The Ideal Husband

Album: I Love You, Honeybear (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds FJM listing all the bad things that he's done in his life, before concluding that despite his weaknesses, he's ready to settle down and be the "ideal husband." Asked by The Independent what he deems the worst thing on the list, FJM replied: "The big one in the song is telling people jokes to shut them up. That is my biggest and most misleading antisocial behavior. I struggle with contempt for people and I can keep them at arm's length by making them laugh."

    "I find the happier I become, the less funny I get. But at those Fleet Foxes shows you could not get me to shut up. I was talking between every song just because I was so unhappy."
  • Josh Tillman (aka Father John Misty) reveals the worst of himself in his songs. Here he's a self-hating wreck who confesses to "telling people jokes to shut them up" and "bringing on unearned attention."

    Tillman told Q magazine that he was inspired by the fearless honesty of the novelist Henry Miller. "There's a line in Tropic of Cancer, 'We're like two insane people trying to f--k through an iron gate.'" he said. "And I thought, 'That's my album.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.