Let's Go (So We Can Get Back)

A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc.

By: Jeff Tweedy

Narrated by: Jeff Tweedy

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The singer, guitarist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Wilco, opens up about his past, his songs, the music, and the people that have inspired him.

Few bands have inspired as much devotion as the Chicago rock band Wilco, and it's thanks, in large part, to the band's singer, songwriter, and guiding light: Jeff Tweedy. But while his songs and music have been endlessly discussed and analyzed, Jeff has rarely talked so directly about himself, his life, and his artistic process.

Until now. In his long-awaited memoir, Jeff will tell stories about his childhood in Belleville, Illinois; the St. Louis record store, rock clubs, and live-music circuit that sparked his songwriting and performing career; and the Chicago scene that brought it all together. He'll also talk in-depth about his collaborators in Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and more, and write lovingly about his parents; wife, Susie; and sons, Spencer and Sam. Honest, funny, and disarming, Tweedy's memoir will bring listeners inside both his life and his musical process, illuminating his singular genius and sharing his story, voice, and perspective for the first time.

Includes a bonus with a comic strip and song lyrics.

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

©2018 Jeff Tweedy (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Engaging… Sometimes the most revolutionary thing about music comes down to its ability to transform an individual.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Wildly entertaining… Breathtaking…Unforgettable…Tweedy's music has never shied away from darkness, but he's also never been afraid to celebrate joy. The same is true with this remarkable memoir - it's a wonderful book, alternately sorrowful and triumphant, and it's a gift not just to his fans, but to anyone who cares about American rock music.” (NPR.org)

"The book’s unsparing detail - on everything from his upbringing in drab Belleville, Illinois, to the contentious band dynamics of Wilco and alt-country gods Uncle Tupelo - make this a uniquely raw rock autobiography.” (Rolling Stone)

A best book of the year

In my opinion, this should win a prize for best memoir of 2018. No, I haven't read them all but this is a wonderful book. Jeff Tweedy, for those who don't know, is a musician and lead singer of a couple of different bands, most notably Uncle Tupelo and Wilco. I know his name because of a Dylan cover on the soundtrack for the Todd Haynes movie about Dylan, I'm Not There, but have never really got to know Wilco's music. I heard Tweedy interviewed and was so taken with him that I got the book. A happy choice--and the audio version is especially good, as narrated by himself.

The story Tweedy has to tell is honest, funny, sad, revealing (what is it like to be a rock musician, what is it like to make a record in a recording studio), thoughtful and insightful--about being creative, navigating a potentially rejecting world, dealing with demons and your very own self, in all its complexity. I--a woman, older, not a musician, not mid-western--have little in common with Jeff Tweedy, but so much of what he writes is so fundamentally true that I saw myself again and again: we were both weepy kids, is just one example that knocked me over with recognition, and understanding as he explored that aspect of himself.

Jeff Tweedy is not the biggest rock star in the world, but he is and has been for decades a working musician, singer, lyricist. He has had serious troubles with drugs and illness. He has been blessed with good parents, a wife and two sons. They are all interesting characters in their own right. And (this maybe is a spoiler--it came as a surprise to me) one of the most unusual and effective aspects of the audio book was the participation of Jeff's wife Susie and elder son, Spenser, in the narrative. This was seamlessly done and there was something so gratifying, so real, so... joyful almost.

Having finished the book, I now turn to getting to know the music of Wilco and related projects. Because a guy this bright and devoted to his craft will not, I think, disappoint me musically.

I’m turning around to listen again

I listened and read this book concurrently. I have a confession to make, I am the woman who sign Uncle Tupelo to Rockville Records, and yet I am going to try to be unbiased (look my name is mentioned once it’s no big deal). This is about as fine as autobiographies get. Teary eyed one moment and giggling the next. Angela’s Ashes is the last autobiography to do that, although Jeff isn’t quite McCourt, but I love a good tear followed by a giggle. The Audible had Jeff sitting in my passenger seat. The book had Jeff sitting in my room talking about our creative process. We all have something in common with him even if we’re not rock stars or musicians or just really well known. I could tell you all about the book but I won’t cuz you should just read it. He has a beautiful literary voice and a great deal to say that is worth hearing. So yeah, you should just listen or read it. And on and on and on.

Doomed, dabbling, misanthropic, nap enthusiast.

Tweedy's description of himself is my new personal mantra (from Chapter 4, around the 31 minute mark). By the way, he calls himself a borderline misanthrope, but the headline limits characters.

This is the only Audible book I have listened at regular speed in order to savor every minute of the story. Having it read by the author is just...perfect. It is definitely a book I will listen through again, and soon.

If you have ever seen Wilco play live you know about Jeff Tweedy's musings and ramblings on stage, affectionately known as 'banter' on live CDs. This is Tweedy banter expanded to 8 hours. He shares intimate detail about his life; his family, growing up in Belleville, losing his virginity, the bike accident that led to his learning to play guitar, the rise and fall of Uncle Tupelo, and the rise of Wilco out of the ashes. Oh and there's some mention about addiction along the way.

His conversations with his wife Susie and son Spencer throughout the book is an incredible welcome surprise. So nice to hear their voices, it feels like we're sitting in their kitchen hearing what an ordinary day would be like for the Tweedy family.

If you are a fan of Wilco and/or Uncle Tupelo this book is a must. If you are a fan of rock biographies, this too is a must, especially hearing it read by the author. If you are new to Tweedy, Wilco, or rock bios, this is a great place to start, as you gain insight on an everyday guy who just so happened to stumble onto something great and front two of the most important and underrated bands in America from the last 2+ decades.

Great Story

I’m actually not a huge Wilco fan but I respect Jeff Tweedy and know how talented he is. So I was intrigued to listen to his story. It’s a really great story. I really enjoyed it and I respect him even more for telling it.

Deeply moving voice of my generation

I loved this book. The audiobook made me cry. Never liked his music much but the book made me love it now. Transformative

Absolutely Incredible

I listened to the whole thing in 1 day. Unbelievable in every respect. Listening to the author narrate this extraordinarily compelling.

Jeff opens up his heart and invites us in.

My anticipation level for this book could not have been higher. I’ve been a Jeff Tweedy (and Wilco) fan for many years and have always felt an irrational but undeniable connection to what I felt was his essential being. With this book, Jeff has given us the gift of opening up that fertile, curious, sensitive and vulnerable mind and sharing it with us open-heartedly. His integrity and conviction, as well as his humor and fearlessness, shine through in every word. There are fascinating glimpses into his creative process and an abundance of stories that are by turns hilarious, harrowing, heartbreaking, and breathtaking in their honesty. Having the book read into your ears by the voice you’ve loved so long is just the icing on the cake. Don’t expect a linear narrative structure. Do expect surprising honesty and candor. This is Jeff Tweedy inviting us to wallow inside his head. I like it there. Thank you, Jeff.

This feels like a personal conversation between Jeff and me

I know that I will probably never meet my all time favorite musician, Jeff Tweedy. And even if I did, I couldn’t ever have the kind of deep conversation that I would love to have with him. However, having Jeff read this book, I think this is pretty damn close to realizing that dream. This is the most personal, tender, and vulnerable autobiography I have ever read/listened to. My 20 year journey with Jeff has so much more context and texture. I am blown away by this work.

Essential for Gen X (and other) music fans.

Whether you’re a music snob or just into dad rock, this one’s for you. Effing fantastic.

If you love Wilco, you'll love this!

Filled with everything I never knew I wanted to know about Wilco. Was a joy to listen to!