Babes in Toyland was an American punk band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesot… Read Full Bio ↴Babes in Toyland was an American punk band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1987, when Lori Barbero met Kat Bjelland at a friend's barbeque. Originally four-piece, the band developed into the honed-down trio of Lori (long-time Minneapolis scenester) on drums, Kat (a transplant from Oregon via San Francisco, who moved to Minneapolis specifically to form a band) on vocals and guitar, and Michelle Leon on bass. Courtney Love, a close friend and former bandmate of Bjelland's in the short-lived group The Pagan Babies, had a brief stint in the band as a bass player in 1987, before being kicked out and later forming Hole two years afterward.

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.

Arriba
Babes in Toyland Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see it's red? on this side?
Arriba
This is how you feel
I see it's blue
Face it there, and shot it down
There's holding time, it's countdown
? ? ? there all the way
? ? ? it's all the way (always? )

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Babes in Toyland's song Arriba express a sense of opposition and confrontation. The lines "I see it's red on this side, this is how you feel, I see it's blue, face it there and shot it down" suggest that there are opposing views or opinions that are being confronted head on. The lyrics also convey a sense of urgency, with the phrases "holding time, it's countdown" and "it's all the way" adding to an overall tone of impending confrontation.

There are several interpretations that can be derived from the lyrics, such as political or societal conflicts, relationship issues, or even an internal struggle. Whatever the source of conflict, the lyrics suggest a need for resolution and a willingness to face it head on. The repetition of the word "Arriba" in the title and throughout the song may also suggest a call to action, urging the listener to rise up and face their challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

I see it's red? on this side?
Observing a shade of red on one side of something

Arriba
A Spanish exclamation meaning 'up' or 'go higher'

This is how you feel
Acknowledging an emotional state or attitude

I see it's blue
Noticing the presence of the color blue

Face it there, and shot it down
Confronting and overcoming a challenge or obstacle

There's holding time, it's countdown
Emphasizing the limited time available to complete something important

? ? ? there all the way
Unclear or ambiguous phrase without context

? ? ? it's all the way (always? )
Unclear or ambiguous phrase without context

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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