Chris Staples is a singer and songwriter from Pensacola, Florida. He was th… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Staples is a singer and songwriter from Pensacola, Florida. He was the vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band Twothirtyeight. He was one of the original members in 1995 and stayed with the band until April 2003, when it broke up because the members wanted to pursue individual ambitions. Staples independently recorded the acoustic albums Panama, and Burned and Blistered. In 2004, Staples released Blackest Hair, Bluest Eyes which was a compilation of both his earlier releases with two additional songs. In 2005, Staples went on to form the indie rock band Discover America and move to Seattle, Washington where he engineered, produced, and recorded Discover America's first album, Psychology.

Black Tornado
Chris Staples Lyrics

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You do what ever you want to
When ever you come to town
You got me shakin in my boots
Before you even touch down
You know you got my respect I know you don't need it
Your picture's in the paper I didn't read it
Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs
Black tornado hit hard and fast like the expensive drugs

Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs
Black tornado hit hard and fast
Now I'm making drinks on the patio
Haul and all's playing on the stereo
Clear blue sky's and no chance of rain
No dark thoughts haunting my brain
Not a single reason to complain, no
Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs
Black tornado hit hard and fast like the expensive drugs
Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs

Black tornado hit hard and fast
End

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chris Staples's song Black Tornado exhibit a lot of admiration and fear towards an individual that has a lot of power and influence over the singer. The opening lines demonstrate that this person has the ability to do what they want and have an impact on the singer's emotional state, as they feel anxious before this individual even arrives. The singer acknowledges that this person has their respect, even though they don't need it. The repetition of the lines "Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs / Black tornado hit hard and fast like the expensive drugs" creates a metaphor for this person's power, as they are described as a dark, intense force that can't be controlled.

Later in the song, the tone shifts to a more positive one as the singer describes a peaceful moment where they are making drinks on a patio with no worries or negative thoughts. This moment is juxtaposed against the earlier fear and anxiety towards the Black Tornado. However, even in this moment of calm, the singer acknowledges the power of the Black Tornado through the repetition of the chorus.

Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the power dynamics between individuals and the impact that one powerful individual can have on someone else's emotional state. The Black Tornado represents an individual with an overwhelming amount of power that can't be tamed or controlled.

Line by Line Meaning

You do what ever you want to
You have complete control over your actions and decisions.

When ever you come to town
Every time you arrive in this area.

You got me shakin in my boots
You make me feel very afraid and anxious.

Before you even touch down
Before you even arrive at your destination.

You know you got my respect I know you don't need it
I understand that you are a highly respected individual who does not require further recognition from me.

Your picture's in the paper I didn't read it
Your photograph has been published in the newspaper, but I did not read the article.

Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs
A metaphorical description of a powerful and destructive force that engulfs the sky like expensive oriental rugs.

Black tornado hit hard and fast like the expensive drugs
Another metaphorical description of a powerful and destructive force that hits hard and fast like expensive drugs.

Now I'm making drinks on the patio
I am currently preparing beverages outside on the porch.

Haul and all's playing on the stereo
The musical group Haul and All is currently being played on the stereo system.

Clear blue sky's and no chance of rain
The sky is currently clear and there is no possibility of precipitation.

No dark thoughts haunting my brain
I am not being troubled by unhappy or depressing thoughts.

Not a single reason to complain, no
There is absolutely nothing for me to complain about.

Black tornado roll up the sky like oriental rugs
A repeated metaphorical description of a powerful and destructive force that engulfs the sky like expensive oriental rugs.

Black tornado hit hard and fast like the expensive drugs
Another repeated metaphorical description of a powerful and destructive force that hits hard and fast like expensive drugs.

End
The conclusion of the song.

Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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