Jason Isbell: 'If We Were Vampires' - Part 1

Jason plays his song "If We Were Vampires".

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[Harvestersz]

Such a great songwriter. Here is what he told Paste Magazine about the process of writing this song:

"I started to examine my own notions about mortality, when I realized that to write a love song, you have to write a death song. Love doesn’t mean as much without death. If I agree to marry someone, that’s a big risk, because I only have one life. If I lived forever, what would it matter? But because I’m only going to live till 85 or thereabouts, I’m giving her the most valuable thing I have: my time."

[BaronK]

The best songwriter on earth right now.

[barriolson]

This song means a great deal to me. Lost my wife of 41 years last month. Truth. Thank you Jason. Thank you.

[LazyAssWins]

This tune wrecks me everytime . That tells me something so it's good

[edwarddavenport]

This is my favourite song of all time. Most underrated gem of the music industry. Bold statement I know. But this is musical genius in its purest form.

[kylelewis]

I love this version. So raw, and its a little higher than the studio version. Shows off Jason's range a little more

[kathrynnee]

I love how the host sits there in complete AWE during this song. Made me cry.

[interrogator]

Often enjoy this show. Was listening to this one night while working late...who the hell is this guy? Then he sang this. Oh. Then I checked out some songs mentioned in the interview. Then I bought the album. Then concert tickets. What a gift to have stumbled upon this particular episode. Thanks, Sam and Jason, for improving life.

[matthewhoult]

A very very clever and phenomenal songwriter, and one of the best in the last 50 years👌

[GuitarBeard]

Underrated thing here is he’s playing it a full step higher than it should be and he still doesn’t miss a beat.

[chad_dawkins]

“Maybe we’ll get 40 years together” line gives me goosebumps every time I watch this.

[awhite]

I just need to remember that when I hear this song, I'm going to cry. Not super convenient just before a call on a work day🤣. Good work on this one Mr. Isbell.

[delewan]

I know my mother would love this song for the beauty of it, but I hesitate to share it - she lost my father after 40 years of marriage. He's gone and she's spending this time alone. This song is very real to many of us.

[soulachristopher]

Tears me up every time. A perfect song and a masterful songwriter

[bradcothren]

Even on the best day this song will pull some tears. Guy is phenomenal writer.

[erickeplinger]

I dedicated this song to my mother when my father passed away. After 54 years of a perfect marriage, she is now spending that time without him.

[jamesgarley]

First time I heard this song awhile back I cried my eyes out.

[action]

Id never heard this artist before- what a gift to listen to

[theheartofablackbird]

I never really listened to Isbell before this...great song. Notes of Townes.

[Zophedus]

I've watched this video at least a thousand times and I'm still in awe like I first watched it. I'm about 20% into learning this on guitar now, I just can't get it out of my head. I can see myself playing this to my wife at our 40th anniversary with our kids around us. Powerful song, powerful message.