Beanbag a… Read Full Bio ↴There has been more than one artist using the name Beanbag
Beanbag appeared with two tracks on the 1984 compilation LP, 'Bands That Could Be God', compiled by Gerard Cosloy of 'Conflict' fanzine. The compilation has become sought after as one of the better and more interesting compilations of US underground music of the time. The album pertained to be a selection of quality, though lesser-known underground music from Boston, Massachussetts, so presumably they were a Boston band or from thereabouts. The tracks had a 'lo-fi', though kind of 'new wave/synthpunk' sound. Two of the better-known artists on the compilation were Deep Wound and Moving Targets.
Beanbag was an Australian band that formed in 1995 and broke up in late 2002.
The group comprised core members vocalist Hans Van Vliet, guitarist Michael Mullins, bassist Phil "Hirvy" Hirvela, and drummer Phil Usher. Steven Lewis-Driver assumed the bass position when Hirvy left the band in early 2002. Jesse Palmer also filled in on guitar after Michael returned to Australia a couple months before the band's demise.
Beanbag released three albums. Guttersnipe was released independently in 1998. They also had two albums on American label Inpop Records, Free Signal (2000) and Welladjusted (2001). During their time in the United States, Beanbag toured extensively, were nominated for two GMA Awards, and had songs featured on several television soundtracks.
The band broke up after a van accident that occurred while driving back to Nashville. The driver swerved to avoid a deer on the interstate. The van and the trailer filled with their gear ended up in a ditch. Hunz was taken to the hospital where he stayed for three days with lung damage. With no vehicle, no gear, and no vocalist, they had very little choice except to disband.
From their Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beanbag_(band)
Why?
Beanbag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crawling out and seeing nothing there.
Why waste my time when I'm happy?
Slipping back into my honest world.
Taking things just to feel the swirl.
Why waste my time when I am here
I can do what I dream when I fear.
Selling out and getting what I want.
Why waste my time when I'm complete?
Grab the walls in the toilet block
I hit my head and I flush the lot.
Why waste my time when I'm fine
In the ways that I've set in my life?
My arms are protesting a weakness in me.
My hands are a tool to remind me.
My eyes complicated enough don't see.
My fingers they curl back and witness to my face.
Drifting in and out reality.
Your own reflection is bewailingly.
But you still smile and keep things
Up with the people on the concrete slab
When you get in ttouble you catch a cab
Waking up, drifting to the welfare door
Spend all your money till you hit the floor
You've been takien to another place
You're lying down but you're in this race
Don't ever think run away
Turn around and look at all you have
The gift of God is much greather than
You cannot die when you have life.
The lyrics of Beanbag's Why explore the singer's frustration with their own actions and the pointlessness of certain behaviors. The first few lines describe a feeling of aimlessness and confusion, with the singer falling back into an empty chair and crawling out to find nothing there. The repetition of the question "why waste my time" suggests a sense of futility, as the singer questions the value of their own actions and pursuits. However, the lyrics also reference the ability to pursue dreams and overcome fear, suggesting a flicker of optimism amidst the doubt.
The lyrics also touch on themes of self-reflection and the complexity of identity, with the singer describing their arms protesting a weakness and their eyes being complicated enough not to see. There is a sense that the singer is grappling with their own emotions and motivations, with their fingers "curl back and witness to my face" as they try to make sense of who they are.
Towards the end of the song, there is a shift towards more concrete imagery, with the singer describing waking up and drifting to a "welfare door" and spending all their money until they "hit the floor." This suggests a darker side to the singer's experiences, with the reference to catching a cab when in trouble and being taken to another place hinting at a tumultuous lifestyle. However, the final lines of the song offer a glimmer of hope and suggest that life itself is a gift that should not be wasted.
Line by Line Meaning
Falling back into an empty chair.
Returning to a state of idleness and emptiness.
Crawling out and seeing nothing there.
Breaking free from monotony only to find a lack of purpose.
Why waste my time when I'm happy?
Questioning the need for change when contentment is present.
Slipping back into my honest world.
Returning to the reality of life.
Taking things just to feel the swirl.
Indulging in impulsivity and seeking excitement to feel alive.
Why waste my time when I am here
Challenging the idea of wasting life with absence of purpose.
I can do what I dream when I fear.
Overcoming fear to achieve aspirations and pursue personal growth.
Selling out and getting what I want.
Sacrificing integrity to fulfill desires and achieve goals.
Take a pick and I will get the lock.
Confidence in ability to succeed in chosen endeavors.
Why waste my time when I'm complete?
Acknowledging the fulfillment in one's current state of being.
Grab the walls in the toilet block
A depiction of struggling and feeling lost in a confined space.
I hit my head and I flush the lot.
Facing challenges and clearing obstacles to move forward.
Why waste my time when I'm fine
Affirming that there is no need for change when one is content with life.
In the ways that I've set in my life?
Reflecting on the choices made that affect one's current state of being.
My arms are protesting a weakness in me.
Physical manifestation of emotional struggle and vulnerability.
My hands are a tool to remind me.
Using one's hands as a reminder of personal strength and ability to overcome challenges.
My eyes complicated enough don't see.
Seeing the struggles and complexities in life but feeling incapable of making sense of it all.
My fingers they curl back and witness to my face.
Realizing that one's actions have consequences and affect one's personal growth.
Drifting in and out reality.
Feeling disconnected from the present moment and lost in thought.
Your own reflection is bewailingly.
Realizing the flaws and imperfections within oneself and becoming discouraged.
But you still smile and keep things up with the people on the concrete slab.
Putting on a façade of happiness and conformity to blend in with society.
When you get in trouble you catch a cab.
Avoiding personal responsibility and running from challenges.
Waking up, drifting to the welfare door.
Resorting to using government assistance to get by in life.
Spend all your money till you hit the floor.
Living in the moment and indulging in vices without regard for the future.
You've been taken to another place.
Feeling lost and disoriented in life's journey.
You're lying down but you're in this race.
Feeling stagnant and unmotivated while still experiencing the struggles of life.
Don't ever think run away.
Encouragement to face challenges and overcome obstacles instead of avoiding them.
Turn around and look at all you have.
Taking stock of one's life and being grateful for current blessings.
The gift of God is much greater than.
Recognizing that there is a greater purpose in life beyond temporary struggles and hardships.
You cannot die when you have life.
An affirmation of personal resilience and the ability to overcome challenges in life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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