"A Lifetime to Find" Official Music Video by Wilco

The dynamic Chicago rock band Wilco returns with its 12th studio album, the first of its kind. Cruel Country is the band's exploration of the genre they've often been defined by but, until now, never fully embraced. The double album features 21 Jeff Tweedy-penned tracks, made almost entirely of live takes, created with all six members together in The Loft for the first time since the 2011 release The Whole Love. Preorder vinyl and CD (out Jan. 20) at ada.lnk.to/Cru...
Wilco is played by Wilco:
Jeff Tweedy
John Stirratt
Glenn Kotche
Mikael Jorgensen
Nels Cline
Pat Sansone
Death: Cash Hendrix
Poker cheater: Austin Becker
Director/writer: Joe Aidonidis
Cameras: Shaun Laframboise, Joe Aidonidis
Wardrobe/Props: Mark Greenberg, Crystal Myers
Makeup: Cash Hendrix
Location: The Elks Lodge, North Adams, MA
Lyrics:
Oh death
Oh death
I was just getting dressed
The place is a mess
I was hoping you’d forget
But I can feel you in my chest
I can feel you in my chest
Oh yes
Oh yes
Death never rests
I can see you’ve done your best
The problem is just this
It’s too late for regrets
I am here to collect
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
Now you’re mine
Oh death
I confess
I should have known what to expect
But you’re so hard to accept
Last time I checked
I was neck and neck
As healthy as the next
Oh Yes
You were blessed
Blessed in the past tense
But it’s too late now
To make it make sense
It’s too late to pretend
This day won’t ever end
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
A life like the life
You had in mind
Now you’re mine
So alright
Today’s the day and
Tonight is the night
There’s no reason there’s no rhyme
It’s just time to go goodbye
But why can’t you try
To ease what’s on
my poor mind
O’ Jeff
Don’t obsess
It’s the best that I can do
To help you see the light
And help the light to see you
It’s true there was a truth
That was you and only you ever knew
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
It takes a lifetime to find
The life like the life you had in mind
Now you’re mine

[@dust203]

I just got out of the hospital after undergoing two cardiac catherizations to implant three stents into my right coronary artery after having a heart attack. This is the first video I saw and I lost it. Thank you Wilco for restarting my heart. ❤️

[@wilco]

Sending our best.

[@mark_fox_music]

Wishing you well!

[@AndySalinger33]

@dust203 glad you’re alive! What a moving experience it must have been to hear this song after your ordeal! The healing power of music never ceases to amaze me. I pray you continue to heal and get back on track! 🕊

[@LeandroMarquesLJM]

have you seen they live? that's a good reason to hang on man wishing my best to you

[@amiecn]

❣️🥰❣️

[@mowler8042]

I cut lawns all summer, it's been 25 years so far and what makes me happy most days is listening to Wilco.

[@NellieFly]

right on.

[@iancunningham5576]

My favorite working American band. My favorite band. Period.

[@TheJunehog]

Death's line to Jeff in the last verse is so generous: "To help you see the light, and help the light to see you." We can only hope. But at least, the real Jeff is very generous with us.

[@turmelmark]

Great new song. Pat Sansone with that B-Bender sounding like Clarence White! Also beautiful Mustang bass ; I wonder if it's vintage...

[@lostandfound7372]

Takes a lifetime to find. Thank you Wilco. Thank you for being the soundtrack to this Cinema I call life. God Bless.

[@terrencebarnes9729]

Have been a lifelong fan of Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo anything any of these guys have been a part of. What a record. What a graceful and triumphant return to being the geniuses that you are.

[@reneeschwider6136]

Me too! Agreed! Im getting used to this style again

[@johnpierson100]

You guys have been such a big part of my life, since before I was even born. Idk how many times my mom tells the story of the Wilco concert she went to 8 month pregnant. Lifelong fan

[@dogsigh]

Love the foil scythe haha. The happiest sad song! I'm getting some slight "Touch of Grey" vibes from the video! OK bye!

[@WiggleButt616]

Absolute perfection, as usual. From the reapers to the facial expressions to the camera angles, I've watched it at least 5 times already to catch new details.

[@joeleone2228]

The angle of Jeff with the Antlers on at 3:25 🤣🤣🤣

[@louise196Light]

Love this! Loved you since the day I first saw you playing at Neil Finns 7 Worlds here in Kiwiland! You guys are amazing! ✨🌎✨🕊️

[@KevinNeil87]

Poor John, 28 years in the band only to get zapped by the grim reaper :(

[@joyhaley9518]

Cruel Country is magic for the soul. Gorgeous song from my absolute favorite band. Happy to grow old with y'all.

[@cathybrownbrown]

Beautiful in Wilco fashion. So grateful to have this band still making amazing music! Thank you Wilco!!

[@sandervdbrink84]

Nothing beats this unmistakable Wilco sound! Love it! ❤️

[@valentinabridi9819]

It's so sad and funny at the same time. I think it's poetry and magic. We love you baby ❤️

[@deansnyder]

Filmed in North Adams!!

[@Citizensofthecountry]

A hee hawing country banger w/tweedy's present and thoughtful lyrics. "takes a lifetime to find, a life like you had in mine" Been a fan for more than 1/2 my 46 year old life. Thank you Wilco Schmilco

[@reneeschwider6136]

Me too! Love them especially because they are so versatile and talented in any song. They work hard on every one I believe!

[@ouchad]

Always good to have an “Elks Lodge liaison.”

[@RattyJennMunson]

Jeeeesus fucking Christ, I'm at least twice his age, and he is the songwriter this fucked up world has been waiting for. I kept thinking, the world is turning to shit, where is the great music? IT IS ALL HERE!!!! I love you Jesse! You are the hero we all needed!

[@brandonmancuso6442]

Proud my lodge was used to film this video. Elks Care Elks Share.

[@reneeschwider6136]

Where?

[@lindatodd8089]

North Adams, Mass, where Solid Sound Fest happens every 2 yrs@@reneeschwider6136

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Some day a deserving young man will swell with humility to completeness. Thanks from people he didn't know of things he hadn't been aware of in himself. He kept his head down and on task for so long that his aim was arched. Never knowing that the targets of their hearts could ever be achieved by the kind arrows of his words. He felt them freely and often wrote them down however obscure they might have been. The pens lined up willing to bleed themselves dry, the paper wondered what he was thinking and also stuck around. He wasn't an artist, he wasn't a poet, he was just creative, a gift from his kindness and simplicity. He wasn't pure but he was true and that seemed to please his creator. He thanked God and God thanked him back. That's love. It's not almighty but it knows better, feels better and sounds better anyways." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"You are puzzled, unfinished, laying on the coffee table sighing at a suffocating cigarette effortlessly serving it's purpose. All you know about yourself is that you have sides, that there is a void in you that can be filled, and that if you could you would do it yourself. Your only hopes are to be completed, complete, your only fears are of being uncompleted, incomplete." ,dan'

[@kqd2]

This should be song of the year. The video makes me laugh every single time I watch it. ☠️😂👻 Bravo 👏

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"The center. That's me. Sometimes it feels lonely, sometimes crowded. It's a thankless job but it's rewarding. Like the reward of a job well done is a good punishment. Mankind, "mantype", your golden rule is broken and doesn't measure a thing." ,dan'

[@rogerzindler8144]

I saw 21 and 12 on bingo board. Musta been Sansone calling the numbers.

[@okrajoe]

Wilco is back! I guess they were never gone.

[@gmfeld]

Hee haw!!! Well done Wilco. Instant classic.

[@fortytwogallonsofforestgre8085]

This band is absolutely wonderful

[@colleenosten5779]

New favorite!

[@KERRYBARTRABER]

I spent summer getting stuck in airports- usually Beck or Wilco Muzak saved my sanity- I’d crawl out of my cocoon to see if I was going to get bumped out of my latest leg of a journey - music saved me🎉

[@reneeschwider6136]

Wilco always saves me from meltdown

[@pablosmoglives]

The Gen X "Touch of Grey."

[@ballrude]

Wilco is forever my favorite band!

[@reneeschwider6136]

Me too!

[@toddmichaelcox9578]

I need John's coral snake shirt. Like... now.

[@jankdale]

Me too! Killer shirt!

[@EVLodge]

Pretty sure it's Howler Brothers. Now I need to know where to get Jeff's goto military green jacket. Have been searching for years and can't find the perfect match.

[@lisalebiecki204]

I cracked up every time little Death drank a shot with his hinged jaw.

[@susananater8221]

The part where John gets vaporized made me LOL.

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Tomorrow finally showed up yesterday and nobody cared or maybe nobody saw but I thought it was more of a feeling so maybe that’s why.” ,dan’

[@sa1126]

The look on Nels face kills me 😂

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Attend to your carelessneses. Youth is spoiling. Reckless acceptance. The trees turn to paper, the flower to ink. Your thoughts move too fast to catch. Tomorrow I'm going to regret yesterday, colorless, tasteless, evaporated." ,dan'

[@aroback]

Apparently I listened to 757 artists this year, and you guys were still my top. Came here to say thanks for all the great music over the years!

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Open up the jar of your heart, fill it with things that preserve it and seal it with a kiss." ,dan'

[@wren_stone]

So great to see a video for this one- my fav along with All Across the World from the album! Such a classic set of lyrics from Jeff. I'd also love to learn it and sing it with some friends some day. Having read both of Jeff's books over COVID time I was really in a Wilco groove for the new record and it has gotten a lot of play this year. Love you guys, you're a constant companion in my life :)

[@reneeschwider6136]

Me too! His voiice soothes me. Along with John and the others in backup

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Hate is what happens when pride or hubris get to ignorance before bliss or wisdom do." ,dan'

[@lowkeysoundsystem6174]

I love this band. 💙

[@jasong4879]

At Newark airport bar, traveling again for work in this long year, damn this song is hitting me hard!! Long Live Jeff Tweedy and Wilco!!

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Time stands still like a blanket covering eternity. It's the size of space itself. It consists of a patchwork that existence, the existing, existed and yet to exist unite. You are a little piece of that blanket that keeps this universe warm and you are thanked in light." ,dan'

[@nickkujawinski9194]

Jezy Easter egg - nice and nice tune ✌️

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"As it turns out it's much harder to lead a blind person than it was to lead them before you blinded them thinking it'd unboil the yolk." ,dan' (being kept in the dark is kinda like staring at the sun)

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"I am the heavy bearer." ,dan' (apocalypse never) "Nothing gives when nothing takes."

[@edgerradiokaous]

Nice tune! Want to play some bingo at an American Legion or Moose lounge now. Death only the beginning? Country on!

[@paulelliott3220]

Great band, love this jaunty number and another cool video from the guys Grows and grows with each listen

[@Kawartha65]

Awesome ….. love everything Wilco does and this one has a hilarious “ Seventh Seal” vibe !

[@DonaldTurner]

Thank you Wilco

[@rodconaway]

jeff tweedy is one of the best artists ever

[@broadthai]

#JeffAndJohnsBogusJourney #Excellent #WeAreWyldStallyns 🎸 🤘 🤠 💀

[@stillbuyingcds]

I like Wilco.

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Torment is like sentiment gone. Fermenting like grapes dwelled upon. Turning to bitter the sweet that once brought you joy brings defeat. Learning ironic relief. High, low, between, above, beneath. Love in hindsight, plainsight or forseen. Irony says that this too also passes, that what's kissing your feet is soon kicking your asses. Be thankful for truth as you find it through lies and don't be surprised if you're not surprised." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"I'm not undecided I'm indecisive and don't know which decision to pick." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Acceptance feeds today, Rejection decides what you eat. Even the odds with an odd. Is it this or is it not that? These are solid questions and here you thought it was one." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“What am I made of? Two parts one and both make a whole, two minus one is complete. The thought left chalk lines where the cut was going to be.” ,dan’

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"There's a train running from your heart to your feet, another running from your feet to your brain, another runs from your brain to your heart and another that runs from everything. Maybe the other trains give it a sense that nothing is, no place, is ever home, maybe it doesn't feel capable, understanding, or understood. Patience will show you all these things if you'd oblige it... Time makes gifted of us all." ,dan'

[@Calzorb]

Perfect video for this conversational song. I love death using his scythe as a pool cue

[@tylerward7991]

Jeff, you are the Jeff Tweedy of our times.

[@andrewksadventures]

What a great song! I'll have to get the album.

[@slowjane_]

This is almost better than any late nights at Carol’s Pub on Clark! Country AND Western Music.

[@rich.gardner.atlanta]

I wonder what was the event that convinced Death to acquire corrective lenses?

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"When silence isn't still it's listening." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"She was so lovely that the thought of bringing her flowers and seeing her delight in them threatened the sadness you were protecting, as if it were more honest. This simple action would disprove that theory. Your sorrows would melt, your heart would take shape, your knees would weaken as your soul healed to good as new and stood up inside of you. Next time, if there is a next time, give that lovelier woman those lovely flowers and let her effortlessly tear your unhappiness to shreds." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Nothing is easier said than done however nothing being said is silence which I do believe is an action so nothing is easier done than said but how does one do nothing at all? I guess nothing is easy or nothing is impossible. You can never do it, say it, be it, or have it and why on earth would you want to?" ,dan'

[@jenniferjesse1922]

Genius.

[@MarkParker]

Love it!

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“A leap of faith to the doubting gives the doubtful a walk of faith to live by or a fall that brings death to sanity. A leap of faith to the undoubting believing is just another leap.” ,dan’

[@jessh6480]

Just love this so much. Thank you.

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"All the days that eternity will see were scattered before us to find and to free. They come and they leave but one at a time, there's enough for us all from subpar to sublime. So wake to and greet your new day how you can knowing by tomorrow it's glass turned to sand." ,dan'

[@killermacmc]

Nice job, guys!

[@kidsmoked]

I'm here!

[@goldenerahi-fienthusiast8933]

Love the blue and red sharing the same sleeve. We need more of this. We are blue and red, not purple.

[@campbellpaul]

right on

[@ThatWasherNerd]

Wow. Well done.

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Tomorrow finally showed up yesterday and nobody cared or maybe nobody saw but I thought it was more of a feeling so maybe that’s why it was unnoticed.” ,dan’ (my baby was maroon and it made me blue)

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Unanswered prayers fall by the wayside to those who don’t believe in Dan. His tribe is endless.” ,dan’

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Gravity makes the tears fall.” ,dan’

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Gravity makes the tears fall.” ,dan’

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Gravity makes the tears fall.” ,dan’

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“Gravity makes the tears fall.” ,dan’

[@johnrobertson9359]

Heaven knows I've felt like death after too much Leroux.

[@derrickreider9180]

Brilliant !!!

[@wsmc14]

Really want to do this as a sing along with my elementary aged music students!

[@NellieFly]

It's the HIDEOUT.

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Misery loves you when you're in her presence. Her eyes light up like falling stars across your night skies. You wish in them your losses back, your remorse to fade and take those hollowed sighs embossed in your heart now beating in pings and pangs from the alchemy that occurred within you without someone, another." ,dan'

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

“This way.” ,dan’ (showing Wilco the path of most acceptance)

[@TheMango1198]

Great video gang

[@cardinalstudios2476]

This is a fun watch!! Nice work

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Someone takes sand out of their hourglass to put in mine. Broken, fixed and honestly scarred. A candle burning above and beneath. One flame belongs to sadness, the other to hope. Time please show my gratitude to concern." ,dan

[@critical9999]

Wilco I love you forever even death comes like snow

[@individual1977]

Very similar sound to a Blue Rodeo song. Sounds great!

[@wbjapymusic]

♫ La chanson du jour de ce jeudi par Wilco. Joyeux anniversaire à Karine Guérard, Luc Guillot et à tous ceux qui sont nés un 30 mars !!! 😉🎉🎂♫@

[@tankhalffull]

How f'ing great are these guys....

[@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.]

"Today looked at you with exuberance and optimism holding open arms like balloons. You were looking down at your shoes thinking intermittently about yesterday and tomorrow. You sat there beside yourself a little bit longer staring at your feet, thinking about putting your shoes on as they sat on the floor looking back at you both without expression wondering if their days were going to be potential or kinetic while today sat like a cake full of burning candles waiting to be desired. You sighed, looked at the three of them and said, fine." ,dan

[@mattjohnson788]

I like Death slowly getting plastered. I'd drink death under the table anytime!

[@bp2u2]

This whole scene happened to me once in Montana.

[@reneeschwider6136]

Hahaha I'd love to hear that story!

[@peterstevenson3266]

Thanks Jeff! Thanks everybody!

[@joeleone2228]

This is amazing, great job again brothers Wilco 🤟✌❤

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

Love how Death has a shot of whiskey...or I guess it's Brandy? Yuk.

[@jcynthtingson4820]

Esto es lo mejor!!

[@SinnetSongs]

I always thought John Stirratt kinda looks like Michael Myers from Halloween 4. I mean this in the best way... Who's with me?