Joanna Newsom - In California - Pitchfork Music Festival

[@TalkAsSoftAsChalk]

Everytime I hear "If you come and see me in California, you cross the border of my heart" my heart feels like it's melting.

[@trendywendylee]

I was at this show. One of the most incredible things I've ever seen.

[@instaurator19]

One of her best songs

[@franksinbeans]

Incredible tune

[@Nickee_Sonicjinn]

My heart became a drunken runt On the day I sunk in this shunt To tap me clean Of all the wonder And the sorrow I have seen Since I left my home: My home, on the old Milk Lake Where the darkness does fall so fast It feels like some kind of mistake (just like they told you it would; Just like the Tulgeywood) When I came into my land I did not understand: Neither dry rot, nor the burn pile Nor the bark-beetle, nor the dry well Nor the black bear But there is another Who is a little older When I broke my bone He carried me up from the riverside To spend my life In spitting-distance Of the love that I have known I must stay here, in an endless eventide And if you come and see me You will upset the order You cannot come and see me For I set myself apart But when you come and see me In California You cross the border of my heart Well, I have sown untidy furrows Across my soul But I am still a coward Content to see my garden grow So sweet & full Of someone else's flowers But sometimes I can almost feel the power Sometimes I am so in love with you (Like a little clock That trembles on the edge of the hour Only ever calling out "Cuckoo, cuckoo") When I called you You, little one In a bad way Did you love me? Do you spite me? Time will tell if I can be well And rise to meet you rightly While, moving across my land Brandishing themselves Like a burning branch Advance the tallow-colored Walleyed deer Quiet as gondoliers While I wait all night, for you In California Watching the fox pick off my goldfish From their sorry, golden state-- And I am no longer Afraid of anything, save The life that, here, awaits I don't belong to anyone My heart is heavy as an oil drum And I don't want to be alone My heart is yellow as an ear of corn And I have torn my soul apart, from Pulling artlessly with fool commands Some nights I just never go to sleep at all And I stand Shaking in my doorway like a sentinel All alone Bracing like the bow upon a ship And fully abandoning Any thought of anywhere But home My home Sometimes I can almost feel the power And I do love you Is it only timing That has made it such a dark hour Only ever chiming out "Cuckoo, cuckoo"? My heart, I wear you down, I know Gotta think straight Keep a clean plate; Keep from wearing down If I lose my head Just where am I going to lay it? (For it has half-ruined me To be hanging around Here, among the daphne Blooming out of the big brown; I am native to it, but I'm overgrown I have choked my roots On the earth, as rich as roe Here Down in California.)

[@rohanfitzpatrick7432]

MzSonicjinn k

[@StephanieCampbellJ]

"Runt candies with everlasting Wonka Gobstoppers."

[@sergiestevecarbo7310]

it's 6 o clock in the morning and I listen to the cuckoo cuckoo of this song. what a great coincidence

[@lobstring]

it's amazing. i melt down every time.

[@lyndsieannette957]

she is a princess

[@salemkitschtrials791]

happy birthday joanna!!!

[@romulo353]

She's perfect, this song is perfect

[@markrussell3809]

A poet philosopher romantic abstract beauty of art & days & ancient times that take you back to a place you have never been but feel like you have been there

[@humbertoirigoyen]

OMG I wish I was there D:

[@steveparsons6719]

Eugene Mackie commented that "She doesn't video well, sadly." I don't personally think that is true, but I understand why he said it: it must be tricky, even in the studio, to get the balance just right between her unique voice, and her instrument of choice with its very subtle sound. So it will be even more impossible for an audience member with relatively basic equipment and a random vantage point to do this. However, despite the odd slip (and who can blame her, in obviously far-from-perfect outdoor conditions!) what I am struck by in this performance is just how FULL a sound she makes, when you consider that it is JUST HER up there performing - no band, just Joanna and her harp. In some ways, this performance highlights her talents even more than the album version, as the harp takes on some of the parts covered by other performers or instruments on the album version. I've just watched a very early version ("Family Jams" outtake) of Sprout & The Bean, which had the same effect. And if further proof of her astonishing talent were ever needed, you can hardly do better than this (kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaCoepmXj6apodk) performance of her solo tour de force, Sawdust & Diamonds, from 2006.

[@willkillhugh286]

It's not studio perfect, but it's still surprisingly impactful

[@AlexDeLarge1]

She hits a few sour notes on the harp here, but she's so cute when she gets frustrated.

[@Teaandephemery]

She doesn't video well, sadly. I've seen her live at the Royal Festival Hall in London, 2010. Three hours of utter hypnotic beauty.

[@the.foxglove]

She does, this is just not the best performance. Lots of great stuff on here.

[@rumademedoit]

im so used to her yt performances that i find the beauty in all her different renditions. this one is amazing in my opinion- just not as “pretty” as others

[@yesterdaydream]

Always imagine Andy Samberg carrying Joanna up from the riverside and upsetting the order

[@jonismorgellons]

the song's about bill callahan, not andy. "but there is another/who is a little older" #billpilled

[@lilyg8782]

i’m glad someone else thinks that line is about Andy