As fans, we know that Jason Isbell’s lyrics can be a bit cryptic. “Cast Iron Skillet” comes to mind, for example. It’s comforting then to hear straightforward songs like “Tupelo” or “Something More than Free.” I love that simplicity. And sometimes there’s a song with a line or two that just needs clarification for a …
Continue reading "A Deeper Look at Jason Isbell’s “Maybe It’s Time”"
I was devastated when John Prine died in April 2020. I’ve written about this experience in a previous post, and three years later, I still remember spending that evening with my daughter as we played some of his songs, looking for one to post on Facebook as a tribute. We finally decided on “Spanish Pipedream,” …
Continue reading "Jason Isbell and Writing a Song for John Prine"
It begins in high school. It begins with music. It begins with songs by Metallica, Slayer, and Black Sabbath. And it begins with a band, original music, writing lyrics. And yes, it begins in high school, but really it begins earlier. This Friday, October 20, is the NCTE’s National Day on Writing, which celebrates the …
The article looks at the use of apostrophe in popular music, a figure of speech, often used in poetry where a poet speaks directly to an absent person, place, or thing.
For any Jason Isbell fan, "Decoration Day" is usually a favorite song, but the lyrics tell a complicated story. This piece explores the song's story and themes.
The White Whale 