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.
Ariel
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've meant to be
Pick the bones clean of angelicanteen meat
Carnivaluate the short and tallerate the weak
Stuck 6 feet sheep yr older than you look
Cracked eyes black as soot
Ariel ariella isadore is a door
In your eyes when you rise when you feel the
Velvet skies you rise
Manifestering stations ailing incarnations
A test of the broadcast emergency at last
Ariel arieela isadore is a door
Isador able to close the sky and holes
In your eyes when you rise when you feel the
Velvet skies you rise
'Til you rise I fill your skies
'Til you rise I field yr skies
The lyrics to Babes in Toyland's song "Ariel" are cryptic and abstract, making it open to different interpretations. Most of the lines do not follow a coherent narrative, but they provide concrete imagery that can be interpreted in different ways. It seems to talk about a person who is at a crossroad, stuck in between the person they want to be and the person they are. The line "Carnivaluate the short and tallerate the weak" could suggest that the person is evaluating themselves based on external standards, but still feels like a sheep, without a clear sense of identity. The image of "Cracked eyes black as soot" suggests that the person is tired and may have been hurt or disappointed.
The chorus repeats the name Ariel and Isadore, which can be interpreted as metaphors for transformation and closure. "Isadore is a door" could mean that closure, or ending, is necessary for transformation or growth. "Ariel" can be interpreted as a name or a symbol, but it seems to be associated with rising or ascending, perhaps from a place of darkness or struggle into a "velvet sky". The line "Manifestering stations ailing incarnations / A test of the broadcast emergency at last" suggests a moment of crisis or urgency, where transformation or growth is necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Live somewhere in between of what I've meant to be
Existing in a state that is not fully what I intended to be, but not entirely different from it either.
Pick the bones clean of angelicanteen meat
Extracting all possible value from something, even if it is considered sacred or holy.
Carnivaluate the short and tallerate the weak
Evaluating people or situations based on superficial qualities like height or strength, rather than merit or character.
Stuck 6 feet sheep yr older than you look
Feeling trapped in a mundane existence that is stifling and uninspired, despite outward appearances that suggest otherwise.
Cracked eyes black as soot
Eyes that are deeply affected by personal struggles, resulting in a dark or troubled appearance.
Ariel ariella isadore is a door
The name Ariel is used as a symbol of opening or unlocking doors that were previously closed.
Isador able to close the sky and holes
Referencing the figure of St. Isidore, who was believed to have the power to control the weather and the environment.
In your eyes when you rise when you feel the
Velvet skies you rise
Experiencing a sense of inner peace and enlightenment, symbolized by the image of rising up into a beautiful, soft sky.
Manifestering stations ailing incarnations
Examining the ways in which different aspects of life intertwine and influence one another.
A test of the broadcast emergency at last
A metaphor for the urgency and seriousness of the situation at hand.
'Til you rise I fill your skies
Acknowledging the way that relationships and personal connections can have a powerful impact on each other's lives.
'Til you rise I field yr skies
Seeing oneself as a supportive presence in someone else's life, helping them to reach their potential.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KAT BJELLAND, LORI ANNE BARBERO, MAUREEN HERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind