Tom Schulte of AllMusic wrote on his review: "English avant-guitarist Philip Charles Lithman, began an association with the Residents in 1969, before the group even had that name. The Residents co-produced his two albums with Snakefinger. Greener Postures was originally released in 1980. This is the peculiar and unique material of a cult guitarist extraordinaire. Each song is a quirky island in a sea of sonic oddity. The gamut on Greener Postures runs from the edgy depression ballad "Living in Vain" to "I Come from an Island" with an oppressive beat and stark message that could come from the Residents' the Mole Show. A listen to this album forces consideration of his immense contribution to the Residents' sound."
Golden Goat
Snakefinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No room in the middle
And there's no way around
Well, I can't go and I can't stay
My lungs are black
My brain is gray
I have seen the Golden Goat
And he would like to lick my throat
I know his mane, I know his spoor
I know he waits outside my door
That goat's too weak to do me harm
But he has got a big long arm
It fills my dreams, it's in my head
It makes me shake
and wet my bed
The lyrics to "Golden Goat" by Snakefinger present a feeling of being trapped and inescapable. The first stanza describes a lack of options and choices, suggesting that the singer is feeling trapped in their current circumstances. The mention of black lungs and a gray brain could suggest a depressed state, as though the singer is feeling suffocated and overwhelmed.
The chorus adds another layer to the song, introducing the idea of a "Golden Goat." This mysterious creature seems to have an ominous presence outside of the singer's door. While the goat is described as weak, the fact that it wants to lick the singer's throat suggests a dangerous intent.
Finally, the last stanza adds a surreal element, claiming that the powerful arm of the Golden Goat is filling the singer's dreams and making them wet the bed. Overall, the song creates a sense of being trapped and pursued by a dangerous creature, perhaps inspired by a nightmare or anxious state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
No way up and no way down
I feel stuck and unable to make progress in any direction
No room in the middle
I can't find a comfortable compromise, I'm feeling trapped
And there's no way around
I can't avoid this situation or find a solution to it
Well, I can't go and I can't stay
I'm in a difficult situation where neither leaving nor staying is a good option
My lungs are black
I'm feeling unhealthy or unable to breathe properly
My brain is gray
I'm feeling mentally exhausted or unable to think clearly
I have seen the Golden Goat
I've encountered something unique and special
And he would like to lick my throat
It's a potentially dangerous creature or situation
I know his mane, I know his spoor
I'm aware of the animal's features and tracks
I know he waits outside my door
The danger is imminent and close by
That goat's too weak to do me harm
The danger is less significant or less threatening than it initially appeared
But he has got a big long arm
There is still a risk of getting hurt or harmed in some way
It fills my dreams, it's in my head
This situation is affecting me mentally and causing anxiety
It makes me shake and wet my bed
This situation is causing me to experience physical symptoms of fear or stress
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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