They took on the name as they focused on injustices worldwide, but particularly in western democratic society. Their lyrics have often been controversial and some radio stations have banned airplay of their songs, while other groups refused to be associated with them. They released their first album, Mindhallucination in 1994 and Assassinate in 1995, followed by Error of Judgement in 1996 and finally Resurrection in 1999.
All lyrics on the album Error of Judgement were sung by Jean-Luc de Meyer, better known as a member of Front 242.
Birmingham 6 also released as a single a cover of "Godlike" by KMFDM, which included samples from the original, and backing vocals by En Esch of KMFDM.
Birmingham 6 has written several songs questioning governmental systems and their unwillingness to admit their own fallibilty. Israel talks about the issues between the Palestinians and the Jews. Contagious discusses AIDS and Who Do You Love? points out the difficulty in telling good from evil. The song 6794700 describes some hypocritical church views on abortion. Love Child describes how the tourism agency in Thailand helps western travel agencies fulfill certain men's desire for an underage prostitute.
The song Policestate talks about the riots in Copenhagen in 1993 during the re-voting for the European Union in which police shot into the angry mob, causing several casualities.
The Trip
Birmingham 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enchanted By This Beat They Come
If You Dance To The Rhythm Of His Ecstatic Drum
There Is No Turning Back To Where You Once Belonged
I Hear The Piper Play His Song
I Hear The Piper Bang His Drum
The Fragile Stumble One By One
They Are All Out Of Reach There's No Way They Can Stop
I Hear The Piper Bang His Drum
Who Pull The Trigger When They Dance On Their Own
When Ecstasy Rise They're All So Alone
The Water It Takes All The Kids To Swallow The Pill
Is Arming The Gun That's Aiming To Kill
I See The Piper Walk Away
But All The Kids Are Left To Stay
Soon They'll Wake From Their Dream, All Tied Down To A Bed
They're No Longer Humans Just Living Deads
But I See The Piper Walk Away
Who Pull The Trigger When They Dance On Their Own
When Ecstasy Rise They're All So Alone
The Water It Takes All The Kids To Swallow The Pill
Is Arming The Gun That's Aiming To Kill
I Hear The Piper Play His Song
I Hear The Piper Bang His Drum
I Hear The Piper Play His Song
"The Trip" by Birmingham 6 delves into the dangerous consequences of drug abuse and addiction, using a piper as a metaphor for the lure of drugs. The verses describe how the beat of the piper's drum and the melody of his song enchants those who hear it, taking them away from the life they once knew. The subjects of the song begin to lose control over themselves, becoming more and more isolated from reality, and are eventually left as living deads, tied down to a bed. The chorus of the song insinuates that it is the drugs themselves that are arming an invisible gun that will lead to their eventual demise.
In essence, the song portrays drug addiction as a trap, a dangerous spiral that can leave its victims powerless and in dire straits. The lyrics suggest that for those under the spell of addiction, the only escape is to resist the pull of the piper and turn away from the destructive path that lies ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
I Hear The Piper Play His Song
I can hear the person controlling these individuals by playing his music.
Enchanted By This Beat They Come
Drawn in and entranced by the rhythm created by the piper's music, the individuals follow.
If You Dance To The Rhythm Of His Ecstatic Drum
Those who move their bodies to the music are under the influence of a powerful and euphoric drug.
There Is No Turning Back To Where You Once Belonged
Once under the spell of the piper's influence, the individuals can never return to their former selves and lives.
I Hear The Piper Bang His Drum
The piper continues to have control over the individuals with the powerful beat of his drum.
The Fragile Stumble One By One
Those under the influence of the drug are unsteady on their feet and easily influenced.
Controlled By A Beat Of A Mindbending Drug
The drug has a powerful effect on the mind, leading to complete control by the piper.
They Are All Out Of Reach There's No Way They Can Stop
The individuals are completely under the influence of the drug and the piper's control, and cannot break free from it.
Who Pull The Trigger When They Dance On Their Own
The person controlling the individuals is the one ultimately responsible for their actions, even when they appear to be acting independently.
When Ecstasy Rise They're All So Alone
Despite being in a group, the drug creates a sense of loneliness and disconnection within each individual.
The Water It Takes All The Kids To Swallow The Pill
The drug is being administered to the individuals via contaminated water.
Is Arming The Gun That's Aiming To Kill
The use of the drug is leading these individuals towards a path of destruction and possible death.
I See The Piper Walk Away
The piper does not care about the individuals he controls and leaves them to their fate.
But All The Kids Are Left To Stay
The individuals are left alone with no choice but to continue under the piper's control and the drug's influence.
Soon They'll Wake From Their Dream, All Tied Down To A Bed
The individuals will eventually come to and realize the harsh reality of their situation, but it may be too late.
They're No Longer Humans Just Living Deads
The individuals have lost their sense of self and autonomy, becoming nothing more than empty shells controlled by the piper and the drug.
I Hear The Piper Play His Song
The piper's influence continues, leading to the continued control of the individuals.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.