SONGS MEAN ALOT, VOL. 2

Dan Auerbach, "My Last Mistake," from the album Keep It Hid

I've never had a truly bad breakup, mostly because I've had very few long-term romances. And the one I've got now shows no signs of imploding. So breakup songs hold no special place for me. I can dig the drama, I can appreciate the jumble of emotions, and I'll even tolerate an over-the-top performance -- particularly if skilled sarcasm or justifiable rage is the mode of delivery. But I've never needed 'em as a tonic.

I do harbor a certain cockiness, however, about my value as a mate. That hubris been around forever, and this is how it manifests itself: Yeah, sure, I'm an asshole and I'm imperfect, and I'm not debating that point. But you gotta realize that I'm generally at peace with my choices in life, and if this relationship falls apart, I'll figure out how to deal with it. In the heat of the moment, it's something to cling to. Men are pricks like that.

But there's also a certain defeatism that rides along with the cockiness. If you're a total prick, you also fully acknowledge that failure is an option. But it's OK to play dumb just a little bit: Oh, that's what you're mad about. I love how Dan Auerbach expresses it in the opening lines of "My Last Mistake," a gem that appears near the end of his new solo album:

Tell me now, tell me true
Of all the things I did to you, was this the one
That made you break?
Did I make my last mistake?

There's optimism in the crunchy, ingratiating guitar chords, and the bassline -- something Auerbach generally goes without in the Black Keys, which has a two-man, guitar/drums lineup -- is sunny. His vocals, likewise, have a bit more honey than usual. But, well, y'know, he's still a prick. If he done 'er wrong, she's gotta be the one to spell it out:

Only you can play the game
Rope-a-dope and lay the blame
Can’t you see my body shake
'Cause I made my last mistake?

There's vulnerability there, sure, but it's hard to tell how much sincerity is involved, for two reasons: One, the song never reveals how, exactly, he fucked up. And two, the sunny, fast-swinging groove seems to be sweeping Auerbach away from the relationship. So he throws out some rock 'n' roll lead-singer bullshit, the kind that comes after much of the fighting is already done. The bridge has some regal riffs and a whiff of theatricality:

I was out of line before
But this is so much more I know
I don’t wanna be the king
Of every single living thing, just you
(And you can be my queen, mama)

And look how well that works out:

Separate towns, separate hearts
Distant love from distant parts
Every man plays the snake
Bound to make his last mistake

Still, it's tough to feel sorry for the dude, because the final minute of the song is damn near ecstatic as Auerbach solos away, a guitar-guy to the end. That "snake" feeling might not last for long.

Dan Auerbach "My Last Mistake" (Quicktime .mov stream)

PREVIOUSLY: Matt Pond PA, "Last Light"

Comments

[Mike]

Sharp analysis, JW. I'm really digging Keep It Hid — Auerbach combines huge talent with an inspiring work ethic (two albums and a live DVD in the last year alone).

By the way, the Black Keys are coming to Penn's Landing on Sat. 6/6. No word on tickets yet, but let me know if you have any interest.

[JW]

Already got my tickets for that gig. Roots Family Picnic, right?

[Mike]

Yeah, I guess that's the deal — didn't know their show was part of a larger festival. I'll look into it and drop you a line.