Facticity

Jewel’s first album Pieces of You struck me as a soul throwing open its doors and revealing itself to the world through song. I’m not as fond of her later work. Perhaps she partially exhausted herself with her first masterpiece. Below are the lyrics to the first song on Pieces of You, “Who Will Save Your Soul.”

People living their lives for you on tv
They say they’re better than you and you agree
He says hold my calls from behind those cold brick walls
Says come here boys, there ain’t nothing for free
Another doctors bill, another lawyers bill, another cute cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put him in your will, but …

Who will save your soul when it comes to the flowers

now
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you wont save your own?

We try to hustle them, try to bustle them, try to cuss them
The cops want someone to bust down on Orleans avenue
Another day, another dollar, another war, another tower
Went up to where the homeless had their homes
So we pray to as many different gods are there are flowers
But we call religion our friend
Were so worried about saving our souls
Afraid that God will take his toll that we forget to begin but

Who will save your soul when it comes to the flowers now
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you wont save your own?

Some are walking, some are talking, some are stalking their kill

You got social security, but that don’t pay your bills
There are addictions to feed and there are mouths to pay
So you bargain with the devil, say you’re o.k. for today
You say that you love them, take their money and run
Say, its been swell, sweetheart, but it was just one of those things
Those flings, those strings you’ve got to cut
So get out on the streets, girls, and bust your butts

Who will save your soul when it comes to the flowers now
Who will save your soul after all the lies that you told, boy
Who will save your soul if you wont save your own?