Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
At face value, this song references Josh Tillman’s period where he relocated to Hollywood’s Laurel Canyon in order to write a novel, but ended up instead creating the Father John Misty project, and the very album featuring this song.
The song describes a series of surreal episodes where Father John...
[Verse 1]
I ran down the road, pants down to my knees
Screaming "please come help me
That Canadian shaman gave a little too much to me!"
And I'm writing a novel
Because it's never been done before
First house that I saw, I wrote house up on the door
And told the people who lived there they had to get out
"'Cause my reality is realer than yours"
And there's no time in the present
And there's a black dog on the bed
I went to the backyard to burn my only clothes
And the dog ran out and said, "You can't turn nothing
Into nothingness with me no more"
Well, I'm no doctor, but that monkey might be right
And if he is, I'll be walking him my whole life
[Verse 2]
I rode to Malibu on a dune buggy with Neil
He said, "You're gonna have to drown me down on the beach
If you ever want to write the real"
And I said, "I'm sorry
"Young man, what was your name again?"
Now everywhere I go in West Hollywood
Is filled with people pretending they don't see the actress
And the actress wishing that they could
We could do ayahuasca
Baby, if I wasn't holding all these drinks
Something 'bout the way Violet whips her hair
That makes me empty my pockets
Holding court on the corner
Burning twenties as if I was the mayor
Well I don't need any new friends, Mama
But I could really use something to do
So if you're up for it sometime
I swear you wouldn't have to be my muse
[Outro]
Heidegger and Sartre, drinking poppy tea
I could've sworn last night I passed out in my van
And now these guys are pouring one for me
I never leave the canyon 'cause I'm surrounded on all sides
By people writing novels and living on amusement rides
I’m Writing a Novel was written by Josh Tillman.
I’m Writing a Novel was produced by Josh Tillman & Jonathan Wilson.
Father John Misty released I’m Writing a Novel on Mon Apr 30 2012.