Mountain Goats, Maybe Sprout Wings

[cody242]

This man is a poetic god. He doesn't simply sing these songs, they emanate from him in a way that screams perfection.

[Fentoman]

I think his expression says exactly what song writing is about, at least for me.

[PlausibleErection]

I've always loved this song. But just recently I started learning how to play and sing it, and I have to say, I will never in my entire life play it for anyone but myself. Singing the lyrics opened up something in me and the tears just wouldn't stop. I think it means something different for all of us, and there's no telling what it may be. Only John truly knows who it's for, and for him to be able to communicate that and how he feels to us is truly inspiring and genius. This man is pure.

[WikkyWaa]

sooo intense. i can totally relate to John.. he was put on this earth for a reason.

[BobTheMean]

I miss you, Chelsea.

[mostenan]

If you are a person who truly cares…. truly, truly cares…. and you live through a life changing experience you can become real..

[danjaja]

what a fucking spaz

[mwuu]

@danjaja

No u.

[bananas1and2]

This isn't a song so much as it is an emotional experience.

[AldousFurlong]

He changes the lyrics (the ones who'd gone missing *LIKE YOU), at this point, he's not vamping he's actually focusing on the person for which he wrote the song. Heart and soul, nothing but.

[MrGoatamusPrime]

Im gonna have to say that his troubles with his wife...and his abusive step father....these are just guesses from what I gather from his music.

In the end though, its troubled guys like this who have the ability to put their emotions to a tune and melody that make the worlds best music.

[mindgame314]

That gave me chills.

[amakardia]

or maybe he's just reaching for the right chords...

[undergroundpoet]

Holy schnikeys he's glictching!

[LittleBlackSparrow]

this guy reminds me of Ben Gibbard only better

[krodosk8r]

so intense. So painfully beautiful, and beautifully painful.

[krodosk8r]

so intense. So painfully beautiful.

[coddan]

i usually hate musicians who act like this, but how could anyone hate john?

[poocoop]

@coddan Act like what? The lyrics are obviously very personal and emotional. I don't think most artists do it on purpose but rather can't help it. Just my opinion though! Take it or leave it.

[eeedsftw]

People don't understand depression unless they're going through it...

[16piller16lol]

this is hard to watch poor john

[JackisaMannequin]

having a fucking heart helps, most people dont have that anymore

[honeybeeman]

the hand shaking is a bit much though hehe

[honeybeeman]

omg what a sweet beauty

[suchducks]

calm down john

[csalzwedelkemp]

....thats all i have to say

[flyingmokeysinataco]

Whenever John plays doesnt it seem like the atmosphere and even the air is still and quiet...it seems like the earth is listening to him and when he plays with emotion and when he makes the song seem so powerful, its like even the air and earth is just...still

pure amazing person John Darnielle is

[JasperNight117]

HES DRUNK OFF HIS OWN GREATNESS

[pleasemallorie]

ol' darneeee kinda looks like Professor Snape here....

still, incredible guy who I could only hope to be like.

[t3hAlien]

I don't think it's melodrama. From what I've seen, John is just really emotionally attached to his songs. He seems to get lost here. The Nine Black Poppies in the related section is another example of how into his songs he gets. I think that's the sign of an excellent musian - I really don't think he's trying to be overly dramatic.

[rockinrollsoul]

what a heartbreaking song.

[ThisVagrantLife]

this song is just way too hard to listen to. I cant handle feeling like that.

[Halster310]

Damn. You can really tell he means and believes and feels what he sings. <3 John

-Hallie

[jamesonfred6]

Just a better singer and musician. :)

[jamesonfred6]

I compare this man to Bob Dylan

[KICKstartchange]

He's so intense when he plays this song here. It's moving.

[BigBearfromthe206]

all the shit out today just makes his music more unique and great.

[DannyRoxxers27]

I think its more a matter of personal choice and finding what you enjoy rather than being closed minded to the genius of Darnielle, and of course he is a lyrical genius.

Darnielle himself actually prefers metal to his own style of music, well maybe not prefers but Darnielle is definitely an avid metal fan.

Its all about what you relate too, some people just can't relate to tMG

[BuffyTheBuffalo]

this is so brilliant.

[Dollanganger]

I can't remember another time that I've ever felt so connected to another human being.

[Abbylg]

i know this has been said over and over and over again but... he truly is the single most incredible, talented, and personally influential musician that has ever graced this earth. i respect him more than i ever thought possible, and it breaks my heart how under appreciated he is.

[blithium]

Well, you found them :)

[zander019]

I have always loved this song... but this video is the kind of good that makes me nervous.

[CaptainTangent]

Can you say UNDER-RATED? Greatest singer songwriter since... is Dylan not dead yet? This is astonishing and any accolate seems demeaning but, you know, I like to see myself type.

[blithium]

Dylan's not dead yet, no.

Not better than, but possibly as good as Dylan. He also has that same kind of 'My voice is an aquired taste' singing voice.

[pood2thenoobie]

I'm not sure if I would describe his voice as an aquired taste in my point of view. It seems more like, you either connect with his music or you don't. It's quite possible that people who don't like it will NEVER like it, nor matter how much they listen to it.

I for one think his music's beautiful.

[kettlebugs]

There's one amazing thing that I feel John Darnielle has always been able to capture perfectly, and that's a really striking balance of misery and humor. He can make you laugh and cry AT THE SAME TIME, and I feel like this video does that in a way that brings the song to a whole new level of tragic.

[blithium]

Wow...I've been listening to the song, but I didn't watch the video until now...and I just can't take it...He looks so...gutwrenchingly pained.

[blithium]

I honestly feel sorry for him going through all this. Did anyone hear his voice kind of crack like he's crying when he said "Maybe sprout wings" around 2:30?

[SolFuegoLluvia]

His music is amazing.. but I feel kind of like an emotional vampire watching him go through that.

[honeybeeman]

@SolFuegoLluvia what the fuck are you talking about? I mean with the most respect and curiousity...

[kehoeseanadam]

what the fuck happened to this guy that made him this intense? he obviously isn't vamping for any audience he's genuinely going through something.

[delusionaldiminutive]

I don't think JD's "vamping" but I think he might have become one of his characters in this song.

[fenrirsroar112]

@kehoeseanadam I believe his stepfather beat him throughout his childhood, and, well, I don't know him personally (so all statements would be hearsay) but he's got more pain than anyone I've ever heard, and that's saying something.

[smeaglerG]

@kehoeseanadam aha my friend he is experiencing music...the essencse itself

[Thunderwolf666]

@kehoeseanadam It's equal parts genius and passion. This man is a true musician.

[soulastar]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[grungeISdeadBBKF]

This actually gave me chills.

[cleversimon]

For such a quiet song, this is scary fucking intense.

[Delathblue]

Does anyone know if the background is his house? I think it is, but I'm not sure.

[turnersmemo]

Great song from the album Get Lonely. Thanks for uploading this!