During the near decade the group spent in Dog Fashion Disco, Smith and his merry band of misfits would amass a loyal underground following of fans (dubbed the “mushroom cult”) through countless tours with the likes of Slayer, Mindless Self Indulgence, Nothingface and Lacuna Coil. Read Full BioWhen Baltimore based alt-metal act Dog Fashion Disco came to an end, it wasn’t the end of frontman Todd Smith, guitarist Jasan Stepp and drummer John Ensminger's musical output.
During the near decade the group spent in Dog Fashion Disco, Smith and his merry band of misfits would amass a loyal underground following of fans (dubbed the “mushroom cult”) through countless tours with the likes of Slayer, Mindless Self Indulgence, Nothingface and Lacuna Coil. Although Dog Fashion Disco never achieved commercial success, their musical legacy gained the respect of musical contemporaries like Serj Tankian of System of a Down (who made a guest appearance on Anarchists of Good Taste), Mushroomhead and American Head Charge, while the group's music lives on through the internet and continues to create new members of the “mushroom cult” long after the band's demise.
While Smith and company may have become sick of living the vagabond lifestyle that a touring metal band requires, the thought of giving up music entirely never even crossed their minds. Within mere months of their former outfits demise the group had created a new group, Polkadot Cadaver to unleash their schizophrenic musical madness.
“Jasan and I decided to start a studio band and Polkadot Cadaver started as shells of songs on Jasan’s computer. After we fleshed out the songs we pitched it Rotten Records, because we loved how they handled the last Dog Fashion Disco album,” says Smith about the formation of the group. “They immediately got behind us and as soon as received a recording budget we went to Wrightway Studios to work and complete the record. Polkadot Cadaver is very similar to Dog Fashion Disco stylistically. The songs are still very quirky and different from each other.” Recorded in the bowels of Baltimore with producer Steven Wright (Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, SR-71), Polkadot Cadaver’s debut album picks up right where Dog Fashion Disco left off. The brilliance of the band’s musical output lies within their ability to sonically shape shift like a musical chameleon that can adapt to any music style. “What’s The Worst Thing” blisters with thrashing Slayer like riffage and then spills into the soothing folk-pop melodies of "Chloroform Girl". The album’s lyrical insanity the delivers homicidal blow to Polkadot Cadaver’s musical homicide, covering gamut of topics ranging from plane crashes, narcissistic models, Christ, the devil and good old Baltimore, MD.
After fulfilling their contractual duties with Rotten Records, The guys decides that they'd had enough of working for the man. Smith and Stepp have since started their own record label, called Razor To Wrist Records, and now record and release albums, all on their own. Every project they now have will be releasing albums under Razor To Wrist [Polkadot Cadaver, El-Creepo! (Todd's Solo Project), Knives Out! (Super Group), and Deimos (Jasan's Solo Project)]. For more info on Polkadot Cadaver and the rest of their happenings, be sure to check out RazorToWrist.com.
Chloroform Girl
Polkadot Cadaver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
It must be all that crying
You haven't learned a thing at all
Another helter skelter
Moonlight has come and gone
The bloody writing's on the wall
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
You look just like a zombie
Inches from dead and pretty
With purple flowers in your hair
I hear the angels crying
Just as the devil smiles
All little pigs will die tonight
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
I hear the devil singing the most haunting melodies
I've got this overwhelming feeling of morbid ecstasy
Coming over me
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
Chloroform girl
The song "Chloroform Girl" by Polkadot Cadaver is a dark and disturbing exploration of a twisted captor-captive relationship. The lyrics describe the condition of the captive, who looks like a "zombie" with purple flowers in her hair, and who has not seen sunlight for three years. The captor is possessive of her, and expresses his desire for her to stay awake and alive, even though she is bound, gagged, and chained up in his basement. In the chorus, the captor calls her "Chloroform girl," referencing the likely way in which he has sedated her and brought her under his control. He acknowledges that she is only alive because he likes her, and that he gets a perverse, morbid pleasure from their relationship.
The lyrics imply a level of violence and fetishization that is deeply unsettling. The captor seems to enjoy the power dynamic in their relationship, and the fact that he has complete control over the captive. The reference to "little pigs" dying tonight suggests that he sees himself as a predator, and his victim as prey. The haunting melodies that the captor hears may be a figment of his imagination, or they may be a soundtrack to the twisted world that he has created in his basement. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener disturbed and unsettled, grappling with the disturbing implications of the story that is unfolding.
Line by Line Meaning
Your eyes look just like bullet holes
Your eyes are red and puffy from crying so much.
It must be all that crying
Your eyes are red and puffy from crying so much.
You haven't learned a thing at all
You haven't gained any insight or knowledge from your experiences.
Another helter skelter
Another chaotic and unpredictable situation.
Moonlight has come and gone
The night has passed.
The bloody writing's on the wall
The warning signs have been present all along.
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
A question directed at the girl who has been drugged with chloroform and held captive.
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
Don't let your guard down again, or I may take advantage of you.
You're only alive because I like you
Your survival is solely based on my personal interest, not because you deserve it.
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
You have been held captive for a significant amount of time.
But I know you're having fun
Despite the captivity, I believe you are enjoying this situation.
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
A description of the girl's captivity and lack of freedom.
You look just like a zombie
Your appearance is lifeless and drained.
Inches from dead and pretty
You are close to death and still maintain some physical beauty.
With purple flowers in your hair
An eerie detail that contrasts with the dark and disturbing situation.
I hear the angels crying
A metaphoric description of the sadness and despair caused by this situation.
Just as the devil smiles
An ironic contrast between good and evil.
All little pigs will die tonight
A threatening message directed at the captor, foreshadowing his eventual comeuppance.
I hear the devil singing the most haunting melodies
A sinister image of the devil enjoying the suffering he has caused.
I've got this overwhelming feeling of morbid ecstasy
The captor is getting pleasure from the twisted situation he has created.
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
A question directed at the girl who has been drugged with chloroform and held captive.
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
Don't let your guard down again, or I may take advantage of you.
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
Your survival is solely based on my personal interest, not because you deserve it.
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
You have been held captive for a significant amount of time.
But I know you're having fun
Despite the captivity, I believe you are enjoying this situation.
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
A description of the girl's captivity and lack of freedom.
Chloroform girl
A disturbing label given to the girl who has been drugged with chloroform and held captive.
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fond Memory Vacation
[Verse 1]
Your eyes look just like bullet holes
It must be all that crying
You haven't learned a thing at all
Another helter skelter
Moonlight has come and gone
The bloody writing's on the wall
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
[Verse 2]
You look just like a zombie
Inches from dead and pretty
With purple flowers in your hair
I hear the angels crying
Just as the devil smiles
All little pigs will die tonight
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
[Bridge]
I hear the devil singing the most haunting melodies
I've got this overwhelming feeling of morbid ecstasy
Coming over me
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
Chloroform girl
KeMiKiLL
Your eyes look just like bullet holes*
It must be all that cryin'
You haven't learned a thing at all
Another Helter Skelter,
Moonlight has come and gone
The bloody writing's on the wall
Chloroform Girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleepin' again,
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight,
But I know you're having fun,
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
You look just like a zombie,
Inches from dead and pretty,
With purple flowers in your hair
I hear the angels crying,
Just as the Devil smiles
All little pigs will die tonight
Chloroform Girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleepin' again,
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight,
But I know you're having fun,
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
I hear the Devil singin' the most haunting melodies
I've got this overwhelming feeling of morbid ecstasy,
Coming over me...
Chloroform Girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleepin' again,
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight,
But I know you're having fun,
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
Chloroform Girl...
I Heart Terror
I really like this song, it's so delightfully creepy. Horrible, but morbidly fun. The contrast with the lyrics and the upbeat melody is amazing.
Tim A
it makes me feel normal
Doni
morbius fun
Fond Memory Vacation
[Verse 1]
Your eyes look just like bullet holes
It must be all that crying
You haven't learned a thing at all
Another helter skelter
Moonlight has come and gone
The bloody writing's on the wall
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
[Verse 2]
You look just like a zombie
Inches from dead and pretty
With purple flowers in your hair
I hear the angels crying
Just as the devil smiles
All little pigs will die tonight
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
[Bridge]
I hear the devil singing the most haunting melodies
I've got this overwhelming feeling of morbid ecstasy
Coming over me
[Chorus]
Chloroform girl, how have you been?
Don't let me catch you sleeping again
You're only alive because I like you (Because I like you)
It's been three years since you've seen the sunlight
But I know you're having fun
Bound, gagged, and chained up in my basement
Chloroform girl
Walter Maloney
Fond Memory Vacation your service is greatly appreciated
L
Fond Memory Vacation thank you
dog
When is this song gonna become popular again, it's so underrated
maryam
it needs to be ! it’s been on repeat
Shawn Little
When was it popular? I never knew anyone that liked these guys in my life
Mike
Polkadot Cadaver, El Creepo, Dog Fashion Disco. All incredible and very different bands. One man. Infinite talent and an ability to build an atmosphere like very few others.