Oh, heh heh…this song came out in 2016? We’re just going to have to call that close enough.
I admit I’m a little behind-the-times with this one. But dates are arbitrary with music anyway. Music is more like a big bin holding the history of music all together, rather than a linear continuum. (See my future post about Jeff Tweedy’s new book for more details!)
“Fill in the Blank” by Car Seat Headrest was the #3 song in my personal Spotify 2018 list, just behind two of my daughter’s favorite songs.
So yeah, I listened to this one quite a bit in 2018. And I don’t typically listen to the same song over and over. The benefit and the burden of Spotify (or YouTube) is that there’s just so much music available now. It makes it easier to keep skipping around, trying to find those diamonds. But it means you aren’t forced to stick with the same song or album, and really live with it, getting to know it’s quirks and qualities.
I’m not going to claim that this song does anything particularly new. It’s basically pointed, mid-tempo indie rock. But what it does do, it does brilliantly.
The song begins with a quiet, unsure introduction of the band, and then a wonderful guitar hook – simple and catchy. Pounding drums kick in, and the laconic voice of Will Toledo begins the tale:
I’m so sick of (fill in the blank)
Accomplish more, accomplish nothing
If I were split in two I would just take my fists
So I could beat up the rest of me
Later, the chorus is sung from the perspective of someone (parent, presumably?) telling the singer, “You have no right to be depressed, you haven’t tried hard enough to like it…They’re just trying to let some air in, but you hold your breath…”
Who hasn’t heard something similar from their parents?
It’s hard to call out other specific lyrics because each line is a gem. This next verse paints a picture of an awkward back-and-forth between the singer and parent/someone-trying-help.
So you’ll ask “Why?” and there will be no answer
Then you’ll ask for “How long?” and there will be no answer
Then you’ll ask “What can I do?” and there will be no answer
And eventually you will
shut
up
Check out a live version below, as well as the studio track.
