Well we talked about old times
Like a couple of old guys
And took a little walk to the old baseball diamond
And along came O'Brien
With a guitar in his hand
Met us on the field with impeccable timing

He said I got a new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was 1989
And I remember my first car and that old girlfriend of mine

It was a cracked wooden thing
He said wanna talk about old strings
It's been 10, 12 years since I last changed mine
And it says Sears down the neck
Had a little blood stain on the second fret
But you know it still keeps impeccable timing

And he said I got a brand new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was still 1989
And I remember my first car and that old girlfriend of mine

And that's the story of how O'Brien blew my mind



Lyrics submitted by sleepingbag

Track duration: 07:40


O'Brien song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:Another person here who was blown away by this song on Austin City Limits, I'm watching it on loop as we speak. I tuned in for Wilco (who were awesome) but this guy is top class too. Got his album Post-War there and its excellent. Was some show, even had Jim James performing Golden.
    Flag monkeypeason January 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the recorded song is like... an octave lower.

    youtube.com/…

    ^the austin city limits version that we all fell in love with...
    Flag marthapurvison April 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I first heard of M. Ward on ACL, too. I saw the episode rebroadcast about a year later and I DVR'd it and I rewatch it constantly. I also bought the recorded version of "O'Brien," but it's nowhere near as good as the live version they did on the show. I wish I could get a recording of it. I always think it's funny that he says O'Brien's guitar kept impeccable timing. How does a guitar keep timing? Isn't it the guitar player? Well I guess it worked for the song. Also amazing on that episode is the song the lead singer of My Morning Jacket performed right after this song. That episode turned me on to them, as well.
    Flag brownsvillegirlon September 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Did everyone see this on ACL a few weeks ago? That was the first time I'd ever watched it, but Conor and M. Ward were both amazing.
    Flag Wentworth_Akeleyon February 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ay, ay madhatter. I had never even heard of M.Ward until I saw him do this with Conor on ACL. Luckily, I had the show taped. I think I rewound and watched it 15 times...just unbelievable.
    Flag sternjon April 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I dont know much about M. Ward but I first heard this song on the PBS show, Austin City Limits. He was playing this song with Conner Oberst from Bright Eyes. I LOVE this song.
    Flag madhatter213on October 10, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is my favorite m ward song. i wonder who its about.
    Flag sleepingbagon August 20, 2005   Link

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