"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.
All Green
Clem Snide Lyrics
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Until it thaws we could play cards
'Cause I know that it's hard when it's dark and cold
And all that you feel is yourself getting old
But summer will come with Al Green and sweetened ice tea
Summer will come and be all green with the sweetness of thee
So feed me a kiss chapped lips and all
And I'll bring back the tape of an empire's fall
I'll tie a string around my finger so I don't forget
Not to get so tied up to the things that I regret
The lyrics of Clem Snide's song "All Green" are poetic and romantic, yet with a hint of melancholy. The singer talks about burying their love in the back yard until it thaws, suggesting perhaps that their love is in hibernation, waiting to be rekindled. In the meantime, they suggest playing cards as a way to pass the time.
The singer acknowledges the difficulties that come with the darkness and coldness of winter, when it's easy to feel old and alone. But they also express hope for the future, when summer will come with Al Green and sweetened ice tea. The image of summer being "all green" with the sweetness of the person they love is a powerful one, evoking feelings of renewal and growth.
In the final verse, the singer asks to be kissed, chapped lips and all, and promises to bring back a tape of an empire's fall. This line suggests a desire to connect with the past and understand history, even as they try to move forward with their own life. They also tie a string around their finger as a reminder not to get too caught up in regrets.
Overall, the lyrics of "All Green" are rich with imagery and emotion, capturing both the difficulties and the beauty of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I buried our love in the back yard
I stored away our love as if it were a valuable possession that needs to be hidden safely
Until it thaws we could play cards
Until we can retrieve it in the future, we could stay amused by playing cards
'Cause I know that it's hard when it's dark and cold
I understand how difficult it can be when things are gloomy and frigid
And all that you feel is yourself getting old
When you're stuck in such situations, all that can be felt is a sense of aging and decaying
But summer will come with Al Green and sweetened ice tea
An event as lovely as summer will arrive, complemented by the sweetness of Al Green's music and ice tea
Summer will come and be all green with the sweetness of thee
Summer will arrive in full bloom, with your saccharine presence making it an even more vibrant experience
So feed me a kiss chapped lips and all
Share a kiss with me, even if your lips may be dry and cracked
And I'll bring back the tape of an empire's fall
In return, I will recount the history of an empire that has crumbled, as a token of gratitude
I'll tie a string around my finger so I don't forget
To remind myself not to forget, I will use a string around my finger as a memory aid
Not to get so tied up to the things that I regret
However, I will ensure that the symbol does not cause me to be too preoccupied with things that make me feel remorseful
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EEF BARZELAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind