The brain child of Chad Clark, Beauty Pill creates atmospheric indie rock including subjects such as drug use, murderous thoughts and events, and complex love relations. Beauty Pill has had two previous female vocalists, Joanne Gholl and Rachel Burke. The steady line up includes Chad Clark (vocals, guitar, song writing), Basla Andolsun (bass guitar), Drew Doucette (guitar), and Ryan Nelson (drums).
Beauty Pill began as a studio project with Chad Clark, Joanne Gholl, and Abram Goodrich. They were the creative force behind The Cigarette Girl from the Future. Ryan Nelson was brought in as they tried to become a touring outfit, and Joanne and Abram dropped out as they were unable to commit to such a band. Then, Rachel, Basla, and Drew joined, and they began playing shows together. In late 2004, early 2005, Rachel moved back to Seattle to be closer to her family, and Jean Cook was brought in to take over vocals and wurlitzer. After a brief tour in the beginning of 2005, Beauty Pill went into "hibernation," during which Ryan Nelson left the band. He was replaced by Devin Ocampo and Chad Molter.
In June 2006, Chad Clark took over a fan-created MySpace and began posting updates about Beauty Pill, including a new song and tourdates.[1] The curent touring band includes Basla Andolsun (bass), Chad Clark (voice, guitar, treatments), Jean Cook (voice, wurlitzer, skilletophone, strings), Drew Doucette (guitar), Devin Ocampo (drums, guitar) and Chad Molter (percussion, guitar, drums, bass). Clark attributes the band's relative inactivity from 2003 - 2006 to the time commitment required to operate Silver Sonya, the studio he runs with Aloha's T.J. Lipple
Prison Song
Beauty Pill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My outside sweetheart
Bring me birthday cakes with contraband inside?
Outwit the guards
Or will you write me a tear-soaked letter
The last two words: "I tried."
Or will you keep me believing in our future, cause it's kinder just to lie
Honey, what's reasonable to expect from you?
Sayonara or staying true?
Posting bail or bailing out?
Oh, will you let me down?
Will you come visit me when I'm in prison?
Clothes: Green
Food: Grey
Walls: Blue
Will you forgive me for all the mistakes I've made?
You've made some too
Or will you mail me that tear-soaked letter, where the first word is "Goodbye"
Maybe just vanish into the ether, cause it's kinder not to lie
Honey, what is fair to ask of you?
Giving up or seeing it thru?
My last chances have run out
...I know I let you down
The lyrics to "Prison Song" by Beauty Pill is a heartfelt plea from the perspective of someone who is about to go to prison. The singer wonders if their significant other will still support them by coming to visit, sending birthday cakes with contraband inside, or writing tear-soaked letters. However, the singer is aware of the possibility of their significant other letting them down by not doing any of these things, especially since they are going through trials themselves. The singer questions what is fair to expect from their significant other and knows that their last chances have run out, acknowledging that they have let their significant other down.
The song seems to be about the consequences of one's actions and how it affects others. The singer recognizes that they have made mistakes and that they must pay the price for it. However, the uncertainty of their significant other's loyalty is also a burden they have to bear. The prison is a metaphor for the singer being trapped in their own situation, and the only thing they can do is hope for support from their significant other. The song's message is bittersweet, as it shows how love can still exist in the face of adversity, but it also acknowledges that it is not always enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you come visit me when I'm in prison?
Asking if their loved one will make the effort to visit them while they are incarcerated.
My outside sweetheart
Referring to their significant other, who is still 'on the outside', not in prison.
Bring me birthday cakes with contraband inside?
Asking if their loved one will risk sneaking contraband, such as drugs or weapons, into the prison disguised in birthday cakes.
Outwit the guards
Referring to the need to be sneaky and clever in order to bypass the guards and get the contraband in.
Or will you write me a tear-soaked letter
Asking if their loved one will write to them while they are in prison.
The last two words: "I tried."
Hoping that if their loved one decides not to continue their relationship while they are in prison, they will at least try to make it work before giving up.
Or will you keep me believing in our future, cause it's kinder just to lie
Asking if their loved one will give them false hope, even if they know things won't work out, to make them feel better while they are in prison.
Honey, what's reasonable to expect from you?
Asking what their loved one thinks is the right thing to do or ask for in this difficult situation.
Sayonara or staying true?
Wondering if their loved one will say goodbye and move on, or stay true to the relationship even though they are apart.
Posting bail or bailing out?
Asking if their loved one will help bail them out of jail, or abandon them when things get tough.
Oh, will you let me down?
Expressing fear that their loved one will disappoint them during their incarceration.
Clothes: Green
Describing the uniform they will wear in prison, which is usually a distinctive color or pattern to identify them as inmates.
Food: Grey
Referring to the bland, colorless meals that are often served in prison.
Walls: Blue
Describing the color of the prison walls, which can feel claustrophobic and oppressive.
Will you forgive me for all the mistakes I've made?
Asking for forgiveness for any wrongs they may have committed that led to their incarceration.
You've made some too
Acknowledging that their loved one is not perfect either, and may have made mistakes in their relationship or life.
Or will you mail me that tear-soaked letter, where the first word is "Goodbye"
Highlighting the pain of receiving a goodbye letter, especially when it is soaked in tears, indicating the depth of emotion behind it.
Maybe just vanish into the ether, cause it's kinder not to lie
Suggesting that their loved one may choose to disappear from their life, rather than being honest (and potentially hurtful) about the situation.
Honey, what is fair to ask of you?
Asking again for their loved one's perspective on what they should do, or what is fair in this difficult situation.
Giving up or seeing it thru?
Asking if their loved one is willing to stick with them through this tough time, or if they will give up on the relationship entirely.
My last chances have run out
Implying that they have made mistakes in the past and may not have many more opportunities to make things right.
...I know I let you down
Acknowledging their own mistakes and faults, showing humility and a willingness to take responsibility for their actions.
Contributed by Xavier M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Wanley
love this - never met anyone else that even knows it. nice one!
macrobeast
Thanks for finally getting this song up on here.
Shane V
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