"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.
Ice Cube
Clem Snide Lyrics
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I could close my eyes and go to sleep right here in the ashtray
Does anybody ever got what they want
What do you mean when you talk about love, love
I could make the bed when we awake with a hammer and a nail
Or make a sandwich of us both but the bread is too stale
Does anybody ever got what they want
I'm feeling like the ice cube in your mouth melting away
I don't want to leave, unless of course, you ask me to stay
Does anybody ever got what they want
What do you mean when you talk about
What do you mean when you talk about
What do you mean when you talk about love
I'm feeling like the ice cube in your glass melting away
I could close my eyes and go to sleep right here in the ashtray
Does anybody ever got what they want
What do you mean when you talk about love, love
I could make the bed when we awake with a hammer and a nail
Or make a sandwich of us both but the bread is too stale
Does anybody ever got what they want
What do you mean when you talk about love, love, love
I'm feeling like the ice cube in your mouth melting away
I don't want to leave, unless of course, you ask me to stay
Does anybody ever got what they want
What do you mean when you talk about
What do you mean when you talk about
What do you mean when you talk about love
The lyrics of "Ice Cube" by Clem Snide portray the feeling of helplessness and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer compares themselves to an ice cube that is slowly melting away in a glass and later in someone's mouth. They feel a sense of stagnation and powerlessness as they question whether anyone ever gets what they truly want, especially when it comes to love.
The second verse speaks of the singer's willingness to do whatever it takes to salvage the relationship, even if it means making a bed with a hammer and nails or becoming a sandwich, but it wouldn't matter because the bread is stale. This imagery depicts the futility of putting effort into something that is already doomed to fail.
The chorus repeats the questions of whether anyone ever gets what they want and what it really means when people talk about love. The overall theme of the song seems to suggest that the singer is lost and unsure about their relationship and whether it is worth fighting for.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm feeling like the ice cube in your glass melting away
I feel like I'm slowly disappearing and losing myself in your presence.
I could close my eyes and go to sleep right here in the ashtray
I'm so tired of trying to hold on that I just want to give up and rest, even if it's in a dirty place.
Does anybody ever got what they want
Is it even possible for anyone to truly get what they desire in this life?
What do you mean when you talk about love, love
I don't understand what love is or what it means when you say it to me.
I could make the bed when we awake with a hammer and a nail
I can try my hardest to fix what's broken between us, but maybe it's beyond repair.
Or make a sandwich of us both but the bread is too stale
Even if we try to come together, our relationship is stale and unfulfilling.
I'm feeling like the ice cube in your mouth melting away
I feel like you're slowly consuming and destroying me, like I don't matter.
I don't want to leave, unless of course, you ask me to stay
I'm scared to leave you, but I know I need to, unless you convince me otherwise.
What do you mean when you talk about love
I still don't understand what you mean by love, and I need you to help me see it.
What do you mean when you talk about
I need to have a deeper conversation about what we really mean to each other.
What do you mean when you talk about
I'm confused and I need you to clarify your feelings for me.
love
I'm seeking a deeper understanding of the love we share or might share, but I'm not sure how to get it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EEF BARZELAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind