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.
Istigkeit
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In lanes that aren't allowed that's why I'm allowed in circles around
'Cause at the top of it all from where we are all
Black slant eye holes stretch back bug skull beautiful
Devil god lover telling me things to believe
Things I've known but cannot see
I am a stupid human bean
And what I seem
I breathe
I dream
I lead
How long should we go
Before we're heard?
Herd them all together
Put them in a spell
You will do well
We'll let you know but not enough
Magnetic field of vision
Raises eyebrow questions
What is the admission
Psychic audition to cover all specialized flights
Come up and meet us this will please us
I breathe
I dream
I lead
Mind is the wall of time
A lonely throne to own
The lyrics of Babes in Toyland's song Istigkeit convey a sense of confusion and bewilderment about one's own existence and the world around them. The first verse talks about how the individual's mind is their own, but they are driving it in lanes that aren't allowed, going around in circles. The imagery of black slant eye holes and bug skulls adds to the eerie feeling of the song. The second verse talks about an external force, a devil god lover, telling the individual things to believe, things they have known but cannot see. The singer refers to themselves as a "stupid human bean" caught between what they are and what they seem. The chorus, "I breathe, I dream, I lead" seems to express a sense of agency, a determination to move forward and take control of one's own life, but this is contrasted by the chaos and confusion of the surrounding lyrics. The song ends with the lines "mind is the wall of time, a lonely throne to own", which express a sense of isolation and the idea that one's own mind can be a lonely place.
Line by Line Meaning
My own mind is mine to drive
I have complete control over my own thoughts and actions.
In lanes that aren't allowed that's why I'm allowed in circles around
I reject the constraints of societal norms and instead choose to operate freely and creatively.
'Cause at the top of it all from where we are all
Black slant eye holes stretch back bug skull beautiful
We are all ultimately subject to the same looming fate, symbolized here as a black insectile void.
Devil god lover telling me things to believe
I am influenced by a variety of external forces, both positive and negative.
Things I've known but cannot see
There are certain truths which are beyond my immediate perception or comprehension.
I am a stupid human bean
Despite my abilities and experiences, I still possess a certain degree of inherent foolishness and frailty.
Big eyed and between what I am
And what I seem
There is a discrepancy between my internal perception of myself and how I am perceived externally by others.
I breathe
I dream
I lead
I am a living, breathing entity with the power to imagine and create, as well as influence the direction of my own life.
How long should we go
Before we're heard?
We are seeking validation for our lived experiences and the struggles we face.
Herd them all together
Put them in a spell
You will do well
We'll let you know but not enough
There are powerful entities which seek to control and manipulate the broader population for their own gain, offering only a surface-level sense of fulfilment and validation.
Magnetic field of vision
Raises eyebrow questions
What is the admission
The systems of power and control that exist in the world demand scrutiny and examination, as they may be built on faulty or unjust foundations.
Psychic audition to cover all specialized flights
Come up and meet us this will please us
We are being invited into a world of spiritual and supernatural experience, with the promise of satisfaction and fulfillment.
Mind is the wall of time
A lonely throne to own
The human psyche is a powerful entity, capable of influencing the course of events and shaping reality despite its ultimately impermanent nature.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KAT BJELLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind