By the time they signed with MCA Records, the lineup of John Paul Camp (saxophone/ vocals), Sean Dolan (guitar), Jimmy Flame (trumpet/ vocals), Chaz Linde (keyboard/ vocal), Dave Lund (bass/ vocals), Billy Spunke (vocals/ megaphone), and Bob Trondson (drums) stuck together as a total of 22 musicians passed through the band since their formation.
Their sixth full length album, The Post Wave, was released in late 2000. This album is musically the most different from the other five albums. This change in sound along with the title of the album probably resulted from the crash of the third wave ska scene within the US. In late 2001 the band took the rights to The Post Wave back from MCA records and reissued it on Thick Records in August 2001. Soon afterwards the band ceased touring, though they never issued an official break up statement.
Chemicals
Blue Meanies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been soiled by technology.
Packaged in barrels, (they're packaged in barrels!) delivered in cans,
The liquids are seeping into the land.
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Cars drive, planes fly, ships sail around,
We shit, we spit, we puke and piss.
Everything's dirty, (everything's dirty!) everything's dirty,
Everything's dirty is the end in sight?
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
It's dirty, it's dirty. (Everything is dirty)
It's dirty, it's dirty. (Everything is dirty)
It's dirty, it's dirty. (Everything is dirty)
It's dirty, it's dirty. Everything is dirt.
In the air, in the ground, our medication,
In trucks, in trains, straight to your door.
Packaged in barrels, (packaged in barrels!) delivered in cans,
The liquids are seeping into the land.
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah)
Chemicals. (Woah, woah, woah.)
The Blue Meanies' song "Chemicals" is a commentary on environmental pollution caused by modern technology. The lyrics describe how chemicals have contaminated the air, water, and food supply, and how they are packaged and delivered to consumers. The repeated "Chemicals" refrain emphasizes the ubiquity of these substances in our daily lives.
The first verse describes how the natural world has been tainted by technology, with chemicals packaged in barrels and delivered in cans that seep into the land. The second verse highlights how human activities also contribute to pollution, with cars, planes, ships, and bodily waste all contributing to the problem. The repetition of "everything's dirty" suggests that the situation is widespread and overwhelming, and that there may be no end in sight.
The third verse mentions the presence of chemicals in medication, which is meant to be helpful but is still a product of industrial processes. The reference to delivery trucks and trains reinforces the idea that pollution is often an unseen result of everyday actions. The final repeat of "Chemicals" brings the song to a close, leaving the listener with a sense of unease about the impact of technology on the environment.
Overall, "Chemicals" is a powerful statement on the need for environmental awareness and action. It highlights the ways in which modern human society has disrupted natural systems and threatens the health of both humans and the planet.
Line by Line Meaning
All the food and the air and the river stream,
Technology has contaminated everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe and the rivers we rely on.
Been soiled by technology.
The adverse impact of technology on the environment is pervasive and long-lasting.
Packaged in barrels, (they're packaged in barrels!) delivered in cans,
The chemicals that pollute our surroundings are often transported in sealed containers that they eventually break down and contaminate the environment.
The liquids are seeping into the land.
Chemical pollution is not contained to their containers; the toxic fluids eventually permeate and endanger soil and water resources.
Cars drive, planes fly, ships sail around,
The transportation industry is a significant contributor to pollution and environmental degradation.
We shit, we spit, we puke and piss.
Human activity also adds to the problem by releasing waste and other hazardous substances into the ecosystem.
Everything's dirty, (everything's dirty!) everything's dirty,
No aspect of the environment is immune from pollution; everything is contaminated by some degree of toxins.
Everything's dirty is the end in sight?
Is there any hope of reversing the trend of environmental degradation or will everything continue to get dirtier?
It's dirty, it's dirty. (Everything is dirty)
The problem is serious, far-reaching and all-encompassing.
In the air, in the ground, our medication,
Even medicine, which is supposed to make us better, contains chemicals and can end up polluting natural resources.
In trucks, in trains, straight to your door.
The delivery of chemicals is a complex network, often traceable from factory all the way to people's doors.
It's dirty, it's dirty. Everything is dirt.
The conclusion is bleak; the planet is already contaminated to an irreversible degree.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID LUND, JAMES BERRY, JOHN CAMP III, MICHAEL LINDE, ROBERT TRONDSON, SEAN DOLAN, WILLIAM SOLLEDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
whitnesscarsonagin
I rarely plug a band, however in the case of the Blue Meanies, you MUST check out Tub Ring. They're pretty much Blue Meanies minus the horns. Last time I saw the Meanies was a show during daylight savings time, so the bar and the band went on one hour longer. SOLID!
OF WOLVES
One of Chicagos best
Lauren Watson
i really love this song. the video is weird. but so are the blue meanies.
ironhide30000
I did every pca in cali and they all kicked ass
reelBigSpic
Me too!! We had great chemistry. Now with lots more experience I think I would be even better working with him than I was before >and I was damn gooooooood<
HPSquirrelCraft
@Margalicious97 : Sounds like life happened, I'm in a similar boat! I listened to Full Throttle in its entirety today and am still amazed by it, even after more than a decade! Is there some way of keeping tabs on their show dates?
Nicole de la terre
freaking awesome
Margalicious97
They don't really have show dates- just occaisonal reunion-type gigs. I honestly couldn't even tell you when and where- he lives across the country from me
El Ritual De Lo VIRTUAL
I feel like defying the laws of cool and start "dancing"
RexRoomStudios
i was @ pca this year for 2 weeks bill is such a cool dude