The group's early lineup featured Adam Hamilton (L.A. Guns), John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream, Union) and drummer Kris Kohls (Adema) while Sixx's future Sixx:A.M. bandmate DJ Ashba (Beautiful Creatures, ASHBA, BulletBoys) was invited to join but declined to focus on other projects.
They released debut album Here Come the Brides in 2004 (which charted at number 92 on the Billboard 200) and toured before Sixx departed to rejoin Mötley Crüe. Scott Sorry (Amen, The Wildhearts, Sorry and the Sinatras) replaced Sixx while Ginger (The Wildhearts) joined the group briefly, contributing to the second album, Runaway Brides, released in 2005. The group toured but eventually were put on hiatus, in 2006, following Guns' brief stint in Quiet Riot and the formation of The Tracii Guns Band (which later became the second L.A. Guns). The other members have since moved onto other groups with Coogan playing in Lynch Mob and LeGrand forming Souls of We .
Criminal
Brides of Destruction Lyrics
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You can't seem to believe this is still true
Father so I made you frey
You seem to forget I'm just like you
Can't you see that I am just like you
[Chorus]
Not a criminal
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
I'm not an animal
Not a criminal
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
Hollow I am safe
Can't you seem to see that this is you
Tomorrow if you let it be
You might remember times when skys were blue
Might remember times when skys were blue
[Chorus]
I'm not an animal
Not a criminal
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
I'm not an animal
Not a criminal
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
[Chorus: x4]
The song "Criminal" by Brides of Destruction appears to be a message to the singer's parents or family members. The first two lines indicate that the mother refuses or cannot believe that the singer is a certain way, and the father is blamed for causing the singer to act in a negative way. The singer assures their parents that they are just like them and expresses the desire for their parents to understand this.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's humanity and the fact that they are not an animal or criminal. The use of words like "diabolical, cynical, mimical" suggests that the singer might have been accused of being manipulative or deceitful in some way. However, regardless of these negative attributes, the singer is still themselves and deserving of understanding and acceptance.
The second verse seems to be a continuation of the first verse, with the singer indicating that they feel safe within themselves and that their parents should be able to see themselves in the singer. The mention of the "blue skies" suggests a time in the past when things were better, and the singer hopes that their family can remember those times and move on from any negativity or misunderstandings.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother I'm not what you say
Mother, I am not the person you believe me to be.
You can't seem to believe this is still true
You seem to be unable to believe that I am still myself.
Father so I made you frey
Father, I have caused you pain.
You seem to forget I'm just like you
You appear to have forgotten that I am similar to you.
Can't you see that I am just like you
Can you not comprehend that I am identical to you?
Hollow I am safe
I feel secure in my emptiness.
Can't you seem to see that this is you
Do you not realize that you are like this as well?
Tomorrow if you let it be
In the future, if you permit it to be so,
You might remember times when skys were blue
You may recall when the sky was blue.
I'm not an animal
I am not an animal.
Not a criminal
I am not a criminal.
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
Though I can be wicked, skeptical, and mimic others, I am still myself.
I'm not an animal
I am not an animal.
Not a criminal
I am not a criminal.
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
Despite my potential for evil, skepticism, and mimicry, I remain myself.
I'm not an animal
I am not an animal.
Not a criminal
I am not a criminal.
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
Although I have the capacity for wickedness, doubt, and imitation, I am still myself.
I'm not an animal
I am not an animal.
Not a criminal
I am not a criminal.
Diabalical, cynical, mimical I'm still me
Even if I possess traits of evil, skepticism, and imitation, I am still myself.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GERARD ENGELTER, LONDON LEGRAND, NIKKI SIXX, SCOT COOGAN, TRACII GUNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind