Swans - Blind

Buy on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/album/id1051...
Hello, thank you for listening to our music. I hope it gives you some joy and pleasure.
I am pleased that you have discovered our music through this medium. I view this experience as the equivalent of previewing a record in a record store in days of old. However, if you wish to experience the music in its' fullest form, I would strongly encourage you to acquire it in a physical format you can bring into your home. Not only will you then be able to experience the richest version of the music sonically, but you will also be afforded the opportunity to enjoy the tangible artwork, which was conceived in tandem with the music, and serves as a further portal to experiencing the total conceptual and spiritual and emotional content of the work we have labored, lovingly, to bring to you.
I love you,
- Michael Gira / Swans / Young God Records
Official Young God Records / Swans Store (all albums hand signed by M. Gira): bit.ly/1rY35P8
Swans on iTunes: bit.ly/1nZmr5R

[@George_]

everybody gangsta till blind starts playing

[@everyvillainislemons7583]

A very humbling song as a young man. It’s refreshing to hear someone older admit that their arrogance in their younger years was really not a strength at all.

[@kingpest13]

Growing older successfully entails some amount of of re evaluation and realization of past victories being mistakes. Some people never get there. It is a sign of a high functioning mind to second guess your decisions.

[@jack-uv6mt]

no such thing as a high functioning mind. except for me of course@@kingpest13

[@blaisecarlton]

Qd

[@user-xt7vj2im7g]

Exactly

[@kisawisa1769]

It's interesting to hear this and then, in juxtaposition, the song off of Drainland where Gira is featured arguing with Jarboe about money and addiction, still prevalent issues even four years after this.

[@seangomez1912]

Seriously some of the most honest and introspective lyrics of all time. Literally every line is perfect

[@xxHouseInMotionxx]

agreed - pure and clean

[@toddward6094]

I’ve cried to this when I’ve failed or others have left me many times.

[@HiGlowie]

So damn genuine.

[@JamesEarlCash]

Generally speaking, totally about me. And it's hard to be proud. It's hard to be anything.

[@milkimadethebeat7858]

im a recovering addict and alcoholic. i moved across the country to escape the drugs. i did some shrooms and listened to this band, i just found this band. This shit hit way too hard. Such resonating lyrics. It's almost painful.

[@yanille4109]

I remember being high out of my mind when i first heard this. Lowest point of my life, glad im not there anymore. The song is much more potent sober.

[@Lewisl4d2]

God bless you

[@Oblio1942]

My best friend died recently, he really liked Swans at one point, even tho he didnt mention this particular song I like to think of him every time I heard it. I miss you Alex.

[@katfezza4570]

The most important thing is what you remember them by and keep them alive in your heart. If this is the song you think of then run with it as long as you can. It doesn't matter if they listened to it, it's what you feel. My friend would never have like this but it's what helped me through his passing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn2wgnihf7GFkKs

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

“If you could step inside me, you’d feel what hatred brings. If you saw through my eyes, you’d see what self deception means.” This is precisely the human condition.

[@suntzu751]

Amazing to hear someone admit that their younger self was a narcissist. These lyrics are amazing and I love the acceptance of it.

[@Alexander_Tronstad]

Not necessarily narcissistic, just a little ignorant.

[@norbertnagy2944]

Some of you people can never stop the self-fellating, passive-aggressive bullshit, can you?

[@williamking6174]

Michael Gira is one of the greatest lyricists and musicians ever.

[@RensRoom]

Agreed ♥

[@pabloisusi6097]

Indeed, man

[@porcelina5834]

And probably one of the most underrated.

[@josuejared7747]

Michael Gira is literally God

[@pcaetano7527]

and Matt Johnson

[@elijah02]

I still can't listen to this song without tearing up.

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

always

[@natechenry]

Tearing up as I listen to this. And I just discovered this song

[@andrzejlemonkrasol]

Try to see gira play this live and not tear up. Now that is an absolute hard fucking challenge

[@Miguelohara563]

cant believe Michael Gira invented The National

[@toferbarber6348]

omg you're right

[@WiloPolis03]

That's what I've been saying lol, was looking for someone else to point it out

[@cowboydan8021]

I just realized for the very first time that the depressed rabbit is standing on a heart.

[@gasolinedrinker9170]

OH MY GOD

[@newforestpixie5297]

This tune had got my attention but the cover art ensured I would checkout this album. Kind of weirdly cute but obviously dark - I first thought he was stood on a kind of flying carpet then a pool of blood . Now I’m gonna find my specs having heard album twice . I am sort of sad for not knowing of this album all these years but better late than never I guess. 👍🐢new forest pixies

[@wispycirrus9907]

It's a heart shaped pool of blood. The rabbit is also holding the carrot like a knife. Dark as hell, lol.

[@samjarrett5017]

The blood heart has a face and the rabbit is standing in the mouth which is interesting considering the album title. Also there appears to be buildings in the distance and it'ss hard to tell how big the bunny is compared to them or how close they are, the might be huge.

[@nathanburnett9529]

damn it is

[@user-qk9yq2uv7o]

Their masterpiece. I will keep this precious song with me forever.

[@19eightyforeisnow]

The sound..imo ..

[@19eightyforeisnow]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXS6qKd-br6la5Y

[@chuckmorton8823]

agreed ... a masterpiece

[@The650er]

yeah, me too

[@muzzyLimon]

A 10/10 along with Helpless child

[@MrDrumzOrz]

This song showed up on my Discover Weekly this week. Never before has a song grabbed me out of nowhere like that. I have never heard anything like this in my life.

[@bloodnchocolate]

Welcome to the best band ever.

[@KingJosiahs777]

Have you heard everything by now? This man is a genius

[@err0rc0degames]

@@KingJosiahs777 What

[@adrianblanco5206]

Thank you, didn't know spotify has a discover weekly playlist. You saved me a lot of time.

[@ScisaacFisaac]

Ever have a song that "feels" like your stumbled-through childhood and current self all at once? It's like the neighborhood where you grew up is the music embodied: vast and old and terrifying and more than your young self could ever hope to comprehend. Yet you still feel fondly when revisiting, like you really have come home. And the lyrics are you yourself, though your life's never been harsh in the way the writer chronicles: trying to look back on everything and condemn your past and present self because you always have been -- and always will be -- blind. Sorry, just a rambling KZbin comment, carry on! (P.S.: little observation. I know it's nothing unique for White Light, but the fade-in and fade-out make it feel like a piece that never stops playing in the background. We just tuned in and heard a piece of someone else's pain.)

[@loulouloulou2519]

I don't know how to explain it, but this is so spot on

[@Sternertime]

well said.

[@Rost_a_Tost]

Don't make me cry more than I already am

[@Onche518]

The lyrics are absolutely phenomenal

[@FVZCB]

Dio mio siii 😮

[@vozitisemora]

Now some of us are weak And some endure And some people live their life In violence that’s pure and clean But I saw a man cry once Down on his knees In the corner of a darkened cell And his pain meant nothing to me But I was younger then And young men never die When I walked out in the sun I was strong, clear-minded and blind I don’t say a prayer for anyone It doesn’t do any good Please don’t ask me questions They’d just be misunderstood And if you could step inside me You'd feel what hatred brings And if you saw with my eyes You'd see what self-deception means I was younger once And I created a lie And though my body was strong I was self-deluded, confident and blind Now show some pity For weak of will Because when we’re drinking We can never be filled Show some understanding For the lonely fool Because when I’m drinking I’m out of control I was never young Nothing has transpired But when I look in the mirror I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind I am blind, mmm I am blind, mmm I am blind, mmm Mmm you'r welcome :D

[@user-ks3mk9kq4l]

'But I saw a man cry once Down on his knees In the corner of a darkened cell And his pain meant nothing to me,' I can imagine a young, psychopathic Michael Gira seeing this in his cell in Jerusalem. Desperate image, redemptive lyrics. Beautiful.

[@swanscream5152]

+M Or one of his cells in the US. Prisons are fucked up everywhere in the world.

[@aa-th2vj]

pretty sure it's With a violence

[@deddth]

►Driver’s view► Thank you.

[@Teabonesteak]

Thank you .

[@andresaguero5880]

I am a young man and i already feel dead, cold and blind

[@Faks.09]

i will show you some pitty and understanding bro

[@puppetmaster3911]

I never get sick of this song. I never get sick of Swans....

[@Zephyr_Uhh]

I already am and this is the first of their shit I’ve listened to.

[@szarzyniecszczurzynski1902]

@@Zephyr_Uhh That's what they call stone deafness...

[@raefinoh1172]

@@Zephyr_Uhh your not real

[@cesarmonteiro4424]

@@Zephyr_Uhh soda you are nothing but a foda (fuck in portuguese!) Feel sorry for you!Swans are great!

[@tandeath.]

@@Zephyr_Uhh obviously a pxssy that likes omori isn't gonna enjoy swans

[@heyitswesty]

I love you guys so much - 25 years and counting. You're an old friend to me through this harsh life. Thank you for keeping me warm when I've needed it when things were the highest but also the lowest.

[@fabianescoto2825]

Remind me of my brothers

[@consciousdelirium9785]

Wow.. Just listened to their first album now I'm listening to this. Such a big change

[@chuckmorton8823]

Cause when we're drinking, we can never be filled

[@kicksex]

He talks about his issues with drinking in where does a body end

[@lukastaylor9544]

"But I saw a man cry once Down on his knees In the corner of a darkened cell And his pain meant nothing to me" "I was hitchhiking across Europe, and I ended up in Israel, where I was arrested for selling hashish. I spent four and a half months in jail. It was a pretty formative experience..."

[@tammywilliamskeefer]

This song is so achingly beautiful.

[@mattddc]

I'm only repeating what many have said, but for me, this is as good as music gets, as human expression can get, as heartbreakingly honest about how painful it is to know our own mortality. Im grateful to know this song, and to be able to play it dozens of times over and again, but never enough....

[@danijelasaric5738]

There won't come a time when this chorus won't make me cry.

[@jesperkjaer8268]

Songs like Blind never seem to disappear from my memory. Just like Failure & The Great Annihilator. Swans are just - well Great.

[@franksunseri2060]

such a heartwrenching song. It never gets old. The last few lines really hit.

[@vaslegas8801]

I am mainly into early Swans, but am growing more and more into this Swans, Angels of Light, and Gira's solo stuff. What a beautiful, mesmerizing song, both joyful and melancholy simultaneously.

[@brock1120]

vas legas me too. peace

[@johanliebertofficial8750]

soundtrack of the blind and swans are dead are the best ones

[@vaslegas8801]

Dethguy One I'm more of a fan of Filth, Cop, Holy Money, Greed etc

[@hornyconvict]

White light and children of god definitely my favorite swans albums

[@ghostrhythm]

In the meanwhile of yesterday's evening to the noon at which i'm listening to this song now, either 100 people or 1 person have listened to this song a hundred times. There's always hope.

[@MoKone5]

Used to play this song endlessly while being on molly. As soon the beginning plays i can feel my high all over again. Those comedowns led to some dark thoughts. This song haunts me for that very reason.

[@HonestDepression101]

Wow. I never knew how much The National sounds like this until someone suggested it here on KZbin.

[@joshmosteller8512]

Listening to this while driving through the mountains of Montana was something else.

[@jaymore012]

Gira’s voice with uplifting music is so fucking good

[@grunders]

one of the few songs that makes me feel emotional

[@zer0953]

there are not many bands you can think of and listen to them and say "man its incredible that these people made music" swans are one of those bands

[@huzi37709]

This is one of the most crushing things I've ever heard. I am sad.

[@monstrul42]

don"t be

[@geoff7936]

First time listening to Swans. Dammmmnn🤩

[@St.nobody]

Ok Geoff

[@kamikazechivalry1264]

Same.

[@Jennividion]

The line about self deception 💔

[@531ff]

Jennifer hits hard

[@ozymandiaz362]

this song makes a lot more sense when you feel old

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

I love when music like this comes on when I'm driving random people around with Lyft.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

Try adding The Stooges fun house album to your playlist, great stuff.

[@cymbolic_space1832]

throw some merzbow on there too

[@popeisyiyi1613]

@@cymbolic_space1832you should put some whitehouse in there

I could die listening to this song in peace

[@TruculentSheep]

It's the regrets that get you.

[@agnomenamedgrimblegromble3735]

Truly a magical song, Mr. Michael Swans is a genius Now really though, Gira made some of the most incredibly gruesome and beautiful music of the last 40 years or so, and gruesome or beautiful it's always incredible, I'm very much thankful for your music, Swans.

[@dkstojentin]

Thank you for writing this. I was walked through a showpiece of men who served in the Military, and then came home to serve in a service. The man who was nice enough to tell me stories pointed out the alcoholics, and he told me how they died, and it was always through drink. While getting out of service might seem like a free for all, it doesn't have to be that way. I don't think he was trying to teach me that. He just opened up a book of maybe someday. This song does more than that. Thank you for writing it.

[@crunchysugar]

This is one of the best songs swans has made. It is astounding how full the instrumental is, but how simplistic and "man and his guitar" it feels. The lyrics are perfect, and personally relatable, albeit in a much smaller sense than what Gira has been through. Top 5 song from the greatest band of all time.

[@WibblyWobblyTime]

Well put, I really like the first two sentences, you've described the sound as I hear it, it's like a chandelier of sound - it doesn't fill the room or make an intense statement, yet it's impossible not to see it as some perfect chandelier of melody, hanging more in the middle of the room. With michael, sitting on a chair, in front of that dazzling chandelier, and recounting these lyrics directly to you.

[@dibs0equiped]

Never young, never old

[@chscelebrity8325]

Swans are incredible. Simply put.

[@j.f.1982]

This song obliterated me as I was going through some stuff; it’s the song I keep to allow myself to feel deeply sad about some stuff, before going back to my usual life. It’s therapeutic and it’s helping me accept, heal and humble down. Blind is a memento mori, but also a rope you can hang on to or hang from; if that makes any sense.

[@meme6335]

I feel the exact same way I sometimes listen to it even when I’m not deeply sad though. There is something deeply sobering about the song that just grounds me. Despite all of my fears, all my aspirations, all my worries, all my wants and desires and all of my good and all of my bad I am above all else blind.

[@michaelwilson2340]

This is something you can listen to at any stage of your life. I find it embarrassing that certain artists, and their fans, never mature and as the years and decades pass, still cling to the teenage sex and immaturity songs of long lost youth. This whole song speaks the truth.

[@lukabalic5703]

such a beautiful track

[@mUbase]

Isn't it.

[@WiloPolis03]

This sounds ridiculously like a The National song despite being released in 1991, Swans must've been a big influence on them

[@C-Stanz]

1991

[@WiloPolis03]

@@C-Stanz My bad, maybe I was looking at a compilation album with it or something

[@OreoEater]

@@C-Stanz 1995 actually, this song was first released on michael gira's drainland but recorded in 1992 during the sessions for love of life, it was later added in the remastered version of white light from the mouth of infinity

[@kevinfromouterspace]

Such a good song, honest, I want to reach this self awareness

[@mrflibble1259]

leaving this comment because today (26/08/21) is my first time hearing this song and I'm predicting it could become one of if not my favourite song of all time someday. we'll see

[@creamsternapplesquat8584]

My favorite song of all time.

[@antoine9765]

I found solace in dark and depressing art more than once in difficult periods of my life. Out of all those artists, Swans is the only one I can only revisit briefly, it pierces right through me.

[@sibe5730]

infinitely listenable song

[@theboyofcelluloid]

The saddest song I've ever heard in my life. Just breaks me every time 💔

[@Zenssei]

You should hear Failure

[@theboyofcelluloid]

This is way saddest lol

[@Zenssei]

@@theboyofcelluloid Actually the whole album is saddest

[@brazilbr4415]

@@Zenssei You're everywhere.

[@severslwt9330]

I heard this song today, and it made me feel like I've been listening to it for years.Happy new year btw

[@koollegged5739]

The words...

[@keinan17]

art

[@asscretin3158]

Some of the most beautifully honest lyrics. This song is one of the best songs of all time. Thank you Mr. Gira for making this, you admit some of the darkest feelings you have ever had.

[@jeanpaiva8670]

very humbling

[@lennartlenzing5840]

I believe this is a kind of song, that touches some people - but it will trigger very special synapses with some people, just like ASMR does. It certainly hits me in a way, that I cannot describe and cannot compare with any other musical experiences. It is a feeling beyond happiness or sadness, a melancholic feeling of being aware of the world. to be honest, i really wonder how leonard cohen would feel about this song.

[@MichaelHudson-sq5qj]

The feeling you describe is “saudade” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudade), a Portuguese word describing profoundly nostalgic longing. I don’t know a direct English equivalent. Love and Rockets masterfully wrote an instrumental titled such for their ‘85 debut album (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH2TaJJtrLWNgZIsi=3lWfI8lUPs8eu0HY). Their predecessor band, Bauhaus, wrote the epic “All We Ever Wanted Was Everything”, & their bassist, David J., wrote the beautiful “Candy on the Cross”. Bauhaus’ front person, Peter Murphy, also wrote many stirring songs. If only there were time: I could compile a list of 30-50 songs as grippingly poignant as this Swans masterpiece, mostly written by bands few know anything about. Music worth sharing’s become alarmingly important for sustaining the remaining artists who still craft it. Try Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “The Last Beat of my Heart”, & James’ “One of the Three”, Skindiving” & “Dream Thrum”. REM wrote handfuls, & The Cure built a career on such compositions that never got radio play. Swans played Chicago brilliantly & brutally two nights ago, avoiding anything remotely melodic in the set!

[@drchanhatten5789]

Music like this makes you stop and evaluate your life

[@93_93Love_Will]

All these comments are so beautiful to see and read , about something that's been so preciously apart of my life for over 35 yrs. SWANS

[@Whyt3wyrm]

[Verse 1] Now some of us are weak And some endure And some people live their life In violence that’s pure and clean But I saw a man cry once Down on his knees In the corner of a darkened cell And his pain meant nothing to me [Chorus 1] But I was younger then And young men never die When I walked out in the sun I was strong, clear-minded and blind [Verse 2] I don’t say a prayer for anyone It doesn’t do any good Please don’t ask me questions They’d just be misunderstood And if you could step inside me You'd feel what hatred brings And if you saw with my eyes You'd see what self-deception means [Chorus 2] I was younger once And I created a lie And though my body was strong I was self-deluded, confident and blind [Verse 3] Now show some pity For weak of will Because when we’re drinking We can never be filled Show some understanding For the lonely fool Because when I’m drinking I’m out of control [Chorus 3] I was never young Nothing has transpired But when I look in the mirror I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind [Outro] I am blind, mmm I am blind, mmm I am blind, mmm Mmm

[@anes8374]

I just realized I'm a liar and everything I have believed in, every thought and every feeling, is now broken. I've been doing everything wrong during all my youth. I feel empty and dead. I dissapointed her and I feel like if I have killed her. I don't use to write any comment, but I have felt my salvation on this song

[@morgandunn6384]

This is the first time I’ve listened to this band. They’re good! I feel like he’s talking about how he’s become more fulfilled since his past, but finds himself, deep down, stuck in the same place at the same time.

[@grassisgrin]

Thank you Michael Gira, for this amazing art piece.

[@literallynull]

The least depressive Swans song

[@vozitisemora]

make a 10 hour version. im too tired of clicking replay

[@matthewsolina4920]

I have family and a few friends. But, in a lot of ways I feel totally alone.

[@deadchannel332]

Beautiful song.

[@dominickdepaolo6668]

Michael, this medium brought me to discover Swans.

[@rp8164]

Check out Slint - 'Washer' if you like this song.

[@thrillcutz2162]

I’ve just heard this one minute ago,so pure ,so real. Now,nothing fits in the landscape of perfection as one has never had a true grip on ““perfection” in artistic sense but through art we usually get a stand-still glimpse to what perfection may mean to us.This is one of the few pieces ,one of the few songs i’ve listened that i would call “perfect”.Few casual moments lead us to stomp at such beautiful things ,you know?

[@HiGlowie]

I listen to this as I detox off opioids. I feel blinder than ever.

[@alexandergonzalez50666]

My fav song of all time

[@hughmacdonnell9096]

Always felt Michael sounds very like early Matt Berninger from The National here, fantantic song.

[@newskin9234]

Reminds me more of Ian Curtis

[@llednop]

Swans, Michael Gira's one of the most powerful ways to feel and embrace music, its many iterations, incarnations, its many journeys to Heaven and Hell and beyond, and the voice, that singing VOICE... should be considered one of the greatest acts in modern music history.

[@kosterix123]

self-deluded, confident, and... blind great band that I'm grateful to have seen live.

[@youngthug7815]

Swans finally clicked for me Im gonna be listening to this for the rest of my life 🤯🤯

[@jit3701]

this hittin and i aint even sad cmon

[@maissaaraujo2580]

Does anyone knows who made the art of this album cover? I love it and wanted to see more of the artist..

[@andresaguero5880]

Deryk Thomas, he also made the cover art of "We Are Him" by The Angels of Light (another Gira project)

[@darylcumming7119]

Brutal honestly.

[@OxenUlous]

Blindness before The Salvation.

[@adambolger3269]

Description has me near tearing up. I love you too, Michael Gira.

[@melvingira]

This song is just incredibly beautiful. I am always transported when I hear it.

[@jasperferrie4687]

Good cry to song

[@vitalstation]

this song feels like my theme. i try to stare into the sun to glimpse the truth, but in my search, all i do is blind myself with delusion further and further it seems. my search for truth runs in opposition to the blindness that i need to cultivate to prevent myself from becoming the lonely fool.

[@Teabonesteak]

A Violence that is pure and clean. ...

[@oryangoat5915]

I feel like I’m the lonely fool at this point in my life

[@andresaguero5880]

Why do the last ten seconds of this song feel so sad

[@JennZed]

Your music really does give pleasure .. thank you.

[@thisbreadisfine]

Holy fucking shit this is good

[@BojanTomicMusicChannel]

I doubt that there are any PanterA fans here, but, amazingly enough, I've heard of this song years ago through PanterA's singer Phil Anselmo. He mentioned it in some interview. From time to time this song will cross my mind, so I'll have to play it and every single time it blows my mind. A true masterpiece.

[@bloodnchocolate]

I'd be interested in reading that interview. Phil has some amazing taste in music.

[@alexanderkatashov8824]

Forever blind. Never young.

[@andreamassellucci]

one of my swans fav

[@aa-th2vj]

just an honest and straightforward track

[@JennZed]

This really does bring me pleasure .. thank you.