Kool-Aid
Big Audio Dynamite II Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mick Jones is on the microphone
Here to make it to the future
Til the point-promo yeah
Who has a time to laugh
And a time to moan
He's the odd moody bloke from the second tone

Ladies and Gentlemen
The Dypso-Calypso

Tell it like this Mick

All you misfits and musclemen
Pack 'em up and move 'em along
Let's get it together tonight
On this island that we're on

Ten million tons of water
Thrown into the air
While we jacked our bodies
Like we didn't care
Can somebody tell me
What am I doin' here
You know I like to party
But how much can I bear

The Brazilian Lizard Queen
And Bishop like to freak
Shootin' out into the stars
Tryin' to reach the peak

Ten million tons of water
Thrown into the air
While we jacked the bodies
Like we didn't care
Can somebody tell me
What am I doin' here
You know I like to party
But how much can I bare

V I B the rider
The Devil on a Vespa
Rode into town
And found he was alone
Out at the beach now
In the burning heart now
Sun stroked to head
And naked to the bone
I'm watchin' the sunset
Down at San Antone
So a hosts of Angels
And wished I stayed at home

Ten million tons of water
Thrown into the air
While we jacked the bodies
Like we didn't care
Can somebody tell me
What am I doin' here
You know I like to party
But how much can I bear

The midget has grown
Amnesia I don't remember
Now I'm burned down
To the max
But I'll return in September

Ten million tons of water
Thrown into the air
While we jacked the bodies
Like we didn't care
Can somebody tell me
What am I doin' here




You know I like to party
But how much can I bear

Overall Meaning

The song "Kool-Aid" by Big Audio Dynamite II, featuring Mick Jones on the microphone, opens with him declaring his determination to take his listeners to the future, accompanied by a pulsating rhythm. The song is an invitation to all kinds of people, regardless of their status in society, to come together and enjoy themselves. Jones sings about the odd, moody bloke from the second tone, who seems to know when to laugh or moan.


In the chorus, Jones repeats the question, "What am I doing here?", possibly referring to the absurdity of life or the pointlessness of partying. He goes on to mention the Brazilian Lizard Queen and Bishop, who like to freak out and reach the peak. The verse ends with Jones questioning how much he can bear, indicating that the party atmosphere might be getting to him.


The second verse introduces a character named "V I B the rider", who is said to be the devil on a Vespa. He apparently rode into town and found himself alone, out at the beach, naked to the bone and sun-stroked to the head. Jones is watching the sunset down at San Antone, where he wishes he had stayed at home with a host of angels. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea of the unburdened, carefree party atmosphere.


Overall, "Kool-Aid" is a song that takes its listeners on a wild ride through a party scene where everyone is welcome, anything goes, and nothing matters. It is a celebration of the moment and a critique of deeper existential questions.


Line by Line Meaning

Mick Jones is on the microphone
The singer, Mick Jones, is performing and singing into the microphone.


Here to make it to the future
He is focused on moving forward and advancing.


Til the point-promo yeah
He is promoting some sort of message or event.


Who has a time to laugh
There is a time for enjoyment and humor.


And a time to moan
Conversely, there are times for sadness and dissatisfaction.


He's the odd moody bloke from the second tone
Mick Jones is an eccentric person who is capable of having changing moods.


All you misfits and musclemen
The singer is calling out to the diverse audience.


Pack 'em up and move 'em along
He is urging them to get going.


Let's get it together tonight
They need to unite and come together.


On this island that we're on
The group is on an island.


Ten million tons of water
A massive amount of water


Thrown into the air
Is being propelled upwards.


While we jacked our bodies
The group is dancing energetically.


Like we didn't care
They are dancing without inhibition, not caring about their appearance.


Can somebody tell me
The singer is asking for clarification on something.


What am I doin' here
He is questioning his current situation.


You know I like to party
The artist enjoys socializing and celebrating.


But how much can I bear
However, the singer is overwhelmed and may not be able to handle much more.


The Brazilian Lizard Queen
A character by this name is mentioned.


And Bishop like to freak
Two people named Bishop and the Brazilian Lizard Queen have a wild time.


Shootin' out into the stars
They are having an otherworldly experience.


Tryin' to reach the peak
They are attempting to reach a high point in their experience.


V I B the rider
A person named VIB is mentioned.


The Devil on a Vespa
VIB likens himself to a devil on a motorized scooter.


Rode into town
He arrived at a new place.


And found he was alone
He is surprised to find himself without companionship.


Out at the beach now
VIB is at the beach.


In the burning heart now
He feels passionate and alive.


Sun stroked to head
He has sunstroke and a headache.


And naked to the bone
He is without clothing.


I'm watchin' the sunset
He is observing the sun setting.


Down at San Antone
He is in San Antonio.


So a hosts of Angels
A group of angels appear.


And wished I stayed at home
The singer regrets leaving his familiar environment.


The midget has grown
A small person has grown larger.


Amnesia I don't remember
The artist has lost their memory.


Now I'm burned down
The singer is exhausted and drained.


To the max
He is at his limit.


But I'll return in September
He plans to return in the future.


Can somebody tell me
The singer is seeking understanding.


What am I doin' here
He is once again questioning his presence.


You know I like to party
He still enjoys socializing.


But how much can I bear
Yet, he is unsure how much more he can endure.




Contributed by Michael Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Gary Thompson

is it sinful to say i think "in my dreams" is the best track on the album? Bloody perfect tbh. Everything fits so well

Allan Phillips

One of the finest albums ever made, best listened to on acid

THE MINX

Jones is a genius. Classic sound

Big Gnafron

Mates! I've been a B.A.D. fan from day one and I've just discoverd this! Are you kidding me! What a gem! Thanks for posting! Mick, no tricks!

David Paul

I love all there stuff but for me its the best album!

Kevin Has Opinions

i remember getting this for a Christmas present from my old friend Pete Huber in December of 1990. I still love it today as much as i did then. Brilliant stuff.

Mark1138

+kevin clark sounds like a descent guy

David Paul

Finally got a copy on CD!! had it on cassette years ago, so happy its pure class from beginning to end.

G Rock

Micks under-rated masterpiece

Chris Lewis

Superb album...much better than when reworked as The Globe

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