Jason Isbell - "Something More Than Free"

[@marcusmeade2027]

Is it just me or does Isbell manage to capture sincerity in both the gratefulness of having work and the sadness that people are forced into lives of work? Truly brilliant.

[@timothythedude5406]

Marcus Meade you are correct

[@DR-zk1yb]

Amen to that! Perfect summation.

[@YankeeRedneck437]

Its damn sure not just you. You hit the nail on the head.

[@deborahlaubach7898]

Marcus Meade ABSOLUTELY 😍

[@edrhodes574]

Aren't we all forced to work, to earn a living?

[@taylord6469]

One of the best songwriters alive today.

[@gypsy4460]

Taylor D bingo jason isbell is behond great

[@shewbert]

+Taylor D He sure can write! he's incredible

[@codymcguiremusic]

+Taylor D Very true

[@luv24real]

For sure, he's got the gift.

[@ryanparkin4454]

Try Roger Alan Wade... That man is a poet

[@Dabednego]

"Every night I dream I'm drowning in the dirt" is one of the most powerful lyrics I've ever heard.

[@itokewithcudder]

“I don’t think on why I’m hear or where it hurts”

[@denniscarroll3164]

Damn straight.

[@716_adventures3]

@@brandonpatton2031 thank you for putting food on our tables. Nothin but respect for all the farmers around the world!! One hell of a job

[@stansell1]

Check out his song entitled, "Elephant".

[@ericschmuecker348]

Yeah.. I wake up for floating but it's never in water.

[@DIRTYSANCHEZ1995]

Goddamn I feel this one. Spent my whole life working in oilfields and mines. Worked myself to the bone for years. Spend many nights waking up in a panic trying to answer my radio, having dreams I’m still in the mines, and so do many of my friends. “Every night I dream I’m drowning in the dirt”. Yes we do Jason, yes we do.

[@FallNorth]

Im not in the same league but want to say something nice as I respect this so ..... good ? :)

[@wiseriverhealing]

I can’t help but think I’d my dad breaking his ass and never be at rest until he died and it breaks me.

[@gadgetphantom1]

This boy can really make a grown man cry. Thank you, Jason Isbell, for getting me up in the morning.

[@jeanlikeapairoflevis4851]

Made this grown chick cry too.

[@superemerald1]

this song makes me feel like i have complained too much and not appreciated enough.

[@zebwhelchel4393]

How’s life?

[@stevefarwell9262]

My son introduced me to this singer… he said “ This song reminds me of You !” Broke me

[@richardtaylor6341]

I'm sure, not knowing you but knowing human instincts, he was trying to acknowledge your sacrifice

[@tooncedup]

Obviously a good man and father.

[@jinlee181]

Obviously, you paid the price. bless you.

[@robbratcherii]

Over and over i come back to this song. And i truly think it’s one of the best songs ever written. My sweet mom is 62 and has worked 40-50 hours per week in a factory since she was 18. She’s still at it. This song reminds me of her life, and breaks my heart.

[@mitchcarter3906]

Your mother is an American angel

[@joisinejoisine8692]

She is the spine of this country

[@elmoblatch9787]

I didn't even know about this song until I heard Jason perform it at the Democratic National Convention. Great song.

[@bewbies1]

we're living in a golden era of genius country singer-songwriters in their late 30s who are recovering addicts, and also craft beer. what a time to be alive

[@RDFannin3]

My, my, my. A once in a generation artist. This song perfectly encapsulates the struggle of working people, but with a powerful undertone of defiance. God will justify the working man

[@Kelleyp]

When I listen to Jason I think every single time--how does every human alive not know this music? How amazing he is? I guess we're the lucky ones.

[@DanDDirges]

Dumb luck led me here while youtube surfing. Now I`m going to run out and buy every record I can find by Jason Isbell!

[@charlesw.4576]

I actually cried the 1st time I listened to this. Someone understands..

[@chicagochris1988]

I have never found a songwriter better than isbell ! He can make you cry and laugh in the same song ! Thank you isbell for saving my life on many occasions!

[@hinglemccringleberry7786]

I’m 44years old and was reared on various genres of music. I can honestly say this man has changed me, his music hits me in a way none others have. I’d like to meet him some day and shake his hand.

[@edrhodes574]

Same

[@Kelleyp]

Same. A bit older but same.

[@mattcrowl4796]

Ditto........I'm 58. I try to listen to other music lately, but just keep coming back to Jason & the 400.

[@rustbeltprogressive3968]

I have, at 45, lots of favorite stuff, and even groups, like Old 97s with amazing new albums. I've spent four months now returning to Jason Isbell whenever I need music.

[@bxdm8]

I agree. Im 47. I have seen him in concert twice. If you have not seen them you need to

[@soccerguyinkentucky2454]

This dude brings it. This song has it all. Whether you're lonely, hard working, in love, or all of that combined, it just hits home. Keep doin your thing, Isbell.

[@jeanlikeapairoflevis4851]

Or someone you love has died....

[@MsKraftee]

I found Jason Isbell's music after his song "Speed Trap Town" was used to close out an episode of "This American Life". Damn, he sings like he has lived a dozen hard lives. His lyrics just capture so much about the human spirit. "Speed Trap Town" is some of the most powerful lyrics I've heard. Another favorite is "The Last Of My Kind". This song "Something More Than Free" is also very moving.

[@joey-iz3td]

Every night I have a nightmare I lost my job. I'm always relieved when I wake up

[@codymcguiremusic]

One of the top songwriters of our generation

[@ryanoverfelt1218]

"When i get home from work, ill call up alp my friends, and we'll go bust up something beautiful we'll have to build again" Damn it Jason, you did it again.

[@johnhardesty3167]

There are so many fake coca-cola country singers like Blake Shelton, and other bought and paid pretenders selling themselves as country singers, and I laugh, but there's only one true legit country singer, and that's Jason Isbell! I literally could listen to him till I die, and wake up in heaven, and have him play through eternity! Love this kid!

[@nd-mr7om]

look up sturgill simpson man

[@nd-mr7om]

John moreland as well

[@cbarryslough]

Scott H. Biram too...

[@claytongregory2853]

Add Cody Jinks to the list.

[@ryanlahti5252]

Sturgill Simpson was already mentioned, but look up Chris Stapleton as well.

[@ExtremeBankFishing]

Never heard of you until your DNC performance. My new song is on my list. I Iike this

[@montysano]

Easily the equal of the greats, as good as Springsteen, Dylan, Mitchell, Simon, etc. The only difference is that now, in 2015, Jason Isbell is who I listen to.

[@TheEllsworth8]

Doug Bennett A legend in the making. I've always thought of Ryan Adams as a Dylan for the next generation, but these days I include Jason Isbell. What a song!

[@earthbyapril915]

Stephen Phillips Taylor Goldsmith. John Fullbright. Jason Isbell. Beauty, intelligence, and heart for these days.

[@erikoreland3688]

+Doug Bennett Totally agree. Simon is still on the throne though imho!

[@Randy-2468]

He's good, but is really Springsteen good? That's a bold statement to make.

[@rybovich40]

Yes, he's on Springsteen's level...the only variable distinguishing them is time

[@AryDontSurf]

I watched him sing this bouncing on a double shift, right before my son was born. Whatever composure I may have had was completely sundered.

[@zackcockerham2130]

I work every day digging , rain, sleet, snow or thank you lord for the shine whenever we have it.. I know what it is to be greatful that my back finally goes numb from pain along with my hands from cold.. More than anything i thank god these perfect, innocent souls ive created will never feel or understand that pain. Nor dream of what dirt smells like every night they lay down to rest... Ty you Jason.. Im always pushing toward something more than free..

[@joshuaescobedo2423]

I think he's encouraging us to think on why we are here and where it hurts, not encouraging us to be hammers with singular functions. Wild how many prosperity gospel believers miss the point of this.

[@Chris-rj5kn]

This guy makes me want to cry, sing, laugh, love and then write songs. What a great artist!!!!

[@BrandonPetrucci]

My God...That was one of the best songs I've ever heard, I'm stunned into silence....

[@jeanlikeapairoflevis4851]

Sobbing!! My sons' Dad died 3 months ago. My second eldest just sent this song to me. It fits well and tugs at my heart.

[@dylanstamps3898]

Super super proud of this guy. Proud hes from my hometown. Keep it up Jason alot of people looking up to you!

[@richardtaylor6341]

"Sunday morning I'm too tired to go to church, But I thank God for the work." I think this pretty much sums up the problems with our society. Enslaving our souls to a dollar

[@catteadams]

Made me cry. Just told my life, right here. God bless you, Jason.

[@nemerwashere9259]

Thank God there are real artists and musicians left in this world... such a powerful song

[@benbroom7197]

My Dad worked the same kind of hours back in the day...12 hour shifts 6-7 days a week. I remember him just being too tired on Sunday. If I knew then what I know now, when people asked my Mom about Dad at church (in that tone)...I would have set them straight, respectfully of course...but the message would have been clear.

[@aaronledbetter1055]

One of my new favorite artists... Not even a country guy, but I jam this out daily in my headphones while I work... Great stuff!

[@animelost]

Literally one minute into the song I started crying. I don't know why. His voice is so honest, so vulnerable, raw. I'll be checking out this CD.

[@ouyrwq]

+Niry Because it is authentic.

[@andrewkling9530]

+Niry Don't listen to him sing Elephant then, it'll destroy you.

[@Fmron55]

not destroy..... annihilate. I still haven't recovered from the time i first heard it 2 years ago or so lol

[@patrickmahoney6442]

Lot of haters on this thread - there is just no question this guy is a master of the Americana / Alt Country genre. He's just now being recognized by the industry for the genius he is. Oh... and not a mention of pick-up trucks or daisy dukes, bro.

[@madronnie9725]

Patrick Mahoney now with 4 grammys under his belt too

[@elmoblatch9787]

Well hell, another great Isbell song -- such an artist.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Just incredible. Incidentally, the tattoo inside his left arm reads "Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled from across that lonesome ocean", a line from Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather".

[@christianwebb-jenkins7393]

This is so much better than the album track. That voice and a guitar - all you need.

[@hossman75007]

I know the artist du jour is Sturgill Simpson, but for my money, I'll take Jason Isbell any day, hands down.

[@chriswooley7375]

I would love to see Isbell and Tyler Childers together. Seen Sturgill and Tyler a while back. Tyler was great. Sturgill was too loud to understand

[@joelfry4982]

Jason Isbell is the real article. Excellent lyrics.

[@scottreicheneker1604]

Has this man written a song that isn't awesome? He blows me away.

[@whoisthatis]

He does not have a bad song...no one can make me cry like him.

[@ericwalden9347]

1,508,500 views are probably mine. I agree that Isbell is the best songwriter of my generation....and he does it sober! He is certainly an inspiration.

[@CatherineSTodd]

When I get home from work I'll call up all my friends And we'll go bust up something beautiful we'll have to build again When I get home from work I'll wrestle off my clothes And leave them right inside the front door 'cause nobody's home to know You see, a hammer finds a nail And a freight train needs the rail And I'm doin' what I'm on this earth to do And I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts I'm just lucky to have the work Sunday morning I'm too tired to go to church But I thank God for the work When I get my reward, my work will all be done And I will sit back in my chair beside the Father and the Son No more holes to fill. And no more rocks to break And no more loading boxes onto trucks for someone else's sake 'Cause the hammer needs a nail And the poor man's up for sale Guess I'm doin' what I'm on this earth to do And I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts I'm just lucky to have the work And every night I dream I'm drowning in the dirt But I thank God for the work And the day will come. When I'll find a reason And somebody proud to love a man like me My back is numb, my hands are freezing What I'm working for is something more than free And I don't think on why I'm here or where it hurts I'm just lucky to have the work Sunday morning I'm too tired to go to church But I thank God for the work

[@mariematheny3899]

Love it. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album. One of the greatest songwriters ever. Once I started listening to Jason Isbell I was hooked. His music reaches in and grabs the soul.

[@All_A_Guy_Needs]

This is the first song my baby ever heard. It’s fantastic

[@dougww1ectebow]

Going to see him at Red Rocks tomorrow night! This guy is a rare songwriter, I predict big things for him. He really connects with emotions I didn't even know I had.

[@indianxbullet]

Takes me back to the most difficult time in my life. Like it was yesterday..

[@RD459-g5l]

Every one needs to listen to this amazing musician

[@timhoward455]

The only artist who quits his vices and gets better. That is as rare as it gets. But, no secret, he has been doing this great for a long time.

[@skeeter19892010]

havent had a song speak to me like this in years

[@theyearwas1987]

This song is real as fuck. Brings me tears just because it’s so fucking true and sad at the same time.

[@foto21]

Amazed this song escaped me for so long time. WTF is the Country music establishment doing, not pushing this into the mainstream? Instead doing the pop garbage about tailgating? The old country greats who are gone now would've been happy to hear this song.

[@SteveSmith-kc8rn]

Something More Than Free seems like Isbell’s response to “Proud to be an American”.

[@vitogriffin8902]

Isbell says what we all feel

[@DavidTransformer]

One of the best songwriters around. Playing Glasgow tonight so big Scottish welcome guaranteed for a great talent.

[@samh4127]

Haven't looked forward to a new album coming out for a long time, but I can't wait to listen to this one. I like what I hear so far. By far my favorite artist that I've discovered since I found the grateful dead when I was 13, and honestly I've been listening to more isbell than anyone else this year.

[@alainaraleeh2235]

My grandma showed me this song the first time we took my mare to a trail. I am so homesick.

[@mikedyer5089]

This is the best version of this song I’ve found in my humble opinion...

[@GestaltDesign]

Saw him this past Saturday night in Akron. Great show as usual. I will see him every time I am able to. He is that damn good. Just wish he would have played Goddamn Lonely. My favorite song that I haven't heard him play since being on his own. Word on the street is that he does play it sometimes.

[@johnmorgan4394]

Me too. The show was absolutely great. Already looking forward to next time, but he's not coming with in a hundred miles anytime soon...

[@jmdurant2000]

I am proud to share the planet with this man.

[@andrewcoffey4694]

Feels like my time working as an industrial maintenance technician in production facilities. Thankful to be free of that life! Still in maintenance, but in a much lighter environment.

[@suzannefiser3397]

I can't breathe after listening to this.

[@Slamitdownhard]

Suzanne Fiser Come here, I'll resuscitate you. I would thank God for the work. ;)

[@suzannefiser3397]

+Slamitdownhard --- good one!

[@Slamitdownhard]

Jason is a breath of fresh air for sure. Just ordered his cd.

[@alecruml6307]

One of my favorite singer/song writers today, great lyrics

[@chadjackson7955]

Good grief it just deep and good and meaningful on so many levels. What a genius he has become, as hes lived alot of this heartbreak.

[@jeffreycox9639]

This is one of my ex wife's best friends.. Was lucky to hang out with him at the house and go to some of his early shows before he hit it big, and still has him no playing bass.. Awesome guy, songwriter, and a better guitar player

[@kriscollins6017]

isbel speaks to me on so many levels . fantastic writer and player. a true artist.

[@sarahironside8688]

each and every one of his songs have me in tears .... missing my love who introduced me to Jason ...

[@webstercat]

No question of his talent, he is exceptional. Does he ever write anything that isn't sad and melancholy?

[@mitchcarter3906]

His politics suck.. but this song has talked me through so many overtime nursing shifts that make life easier on myself and my kids.. thank you Mr. Isbell

[@Larissa-mi9ut]

I want to weep when I hear this song, every time. Jason Isbell is amazing.

[@jasonisbell7390]

Thank you so much I sincerely hope you never stop listening to my music 🎶❤️

[@rainwatercasey]

One of the best. Period. It hits hard and deep in the core of your soul.

[@Magistern940]

This can be the best song i've ever heard. It dug deep in my heart.

[@bodegabandit]

To the five people who gave this video a thumbs-down, You folks are a real wet-blanket to the rest of the world.

[@davidwalker5990]

I don't know why but this brought up some tears.

[@icitizenoftheplanet]

a stellar musician poet

[@eddiewhittemore3723]

This is outstanding! Can't wait to see this guy live. I have tickets for a show at the Ryman and it's gonna be off the hook. Love his writing, playing and singing!

[@joeynickles7962]

Wow. A genuine working class anthem in the 21st century not written by someone named Springsteen. A rare thing indeed. Now, a certain type of political dogmatist will be quick to point out all the "errors" Isbell makes here, and while there might be something to that, at the end of the day, what I can't deny, is that, well, these are my people. My family, my friends, my neighbors. Sincere in the best sense.

[@carolreitmeier3482]

agee

[@carolreitmeier3482]

agree

[@brianmcgoldrick5111]

once again the man just hits the spot.

[@tinaleeth2707]

Not sure how I got back here but damn sure glad i did

[@johnheath970]

Brutally good. No nitpicking allowed!:-)

[@JTMPAdmin]

The guitar is so magical, great songwriting, superb!

[@chadjackson7955]

The best ones have lived it, and boy had he lived it. Ive been down some of the same roads and his music touches and reaches me unlike any music ever has.

[@chaiselabrie6497]

This is a true artist. U can just tell he writes his own music

[@debrasarris8245]

He touches my heart.

[@hinglemccringleberry7786]

This guy is truly inspirational

[@georgetaylor8085]

Merle Haggard "Working Man Blues" Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man" now Jason Isbell "Something More Than Free" a new classic to the real man.

[@shaunkerr8721]

You do understand this is not an "ode to the working man" correct? In Jason's own words, this speaks to how horrible life is for the working man...

[@will-i-amT63]

Thank you for this song u sang it live where it counted my man 💙 new fan.

[@bigtexnick2188]

such a working man's song, a song about society

[@gpear123]

Just beautiful. Just truly beautiful

[@kemsorrell546]

Title track albums hold a ground of their own. Among my favorites is this gem.

[@voicefordemocracyinsrilank5874]

For the first time, I listened to Jason Isbell. He seems a good-hearted humble person, explaining the story behind the song. I may not agree with some of his messages, but love the way he explores life of us all, without distinction! His song writing skills are so good!

[@roryhennessy5542]

Absolutely masterful.

[@paulkossak7761]

This could be the working man's national anthem.

[@charliemilburn6130]

So great. Can't wait for the new album!

[@skippyclarke8473]

I’ve only discovered this guy from Spotify, great stuff .

[@kaitlanflowers2159]

I love your music so much!!!

[@FallNorth]

Fantastic version.