Lyrics:

The Song:

The closing track on Sea Change is a gorgeous blues.

It's a very simple, pretty recording, with not a lot of production involved. There's a minimal band backing.

What an amazing track to end on, as I believe it sums up a lot of the feelings of the rest of the album, and indicates some moving past them. Beck is always aware of making a complete album, and not just throwing together songs. And after a full set of tunes of heartbreak and frustration and loss, here at the end the narrator of the album is finally getting past them. Put these things in your rearviewmirror, as you continue on your way. Let it pass on the side of the road.

Those distant lights, which in the first song of the album, were far and few, are now much closer and viewable.

Live:

Played live 34 times:
Earliest known live version: August 2, 2002
Latest known live version: September 10, 2005

"Side of the Road" was played on stage for the first time on August 2 2002. It is done as an acoustic duet, with Beck finger-picking his guitar, and Smokey adding some bluesy slide licks. The live versions are a lot more haunting and powerful, while the recording feels more reflexive and folky, which I think is due to how Beck sings it. But for the most part, the song is quite similar on stage as to the record.

A full-band version made it's first appearance on August 30 2002, though for the most part, the extra musicians stay out of the way.

On tour with the Flaming Lips in October and November 2002, Beck played "Side of the Road" a few times. He didn't play it with the Lips, it was solo acoustic each time.

One more band version came on February 14 2003. This time the band has a bit more presence, and the song sounds much fuller for it.