Sheets ('24) / Des Moines
A new Damien Jurado single
I wrote the song “Sheets” in late February of 2007, around the time I was writing other songs for what would be my next album “Caught In The Trees” (not yet titled). It was filler. Four chords. No chorus. I knew at the time of writing it that it most likely wouldn’t end up on the album. And so when recording a demo and singing what lyrics I had, I just left it as it was. Two versus. No chorus. I never even bothered to finish the song. When it came time to be in the recording studio, it was suggested that I use this unfinished song “Sheets”, along with a few other not so great unfinished songs, to complete the album. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea, but I also wasn’t thrilled with the album. It was by far the longest recording I’d ever worked on. When it came time to tour the album a year later, it quickly became apparent that the song “Sheets” was an audience favorite. No other song on “Caught In The Trees”, except maybe for “Everything Trying”, did so well or got more requests. For years I continued to play “Sheets” as it was recorded. Unfinished. And for some reason, it never bothered me. Until recently.
On June 4th of this year, I woke up with the most random idea. What if I finished the rest of the song “Sheets”. I audibly laughed at the idea, and then thought, “Why not?” And so, I got out of bed, walked into my kitchen where my wife Robyn was and announced, “I’m finishing my song “Sheets” today.” We both laughed at the absurdity, and amazement of it all. “After all this time, I’m going to finish it today, and then I’m going to record it.” I proclaimed. And so I did. I gathered some of my closest musician friends, some whose names you may recognize from my most recent albums “Motorcycle Madness” and “Passing The Giraffes”, and re-recorded a song that I not only neglected, but that I never felt was properly recorded. On Monday, August 12th 2024, “Sheets (‘24)” and another new song “Des Moines” will be available for physical purchase or digital download by way of my online store.
https://damienjurado.myshopify.com
p.s. To those who are wondering if I sing on this release, the answer is yes.
one thing ill say about 'caught in the trees' is that its always puzzled me that so many couples think that its a record full of love songs that they dance together to when its clear to me that its an album about the dissolution of a relationship - the songs are misunderstood in a way similar to bruce springsteens 'born in the usa' and rems 'the one i love'
For what it’s worth, many of us love Go First from that album but want to spare you having to do the guitar for it. 😉