Ceschi was born with four fingers on his right hand, which served as partial inspiration for the name of his DIY record label, Fake Four, Inc. Those who have worked with him describe Ceschi as one of the most artist-friendly labelheads out there, a rare breed who values art over profit almost to a fault. Since 2008, he has curated a roster of wildly original and critically praised talent and put out albums from the likes of Open Mike Eagle, Buck 65, Sister Crayon and Dark Time Sunshine in addition to his solo records The One Man Band Broke Up and Broken Bone Ballads.
An engaging, theatrical live performer, Ceschi Ramos has treated entire venues like a stage, viewing the middle of the audience or an empty barstool as good a place as any to perform a soul-baring folk song or tongue-twisting rap track. Ceschi once described himself in song as “a martyr at most… a failure at least” and said that, “In the eyes of history I’ll be no more than a leaf on a tree.” He knows what it is to suffer for his art and is aware that music exploring the ugliness and sorrow of the human condition will always exist on the fringes of a game dominated by disposable escapism and expensive publicists. Yet he still pours everything he has into his craft, and on any given night you can find him tracking vocals at his cousin’s New Haven studio, warmly greeting fans and friends at a dive bar merch booth or rapping double-time in Japan or Europe for audiences that often don’t speak his language, but are able to see the giant heart at the core of it all.
Bad Jokes
Ceschi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He apologized for the spit and sweat that dripped off of his skin and his chest, but none the less
He should have apologized for things that he never did when he should, and things that he did when he shouldn't
Of all those sins that gathered up to form a fifty foot dragon sleeping in a labyrinth inside of his brain cavity stagnant
GG Allen threatened to blow out his brains on the stage, but when death day came it was quiet and tame
And there's the one about the girl in Berlin who jumped out a window when her people convinced her suicide was performance
Bad jokes about bad people in bad bars make the bad worse and make the good crash cars
So have you heard the one about the one man band?
So have you heard the one about the one man band, yes the one man band?
But it's too soon to laugh about his follies in the past
About the way that he got fat and couldn't keep it in his pants
And I remember lies about five figure record deals
Headlining bills and lines when he tried to convince me everything was real
But it was a crying shame seeing him lye in pain after realizing the way he wasted time and again
They dangled the prize in front of his tired eyes like arcade toy cranes with no claws to play
He used to sing, "god damn another one of God's bad jokes"
When he stabs and pokes at her last hopes
We were young once, we wrote songs about not giving a fuck, acting like we had some guts
Laughing on a bar stool dumb, drunk, his one hand fiddled with some nuts while the other held the mug
And every crease in his face was a fault line that looked like it had been drawn there at the beginning of time
But he was only 45 when he died with no family left behind, just instruments and a mic
And the story goes that he cried like a baby as he tied the noose waiting for someone to come and save him
The lyrics of Ceschi's "Bad Jokes" describe the regrets and mistakes of a performer who reflects on his past behavior on stage and in his personal relationships. He apologizes to the audience for the physicality of his performance and wishes he had apologized for hurtful things he did or said in his personal life. The performer's inner turmoil is depicted as a "fifty foot dragon sleeping in a labyrinth inside of his brain cavity stagnant," presumably representing the weight of his past misdeeds. The lyrics mention the violent performer GG Allin, who threatened to commit suicide on stage, only to die a much quieter death. The song goes on to criticize the glorification of suicide, represented by the "girl in Berlin who jumped out a window" after being convinced that it was a form of performance.
The lyrics of "Bad Jokes" continue to describe the performer's life, including his failed attempts to make it in the music industry, his struggles with weight and fidelity, and the lies he told himself and others about his success. Ultimately, the song portrays the performer's suicide as a tragic ending to a life plagued by regrets and missed opportunities. The final lines of the song, "And the story goes that he cried like a baby as he tied the noose waiting for someone to come and save him," emphasize the loneliness and desperation that can accompany mental illness.
Overall, "Bad Jokes" is a powerful song that uses vivid imagery and an introspective tone to explore themes of regret, mental illness, and the dangers of glamorizing suicide.
Line by Line Meaning
He apologized to the folks in the back row who got splattered in blood at the last show
He apologized for the violence at his last show that affected people in the back row.
He apologized for the spit and sweat that dripped off of his skin and his chest, but none the less
He apologized for his physical exertion during the show, despite knowing that it was part of his performance.
He should have apologized for things that he never did when he should, and things that he did when he shouldn't
He felt guilty for the things he did or didn't do, but never apologized for them when he should have.
Of all those sins that gathered up to form a fifty foot dragon sleeping in a labyrinth inside of his brain cavity stagnant
The accumulation of his past mistakes and regrets has become a burden that he carries with him.
GG Allen threatened to blow out his brains on the stage, but when death day came it was quiet and tame
GG Allen made a violent threat against him, but when he died, there was no dramatic ending.
And there's the one about the girl in Berlin who jumped out a window when her people convinced her suicide was performance
A story about a girl who committed suicide because she was convinced that it would be a powerful form of artistic expression.
Bad jokes about bad people in bad bars make the bad worse and make the good crash cars
Making fun of bad people in the wrong environment can have negative consequences.
So have you heard the one about the one man band?
Asking if the listener has heard a particular joke about a musician who plays all the instruments themselves.
I heard he sang like an angel before he hanged
The musician being referred to was skilled before they took their own life.
So have you heard the one about the one man band, yes the one man band?
Repeating the same question about the joke in case the listener didn't understand the first time.
But it's too soon to laugh about his follies in the past
It's not appropriate to joke about the musician's mistakes and flaws so soon after their death.
About the way that he got fat and couldn't keep it in his pants
Referencing the musician's past mistakes and promiscuous behavior.
And I remember lies about five figure record deals
The musician lied about having lucrative record deals in the past.
Headlining bills and lines when he tried to convince me everything was real
The musician tried to seem more successful than he really was by exaggerating his accomplishments.
But it was a crying shame seeing him lye in pain after realizing the way he wasted time and again
It was sad to see the musician in pain after realizing how many mistakes he had made in the past.
They dangled the prize in front of his tired eyes like arcade toy cranes with no claws to play
The musician was promised success but never received it, like a game of chance where the player can't win.
He used to sing, "god damn another one of God's bad jokes"
The musician used to curse God for his difficult life and the struggles he faced.
When he stabs and pokes at her last hopes
The musician is described as cruelly taunting a woman, causing her to lose hope and feel despair.
We were young once, we wrote songs about not giving a fuck, acting like we had some guts
In the past, the musician and the singer of the song were carefree and confident.
Laughing on a bar stool dumb, drunk, his one hand fiddled with some nuts while the other held the mug
Describing a moment where the musician was drunk and carelessly playing with anything within his reach.
And every crease in his face was a fault line that looked like it had been drawn there at the beginning of time
The musician's face was deeply lined, as though he had always been worn down by life.
But he was only 45 when he died with no family left behind, just instruments and a mic
Despite his accomplishments, the musician died without a family, leaving behind no legacy besides his music equipment.
And the story goes that he cried like a baby as he tied the noose waiting for someone to come and save him
The musician's death was a tragic moment where he cried out for help and no one was able to save him.
Contributed by Makayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brandon Brooks
He apologized to the folks in the back row who got splattered in blood at the last show
He apologized for the spit and sweat that dripped off of his skin and his chest, but none the less
He should have apologized for things that he never did when he should, and things that he did when he shouldn't
Of all those sins that gathered up to form a fifty foot dragon sleeping in a labyrinth inside of his brain cavity stagnant
GG Allin threatened to blow out his brains on the stage, but when death day came it was quiet and tame
And there's the one about the girl in Berlin who jumped out a window when her people convinced her suicide was performance
Bad jokes about bad people in bad bars make the bad worse and make the good crash cars
So have you heard the one about the one man band?
I heard he sang like an angel before he hanged
So have you heard the one about the one man band, yes the one man band?
Yeah, I heard it...
But it's too soon to laugh about his follies in the past
About the way that he got fat and couldn't keep it in his pants
And I remember lies about five figure record deals
Headlining bills and lines when he tried to convince me everything was real
But it was a crying shame seeing him lye in pain after realizing the way he wasted time and again
They dangled the prize in front of his tired eyes like arcade toy cranes with no claws to play
He used to sing, "god damn another one of God's bad jokes"
When he stabs and pokes at her last hopes
We were young once, we wrote songs about not giving a fuck, acting like we had some guts
Laughing on a bar stool dumb, drunk, his one hand fiddled with some nuts while the other held the mug
And every crease in his face was a fault line that looked like it had been drawn there at the beginning of time
But he was only 45 when he died with no family left behind, just instruments and a mic
And the story goes that he cried like a baby as he tied the noose waiting for someone to come and save him
J M
Bad JokesCeschi
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He apologized to the folks in the back row who got splattered in blood at the last show
He apologized for the spit and sweat that dripped off of his skin and his chest, but none the less
He should have apologized for things that he never did when he should, and things that he did when he shouldn't
Of all those sins that gathered up to form a fifty foot dragon sleeping in a labyrinth inside of his brain cavity stagnant
GG Allin threatened to blow out his brains on the stage, but when death day came it was quiet and tame
And there's the one about the girl in Berlin who jumped out a window when her people convinced her suicide was performance
Bad jokes about bad people in bad bars make the bad worse and make the good crash cars
So have you heard the one about the one man band?
I heard he sang like an angel before he hanged
So have you heard the one about the one man band, yes the one man band?
Yeah, I heard it...
But it's too soon to laugh about his follies in the past
About the way that he got fat and couldn't keep it in his pants
And I remember lies about five figure record deals
Headlining bills and lines when he tried to convince me everything was real
But it was a crying shame seeing him lye in pain after realizing the way he wasted time and again
They dangled the prize in front of his tired eyes like arcade toy cranes with no claws to play
He used to sing, "god damn another one of God's bad jokes"
When he stabs and pokes at her last hopes
We were young once, we wrote songs about not giving a fuck, acting like we had some guts
Laughing on a bar stool dumb, drunk, his one hand fiddled with some nuts while the other held the mug
And every crease in his face was a fault line that looked like it had been drawn there at the beginning of time
But he was only 45 when he died with no family left behind, just instruments and a mic
And the story goes that he cried like a baby as he tied the noose waiting for someone to come and save him
Conscious Robot
Ceschi is such a brilliant musician. He is incredibly underrated. He deserves so much more love and the mainstream masses don't know what they're missing.
Katie ty
Saw ceschi perform this weekend and chilled with him after. He is talent manifested, not to mention fucking cool, down to earth and straight edge. More power to him. Keep rockin brotha
aracelyakemi
I saw ceschi live and I never knew about him but his set made me cry. Great vibe, amazing beat, and beautiful lyrics.
Jason Yates
I feel ya girl....
Matt Houle
Saw him with POS recently near DC. It was awesome to see him switch between folk and punk live.
Damien Williams
I remember when I was little (I’m only a teen) Chesci asked the people who ran the milestone club if I could come in. They said yes knowing how much trouble they could get in, I got tired that night and got on the couch there and Chesci got on the couch next to me and started playing... best night of my lige
Jeanette Simpkins
Still one of my favorites
Joe Snow
I’ve been following ceschi since this album and just saw the video!
Flotschrinte
Nobody can dislike this Song :) And that makes me happy in a time where most dislikes are made by bored people!
Jesse Rockwell
Wow, I like this. never heard of Ceschi before, but I'll be hearing more!