Unlike some of that decade’s other best rock singles, “Closing Time” by Semisonic isn’t forever encased in ‘90s amber. Decades later, grunge anthems of Bush/Clinton era angst can sound dated. The “Closing Time” lyrics have remained relatable though. The yearning, desperation and finality felt by revelers and bartenders alike at last call when the lights are turned on are the same now as they were in 1998 when the song was released. “I know who I want to take me home.” “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Brilliant.

Written by singer/guitarist Dan Wilson, the chart-topping alternative rock hit boosted Semisonic’s sophomore album “Feeling Strangely Fine” to platinum sales. In addition to Wilson, the trio also featured Jason Munson and drummer Jacob Slichter. The group hailed from Minneapolis, the same city that produced funk-pop god Prince and punk princes The Replacements.

But Semisonic’s 2001 follow-up album “All About Chemistry,” which featured a cameo from legendary singer/songwriter Carole King on the song “One True Love,” failed to connect. Wilson launched a critically acclaimed solo career, recording with the likes of Rick Rubin and Sheryl Crow.

He achieved greater success as a songwriter for other artists. Wilson co-wrote three songs on pop superstar Adele’s Grammy-inhaling album “21.” Six on Dixie Chick’s “Taking the Long Way,” another multiple Grammy-winning album. Other writing credits include songs recorded by stars like Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, John Legend, Journey singer Steve Perry, Florence + The Machine, Weezer, Pink and Keith Urban.

Wilson also penned a song called “Home” with hunky country singer Dierks Bentley. That 2011 track, co-written with songwriter Brett Beavers, eventually topped the country singles chart. Then in early 2012, a post Drive-By Truckers and pre mainstream fame Jason Isbell posted on Twitter he felt Bentley and Wilson ripped off the melody from “In a Razor Town,” a song off Isbell’s 2007 debut album, “Sirens of the Ditch.” Bentley shot back on Twitter disputing Isbell’s claim.

Shortly after this social media spat, Isbell checked into a rehab center. The formerly hard-living Isbell has been sober ever since. His star rose significantly, his personal life blossomed, too, and now he’s widely regarded as his era’s greatest tunesmith.

In a 2017 interview, Wilson told Minneapolis Star-Tribune writer Chris Riemenschneider, “I was really bummed Jason thought we plagiarized him. I think we might’ve plagiarized the same old folk songs that Jason also plagiarized. If you think about all the songs that have similar melodies, it would be a very big list. I had never listened to Jason at that time, and I’m pretty sure my collaborators had never listened to him, either. It really tainted my ability to appreciate Jason Isbell for quite a while, which was also a drag, because I was really into his next couple albums.”

After that interview published online, Isbell shared it on his Twitter account, adding, “Dan Wilson’s a good writer, and I no longer feel like anybody was ripping me off with the song ‘Home.’ My mistake.”

Now, Isbell and Wilson have teamed up for “Out of the Dirt,” the strong and latest single off “Little Bit of Sun,” Semisonic’s first full-length album in 22 years. (Semisonic released a five-song EP in 2020.)

“Out of Dirt” features stinging lead guitar and a fuzz-kissed solo from Isbell, over a typically adhesive Semisonic rhythm track and Wilson’s weary lyrics (cowritten with country songwriter Lori McKenna), carbonated melodies and a mantra-like chorus.

On his website, Wilson detailed how the collaborations came about: “The track is pretty simple, just me on the piano, John on fretless bass and Jake on drums. As we were cutting the track, everyone agreed it needed some hot lead guitar. But instead of adding a guitar of my own later, we reached out to Jason Isbell to see if he wanted to throw down. The answer was yes (what a day!) and the results speak for themselves: Jason f-cking rocks, as we already knew.”

Although Isbell’s known for his novelist-worthy lyrics, his guitar bona fides are such he has his own signature model Fender Telecaster. Earlier this year, Isbell released his terrific eighth solo album, “Weathervanes,” which highlights Isbell’s rock influences, like Dire Straits and Fleetwood Mac.

The Semisonic collabo isn’t the first time Isbell’s arc has intersected with a ‘90s icon. During a 2019 solo set, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder covered “Maybe It’s Time,” the song Isbell wrote for the Lady Gaga/Bradley Coopers starring “A Star Is Born” film remake.

After Isbell found out about Vedder’s cover, he posted on Twitter, “”Holy sh-t Eddie Vedder sang my Bradley Cooper song in his set tonight. That is by far the strangest sentence I’ve ever composed but it’s certainly a huge honor. I was 12 when [Pearl Jam’s debut album] ‘Ten’ came out and by god I learned how to play every song on it.”

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