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
I Don't Wanna Go Home
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna stay until the sun is bright
Well, I'm never acting grown
I'm gonna do what makes me feel alright
Now I'm turning off my phone
I've heard it all and I don't wanna fight
Take a horse
Crash on dirty couches
Eating breakfast off the flo' (floor)
Slowly serving strangers in a
Place I hardly know
I can't find the hotel, they're all gone
I'm here all alone
I don't wanna go home
I really wanna stay with you tonight
Sick of sleeping all alone
I know it's late, but it's cold outside
I can see the light's aglow
The door is shut and it's locked up tight
Take a horse
Just get us through the outsides of Rome
Crash on dirty couches
Eating breakfast off the flo' (floor)
Slowly serving strangers in a
Place I hardly know
I can't find the hotel, they're all gone
I'm here all alone
I don't wanna go home
The sun is up and it's way too bright
And I'm sick of being stoned
My head is spinning and my face is white
Gonna hollar at the phone
I've had enough, I think my brain is fried
Take a horse
Just get us through the outsides of Rome
Crash on dirty couches
Eating breakfast off the flo' (floor)
Slowly serving strangers in a
Place I hardly know
I can't find the hotel, they're all gone
I'm here all alone
The lyrics of Black Lips's song "I Don't Wanna Go Home" express a desire to escape from reality and avoid the responsibilities and conflicts of everyday life. The singer rejects the idea of going home and instead wants to stay out until the sun is bright, subverting the concept of acting like a mature adult. They are determined to do what makes them feel good and avoid any potential confrontations.
The line "Now I'm turning off my phone, I've heard it all and I don't wanna fight" suggests a need for solitude and a break from the constant communication and potential conflicts that come with it. By disconnecting from the outside world, the singer seeks a sense of peace and freedom.
The repeated phrase "Take a horse, just get us through the outsides of Rome" symbolizes a desire to escape the confines of their current environment and explore uncharted territories. The reference to crashing on dirty couches and eating breakfast off the floor implies a disregard for comfort and a willingness to embrace unconventional experiences.
The overall theme of the song centers on the singer's longing to avoid conventional responsibilities and seek liberation through spontaneity and adventure. They reject the notion of going home, preferring the excitement and uncertainty of staying out and exploring new places.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna go home
I have no desire to return to my usual dwelling
I wanna stay until the sun is bright
I wish to remain until the morning light
Well, I'm never acting grown
I refuse to behave like an adult
I'm gonna do what makes me feel alright
I will engage in activities that bring me joy and contentment
Now I'm turning off my phone
I am disconnecting from communication devices
I've heard it all and I don't wanna fight
I have listened to enough arguments and wish to avoid further conflict
Take a horse
Let us ride on a horse
Just get us through the outsides of Rome
Guide us through the outskirts of Rome
Crash on dirty couches
Sleep on unkempt and unclean sofas
Eating breakfast off the flo' (floor)
Consume morning meals from the ground
Slowly serving strangers in a
Providing assistance to unfamiliar individuals at a leisurely pace
Place I hardly know
In a location that I am hardly familiar with
I can't find the hotel, they're all gone
I am unable to locate any available hotels
I'm here all alone
I find myself in complete solitude
I really wanna stay with you tonight
I truly desire to spend the night with you
Sick of sleeping all alone
Tired of solitary slumbering
I know it's late, but it's cold outside
I am aware of the lateness of the hour, yet the weather is chilly
I can see the light's aglow
I can perceive the glow of the light
The door is shut and it's locked up tight
The entrance is closed and securely sealed
The sun is up and it's way too bright
The sun has risen and its brightness is overwhelming
And I'm sick of being stoned
I am tired of being under the influence of drugs
My head is spinning and my face is white
I feel dizziness and my complexion is pale
Gonna hollar at the phone
I will shout at the telephone
I've had enough, I think my brain is fried
I have reached my limit, I believe my mind is exhausted
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: COLE ALEXANDER, CURTIS HARDING, IAN ST PE BROWN, JARED SWILLEY, JOSEPH BRADLEY, PATRICK JAMES CARNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind