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.
Mean Little Seed
Califone Lyrics
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Cripple trees mean little seed
Today hung clearly fake only for your eyes
Spit it out James take it all apart
Waiting for the yellow bleed mustard from a crow
Quiet quick violence
Like shit on old money can't wash it off
Stay quick and quiet my mean little seed
Held like lice on a lion
The lyrics in Califone's song "Mean Little Seed" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a commentary on the ugliness that can exist within seemingly beautiful places. The comparison of Texas to Galilee, a region known for its beauty and biblical significance, suggests that there may be a hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface. The "cripple trees" that are mentioned could be symbolic of something that appears weak or broken, but actually holds great power, much like a small seed that can grow into a towering tree. The line "Today hung clearly fake only for your eyes" implies that the singer sees through the facade of something that others may find beautiful or convincing.
The imagery in the following lines becomes more jarring, with the mention of mustard from a crow and quick violence. These lines seem to suggest that there is some kind of corruption or ugliness present, perhaps something that has been hiding in plain sight. The phrase "like shit on old money can't wash it off" suggests that this corruption is deeply ingrained and cannot be easily cleansed. The final lines, "Held like lice on a lion / Stay quick and quiet my mean little seed," suggest that the singer is trapped in some way, held down by this ugliness or corruption, and that they must remain quiet in order to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Texas looks like Galilee
The landscape of Texas resembles that of Galilee, possibly referring to the religious significance of both regions
Cripple trees mean little seed
The small and insignificant seed is representative of a larger and more powerful force, like the growth of a tree from a seemingly useless seed
Today hung clearly fake only for your eyes
The events of the day seem staged or manipulated, but only the listener can see through the facade
Spit it out James take it all apart
James is urged to speak out and analyze the false reality presented, to uncover the truth behind it
Waiting for the yellow bleed mustard from a crow
The anticipation of something unwanted, such as the release of toxins from a dying animal
Quiet quick violence
Sudden and unexpected harm that is not noticeable until it is too late
Like shit on old money can't wash it off
Negative actions or consequences cannot be undone, even if someone is wealthy or powerful
Held like lice on a lion
A small and insignificant force can still cling to a powerful one, much like how lice can attach themselves to a strong and mighty lion
Stay quick and quiet my mean little seed
The small and unassuming presence is urged to remain alert and aware, even though it may seem insignificant
Held like lice on a lion
Reiterating the previous line, emphasizing the importance of holding on to a powerful force no matter how small and insignificant one may seem
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Temistoclas Hugo Rutili
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind