Busdriver guested on upward of 20 singles, and by 2001 he could no longer be contained by guest spots, releasing his first full-length, Memoirs of the Elephant Man (1999). There were just as many detractors as supporters for his singular style, which was so densely packed it made his chosen name seem a reference for multiple-personality disorder, and the lo-fi production also left more listeners scratching heads than nodding them.
His next album, This Machine Kills Fashion Tips (2002), continued in a similar manner before being trumped by better production and more focused rhymes on Temporary Forever the same year. Joined by another West Coast avant-garde MC, Radioinactive, and the breezy, fractured pop of electronic producer Daedelus, Busdriver released yet another odd puzzle piece in 2003, The Weather. Fear of a Black Tangent followed on Mush in 2005. After moving to Anti-/Epitaph, the rapper issued RoadKillOvercoat, which featured production from Nobody and Boom Bip. His second Anti- release, Jhelli Beam, appeared in 2009. In 2010 he put out a full-length mixtape of unreleased gems and illegal remixes called Computer Cooties. It was released as a free album. 2010 saw Bus toiling over a new album that will shock fans and confuse the unconverted into unwilling servitude. It is called Beaus$Eros and was released on February 21, 2012 on Fake Four. Beaus$Eros forgoes the lightening-speed rhyming that defined his style in favor of a diverse, off-kilter brand of pop and post-hip-hop.
Go Slow
Busdriver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Perfect shapeless shape shifter
Earth, it glows
Heart is sowing
Galaxy awaits you; gate swung open
Go slow, fall like shadows
Perfect, shapeless shape shifter
You should hold those splintered bones
Spare your exhausted glands
Go slow, trace breath
Leap into these large unpromised hands
Mutter those Ginsberg poems
Cool those worn hooves
Go slow, face your death
Walk into the fiery orange woods
Go slow, fall like shadows
Perfect, shapeless shape shifter
Earth, it glows
Heart is sowing
Galaxy awaits you; gate swung open
Go slow, fall like shadows
Perfect, shapeless shape shifter
The lyrics of Busdriver's "Go Slow" take the listener on a journey of self-reflection, transformation, and ultimately, acceptance of one's own mortality. The opening line "Go slow, fall like shadows" sets the tone for the pace of the song and encourages the listener to slow down and take the time to reflect. The use of the phrase "perfect, shapeless shape shifter" conjures up images of a fluid, ever-changing identity as one evolves and transforms over time.
The second verse touches on the physical toll that the journey of self-discovery can take, with the lines "You should hold those splintered bones / Spare your exhausted glands" urging the listener to take care of themselves along the way. The idea of leaping into "large unpromised hands" suggests a leap of faith into the unknown, a willingness to embrace the uncertainty of life's journey.
In the final verse, the lyrics shift to a more spiritual tone with a nod to the beat poet Allen Ginsberg and an exhortation to "face your death" and "walk into the fiery orange woods." This could be interpreted as a metaphorical death and rebirth as one sheds their old identity and emerges anew, ready to embrace the galaxy that awaits them.
Line by Line Meaning
Go slow, fall like shadows
Take your time, move gradually and subtly, without making any sudden movements.
Perfect shapeless shape shifter
A transformation that is smooth and seamless, without any perceptible break or change.
Earth, it glows
The beauty of the natural world is breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
Heart is sowing
The emotions are planting the seeds of something new, like a farmer sowing seeds in a field.
Galaxy awaits you; gate swung open
The vastness of the universe is open and available to explore, waiting for anyone who is willing to take the time to discover its secrets.
You should hold those splintered bones
Don't let your weaknesses and vulnerabilities hold you back; embrace them and use them to your advantage.
Spare your exhausted glands
Give yourself a break, take some time to rest and recharge your batteries.
Go slow, trace breath
Slow down and focus on your breathing, using it to anchor yourself in the present moment.
Leap into these large unpromised hands
Take a leap of faith and trust that the universe will catch you and guide you on your journey.
Mutter those Ginsberg poems
Express yourself freely and creatively, without fear or hesitation.
Cool those worn hooves
Take care of yourself physically, and nourish your body so that you have the energy to keep moving forward.
Go slow, face your death
Accept the inevitability of your own mortality, and use it as a driving force to make the most of your time on this earth.
Walk into the fiery orange woods
Take a bold and adventurous step into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges or opportunities lie ahead.
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GRD
on Jazz Fingers
What's the sample sax he uses on Jazz Fingers? Can't find it anywhere!