Califone is the musical project of former Red Red Meat frontman Tim Rutili. Its regular and rotating contributors include many former members of Red Red Meat and some members of other Chicago bands, such as Tortoise. Their music is less rooted in blues-rock than Red Red Meat and is more directly inspired by experimental music and early American folk music as can be found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music.
Califone's current lineup includes Joe Adamik (drums), Jim Becker (banjo, violin), Ben Massarella (percussion), and Tim Rutili (vocals, guitar, keyboards). Each member is a multi-instrumentalist.
Tim Rutili has collaborated with a number of other artists as well. He joined up with Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and others in 2002 to release the album Sharpen Your Teeth under the band name Ugly Casanova. Some members also toured with Freakwater and served as a backing band to record the album Thinking of You in 2005. In 2006, Tim Rutili teamed up with Wil Hendricks and Michael Krassner under the name The Unseen Hand to record the soundtrack for Rank, a documentary about bullriding. In the same year Califone worked with animator/musician Brent Green on a series of performance art pieces featuring animation, live music, and spoken word. They are also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Stranger than Fiction.
3 Legged Animals
Califone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Butterfly itch on a bottle rocket tail everything is bleeding
Shake the glass out of your hair
Spell your name in broken teeth
3 legged animals
Shut their sweet eyes lick your scars and grow wings
Sleep for me sleepless
Hands bleed together fine
Sweat off your makeup
Peel and wait in washed out gold
Ease back warm electric chair
Leave your memories we're almost new
Sleep for me sleepless
Dream for me dreamless
Sleep for me sleepless
Dream for me dreamless
The lyrics to Califone's song 3 Legged Animals are complex and provoke many interpretations. At first glance, one might assume that the song is about a transformative experience, where hands fit together like medicine and shake the glass out of your hair could be symbolic for letting go of past hurts and starting anew. This theme of transformation is reinforced by the line, "spell your name in broken teeth."
The second half of the song seems to focus on the power of sleep and dreams. The chorus, "sleep for me sleepless, dream for me dreamless," suggests that the singer seeks solace in the unconscious world. The metaphor of three-legged animals that shut their sweet eyes and lick your scars, further reinforces this idea. These animals are fantastical creatures that offer comfort and protection, much like a dream.
Overall, the lyrics to 3 Legged Animals are filled with vivid imagery and poetic language that offers the listener various interpretations. However, one central theme that emerges is the transformative power of healing, sleep, and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Hands fit together like medicine
When two people's hands fit together perfectly, it has a healing and soothing effect like medicine.
Butterfly itch on a bottle rocket tail everything is bleeding
Sometimes you have an itch you can't scratch, like a butterfly on a bottle rocket tail, and it can cause pain and suffering for yourself and others around you.
Shake the glass out of your hair
When everything around you has shattered, it's important to shake off the pieces and start over again without dwelling on the past.
Spell your name in broken teeth
Even when you feel broken, you still have your identity and should take pride in it, even if it means spelling it with broken teeth.
3 legged animals
Animals with three legs are unique and may face challenges that others don't, but they can still be strong and resilient.
Shut their sweet eyes lick your scars and grow wings
Even when you feel wounded and vulnerable, those who care for you will comfort you and help you heal so you can soar to new heights.
Sleep for me sleepless
When you can't sleep, you may feel like you're missing out on something, but you can still find rest by relaxing and letting go of your worries.
Dream for me dreamless
When you can't dream or imagine a better future, others can help you by sharing their hopes and dreams with you so you can find inspiration and purpose again.
Hands bleed together fine
Sometimes even when you're hurt, you can still come together and connect with others, finding strength and support in each other's pain.
Sweat off your makeup
When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to strip away the masks you wear and get real with yourself and those around you.
Peel and wait in washed out gold
When you feel like everything around you is dull and empty, you can still find beauty by peeling away the layers and waiting for the light to shine through.
Ease back warm electric chair
When you need to unwind and recharge, find a comfortable place to sit and let the soothing energy wash over you like a warm electric chair.
Leave your memories we're almost new
Even when you're weighed down by the past, you can always make a fresh start by letting go of regrets and embracing the present.
Sleep for me sleepless
Even when things seem hopeless or overwhelming, you can still find peace and comfort in rest and relaxation.
Dream for me dreamless
When you feel lost or uncertain, others can help you find direction by sharing their vision and giving you something to work toward.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Temistoclas Hugo Rutili
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Evan Behnke
It's only a matter of time before they blow up. There records are still getting better.
Craig Colbert
Califone is a perfect mix of Bizarre Excellence! I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing their live performance.
ojived
beautifully done..this video made me fall in love with the band even more if thats at all possible...
Jacob Arnold.
This song is so good. The band is good. Anything Califone is good.
Kommunikatorone
I have Califone's "Quicksandcradlesnakes". What a great record !
BaronHaynes
This is my favorite song off Roots & Crowns.
W H T V R
Wish this were available in higher quality. I adore this song, and the video looks beautiful, but the layers of fuzz make the details hard to discern. If anyone over at Thrill Jockey cares and miraculously has the ancient source file, would love to see a reupload!
slugdogcaps
Best outtro ever.
James Redding
Brilliant!
slugdogcaps
Fuck, this is great.