I’m currently reeling from illness, which makes me tempted to call in sick on writing this post. But there are some obligations that need to be followed through on. For example, I have a ticket for a concert tonight, an investment I don’t take lately. Even if I felt I could eat the twenty bucks for the privilege of burrowing deeper under the covers of my inviting bed, I don’t want to miss this. Not that it’s some once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In fact, this will be third time in as many years that I’ve hauled my weary old bones over to preferred local club for this act. And the prime driver of the band current resides up the road (well, up a long stretch on interstate) in Raleigh. However, if this one thing my recent experiences have decisively taught me, it is this: do not pass up a chance to see John Darnielle perform.

So why not share a song from the person who inspires me to perhaps worsen my condition with an ill-advised jaunt out into the frigid November air followed by taking up rickety residence standing amidst a group of fellow fans, where god knows what complicating viruses are airborne? Specifically, this is a song that I first heard at my last Mountain Goats show, one that exemplifies the splendid surprise of discovery that comes from following a songwriter as prolific as Darnielle.

Among the expected favorites, older obscurities and previews of the then-forthcoming album, the excellent Transcendental Youth, the Mountain Goats played a song called “You Were Cool.” I had never heard it before–not an entirely surprising happenstance given how madly prolific Darnielle is as a songwriter; there are legions of older songs to which I’ve had no known exposure–but I was immediately enthralled. It’s a quintessential Darnielle song, evocatively calling up the pain of youth while also tapping into the elegant triumph of defiant perseverance and survival. It also begins with a couple of highly self-aware lines, exactly the sort of meta-commentary that I find irresistible.

When I looked it up later, there was a good reason I hadn’t heard of it. The song had never, as far as I could tell, never been properly released. Instead, Darnielle linked to it through his Twitter account (where he also provides regular fresh verification that he’s exactly as cool as he seems). From there it naturally made the rounds, so it was thankfully easy to get. It’s a great song all on its own, but it also reminds me of that night, standing there, hearing something wonderful for the first time. Yeah, no matter how questionable the decision might be, I’m going tonight. I’d better lie down for a little bit.

The Mountain Goats, “You Were Cool”

(Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I don’t believe this song has been released in a manner that allows for its acquisition through the exchange of currency. I’m definitely not trying to take money from Darnille and his compatriots. In fact, I urge you to head to your favorite local, independently-owned record store and purchase as many Mountain Goats releases as you can. As I already noted, the new album is great. Tallahassee or The Sunset Tree are probably the consensus favorites. They make great holiday presents. The important point is this: I will gladly remove the song from the interweb as quickly as I can if I’m asked to do so by someone with due authority to make such a request. Even if it’s Darnielle tonight. Maybe I’ll run into him somewhere around the bar.)