Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Liz Phair
[Verse 1]
There's a portrait of Uncle Alvarez
Hanging in the hall
Nobody wants to look at it
But Uncle Alvarez sees us all
[Chorus]
Ho, ho, ho, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
Better send a postcard and keep the family quiet
[Verse 2]
He's not really part Cherokee Indian
He didn't fight in the Civil War
He's just Eugene Isaac Alvarez
We feel sorry for the wall
[Chorus]
Ho, ho, ho, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
You're gonna make 'em sorry when you die
[Bridge]
And it's a long way down
You're hoping for a heart attack
Running around
Investing in this and that
And your beautiful wife
Keeps your life on a shelf for you
Safe in the bedroom where
There's no dust or mildew and
It's hard to believe you were
Once a beautiful dancer
[Verse 3]
Better just to shake it off
As you write your resumé
Don't think of Uncle Alvarez
And the price he had to pay
[Chorus]
Ho, ho, ho, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
You're gonna make 'em sorry when you die
[Chorus]
Ho, ho, ho, imaginary accomplishments
Hey, hey, hey, you visionary guy
You might even shake the hands of presidents
Better send some money to the alma mater
Uncle Alvarez was written by Liz Phair.
Uncle Alvarez was produced by Brad Wood.
Liz Phair released Uncle Alvarez on Tue Aug 11 1998.
Liz Phair reportedly explained the lyrics during a show in 1998, saying:
“[The song] stems from a lot of dinner tables where a lot of men expounded at great length about anything they wanted to [laughs] and a lot of the women just sat there and smiled.”