I Am My Mother

Album: Cruel Country (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy adopts a conservative mindset to watch immigrants "streaming over the southern border." "I don't think it's helpful to deny that you have those things in your makeup," he told Uncut magazine. "I don't know how you address your shadow-self without realizing you have one."
  • Tweedy cast his mom as the less enlightened parent in the song, which wasn't really the case in his upbringing. "My father was much more reactionary in his politics, and maybe a bit more closed-minded," he explained. "But he had an amazing journey and epiphany as he got older. And my mother wasn't around to see it."
  • "I Am My Mother" is the opening track of Wilco's 12th studio album, Cruel Country. The idea that Wilco were a country band when they first started out inspired the title. According to Tweedy, the band has always incorporated elements of country music into their work, but they have been hesitant to fully embrace that label. However, after years of experience and experimentation, they now find it liberating to work within the boundaries of the country genre.
  • Cruel Country contains 21 tracks created with all six members of the band playing together in The Loft in Chicago. This was the first time they had done so since their 2011 album, The Whole Love. The record is notable for its use of almost entirely live takes with minimal overdubbing.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.