Saturday, September 18, 2021 “Roots & Wings” The Wallflowers

Like yesterday’s musical reference we have another son of a rock legend in the Wallflowers founder, lead singer and primary songwriter Jakob Dylan who is Bob Dylan’s son.  Born in 1970, Jakob Dylan was raised in Los Angeles by his mother, Sara Lowndes (Bob Dylan’s  “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands”) after his parents' divorce in 1977.

The Wallflowers, founded by Jakob had a breakthrough album in 1997 with Bringing Down the Horses which generated several successful singles and rwo Grammys.  They would follow up with three additional albums and then take a nearly ten year break.

Today’s song of the day. “Roots & Wings” comes from the Wallflowers 2021 album Exit Wounds which was financed completely by Jakob Dylan.

I saw The Wallflowers  in 1996 with the release of their first album at a record label showcase at the Bearsville Studio in Woodstock.  My thinking was Jakob Dylan, Woodstock, his dad had to be there.

Turned out there was no Bob Dylan, but The Wallflowers were great and my son who joined me for the trip to Woodstock got to meet Natalie Merchant (originally with rock group 10,000 Maniacs).  There's a funny story about The Wallflowers showcase but it will have to wait for another song of the day.

Stay safe and well...and I don’t know but this sure sounds like a really bitter break-up song. What do you think?

You're such a heavy bird

You'd never get far on your own

You'll never have a use for your feathers

While you're hopping down the road

Yeah, you were born to walk the earth

Yeah, with your back against the cold

And no you never had a purpose

'Til I wore you on my back like a coat

You're in your evening gloves

You're off the farm taking big city drugs

No matter how far you get, now let it sink in

That I gave you roots and baby, I gave you wings

Yeah, I gave you roots and I gave you wings

And I showed you how to swing

Yeah, I showed you how to strut

That's my mojo you're using

That's my wine getting you drunk

And it was I that broke you in

I got you clean, clipped and cut

And you're a mule among horses, I took you

When God stood you up

Now tell me who could do more

Set myself on fire keeping you warm

And now I'm off the hook and he's on your chin

But I gave you roots, yeah baby, I gave you wings

Know I gave you roots and I gave you wings

And now you've got your looks and your pretty things

And a new set of chances that I wouldn't give

Now if you've forgotten, well I'll tell you again

That I gave you roots, baby, I gave you wings

You're such a heavy bird

You'd never get far on your own

Yeah, I gave you roots, baby I gave you wings

Yeah, I gave you roots, baby I gave you wings

Oh, now you're such a heavy bird

You'd never get far on your own

I gave you roots, gave you roots, I gave you wings

Gave you roots, gave you wings

Oh, such a heavy bird