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Boyhood: Dad explains the lyrics and production of a Wilco song to Mason as they drive. (scene 83) · The Reading Room

Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Dad explains the lyrics and production of a Wilco song to Mason as they drive.

Scene 83 of 160 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Dad
Song
Dad And Song

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Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:18 into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 83

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Scenes 24–74
Mason enters successive new family arrangements: Dad’s return, Olivia’s marriage to Bill, and finally escape from Bill’s house.
Just before
Scene 80
Mason and Samantha canvass for Obama; a hostile resident threatens Mason, and Samantha notes the Confederate flag at his house.
Scene 81
A supportive housewife praises the young canvassers, then Dad has Mason remove a rival campaign sign and calls it patriotism.
Scene 82
Dad interrogates Samantha about a party, her boyfriend, and contraception until Tammy arrives; he admits he wishes he had been a better parent.
Scene 83
This scene

83INT. MOVING CAR - DAY

Dad and Mason are driving along the open road, listening to a song by Wilco.

DAD

Now... listen to this song, alright?

Sings along:

DAD (CONT'D)

"I try to stay busy" It's just

straight up, the lyrics... it's a

straight up old school country song.

SONG

"I do the dishes, I mow the lawn..."

DAD

Listen to the production of this.

Production's like uh, like "Abbey

Road" or something.

SONG

"I try to keep myself occupied"

Dad sings along.

DAD

"Even though I know you're not comin'

home." You know, his old woman's

gone... straight up. Nothin' fancy.

DAD AND SONG

"I try to keep the house nice and

neat. Make my bed. I change the

sheets."