Silver Jews "Random Rules" (Official Music Video)

[@gimmedatwheat]

Rest in peace, David. One of the most singular lyricists rock music had seen.

[@sentinela8775]

Really, when did he die?

[@Ivanexecutive]

@@sentinela8775 end of 2019, killed himself. very sad. just found out myself. :(

[@Xxt3hTIMShoWxX]

Lol what this sounds like pink Floyd except they all have downs syndrome..... 🤣

[@matthewtaylor4767]

One day 'Nashville' (the 'establishment', not the city) will recognize he was every bit the equal of Kris Kristofferson and Shel Silverstein.

[@christopherwelch136]

Miss him so much.

[@soijustlistenedto...]

"I was taking a lot of drugs at that time. And there were a lot of drugs in the studio. And all these things that would have horrified indie rock people, that I would never want them to know. I wanted to make a record that wasn't some terrible, big, painful experience. I wanted to make records like other people make records, where you're having fun when you're doing it." time has this way of reminding me of david. and im here again. i miss you, david. genuinely! and we dont even know each other. i was just a baby when this album came out and now im in my 20s crying to it. thank you for your art

[@ratsontherails]

Not many people can make records like this on drugs

[@publicjeremynumberone]

They were emulating the way a Fleetwood Mac album might’ve been recorded. That’s what he told me

[@faulsname8869]

In your 20s and “time has a way of reminding you of David Berman” lol thats funny

[@claudevandog]

"In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection" might be the greatest opening line of any album

[@sueyu3603]

Just the most jewy

[@matthewcummings5927]

Right up there with “I don’t believe in an interventionist god, but I know darling that you do”

[@methii9770]

what does it mean?

[@starshineraiser6729]

@@methii9770maybe a reference to the novel? I’m not sure but it’s definitely mysterious and beautiful.

[@35kwils]

@@methii9770I’ve always taken it to mean that he was manic

[@isaiahtait9001]

I always feel inspired to be a nicer and calmer person whenever I hear this song.

[@Unknown-gf6mk]

Nice and calm is a good way to be .

[@ohoto3896]

be a warm and friendly person, can do it

[@taivonation]

RIP. Possibly the best song ever written. "In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection..." And that's only the first line.

[@realkevinharlan]

I agree completely

[@methii9770]

whats it mean

[@dittot]

@@methii9770overdose, I think.

[@methii9770]

@@dittot damn

[@eliasmsv3156]

@@dittot Probably, but i always just generally relate it to how the perpetual strive for perfection leaves you worn out and mentally troubled (which might have been the reason for OD'ing if we are to connect the to interpretations)

[@bileductable]

Damn I hate discovering 'new' music when something tragic happens. This is fantastic

[@croinkix]

In the same boat sadly I often saw the name floating around and never listened.

[@deivi1]

Holy shit, I've listened to Silver Jews since the 90s and just came to watch this because I hadn't listened to him in a few years to find out from the comments that he just died. This was like a punch in the gut, goddamn... Glad you discovered him tho, one of the greats!

[@kurtomcburto]

Hey man, better late than never

[@danielk9067]

It's been over two years since Dave's death. Really, really sucks and I am more fascinated with his work than ever. I discovered Silver Jews when I was in college about a decade ago and it changed my life, literally. This music (especially the lyrics) truly shifted the way I see the world and understand beauty in more ways than one. On a weird note that I hope doesn't come across in a negative way, I didn't actually discover this video until after Dave's death. That being said, I've only ever really seen imagery of him as an older guy, bearded and greying a little. Not a lot of imagery even exists relative to his contemporaries like Stephen Malkmus who seems to never age (anyway...). So in my head all these years listening to this ridiculously mature work I always pictured a 40-50 year old guy singing those words, because only someone with that much life experience could conceive of these concepts. However, seeing this video I realize that the man singing on the studio recordings was this young, handsome, and relatively healthy looking guy with a smile that could light up a room. It's partially inspiring as hell to know that this young dude was such a genius and it's also very sad and melancholy realizing that he only fell deeper and deeper into depression as the years went on and it culminated in his tragic death. We love you and miss you David Berman, in a way that really cannot be replicated for many other artists.

[@soylentcompany5235]

beautiful, tragic thought. Thanks for sharing

[@emeraldcelestial1058]

The Natural Bridge has become like, my favourite album of all time. David seemed like maybe the most thoughtful and quiet musician of all. His words are just so brilliant, they make me feel like I understood him completely, but also they can point you in any number of directions... Those words have brought me to tears, they have made me laugh hysterically, they have made me terrified and depressed but always entertained and always making me feel like someone did also understand the undercurrent of my mind. I wish I had talked to him, tried to get in contact with him somehow but I'll have to meet him in a science class for ghosts someday if that's ever possible.

[@JonasPaterno]

Beautifully said, Daniel...

[@davecespedes5674]

I read your comment while listening to this song, and I obviously started to cry. David was definitely a nice person and I completely agree with you, he was a young, handsome man with a smile that could light up thousands of candles. It absolutely destroys me when he's playing piano and singing and then he smiles to the girl sitting next to him. I obviously never met him, but his music makes me feel as if David was a close friend of mine. Guess that's why I miss him so much. His music has helped me with my own mental health and now I'm genuinely heartbroken so these songs have gotten a whole new meaning for me. Thanks for sharing such a nice comment, take care

[@tarbarbox]

just watching this video for the first time after about a decade with this album. thank you for articulating this - i was thinking the same things.

[@janitoroflunacy]

His smile at 1:48 makes me cry. So beautiful.

[@faulsname8869]

Me too.

[@WallyBrando]

The best opening line of any album ever

[@jewfroDZak]

I call and raise you one Patti Smith's Horses' Gloria's "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine."

[@vinyldiary6664]

"Teenage angst has paid off well, Now I'm bored and old"

[@harryweiss8761]

AJJ’s Knife man album starts with. “ the Michael Jackson of drunk driving played his final game tonight.” That’s a contender if you ask me.

[@harryweiss8761]

Jordan

[@jewfroDZak]

@@harryweiss8761 Good Choice. The AJJs produced my personal second favorite all-time song, a song which possess the greatest song opening lyric ever, imo: "I'm a blank page, in notebook waiting to be filled with countless drawings of cocks."...AJJ honorable mention in same category: "I wanna fucc the devil in his mouth...""

[@michaeldixon3129]

I discovered him to late. Rest In Peace you lyrical wizard. You are loved

[@robertkylepierce]

It's never too late to enjoy his music, Michael. Most of us that were fans in the 90s didn't get to see them live because of how he felt about touring. You have their whole catalogue to enjoy though!

[@michaeldixon3129]

@@robertkylepierce and what an amazing catalogue it is

[@hamedyarizade8331]

I think he is the best American lyricist that I've heard …. the feelings in his lyrics are magic, warm ,deep and yet subtle and very friendly.

[@Camothor10]

Too*

[@chrisprendergast1316]

we all discovered him too late

[@notasbrightasicouldb]

Rest in power, Berman. You were a wonderful American poet and songwriter with a particular intellect and humor about the internal and external that helped carry GenX listeners like me along in this world. Thank you.

[@riley.powell3510]

Not in a million years could I nor anyone I’ll ever know write a song as beautiful as this. I’m so grateful for your existence, David.

[@aledepalma1562]

One of the most underrated and most beautiful songs, ever.

[@rappinnllyp]

Aaaaaand about 20 years later I found out there was an “official video” for this song that I’ve loved for about 20 years

[@LeshaAnn]

Part of the crushing beauty and sadness that is You Tube.

[@Lofistl]

We spent many hours in the Rainbo Club. So pleased to see it in this video. RIP David, you left behind some great songs.

[@stevieray56]

In the second verse of “Random Rules,” the standout, opening track from Silver Jews’ 1998 album American Water, singer David Berman confesses, “I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men’s room walls.” In context, he might be referring to a tendency toward vulgarity or baseness. But taken another way, it almost seems like a meta-commentary on Berman’s uncanny ability to stitch together a breathtakingly beautiful song out of vivid one-liners. As one-liners go, “Random Rules” contains some of the best Berman’s ever written. He begins with a now-legendary opening line: “In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection.” Next thing you know, he’s “broken and smoking where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake,” which is somehow both evocative and cryptic to the point of being nearly indecipherable. But everything returns to a sobering, melancholy core in the song’s chorus: “I know you like to line dance/ Everything’s so democratic and cool/ But baby, there’s no guidance when random rules.” Berman’s words come together almost like Dadaist poetry - for which men’s room walls can sometimes provide the perfect venue - and Berman does, in fact, have a history of writing poetry outside of music. “It’s kind of like football players in the ‘70s who started endorsing taking ballet lessons. Who am I to argue against sharpening agility?” he told Pitchfork in 2005. “All musicians should write poetry or at least read it if they want to improve their game.” Take a step back, though, and the connections between each of Berman’s punchy, seemingly self-contained lines grow more tangible. Berman isn’t piecing together lines of a cut-and-paste word puzzle, but rather attempting to pick up the pieces of a relationship that’s been shattered. And suddenly, each of those brilliant little moments sprinkled throughout the song hit just a little bit harder, and sting just a little bit more. And when Berman narrates a conversation with a painter about why roads are colored black, it’s downright devastating: “It’s because people leave and no highway will bring them back.” By suggesting that “random rules,” Berman muses on the inherent randomness in the universe - the feeling that everything is meaningless, or at least can feel that way when its meaning is stripped away from you. But the song itself is loaded with meaning, humor and vulnerability. There’s nothing random about it at all.

[@sadakichihartmann1827]

Beautifully put. Thank you.

[@clivatxt]

thank you for the analysis :)

[@imtired5355]

This is beautiful

[@raycroal]

are these not malkmus lyrics though?

[@cardboardbox476]

It's just a beautiful song. My favorite of theirs. The most accessible I think despite the heavy lyrics. I love your analysis.

[@organisedscum]

Maybe I've crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls. Rest in Power.

[@MoKone5]

I will miss you so much.... you did so much for my life, especially with this song. RIP

[@debkakes]

I knew Berman as a poet, and now have to catch up to his music. Unfortunately, all he has done is all he will do. RIP David Berman. Words are not enough.

[@behindtheranges]

"Body, the master no longer needs you" . Your poetry and music will live on.

[@ileniarusso7144]

Dave. It's 3:30 in the morning and I can't sleep, I keep thinking at how much you were important for me, and how much your void affected my life. I love you man, but I also hate you, because you kinda left me alone; I woke up someday and you weren't here anymore. I discovered how much just your presence was able to comfort me, and how gigantic was the hole that you left open behind your back. Hope you found your peace, you that have allowed me to find mine all those years along, just by listening to your songs. May the earth be gentle to you.

[@a.e-mann8576]

Merry Christmas, this is beautifully written and Freaking sad. Just feel the same.

[@davidadams2395]

That's how I felt when Kurt Cobain died.

[@nospillblood]

God that is pathetic, just fuck off

[@wwxxww6289]

"I asked a painter / why the roads are all painted black / He said " Steve, it's because people leave / And no highway will bring them back." One of my favorite lyrics. Only other lyricist I cn think of rt now that couldve wrote something that cutting and sad and real is Vic Chesnutt, (RIP). Berman probably top five under-appreciated songwriters/lyricists of the past 20 years.

[@lisbethn7469]

never got that lyric(feeling stupid)

[@princeanime]

@@lisbethn7469 You probably know the song's about the end of a relationship. IMO it's a bleak, but clever line describing how people you love can leave you without any chance of rekindling. "Steve" is probably referring to the album's guitarist, Stephen Malkmus (maybe he wrote that specific line?)

[@ivanbonet4]

Its a three line verse. The 1st line and the 3rd rhymes. I think "Steve" is written there to internally rhyme with "leave" in the 2nd line, leaving no line without a rhyme

[@MasDouc]

Didn't Stephen Malkmus write this one? Hence the "Steve."

[@andreamolina-sandhar752]

Mark Linkous, Vic Chesnutt, David Berman, and Daniel Johnston, some of the best indie/alt-country/90’s Lo-fi artists of all times.

[@christopherwelch136]

Miss him so much.

[@markrodeo420]

i am devastated by this ending.

[@abba_103]

Tan line on your ring finger always gets me 😪

[@milesthales5445]

I came here after reading an obit, never heard of the Silver Jews or David Berman. No idea how they/he could have slipped my notice but after this song I’m embarrassed and somehow saddened by that lapse. One good thing is that now I have the entire Berman collection to look forward to. RIP fellow human.

[@adaumus]

Start with American Water and the Natural Bridge. He's a lyrical genius, one of a kind. So glad I knew his music in the 90's. So many memories entangled.

[@milesthales5445]

adam mandelin yes, the 90s. Bad period for me; I could have used the lyrical support.

[@dadgrade7837]

adam mandelin I agree and would add starlight walker to the suggestion.

[@deivi1]

@@dadgrade7837 Starlite Walker is a 90's masterpiece, 'New Orleans' being the pinnacle.

[@sls140]

You just gotta read more old-school Pitchfork 👍

[@thoseswellnachos]

one of the greatest songs of all time

[@jadenschulz1004]

RIP David. Truly a life changing artist. I dont think im alone in saying you truly touched me with your words. Changed the outlook of my life. Thank you mr Berman. Rest in piece

[@JM-cg2mj]

When great artists pass before their time in tragic circumstances, they become even more elevated, it’s like they achieve some kind of immortality or something. Knowing that their body of work is now “capped” , and that no one will ever be able to add to it , makes it so much more valuable. Been the same way for thousands of years, but still find it so sad that phenomenal artists often suffer so much in their own lives , and are only recognized for this level of greatness once they’ve left us behind :(

[@peterzang]

I am crushed by the news. What a brilliant songwriter. RIP young troubadour

[@written12]

Such beautiful and sad comments here. I’m fairly new to his actual music- the biography I knew from magazine articles. But I can hear right away how seamless the pain and poetry, and the wit, are his words and music. In every generation, there are going to be people lucky enough to chance upon his music. All of you have lived with these songs for a long time. May they continue to comfort you.

[@souvenirautumn]

Among the greatest songs ever written. RIP to one of the greats.

[@JoshuaTurek]

I can't stop listening to this song

[@supernelzo]

The first line of this song is probably the best opening line to a song ever written....

[@DanbyDoo]

Thank you for leaving us this. Rest In Peace

[@superdragonslayer69]

great song. great album. great band. great man.

[@meadowshorerecords8138]

This is still one of my favorite music videos/songs ever. Rip Dave, you made this world so much better by being here for even just a bit.

[@bhughes8301]

Still can’t believe it. Been throughly enjoying Purple Mountains. It makes sense now. American water is still one of the best albums of the 90s. Rest easy, David. 😭😭😭😭

[@Kamden_Kate]

Purple Mountains was one long suicide note. Whether he’s with his mother or in the ether somewhere, I take comfort that he’s not suffering anymore. His words are timeless and universal and perfect. He has a true legacy, and people will be discovering him for decades and decades and more.

[@Marine280395]

I've been listening to this for ages but I didnt know the singer was so hot

[@shelbyjuice]

what a buried treasure! Videos around this time didn't look this good at all. It looks like it's shot on film. The part where David looks at Cassie when he says "turned to me and said" and they start laughing is everything missing from everything right now. I'm so happy he has a new album coming out and is touring. We've missed you so much, David!

[@c_rejano]

I was the cinematographer of this video when we were in film school. We shot it on 16mm with a camera checked out from school. It’s still one of my favorite things I ever photographed 😊

[@starving_autist]

Thank you so much man. This video means a lot to a lot of us. @@c_rejano

[@starving_autist]

Also you did a great job.

[@c_rejano]

@@starving_autistthank you! It’s wild how you never know how close to greatness you are sometimes. That was a very special shoot ❤ RIP DB

[@jeffreysmith2186]

Rock's greatest lyricist.

[@edfeltch]

Jeffrey Smith And very courageous to drop a dime on his Cabalist father.

[@avefiggy2128]

Jeffrey Smith + robert Hunter for the dead✨✨

[@dramamine755]

Isaac brock would like a word

[@TheseBitchesWantNikes]

@@edfeltch wait what?

[@noicemcnoiceface4006]

@@dramamine755 Isaac Brock and David Berman are tied for my fav lyricists ever lmao

[@_shmeezy]

RIP David. This song will stay with me forever.

[@collystudio74]

timeless genius! his music and poetry will stand the test of time

[@timstich1052]

So nice to see this video. I had American Water until it was stolen. I hope whoever stole it enjoyed it as much as I did.

[@Unknown-gf6mk]

I did. Cheers Tim

[@charlesbogle6544]

Random rules!! For me, I learned that by playing my cds in the good ol Pioneer player at work on random was an amazing new wondrous way to experience music... I realized that the synchronicity that happened between the soulful poetic vibrations was fascinating! I started to write about my thoughts and feelings about life and what I was learning... This, along with finding the message of John Taylor Gatto, has changed my life... Curiosity, creativity and individuality are so important for us to foster to create a greater future for everyone. Silver Jews are a great honest band who didn't sugar coat their observations about our human condition conundrum. Rock on SOULfully!!

[@motionsuggests]

I don't know why, but I love the scene with him becoming the one shoveling. It seems so sweet and hopeful, in a way.

[@nickfromCO]

Can't come back here without bawling.

[@gravlaxbob355]

Malkmus and Berman are to me like twin brothers but maybe I am awfully wrong. Yet they are I think two of the most brilliant songwriters of their times, and worked together for a while. I enjoy their songs so much.

[@arcraus]

i still remember the first time i heard the opening line of this track, one of the few times a lyric has literally taken my breath away. rip

[@MrStephenWynne]

Thank you for everything. You did your part.

[@BulletToothboo]

Outstanding music!

[@DangerBayLive]

I listen to this song every morning. When I feel like I’m full of tar and inertia and can barely move from extended drug withdrawals, for whatever reason this song and a few others by the Jews will get me off my ass and cause me to handle my business

[@DangerBayLive]

What i get is “this is hopeless, we are all equally lost. if I didn’t laugh about it I’d have to cry”

[@andyz9793]

Keep goin homie. Many have done so before you who also thought it impossible. You got this

[@ARareAndDifferentTune_13]

Miss David so much, unbelievable lyricist ❤

[@PixieSpright]

Sometimes when I'm sad I go to KZbin videos of musicians that died (doesn't hurt if I love the song too) and read the comments. So many kind words... A rarity in real life.

[@ThriftStoreVinyl]

Very sad news to hear of his passing. Such a loss. "I asked the painter why the roads are colored black. He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back." One of my all-time favorite lyrics.

[@eveanddell]

I always thought SM was in this video so many years ago. funny how memory twists and fades.

[@xiaoyuerolin9387]

In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection. Slowly screwing my way across Europe, they had to make a correction. Broken and smokin' where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake. I tell you, they make it so you can't shake hands when they make your hands shake. I know you like to line dance, everything so democratic and cool, But baby there's no guidance when random rules. I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men's room walls. Maybe I've crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls. But nothing can change the fact that we used to share a bed and that's why it scared me so when you turned to me and said: "Yeah, you look like someone Yeah you look like someone who up and left me low. Boy, you look like somene I used to know." I asked the painter why the roads are colored black. He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back." So if you don't want me I promise not to linger, But before I go I gotta ask you dear about the tan line on your ring finger. No one should have two lives, now you know my middle names are wrong and right. Honey we've got two lives to give tonight Source: Musixmatch

[@J-Nigaban]

Perfection !

[@SonofTexas1836]

This is more than a song.

[@deadmanj9279]

May David rest in peace. His music has both exacerbated my sad feelings while also evoking this inner fun part, my wife and I sing this song in a joyous way. And yet, it makes me sad. Yeah you look like someone who up and left me alone…

[@dannymcgregor3125]

Democratic and cool. Fell in love with this album when I was a 19 year old

[@LeParapluieRouge]

T-shirt, 2 x shirts and a jacket. I think that's going to be the look of 2020! I could lick the frosting off these summer days if nights were half as sweet. See you in the next one DCB.

[@TheIkaraCult]

The first Berman song i ever heard, it stopped me in my tracks. On the Domino 'Worlds of Possibility' complilation. They knew that to showcase their label they had to lead off with the best. xxx

[@kevinlong4657]

This is such a good song. Can't believe I never heard it until recently.

[@MuscleHorse0]

One of the all timers. RIP DB.

[@HurdRandy]

I discovered his music and fell in love. A week later he died. So I now associate all his music with his death and it's sad.

[@kelechi_77]

this is my favorite opening line to a song ever

[@matthewmiles1433]

reminds me of my brother who played this on our stereo all this summer and although i didnt like it at first but now when i listen to it i think of him and where he is now and what he might be doing

[@l33sk]

10 years ago this song changed my life

[@ericfresh]

I wish I could tell him how much his music means to me

[@bushbuddyplatypus]

Give it a go

[@benjaminlatta5784]

"I've gotta ask you dear" onwards is the best couple sentences I've heard in a song at least since this was written. There's nothing better and "In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection" is next best. Same song.

[@yourfriendwill]

I've lived in Chicago for nearly twenty years now. If I ever leave, this video will make me miss it, or at least what it used to be

[@larsvontrash]

RIP, thank you for your music and beauty and poetry. I still miss you and will always miss you. It will get less hard next year, but it still hurts. I hope you're at peace now and no longer hurting.

[@Sunset4Semaphores]

I miss good sounds like this❤

[@swampface]

love u dave x

[@modernguiltrecords]

Still one of the most beautiful guitar soli ever. Steve, you smug sad bastard.

[@dirkydirk3070]

Dudes like Dave keep me making music.

[@ohoto3896]

keep goim biddy honchobubbabingobongus creative

[@okay6353]

i miss him

[@samuelclemens8361]

I came here when I decided to research who Pez Lenchantin is. Apparently, she plays bass and violin for various bands like A Perfect Circle (which I love). Her Wikipedia profile mentioned a band called Silver Jews. Me being a proud Jew that loves anything Jewish that has to do with music, I had to research who the Silver Jews "are" and now I just found out that Silver Jews "were". Thos is a brilliant song and I will do this young man justice by listening to all of his music that I come across and finding out more about whom he was.

[@dr-gorgo]

Great musician, I only discovered 22 years too late

[@bobbreakup1001]

Beautiful

[@MeanManu]

David, we will be truly missed

[@danielmassett9111]

Great work, Drag City

[@Goodmorningmg]

This song is incredible

[@al4prez13]

Thank you, David.

[@avefiggy2128]

best intro lyrics brilliant + highly courageous/principled stance against his dad brilliant writer 🙏🏻🌈🙏🏻

[@indiezonevideo]

best lyrics of my life

[@andyz9793]

To me, the part at 2:08 has always sounded like the part of a wedding reception where people are exhausted from dancing their asses off for the last few hours so they're slowdancing, flushed faces, very drunk, tired, in love with each other, late at night, distant relatives and friends meeting bumming cigs outside, hot summer air

[@nikimemphis]

🖤

[@ValentinAdan1]

RIP David Berman

[@countblue]

Great song

[@kassandrakid9440]

♥️♥️♥️ Tryin to not cry.

[@fwungy4285]

"No one should have two lives Now I know my middle names are wrong and right honey we've got two lives to give tonight" You think he can't beat the first line but then there's the final dagger. Bravo.

[@jessicasimunek1710]

Perfect Timing....8 yrs ago. It is like passing a virus from one person to another.

[@jtwilight6182]

I like getting drinks at Rainbo Club, bittersweet reminder of his work

[@nickfromCO]

I feel like a broken record because i've written this so much but I've been broken hearted since Dave passed. His new record left such a mark on me (American Water is also a favorite.) But I feel like Purple Mountains comforted me at a low point in my life this past summer and when I learned of his death I was sickened. Thanks for everything, Mr. Berman.

[@christopherhewitt329]

one of the greatest breakup songs of all time.

[@farjedi]

I knew this would hurt, rest in peace DB.

[@Bingomandingo]

I'm still kinda devastated. If he somehow would have toured with Pavement this year, it would have been one of the greatest experiences in my life :(

[@manuelaleal8054]

Rest in peace David Berman❤️

[@mossymoose8920]

Rlly handsome guy R.I.P. you wonderful man

[@katiehovany]

Rainbo! Love that bar