Preview
  • World Within a Song

  • Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music
  • By: Jeff Tweedy
  • Narrated by: Jeff Tweedy
  • Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (100 ratings)

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World Within a Song

By: Jeff Tweedy
Narrated by: Jeff Tweedy
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Publisher's summary

An exciting and heartening mix of memories, music, and inspiration from Wilco front man and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Tweedy, sharing fifty songs that changed his life, the real-life experiences behind each one, as well as what he’s learned about how music and life intertwine and enhance each other

What makes us fall in love with a song? What makes us want to write our own songs? Do songs help? Do songs help us live better lives? And do the lives we live help us write better songs?

After two New York Times bestsellers that cemented and expanded his legacy as one of America’s best-loved performers and songwriters, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back) and How to Write One Song, Jeff Tweedy is back with another disarming, beautiful, and inspirational book about why we listen to music, why we love songs, and how music can connect us to each other and to ourselves. Featuring fifty songs that have both changed Jeff’s life and influenced his music—including songs by the Replacements, Mavis Staples, the Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, Dolly Parton, and Billie Eilish—as well as Jeff’s “Rememories,” dream-like short pieces that related key moments from Jeff’s life, this book is a mix of the musical, the emotional, and the inspirational in the best possible way.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF with song credits and permissions.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Jeff Tweedy (P)2023 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"The Wilco frontman delves into his inspiring relationship with music through 50 songs (from \"Gloria\" to \"Free Bird\") and adds heart-wrenching memories of childhood friendship, gun-wielding tour bus drivers and more. If life's a movie, Tweedy's has a pretty great soundtrack." —People

“A beautiful, effervescent, and introspective journey.” —Shelf Awareness

“Tweedy’s storytelling skills are as sharp as his songcraft…a joy to read.”Performer Magazine

What listeners say about World Within a Song

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Jeff is an interesting and captivating storyteller. I enjoy listening to him read his books. I’ve listened to all of his.

Self deprecating, funny, poignant, painful. Just like life. Try to keep it light but it’s dark a lot of the time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Jeff Tweedy’s Plain Spoken, Direct, Funny, Touching, Vulnerable, & Honest Meditation on Music is Perfection

To kibble about his choices or omissions misses the whole point. This book is not so much about the list itself, but rather the way music moves us and why, and illustrates why Jeff Tweedy is just so damn good at making it. The guy can really write too. I didn’t want it to end.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Music is Life

Interesting stories on the music that shaped or had profound impact on Mr. Tweedy. He could easily do 4 more volumes of this type of song realted story telling. Great listen/read!

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I could listen to Jeff all day

This was my third Tweedy book after the memoir and How to Write One Song. As usual, solid insights and storytelling.

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Tweedy is the Man

A candid and thoughtful account of not only the songs that have shaped Tweedy’s approach of songwriting and life, but a brilliant consideration of why we as humans love listening to music. I highly recommend this book.

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Loved it

Jeff is so down to earth, listening to this felt like hangin out with a friend.

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Very personal

This book felt personal like a conversation with the reader(me). And I loved the format for the memories.

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Keep it coming, Jeff!

I just finished listening. This audiobook kept me company on my commute and - as always - I found myself sitting in the parking lot wanting just a few minutes more. Tweedy’s dry sense of humor really shines through. I have the book, too (my wife bought it for me), and I’ll read that next, but listening to Jeff’s narration really lets you know how it’s intended to sound. And, let’s face it, sound matters. Thanks, Jeff!

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Great one

If you are a Tweedy fan or a fan of music this is a great book. So many great stories in here as well. You are in for a treat.

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