I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you
I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill for you
I will, I will, I will
I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go for you
I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you
I'll die, I'll die, I'll die, I'll die for you
I will, I will, I will
And if I die, I'll die, I'll die alone
On some forgotten hill, abandoned by the mill
All my blood will spring and spill
I'll thrash the air and then be still
You wake with a start from a dream and know that I am gone
You feel it in your heart, but not for very long
You'll rise each day as planned, your will as your command
And stand each Sunday, a hymnal steady in your hand
And you'll sing to yourself the rising, falling melody
That you could never lead without the choir's lead
Still alone and lost indeed
And your soul will not be free
I will go, I will go, I will go
Into war's waters, I will wade
And I will know without remorse or regret
The fairness of our trade
For you to live, I took your place
A deal was made and I was paid
And in gold, as I was told
With a place where my body could be laid
You will steer your life and die old, in bed at home
Surrounded by your peers, without suffering or fear
Grandchildren far and near, and none will shed a tear
For the love no longer here
I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go for you, I will
I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you, I will, I will, I will
I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill for you, I will
I'll die, I'll die, I'll die, I'll die for you, I will, I will, I will
And if I die, I'll die, I'll die alone, like Jesus
On the cross, my faith cannot be tossed
My life will not be lost
If my love comes across
Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo after singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently during its first decade, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004 the lineup has been unchanged, consisting of Tweedy, Stirratt, guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released thirteen studio albums, a live double album, and four collaborations: three with Billy Bragg and one with the Minus 5.
Wilco's music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles including Bill Fay, the Beatles, and Television; in turn the band has influenced music by many modern alternative rock acts. The band continued in the alternative country style of Uncle Tupelo on its debut album A.M. (1995), but has since introduced more experimental aspects to their music, including elements of alternative rock and classic pop. Wilco's musical style has evolved from a 1990s country rock sound to a current "eclectic indie rock collective that touches on many eras and genres".
Wilco received media attention for their fourth album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2001), and the controversy surrounding it. After the recording sessions were complete, Reprise Records rejected the album and dismissed Wilco from the label. As part of a buy-out deal, Reprise gave Wilco the rights to the album for free. After streaming Foxtrot on its website, Wilco sold the album to Nonesuch Records in 2002. Both record labels are subsidiaries of Warner Music Group, leading a critic to say the album showed "how screwed up the music business is in the early twenty-first century." The event was immortalized in the documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart; director Sam Jones followed the band as they wrote and produced the record. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is Wilco's most successful release to date, selling over 670,000 copies. Wilco won two Grammy Awards for their fifth studio album, 2004's A Ghost Is Born, including Best Alternative Music Album. Wilco released their thirteenth studio album, Cousin, in September 2023.
