IFLTS: 'I See a Darkness,' Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Posted on Sep 26th 2007 2:00PM by Joe Tacopino
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'I See a Darkness,' Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
From 1999's 'I See a Darkness'

I will regretfully swallow my pride and admit that Will Oldham is one of the few artists who has actually made me cry. (Gulp!) Performing under the moniker of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Oldham has released his share of records over the past few decades, but somehow I keep coming back to his '99 classic 'I See a Darkness,' with its title track of forlorn, sentimental lyrics and sullen, sparse instrumentation. In the song, Oldham recounts the nights he's spent out drinking with a friend; and rather than a chronicle of debauchery he evokes the solemn mysticism of brotherly love in a way that's so tragically beautiful that you just wallow in it. You may have heard this tune, as covered by Johnny Cash from his illustrious 'American' series, but the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy version stands as a testament to Oldham's unique songwriting prowess and this song's unparalleled tranquility.

Hear the song after the jump.

Joe Tacopino is the Associate Music Editor for Popmatters.com.

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