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.
Ripe
Babes in Toyland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Killer clean been a racecar on a skyway down
I've been shown these wrong ways
I now own
I now own all these wrong ways I've been shown
I know I know I know shut up
All the rapists keep asking me for cigarettes
I just try to grab hold of a solid piece of pavement and pray that
I have two legs
Leeann she has one
I know I know!
Shut up
My own notions go a choking my throat
All bad thoughts float around in a fury luring me into one big abyss of hit and miss
I empty all of this
Johnny walkeround my ninety pound braincloud of how?
In Babes in Toyland's song "Ripe," lead singer Kat Bjelland expresses her frustration with the negative thoughts and experiences that plague her mind. She repeats the phrase "I know, I know, I know, shut up" as a way to silence her own doubts and insecurities. The line "killer clean been a racecar on a skyway down" could be interpreted as a reference to a dangerous and fast-paced lifestyle that is ultimately self-destructive. However, Bjelland is determined to take ownership of her own mistakes and use them as a way to move forward, as she states "I now own all these wrong ways I've been shown."
The next line, "All the rapists keep asking me for cigarettes," is particularly striking and disturbing. It suggests that Bjelland has been a victim of sexual assault and that she is constantly reminded of it by those around her. She tries to focus on the physical world around her ("I just try to grab hold of a solid piece of pavement") as a way to ground herself and escape from her memories. Ultimately, she expresses a sense of gratitude for her own physical body ("I have two legs") and empathy for her friend Leeann, who may have lost a limb or use of a limb ("Leeann she has one").
Bjelland's lyrics throughout "Ripe" are raw and visceral, exploring themes of trauma, self-doubt, and the struggle to stay grounded in an overwhelming world. Her use of repetition and unexpected imagery creates a sense of unease that reflects the chaos and confusion of her inner world.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I know I know shut up
I am aware of my situation and don't need anyone to remind me.
Killer clean been a racecar on a skyway down
I have lived life at an aggressive pace with reckless actions.
I've been shown these wrong ways
Others have taught me misguided paths.
I now own
I take responsibility for my actions and decisions.
I now own all these wrong ways I've been shown
I acknowledge and accept the flawed influences I have received.
All the rapists keep asking me for cigarettes
I am surrounded by dangerous people who demand things from me.
I just try to grab hold of a solid piece of pavement and pray that
I struggle to find stability and safety in my environment.
Yeah!
Expressing a moment of triumph or excitement.
I have two legs
I acknowledge my physical abilities.
Leeann she has one
Recognizing the physical challenges of another person.
My own notions go a choking my throat
My own beliefs and opinions feel suffocating to me.
All bad thoughts float around in a fury luring me into one big abyss of hit and miss
Negative thoughts constantly surround and tempt me towards failure.
I empty all of this
I need to let go of my negative thoughts and clear my mind.
Johnny walkeround my ninety pound braincloud of how?
My mind is clouded with confusion and uncertainty.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M Heberling
I saw this live in person in 1990. I couldn't believe it. I was not expecting a band of this caliber opening for Skinny Puppy. Blew me away then and I've been a fan since.
PsiCo78
Omg they opened for skinny puppy!? That would've been a wild show, and fun for 2 different, but equally awesome genres of music!
Guiillle Px
Maravilloso!!
SweetBeaks
Babes in toyland - the one of very few punk bands that sound the same live as they do on tape. That energy 👍👌
eli H
It's unreal.
Maureen Sonja Pettersen
that scream! she still gives me chills 20 years later.
paramoretony
I can’t put my finger on it, (8 year later) something about this performance..Laurie’s drumming, Michelle’s bass and Kat singing / single only guitar playing is just perfection. And the song. The Lyrics. The sudden Stops. It’s a simple yet ecstatic song that just involves a lot of, what some may describe as looking crazed but really is about letting it all out.
Idc what anyone says I don’t think there was grunge like babes in Toyland.
Everyone and I mean everyone friends, family, boyfriend, besides my brother tells me BIT is “too much” for them.
Still. IDC. I love them so much.
Me embalmer will write Babes in Toyland on my forehead during my Viewing when when I’m dead (hopefully it’d be an open casket surely).
TS
@Craig G thank you mother is my favorite Babes in Toyland song
Craig G
I know exactly what you mean. For me it's perfection. Please do me a favour and search 'babes in toyland Bloomington' and watch that live show from 1991. If you think this is good...watch that. Unreal. Especially the version of 'Mother' and 'Laugh my head off'. Get back to me! Enjoy!
Wanderer of Realms
Seeing Michelle play her bass in the way she does makes me want to pick up a bass so bad. They’re all so amazing.