[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Gillian Welch — Everything Is Free
Album: Time (The Revelator)
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 968









Released: 2001
Length: 4:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Everything is free now,
That's what they say.
Everything I ever done,
Gotta give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

I can get a tip jar,
Gas up the car,
And try to make a little change
Down at the bar.

Or I can get a straight job,
I've done it before.
I never minded working hard,
It's who I'm working for.

(Chorus)

Every day I wake up,
Hummin' a song.
But I don't need to run around,
I just stay home.

And sing a little love song,
My love, to myself.
If there's something that you want to hear,
You can sing it yourself.

'Cause everything is free now,
That what I say.
No one's got to listen to
The words in my head.
Someone hit the big score,
And I figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.
Comments (120)add comment
This song is my new anthem. The words have never been truer. The line about staying at home really hit me. I know it's meant as this quiet threat, but today, laid off like to many others, all I can do is what I'm called to, from home, for free. Like so many others. 
I am forever amazed by how he provides such subtle harmony under Gillian's voice without rising above her...that blends so perfectly with her voice!
Even though I adore this song, the subject of the lyrics has always struck me as discordant with the music.
 calypsus_1 wrote:
Dave Rawlings Machine - Waterloo Records, Austin, TX 2009 By nwagner
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nwagner/

Gillian Welch

Copyright All rights reserved

 
Beautiful
What if everthing is trouble free includes pay-off.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, one of the most synergistic and complementary partnerships I've ever come across. Stunning talents, with things to say; they say them beautifully. 
Saw her on a small stage and it was her metier.  I like what she does, aside from the hard G.
 Businessgypsy wrote:
A wonderful commentary on the plight of the songwriter in today's music creation and distribution model. Robert Hunter's acceptance speech for the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from the Americana Music Awards:

In this digital world, where songwriter credits have largely disappeared along with royalties, I accept this award in the name of those who labor in anonymity in the song mines, hoping against hope for the hit that so rarely comes. The one that pays the rent and feeds the kids, if actual recognition is hardly to be expected. I accept it in the name of those who pursue this uncertain occupation for the sake of the song itself.

As Ray Bradbury wrote: "Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.



 
True above. True song. Perfect.

Great lyrics for modern artists, over a decade old and truer all the time.
A wonderful commentary on the plight of the songwriter in today's music creation and distribution model. Robert Hunter's acceptance speech for the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting from the Americana Music Awards:

In this digital world, where songwriter credits have largely disappeared along with royalties, I accept this award in the name of those who labor in anonymity in the song mines, hoping against hope for the hit that so rarely comes. The one that pays the rent and feeds the kids, if actual recognition is hardly to be expected. I accept it in the name of those who pursue this uncertain occupation for the sake of the song itself.

As Ray Bradbury wrote: "Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.


 Grammarcop wrote:

High:

True, but I'm thinking in a much broader sense. Think of the photographer who sends an image of an important news event to the local paper or even a national cable news broadcast without expecting compensation. Think of all the bloggers and freelancers who are contributing to websites for free or dog food wages. Many people are willing to lend their talents for nothing or next to nothing. Why do they do it? Perhaps they want to have their voices heard. Perhaps they just want to get 15 minutes of fame. Perhaps they feel some affinity toward the organization. Perhaps they think this is their chance at the big time.  The problem is, so many people out there are so willing to work for next to nothing that it DOES endanger those who have made it to the big time. I've seen it with my own eyes. The wages of my friends, spouse and co-workers are being driven down by those who are willing to give away their talents or freelance for next to nothing. Employers look at their fairly compensated, professional employees and wonder why they are paying them so much when they can get other people to contribute for free. This is why the lyrics strike a nerve with me. 

The net has been a great democratizer, and I appreciate that. It gives one individual the opportunity to have his/her voice distributed as far and wide as, say, the editorial page of the Times or the Journal. It gives musicians the opportunity to take their music directly to the people without record company contracts or some suit telling them how to conform to the latest trend. And, yeah, I have to agree with you on one point: You gotta struggle and pay your dues.

But believe me, if you were in my industry you would be astounded and troubled by the changes. My philosophy has always been "adapt or die." I just shake my head watching the changes, knowing that right now it's almost a race to the bottom. And I keep looking over my shoulder because someone out there is willing to do my job for a whole lot less -- or worse -- for free. How do I adapt to that? 

Best wishes. 

 
Just a few observations...I think the existing paradigm is terrible.  For politics we have terrible choices what to read.  I see no reason to keep it.  Nearly every single political writer must stake out a career as a mouthpiece for one or other of the parties, or worse be an ideologue associated with a Univeristy or think tank who pays his way.  This is abysmal.  This means you get a polarized public.  This needs to be unlearned and it will take some time.  Why should anyone be paid to write their opinions?  Pretend that this is a forum where people are speaking, having a conversation.  If others want to listen in it is neither here nor there -- it is like the coffee shop.  To suggest we should worry about taking a job from a paid opinion peddler is a stretch.
 Highlowsel wrote:

Grammar:  A new paradigm?  Not really.  More like a return to a very old one that's being updated by all the new fangled communications capabilities (read here the 'net).  We're back to the day of the troubadour, only an electronic one.  Whereas then they wandered from village to village (or town/city take yer pick) for what spare change and food the local citizenry could provide today they do much the same but via the Internet.  Yet regardless the dream of the musician/artist (most of them anyway) remains pretty much the same.  To hit the BIG time.  Now, like then, few make it.  You may like them, you may not, but for every Katy Perry and Lady Gaga pulling down the millions via a Global fan base there are a thousand others laboring away in obscurity who're arguably 10 times better.  And then you have those in the middle zone; the Gillian Welch's and such, whose popularity allows for a comfortable life even if the (global) visibility is not the same.  The saving grace is their music tends to be more....durable (for lack of a better term) than the shooting stars.  It's the recognition of this that allows for a modicum of grace for the artist I suppose?.

Just some thoughts.

Highlow
American Net'Zen

 
High:

True, but I'm thinking in a much broader sense. Think of the photographer who sends an image of an important news event to the local paper or even a national cable news broadcast without expecting compensation. Think of all the bloggers and freelancers who are contributing to websites for free or dog food wages. Many people are willing to lend their talents for nothing or next to nothing. Why do they do it? Perhaps they want to have their voices heard. Perhaps they just want to get 15 minutes of fame. Perhaps they feel some affinity toward the organization. Perhaps they think this is their chance at the big time.  The problem is, so many people out there are so willing to work for next to nothing that it DOES endanger those who have made it to the big time. I've seen it with my own eyes. The wages of my friends, spouse and co-workers are being driven down by those who are willing to give away their talents or freelance for next to nothing. Employers look at their fairly compensated, professional employees and wonder why they are paying them so much when they can get other people to contribute for free. This is why the lyrics strike a nerve with me. 

The net has been a great democratizer, and I appreciate that. It gives one individual the opportunity to have his/her voice distributed as far and wide as, say, the editorial page of the Times or the Journal. It gives musicians the opportunity to take their music directly to the people without record company contracts or some suit telling them how to conform to the latest trend. And, yeah, I have to agree with you on one point: You gotta struggle and pay your dues.

But believe me, if you were in my industry you would be astounded and troubled by the changes. My philosophy has always been "adapt or die." I just shake my head watching the changes, knowing that right now it's almost a race to the bottom. And I keep looking over my shoulder because someone out there is willing to do my job for a whole lot less -- or worse -- for free. How do I adapt to that? 

Best wishes. 
 ThirdRail_33 wrote:
This whole album is just fantastic.

 

Wow! Her voice is so mature and round ... {#Sunny}
 Grammarcop wrote:
Everything is free now,
That's what they say.
Everything I ever done,
Gotta give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

Welch's lyrics strike a nerve. Just to be heard, so many marginal musicians and bloggers are so willing to give away their talents for free on the Internet that they are dragging down the established and legitimate.

It's a new paradigm, but it isn't necessarily better. Now, we're all killing each other to work for nothing.
 
Grammar:  A new paradigm?  Not really.  More like a return to a very old one that's being updated by all the new fangled communications capabilities (read here the 'net).  We're back to the day of the troubadour, only an electronic one.  Whereas then they wandered from village to village (or town/city take yer pick) for what spare change and food the local citizenry could provide today they do much the same but via the Internet.  Yet regardless the dream of the musician/artist (most of them anyway) remains pretty much the same.  To hit the BIG time.  Now, like then, few make it.  You may like them, you may not, but for every Katy Perry and Lady Gaga pulling down the millions via a Global fan base there are a thousand others laboring away in obscurity who're arguably 10 times better.  And then you have those in the middle zone; the Gillian Welch's and such, whose popularity allows for a comfortable life even if the (global) visibility is not the same.  The saving grace is their music tends to be more....durable (for lack of a better term) than the shooting stars.  It's the recognition of this that allows for a modicum of grace for the artist I suppose?.

Just some thoughts.

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Hip and up lifting........
Miss Gillian is fantastic...
.... just stoped doing what I was doing.. this moves me inside out. Never heard her. Thanks Bill and Rebeca!
<3
Wow..! Gillian Welch. Thanks.
Lyrics, Melodie and Voice. All simple, true and easy but heavenly.
<3 Can I stay in this place I am now - listening to this, please. <3
 cc_rider wrote:
Just love her voice.
 
Amen.  Hard to believe she's from LA.  and I don't mean Louisiana.
For me, this is a forgotten gem from an early album. Love this.
Just love her voice.
Saw that NPR concert and very much enjoyed it. Tennessee is a very haunting tune, and is also a redo song from ....?
Very nice!
Not only can she play and sing but she's hot too!{#Hearteyes}
I swear I've heard this somewhere before. Is this a remake?
 Johnny-smooth wrote:

Been wondering the same thing myself. Come on Gillian & David, give us something new
 
You have it now with their new album and its a beauty. The whole album is a 10!

BTW, they are on tour right now, saw them a couple of weeks back at Newport Folk Festival, they played an amazing set that was recorded on NPR: https://www.npr.org/series/newport-folk-festival/
Deep sigh...
 Ljenny wrote:
When, oh when, are we going to get more product from Gillian?  Does anyone know?
 
Been wondering the same thing myself. Come on Gillian & David, give us something new
 Grammarcop wrote:
Everything is free now,
That's what they say.
Everything I ever done,
Gotta give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

Welch's lyrics strike a nerve. Just to be heard, so many marginal musicians and bloggers are so willing to give away their talents for free on the Internet that they are dragging down the established and legitimate.

It's a new paradigm, but it isn't necessarily better. Now, we're all killing each other to work for nothing.
 

Whose to say who is marginal and who is legitimate.  The "old paradigm" of control by corporate executives didn't actually exist that long, thank god.  The new paradigm is much more like the paradigm prior to the "old paradigm"  where people played and shared music and tallent without being controled by the the corporate machine.  
 Grammarcop wrote:
Everything is free now,
That's what they say.
Everything I ever done,
Gotta give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

Welch's lyrics strike a nerve. Just to be heard, so many marginal musicians and bloggers are so willing to give away their talents for free on the Internet that they are dragging down the established and legitimate.

It's a new paradigm, but it isn't necessarily better. Now, we're all killing each other to work for nothing.
 
I think that's always been the case, we just have new technologies to accomplish it these days...
David Rawlings is certainly not the most technically proficient guitarist on the globe, but he sure wrings the emotion out of those six strings.
When, oh when, are we going to get more product from Gillian?  Does anyone know?
 ThirdRail_33 wrote:
This whole album is just fantastic.
 
Timely.  I've never heard too much Gillian, myself.

Excellent. 9.
When is she going to release a new album? It's been a long time.
 ThirdRail_33 wrote:
This whole album is just fantastic.
 
Agreed.

This whole album is just fantastic.
Everything is free now,
That's what they say.
Everything I ever done,
Gotta give it away.
Someone hit the big score.
They figured it out,
That we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

Welch's lyrics strike a nerve. Just to be heard, so many marginal musicians and bloggers are so willing to give away their talents for free on the Internet that they are dragging down the established and legitimate.

It's a new paradigm, but it isn't necessarily better. Now, we're all killing each other to work for nothing.
Dave Rawlings Machine - Waterloo Records, Austin, TX 2009 By nwagner
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nwagner/

Gillian Welch

Copyright All rights reserved


 sheeelaaa wrote:
Song was so pretty I had to login to see who it was!  Please, I'd like to hear more of this album.  Thanks.
 
Like me.
 
Song was so pretty I had to login to see who it was!  Please, I'd like to hear more of this album.  Thanks.
My guitar hero.
I love the title track; the Revelator, power song!
{#Sleep}
I love the understated, heart-achey-ness of this song. Beautiful guitar work too.

... we're gonna do it anyway,
Even if doesn't pay.

I am now asleep
 ZedLeppelin wrote:
Cannot get into Gillian Welch...
 
What a fascinating observation! How do you feel about, let's see, aged cheddar? Balsa model airplanes?
Cannot get into Gillian Welch...
This singer makes me feel better. {#Cheesygrin}
The song is fine but what a terrible album cover.
 zipper wrote:
I think I need this CD.
 
It's really good, G.

I think I need this CD.

Please play more Gillian. This is the first music I've heard from her. I LOVE it!


Wow, first time listening to Gillian Welch.  So, that's what has been missing in my life.  Great voice, now I'll have to get some more.
I'm finding myself becoming a bigger fan of GW everytime I hear her music.  This is very nice.
Can recognize David Rawlings' guitar from the first note.  Love that sound.

Fabulous, unmistakable voice.  Love her.  {#Meditate}
 apd wrote:
I know this song by someone else but who is it... help me, someone - it's driving me crazy...
 
The Holmes Brothers did it

I know this song by someone else but who is it... help me, someone - it's driving me crazy...
Gillian's voice and David's guitar ... mmm  mmm  good!
Gillian Welch is just plain amazing.  Love, love, love her stuff!

Drones on and on and on and on.....
All the leaves are brown...
Gillian Welch is one of America's treasures that I would not have know about without this station. I have even been motivated to pay full price for a CD of hers. This music is deceptively simple. Her album Hell Among the Yearlings is exceptional. And I must also second the earlier mention of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass as a bonus benefit of living near San Francisco. She plays, apparently every year.
very nice, soothing, but not sleep-making.
infectious. Hard to get the tune out of my head.
could there be a more perfect voice for this kind of music? brilliant!
nctomatoman wrote:
She is a great talent - and this is a great CD (she is superb live as well).
Ditto
How come I never rated this song before?!?
She is a great talent - and this is a great CD (she is superb live as well).
WOW! that voice! Damn she's good.
cc_rider wrote:
She does look a tad thin though... kidding...
When the bones of your ears stick out, you are too thin. Give the girl a hamburger. I'll try to stay awake till the end of the song.
Truly gorgeous guitar work as well.
Gillian Welch's voice could make a phone book sound good. Fortunately she writes songs well enough that's not necessary. Love her sound and style. She does look a tad thin though... kidding... c.
eman wrote:
...man, I love this song...
maxgruv wrote:
She looks anorexic.
You're an idiot.
...man, I love this song...
go_ski_mully wrote:
She is one of the most soulful female vocalist I have ever heard, I own numerous albums and have only had to replace them by wearing them out, bless this woman and her talent!
Beautiful guitar work.
Somebody must've heard me talking up Gillian yesterday! Thanks!
Oh...I know she's a nice singer and all but might as well pull the covers over me now!
thatslongformud wrote:
She is one of the most soulful female vocalist I have ever heard, I own numerous albums and have only had to replace them by wearing them out, bless this woman and her talent!
The new pretty is plain. The new happy is sad. The new dense is thin. Thanks Gillian. I'm turned right-side up and inside-out. Your new old works real good for me!
ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!!!
This song will forever have a special place in my heart, with all the other Gillian Welch songs I've shared with beloved friends.

kilroyjoe3 wrote:
Wow! That was terriffic! I've never heard of Gillian before. This question is directed at people who like her music... Is the whole album this good? If so, I'd consider buying it.
I bought this album several years ago, and yes, it is very good. Simple, clean and pure. Recommended. Cheers.
Siesta time!
Darlington wrote:
Buy it. Buy anything by her. Its all good.
buy by bye! the more U bye the more U save!
IM ON THE HIGHWAAAAY TO HEEELLL! sorry just trying to drown out another medicore, obscure indie pop female wailer.
kilroyjoe3 wrote:
Wow! That was terriffic! I've never heard of Gillian before. This question is directed at people who like her music... Is the whole album this good? If so, I'd consider buying it.
Buy it. Buy anything by her. Its all good.
kilroyjoe3 wrote:
Wow! That was terriffic! I've never heard of Gillian before. This question is directed at people who like her music... Is the whole album this good? If so, I'd consider buying it.
I love this album.
Wow! That was terriffic! I've never heard of Gillian before. This question is directed at people who like her music... Is the whole album this good? If so, I'd consider buying it.
i am sooooooooo tired of this song. gimme a break. i'm sure gillian is doing just fine, as she should be...she's a great musician. i buy more music now than i ever have. long live mp3s! why not comment on the recording industry instead? i would feel something closer to sympathy...rather than just wanting to turn off RP!
alright, we seem to be in a low patch here. this song is okay, but after anna and the flaming lips, its gonna ta ke more than gillian can do to dig us out.
She looks anorexic.
watootsie wrote:
To this day, her rendition of Hickory Wind on the album Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons sends shivers up my spine...
Is that the album that has Ryan Adams doing a GP cover? He sounds hauntingly like Gram! This is a cool song...
The anthem of the GNU General Public License!
My boyfriend dubbed this Goth Country.... I bopped him good for that... Its a beautiful song, that i fear i will wear out through repeated playing and i hate it when i do that and a song loses its power because i somehow drained all the joy out of it but i can't seem to stop...
watootsie wrote:
To this day, her rendition of Hickory Wind on the album Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons sends shivers up my spine...
Too Watootsie: I agree. It is without doubt the saddest, most melancholy song ever recorded.
Lovely song. I could get tired of it easily though. Like the soundtrack to O Brother Where art Thou.
Ahhhh..... I haven't heard this cd for almost two years. Glad to hear this song again. I'd like to hear them live.
Never heard this before, but damn do I like it.
who'd have thought a song about Napster could be so beautiful.
How funny, I had the same inclination during that particular set of lyrics you quoted.
Anyone else hear vocal similarities between this and Still's I Don't Mind?
This is from what I consider to be one of the most beautiful albums in my collection. I had a chance to see Gillian and David in a little 700-seat theatre in Oregon a few years ago, and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. They will be starting a tour of the US west coast this fall (including chico), so see them if you can. I like that napster theory!
dream1 wrote:
Interesting comment - how did you determine this song is about Napster?
'Everything is free now, That's what they say. Everything I ever done, Gotta give it away. Someone hit the big score. They figured it out, That we're gonna do it anyway, Even if doesn't pay.' my interpretation of the above: Because of the proliferation of P2P filesharing, music is now essentially free. Therefore by recording & publishing music i am effectively giving it away. Those clever people at Napster figured out the vast majority of musicians record for love not money so although they deny musicians the fruits of their labour they are not destroying the output of that labour. The following verses detail other ways Gillian could earn a crust etc. of course my interpretation may be completely wrong but regardless, i am not wrong about this being a beautiful song.
david_d wrote:
who'd have thought a song about Napster could be so beautiful.
Interesting comment - how did you determine this song is about Napster?
who'd have thought a song about Napster could be so beautiful.
To this day, her rendition of Hickory Wind on the album Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons sends shivers up my spine...
I love this record, especially these mournful epics.
Welch's music reminds me of a single-malt whiskey... blunt, soothing, nothing hidden, and not entirely good for you. This song is a truth serum for me. I LOVE HER.
Moosey wrote:
Slow but nice melody. First time I have heard this song, but I quite like it :)
That's part of the appeal. She does everything in her own time. Slow down and enjoy it.
Slow but nice melody. First time I have heard this song, but I quite like it :)