While still teenagers, they formed after guitarist Cole Alexander and bassist Jared Swilley left the Renegades, and guitarist Ben Eberbaugh left the Reruns. Drummer Joe Bradley joined a few months later. They released their first 7" in late 2001/early 2002 on their own Die Slaughterhaus label.
Just days before a tour was to begin in December 2002, Ben Eberbaugh was killed in a car accident after his car was hit by a drunk driver. The band carried on believing that Eberbaugh would want them to continue.
The band's debut full length album was released on Bomp! Records in 2003. Eberbaugh was replaced by Jack Hines, a friend of the band members, but he too was eventually replaced by current guitarist, and former Renegades member, Ian St. Pe , in 2004.
The Black Lips have a reputation for crazy live shows that have included vomiting, urinating, nudity, band members kissing, fireworks, and a chicken. They have slowly built a fanbase that appreciates their energy and style that is a rough mishmash of blues, rock, doo-wop, country, and punk.
They gained national attention in 2006 with features in Spin and Rolling Stone magazines. The band got exposure in the New York Times for being the hardest working band during the 2007 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, in which they played a dozen shows over a three-day period.
In September 2007 their most recent album entitled Good Bad Not Evil was released. The Black Lips made their American national television debut in October 2007 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and played O Katrina.
The band also has songs from previous recording sessions, and they will eventually be released by In The Red Records.
The Black Lips are going to star in a film called Let It Be. They will play musicians in a fictitious '1980s era DIY band called The Renegades. The movie is set for production in 2008.
Cole, Jared and Joe also play in a band called The Spooks, along with members of Deerhunter and The Kiwis. The Spooks have recorded an album which should be released in 2007 or 2008 on the Die Slaughterhaus label. Ian also plays in a blasphemous garage punk band called The Original Three. There is a full length record out on Empty records and a single out on SYA records (Italy). The Original Three will have a new single coming out in December 2007 on Savage records (Sweden). Jared plays in a band called The Gaye Blades. Rob's House Records has released one 7" by The Gaye Blades, and another one should be released before the end of 2007. Cole has also released solo material under the name Old King Cole Younger. There is one split 10" release of his material on Rob's House Records that features Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, under the name of Atlas Sound, on the other side.
In 2009, the band released their fifth album, "200 Million Thousand", on Vice Records.
Band Members
* Cole Alexander (Old King Cole Younger) - Vocals, Guitar (2000 - present)
* Jared Swilley - Vocals, Bass Guitar (2000 - present)
* Joe Bradley - Vocals, Drums (2000 - present)
* Ian St. Pe - Guitar (2005 - 2014)
* Jack Hines - former Guitar (2002 - 2005, 2014 - present)
* Ben Eberbaugh - Guitarz(2000 - 2002) - deceased
Bow Down and Die
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
will he ever bow down and die
(oh yes he will)
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
and i dont care what the world say about her
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
(oh yes i will)
and i dont care what the world say about her
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
(oh yes i will)
does he hold you like i hold you
will he ever bow down and die
(oh yes he will)
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
and i dont care what the world say about her
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
(oh yes i will)
and i dont care what the world say about her
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
(oh yes i will)
does he hold you like i hold you
will he ever bow down and die
(oh yes he will)
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold you like i hold you
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold on like i hold on
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold you like i hold you
will he ever bow down and die
does he hold on...
The lyrics of "Bow Down and Die" by Black Lips are about a regretful man who could not hold his woman's interest and now sees her with another man. The lyrics are written from the perspective of the man who is questioning the love and loyalty of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner. The song is composed of repetitive verses, where the singer emphasizes his ownership over his ex-girlfriend's, highlighting that he held her in a particular way that the new man could never replicate. The singer asks whether the new man could hold her like he did and whether he would ever bow down and die as he would have for her. The singer is willing to put aside any criticism and justifications given by the world and promises that he will be there to support his ex-girlfriend should she ever need him.
The singer's lyrics delve into the idea of possession and ownership, which is evident through his repeated refrain about holding the woman in a specific way that can’t be replicated. It also speaks to the idea of regrets and what could have been. The singer's refrain about being there for his ex-girlfriend also shows that the relationship despite its end is not over. It portrays the singer's desire to still be in his ex-girlfriend's life should she ever need him, which shows that he still has lingering feelings for her.
Line by Line Meaning
does he hold you like i hold you
Is he able to hold you with the same intensity that I hold you?
will he ever bow down and die
Will he ever humbly give in to his feelings for you and suffer like I do?
(oh yes he will)
Affirmative response to the previous question.
does he hold on like i hold on
Does he cling onto you as strongly as I do?
and i dont care what the world say about her
I don't care about the opinions of others regarding your relationship.
if i hold out my hand then you'll know ill be there
You can always count on me for support and comfort.
(oh yes i will)
Affirmative response to the previous statement.
does he hold you like i hold you
Repeating the same question from the beginning.
will he ever bow down and die
Repeating the same question from the beginning.
(oh yes he will)
Reaffirming the previous affirmative response.
does he hold on like i hold on
Repeating the same question from earlier.
will he ever bow down and die
Repeating the same question from earlier.
does he hold on like i hold on
Repeating the same question from earlier.
will he ever bow down and die
Repeating the same question from earlier.
does he hold you like i hold you
Repeating the same question from earlier.
does he hold on like i hold on
Repeating the same question from earlier.
Contributed by Nora P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeffhutton8324
rawr, that just hit my rocka right in the billie. very nice
@heatherwheeler3242
I just ran into these guys a year and a half ago on here and I couldn't believe I didn't know about these guys years ago. This is my kinda folks and music. This is my idea of a love song. That leave him for me he's a douche bag vibe is right on. Whoever your with the should be there for you like this.Thanks guys for this awesome jam . Love ya Zumi as I learn more about you I see small bits of myself starting in my early teens, everyone said I'd change nope. I lost my way for a while but I'm back. Thanks
@stankcooter
can’t stop listening to this shit
@MichaelDavis-dx2vn
Black Lips are a fun loving bad ass rock n' roll band.This song was in an Insight 51 surf film. So, it reminds me people who do what they want.
@user-yb6eo1xp2f
Classic
@wolfgangvonodio1097
RIP Rev. Johnny L. Jones The Atlanta Hurricane
@jaybones8457
I like the new stuff, but I miss the classic lineup. The Banana Splits vibes from the four guys was hard to beat.
@stankcooter
same here man
@colinrice6865
You guys are just so rollicking!
@joehaugsted9691
Killer