You know, with Rufus, although I think Want One is his only classic album, and the debut self-titled album is the only other one which is close to wholly satisfactory, he always manages to come up with some lovely songs here and there.
Zebulon, from 2010's 'All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu', has gone past old favourites like Dinner at Eight and Foolish Love as my favourite Wainwright song. It's something of a dirge, and I've felt since Want Two that he's done too many dirges and not enough grand and glorious pop songs, but Zebulon is such a captivating dirge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IoVpMOw8-I&list=RD5IoVpMOw8-I&start_radio=1
Firstly, Zebulon is a cool name. I've never met a Zebulon, though in Kenya, I coached Zablon Mshambala, and he was a proper little footballer - one of the best I've seen. So, often, when I hear this song, I wonder what Zablon, 14 or so in 1997, might be doing now.
Secondly, I recently read an interview with Melissa auf der Mar as she released a memoir this year, and she mentioned that she, who was at school with Rufus, also had a crush on this Zebulon who is the subject of this song. The legendary Zebulon.
I like the effortless sadness of the song - walking around his old home town, thinking about a boy he had a crush on at school, just skating on the ice of his song, as his mother's in the hospital (soon to pass away). Idle thoughts, heavy feelings.
Anyway, I thought I'd have more to say, but all I really want to say is that this is a lovely song.
And here's a little 12-song Rufus Best of: all killer.
- Unfollow the Rules
- Going to a Town
- Poses
- Danny Boy
- Zebulon
- 14th Street
- In My Arms
- One Man Guy
- Oh What a World
- Foolish Love
- 11.11
- Dinner at Eight
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