The… Read Full Bio ↴Hermosa Beach, California, USA (1979–1990, 1994–1995, 2001–2010)
The Circle Jerks were an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded by former Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Red Kross guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the LA scene in the late 1970s.
The band broke up and reformed three times, sometimes with different bassists and/or drummers. They disbanded for the first time after the release of their fifth album, 1987's VI, as Hetson decided to continue touring and releasing albums with Bad Religion. They reunited around 1994 and recorded a reunion album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, during the following year, followed by a tour. After that, the Circle Jerks once again parted ways as Hetson was still involved in Bad Religion. They reunited again circa 2001, but as of 2010, are on hiatus.
To date, the Circle Jerks have released six studio albums, one compilation, a live album and a live DVD. Their last studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, was released in 1995 and was the band's only reunion album to date.
Many recent groups and artists cite the Circle Jerks as an influence, including Flea (musician), Anti-Flag,[1][2] Dropkick Murphys,[3] The Offspring[2] and Pennywise.[2]
Dude
Circle Jerks Lyrics
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Down the drain?
sinus pain
Big boy burger man I'm the one who can
Pizza on the house, Europe's in the can
Japs are all tied up, Aussie's on the run
You don't even know, dude's I am the one
[Chorus]
Forehead throbbing, stomach's bobbing
It's my job and not a hobby
Call me Gumby, you don't want me
Burgers coming, now I'm bumming
I can get some time, studio is prime
Budget for the food, sushi's really smooth
Release our demo tapes, the money that it makes
Will never be enough, to reconstruct your legs
On your visions we could choke
Dude, you're a joke
Sound is burning, it's really happening
Deals are churning the wheels are turning around
You're breaking, because I'm making you
I'm not faking, I won't take you for a ride
I'm saying, you guys will get what you want
I'm praying, I'm gonna get a big point
Baby it's in your mind, 'cause you never had it
The lyrics to Circle Jerks' song Dude are packed with imagery and a sense of rebellion against the norm. The first stanza is a series of disjointed phrases that seem to have no clear connection, but upon closer inspection, they paint a picture of a world where things are not quite the way they seem. The line "dudes, where's my point?" refers to the feeling of disorientation or lack of direction, as if the singer has lost track of the point of it all. The references to "big boy burger man" and "pizza on the house" create a sense of indulgence and excess, while the line "Europe's in the can" suggests a sense of confinement or containment.
The second stanza is more cohesive, and describes the singer's aspirations in the music industry. He talks about getting studio time, budgeting for food, and releasing demo tapes. He also takes a shot at those who doubt his abilities, calling them a "joke". The chorus is a series of vivid descriptions of physical sensations - "forehead throbbing", "stomach's bobbing" - that suggest a feeling of unease or discomfort. The lines "it's my job and not a hobby" and "call me Gumby, you don't want me" convey a sense of determination and a willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the state of society and the music industry, and a call to action for those who feel lost or disillusioned. It's a defiant, energetic anthem for those who refuse to give up and settle for mediocrity.
Line by Line Meaning
Dudes, where's my point?
Where is the thing that I'm looking for?
Down the drain?
Did I lose it or dispose of it by accident?
sinus pain
I'm experiencing discomfort in my nasal cavities.
Big boy burger man I'm the one who can
I am confident that I can handle a large hamburger.
Pizza on the house, Europe's in the can
We received free pizza, and our European tour is booked and ready.
Japs are all tied up, Aussie's on the run
Japan is currently unavailable, but Australia is available.
You don't even know, dude's I am the one
You are unaware, but I am the one who can handle all of this.
Forehead throbbing, stomach's bobbing
My head hurts and my stomach is upset.
It's my job and not a hobby
I take this seriously, it's not just something I do for fun.
Call me Gumby, you don't want me
You don't want to mess with me.
Burgers coming, now I'm bumming
I was feeling good before, but now I am disappointed about the burger situation.
I can get some time, studio is prime
I am able to make time for recording, and our recording space is ideal.
Budget for the food, sushi's really smooth
We have allocated funds for food, and sushi is a good option.
Release our demo tapes, the money that it makes
We will put out our demo tapes and make some money in the process.
Will never be enough, to reconstruct your legs
The money we make won't be enough to fix your physical problems.
On your visions we could choke
We could stifle your creativity and ideas.
Dude, you're a joke
You are not to be taken seriously.
Sound is burning, it's really happening
The music sounds great, and things are going well.
Deals are churning the wheels are turning around
We are making progress and things are moving forward.
You're breaking, because I'm making you
You are crumbling because of the pressure I am putting on you.
I'm not faking, I won't take you for a ride
I am being real and honest, and I won't deceive you.
I'm saying, you guys will get what you want
I am making sure that you will achieve your goals.
I'm praying, I'm gonna get a big point
I am hopeful and optimistic about the outcome, and I want to make a big impact.
Baby it's in your mind, 'cause you never had it
You are mistaken because you never possessed what you thought you did.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Alexander Schloss, Greg Hetson, Keith Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind