Folk Hero Shtick

Album: Fragrant World (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Yeasayer targeting someone making music for all the wrong reasons - "The emperor's standing naked. How much longer can he fake it?," seethes vocalist/keyboardist Chris Keating. "It's a very direct lyrical attack, but I'd prefer not to say who it's about," guitarist/keyboardist Anand Wilder told UK newspaper, The Guardian. "Ira has some idea who it's about. But it's also directed at ourselves and this idea of buying into your own mythology and the danger it can bring – just being so egomaniacal and not caring about the little guy, but pretending that you do."
  • Yeasayer Guitarist/keyboardist Anand Wilder told Complex magazine that musically, the band, "were trying to pack as many influences as we could into one song. It's kind of schizophrenic. It goes all over the place. It's a little bit of a throwback to our psychedelic era, with the swirling, 12-string guitars."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.

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.