"Clem Snide" is a character in several novels by William S. Burroughs, including Naked Lunch, The Ticket That Exploded, and Exterminator!. The band formed in 1991, when Barzelay wanted an outlet for his songwriting, but separated in 1994 after releasing a couple of 7" singles. A few years later, Barzelay met back up with Glasser and began writing songs again, performing under the name Fruit Key. After adding a bassist and drummer, they reclaimed the name Clem Snide, recorded songs, continued performing, and, in 1998, issued their first album, You Were a Diamond (produced by Adam Lasus) on Tractor Beam Records. This album received some short-term major label attention, enough for Clem Snide to release their second album, Your Favorite Music, on Sire Records, before being dropped prior to the album's release.
In 2001, Clem Snide released the album The Ghost of Fashion, which received some extra press due to the song "Moment in the Sun" being featured as the theme song for the second season of the NBC program Ed, after the show lost the rights to the Foo Fighters' "Next Year". Fans were allegedly distraught by the change, and Ed went back to the Foo Fighters for the third season; "Moment in the Sun" continued to be used as the theme song outside the U.S.
At this time, then-bassist Jeff Marshall left the band citing the touring schedule, as the band had performed a number of world tours in support of Fashion. He did, however, stay with the band to help record their fourth album, Soft Spot.
Clem Snide released their fifth album in 2005, End of Love, and in February 2006 Barzelay released his first solo album, Bitter Honey, on spinART Records. Barzelay' s latest solo record, Lose Big was released on June 17th 2008, on 429 Records. Barzelay confirmed that the band broke up during the proceedings, and that another record was completed around the same time, the newer recording set to be released first.
A live, tour-only, CD is also planned in conjunction with a fall tour by Barzelay.
In 2008, Eef Barzelay announced that Clem Snide has reformed and will release a full-length; "Hungry Bird" as well as an EP entitled "I Need You Now". They will support these releases with a tour.
1989
Clem Snide Lyrics
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Tonight tonight tonight
And I guess its not that funny but ill say it anyway
Alright alright alright
And the joke is that the stereo just ate the mix tape that you made
Alive alive alive
And I don't think your friends coming cause the answering machines
Turned off turned off turned off
To drink to drink to drink
And you were hoping that maybe a party would break the silence of this room
With laughs with laughs with laughs
And so tonight were gonna party like its 1989
Tonight tonight tonight
And I know its not that funny but ill say it anyway
Alright alright alright
Alright alright alright
Alright alright alright
Alright alright alright
Alright
The song "1989" by Clem Snide is a nostalgic ballad about wishing to go back to a time when life seemed simpler and more carefree. The lyrics begin by stating that "tonight we're gonna party like it's 1989", referencing the year that is often associated with the end of the Cold War and the dawn of a new era of optimism and possibility. The singer then admits that this might not seem like a particularly funny idea, but he's going to say it anyway.
The tone of the song then shifts from hopeful to melancholic, as the singer describes how the mix tape that was supposed to provide the soundtrack for the party has been destroyed by the stereo. He also notes that the friend who was supposed to bring more beer is not coming because their answering machine is turned off. The only beer that is left is a single can, which the singer suggests should be drunk in a toast to the idea of the party itself.
The song ends on a wistful note as the singer admits that he was hoping the party would "break the silence of this room" and bring some laughs and joy into his life. The repetition of the lines "alright alright alright" throughout the song serves to heighten the sense of longing and nostalgia for a time when things seemed simpler and easier.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight were gonna party like its 1989
We're going to have a wild time tonight like people used to in 1989.
And I guess it's not that funny but I'll say it anyway
I know this isn't really a joke, but I'll still make the comment.
And the joke is that the stereo just ate the mix tape that you made
It's ironic that our modern stereo is unreliable when it comes to playing an old-fashioned mixtape.
And I don't think your friend's coming 'cause the answering machines turned off
I don't think your friend will make it because they haven't responded to us due to technical issues.
And the joke is there's one beer left, so the punchlines all we have left to drink
It's funny that we only have one beer left, and we have to savour it while enjoying the jokes and ourselves.
And you were hoping that maybe a party would break the silence of this room
You hoped that a party would liven up this dull and silent room.
With laughs with laughs with laughs
We want to have fun and share laughter together.
And so tonight were gonna party like it's 1989
We are going to let loose and celebrate like it's the wild and carefree 80s again.
And I know it's not that funny but I'll say it anyway
I know I keep saying things that aren't really jokes, but I can't help myself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EEF BARZELAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind