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.
Mater Dolorosa
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish you luck, you little fuck
I am alleviation
I leave you ate my digest style
Consider consequences
You'll stretch the truth a country mile
False Prophet accusations
'Cause it's right before
Behind your eyes
You've greased your machinations
I don't see procreation blind
My mind's in open season
Synapses firing out of line
You think you love me dearly
I fear you've told yourself a lie
You bathe in hesitation
I'll fall for you some other time
I hear it all the time
Right before
Behind your eyes
Sonate pretty ice queen
Belief you brought me to my knees
She cutting teeth on kether
My anemia, my Rosemary
My Mater Dolorosa
Convex the mirror in front of me
Belief in divination
Static resistance on the 3 9 3 9
'Cause it's right before
Behind your eyes
The song "Mater Dolorosa" by Babes in Toyland is a critique of a person who has a "mommy problem" and a distorted view of love. The singer wishes this person luck, but also calls them a "little fuck," suggesting that their mommy issues have gotten in the way of their ability to form healthy relationships. The singer is presented as an "alleviation," someone who can offer a different perspective and perhaps help the person move past their issues.
The lyrics also touch on themes of truth, accusation, and resistance. The person with the mommy problem is accused of stretching the truth and making false accusations, and there is a sense of ongoing struggle or persecution ("the inquisitions still on file"). At the same time, the singer seems resigned to the fact that some things are just "right before / behind your eyes," suggesting that there are certain truths that are difficult to escape or deny.
The final lines of the song introduce additional imagery and references to religion and mythology. The "sonate pretty ice queen" could refer to a goddess or other powerful female figure, and there is a mention of "belief in divination." The line "My Mater Dolorosa" is a reference to the Virgin Mary as the "sorrowful mother," which ties in with the earlier mention of the mommy problem. Overall, the song is a complex commentary on love, truth, and personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got a mommy problem
You have issues with your mother that affect your behavior.
I wish you luck, you little fuck
I hope things go well for you, despite your negative attitude.
I am alleviation
I can provide relief from your problems and stress.
I leave you ate my digest style
I help you process and understand your emotions and experiences.
Consider consequences
Think about the potential outcomes before making a decision.
You'll stretch the truth a country mile
You tend to exaggerate or lie to make yourself look better or avoid blame.
False Prophet accusations
Accusations that someone is claiming to speak for a higher power without actually having that authority.
The inquisitions still on file
The investigations and interrogations from the past still have consequences and implications today.
'Cause it's right before
Because it's happening right now
Behind your eyes
Within your thoughts, emotions, and subconscious.
You've greased your machinations
You've made your plans or schemes more effective, possibly through deceit or manipulation.
I don't see procreation blind
I don't agree with your views about reproduction or starting a family.
My mind's in open season
My thoughts and feelings are vulnerable and exposed to criticism or attack.
Synapses firing out of line
My brain chemistry or neural connections are not functioning normally.
You think you love me dearly
You believe that you have strong romantic feelings for me.
I fear you've told yourself a lie
I worry that you've convinced yourself of something that isn't true.
You bathe in hesitation
You are reluctant and indecisive, even when it comes to things you claim to want.
I'll fall for you some other time
I may develop feelings for you in the future, but not right now.
I hear it all the time
I am familiar with this kind of behavior or attitude.
Sonate pretty ice queen
A beautiful woman, possibly cold or unfeeling.
Belief you brought me to my knees
Your ideas or influence have affected me deeply, perhaps even caused me to suffer.
She cutting teeth on kether
Confidently asserting herself and taking powerful, creative action.
My anemia, my Rosemary
My weakness and lack of vitality, represented by the herb Rosemary which was once considered a remedy for such conditions.
My Mater Dolorosa
My mother or source of suffering, represented by the Christian image of the Virgin Mary grieving for her crucified son.
Convex the mirror in front of me
The reflective surface is bowed outward, distorting the image and reflecting back on the viewer.
Belief in divination
Trust in the ability to predict or understand the future through supernatural or mystical means.
Static resistance on the 3 9 3 9
Interference or disruption on a specific frequency or channel, possibly related to communication or power systems.
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sablekentzworth8520
Such an intense song. Absolutely love it!
@biakitty700
It's actually off a Soundtrack she put together with Pete Steele, Dave Mustang and a few others for the comic book Witchblade when it first came out in the early 90's. The entire soundtrack album goes with the entire first story line arch for the comic. I believe this is about Sara "Pezz" seeing her friend's kidnapping as her fault. and with the gift of the Witchblade she'll be Mater Dolorosa, Mother of Sorrows, Mother of Mercy.
@under3038
The song she did with Peter is on SoundCloud
@petersteele7603
Late 97... or early 98.
@Weedy_McWeedy
I miss the Babes soooo much!!
@takitogoestoNY
this song is perfect.
@ElectricLabel
Genius.
@paulmiller7838
Awesome song.
@nancydefrank9620
2020 🖤
@tefyclouds
2021 🤝