As well as Smith, around 23 musicians were part of the Cardiacs over the years, including Smith's brother, Jim, and multi-instrumentalist, Sarah Cutts, who married Tim Smith in 1983.
Their music combined the excitement and energy of punk with the intricacies and technical cleverness of early British progressive rock, a combination sometimes referred to as pronk, although frontman Smith disavowed this classification.
Cardiacs released eight studio albums plus a number of live albums, compilation albums and singles between 1980 and 2007, and are best known for the 1988 minor hit single "Is This the Life?" They are also noted for attracting strongly diverse responses: they have remained one of Britain's leading cult rock bands during their four-decade-spanning career, but have also attracted virulent critical attack (including a lengthy editorial ban from the British music magazine New Musical Express).
On the 30th June 1990, Cardiacs played at Salisbury Arts Centre (a former church). The show was recorded and initially the video of it was released on VHS tape under the name "All That Glitters Is A Mare's Nest". The video helped Cardiacs achieve a cult following, with pirated copies of the video, being highly sought after. The audio from the show was released on CD in 1995.
The band was on hiatus following the 2008 hospitalisation of Tim Smith after a heart attack and series of strokes which affected his speech and movement.
Commenting on his condition, in 2017, Smith wrote: “Imagine if you were wearing a skintight bodysuit made of fishnet all around you, with electrical pulses going all the time. This is what my body feels like unless I fall asleep.”
In 2018, fundraising was set up for Tim Smith, which included the comment “This condition has affected Tim’s movement, his dexterity, his ability to speak, and it has added painful muscle tone and spasms that are a permanent feature of his life these days.”
On Tuesday 21st July 2020, at around 10.30 pm, Tim Smith passed away at his home, as a result of a heart attack.
Cardiacs final album, "LSD" remained unfinished at the time of Tim Smith's death. At the time of his death, Cardiacs still remained a cult following, their recordings were not, for example, available on Spotify. For many years there were few new copies of Cardiacs albums in circulation. Later on, re-releases became available on CD and then vinyl.
Buds and Spawn
Cardiacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like thunder and rain
Summonsed by nature when summonsed by name
Safe in a house close to door hide his brain
Life theres fear theres hope all for the best
Raw head and bloody rest might shake their bones
To paste and glue
Please mum and I hope that my dad means mum and I
Hope that dad please mummy tell me to do all the
Things I do
All things I do
Screwing my courage to the sticking place
Never a good race never a good race
I hail all hail and give my life to live forever
To walk some coal and take some strain alive
All with lovely love on my side
Waiting to see which way he will jump to find
Which hole he's to creep into when he's old and tired
Not expected to carry on and
When he's away day goes by day
As his old friends die
His hope and fears a secret for his only child
Who's expecting and carrying on in a different style
Washed so bland via remedy man
Stands for all that he can stand
Throws a canker to the can
Moults a hair putredity man
He's a very special man
He's a very special man
Lies to rest in difficult care
For your pleasure to be there
Dissolves in a bed of chair
Reechy institutional man
Walking on fire bright
Something is stealing his feeling again
Lick wound he heals and still feels theres some pain
Washing his dirt in the mud and the rain
Safe as house against a wall of air and noise
A bucket full of everything he needs
(Needs)
Preserver in for her and him survive
All with lovely lovely love on their side
Moults a hair putredity man
Squeak hard if he can
For his girl left his hand
For sex with a man
With a different man
Squeak hard fatty man
Squeak thin fatty man
Shriek and dance to a different noise
Shriek thin fatty girls
Shriek thin fatty boys
Girl boy world puts heads in a whirl
Shriek thin fatty boys
Shriek thin fatty girls
Next to take her back
The break that never works
And find all dust
And the steel in my mind
Urges me to carry on and
Preserver in - for her and him
Shake their bones - to paste and glue
Starts the begininning of me and you
Shriek and dance to a different noise
Shriek thin fat girls
Shriek thin fat boys
Survive all with love on your lawn
Wishing for preserver in all of your
Buds and spawn
Washed so bland via linament man
Stands for all that he can stand
He's a very special man
Moults a hair putredity man
He's a very special man
He's a very special man
Beauty peacock butterflies care
For your pleasure to be there
Dissolves in a bed of chair
Reechy institutional...
Beams all hero apollo man
Stands for all that he can stand
He's a very special man
Beauty peacock butterfly man
He's a very special man
He's a very special man
Seemly shining fireproof man
Stands for all that he can stand
Stands for all that he can stand
What's the point in giving us hands?
The lyrics to Cardiacs' song Buds and Spawn are quite abstract and hard to interpret, but it seems to be about the struggle between fear and hope in life, and the desire to live forever. The opening lines suggest a feeling of power and energy, summoned by nature. The next lines seem to reflect on the uncertainty of life, with references to fear and hope, and the raw head and bloody rest alluding to death. The beginning of "me/you" suggests a passing of life from one generation to the next.
The next few lines seem to reflect on childhood and the desire to please parents, and then the singer shifts to talk about his own mortality, with references to old age and death. There are also strange and surreal references to "putredity man" and "fatty man" that add to the song's abstract nature. The chorus is repeated a few times, encouraging the listener to "shriek and dance to a different noise" and to "survive all with love on your side."
Overall, the lyrics of Buds and Spawn seem to be a mix of surreal and abstract imagery, with themes of mortality, fear, hope, and the passing of life from one generation to the next.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught in the field like a dirty great power
Trapped and unable to escape, like a powerful force that has been confined.
Like thunder and rain
Loud and forceful, like an approaching storm.
Summonsed by nature when summonsed by name
Called upon by nature only when called by name, a reference to the importance of individuality and recognition.
Safe in a house close to door hide his brain
Feeling secure, with his mind protected and hidden away from danger.
Life theres fear theres hope all for the best
Life is full of both fear and hope, but ultimately we must strive for the best outcome.
Raw head and bloody rest might shake their bones
The physical toll of life on the body, causing pain and discomfort.
To paste and glue
The process of healing and repairing, using whatever resources are available to us.
Starting the beginning of me / you
The start of a new beginning, where individuality is recognized and celebrated.
Please mum and I hope that my dad means mum and I
A child seeking validation and guidance from their parents, hoping for their approval and support.
Hope that dad please mummy tell me to do all the
Desiring clear direction and instruction from both parents, hoping for guidance in all aspects of life.
Things I do
The actions and decisions made by the child, seeking confirmation and support from their parents.
Screwing my courage to the sticking place
Gathering the courage to face a difficult situation, despite the challenges and uncertainty involved.
Never a good race never a good race
Life is often challenging and difficult, with no guaranteed outcome or reward.
I hail all hail and give my life to live forever
Committing oneself fully to a cause or purpose, willing to sacrifice everything for its success.
To walk some coal and take some strain alive
Facing the challenges and difficulties of life, persevering and enduring despite the pain and stress.
All with lovely love on my side
With the support and guidance of loved ones, making it possible to endure and overcome life's challenges.
Waiting to see which way he will jump to find
Uncertainty and indecision about the future, hoping to make the right decisions to ensure success and happiness.
Which hole he's to creep into when he's old and tired
The eventual decline of health and ability, requiring a shift in lifestyle and priorities.
Not expected to carry on and
Feeling like others do not expect or believe in one's ability to continue thriving and succeeding.
When he's away day goes by day
Time passes quickly when we are not fully present or engaged in life.
As his old friends die
The inevitability of death and loss, as we age and our loved ones pass away.
His hope and fears a secret for his only child
A parent's hidden hopes and fears for their child's future, often kept private and unspoken.
Who's expecting and carrying on in a different style
The unique approach and perspective of the next generation, who have their own vision and goals for the future.
Washed so bland via remedy man
Feeling washed out and bored with life, seeking a remedy or solution to bring excitement and meaning back.
Stands for all that he can stand
Standing up for oneself and one's beliefs, despite the challenges and obstacles involved.
Throws a canker to the can
Rejecting negativity and cynicism, striving to focus on positivity and hope instead.
Moults a hair putredity man
Undergoing a transformation or change, shedding the old to embrace the new.
He's a very special man
An affirmation of the individual's uniqueness and value, appreciating their importance and contributions to society.
For your pleasure to be there
Being present and supportive for the benefit of others, finding joy and fulfillment in helping others.
Reechy institutional man
The negative effects of institutions and bureaucracy, often leading to feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction.
Walking on fire bright
Facing challenges and obstacles with bravery and determination, despite the potential danger involved.
Something is stealing his feeling again
The loss of emotion or passion, feeling disconnected and numb to the world around us.
Lick wound he heals and still feels theres some pain
The process of healing and recovery, which can be painful and challenging despite progress being made.
Washing his dirt in the mud and the rain
Cleansing the soul and finding a fresh start, despite the struggles and hardships involved.
Safe as house against a wall of air and noise
Feeling secure and protected, despite the chaos and turmoil of the outside world.
A bucket full of everything he needs
Having everything necessary to live a fulfilling and contented life, with no desire or need for additional material possessions.
Preserver in for her and him survive
A commitment to persevering and thriving, for the benefit of oneself and one's loved ones.
Moults a hair putredity man
Continuing to undergo transformation and change, shedding the past to embrace the future.
Squeak hard if he can
Speaking up for oneself and one's beliefs, despite challenges or opposition.
Shriek and dance to a different noise
Embracing individuality and unorthodox behavior, celebrating the unique qualities that make us human.
Seemly shining fireproof man
A reference to the enduring strength and resilience of the human spirit, which can survive even the toughest challenges and obstacles.
What's the point in giving us hands?
A rhetorical question that challenges the nature of existence and the purpose of human existence, highlighting the complexity and mystery of life.
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.