Having Been Is No Way to Be

Album: Warm (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jeff Tweedy has been dogged by crippling migraine headaches since childhood. By the early 2000s, he was trying to regulate his use of prescription painkillers, but was unable to stop their use for more than a month or so. His health problems all came to a head during the making of Wilco's 2004 A Ghost Is Born album, when he entered a rehabilitation clinic to receive treatment for an addiction to the painkillers. This song finds him reflecting on his addiction battle.
  • Tweedy claims during this song that some of his fans wish he still used drugs.

    Now the people say
    What drugs did you take?
    And why don't you start taking them again?
    But they're not my friends


    Tweedy told Mojo: "That's fixating on their own selfish desire to have things not change even at my expense. They'd rather have a record that they like than have someone be healthy. That's f---ed up man."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.