Nobody's Fault but My Own is the second track and third single from Mutations.
Description[]
This song combines elements of Indian music (sitar, tambura, esraj) with folk music. When asked about the Indian influence in the song, he said this;
"Indian instruments are deep. It takes three years to learn how to tune them, and another two years to learn how to hold them properly."
This song is slightly based off of a Blind Willie Johnston song, "Nobody's Fault but Mine." The lyrics of the song display egret and selfishness. Is he sorry for what he did, as stated in the chorus? But then again, he's calling the subject "cruel" and telling the subject that nobody notices her. The song is obviously about the emotion of regret.
When asked about the song, all Beck had to say about it was "Well I went down to my basement. It was raining outside, and I wrote it." This song has some great metaphors, the repetition helps it, and he is riding a fine line of emotion throughout the entire song.
The B-Sides for the single are One of These Days and Diamond in the Sleaze.
Lyrics[]
Treated you like a rusty blade, a throwaway from an open grave
Cut you loose from a chain gang who let you go
And on the day you said it's true, some love holds, some gets used
Tried to tell you I never knew it could be so sweet
Who could ever be so cruel? Blame the devil for the things you do?
It's such a selfish way to lose, the way you lose these wasted blues, these wasted blues
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
When the moon is a counterfeit, better find the one that fits
Better find the one that lights the way for you
When the road is full of nails, garbage pails and darkened jails
And the tongues are full of heartless tales that drain on you
Who would ever notice you? You fade into a shaded room
It's such a selfish way to lose, the way you lose these wasted blues, these wasted blues
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Tell me that it's nobody's fault, nobody's fault but my own
Track Listing[]
This single was only released in Japan.
- "Nobody's Fault but My Own (edit)" - 4:45
- "One of These Days" - 4:48
- "Diamond in the Sleaze" - 4:07
Listen[]
Nobody's Fault But My Own
Tracks
- 1: Cold Brains - 3:41
- 2: Nobody's Fault but My Own - 5:02
- 3: Lazy Flies - 3:44
- 4: Canceled Check - 3:14
- 5: We Live Again - 3:05
- 6: Tropicalia - 3:20
- 7: Dead Melodies - 2:36
- 8: Bottle of Blues - 4:56
- 9: O Maria - 3:59
- 10: Sing It Again - 4:19
- 11: Static - 5:18
- 12: Diamond Bollocks - 6:02 (unlisted)
B-Sides
Black Balloon • Diamond in the Sleaze • Electric Music and the Summer People • Halo of Gold • One of These Days • Runners Dial Zero