The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
“Fresh Tattoo” was released on August 23, 2023 as the second single from Jenny from Thebes. In a post accompanying the song’s release, John Darnielle described it as “the flashpoint of the Jenny story: here she takes in her last lodger, here she marks her skin to say she’s done taking in lodgers aft...
[Verse 1]
Tattoo of the seventh shield
Still wet on my skin
You're all crumpled up on the curb there
I think I'm gonna take you in
[Verse 2]
Always had to follow my instincts
Usually, I'm out on my own
You're there by the road wet and helpless
What happens if I take you home?
[Chorus]
You may forget the whys and wheres
Of an old tattoo on your forearm there
But usually, you recall the day you got one
And usually, it fades in the sun
[Verse 3]
Headed for a season in exile
As the oracle predicted
According to reliable sources
In thirty days I'm getting evicted
[Verse 4]
Trying not to scratch where it itches
It takes a certain level of discipline
Not even half a second by the light switch
Let the future flood right in
[Chorus]
You may forget the whys and wheres
Of an old tattoo on your forearm there
But usually, you recall the day you got one
And usually, it fades in the sun
[Bridge]
Usually, the lines grow faint
Like old house paint
Just a way to mark the years gone by
You lay on the couch
Three weeks
Until the color came back into your cheeks
I'd seen ones like you before
Plenty came through before
[Verse 5]
Legend on the shield in Greek
"What's that say?" you said
I gave you an answer that I thought you'd buy
All of this will disappear in the twinkling of an eye
[Chorus]
You may forget the whys and wheres
Of an old tattoo on your forearm there
But usually, you recall the day you got one
And usually, it fades in the sun
But not this one
Fresh Tattoo was written by John Darnielle.
Fresh Tattoo was produced by Trina Shoemaker.
The Mountain Goats released Fresh Tattoo on Wed Aug 23 2023.