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.
Rattlesnakes Smell Like Split Cucumbers
Califone Lyrics
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And paste them to the swimmers shoulders
Save your spilling, shorthand and black thread
My side was aching low, we're idiots again
Comfort's made of glass
All along the fault
Ripe enough to rain
It's not far to lean
Just enough to speed
Curb, hit running warm
Too close to ever see
Waiting station reds, shift down into clear
Shake the lead off your hands
Sawdust mouthing, roman axes way
Tender crazed, the storm rolls down your spine
Comfort's made a mess
All along the fault
Ripe enough to rain
Mercy waits to let you lie
It's not far to lean
Just enough to speed
Curb, hit running warm
Too close to ever see
The lyrics to Califone's song "Rattlesnakes Smell Like Split Cucumbers" are enigmatic, abstract, and poetic. To understand the meaning behind these lyrics, one must engage in a close reading and interpretation of the words and themes present in the song.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it deals with the fragility of life and the inevitability of pain and suffering. The line "comfort's made of glass" suggests that even the things we find most comforting and familiar can be the source of our downfall. The repeated reference to the "fault" might be a subtle nod to tectonic plates and earthquakes, further emphasizing the theme of instability and unpredictability. The image of tearing the corners off 20 dollar bills and pasting them to a swimmer's shoulders suggests a ritualistic offering or sacrifice.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the lines "Mercy waits to let you lie, it's not far to lean, just enough to speed, curb, hit running warm, too close to ever see", reinforces the idea that danger and death can come unexpectedly and without warning. This theme is further amplified by the final line of the song, "too close to ever see", which suggests that we may not even recognize the danger until it is too late.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rattlesnakes Smell Like Split Cucumbers" are open to interpretation, and each listener will likely have their own unique understanding of the song's meaning. What is clear, however, is that the words and themes present in the song are deeply poetic and thought-provoking.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear the corners off your 20 dollar bills
Destroy your wealth
And paste them to the swimmers shoulders
Attach money to the undeserving
Save your spilling, shorthand and black thread
Don't waste your time on trivial tasks
My side was aching low, we're idiots again
I am in pain and we have made foolish choices
Comfort's made of glass
Feeling comfortable is fragile and fleeting
All along the fault
Problems exist everywhere
Ripe enough to rain
Disaster is about to hit
Mercy waits to let you lie
You will pay for your lies and mistakes
It's not far to lean
Small actions can lead to big consequences
Just enough to speed
A little effort can make a big difference
Curb, hit running warm
Stay alert and be prepared
Too close to ever see
The danger is too near to recognize
Waiting station reds, shift down into clear
Prepare for action and become focused
Shake the lead off your hands
Let go of burdens and distractions
Sawdust mouthing, roman axes way
Deception and violence are present
Tender crazed, the storm rolls down your spine
Vulnerability can invite danger
Comfort's made a mess
Feeling safe has caused chaos
All along the fault
Problems exist everywhere
Ripe enough to rain
Disaster is about to hit
Mercy waits to let you lie
You will pay for your lies and mistakes
It's not far to lean
Small actions can lead to big consequences
Just enough to speed
A little effort can make a big difference
Curb, hit running warm
Stay alert and be prepared
Too close to ever see
The danger is too near to recognize
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Temistoclas Hugo Rutili
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind