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
Won't You Be Mine
Beauty Pill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The leash is loose enough to feel like autonomy
(The milk watered down in a tenement kitchenette)
The leash is loose enough to feel like autonomy, but you ain't seen nothing yet
Yeah, money is here if you want it
And they love it when you flaunt it
So what I really wanna know is, are you my nigger?
If you could hear this, would you care that you made me theirs?
Brother? Brother?
Don't know about that!
My whole family knows how to act!
We don't shake hands that are dripping with blood
Check out the "Song of The South" bluebirds face down in the plantation mud
So don't smile so wide for that lens
Crosshairs are not your friends
*Click click*
The cristal you spilled
The cristal you drank
Dragging your knuckles to the bank
So what I really want to know is are you my nigger?
If you could hear this would you care that you made me theirs?
Brother?
The song "Won't You Be Mine" by Beauty Pill explores themes of autonomy, power, and race. The repeated phrase "The leash is loose enough to feel like autonomy" portrays a sense of freedom, but also a warning that it might not be as free as it seems. The metaphorical "leash" can be seen as the societal systems and expectations that constrain individuals even when they believe they are free. The line "you ain't seen nothing yet" suggests that the singer knows there are more depths to this facade of freedom.
The next verse speaks to the power dynamics of money and fame, and how it can be alluring but ultimately result in the loss of one's own power. The line "So what I really wanna know is, are you my nigger?" is a provocative line that challenges the listener to question their own identity and relationship to power structures. The use of the n-word, while controversial, adds to the power dynamics being explored in the song. The last verse brings in themes of race more explicitly, with the line "My whole family knows how to act! We don't shake hands that are dripping with blood" indicating a sense of moral superiority. The reference to "Song of the South" and the image of bluebirds face down in the plantation mud alludes to the ugly history of slavery in America. The song ultimately poses the question of whether or not the listener has given away their power and identity to fit into systems of power, and if they would even care if they knew.
Line by Line Meaning
The leash the leash the leash
The singer is emphasizing the presence of a leash, likely the figurative control that society or certain people have over him/her.
The leash is loose enough to feel like autonomy
(The milk watered down in a tenement kitchenette)
The leash is loose enough to feel like autonomy, but you ain't seen nothing yet
Although the leash may not be so tight, it still restricts the singer's freedom. The comparison to watery milk in a dingy apartment conveys a sense of dissatisfaction with the singer's current situation, and hints at the possibility of something better.
Yeah, money is here if you want it
And they love it when you flaunt it
Yes you will find as you're forfeiting all your power, the applause gets louder
Society may reward those who prioritize wealth and status, but the cost of this is relinquishing one's individual power and dignity. The singer is pointing out the shallow nature of admiration for material success.
So what I really wanna know is, are you my nigger?
If you could hear this, would you care that you made me theirs?
The artist questions whether anyone in their life can truly relate to their perspective, as they feel out of place in a society that may see them as unequal or inferior. The use of a racial slur may indicate a sense of alienation and frustration with societal prejudice.
Brother? Brother?
Don't know about that!
My whole family knows how to act!
We don't shake hands that are dripping with blood
Check out the "Song of The South" bluebirds face down in the plantation mud
So don't smile so wide for that lens
Crosshairs are not your friends
*Click click*
The artist distances themself from the idea of a 'brother', rejecting associations with those who may perpetrate or benefit from societal injustice. The reference to a racist movie and the image of dead birds reinforces the theme of systemic oppression, while the mention of crosshairs suggests a potential threat to the artist's safety.
The cristal you spilled
The cristal you drank
Dragging your knuckles to the bank
The singer condemns those who revel in material excess and embrace superficial values, implying that they are ignorant and morally inferior. The reference to 'cristal', a type of champagne associated with luxury, emphasizes this point.
So what I really want to know is are you my nigger?
If you could hear this would you care that you made me theirs?
Brother?
The repetition of the previous two refrains only serves to reinforce the singer's sense of isolation and desire for connection. Despite the confrontational language, there is a yearning for understanding and empathy in the face of societal oppression.
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.