One Foot in the Grave (album)
Encyclopedia
One Foot in the Grave is the fourth studio album
by Beck
, released in June 1994 on K Records
, an independent label. Like predecessor Stereopathetic Soulmanure
, the album never charted, however One Foot in the Grave strengthened Beck's critical reputation, arguably allowing him to break into the mainstream with Odelay
in 1996. His third official album, One Foot in the Grave shows a strong folk
influence that is more pronounced than on his more eclectic-style albums of the time, Mellow Gold
and Odelay. One Foot in the Grave was recorded prior to the release of his debut album Mellow Gold
, but was not released until after that album met with critical and commercial success.
The album features the production talents, songwriting talents, and occasional backing vocals of Calvin Johnson, founder of K Records
. It was recorded at Dub Narcotic Studio, which was then housed in Calvin's basement.
As of July 2008, One Foot in the Grave had sold 168,000 copies in the United States.
On April 14, 2009, the album was reissued with 13 unreleased tracks by Beck's own Iliad label.
, except where noted.
Under a recently issued court order, K Records
is no longer allowed to sell this original version.
These three bonus tracks are outtakes from the One Foot in the Grave
sessions and were issued on a 7" single
in 1995. Both "Feather in Your Cap" and "It's All in Your Mind" were later re-recorded as full studio productions with a full band. The former was recorded in 1994 and issued as a B-side of the "Sissyneck" and "Jack-Ass
" singles in 1997 while the latter appeared on the 2002 album Sea Change.
All songs written by Beck
, except where noted.
* Previously released on the 1995 7" K Records
single "It's All in Your Mind
".
†Previously released on the 1998 K Records
compilation Selector Dub Narcotic (in a slightly different mix)
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, released in June 1994 on K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
, an independent label. Like predecessor Stereopathetic Soulmanure
Stereopathetic Soulmanure
Stereopathetic Soulmanure is the second studio album by American alternative rock musician Beck, released on Flipside in 1994, a week before the appearance of his Geffen debut Mellow Gold. The album comprises mostly home demos, live performances, and abstract noise experiments...
, the album never charted, however One Foot in the Grave strengthened Beck's critical reputation, arguably allowing him to break into the mainstream with Odelay
Odelay
Odelay is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock artist Beck, originally released on June 18, 1996, by DGC Records.After the mainstream success of "Loser", Odelay featured several hit singles, including "Where It's At", "Devils Haircut", and "The New Pollution"...
in 1996. His third official album, One Foot in the Grave shows a strong folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
influence that is more pronounced than on his more eclectic-style albums of the time, Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold is the third studio album by American alternative rock musician Beck, as well as his major label debut. Mellow Gold was released on March 1, 1994 on the strength of the surprise hit "Loser"...
and Odelay. One Foot in the Grave was recorded prior to the release of his debut album Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold
Mellow Gold is the third studio album by American alternative rock musician Beck, as well as his major label debut. Mellow Gold was released on March 1, 1994 on the strength of the surprise hit "Loser"...
, but was not released until after that album met with critical and commercial success.
The album features the production talents, songwriting talents, and occasional backing vocals of Calvin Johnson, founder of K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
. It was recorded at Dub Narcotic Studio, which was then housed in Calvin's basement.
As of July 2008, One Foot in the Grave had sold 168,000 copies in the United States.
On April 14, 2009, the album was reissued with 13 unreleased tracks by Beck's own Iliad label.
Track listing
All songs written by BeckBeck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, except where noted.
- "He's a Mighty Good Leader" (traditional) – 2:41
- "Sleeping Bag" – 2:15
- "I Get Lonesome" – 2:50
- "Burnt Orange Peel" – 1:39
- "Cyanide Breath Mint" – 1:37
- "See Water" – 2:22
- "Ziplock Bag" – 1:44
- "Hollow Log" – 1:53
- "Forcefield" (BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
/Samual Montgomery Jayne) – 3:31 - "Fourteen Rivers Fourteen Floods" – 2:54
- "Asshole" – 2:32
- "I've Seen the Land Beyond" – 1:40
- "Outcome" – 2:10
- "Girl Dreams" – 2:02
- "Painted Eyelids" – 3:06
- "Atmospheric Conditions" (BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
/Calvin Johnson) – 2:09
Under a recently issued court order, K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
is no longer allowed to sell this original version.
Japanese bonus tracks
- "It's All in Your Mind" – 2:56
- "Feather in Your Cap" – 1:12
- "Whiskey Can Can" – 2:15
These three bonus tracks are outtakes from the One Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave is a BBC television sitcom series written by David Renwick. The show ran for six series, including seven Christmas specials, two Comic Relief specials, over an eleven year period, from early 1990 to late 2000...
sessions and were issued on a 7" single
It's All In Your Mind
"It's All in Your Mind" is the seventh track on Beck's 2002 album, Sea Change. It is perhaps one of the simplest songs on the album lyrically; many phrases are repeated, with 'I wanted to be' iterated nine times....
in 1995. Both "Feather in Your Cap" and "It's All in Your Mind" were later re-recorded as full studio productions with a full band. The former was recorded in 1994 and issued as a B-side of the "Sissyneck" and "Jack-Ass
Jack-Ass (song)
"Jack-Ass" is a single by Beck, taken from the album Odelay. The song is based on a sample of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", performed by Them, from their 1966 album Them Again....
" singles in 1997 while the latter appeared on the 2002 album Sea Change.
Deluxe edition
A deluxe edition was released on April 14, 2009, featuring 16 additional tracks, with 12 previously unreleased.All songs written by Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, except where noted.
- "It's All in Your Mind"* – 2:54
- "Whiskey Can Can"* (BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
/Calvin Johnson) – 2:12 - "Mattress" – 2:31
- "Woe on Me" – 3:10
- "Teenage Wastebasket" (electric & band) – 2:28
- "Your Love Is Weird" – 2:27
- "Favorite Nerve" – 2:05
- "Piss on the Door" – 2:05
- "Close to God"† (BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
/Calvin Johnson) – 2:28 - "Sweet Satan" – 1:45
- "Burning Boyfriend" – 1:12
- "Black Lake Morning" (BeckBeckBeck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
/Samual Montgomery Jayne) – 2:25 - "Feather in Your Cap"* – 1:13
- "One Foot in the Grave" – 3:18
- "Teenage Wastebasket" (acoustic) – 1:27
- "I Get Lonesome" (alternate version) – 1:56
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
single "It's All in Your Mind
It's All in Your Mind
"It's All in Your Mind" is the seventh track on Beck's 2002 album, Sea Change. It is perhaps one of the simplest songs on the album lyrically; many phrases are repeated, with 'I wanted to be' iterated nine times....
".
†Previously released on the 1998 K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
compilation Selector Dub Narcotic (in a slightly different mix)
Personnel
- Beck – bass, guitar, drums, vocals
- Calvin Johnson – vocals
- Chris BallewChris BallewChristopher "Chris" Ballew is a member of the alternative rock group The Presidents of the United States of America and performs as a children's artist under the pseudonym Caspar Babypants....
– bass, guitar - James BertramJames Bertram (musician)James Bertram is a bass guitarist and singer, who has played with many indie rock bands from the Pacific Northwest.-Career overview:In 1992, Bertram joined the indie rock band Lync, in which he played bass and sang...
– bass - Sam Jayne – vocals
- Scott Plouf – drums
- Mario Prietto – bongos