Babes In Toyland's debut single on Treehouse Records ("Dust Cake Boy" b/w "Spit To See The Shine") landed them a deal with Minneapolis' famed Twin/Tone Records.
Their debut album Spanking Machine -- released in 1990 -- caught the attention of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, who began singing their praises in the music press and invited the band to support them on their European tour. Meanwhile, Spanking Machine was released in the UK by Southern Studios, and was quickly gaining favour with the music press and John Peel who recorded a session with them and named the album as his favorite of 1990.
In the summer of 1991, To Mother was recorded at Southern Studios with John Loder in the producer's seat. The EP entered the independent charts in the top 10 and stayed there for an amazing 13 weeks (ten of which the EP held at the No. 1 position). Early in 1992, Michelle Leon amicably left the band and was replaced by Maureen Herman, an old friend and long-time fan of the band. Their second and most successful album, Fontanelle was released in August 1992 and was followed by the outtakes EP Painkillers in June 1993.
After a number of other tours, Babes in Toyland released Nemesisters, their third and final studio album, in 1995. After this, the band were on-off with Leon's departure leading to the dissolution of their record label contract. In 2001, the band reformed for one final time and performed their final show on November 25 in Minneapolis. After this, the band officially disbanded, however, Kat Bjelland performed a number of shows in Europe under the band's name, only to face legal action from former members if the tour went further ahead.
After much speculation, in 2014, Babes in Toyland had announced they reunited and announced tour dates.
In 2015, Maureen Herman was replaced by Clara Salyer.
Angel Hair
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Floating over there
Well you think I don't see?
I see clear through
I see little fish in my sea
Little sea
All the birds have turned to hawks in me
Living vicariously
Stick your sickness inside my line up and take your orders
Well done says the one and only
You left them all behind a lonely needing more floor hours of-
You take your punishment well
Swallow it
Just steal
Stinking up from behind
Show me the way to the white
Bow to my people real
Shut
Wide eyes wide legs
Shut shut shut
So you see little sea
Try to get me
You think I don't see
I see clear through!
Stick your sickness line up
And take your orders well line up
You think I don't see I see clear through
Stick your sickness inside my line up
I don't bleed your state of mind
The song Angel Hair by Babes in Toyland paints a haunting picture of a relationship where one person is trying to control and manipulate the other. The lyrics depict someone who sees through the other person's facade and perceives their true intentions. The metaphor of "angel hair" floating over there suggests that the manipulator is trying to be subtle or delicate in their approach, but the singer sees through it all. The line "well you think I don't see?" is almost mocking in tone, as if the singer is daring the other person to try to deceive them.
The next line, "I see clear through," reveals the singer's confidence in their perception. They can see "little fish in my sea," suggesting that the other person is small and insignificant compared to the vastness of the singer's world. The line "all the birds have turned to hawks in me" is a powerful metaphor for the singer's aggressive, predatory nature. They have transformed into a predator, ready to defend their territory and pounce on any threats.
The rest of the lyrics depict the manipulator trying to get the singer to comply with their orders, but ultimately failing. The line "you take your punishment well, swallow it" suggests that the manipulator is trying to punish or control the singer, but they are resilient and refuse to give in. The final lines "I don't bleed your state of mind" indicate that the singer is not influenced or affected by the manipulator's attempts to control them. They are strong and independent, able to see through the deception and stay true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel Hair
The name of the song.
Floating over there
Description of something weightless and delicate in the distance.
Well you think I don't see?
Questioning the other party's assumptions about the singer's awareness.
I see clear through
The artist sees through the other party's ploy or facade.
I see little fish in my sea
The artist has noticed small or insignificant details in the scenario they are in charge of.
Little sea
An area, situation or project that is under the singer's control.
All the birds have turned to hawks in me
The singer's attitude or behavior towards others has become more predatory or aggressive.
Living vicariously
The other party is living through the artist's experiences, possibly in an envious or covetous way.
You are 3
An ambiguous or cryptic statement, possibly a reference to a numerical code or personal revelation.
Stick your sickness inside my line up and take your orders
The other party is trying to infect or influence the artist's decision-making process, but the artist is not having any of it.
Well done says the one and only
The singer is sarcastically acknowledging the other party's self-aggrandizement or praising of their own actions.
You left them all behind a lonely needing more floor hours of-
The other party has neglected or abandoned something or someone, leaving the artist to pick up the slack.
You take your punishment well
The other party is being chastised or criticized, and the singer acknowledges their resilience or stubbornness in the face of it.
Swallow it
The other party is being told to accept or internalize criticism, even if it isn't warranted or earned.
Just steal
The singer is accusing the other party of taking credit or stealing something that rightfully belongs to them.
Stinking up from behind
The other party's actions or behavior is negatively affecting the artist's experience.
Show me the way to the white
The artist is asking the other party to guide them towards purity or truth, possibly in a sarcastic or ironic way.
Bow to my people real
A demand to show respect to the singer or those they represent, implying that the other party has not been doing so.
Shut
A command to stop talking or thinking in a negative way.
Wide eyes wide legs
A description of a vulnerable or surprised state, possibly implying that the other party is easily manipulated or fooled.
Shut shut shut
A more urgent or forceful command to stop talking or thinking in a negative way.
So you see little sea
The artist is bringing the conversation back to the main point, possibly after the other party has been sidetracked.
Try to get me
The other party is attempting to provoke or antagonize the singer, possibly in a playful or flirtatious way.
Stick your sickness line up
Repeating an earlier statement or command.
And take your orders well line up
Repeating an earlier statement or command in a slightly modified way.
You think I don't see I see clear through
Repeating an earlier statement or observation, emphasizing the singer's awareness and perceptiveness.
Stick your sickness inside my line up
Repeating an earlier statement, possibly to signify the singer's refusal to be influenced or infected by the other party's negative vibes.
I don't bleed your state of mind
The artist is not allowing the other party's negative or toxic attitude to affect them emotionally or mentally.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind