
I discovered Rufus before genuinely getting to know the songs of his mother (Kate McGarrigle), sisters (Martha and Lucy), and father (Loudon Wainwright III). Like so many, I came to Rufus via his early cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and his first release in 1989, including the incredible releases “In My Arms,” “Millbrook,” “Beauty Mark,” and “Barcelona.” I recognized the operatic range, English Major rich pop song content, and passionate delivery from the start.
“Millbrook”
The boys and girls of Millbrook are on a train from new york
Wearing new hats
Shooting the shit
Deep in the heart of duchess county bounty
And all the evening breakdowns will soon be washed from their hands
The next very day
As they make way
Eating the apple to the chapel holy
Don’t even try
They’ll get away with murder
Sure as the rain washes away
And brings thunder
Oh tell me can you see it?
The gentle tower rising
Over the pines, out of a book
Zion mistaken for the state of Millbrook
In My Arms stands out from this period (included below). In My Arms is a great song by any metric.
Now we have Rufus Wainwright’s 2020 release, “Unfollow the Rules,” thanks again to New Yorker Magazine, Goings on about town coverage. Remember that Rufus put in considerable effort honing his talent and following in Manhattan. The New York period was creatively rich with opera and recreation of Judy Garland’s famed Carnegie Hall concert from 1974.
What to say about this new release, Unfollow the Rules? This is not a review; we have only listened to one track. This article is about how we got here. This article is about our relationship with the Artist known as Rufus Wainwright. Our first hearing of Rufus was when Rufus covered Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah before all the rest. Rufus introduced us to this multi-layered gospel song, written by a Jewish poet who practiced Zen Buddhism.
Rufus Wainwright (with Martha) – In My Arms – Live 2006 (Choose HQ)
Rufus Wainwright sings a wonderful version of “In My Arms” of his debut album with sister Martha Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright – Trouble in Paradise (Official Music Video)
Song Trouble In Paradise Artist Rufus Wainwright Album Trouble In Paradise Licensed to YouTube by WMG (on behalf of BMG Rights Management (US) LLC); BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, ARESA, and 8 Music Rights SocietiesRufus Wainwright – Unfollow The Rules [Official Audio]
LYRICS (ENGLISH) Sometimes I feel like my heart turns to dust Unfollow the rules Unswallow the trust Sometimes I feel like my brain turns to leaves Unfollow the rules Uncover the thieves of the game Sometimes I reel in a fish far too small Back into the sea, hook, sinker and all And beyond ruins from before the fall Stop looking and see And just head the call of the plebes Just like Hercules in Thebes was just, By just being a man But I’m no Hercules And this is Herculean Tomorrow l will just be feeling the pain Don’t give me what I want Just give me what I’m needing Unfollow the rules Unfollow the path to the seeding I’ll never know But perhaps I’ll have a feeling Unfollow the rules Unfollow the wrath to the stealing. But I’m no Hercules And this is Herculean Tomorrow I will just be feeling the pain Break I’m no Hercules And this is Herculean Tomorrow I will just be feeling the pain Don’t give me what I want Just give me what I’m needing I will never know But perhaps I’ll have a feeling Don’t give me what I want Just give me what I’m needing I will never know But perhaps I’ll have a feeling Producer: Mitchell Froom, David Boucher Mixer: David Boucher Mastering Engineer: Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Publisher: Aserkh Music (ASCAP) Lead and background vocals – Rufus Wainwright. Drums, percussion – Matt Chamberlain. Guitars, tympani – Blake Mills. Piano – Randy Kerber. Pedal Steel – Greg Leisz. Bass – David Piltch. Keyboard – Mitchell Froom. Violins, violas – Rob Moose. Cellos – Gabriel Cabezas. Flutes – Dan Higgins. French Horn – Laura Brenes. String, horn, woodwind arrangements – Rob Moose. (C) 2020 Rufus Wainwright under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLCRufus Wainwright – Hallelujah (Live At The Fillmore)
Music video by Rufus Wainwright performing Hallelujah. (C) 2004 Geffen Records
Music
SONG
Hallelujah
ARTIST
Rufus Wainwright
ALBUM
Hallelujah
WRITERS
Leonard Cohen
LICENSES
UMG (on behalf of Geffen); CMRRA, SOLAR Music Rights Management, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., LatinAutorPerf, Sony Music Publishing, LatinAutor – SonyATV, UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA – UBEM, MINT_BMG, and 14 Music Rights Societies
Rufus Wainwright – Heading For Home feat. John Legend (Official Music Video)
Heading For Home feat. John Legend OUT NOW from the upcoming album ‘Folkocracy’ out June 2nd!
Music
SONG
Heading for Home (feat. John Legend)
ARTIST
Rufus Wainwright
LICENSES
BMG Rights Management (Europe) GmbH (on behalf of Rufus Wainwright)
Barcelona
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Barcelona · Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
℗ 1998 Geffen Records
Released on: 1998-01-01
Producer: Jon Brion
Composer Lyricist: Rufus Wainwright
Auto-generated by YouTube.

The Loneliest Time (feat. Rufus Wainwright) [Official Music Video]
Carly Rae Jepsen
Music
SONG
The Loneliest Time
ARTIST
Carly Rae Jepsen, Rufus Wainwright
ALBUM
The Loneliest Time
LICENSES
604 Records (Masters), UMG (on behalf of Silent Records IGA); ASCAP, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., UMPI, UMPG Publishing, Warner Chappell, LatinAutor – UMPG, UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA – UBEM, LatinAutor – Warner Chappell, LatinAutorPerf, and 6 Music Rights Societies