The first album Jeff Tweedy ever bought
Jeff Tweedy initiated his career in the 1980s as a member of the rock band Uncle Tupelo. Following the release of four albums, the band disbanded in 1994, leading to the formation of Wilco by Tweedy and several former Uncle Tupelo members. As Wilco evolved over the years, their musical trajectory underwent a transformative journey, exploring a broad spectrum of genres, including rock, folk, and experimental sounds.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Tweedy has authored several books delving into his personal experiences with mental health, relationships, and addiction, offering profound insights into his creative processes. As a writer, Tweedy frequently draws inspiration from others, acknowledging the influential roles played by authors such as George Saunders and Lynda Barry in shaping his creative vision.
When discussing songs that deeply resonate with him, Tweedy highlighted a diverse range of tunes that span the spectrum of his musical preferences, ranging from Blondie’s polished new wave sounds to expressing admiration for the simplicity of ‘You Are My Sunshine’. However, when reflecting on albums so powerful that they changed his life, there’s one in particular that tops the list.
“In the late 1970s, Creem magazine used to be on the stands in grocery stores right next to Hit Parader and Tiger Beat and Rolling Stone,” Tweedy recalls, adding, “And as a 10-year-old kid who was interested in that shit, I would read articles on the Clash and Blondie.”
During this time, Tweedy also remembered being exposed to music in a way that he was “able to feel that energy before I could even find the records”. Singling out Blondie’s Parallel Lines in particular, Tweedy recalls it being the first album he ever bought at the young age of 11. “I borrowed money from my mom to buy a most likely bootleg version of the album,” he told NME. “I’d recently heard Blondie on one of the music TV shows [that was] on late at night on the weekends when I was kid.”
Incidentally, Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ is also Tweedy’s go-to karaoke song. That is, of course, if he was ever to actually engage in the sport. “I have never done karaoke and I don’t plan to,” Tweedy muses, “So I have no idea [which song I would choose]. Maybe if I had to, maybe I do ‘Heart Of Glass’ from Parallel Lines. It’s about the only one on the album I think I could do!”
However, when considering potential funeral songs, Tweedy steers clear of selecting any Blondie track at all. In fact, as the musician envisions his heavenly departure, he points to Duke Ellington’s ‘I’m Beginning to See the Light’ as his ideal soundtrack. Emerging from the swing era, this Ellington composition is one of the maestro’s more contemplative pieces, narrating the story of someone finding tranquillity on the other side and evolving into a more enlightened soul upon shedding their earthly form.
