Jeff Buckley & Aimee Mann
One of my favorite and very first posts was the first time I wrote about Jeff Buckley, told the story of “our relationship” if you will, and posted up songs inspired by his life, his art, and his untimely death.
Since so many of you have been asking, I’ve revisited that post and re-upped all the links to the Jeff tribute songs. I’ve added a bunch of tracks to the original post from 2005, and this one had a special story to go along with it . . .
Just Like Anyone – Aimee Mann
Aimee said:
This is a song I wrote when Jeff Buckley died…I hadn’t known Jeff extremely well, but we kept bumping into each other here and there. One night we met for a drink at a pub in NYC, and started writing messages to each other on a paper placemat that was there, instead of talking, because the music in the bar was really loud or something. An interesting effect of that was that we found ourselves writing things that we would never would dare to say to each other out loud. I remember thinking that he seemed to be sort of lost and sad although he outwardly was very funny and lively and confident, and wrote something about that, among another things.
I didn’t talk to him for a long time after that — I went to England to live for a while and we talked once or twice and then nothing for over a year.
Then one night I got a voice mail message from him that said, “I just realized what you were trying to tell me that night”. I tried to call him back but the number I had for him was old, and then I got his new number but I was out of town again and it was difficult to call, and then I heard that he was missing, and presumed dead. . .
[via reader mickeyitaliano]
I love the idea of that sort of connection — of two people sitting in a loud bar, scribbling their most honest thoughts on a placemat instead of talking. A secret code and no one around you knows. Something about the medium makes it easier to be honest and say what you are truly thinking.
This song is just a wisp, under 2 minutes, heartfelt and regretful.
[photo by Merri Cyr]
Name: Heather Browne
true story. around 1994 or 1995, i went to a jeff buckley show with a date. we stood right in front of the stage and he flirted and talked to my date the whole show. after the show they chatted with me standing right next to them for about 10 awkward minutes. so, i sorta didnt like him for awhile. then he died and i felt awful. i love him.
wwjblog — March 23, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Thank you so much for all these wonderful Jeff Buckley posts. He was an amazing artist, and he continues to be missed.
Amy — March 23, 2007 @ 11:43 am
heather, i’ve been lurking here for a couple months but your buckley posts finally prompt me to say thanks very much for keeping up this blog. there’s so much crap and dross on the airwaves, but for me you and Buddyhead are keeping it realz.
thanks bebe.
finn — March 23, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
wwjblog
Thanks for sharing that story. You never can know the truth, and you get closer by sharing your story.
Heather,
Thanks for sharing the music.
Yon — March 23, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Not sure if knowing the story behind the song made feel anything different about Jeff, the song(which, I have loved since it was released) or the amazing Aimee Mann in general. I may be the minority here, but I’d rather focus on Aimee Mann’s music and future, than Jeff’s untimely passing.
Kevin — March 23, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
ten years after… we always love his music..
thanks for this remember, your blog is si nice.
kisses from France
caco&fabi — March 24, 2007 @ 3:01 am
What a great post Heather. Thank you for sharing that.
Callie — March 24, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Thank you so much for sharing these songs again. What I love most about your blog is the Jeff posts. He truly is missed and these songs reflect that. Thank you!
Natalie — March 24, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
I remember you posting about him a long time ago, I think because you asked me to read it, right when you first started your blog. Funny… I love this first track
Your Brother :) — March 26, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
This is beautiful. What a great story, thank you for sharing it.
Designate — March 27, 2007 @ 4:22 am
That’s a great story.
A little sweet, a little sad…
coolusernameimplied — March 29, 2007 @ 6:04 am
For more Aimee Mann work, visit her website http://www.aimeemann.co.uk
Anonymous — August 1, 2008 @ 5:20 am
[...] (Read more about the story behind this song, and grab a free mp3 here!) [...]
Musical Muses: The Faces Behind The Songs « True Endeavors Presents… — May 12, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
Lovely post about Jeff. I’m in Memphis this weekend. Always bittersweet.
margaret rodrigue — May 28, 2011 @ 1:59 pm