World Within a Song

An exciting and heartening mix of memories, music, and inspiration from Wilco frontman and New York Times bestselling author Jeff Tweedy, sharing 50-plus 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 50-plus 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 thoughts on Jeff's own songs and his “Rememories”, which have been such a hit on his popular Substack, Starship Casual, this book is a mix of the musical, the emotional, and the inspirational in the best possible way.

About the Author

As the founding member and leader of the Grammy Award–winning American rock band Wilco, and before that the cofounder of the alt‐country band Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy is one of contemporary music’s most accomplished songwriters, musicians, and performers. Jeff has released two solo albums, written original songs for eleven Wilco albums, and is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Let's Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc and How to Write One Song. He lives in Chicago with his family.

Author Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Author Hometown: Belleville, IL