God Zeus' Domain: Lyrics 101

The Dismemberment Plan - Timb Bomb

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:55:52 GMT

Whoa, it's been a while since I've done one of these. Almost a year or something like that.

But anyways, what a song to make a comeback with! The Dismemberment Plan's - Time Bomb! Since the day I heard this song, it's been in my head. How did I not hear about this band before? Such a travesty on my part...but all kudos to woxy.com again right? I bought the album because of it too. OK, the song...in a word? Fantastic! I can't fault this song on any front. Absolutely love the lyrics. My word, does it hit hard! The lead vocalist delivers it with such passion, you can feel the pain. (Well I can feel the pain since I can relate to what's being sung in many ways). A bitter, wound licking, revenge swearing sorta break up song. Fucking fantastic! The music for the song is also worthy of similar praise. It gradually builds up to this rousing finale, that all but seals the deal for me!

The Dismemberment Plan - Time Bomb

Well I, I am a time bomb and I,
I lay forgotten at the bottom of your heart,
I'm fine.
Ticking away the hours to blow your world apart.

I, I am a poison and I,
I am still coursing through your bloodstream like a ghost,
Like wine.
Gathering vintage for the day I hurt the most.

I, I am a land mine and I,
I lay on the soil burned out by battles you thought you'd won,
I've got time...
To wait for the footsteps… of a memory that's on the run.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well I, I am a tar pit and I,
I swell like a living thing, all at the slightest touch.
A black grime,
Yeah, swallowing everything.
A cold and timeless clutch.

I, well I am a trip wire, and I,
I'm stretching across the road you're barreling down tonight
A thinish twine,
Waiting to be released, right beyond your sight

I, well I am a fault line and I,
I'm pulling apart the ground that lay beneath your newest seed.
So fine,
Moving in inches now, I'm crawling, I'm cutting, I'm cleaving, like a knife.

Well I, I am a time bomb and I
I only live in that one moment in which you die.
It’s not right,
It’s not what I wanted then, but you know and I know there's no going back.

I, I am a lost soul and I,
I send out a sickened light for anyone to see.
A cry for help, yeah.
A warning to stay away... the burning... the blinding...the reaching in darkness...
Why?
Yeah.

Radiohead - Climbing Up The Walls

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:46:09 GMT

Trying not to beat a dead horse here.

Great song from the modern masterpiece that is OK Computer.

Pretty much sums up my last week and a half.

Radiohead - Climbing Up The Walls

I am the key to the lock in your house
That keeps your toys in the basement
And if you get too far inside
You'll only see my reflection

It's always best when the light is off
I am the pick in the ice
Do not cry out or hit the alarm
You know we're friends till we die

And either way you turn
I'll be there
Open up your skull
I'll be there
Climbing up the walls

It's always best when the light is off
It's always better on the outside
Fifteen blows to the back of your head
Fifteen blows to your mind

So lock the kids up safe tonight
Shut the eyes in the cupboard
I've got the smile of a local man
Who's got the loneliest feeling

That either way you turn
I'll be there
Open up your skull
I'll be there

Climbing up the walls
Climbing up the walls
Climbing up the walls

Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 21:54:50 GMT

When I first heard this song, I thought to myself..."Like dis mofo write dis ting for me or wha?!" (Yeah, I’m all Trini dialect in my mind, you see) That fact and not realizing/stumbling across it, on the 'The Alternative To Love' album was enough to warrant a 'Lyrics 101' entry.

I like the deceptive, simplicity of the song. Its short, damn catchy and very ‘straight from the heart’. To me, the song documents the point in a young adult’s life, when he or she caught has just made up their mind to ‘live life according to their own rules’. They’ve given the ‘norm’ a go, but it’s just not working out. All the ‘settle down and be happy’ sap that the world shoves down their throat has become too much to swallow, and they realize, no matter what they do…they’re ultimately going to wind up straight back to their old ‘searching’ ways. (The last verse kinda totally debunks this theory though…hmm)

On the obvious side, it could seem like the person has had a fight with their significant other. He or she comes to terms with their inner demons, and decides to ultimately ‘settle down’…more out of submission I’m guessing. They’re tired of all the looking and running around in circles…so its time to pack all the ‘endless searching’ in.

Of course, I don’t like the ‘obvious’ one. Doh matter, it’s a great song!

Brendan Benson - What I'm Looking For

Well I don't know what I'm looking for,
But I know that I just wanna look some more.
And I won't be satisfied,
'Till there's nothing left that I haven't tried.
For some people it's an easy choice,
But for me there's a devil and an angel's voice.
Well I don't know what I am looking for,
But I know that I just wanna look some more.

Well I don't know what I'm living for,
But I know that I just wanna live some more.
And you hear it from strangers,
And you hear it from friends,
That love never dies, love never ends,
Now I don't wanna argue, no I don't wanna fight,
'Cause you're always wrong and I'm always right.
Well I don't know what I am living for,
But I know that I just wanna live some more.

I used to be involved, and I felt like a king,
Now I've lost it all and I don't feel a thing.
I may never grow old, I may never give in,
And I'll blame this world that I live in.
I visit hell on a daily basis,
I see the sadness in all your faces.
I've got friends who have married,
And their lives seem complete.
Here I am still stumbling down a darkened street.

And I act like a child and I'm insecure,
And I'm filled with doubt and I'm immature.
Sometimes it creeps up on me and before I know it,
I'm lost at sea.
But no matter how far I row,
I always find my way back home.
But I don't know what I've been waiting for,
But I know that I don't wanna wait anymore.

(Don't think this was a released single, so hard time finding a proper video. The bootleg live version will have to do)

The White Stripes - The Denial Twist

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:34:39 GMT

Written and sung with that old-timey southern American drawl, The Denial Twist (to me anyway) is a perfect modern throwback to the days of short, story based rock n roll. Hey, that’s the White Stripes’ claim to fame I think…stripped down intelligent rock.

This song (off their excellent last album) comes across as a very one way ‘I’m showing support, but can’t say I didn’t warn ya’ type of conversation between two friends. I can picture the two on the steps of their house, one doing the talking while the other has his head buried in his hands. We’ve all been there (both as advisor and head holder). The video for the song also features my favourite late night talk show host Conan O’ Brien! (Jon Stewart isn’t late night, so I can get away with saying that). Did you know Conan was a producer on The Simpsons for a spell? Well now you do.

The White Stripes - The Denial Twist

If you think that a kiss is all in the lips,
C'mon, you got it all wrong, man.
And if you think that the dance was all in the hips,
Oh well...then do the twist.
If you think holding hands is all in the fingers,
Grab hold of the soul where the memory lingers and,
Make sure to never do it with a singer,
Cause he'll tell everyone in the world...
What he was thinking about the girl.
Yeah, what he's thinking about the girl, oh!

A lot of people get confused and they bruise real easy when it comes to love.
They start putting on their shoes and walking out and singing "Boy, I think I had enough"
Just because she makes a big rumpus,
She don't mean to be mean or hurt you on purpose, boy.
Take a tip and do yourself a little service,
Take a mountain turn it into a mole.
Just by playing a different role.
Yeah, by playing a different role, oh!

The boat yeah, you know she's rockin' it,
And the truth? Well ya know there's no stoppin' it.
The boat yeah, you know she's rockin' it,
And the truth? Well ya know there's no stoppin' it.

So what, somebody left you in a rut and wants to be the one who's in control?
But the feeling that you're under can really make you wonder, "How the hell she can be so cold?"
So now you're left denying the truth and,
It's hidden in the wisdom in the back of your tooth
Ya need ta spit it out, in a telephone booth while ya call everyone that you know,
And ask 'em, "Where do you think she goes?"
"Oh ya, where d'ya suppose she goes?" Oh!

The boat yeah, you know she's rockin' it,
And the truth? Well ya know there's no stoppin' it.
The boat yeah, you know she's rockin' it,
And the truth? Well ya know there's no stoppin' it.

You recognize the effect and the wreck that it's causing when she rocks the boat,
Well it's the cause, hittin on the cardinal laws 'bout the proper place to hang her coat.
So to you, the truth is still hidden,
And the soul plays the role of a lost little kitten but,
You should know that the doctors weren't kidding,
She's been singing it all along.

But you were hearin' a different song.
Yeah you were hearin' a different song.
But you were hearin' a different song.

The Denial Twist Video

Faithless - Mass Destruction

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:14:16 GMT

There's always that thin and very dangerous, career damaging line many bands try to cross in the aims of being culturally relevant. This line often involves the creation of anti-war, anti-<insert current government/leader> songs with the ultimate goal of raising awareness to their newfound cause.

Utter bollocks!

Let’s face it. They’re just out to ride the wave of ‘lets convert post 9/11 angst into music’ all the way to the shores of ‘more album sales and sold out tour dates’! The bastards. Luckily, some bands manage to pull off this high-wire act quite to great success. Faithless’ Mass Destruction being one of these rare times.

I’m not really a Faithless fan. Hell, aside from ‘God Is A DJ’, this is the only other song I can say I know they’ve done. Still, I love this song, because they’ve managed to imbue some strong views through great lyrics, into a genre you’d probably expect to not find a such a message. Political views in house/club music? Why not. This song was relevant when it was released, is relevant even more now...and the way things are going, will be relevant for some time to come. Nuff said.

Faithless - Mass Destruction

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomb,
A wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether you're 'soar away' Sun or BBC 1,
Mis-information is a weapon of mass destruc...

You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian,
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether inflation or globalization,
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction.

My dad came into my room holding his hat,
I knew he was leaving,
He sat on my bed told me some facts.
"Son, I have a duty, calling on me,
You and your sister be brave, my little soldier.
And don't forget all I told ya,
Your the mister of the house now remember this,
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss",
Then I had to say goodbye.

In the morning woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I'm only a kid.
Certain things can't be hid.
Momma grabbed me, held me like I was made of gold,
But left her inner stories untold.
I said, "Momma it will be alright,
When daddy comes home, tonight"

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomb,
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether you're 'Soar Away' Sun or BBC 1,
Mis-information is a weapon of mass destruc...
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian,
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether inflation or globalization,
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome,
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

My story stops here, lets be clear,
This scenario is happening everywhere,
And you ain't going to nirvana or farvana.
You're coming right back here to live out your karma.
With even more drama than previously,
Seriously.
Just how many centuries have we been waiting,
For someone else to make us free?
And we refuse to see,
That people overseas suffer just like we.
Bad leadership and ego's unfettered and free,
Who feed on the people they're supposed to lead.
I don't need, good people to pray and wait,
For the Lord to make it all straight.
There's only now, do it right!
Cos I don't want your daddy,

Leaving home tonight.

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomb,
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether you're 'soar away' Sun or BBC 1,
Mis-information is a weapon of mass destruc...
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian,
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether inflation or globalization,
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction

We need to find courage, overcome,
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

Mass Destruction Video

The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 21:39:13 GMT

One of the greatest songs ever, by one of the greatest bands ever! Can't begin to tell you know how much I love this track by The Smiths (and the band in general). Its paranoid, ironic, ridiculous, depressing and under it all, very sweet n touching.

As most of the music I listen to, it holds much significance and meaning at key points in my life (*sniffle*) and as of late, has re-emerged on my mind...(still trying to figure out why).

The song was just one of the many good ones coming off their 1986 album, The Queen Is Dead. Even though they've since broken up (members still alive I think...so reunion is never out of the question), Morrisey is still alive and kicking...still churning out quality numbers like this.

The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Take me out tonight.
Where there’s music and there’s people and they’re young and alive.
Driving in your car,
I never, never want to go home,
Because I haven’t got one...
Anymore.

Take me out tonight.
Because I want to see people and I want to see life.
Driving in your car,
Oh, please don’t drop me home,
Because it’s not my home, it’s their home and I’m welcome no more.

And if a double-decker bus,
Crashes into us,
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die.
And if a ten-ton truck,
Kills the both of us,
To die by your side well, the pleasure, the privilege is mine.

Take me out tonight.
Take me anywhere, I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care.
And in the darkened underpass,
I thought, "Oh God! My chance has come at last!"
But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn’t ask.

Take me out tonight.
Oh, take me anywhere, I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care.
Driving in your car,
I never, never want to go home, because I haven’t got one,
Oh, I haven’t got one.

Oh, there is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out
There is a light and it never goes out

The Smashing Pumpkins - Stand Inside Your Love

Mon, 15 May 2006 03:10:32 GMT

I’ve always considered this song to be one of the best tracks ever done by the Smashing Pumpkins. Well written and well performed. The song has a great momentum, starting off with low key vocals and music and gradually culminating into a bold, loud convincing finale (all the while, successfully reassuring you that this ain’t no puppy love scene).

The person saying these lyrics, seems to be so absolutely sure of their love, it borders on scary. We’ve all been there…don’t play you don’t know! Corgan does a great job of bringing across this underlying obsession, through his trademark vocal stylings. The music (plays a big part in the success of this song for me), knows when to tone down for the ‘softer meaningful lyrical bits’ and when to get loud and claustrophobic for the ‘getting into psycho-in-love bits’ (last verse).

They don’t come like this anymore people…

To sweeten the deal, the video for the song (link at the bottom) was nothing short of artistic genius. If you have anything better than a dial-up connection, do check it out!

Had to do alot of searching to get a 'recent' Pumpkins pic featuring the line up from that particular album.

The Smashing Pumpkins - Stand Inside Your Love

You and me,
Meant to be,
Immutable.
Impossible.

It's destiny.
Pure lunacy.
Incalculable.
Insufferable.

But for the last time.
You're everything that I want, and ask for.
You're all that I'd dreamed.

Who wouldn't be the one you love?
Who wouldn't stand inside your love?
Protected and the lover of...

...A pure soul,
And beautiful,
You.
Don't understand.
Don't feel me now.
I will breathe,
For the both of us.
Travel the world.
Traverse the skies.
Your home is here,
Within my heart.

And for the first time,
I feel as though I am reborn,
In my mind.
Recast as child and mystic sage.

Who wouldn't be the one you love?
Who wouldn't stand inside your love?

And for the first time,
I'm telling you how much I need and bleed for,
Your every move and waking sound,
In my time.
I'll wrap my wire around your heart and your mind,
You're mine forever now.

Who wouldn't be the one you love and live for?
Who wouldn't stand inside your love and die for?
Who wouldn't be the one you love?

Stand Inside Your Love Video

Tool - The Patient

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:39:25 GMT

Seven minutes, fifteen seconds of modern metal genius. I love this song because of its 'complex simplicity'. The use of multiple repeated lines, drives home just how desperate and frustrated the person is getting. He or she needs to keep reasuring themself that there is a point for going thru this rough patch. Love the conflict/battle with self too. Should we give in? Should we continue?

Even by the song's end, I don't think a conclusion has been reached. Since it's Tool we talking about here, I'd like to think the person's in a ditch somewhere by now

Complex drum lines, ferocious double kicks, wailing and crunching guitars chords, haunting vocals...you name it, this song (and Tool in general) has it.

Soundtrack to one's bizarro mode? You bet dat ass it is.

Tool - The Patient

A groan of tedium escapes me,
Startling the fearful.
Is this a test?
It has to be,
Otherwise I can’t go on.
Draining patience.
Drain vitality.
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act’s a little old.

But I’m still right here, giving blood and keeping faith.
And I’m still right here.
But I’m still right here, giving blood and keeping faith.
And I’m still right here.

I’m gonna wait it out.

Be patient.

If there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through,
This tedious path I’ve chosen here,
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.

I’m gonna wait it out

If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along,
This tedious path I’ve chosen here,
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.

I still may.
And I still may.

Be patient.
Be patient.
Be patient.

I must keep reminding myself of this...

If there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through,
This tedious path I’ve chosen here,
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.

And I still may.
And I still may.

And I’m gonna wait it out.
I’m gonna wait it out.
Gonna wait it out.
Gonna wait it out.

Laika - Badtimes

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 01:08:10 GMT

What we have here is a track I've been jamming for a long time. It's smooth soundin' and well written. Laika apparently is Russian for 'barker'. It's also the name of the first dog the Russians sent into space (that dies in it's capsule of course). What does any of that have to do with this group? I have NO IDEA!

The song is 'a spoken-word over a nice down-beat' kinda number. The chick doing the vocals even sounds like MTV's Daria (making it the perfect voice for something like this).

Laika - Badtimes

If you receive an e-mail with a subject of "Badtimes", delete it immediately without reading it.
This is the most dangerous e-mail virus yet.

It will re-write your hard drive.
Not only that, but it will scramble any disks that are even close to your computer.

It will recalibrate your refrigerator's coolness setting so all your ice cream melts.
It will de-magnetize the strips on all your credit cards, screw up the tracking on your VCR and use subspace field harmonics to render any CDs you try to play unreadable.

It will give your ex-boy or girlfriend your new phone number.

It will mix antifreeze into your fishtank.
It will drink all your beer and leave it's socks out on the coffee table when there's company coming over.
It will put a dead kitten in the back pocket of your good suit, and hide your car keys when you are late for work.

Badtimes will make you fall in love with a penguin.
It will give you nightmares about circus midgets.
It will pour sugar in your gas tank and shave off both your eyebrows, while dating your current boy or girlfriend behind your back, and billing the dinner and hotel room to your Visa card.

It will seduce your grandmother.
It does not matter if she is dead, such is the power of badtimes, it reaches out beyond the grave to sully those things we hold most dear.

It moves your car randomly around parking lots so you can't find it.
It will kick your dog.
It will leave libidinous messages on your boss's voice mail in your voice.

It is insidious and subtle.

It is dangerous and terrifying to behold.
It is also a rather interesting shade of mauve.

Badtimes will give you Dutch Elm disease.
It will leave the toilet seat up.
It will make a batch of methamphetamine in your bathtub, and then leave bacon cooking on the stove while it goes out to chase high school kids with your new snowblower.

These are just a few of the signs.

Be very, very careful!

The Dresden Dolls - Good Day

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 16:39:59 GMT

We kick off this new category with a sharp one to the crotch.

Here's a no nonsense song I really dig.

Good Day was the opening track off their self titled album in 2004. It featured Amanda Palmer's solid and sometimes sarcastic sounding vocal stylings over her 'light-fingered to key-pounding' piano playing. The other instruments in the background merely support her on this mission of 'musical TAKE-DAT-IN-YUH-FACE' (and hush!)

Throw this number on at the right moment in your life and I swear you can feel the drama roll away (or not).

The Dresden Dolls - Good Day

So you don’t want to hear about my good song?
And you don’t want to hear about how I'm getting on?
With all the things that I can get done,
The sun is in the sky & I am by my lonesome.
So you don't want to hear about my good day?
You have better things to do than to hear me say

God it’s been a lovely day!
Everything is going my way!
I took out the trash today,
And I’m on fire!

So you don't want to hear about my good friends?
You don’t have the guts to take the truth or consequence
Success is in the eye of the beholder
And it’s looking even better over your cold shoulder

I’m not suggesting, you get to line me up for questioning,
But Jesus, think about the bridges you are burning!
And I’m betting,
That even though you knew it from the start
You’d rather be a bitch, than be an ordinary broken heart

So go ahead and talk about your bad day...
I want all the details of the pain and misery,
That you are inflicting on the others.
I consider them my sisters and I want their numbers.

God it’s been a lovely day! Everything is going my way.
I took up croquet today,
And I’m on fire

I picked up the pieces of my broken ego
I have finally made my peace as far as you and me go
But I’d love to have you up to see the place
I’d like to do more than survive,
I’d like to rub it in your face.....

Hey! It’s been a lovely day! Everything is going my way
I had so much fun today and I’m on fire
God it's been a lovely day!
Everything's been going my way
Ever since you went away hey, I’m on fire.....
I’m on fire...
I’m on fire...
I’m on fire...

So you don’t want to hear about my good day?