In the halcyon days of Napster and Limewire, a song labeled ‘Ween – Zoloft’ started getting passed around. This in itself isn’t odd, but what is odd is that there was a song called ‘Zoloft’ on Ween’s album Quebec, and it was not this song. For years and years that’s all we had to go on: Not Ween. It was a mystery.
Recently a band called The Vintage Chimps in the UK started claiming the song, saying they labeled it Ween to grab publicity (the header above is the only shot I could find of them). Unfortunately, it worked so well that Ween got all the publicity. The real title is either ‘Western Skies’ or ‘Kim,’ depending on who you ask. Frankly, I like ‘Zoloft.’
Regardless of its actual origin, it’s a great song, and its popularity is a testament to the fact that however much we may love a good story, the art is more important than the artist. I listened to it looking down over the Pacific ocean, utterly alone, on my very first flight to Taiwan. I was scared, and it soothed me. In the end, that’s all that matters. May it soothe you too.
“Kim… take us to your western skies…”
[ed: check the comments]
