Planetary Motion

Album: Wig Out at Jagbags (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks open their Wig Out at Jagbags album with this guitar-led slow burner. "A long time ago it was going to be the starter, before we even recorded the album," Malkmus told American Songwriter magazine. "I have a demo of it and it actually has electronic drums on it, I played the drum parts (hums the part) with my fingers. That's kind of derived from classic rock mixed with a hambone kind of rhythm."

    "This is a long story," Malkmus continued. "It wasn't turning out like we wanted the song; we kept remixing it. We finally figured out how to make it sound good and it went it back to the front of the album. It was one of those things where you struggled all night. Double vocals is kind of boring and it's basically one long guitar solo in a certain way (laughs). Or a riff. It's either a riff or a solo at all times. Or a wah-wah. It's just like a love poem to the guitar."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.