My daughter is 5. When I look at her and say "been riding lots of trains" she sings the rest with me. It's magical. Thanks for those moments.

Gregory makes me think of a life I never had, places I've never visited and people I've never met. It's like a dream. A nostalgic, beautiful dream.

The buildup to this song is one of the best I’ve ever heard. Gregory Alan Isakov is by far, one of the most underrated musicians in the history of music.

There is maybe 6-8 songs I've heard in my entire life (40+ years) that I can FEEL in my BONES. This is one.

Isakov is a modern day poet with an ear for melody. His lyrics typically drive his tunes and they marry each other well. This song speaks of the artist’s duality, the two differing approaches to his life. They both exist within him like brothers-in-arms, taking on the world in his mind before daybreak . His responsible side traded his childhood for ‘clothes’, the necessities of life. And yet he yearns for something more. He fights to maintain a semblance of reality as he progresses through life, rooted in the land, but all the while the sense of loss from compromise persists. Now as he looks back on the eras of his life, coarsing like a train, he sees that the artistic side of him engaging in life, and yet somehow apart. He is telling himself that the compromises he made were for the good and allowed the artist side to live but he feels also that maybe it is a lie; perhaps it is the artistic side that allowed the responsible side to be alive. As he finds his responsible side has dreams, too, the realization comes that both sides are liars, living only half a truth.

This song is a near-spiritual experience...hearing 'Liars' at Red Rocks one day is one of my life goals! 🖤

I was in the audience for this at Red Rocks Ampitheater... it was magic.

The genius of Isakov. For me…unrivalled, exquisite, authentic, soulful, beautiful, peaceful, loving ❤

Yep. Following the world's "Steps to Success" leaves you feeling like you have to lie to everyone about how happy you are ( I will never attend a high school reunion for this reason 😉). I'll likely never be seen as "Dr. Success" - at least not according to the world's standards, and I don't really want to. I believe that I've traded cards in for clothes, clothes for land, land for dreams; and now I am even trading dreams in for other people's wellbeing and happiness. I think that's how God built us to find the most peace: less focus on ourselves, and more on helping others.... a paradox of returned joy, really. This version of the song will probably stay as one of my favorite songs for the remaining years of my life. Thanks, Gregory (+ band + Colorado Symphony... + friends and fam of those just mentioned).

There are two brothers in this story. The responsible one (who has a job) is still protective of the wild one (even though it means getting in brawls on his way to work). The narrator’s self-survivalistic upbringing is evidenced by his stoic willingness to engage in a street fight with the same casual energy of household chores. It is also indicated by the first transaction of the song: selling his childhood baseball cards for clothes. He has resigned himself to this lot in life (“that’s how it goes, that’s how it goes, that’s how it goes”). With each transaction, he sells one item to gain another, each with escalating value. But when considering what each item represents, every transaction loses value. It wasn’t just baseball cards he gave up, it was the innocence of childhood: swing sets, costumes, and playing in the dirt on sunny days. The clothes were probably for a job or an education; when he sold those clothes to get the land, he had to cash in years of job-earnings or his degree. But obtaining the land that had once called to him only resulted in him being “sort of happy most of the time.” Now he hears something higher calling to him (“the clouds round here talk man, I been listening”). So that’s why he wants to “move on” again, this time maybe to the city. Something bigger, more opportunity, new people. To do this however, he must give up the permanency and security represented by land ownership. This new life entails a lot of travel. More ground covered but confined in the small spaces of “lots of trains.” With every move, he brought his brother with him (“same ones as you”). He was the one making all the sacrifices while his brother shared in the reward. And now he resents that his being the responsible & good one afforded his brother the freedom to be the more social & wild one (he’s stuck “looking out the window” while his brother “gets to talk to everyone.”) His brother brings attention to the virtue of the narrator (“pointing out my halo,”) and whatever the brother’s intentions, the narrator perceives it as a slight or even as a grotesque accusation (“big pointy finger from a six-fingered hand”). He feels cornered into being the good brother. So, he’s made a series of bad trades (though they seemed responsible at the time) to get him where he is now, looking out into the darkness from a train window considering what it has all cost him: the innocence of childhood, years of savings and labor, even the old familiar land he thought would bring him happiness. And what did this last costly trade-off get the narrator? He’s trying to recapture what was lost a long time ago: the unrealistic, ethereal dreams of childhood aspirations (“dreams just like those movies we played when we were kids.”) But they’ve been untrue to themselves, trading in who they are - to become who they think they should be. So long as the lie remained unspoken, it could be believed. But finally, in the cold darkness of this moment, he admits to himself what he’s known for a long time.

You take the big one And i'll take his brother Let's get this over with 'Cause i'm late for work Do you remember when we were young The swing sets, the costumes The dirt in the sun I sold all my baseball cards to buy me some clothes That's how it goes That's how it goes, and that's how it goes And i keep on thinking It's time to move on Move out to the city so huge Meet me some people Seems these old hills They keep on calling The clouds 'round here talk Man, i been listening I sold all these clothes to buy me this land I'm sorta happy most of the time Most of the time Been riding lots of trains The same ones as you How come you get to talk to everybody I'm just looking out my window at the night view You keep on pointing out my halo Your big pointy finger The six-fingered hand I sold all this land To buy me some dreams Just like those movies we played when we were kids Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've just discovered this artist. Been listening to so many awesome songs. Wow

This could be a beautiful soundtrack for a movie, I really think Isakov is a great musician! 🎶♥️🎶

This song sounds like a story from the vantage point of a man who’s grown up and adopted a kind of cold resignation to life in light of its hardships and disappointments. He remembers when he was young and the dreams he’d once had which played out in the movies him and his friends watched together as kids. But as he grew older, he found he had to give up the things he’d once loved for the necessities or things he thinks will give him the feeling he’d always dreamt of. He feels the tension of wanting to leave and head toward new opportunities while not wanting to let go of what he has. He goes through this cycle for many years and yet, he’s never truly happy. Not in the way he’d always dreamt of. He looks around him and wonders why everyone else seems happy while he’s alone in his sadness. People misunderstand him and don’t see the inner emptiness that plagues him. He comes to the conclusion that he lives and participates in a world where everyone wears masks, pretending to be happy when they aren’t. It makes me think of an Augustine quote - “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” In some sense, we’re no different from Adam and Eve in the garden after they fell and made coverings for themselves. They used fig leaves as a kind of mask. We use filters, success, and possessions. We’re liars just like they were.

One of the few artists who is able to translate emotion into music so beautifully.

Live all the life, have all the fun, weep for all the sorrows, laugh all the laughs, love all you can. Everyday. Always. Thanks greg.

To me, this song feels like a montage of someone’s life and what it feels like to grow up. The build up is the growing up part and when it hits its when you realize what life really is and what decisions you’ve made and what decisions you will have to keep making. It feels like the realization of growing up. Thats what it feels like to me. I understand it may mean something completely different, this is just what it feels like to me. I want to dance to it, sing it, make montages out of it, live it, feel it, and grow with it, cry with it. I don’t know… but I found the song and video beautiful regardless. I want to make a video of my life to this, im 16 now so maybe I can make it as I grow. One of my favorite songs 🤍

7 siblings running rock bottom fields of cedar and pine in the Ozarks. No knowledgeable of MTV or indoor toilets. Believing life would stay sepia toned, smelling of wild bergamot weed. Listened whole heartedly to God & daddy and married at 16 eager to please. Joyfully raising my own babies on the outskirts of Nashville, ducks & goats & guineas…. Happy….Until 4 yrs ago, my husband best friend safety, almost killed me then vanished. Never to see his beautiful amazing children again. Saw an old Ozarks friend in the Adirondacks this year, he says ‘ god you’re prettier than ever, how is that possible?’ Forged in fire. Pretty metal is only as strong as it’s make, but Damascus steal, folded and beaten and forged and beaten and ran through the fire, eventually if it’s the right metals….comes out more beautiful and stronger than ever. That’s my babies and me. Together we walked strong and came out unbreakable. The world no longer sepia …. Darkened around the edges, but I hold back the dark …sheer will. And allow them the wild mint in their toes and the sepia in their eyes and hearts and I am so so full of joy to see that light in their eyes. ‘The fleeting chance to see the trapeze. Swing as high as any savior.’ From GAI version on Traoexe Swinger Your music has helped me so tremendously, mainly the ones you wrote and even the ones you just touch. Thank you ~

“I’m sorta happy, most of the time. Most of the time”

OMG... this song is INCREDIBLE! Now THIS.... THIS is AMERICA!

Gregory Alan Isakov with a symphony is like a rainbow after a summer’s storm .❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏

This man is haunting, absolutely magical.

This song makes me feel so nostalgic I can't breathe and something gets lodged inside my throat and my eyes sting so bad... every single time I listen to it

This is so beautiful, I love his ability to capture such raw, intense emotion. I also love the progression of the lyrics from "I sold all these baseball cards" to "I sold all this land to buy me some dreams...now we're just liars" Love this artist, wow just wow!!

Your music, from solo acoustic to in front of a grand orchestra, is some of the most beautiful life affirming music. It's the words, the music, and your delivery. Gets me in every song. Constantly brings tears to my eyes. You are one of my favorites. Please come to Louisville Kentucky on your next tour.

The more I watch and listen to Gregory Alan Isakov the more I love his music!

I listened to Gregory's song "Amsterdam" almost non-stop while on a train from Landscheid, Germany to Amsterdam in January of this year, and I just remember thinking to myself: "Damn, this guy can really make people feel." Thanks for another beautiful song, Gregory!

This song trascends our time. It's an Eternal Masterpiece.

This song is like waves, builds up and comes to a crescendo and just haunts and yet its poignant.

This is just incredible. This Canadian girl is flying to Utah to see him in August. I've been listening to him for a while. Man he just keeps getting better. Soul stirring Mr. Isakov. ❤

It's today. Sept 27, 2021 that I discovered probably one of the best music I've heard in my life (i really love the banjo , it's kinda rare to hear it) It's liberating to know I'm one of those who've known such underrated musician.

This is my most favorite performance of GAI, they are awesome, the Symphony is awesome, the vid is awesome!!! How could it get any better???!!!! LOVE!

This gives me goosebumps. The emotion in the music is so refreshing. So little real music nowadays.

the feeling this man must have to play music like this in front of all those people sitting still and listening with their soul..must be a great feeling. you can see the band is happy by the way they are playing and the effort that is put into each song!!! i love this band!!!!

This is too beautiful, his voice is mesmerizing, but this song hit me like a kick to the stomach.

This man is just mind blowing. Gragory is lovee, no one can't hate him.

This should really have 100million views and 100million likes. Good music is too complicated for most people, they turn to simple manufactured music and shy away from real, honest and spectacular music like Gregory Alan Isakov’s music, which makes you think, feel and love.

This is one of the beautiful songs I've ever heard.

He really is a magical experience live. the Colorado orchestra adds a whole new level too

Takes you to a place you never knew existed.

"I loved her from afar, pitiful to most. She never did return, I never let her go. Drenched in hopeless sad, those three words couldn't pierce a disposition that I had, a brokenness so fierce. I imagined talking with her soul the days and nights had finked and nowhere did they go, and rarely did they blink. Thousands of eyes looking up at me so down and out wished for mercy on myself and a cease to my self doubts. Shame was my conductor, maestro, playing me to tears. Fingers worn down to my soul before past and future fears. I set her free not long ago, the last thing I told her ghost.. Of all the things you've costed me, I miss myself the most." ,dan'

There's something about this song that I always come back for more. I wish it was longer.

Just listened to old live version from 2010. Man he polished this song so good. Was good then but he shaped the melody from it just perfectly and obviously the production with the colorado symphony is remarkable.

One of my favorites of yours. Man, I traveled last year from central Florida to Durham NC by myself to see you play, and it was one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to. You’re a legend mate and such a huge inspiration to me.

I literally burst into tears at 3:21. So freaking good and it just sings to my soul.

When a song brings tears to your eyes. Absolutely stunning. 🙏

I've been waiting years for this song to be recorded in some way. Worth it.

He is blessed, and I am so grateful that things I've struggled to process have been evoked in me via music. Healing.

I could listen to this and "The Trapeze Swinger" on a loop all day every day......Sigh.

I can't stop watching this video. I feel like my soul is going to explode

Would have been a transformative experience hearing this and especially at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Bucket list.

Serene, wistful, sombre, powerful. So many words to describe this masterpiece. Simple in the beginning before ending on an emphatic crescendo of musical bliss. Bravo and Kudos to Sir GAI and the Warriors of The Colorado Symphony

oh my god, this is the best thing i've ever heard.

this makes me feel so many things. I am so grateful I got to hear this live in Paris last December. one of the best days of my life

This song, the melody and the lyrics and the beautiful people who perform it and wrote it and lived it, this gorgeous video..... It nourishes my soul in a way that very few do... Bless you all

I Have listened to this video dozens of times and I just cant believe how amazing it sounds every time. Just so beautiful and with the orchestra powerful and intense. I don't think music can get any better than Isakov. Suitcase full of sparks is sheer poetry, another favorite.

There is something with the sound of his music that sends me to a different place to think about life in a very calm way and it made me feel so great.

You are a gift to my soul Mr. Isakov.

Beautiful. Everything I love about Gregory Alan Isakov, but bigger and more spectacular! Cannot wait for this record.

Its wondeful to discover that good music is still being made. The violinist is so into it. at 4.46 it looks like he's playing on the last string in the bow.

Glad I found this gem, one of the best songs I have heard!

My husband surprised me with tickets for his show in Seattle, on August 6th!!! The Avett Brothers and Gregory all wuthin two weeks if each other...I'm a hapoy gal!

He is the poet of today music.

GOD BLESS HIS FREAKING SOUL THIS IS REAL BEAUTY HERE OH MY GOD.

This song is so beautiful. Gregory Alan Isakov is magical.

Been waiting three years... absolutely worth it.

LYRICS: You take the big one And i'll take his brother Let's get this over with 'Cause i'm late for work Do you remember when we were young The swing sets, the costumes The dirt in the sun I sold all my baseball cards to buy me some clothes That's how it goes That's how it goes, and that's how it goes And i keep on thinking It's time to move on Move out to the city so huge Meet me some people Seems these old hills They keep on calling The clouds 'round here talk Man, i been listening I sold all these clothes to buy me this land I'm sorta happy most of the time Most of the time Been riding lots of trains The same ones as you How come you get to talk to everybody I'm just looking out my window at the night view You keep on pointing out my halo Your big pointy finger The six-fingered hand I sold all this land To buy me some dreams Just like those movies we played when we were kids Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars Now we're just liars

It was three years ago that I happened upon GAI in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, mid-week, and his unanticipated poetry watered the seeds that led me to a cross-country bicycle journey; and that put my whole self into a better place. Beware the poet with deep integrity, if you're fearing change, but don't avoid the door when it opens in front of you.

Gregory music convinces you to listen and absorb the story deep into your being.I am 56 and it's one best tracks I have heard

I've probably revisited this video alone like 47 times nevermind how much ive been listening to it on the album lol. Greg for the love of everything good in this world PLEASE put out an album in 2017

I usually don’t care for music videos, as I don’t want to be distracted by visuals. However, the music and visuals in this video are superb- it is my all time favorite KZfaq video.

This is like the twentieth time I've listened to this song, but the first time I feel I understand all of it. Just wow

I genuinely appreciate this.

One of my favourites. Unbelievable with the orchestra

His voice ❤❤

So reached at the level of soul. Stunning collaboration ~ a shower of light ~ playing your hearts out 🙏

I am wondering about those people listening live in the crowd..how come they keep standing...this is just too much to take in...Absolutely mesmerizing.

Powerful, moving, deeply emotional, vibrates through your psyche. Thank you Gregory Alan Isakov for this experience. Blessings from Canada🍁

This is deep. Thank you Gregory

He's incredible. I can't believe it.

Wow...I have goose bumps a day later. Lucky to have him coming to my town soon. Wish he could bring the symphony.

I've listened to this song over and over, it never fails to make me burst into tears, his voice is so perfect, but this is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. It breaks my heart. To have that voice, this song backed by an orchestra is awe inspiring. I bow down to such talent.

This man's voice is everything

I have 50 acres of bush, I played this album at twilight one evening during the winter down in the back 40. Awesome! I just listened to this again and tears flowed. Amazing artist. I heard him on an NPR interview just before this album dropped. I bought it the day it dropped. Told my partner about him and he said you already have his songs. I'm not a big follower of celebrity but I love singer song writer and to already have his music, in hindsight, doesn't surprise me.

Gregory, i dont think you will see my post or feel my thoughts about your songs but i have to express here that your songs are gentle breeze in my heart.Thank you very much..

4:45 Man, he was really going to town on that bow!

Sometimes music just transports you to another place and this is one of those occasions.

I have no words.

I’d like to thank Dallas Green aka City and Colour and KZfaq’s algorithm for introducing me to this beauty. Anyone who loves Gregory’s masterpieces this will LOVE Dallas Green. 🍁

For context, I also live in Boulder, CO. I remember watching this a while ago, and I was thinking, "Huh. This was recorded at Red Rocks. Cool." And then, about a year later, I learned that he also lives in Boulder. I was just like, holy crap. We live in the same city.

I will forever love this man.

This is brilliantly beautiful, I can hardly breathe.

A fitting tribute to my brothers and remembering the times we stood back to back fighting against all the odds against the tyranny and the darkness of are childhood...heres something I should have said to you along time ago ..thanks..were ever you are or were ever you may be .....thanks again

Didn't see the build up coming at the end of this song. So happy I stuck around

His voice does amazing thins to my heart ...

Where have I been? I just found you and your genius - your songs are beautiful, poetry to music, and nothing like anything I have ever heard or...felt. You have magic in your songs, your work is amazing!!

Do you think one day we can see a documentary on Gregory ?

Amazing. If you haven't seen him live, do it! The quality of the entire performance is amazing.

Just beautiful... the imagery in this video coupled with the music, wow.

Just so moving. Incredible. Makes me look back on a life I never had.