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Jenny Lewis — The Charging Sky (w/ The Watson Twins)
Album: Rabbit Fur Coat
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1663









Released: 2005
Length: 2:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
If I run uphill I'm out of breath
If I spend all of my money I've got no money left
If I place all of my chips on only one bet
I'm all in

And it's a surefire bet I'm gonna die
So I'm taking up praying on Sunday nights
And it's not that I believe in your almight
But I might as well as insurance or bail

Cause institution's like a big bright lie
And it blinds you into fear and consuming and fight
And you've been in the desert underneath the charging sky
It's just you and God
But what if God's not there?
But his name is on your dollar bill
Which just became cab fare

For the Evangelist, the Communist, the Lefts and the Rights
And the hypocrites and the Jesuits and the blacks and the whites
It's in the belly of the beast
In the Atlanta streets
Or up in Laurel Canyon
The verge of Middle East

Still they're dying on the dark continent
It's been happening long enough to mention it
Have I mentioned my parents are getting back together again
It's been 25 years
Of spreading infection
Somehow we're not affected

So my mom, she brushes her hair
And my dad starts growing Bob Dylan's beard
And I share with my friends a couple of beers
In the Orlando streets
Comments (210)add comment
 DunstanBurke wrote:

Bob Dylan never really had a beard though...



Bobby D introduced me to Rilo Kiley via Theme Time Radio Hour.Havent perused Jenny's back catalog extensively but Ive found some little rippers.
 rdo wrote:

At this one job I had we would all go nuts over the voice of one of our customers.  None of us had ever seen her except the sales rep, who encouraged our illusions.  We would of course fantasize about how she looked and of course idealize her.  Just hearing her voice on the phone was enough to keep us (guys) preoccupied for hours daydreaming.  Well, finally one of us (not me) got to tag along on a sales  call and the report back was such that we realized the rep had been less than candid.  You see, it was in his interest that we idealized her---perhaps he believed we'd give her special treatment and increase his sales commisions.

God I love capitalism.

So I was on call on Surgery rotation, as I and everyone was every other night.  Got a moment to sleep for once,  and was awakened by the most sultry voice I have ever heard, saying, "Dr. Bowerman?"  I was not yet a doctor, as she knew, but all the nurses called us that, rather than the intended slight of the attending physicians with Mr., Ms.  or Mrs. to make it clear what we were not. 
Anyway, I was AWAKE.  I made up some mumbled garbage in answer to a question about several types of insulin her patient was on, and she thanked me, clearly about to move on to a better source.  I looked up the correct answer as quickly as possible and headed over to that floor.  
I composed my face to show no reaction if the rest of her did not match the voice, but to my surprise, it did.  She was pretty, curvy, intelligent and warm.  I told her I was asleep when I answered and gave her the right answer.   After a bit, I asked her out and she agreed.  We had some very nice times till I left for residency.
 DocStrangelove wrote:

God is dead.

Get over it.



God isn't dead.  It never existed.  It came to being in the minds of some very clever people who knew they could use the concept to control others and get what they wanted in the one life we got.
Up voting `cause this charming song seems to upset some people. Which I always like
 jpfueler wrote:
 

 as an atheist, I must say there is little more annoying than a High Church Evengelical Atheist.
Unless they are also a vegan, then there is no more annoying being on the planet.





I'd take either of them over a disease ridden mosquito or tick. At least the HCE Atheist or vegan won't make you ill if you ignore them. But then again, I can squash a mosquito or tick.....hey, would it be okay to squash an HCEA or a vegan? Only if they were really persistent of course. 


Seems like Jenny has been playing with the Watson twins for a long time
holy crap... I went to college with the Watson Twins!
 tapatia1072 wrote:

Thanks for posting the lyrics. And I agree that to post that this song must mean that she's an atheist or that this song is her hating on religion is completely misguided.


 
News flash 18 MAR 2021: The US Jesuits have comitted to spend $100 million to try to erase their guilt for their deep involvement in slavery
Have a nice day
 aelfheld wrote:

I'll take self-righteous Christians over militant atheists any day.  They make some of the most rabid Bible-thumpers look reasonable.
 
I don't have to take
self-righteous Christians over militant atheists - it's a false choice

I'm not a militant atheist - or a militant anything

My challenge to the religious is: put up or STFU



Fascinating comments. Never occurred to me this song would bring out such reactions.

All religions, and opinions thereof, seem to me like the blind men and the elephant.

Peace,
c.
I would not consider it hate, but as a critique, not only of the moral failure of most organized religion but of most organized systems that say they are there for the betterment of people but mostly function for the betterment of themselves.  
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.


 
Jeez, what a triggered snow flake.
Bob Dylan's beard
This does actually sound like a discussion you'd hear over beers in the Orlando streets. 
 Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this groovy song about Bob Dylan's beard...
 
Bob Dylan never really had a beard though...
+1 to (the Devil's#) 6 simply cuz of the comments before. Sometimes music and discussion are better than just music...LLRP!!
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 Mandible wrote:
LOVE!!!!!!!  What does the lyric about spreading infection mean?
 A.I.D.S. has been around for a quarter century but passed her family unit by, despite contiguous monogamy not being the standard?
Maybe the infection is evangelicalism, but I also like the other post about how annoying some atheists and vegans can be. I like these lyrics and song! A little playful, like much of her music.

My old boss would joke "How can you tell someone's a vegan? Don't worry they'll f'ing tell you." Vegans are right even though I'm too lazy and selfish to be one. Meat makes me feel good, even if I don't feel good about eating it. I hope they keep improving lab meat, we still have a ways to go for me to switch.
 aelfheld wrote:

I'll take self-righteous Christians over militant atheists any day.  They make some of the most rabid Bible-thumpers look reasonable.

 as an atheist, I must say there is little more annoying than a High Church Evengelical Atheist.
Unless they are also a vegan, then there is no more annoying being on the planet.



burdell wrote:This song is basically
3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we
get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.


 
Proclivities wrote:

One song is responsible for "ruining your Sunday morning"?  Maybe you're a little too sensitive.
 
Clearly the OP doesn't recognize h8 until they spew it themselves.
God is dead.

Get over it.
Are they in a hallway of a building? 
 tcseeley wrote:
Buddy, if you want to find some hate, go hang out with a bunch of self-righteous Christians.
 
I'll take self-righteous Christians over militant atheists any day.  They make some of the most rabid Bible-thumpers look reasonable.
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.


 
Buddy, if you want to find some hate, go hang out with a bunch of self-righteous Christians.
 stevo_b wrote:
tony620d wrote:
I'd rather be sawing my toes off one by one.
Funny. But I agree.
Courtesy of "Shameless", Here you go then
Average.
Like it much more though after a glance at the whiny comments. 


Boring eclecticism nobody needs, because there is plenty of good music instead.
 kingart wrote:
That cover looks like a shot from The Shining. Or, rather it looks like it could have been. 
 
It's almost as if they did it on purpose.
Bleh. Trying to be a little too cute, hip, eclectic?
 rdo wrote:

At this one job I had we would all go nuts over the voice of one of our customers.  None of us had ever seen her except the sales rep, who encouraged our illusions.  We would of course fantasize about how she looked and of course idealize her.  Just hearing her voice on the phone was enough to keep us (guys) preoccupied for hours daydreaming.  Well, finally one of us (not me) got to tag along on a sales  call and the report back was such that we realized the rep had been less than candid.  You see, it was in his interest that we idealized her—-perhaps he believed we'd give her special treatment and increase his sales commisions.

God I love capitalism.
  
Thanks, rdo.

Interesting story. Sorta fits the illusion created here. Though, I imagine the cover art for this album nulls the mystery.

 reindeer wrote:
What a horrible song.  Racist and judgmental, full of stereotypes and bullshit.  Please, Bill, this song is truly offensive.

 
eh?

I think you are blinded by that big bright light she mentions... 
What a horrible song.  Racist and judgmental, full of stereotypes and bullshit.  Please, Bill, this song is truly offensive.
not so good, in a not so good way
  1wolfy wrote:
Not so good .
  
ckcotton wrote:

I second that .....

 

 
This sort of stuff does not hold up well in my house. She does not float my boat at all.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this groovy song about Bob Dylan's beard...
 ziakut wrote:
I will turn not one of these women down...when the ask me to spend a nice evening with them at a nice restaurant. Damn...it'll never happen.

 
At this one job I had we would all go nuts over the voice of one of our customers.  None of us had ever seen her except the sales rep, who encouraged our illusions.  We would of course fantasize about how she looked and of course idealize her.  Just hearing her voice on the phone was enough to keep us (guys) preoccupied for hours daydreaming.  Well, finally one of us (not me) got to tag along on a sales  call and the report back was such that we realized the rep had been less than candid.  You see, it was in his interest that we idealized her---perhaps he believed we'd give her special treatment and increase his sales commisions.

God I love capitalism.
Sounds like Neko Case. Which is not a bad thing. 
 kingart wrote:
That cover looks like a shot from The Shining. Or, rather it looks like it could have been.
 

(Thanks to crockydile)
I will turn not one of these women down...when the ask me to spend a nice evening with them at a nice restaurant. Damn...it'll never happen.
That cover looks like a shot from The Shining. Or, rather it looks like it could have been. 

I once asked asked a set of twins what it felt like to be a twin.
The first one, he replied, ''What's it like not to be a twin?''
Touché.

I love twins. Who doesn't?


❀❀❀❀❀ Jenny Lewis!!!
Her lyrics really caught my attention. Descriptive and honest. I relate.
 Proclivities wrote:

One song is responsible for "ruining your Sunday morning"?  Maybe you're a little too sensitive.
 
Hard to imaging how that song could possibly result in that response.

Smile and wave, that's my motto.

 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
One song is responsible for "ruining your Sunday morning"?  Maybe you're a little too sensitive.
Liking the lyrics.
 ckcotton wrote:

I second that .....

 
 
STILL no better.... sounds like soo many other "country" esque female bands played on here..... lacking any draw
 1wolfy wrote:
Not so good .
 
I second that .....

 
 Mandible wrote:

LOVE!!!!!!!  What does the lyric about spreading infection mean?

 A.I.D.S. has been around for a quarter century but passed her family unit by, despite contiguous monogamy not being the standard?

hahaha lol What a interesting girl.  Feeling a lot of optimism from her and about atlanta.
Not so good .
It's a likable tune that reveals a bit of  personal philosophy and seems to criticise hypocrisy in society.. I don't care if she's an atheist or not...

LOVE!!!!!!!  What does the lyric about spreading infection mean?

Still they're dying on the dark continent
It's been happening long enough to mention it
Have I mentioned my parents are getting back together again
It's been 25 years
Of spreading infection
Somehow we're not affected


I loves Jenny Lewis!
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
"3 minutes of hate".. Good stuff {#Cheesygrin}

I love Jenny Lewis, but other than the title track to Acid Tongue, they don't have any of the really good tunes from her, like The Big Guns, Stand Up and so forth. I need to get uploading.{#Think}


weird, sounds like george harrison is playing guitar for them as well.
 RadioDoc wrote:

Man, if you get that out of this song your life must be confoundedly miserable.

If I run uphill I'm out of breath
If I spend all of my money I've got no money left
If I place all of my chips on only one bet
I'm all in

And it's a surefire bet I'm gonna die
So I'm taking up praying on Sunday nights
And it's not that I believe in your almight
But I might as well as insurance or bail

Cause institution's like a big bright lie
And it blinds you into fear and consuming and fight
And you've been in the desert underneath the charging sky
It's just you and God
But what if God's not there?
But his name is on your dollar bill
Which just became cab fare

For the Evangelist, the Communist, the Lefts and the Rights
And the hypocrites and the Jesuits and the blacks and the whites
It's in the belly of the beast
In the Atlanta streets
Or up in Laurel Canyon
The verge of Middle East

Still they're dying on the dark continent
It's been happening long enough to mention it
Have I mentioned my parents are getting back together again
It's been 25 years
Of spreading infection
Somehow we're not affected

So my mom, she brushes her hair
And my dad starts growing Bob Dylan's beard
And I share with my friends a couple of beers
In the Orlando streets

Just because religion and God is mentioned doesn't make it a diatribe against either.  Sheesh.
 
Thanks for posting the lyrics. And I agree that to post that this song must mean that she's an atheist or that this song is her hating on religion is completely misguided.


Like this more each time I hear it. Reminds me of Bright Eyes or Oberst solo.
yes Carl wrote:

 


 rp1125 wrote:
Anyone else think the Watson Twins look like the grown up ghosts from The Shining?
 


 rp1125 wrote:
Anyone else think the Watson Twins look like the grown up ghosts from The Shining?
 
I think that's on purpose ...
Anyone else think the Watson Twins look like the grown up ghosts from The Shining?
Refreshing.  {#Yes}
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 

I don't agree with you, but the ferocity of the responses you've garnered indicates you might be onto something.

 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
You posted this to annoy, right? Ignorance appears not to be bliss, after all! Cheers
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
Why are religious fanatics so defensive?  Keep religion in your heart not on your sleeve and you'll be just fine, idiot. 

Musically, I keep hearing George.
Yaa!  Love me some Jenny!

Bit of a crush on her

Jenny
{#Roflol} the song  tells it like it is....I LoVE it....some peeps cant Handle the truth.....aint no sorrys here  a solid 9
I love this whole album.  and I first heard it here with Melt Your Heart...thanks RP!!!!
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
Hmmmm, this song 3 minutes of hate? I hope you never get a copy of "God Is Not Great" by Christopher Hitchens....you'd probably drop dead from apoplexy.

nah. annoying song
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
{#Foot-in-mouth} wow.

{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}{#Sunny}{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}
 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
Man, if you get that out of this song your life must be confoundedly miserable.

If I run uphill I'm out of breath
If I spend all of my money I've got no money left
If I place all of my chips on only one bet
I'm all in

And it's a surefire bet I'm gonna die
So I'm taking up praying on Sunday nights
And it's not that I believe in your almight
But I might as well as insurance or bail

Cause institution's like a big bright lie
And it blinds you into fear and consuming and fight
And you've been in the desert underneath the charging sky
It's just you and God
But what if God's not there?
But his name is on your dollar bill
Which just became cab fare

For the Evangelist, the Communist, the Lefts and the Rights
And the hypocrites and the Jesuits and the blacks and the whites
It's in the belly of the beast
In the Atlanta streets
Or up in Laurel Canyon
The verge of Middle East

Still they're dying on the dark continent
It's been happening long enough to mention it
Have I mentioned my parents are getting back together again
It's been 25 years
Of spreading infection
Somehow we're not affected

So my mom, she brushes her hair
And my dad starts growing Bob Dylan's beard
And I share with my friends a couple of beers
In the Orlando streets

Just because religion and God is mentioned doesn't make it a diatribe against either.  Sheesh.


 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
no points for the cleverness or tact in which it was put together?  i mean if we're gonna generalize, lets do it:  you're clearly a right-winged religious fanatic who hates people who disagree with your stupid religious views.  there.

 burdell wrote:
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.
 
This is what you came away with? More evidence that ones perspective defines ones perception.
This song is basically 3 minutes of hate. Thanks Jenny for ruining my Sunday morning. Yea, we get it, you are an atheist and hate organized religion.


 goodpunk wrote:

Or Carrie.
Is them the Watson Twins in back?  I like the other stuff I've heard from 'em.

 
No, those are the Waldo Twins. The Watson Twins were busy attending an in-breeding conference in West VA.


Rent Troop Beverly Hills! Jenny Lewis is just as good an actress. SO GOOD.
 tupicetti wrote:

The artwork is really creepy... for some reason I cannot help thinking of those two girls like a contemporary version of The Shinning. The girl in front also gets me chills.

 
Or Carrie.
Is them the Watson Twins in back?  I like the other stuff I've heard from 'em.

Got this album about two weeks ago and I'm completely obsessed.  LOVE Jenny Lewis!
 tupicetti wrote:

The artwork is really creepy... for some reason I cannot help thinking of those two girls like a contemporary version of The Shinning. The girl in front also gets me chills.

 
yep

HarrO wrote:
I can't say exactly why, but I like this.


The artwork is really creepy... for some reason I cannot help thinking of those two girls like a contemporary version of The Shinning. The girl in front also gets me chills.

I can't say exactly why, but I like this.

 kyleminor wrote:
I can't say exactly why, but this song totally GRATES on my nerves. Bleah. I can see why others might like it... but no thanks!
 
true..

2 -> 3
She's Fiesty.
The painstaking lyrics are getting to me....
Thought I was gonna have to jump all over Bill for talking over Jenny... Crisis averted, and we can go back to wistfully sighing and tapping our feet...
I can't say exactly why, but this song totally GRATES on my nerves. Bleah. I can see why others might like it... but no thanks!
Rilo Kiley's most recent album, Under the Blacklight, hasn't taken off as expected. That's too bad, because I think it was one of the best albums of 2007. I'm going to see them perform next week. After this tour, Jenny Lewis is going to resume her solo career.
The more that I hear this song, the more I like it. Thanks for playing it.
Ohhh.....that's freaky. Just seeing that picture brings chills.
Come play with us Danny, for EVER AND EVER AND EVER... Hell, if Jenny Lewis was the one asking, I just might.
bam23 wrote:
Surprising that there has been no reply to this since October. Laurel Canyon is above Hollywood, in the greater Los Angeles miasma. Frank Zappa, among numerous other luminaries, lived there in the 1960s and it is apparently favored by those in the industry. Having driven through there, it looks to be an ideal location for a disastrous fire or flood.
Yeah, what Bam said. Had a friend who lived up there, near Stevie Wonder's place. Sure did look like a recipe for disaster: houses piled practically on top of each other, no apparent zoning or code enforcement, the works. c.
Such great song, she's so good ..
Frater_Kork wrote:
Was that a Moral or an Oral Canyon, can someone explain what either of them is?
Surprising that there has been no reply to this since October. Laurel Canyon is above Hollywood, in the greater Los Angeles miasma. Frank Zappa, among numerous other luminaries, lived there in the 1960s and it is apparently favored by those in the industry. Having driven through there, it looks to be an ideal location for a disastrous fire or flood.
rickhoran wrote:
Exactly!!! thats what i always think of when i see this cover. i wonder if that was the intent?
You're not alone. https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19608-rabbit-fur-coat https://badcomputer.org/music/rabbitfur.bot Even Jenny Lewis thinks so: https://www.sfweekly.com/2006-02-01/music/rabbit-season/
morgsy67 wrote:
If she was on a tricycle with a boys haircut (on the album cover), that would be priceless.
Exactly!!! thats what i always think of when i see this cover. i wonder if that was the intent?
If she was on a tricycle with a boys haircut (on the album cover), that would be priceless.
Fun tune. Bump 5->6
Nice and bouncy toon. And neat that it follows (by a couple of songs) Death Cab for Cutie, cuz Jenny sang on DCFC side project, Postal Service. Gawd, I need a hobby or something...
Bad idea playing this right after "Ruby Tuesday" as it only serves to highlight the lack of originality... try singing "Ruby Tuesday" over this song... it works perfectly. Lame.
Good song from a good album
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Was that a Moral or an Oral Canyon, can someone explain what either of them is?
cc_rider wrote:
I really like this stuff. It's poppy and light, but addresses a truly disturbing topic. In that sense they're similar to the Cardigans; not in their sound but in using a lighter-than-air pop presentation for some mighty bleak sentiments. Listening to either one tends to make one contemplate serial murder and/or suicide. I like it a lot. But then I'm a bit of loner, keep to myself, real quiet guy, never would've expected... oops, I've said too much... hey, stay out of my basement!
Wow, how'd you find a house in Austin with a basement?
ploba wrote:
this is exactly what i was thinking - i wanna like them but its just not happening....
why even try?
Not many pop songs mention Jesuits! Plus, she implies making "Pascal's wager..." There is interesting history between Pascal and the Jesuits. Jenny seems to know her church history! Catchy melody too.
What a segue. The opening guitar riff is the same as the chorus for Ruby Tuesday. RP rules.
Did I tell ya my parents are getting back together again? Its been 25 years Of spreading infection So my mom - she brushes her hair and dad grows Bob Dylan's beard and I share with my friends a couple of beers... Great stuff. I think maybe somehow those lines apply perfectly to my generation (X) more than any other...
Each time that song begins, I sing : Goodbye ruby tuesday...
Funny. They just played this one immediately after Ruby Tuesday. I honestly thought it was gonna be a country cover of that song.
renlat wrote:
... Even the cover reminds me of the movie THE SHINING...
First thing I thought of when it came up! The song would probably work best in a loud pool hall, when you rfocus is elsewhere. Somewhat generic.
I liked this album, but I LOVED Rilo Kiley's stuff. I hope they put out another album and tour again ..
grover_arms wrote:
i have tried to like jenny lewis. i give up.
this is exactly what i was thinking - i wanna like them but its just not happening....
Hannio wrote:
Thank you. That makes it much easier to take.
Is it ? Really ? Still have a hard time with it... Even the cover reminds me of the movie THE SHINING...
renlat wrote:
Each time that song begins, I sing : Goodbye ruby tuesday who coul hang a name on you...
Thank you. That makes it much easier to take.
tony620d wrote:
I'd rather be sawing my toes off one by one.
Funny. But I agree.