Simply put, Ithink its about Mark D.
I dont usually want to discuss the direct meaning of the songs, but I think this one is really clear (just like I thought Skin horse was about Lorax -I still do).
just read the lyrics:
Let it all be
(Part 1)
when did it begin?
and will it ever end?
the way you take the muscle from the song
and kinda swing it
you lay it on
and I aint one of your friends
losing all the grain
and now you say it
now why would that be me?
and why would I agree
to keep it in my head
and what you think is cold
the nature of my soul
sorry man
I aint gonna be told
let it all be
I wonder why
you put this on me
I speak my mind
its sorta funny
I'm violent with the hands in my head
they kind of move
but movin gets me nowhere
now you can all decide
and you can tell your lies
but who you call your friends
and what you think is cold
the nature of my soul
sorry man
I aint gonna be told
let it all be
Could it be about Joe perhaps?
I dont think joe ever took "the muscle from a song", hehe.
Good point, he doesnt really 'swing' the way Mark does either
Quote from: anaconda on November 03, 2005, 11:06:45 AM
Good point, he doesnt really 'swing' the way Mark does either
hehe
this could really be about any of the various assholes that one comes accross in one's life.
Quote from: cellphone on November 04, 2005, 02:37:16 AM
this could really be about any of the various assholes that one comes accross in one's life.
yeah, thats what I like , the lyrics are so "vague" that you can relate or get totally confused.
but I think this is about someone they played with.
Maybe its about Paul??
PAUL IS DEADDDD!!!
Well, I always thought the lyrics to Let it all Be was about an response by the Melvins to the complaints of an imaginary fan about the lack of typical Melvins oomph in Let... and even Bootlicker
I mean think about this:
The fan says:
'when did it begin?
and will it ever end?
the way you take the muscle from the song
and kinda swing it
you lay it on"
Which might be a typical fan response to Let... and bootlicker
Melvins say:
"and I aint one of your friends
losing all the grain
and now you say it
now why would that be me?
and why would I agree
to keep it in my head"
I am not your friend, and I am not here to please you - so if we have interesting stuff in our heads why should we agree to keep it in ?
and what you think is cold
the nature of my soul
sorry man
I aint gonna be told
let it all be"
Basically the band saying "we'll play music the way we like it - just listen to it, enjoy, just let it all be"
fan says:
"I wonder why
you put this on me"
as in this crap, this slow distortionless stuff.
Melvins say:
"I speak my mind
its sorta funny"
obvious
"I
well thought out mr. meat. I see your point on some of that but I just don't want to believe MELVINS would come across as such assholes. espescially to fans who are their customer. I don't think MELVINS do ANYTHING to cater to fans though.
youv'e taken this in an entirely different direction. interesting.
your prolly right dud. I would agree with the fact that BUZZ has, at one time or another, been known to be an asshole.
All the times I've been honored to be in their presence, Buzz and Dale have been some of the nicest people. Very humbling...
Quote from: glen on November 04, 2005, 01:02:03 PM
on the other hand, I DO feel like I want to be appreciated for supporting him and considered more than your common TOOL fan (sorry tool fans!) who likes MELVINS just cause tool or nirvana or whoever says so.
I have a problem with that. First of all, when someone says that it gives the impression that anyone who's discovered The Melvins through Nirvana or Tool only like The Melvins based on Nirvana and Tool's opinions. Which is ridiculous. The fact of the matter is, you either like the music for what it is or you don't. You don't go around listening to The Melvins because fucking Nirvana or Tool told you so. You listen to them because you like it.
Second, I was introduced to The Melvins through Tool so I'm going to start throwing around "we". We've only been
introduced to The Melvins by Tool and/or Nirvana. That's it. There's a distinction that needs to be made with "being introcued to a band" and "liking a band because another band likes them". We don't like The Melvins because we like Tool or Nirvana. We like The Melvins because they're fucking awesome. Had it not been for Tool or Nirvana we might not have known about The Melvins. It ends there. It's just an introduction.
I got into The Melvins because of Tool. My first Melvins album was Stoner Witch. I fell in love with some of the songs but other songs I wasn't all that into. It took me a few more listens until I was blown away by the album. But my opinion didn't change because Tool likes them. Once I've picked up the album and I start to listen to it Tool is completely out of the picture.
Finally, if I like The Melvins because Tool likes The Melvins then I would have to like Isis and Tricky. Since Tool likes them. But I don't, I find them both to be boring.
Before you say it, you're right. Not everyone is like me. But the fact of the matter is this is music. You don't buy albums and you don't listen to them on your own because another band told you to. You may name drop them to look cool and what not, but you won't waste your time listening to something you don't like because another band told you to. That's just ridiculous.
Quote from: Dudbean on November 04, 2005, 02:22:23 PM
And since you brought up TOOL fans... if you ever want a good laugh, check out some reviews of TOOL shows where the Melvins opened. There are a few open-minded TOOL fans out there, but the majority of reviews I've read absolutely slam the Melvins. It's fucking hilarious. They hate the redneck morons at TOOL shows, but then they talk about throwing bottles at the Melvins and how they couldn't wait for them to get off the stage. fools, FOOLS, FOOLS
It's not just The Melvins. Fantomas, Tomahawk, Meshuggah and others have had the same treatment.
I saw Tool where Tomahawk opened for them. Tomahawk rocked, I loved them. And it was probably the only time I laughed at a Mike Patton joke.
"Don't blame me, Tool invited us on tour."
Thanks glen and Dud.
As for Buzz being an asshole, I think you should take everything Buzz says with a sack of salt. He says a lot of things just to piss people off or because he just doesn't give a fuck or because he (and some of us too) thinks it's funny. He is... capricious I guess is the right word. Plus, if he does say something seriously, smart man that he is, it is usually well thought out and it's usually a good idea to think through his opinions carefully. The whale comment seems like a reactionary comment against hard-core green-peace types rather than something that he holds to with a lot of conviction (btw I agree with you on whales dud).
And also, I understand (and agree with) Buzz/Dale/Melvins attitude about their music. They have been at it for a long time, they are very good, and they've got integrity up the ass. So as fans we *owe* them the benefit of the doubt and give whatever they put out a chance. We should acknowledge the possibility that since they know what they are doing, may be we are the ones missing something.
of course, this doesn't apply to Jelvins- that's pure, dried and grated turd dust. :wink:
I've seen Buzz avoid just about every fan at shows, including myself. I think he's such a target for fans that he's tired of being confronted every day with typical fanboys that probly dont have anything worthy to tell him other than "sign my poster" or "wnna get high"?. I think you just need to let the man breathe before approaching him. If you show patience and a good attitude he will more than likely engage in a conversation or brief hello'. Thats whats worked for me and I can say he really does appreciate our devotion for their music. He's thanked me personally for making trips from out of town to go to their shows.
it think your absolutely right bob.
after 20 years I would imagine you probably get a little "fanned" out.
Just let it all be. :D
Buzz doesn't put a lot of deep thought into his lyrics, he has said so himself. As far as how approachable he is before or after a show, he has been very approachable at the five shows I have seen. It's weird though, I think Dale is not very approachable in that he doesn't go out of his way to mingle like I have witnessed with Buzz. But others here say that Dale is very approachable and cordial with fans. But I can't blame them for being stand offish toward inebriated persons at their shows yelling out "Rock and Roll man!" and throwing up the horned devil signs, picking fights with other people. I wouldn't like it either. Typical stuff it may be but you still don't have to like it.
Yeah, Hooch for example is a lyrical masterpiece. His lyrics are wrote around the music rather than trying to express some idea.
As I get older I listen to lyrics less for their content and more for their sound. The rhythm and motion of the words (the muscle? :P) over the ideas is what I go for because so many times songs concentrating on ideas are far too forced for me to enjoy. The Melvins balance it enough where the song _could_ be about something, but it's made in such a way that it becomes a mirror of your own thoughts and what you attach to them, and keeps a tight connection to the music itself. No part of the music really overpowers the other.
I think a good example of a very seperated music would be Rage Against the Machine (especially the latter two albums). It's like four guys trying to play over eachother, especially that toad De la Rocha trying to be like the Bono of the mexican rap world.
hehe, this is great, tomorrow Im gonna say that the Bit is about Kurt Cobain! :lol:
threads like these are stupid.
I wrote that one a whim after listening to let it all be and the silent treatment.
but it surely made an interesting thread though :)
and if y`all had fun, what could be wrong??
let it all be :lol:
I've always thought it was more about Atlantic considering it was one of the first things they did since they got dropped.
"The way you take the muscle from the song"
Sounds like something a record company would do.
Quote from: Joe Deutrom on November 04, 2005, 06:39:47 PM
Yeah, Hooch for example is a lyrical masterpiece. His lyrics are wrote around the music rather than trying to express some idea.
In that case, go enlighten Hog Log in the Lyrics section.
its like the band has stated themselves - the words are really like another instrument, not exactly to be taken literally...
oh yeah and the Jelvins kick fucking ass by the way, pick up their new one if you maybe weren't feeling the first one all that much...
It's time for Melvins to one-up the Beatles & compile an "illustrated lyrics" hardcover! Few things would be greater than that - all the lyrics to every song, on paper, with artwork for each - kind of a cousin volume to the super-cool "Neither Here Nor There". Mind you, I'm not asking that any interpretation accompany the lyrics - just the lyrics (and art) - for all of us to marvel at for all eternity.
y'know, i honestly don't want to read the "actual" lyrics...
Quote from: TosT on November 14, 2005, 11:21:48 AM
y'know, i honestly don't want to read the "actual" lyrics...
yeah, thats my opinion too, but once in a while you just REALLY want to know.
but not knowing the lyrics keeps us interested.
hey klump - i hear you -the rock & roll purist in me doesn't wanna read 'em, to an extent, though I've always been a firm believer in words & music being kinda joined at the hip (personally, i can't "hear" one without the other)....I think putting the words on paper could take away from some of the "pure listening satisfaction" experience & sense of adventure, possibly (or could it open up another door into an alternate universe?).....I admire Melvins as real innovators though, because "lyrics" in their case seem to just add to the overall atmosphere of the tune, regardless of the content..the music & lyric are kinda "melded together"......but the part of me that's fascinated with "word play" & just plain old great & weird lyrics just can't resist the urge....I mean let's face it....Buzz has practically invented an entire sub-language unto himself.....and it amazes me.....us old english majors die hard....(and i'll warn ya's now, I can't spell for sh*t!)....
buzz is such a mystifyer.
in our interview (soon, soon) he told me that 90% of the lyrics are NOT nonsense, and mean something.
it does make sense though, to the seasoned fan, how the lyrics can both mean something and simultaneously be heard only as sound. you know what i mean, right? in true melviny-dichotomy.
Quote from: Vcavallo on November 15, 2005, 10:23:45 AM
buzz is such a mystifyer.
in our interview (soon, soon) he told me that 90% of the lyrics are NOT nonsense, and mean something.
it does make sense though, to the seasoned fan, how the lyrics can both mean something and simultaneously be heard only as sound. you know what i mean, right? in true melviny-dichotomy.
Sure, it may mean something to *Buzz or Dale* - but that doesn't mean it will come across to the listeners - who are left to interpret it in their own way - either literally or musically. I much prefer lyrics that's open to interepretation - I fucking hate lyrics that try to tell a story or whatever because they inevitably turn out to be extremely banal.
you said it.
i agree w/buzz that they have 'meaning' in that they aren't nonsense syllables, but 'meaning' is a subjective term, in my opinion. <-- see?
heh
You have all put a lot of thought into this.Your make a doll a ray day sender bright like a penelty! :P
I don't really give a fuck who this song is about, but...................It has to be one of the Melvins greatest in my eyes!
Quote from: Ministry Fiend on November 17, 2005, 10:03:55 AM
I don't really give a fuck who this song is about, but...................It has to be one of the Melvins greatest in my eyes!
how is it in your ears? :lol:
he has to look at his melvins cds while listening to ministry :P
klump, STOP IT, your KILLING me! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Quote from: glen on November 17, 2005, 11:36:23 AM
Quote from: Ministry Fiend on November 17, 2005, 10:03:55 AM
I don't really give a fuck who this song is about, but...................It has to be one of the Melvins greatest in my eyes!
how is it in your ears? :lol:
[/quote
ECSTASY!
Quote from: Ministry Fiend on November 17, 2005, 04:29:03 PM
ECSTASY!
How cool! That's Holland's number one export product. Not wooden shoes, cheese or tulips, XTC!
I don't know if I should admit this,but often Courtney Love comes to mind when I hear Let It All Be for some reason. Maybe I watched that documentary about them and then listened to Let It All Be afterwards and it made an imprint or something. Studying Melvins lyrics,even trying to figure some of them out,is sorta like those gag unsolveable tweeker crossword puzzles from the old Rip Off Comics. ](*,) :-k [-X
But we can talk about the lyrics songs with the most obvious meanings:
Up the Dumper -
Appropriate title for a song that satirizes syrupy love-songs...
'It wont be long till I'm holding you closer' becomes 'It wont be long till I'm holding you more distant'. This is pretty obvious - the rest of the lyrics arent so obvious.
Also Mary Lady Bobby Kins -
haul me on
underneath the magic
under all along
what is this thing I see
ordinary, ordinary
haul me on
let me tell the world
how you are
what will your wife remember
ordinary, ordinary
haul me on
now that you
Quote from: idiotboy on November 28, 2005, 09:57:52 PM
Also Mary Lady Bobby Kins -
haul me on
underneath the magic
under all along
what is this thing I see
ordinary, ordinary
haul me on
let me tell the world
how you are
what will your wife remember
ordinary, ordinary
haul me on
now that you
Yea - i think you are right - i just copied that straight out of the lyrics section - which is chock full of innaccuracies.
hands, eyes, toes - perhaps a naming type game one would play with a kid. Here are my hands, here are my toes...
"and this is where my finger goes..."