witnessed. (thanks, Kenya - New York, NY)

This was the first video and single released off of Bringing Down The Horse. It was originally written for The Wallflowers first CD, but the record company wouldn't let them include it with the album.

Mike Campbell from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played the slide guitar part. There is a connection here - Jakob's dad, Bob Dylan, played with Tom Petty in The Traveling Wilburys. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers also toured with Dylan in 1986, and Dylan helped write "Jammin' Me." (thanks, Live Freak - Beirut, Lebanon, for above 2)

Producer T-Bone Burnett is the one who wanted Campbell to play on this. Campbell didn't have time to come to the studio, so Burnett sent him the tape, which had some open tracks along with the basic rhythm track. Mike has a studio in his house, and one afternoon when he had a few hours to spare, he plugged in his guitar, came up with a few parts, doubled a couple of things, and got a sound he liked. He sent the tape back to Burnett, and the next thing he knew, Burnett called to tell him it came out really good, and the song was on the radio with his tracks. He never even met the guys in The Wallflowers.

Mike Campbell told us: "I really like the one guitar line in there, it was very George Harrison sounding and I was real proud of it when I got the sound in the studio, so I was glad they used it. The funny thing is, later, I ran into George. He had a real whimsical, cynical kind of thing - he looked at me and goes, 'You know, I heard that record on the radio - you're doing me now?' He said it with a little chuckle." (Read more in our interview with Mike Campbell.)

The video was shot in New York City by David Fincher. Predominantly a movie director, Fincher has directed films such as Seven, The Game, Fight Club, and the third installment of Alien.

Pointing out how David Fincher came to direct the video, Jakob said: "You know, I don't exactly remember how it happened. He just got a tape before the record was out. He got a preview of the record - an advance copy. He had heard that this was going to be the new single, and he actually called us and said he was interested in doing it, if we were interested. So we thought about it and we were like, what else have you done..." (thanks, Live Freak - Beirut, Lebanon, for above 2)

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Comments:

I think this song is about Jesus. I know Jakob Dylan is spiritual and when he says "The same black line that was drawn on you, is drawn on me. And that's drawing me in" has to do with the truth. That Christ spoke the truth and people labeled him and people that believe in him have that same line. But the line draws us closer to him.
- Daniel, Fort Wayne, IN

Great song to listen to when you are feeling blue.
- Theresa, Murfreesboro, TN

I was once told this song was about a woman he met on 6th Avenue. He fell in love with her, got an std, and then she left him for another woman... but that's just a rumor.
- Mack, New York, NY

This is such a moving and inspirational tune!
- Frank, Brampton, Ontario, Canada

This is my favorite Wallflowers song. Jakob has a way of taking a situation and just telling you the story behind it. The harmonizing vocals are just amazing as well. I don't think that the Wallflowers get the credit that they deserve... the only way to describe their sound is real.
- Alicia, Stonefort, IL

what an incredible song
- Rick, humboldt, IA

it's amazing how much he sounds like his dad great tune
- Jes, Canal Fulton, OH

Jakob Dylan said that parts of it were about a homeless man who lived below his apartment and would sit there every day playing the same songs. Then one day he disappeared and his stuff was still there. After a while people started taking it and all, and it served as inspiration for this song.
- Greg, Paris, MI

The background vocals in this song are by Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows
- Dave, Sydney, Australia

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