Red House Painters – Song for a Blue Guitar

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Send "Song for a Blue Guitar" Ringtone to Cell

When everything we felt fails Then some music, soft and distant sails But it don't sound like it did before Then I know I'm left with nothing more Then my own soul When pretty pictures face back But your coats aren't hanging on the rack And blue water turns to A place that I can't get to A place that I can't In a room all I feel Is the cold that you left Through the air all I see Is your face full of blame What's left to see? What's there to see? In the room all I feel Is the cold that you left Through the air all I see Is your face full of blame What's left to see? What's left to see? What's left to see? What's left to see?

Send "Song for a Blue Guitar" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Xpretox

Track duration: 06:00

"Song for a Blue Guitar" as written by Mark Edward Kozelek

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Song for a Blue Guitar song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:While I agree with all comments posted thus far on this tune's merit, one thing's always bothered me: it seems an obvious cop from Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You." The pattern and rhythm of the acoustic strumming is identical (albeit modestly slower) and the lagging, loping snare drum punctuates similarly. The slide guitar riff and bass lines differ less than one would expect from a typical high school cover band and with the cadence of the verse delivery also being markedly similar, it's not feasible to assume there wasn't a direct influence, with the Mazzy tune predating Mark's in official release date by three years and being famous worldwide, even among non-alternative types. The only potential defense would be that used by George Harrison for "My Sweet Lord" in court regarding "He's So Fine" which, like the judge did in that case, must ultimately be rejected. No, the melody and chorus aren’t identical (they never are in these cases), but whether subliminal or not, unless both drew from a third, earlier source, this is quite obviously a direct cop.
    Flag JSBachon September 25, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song makes my skin tingle and my eyes run. That slide guitar entering always sends the first shiver up my spine, it goes up to my head escaping through the skin. I don't think i've ever had a song so emotionally affect me. You know how in those most truly miserable points of your life you get a song that becomes like the theme tune, it speaks to you, and every time you hear it it takes you right back. For me this is that song. I limit my hearing the album to a couple of times a year cause it makes me cry every time, even still..
    Flag josepeskoeffleson November 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about loss.
    Flag dogboyon November 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"then i know i'm left with nothing more than my own soul".. wow. This song is incredible. It is beautiful and sad (like many other songs from them!!) The red house painters are amazing. Mark kozelek is sooo talented. I love all of the deep emotions in all of their songs.
    This song is very lonely, and kind of empty. Yet it gives me an amazing feeling, it is filled with beauty.
    Flag daydreamer82on May 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"in the room all i feel
    is the cold that you left
    through the air all i see
    is your face full of blame
    what's left to see?
    what's there to see?
    what's left to see?"


    some of the most eloquent lines ever put to song. i can relate to this. also, i agree with heidi.
    Flag delialon September 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:holy crap. why is this band so good? oh yeah, cause they rock. This is a very sad song, but also a very soothing one and very calm. but still sad
    Flag Autobahnon July 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:a song for a BLUE guitar is in reference of when you say you're blue, as in sad. The song, the melody, the voices, it all evoques sadness. it's wicked beautiful..
    Flag TigerlilyGirlon July 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:a song for a BLUE guitar is in reference of when you say you're blue, as in sad. The song, the melody, the voices, it all evoques sadness. it's wicked beautiful..
    Flag TigerlilyGirlon July 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i rarely ever love songs the first time i hear them. they have to grow on me. but the first time i heard this, i just said "wow."
    Flag crazyburgeron May 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The first thing I thought of was Picasso's painting "The Old Guitarist" done during his blue period. I'm pretty certain the title is a reference to it.
    Flag heidi effin fleisson September 27, 2004   Link

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