In 1999, he released his first solo album, "Teenage Snuff Film", which he followed up with the album "Pop Crimes" a decade later. The second album was released in October 2009, only 2 months before his passing.
He passed away on December 30th, 2009 after a long battle with liver cancer.
Dead Radio
Rowland S. Howard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like Cigarettes
But I haven't sucked
Enough of you yet.
Nothing is sacred
And nothing is true,
I'm no-one that's nowhere
When I'm here with you.
I've lost the power I had to distinguish
Between what to ignite and what to extinguish.
I blew in last night,
I'm the ghost from the coast.
When the lighting is bad
I'm the man with the most.
You left me to choke
On a heart up in smoke,
Smiling through your tears
And your tetracycline overdose.
You're good for me
Like Coca-Cola.
I don't get any younger,
You don't get any older.
Everything's sacred
And Everything's true,
All this possible
When I'm here with you.
I've got a lot to say
But I keep my own counsel.
I'd like to spit it out
But I won't speak with my mouth full.
In Rowland S. Howard's song Dead Radio, the lyrics portray a tumultuous relationship where one person knows they should quit, but they just can't seem to get enough of the other person, much like cigarettes. The singer admits that nothing is sacred and nothing is true anymore when they're with this person, as they have lost their power to distinguish between what to ignite and what to extinguish. The singer is self-aware enough to know that they're nobody when they're with this person, but they're still drawn to them like a ghost from the coast, even though doing so might be harming them, like choking on a heart up in smoke. Despite all of this, the singer can't deny that this person is good for them, like Coca-Cola, and that everything is possible when they're together.
The lyrics weave a tale of addiction to a person who may not be good for them, yet the singer can't seem to leave them alone. The lyrics don't provide any answers or solutions, and the singer seems resigned to their fate. The use of metaphors and comparisons to cigarettes and Coca-Cola highlights the addictive nature of the relationship and shows how the singer is aware of it, yet still can't break the cycle. The last two lines of the song are particularly striking, as the singer admits to having a lot to say but keeps their own counsel, unable to speak out even when they should.
Line by Line Meaning
You're bad for me
Like Cigarettes
But I haven't sucked
Enough of you yet.
The relationship is toxic like cigarettes, but the singer is still willingly invested and hasn't experienced enough of it yet.
Nothing is sacred
And nothing is true,
I'm no-one that's nowhere
When I'm here with you.
The singer feels lost and disconnected from their own identity when they're with their partner, and nothing in their relationship feels genuine or meaningful.
I've lost the power I had to distinguish
Between what to ignite and what to extinguish.
The singer has lost their sense of control over their own life and choices, no longer able to differentiate between what will benefit them and what will harm them.
I blew in last night,
I'm the ghost from the coast.
When the lighting is bad
I'm the man with the most.
The artist is an unpredictable and mysterious figure, appearing suddenly and being able to dominate or lead when the situation calls for it.
You left me to choke
On a heart up in smoke,
Smiling through your tears
And your tetracycline overdose.
The partner has hurt and betrayed the artist, leading them to feel suffocated and like their emotions are up in flames. The partner may also be dealing with their own pain or issues, symbolized by the tetracycline overdose.
You're good for me
Like Coca-Cola.
I don't get any younger,
You don't get any older.
Despite the previous negativity, the singer still acknowledges the allure of their partner's presence and may even view it as comforting or enjoyable. However, they are also aware that this relationship cannot last forever.
Everything's sacred
And Everything's true,
All this possible
When I'm here with you.
In contrast to earlier, now the singer feels a sense of profound connection with their partner and the world around them. Their love has made even the mundane feel special and meaningful.
I've got a lot to say
But I keep my own counsel.
I'd like to spit it out
But I won't speak with my mouth full.
Finally, the artist has withheld their true feelings and thoughts in this relationship, opting to keep them to themselves. They may want to express themselves, but are also wary of doing so.
Lyrics © Mute Song Limited, Royalty Network
Written by: Rowland S. Howard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind