Riot grrrl bands often address issues such as rape, domestic abuse, sexuality, racism, patriarchy, and female empowerment. Bands associated with the movement include Bikini Kill, Jack Off Jill (and later Scarling), Bratmobile, Adickdid, Bangs, The Butchies, Calamity Jane, Dickless, Emily's Sassy Lime, Excuse 17, Fifth Column, The Frumpies, Heavens to Betsy, Huggy Bear, Sleater-Kinney, L7, and also queercore like Team Dresch. In addition to a music scene and genre, riot grrrl is a subculture: zines, the DIY ethic, art, political action, and activism are part of the movement. Riot grrrls are known to hold meetings, start chapters, and support and organize women in music.
Deceptacon
Le Tigre Lyrics
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Every day and night, every day and night
I can see your disco, disco dick
Is sucking my heart out of my mind
I'm outta time, I'm outta fucking time
I'm a gasoline gut with a Vaseline mind, but
Wanna disco? Wanna see me disco?
Let me hear you depoliticize my rhyme
(One, two, three, four)
You got what you've been asking for
You're so policy free and your fantasy wheels
And everything you think and everything you feel
Is alright, alright, alright, alight, alright
I take you home, now watch me get you hot
You're just a parrot when you're screaming and you're shouting
"More crackers, please, more crackers, please"
You want what you want but you don't wanna be on your knees
Who does your, who does your hair?
Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp?
Who took the ram from the ramalamadingdong?
Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp?
Who took the ram from the ramalamadingdong?
(How are you?)
(Fine, thank you)
(How are you?)
(Fine, thank you)
You bought a new van the first year of your band
You're cool and I hardly wanna say "Not"
Because I'm so bored that I'd be entertained
Even by a stupid floor, a linoleum floor, linoleum floor
Your lyrics are dumb like a linoleum floor
I'll walk on it, I'll walk all over you
Walk on it, walk on it, walking one, two
(Who? Who? Who? Who?)
Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp?
Who took the ram from the ramalamading-dong?
Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp?
Who took the ram from the ramalamading-dong?
(See you later)
(See you later)
(See you later)
(See you later)
The lyrics to Le Tigre's song "Deceptacon" are a clever commentary on the superficiality and shallowness of the music industry, specifically the disco and pop scenes. The line "every day and night, I can see your disco disco dick is sucking my heart out of my mind" is a play on words, comparing the obsession with genitalia to the emptiness of the music itself. The singer (presumably Kathleen Hanna) is frustrated with the inanity that surrounds her, screaming "Wanna disco? Wanna see me disco? Let me hear you depoliticize my rhyme" as a plea to take her and her music seriously, while recognizing the difficulty of being a female artist in such a male-dominated industry.
The repeated questions of "Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp? Who took the ram from the ramalamadingdong?" are a reference to two classic songs: "Da Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals and "Rama Lama Ding Dong" by The Edsels. The repetition of these phrases highlights the sense of confusion, disorientation, and disappointment felt by the singer. The lines "your fantasy wheels and everything you think and everything you feel is alright, alright, alright, alright, alright" are a nod to the David Bowie song "All the Young Dudes," referencing the idea of people being led astray by fantasy and surface-level thinking.
Overall, "Deceptacon" is a powerful critique of the music industry and its tendency to prioritize style over substance. Through clever lyrics and driving rhythms, Le Tigre has crafted a song that is at once catchy, danceable, and thought-provoking.
Line by Line Meaning
Who took the bomp?
Who stole the excitement from life?
Every day and night
Nonstop, all the time
I can see your disco disco dick
I am disappointed with the superficiality of your personality
Is sucking my heart out of my mind
You are draining all my energy and passion
I'm outta time, I'm outta fucking time
I am running out of patience and time to deal with this
I'm a gasoline gut with a Vaseline mind, but
My emotions are all over the place and I am feeling vulnerable
Wanna disco? Wanna see me disco?
Are you interested in me for who I really am?
Let me hear you depoliticize my rhyme
Stop trying to make my message something that it's not
(One, two, three, four)
Counting down to a new beginning
You got what you been asking for
You will receive the consequences of your actions
You're so policy free and
You lack substance and real beliefs
Your fantasy wheels and everything you think
Your imagination is unrealistic and detached from reality
And everything you feel
Your emotions are shallow and fleeting
Is alright, alright, alright, alight, alright
It's all just mediocre and fine to you
I take you home, now watch me get you hot
I will lead you, but only to fulfill my own desires
You're just a parrot when you're screaming
You have no originality or authenticity in your expression
And you're shouting
You're just making noise
"More crackers, please, more crackers, please"
You're so basic and simplistic
You want what you want but you don't wanna be on your knees
You want things handed to you but don't want to work hard for them
Who does your, who does your hair?
Why do you care about something so trivial?
Who took the bomp from the bompalompalomp?
Who removed the excitement and energy from life?
Who took the ram from the ramalamadingdong?
Who took the power and strength from life?
How are you?
How are you doing on the surface?
Fine, thank you
I am fine, thanks for asking, but not really
You bought a new van the first year of your band
You are more concerned with appearances than substance
You're cool and I hardly wanna say "not"
You try too hard to impress others
Because I'm so bored that I'd be entertained
I am bored and desperate for something to catch my attention
Even by a stupid floor, a linoleum floor, linoleum floor
I would even find interest in something as mundane as a floor
Your lyrics are dumb like a linoleum floor
Your words lack depth and substance
I'll walk on it, I'll walk all over you
I will continue to disregard and ignore you
Walk on it, walk on it, walking one, two
I will move on, continuing to find something more meaningful
See you later
Goodbye for now
See you later
Until next time
See you later
Our paths will cross again eventually
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Johanna Fateman, Kathleen M Hanna, Sadie Benning
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind