Lucinda Williams discusses new album and political themes in music
Lucinda Williams has expressed frustration during the promotional efforts for her 16th album, World’s Gone Wrong. Responding to a reporter’s question about whether she thinks the world has gone wrong, she remarked, “I mean, what kind of question is that?! Have you been living under a rock? Can you not SEE the world has gone wrong? Do I really have to tell you that?” reports BritPanorama.
Video-calling from her home in Nashville, Williams reflected on her initial intentions following the success of her 2020 single, “Man Without A Soul”, which was nominated for a Grammy. While she had not planned to write additional anti-Trump protest songs, the continued political climate compelled her to create more music aimed at “waking people up.”
The new album’s sound features raw and gritty elements, with Williams addressing the pervasive issues in American society, including “violence, chaos and tragedy” under what she describes as a “devil master salesman.” She has been dismayed by the focus of interviewers on the darker aspects of her music, questioning how they could expect positivity in such turbulent times. “I do hate apathy. I can’t stand it when I ask someone: ‘Who you gonna vote for?’ and they just shrug their shoulders and say, ‘What difference does it make?’ Well, I hate to be the one to announce this but, guess what? Voting for change is the only option we have right now,” she stated.
Williams’ title track from World’s Gone Wrong portrays a story resonant with blue-collar struggles, emphasizing people’s coping mechanisms as they attempt to “ignore the news” in a bewildering media landscape. Despite the heaviness of her messages, she offers encouragement in the chorus, urging listeners to “be strong” and find “comfort in a song.”
The singer maintains a connection with everyday life, often engaging with those around her, including taxi drivers and hospital nurses, especially since her stroke in 2020, which has affected her ability to play guitar. She continues to receive physical therapy while aiming to remain optimistic. “I’m an optimist,” Williams affirmed, adding that she embraces discussions about dark topics, as they facilitate connections with others who share similar fears.
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1953, her early life was marked by instability due to her parents’ bohemian lifestyle, which influenced her artistry. Her memoir, Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You, reflects on her childhood experiences, including her mother’s struggles with mental illness. Williams guides her writing, often fueled by the complexities of her upbringing and various influences, including hard-drinking Southern writers and progressive cultural figures.
Her rebellious spirit was evident even in her youth, as she participated in protests against racial inequality and the Vietnam War. These early experiences shaped her music and led her to explore darker themes, often dismissed by industry peers as overly bleak.
Williams experienced challenges related to sexism within the music industry, recounting incidents where her success made some men uncomfortable. Her past relationships, including a well-publicized one with Ryan Adams, also contributed to the narrative surrounding her life and music, notably after Adams was accused of misconduct.
Now happily married to co-writer Tom Overby, Williams embraces her current life while continuing to create music that reflects her insights on societal issues. Although her guitar playing may have shifted, Williams remains committed to her vocal artistry, as demonstrated in her cover of Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble in the World,” which she performs alongside Mavis Staples.
As Williams navigates the effects of her stroke and reflects on America’s current societal shifts, she remains a vocal advocate for addressing systemic issues in the country. “America is becoming a police state. The ICE people – who do they remind you of? Hitler and the gestapo. It’s the same fucking thing. We must talk about these things,” she stressed, underscoring the responsibility of artists to engage with pressing societal concerns.
