Bedhead was a slowcore band from Dallas, Texas active in the 1990s (1991-19… Read Full Bio ↴Bedhead was a slowcore band from Dallas, Texas active in the 1990s (1991-1998). Their first album, WhatFunLifeWas, is often cited on critics' lists as one of the best indie albums of the 1990s. Bedhead's music was generally subdued, with a polyphonic sound based on the interlocking of single-line melodies played by three electric guitars and one electric bass guitar (often played with a capo), nearly always using clean (undistorted) tones. The group's vocals were often delivered in such a low key manner that they were quite difficult to decipher. This unusual sound was dubbed by some critics as "slo-core," referring to the slow tempos of many of the band's songs, a label to which band members objected in interviews. In reality, many of the group's songs do not remain slow and quiet throughout, instead beginning very slowly and quietly and gradually building in intensity and volume.

Roman Candle
Bedhead Lyrics

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With a short fuse and Chinese directions
I think you'll light yourself on fire
because a Roman Candle's got no direction
it just waits to expire

And I know it takes a new addiction
to keep you from what you're addicted to
which is why I wish I could find a distraction

whose efficacy is tried and true

This person who thinks this is what I look like
well it's as though you were drunk for years

and if I didn't know better
I'd say I'd never seen better from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bedhead's "Roman Candle" are about addiction and the struggles one goes through to overcome it. The song addresses the idea of being stuck in a destructive cycle and the desire to break free from it. The image of a Roman candle is used as a metaphor for addiction, with the idea that addiction has no direction and will eventually burn itself out, leaving the person feeling empty and lost.

The first verse refers to the short fuse and Chinese directions, which suggest a lack of understanding and control. The singer warns that this person will ultimately light themselves on fire, implying that their addiction will consume them. The Roman candle imagery emphasizes the lack of control, as the firework has no set direction and just burns until it dies out.

In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that it takes a new addiction to replace the old one. They express a desire to find a distraction that will be effective in helping the person overcome their addiction. The use of the word "efficacy" suggests a clinical or scientific approach to solving the problem, highlighting the seriousness of addiction.

The final verse suggests that the person who is addicted may not see their behavior clearly. The comparison to someone who is drunk for years suggests a lack of self-awareness or denial. Despite this, the singer acknowledges that they believe in the person's potential to do better.

Line by Line Meaning

With a short fuse and Chinese directions
You are impulsive and reckless, acting without thinking and not knowing where you're headed.

I think you'll light yourself on fire
Your actions will lead to self-destruction and harm for yourself.

because a Roman Candle's got no direction
Like a firework shooting aimlessly into the night sky, you have no clear path or goal in life.

it just waits to expire
You are merely living day to day without any real purpose or potential for growth.

And I know it takes a new addiction
I understand that breaking free from your current destructive habits requires finding a new passion or interest to replace them.

to keep you from what you're addicted to
This newly found interest must be strong enough to distract you from your current unhealthy habits and addictions.

which is why I wish I could find a distraction
I am searching for a way to help you find a new addiction, a positive distraction that will lead you towards a better future.

whose efficacy is tried and true
I seek an approach that has already been proven effective for others.

This person who thinks this is what I look like
The image others have of me is distorted and inaccurate.

well it's as though you were drunk for years
Their perception of me is so far from reality that it's like they have been under the influence for too long.

and if I didn't know better
If I wasn't self-aware and conscious, I might start to believe their twisted image of me.

I'd say I'd never seen better from you
But I know that you are capable of being better than that, and I refuse to be swayed by their negative perception of me.

Contributed by Julian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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