David Wax Museum
david wax museum, “Jalopy Heart,”
from: Carpenter Bird, 2009
“What could you want with my jalopy heart?
What could you want with my jalopy heart?
It’s rusty and battered and falling apart
You’re probably wastin’ your time tryin’ to get it to start
My jalopy heart
Though I still may know how to love
I still may know how to love
I still may know
What could you want with my rattlesnake skin?
What could you want with my rattlesnake skin?
I’ve shed it before and I’ll shed it again
Leave it useless, grey as an old man’s chin
My rattlesnake skin
Though I still may know how to feel
I still may know how to feel
I still may know
What could you want with my antique music box voice?
What could you want with my antique music box voice?
It’ll play you a song, a faintly audible noise—
Now a dirge but once a song of rejoice
My antique music box voice
Though I still may know how to sing
I still may know how to sing
I still may know
Through I still may know how to love
I still may know how to love
I still may know”
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think this is truly great, hard to achieve songwriting. Maybe it’s because it has just the right combination of self doubt and hope. That you may be deficient in ones traits or choices, but can still be resolutely capable of loving and being loved. Seems like a strangely triumphant, ironic and human little number. Also great mandolin fills. And the melody conveys a sense of promise. Perhaps I have put my finger on it! How does it strike you?