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Lyrics and Poems 1997-2012
Often cited as one of the finest contemporary lyricists, singer, songwriter and poet John K. Samson captures the essential images of contemporary life. Whether on the streets of his beloved and bewildering hometown of Winnipeg, an outpost in Antarctica, or a room in an Edward Hopper painting, he finds whimsy and elegance in the everyday, beauty and sorrow in the overlooked.This collection gathers together Samson s writing, starting with his band The Weakerthans 1997 debut album Fallow, through Left and Leaving, Reconstruction Site, and the award-winning Reunion Tour. It also features lyrics from Samson's newly released solo album, Provincial, and selected poems.
106 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 31, 2017
This book is perfect if you, like me:
- wanted a short read that is 95% Weakerthans lyrics you can sing along to in your head
- love John K
- have cried every night since The Weakerthans broke up
- wanted a short read that is 95% Weakerthans lyrics you can sing along to in your head
- love John K
- have cried every night since The Weakerthans broke up
March 2, 2012
Like John K. Samson, I'm "in love with love and lousy poetry". This is a collection of Samson's lyrics and poems (duh) both with the Weakerthans and his solo stuff. As an avid fan, I know these lyrics/poems from singing along for years but they take on a different form on the page. These days, some of the truest poetry comes to us in the form of a song but removed from the music, the words are absorbed in a quieter more thoughtful way. I am a writer and I play music and while I cannot choose which of the two is more important in a song, I can tell you that not all lyrics can stand alone, that not all lyrics could really get inside you without the music attached the way Samson's do. He is a great mind and, more importantly, an even greater heart, something you can see even on the page, even if you've never heard his songs before. Dd
December 4, 2016
Perhaps North America's finest living lyricist.
October 14, 2013
John K. Samson is one of the best, if not THE best, modern Canadian songwriters. This book proves it.
July 10, 2021
If you've listened to every Weakerthans Album (...and John K. Sampson's solo albums) you may already know most of this book -- but there are a few extras and it is worth it! Really enjoyable. :)
October 28, 2016
How I love this man’s writing and music. They occupy a truly special space in my heart.
Somehow they are always able to captivate me in just a few paragraphs of story: clever turns of phrase manage to unearth complex and emotive concepts, and inanimate or intangible things speak their mind. Seriously, from the heartbreaking story of a former lover wistfully thinking of his loss in the teacher's lounge, to the cat doing his best to rouse his owner out of a rut, a bus driver passing the time with thoughts of the past, and a little boy under a table contemplating the passage of time are really just a small group of examples.
Though I think he’s (several) steps above the average lyricist, I admit that these poems probably wouldn't mean as much to me on their own. They are irrevocably entwined with The Weakerthans’ music, but that’s such a happy place for me that they only serve to elevate one another.
Somehow they are always able to captivate me in just a few paragraphs of story: clever turns of phrase manage to unearth complex and emotive concepts, and inanimate or intangible things speak their mind. Seriously, from the heartbreaking story of a former lover wistfully thinking of his loss in the teacher's lounge, to the cat doing his best to rouse his owner out of a rut, a bus driver passing the time with thoughts of the past, and a little boy under a table contemplating the passage of time are really just a small group of examples.
Though I think he’s (several) steps above the average lyricist, I admit that these poems probably wouldn't mean as much to me on their own. They are irrevocably entwined with The Weakerthans’ music, but that’s such a happy place for me that they only serve to elevate one another.
December 4, 2016
Absolutely Stunning. I adored every line. As a lover of lyrics and songwriting John has blown me away
April 23, 2020
Different stuff stood out to me when reading this on paper compared to listening to the records. Very cool.
November 21, 2022
John's poetry on its own is beautiful. It is my favourite kind of poetry; simple words arranged simply, but in just the right way that they become magical. If you're interested in Canadian artistry, John is someone you simply have to pay attention to. This book, while made up almost entirely of song lyrics, is an awesome read, and a really great study guide to have while listening to his catalogue.
If you haven't listened to John's music -- either his wonderful solo stuff, his early work with the punk band Propaghandi, or any of the spectacular Weakerthans albums -- you should probably go do that immediately.
Start with 'Reconstruction Site' and thank me later.
If you haven't listened to John's music -- either his wonderful solo stuff, his early work with the punk band Propaghandi, or any of the spectacular Weakerthans albums -- you should probably go do that immediately.
Start with 'Reconstruction Site' and thank me later.
December 4, 2024
Like totally devoured this and buying it as a gift for friends who I feel might appreciate... really cool and different reading these on the page as opposed to listening to them in song. Both Fallow + Left & Leaving material ended up winning out for me but there are gems scattered really all throughout.Bless John K. though, I hope he's doing ok. My only complaint is that 'Winter Wheat' material is not in this compilation. Anyways you can get this from AK Press if you're in the US 😄
May 15, 2019
John K. Samson is one of the best lyricists ever in my opinion, and although this book is simply all of his collected song lyrics up until Winter Wheat, this belief is further established by this book. Absolutely brilliant words from one of the best.
January 15, 2019
This book removes the sounds of my favourite songs leaving only the words which sound all the more profound.
December 17, 2024
To everyone who gave this book five stars:
I should send you a friend request bc I know you're cool.
I should send you a friend request bc I know you're cool.
September 18, 2012
the design of this book is gorgeous. hats off to Arebeiter Ring Publishing of Manitoba. i haven't ever heard of them, but i was so impressed by the look of this book: its size, the cover design, the black spacer pages in between. if i had money i would hire this designer whoever she or he may be.
Samson's text, primarily lyrics to the songs of the Weakerthans, is funny, quirky, playful, frenetic. many of the epigraphs are taken from literary works. my issue was that i just wanted to hear all of these set to music, so i found myself going back to the albums to listen. i understand that not all the texts in the book came from the albums, but it feels like most of them did. the book is a good companion to the music, but i think it's not as compelling a work to read on its own.
Samson's text, primarily lyrics to the songs of the Weakerthans, is funny, quirky, playful, frenetic. many of the epigraphs are taken from literary works. my issue was that i just wanted to hear all of these set to music, so i found myself going back to the albums to listen. i understand that not all the texts in the book came from the albums, but it feels like most of them did. the book is a good companion to the music, but i think it's not as compelling a work to read on its own.
January 2, 2015
The one problem I had with this compilation is that it was a little jarring to read the lyrics without the music.
Don't get me wrong, these lyrics are gorgeous and defining not only of a career but of a genre, of a country. John K. Samson just gets it. But the entire time I was reading the lyrics I ended up singing the songs to myself instead and it took a lot of effort for me to read the lyrics more like poems.
I'm curious if people who have never listened to this band will find that the lyrics/poems stand as powerfully on their own without the music.
Don't get me wrong, these lyrics are gorgeous and defining not only of a career but of a genre, of a country. John K. Samson just gets it. But the entire time I was reading the lyrics I ended up singing the songs to myself instead and it took a lot of effort for me to read the lyrics more like poems.
I'm curious if people who have never listened to this band will find that the lyrics/poems stand as powerfully on their own without the music.
April 23, 2012
This is such a nice compendium of John's work. I've had a wonderful experience just opening the book, doing my best to separate the words from the music, and absorb the flow of words in a whole other way. I truly wish that I saw the world the way that John does and I'm so glad that he shares what he has in his head for the rest of us. This is a beautiful book that I see myself going back to time and time and again from here until my end.
January 16, 2018
"And I'm leaning on this broken fence between past and present tense."
John Samson's poetry evokes such vivid images, this is a collection I could return to again.
So many worthy quotes, but I'll leave you with this one from the final poem: Taps Reversed.
"The calendar requests a meeting to discuss the time we
waste, when would be good for you?"
Lyrics and Poems 1997-2012, offers so much poetic nourishment, thank you John Samson.
John Samson's poetry evokes such vivid images, this is a collection I could return to again.
So many worthy quotes, but I'll leave you with this one from the final poem: Taps Reversed.
"The calendar requests a meeting to discuss the time we
waste, when would be good for you?"
Lyrics and Poems 1997-2012, offers so much poetic nourishment, thank you John Samson.
July 30, 2016
Reading this collection of lyrics by John K. Samson, originally of the rock band "The Weakerthans," reminded me of what a brilliant poet he is. His word choice is so original and smart that even without the music these poems moved me.
February 2, 2015
Love Weakerthans, would be five stars but I was expecting original content and not just the lyrics from his four albums.
June 16, 2015
It mostly covers his songs, but those are amazing to read in print form. The other poems are well worth a look too. Reading the lyrics of the best lyricist is a beautiful experience.
September 28, 2015
As I owned all the records, there is not much that the book added except the good design and quality paging. Indeed good poetry and astonishingly adapted to songwriting.
February 6, 2016
RIP Weakerthans
Wonderful lyrics and poetry from wonderful songs.
Wonderful lyrics and poetry from wonderful songs.
May 12, 2016
"I swear I more than half believe it when I say that somewhere love and justice shine. Cynicism falls asleep. Tyranny talks to itself. Sappy slogans all come true. We all forget to feed our fear."
January 20, 2022
I’ve returned to these so many times over the years. Beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews