Natalie Merchant's handwritten lyrics for "Hey Jack Kerouac"
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)
10,000 Maniacs released the song "Hey Jack Kerouac" in 1987 on the album In My Tribe, composed by guitarist Rob Buck and singer Natalie Merchant. Merchant's lyrics refer to Beat Generation stalwarts Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
Natalie Merchant (b. 1963) is an American singer and songwriter who came to fame as a member of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs in the 1980s before embarking on a solo music career.
Merchant joined 10,000 Maniacs in 1981, where she served as the lead vocalist and lyricist. She recorded seven albums with the band before leaving in 1993. Her solo albums Tigerlilly (1995) and Ophelia (1998) each reached platinum certification in the United States, and featured songs such as "Carnival," "Wonder," and "Kind & Generous." Merchant has recorded nine total solo albums as of 2024.