Bavitz was born in Syosset, New York and grew up in Northport, New York. While attending college, Bavitz initially recorded and released two self-financed efforts, Music for Earthworms (1997), a full-length featuring underground artist Percee P on two tracks. Bavitz also released a music video to "Abandon All Hope", which was one of the tracks on the CD. The album sold over 300 copies, largely from a grassroots internet-based promotion at his website AesopRock.com and then-popular web portal, MP3.Com. It was a success. With the money he made from his previous release, he then released his Appleseed EP in 1999 which received critical acclaim in the underground hip hop circuit.[citation needed] Both of his early records were produced by long-time friend Blockhead, and underground producer Dub-L. He completed these albums while also working as a waiter.
After his breakthrough success in the underground hip hop and indie rap community, he was eventually noticed by the Mush label and obtained his first record deal in 1999, just a year after he graduated from college. Aesop released his first major album, Float (2000), with guest appearances from Vast Aire, Slug, and Dose One. Production was split between Blockhead and Aesop himself, with one track by Omega One. During this time, Aesop worked at a photography gallery. In August 2001 tragedy struck when Bavitz had a nervous breakdown. The song "One of Four" on his Daylight EP documents his struggles.
Shortly after releasing Float, Aesop Rock signed to Manhattan-based label Definitive Jux (commonly shortened to Def Jux), where he released Labor Days (2001), an album dedicated to the discussion of labor in American society and the concept of "wage slaves". This album was most well known for its single "Daylight". Because of its popularity, Daylight was re-released in 2002 as a seven-track EP, including an "alternative" new version of the song "Night Light", whose paraphrased lyrics simultaneously refer back to, and stand in stark opposition to, the original's. The song "Labor" (from Labor Days) was featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4; it also was the first album in his catalog to break through the Billboard charts, peaking at number 15 at the United States Independent Charts, giving Aesop Rock more recognition.
Labor Days was followed by Bazooka Tooth in 2003. For the first time, production was mostly handled by Rock himself, with three tracks from longtime collaborator Blockhead and one from close friend and Definitive Jux label CEO El-P. Guest appearances include Party Fun Action Committee, El-P, and Mr. Lif (all Definitive Jux labelmates) and Camp Lo. With this release Aesop hit a higher level of recognition, releasing "No Jumper Cables" as a single and music video, then another single, "Freeze", shortly after. A remix of "No Jumper Cables" was featured on Tony Hawk's Underground 2, furthering Aesop's recognition. In 2004, He released Build Your Own Bazooka Tooth and created a contest in which you had to create a remix of an Aesop Rock song using the a cappellas and instrumentals.
In February 2005, Aesop Rock released a new EP, Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives. The first pressing of the EP included an 88-page booklet with lyrics from every release from Float until this EP (the lyric booklet is titled The Living Human Curiosity Sideshow); later pressings of the album come without the booklet, but with an additional bonus track, "Facemelter". In addition, a limited number of albums were available direct from Def Jux with Aesop Rock's graffiti tag on them. In response to demands from his fans, Rock did less production on the EP: three songs are produced by Blockhead, three produced by Aesop, and one by Rob Sonic. During this time he was asked to join The Weathermen to replace Vast Aire.
Aesop Rock was commissioned to create a 45-minute instrumental track for the Nike+iPod running system, entitled All Day. It was released in February 2007. Distributed via the iTunes Music Store and featuring his wife Allyson Baker on guitar and scratches from DJ Big Wiz, Aesop has described the release as "something that evolved enough that the sound was constantly fresh and attractive, as though the runner were moving through a set of differing cities or landscapes."
All Day was followed in August of the same year by Bavitz's fifth full-length album, None Shall Pass released in 2007. The album also contained original artwork by Jeremy Fish. About Jeremy Fish, Aesop Rock said: "Man that guy is my hero. We have a friend in common who hit me up a while back saying that this guy Jeremy Fish had an opportunity to pitch a cartoon to Disney and wanted me to be involved in the music side. I flipped out cuz I was also a fan of his, and owned some of his work." Aesop Rock also teamed up with Jeremy Fish again in a project called Ghosts of the Barbary Coast. Aesop Rock made a song called "Tomorrow Morning", to go along with a slideshow of drawings that Jeremy Fish drew. This was displayed in San Francisco, but was also made available for download online. None Shall Pass had positive reviews from critics and fans, applauding Aesop for his change in sound.
In 2011, Rhymesayers released "Are You Going to Eat That?", the debut album from Hail Mary Mallon, a collaboration between Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, and DJ Big Wiz.
On July 10, 2012, Rhymesayers released Aesop Rock's sixth studio album, "Skelethon". Its first single, "Zero Dark Thirty", was released four months earlier on April 10. A second single, "ZZZ Top", was released on June 29.
In 2011, Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches formed the duo The Uncluded. The duo's debut album, "Hokey Fright" was released on May 7, 2013.
In 2018, Aesop Rock teamed up with TOBACCO to form Malibu Ken
Save Yourself
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull the pin out, sheep creep in wolf garb
Fronted by the Hail Mary parry lunge mixer
Kill the populace for stability, jeopardy's a stickler
Its bob and weave amalgam played the falcon to your fixture
I branch out, arms flailing backwards
wailin upon a tidy sound circuit
slightly foul Gershwin
workin in shifts opposite the asbestos brain furnace
I be the now observatory eye ear antenna feeler
Spittin like a dragon with a similar demeanor
stood innocent bystand witness the diehard fans turn Rip Van
in the poppy fields of N.Y.'s orchestrated brick gauntlet
Now I'm thinkin who am I Jabberwocky Superfly bent left
Pushin war without the ten step cushion and what (what)
I plan to hold this beat positive sacred in these golde veins
Until the day I die from grimace overload
It's shock (it's shock)
treatment offered by the weekend
this still be a getaway, let's display the sequence it goes:
One for the heartless thievery turning my guardian angel harpless
And the rest to sweep the mess under the carpet (under the carpet)
I drag a yellow taxi meter behind every measure
And charge cats for labeling me shepherd
That'll be Six Fifty plus tip darlin,
I take cash, credit, check, money-order, gold and cigarette cartons
Huh, got caught up in the universe tryin to zoom in on stardom
Forgot the passion plus the hatred, both were based in Carbon
Next time you want to be a hero try saving somethin other than hip-hop
And maybe hip-hop'll save you from the pit-stop
Kill em all, yield
(naw man It wasn't me it was Holden Caulfield brother
I just read and pulled the trigger)
Oh God, well leave me to tiptoe past the pearly gates
capture the halo, jet back to base, step past the chase
the bad taste of jet-lag and weight slackers
There ain't nothin broken, where you at?
The pistons pump perfect, where you at?
The bass tone is Merlin, where you at?
This service is a urgent workin surgeons
Purging formulas lookin for an improper cause is whack
(Chorus 2x)
What are you saving, honestly? (honestly, honestly)
What are you saving, honestly? (honestly, no honestly)
What are you saving, honestly? (damn)
Promise me you gon shut the fuck up and recognize
What you holdin ain't really broken?
I don't flick neeedles like my sick friend (friend)
I don't march like Beetle Bailey through a quick trend (trend)
I don't frequent church's steeples on my weekend (end)
And I don't comment if you formulate a weak Zen.
All I ever really wanted was a getaway
I'ma take a chance by letting a brook slide for what I got in my hands
I can not agree to follow a leader while on the borderline
A war without a reason for the Brady hates gore
Bring out your dead we can put em in a pile
And burn em with the novels for the kids then to admire
KIll the ones that speak from a different life
Brewin other killer noise makin the sentiment...
Okay, welcome to the Kamikaze bottle rocket cockpit
Live by the icy cold hand of bad intention youth blender
Oh yeah I'll let God warm the bench for now but
I'll ascend to spin y'all dizzy
(and for the record I'm bringin my t.v. with me)
Yo, let the commoners speak publicly
Then disperse eye jammies for cats that swear by third pupil
But can't see past the loophole
Motherfucker, my word is born like Siamese triplets
With doctor, lawyer, rocket scientist promise
(let em grow leisurely)
Hey Mom, I'ma fix without my probe along this path
Once my shpeel's perfected I'ma save you a seat in the front row
Of Aesop Rock's twelve steps to shut the fuck up seminar
And when all these bickering crowds turn solid you gon be proud
I tack hacks to the (backboard)
Honesty's a (latchcord)
Fury's far from (obsolete)
Serenity's a (crack war)
Raw caricature of mayhem standard branded by the labor
With a thousand reasons to end this for every one of you saviors
Saw the brightest burst ironically wide from the vacant stage
Gave it a pound for burning where bunk ratio's engaged
Keep me posted as to when you grasp something mature to
sit and sulk about mister, and I'll consider pickin up your record
(Chorus 2x)
The Authors, they ain't got nothin to save
The Overground, man they ain't got nothin to save
Def Jux, they ain't got nothin to save
The Addams Family, they ain't got nothin to save
Weightless, they ain't got nothin to save
Stronghold man, they ain't got nothin to save
Rhymesayers baby, they ain't got nothin to save
Aesop Rock, I ain't got nothin to save
it's llike that
The lyrics of "Save Yourself" by Aesop Rock are cryptic and full of references to various themes like politics, media, music industry, and individuality. The song talks about the need to save oneself from the oppressive forces that threaten one's artistic expression and self-determination. The lyrics begin by telling the listener to chill with their ill-behavior, hinting at the group mentality that can limit individuality. The main theme of the song, however, is the idea that one must save themselves because no one else can do it for them.
The opening verse references the idea of a sheep in wolf's clothing, suggesting that people or institutions may pretend to be something they are not to gain power or control. The Hail Mary Parry Lunge Mixer and Bob and Weave Amalgam are boxing references that allude to political maneuvering through aggression and tactics. The verse also mentions the falcon to your fixture, which could be interpreted as a warning about predatory forces waiting to attack.
The second verse delves into the internal struggles and creative frustrations of an artist. The lyrics describe a flailing figure working opposite the asbestos brain furnace, suggesting that creative work can be harmful to one's mental health. The observatory eye ear antenna feeler is a metaphor for a person who takes in everything around them and synthesizes it into art. The dragon-like demeanor is likely a reference to the aggressive and powerful nature of artistic expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull the pin out, sheep creep in wolf garb
Be cautious of those who appear harmless but could be dangerous in disguise
Fronted by the Hail Mary parry lunge mixer
Deceptive tactics used to hide true intentions
Kill the populace for stability, jeopardy's a stickler
Some leaders go to extreme measures to maintain control, even at the cost of innocent lives
Its bob and weave amalgam played the falcon to your fixture
Use of evasive maneuvers and deception by those in power to manipulate the public
I branch out, arms flailing backwards
Taking risks and exploring new avenues, even if they may seem counterintuitive
wailin upon a tidy sound circuit
Creating music that is both complex and enjoyable
slightly foul Gershwin
Incorporating unconventional sounds into music, similar to the composer George Gershwin
with a bed of nails and drumlust plus disgusted service
Working hard and enduring difficult conditions to create art
workin in shifts opposite the asbestos brain furnace
Enduring dangerous and unhealthy working conditions to create art
I be the now observatory eye ear antenna feeler
Being observant and aware, taking in information from all senses
Spittin like a dragon with a similar demeanor
Rapping with a fierce and intense style
stood innocent bystand witness the diehard fans turn Rip Van
Watching dedicated fans lose interest or fall asleep due to changes in music or society
in the poppy fields of N.Y.'s orchestrated brick gauntlet
Being surrounded by the artificial and constructed world of New York City
Now I'm thinkin who am I Jabberwocky Superfly bent left
Questioning one's own identity and place in the world
Pushin war without the ten step cushion and what (what)
Going to war or taking risks without a safety net or plan
I plan to hold this beat positive sacred in these golde veins
Creating positive and meaningful music
Until the day I die from grimace overload
Continuing to create art and express oneself until death
This service is a urgent workin surgeons
Creating art is urgent and important, like a surgery
Purging formulas lookin for an improper cause is whack
Trying to find a specific cause for creating art is limiting and unproductive
What are you saving, honestly? (damn)
Asking others to consider the true value of what they are trying to save or protect
Promise me you gon shut the fuck up and recognize
Asking others to be quiet and pay attention to the truth
The pistons pump perfect, where you at?
Things are going well and functioning properly
Motherfucker, my word is born like Siamese triplets
The singer's word is truthful and important, like the bond between triplets
There ain't nothin broken, where you at?
Everything is working and functioning properly
Weightless, they ain't got nothin to save
The music label Weightless has nothing to save or protect
And when all these bickering crowds turn solid you gon be proud
When people stop arguing and come together, the singer will be proud
Honesty's a (latchcord)
Honesty is a key component of creating art
Fury's far from (obsolete)
Anger and passion are still important and relevant
Serenity's a (crack war)
Finding inner peace can be a struggle and a battle
Raw caricature of mayhem standard branded by the labor
The chaotic world is created by those in power who manipulate and exploit others
Saw the brightest burst ironically wide from the vacant stage
The most impactful moments can come from unexpected places
Keep me posted as to when you grasp something mature to sit and sulk about
The artist is waiting for people to mature and focus on more important topics
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTHONY SIMON, IAN BAVITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind