They were frequently classified as industrial rock, but were often quite different from many bands so dubbed. Tod A.'s lyrics were clever, snide and evocative (Art Black and David Sprague suggest that "Black humor beats black metal any day") and their "weirdly catchy" music which drew "on hot jazz and swing as much as clanging rock, emphasizing the group's stand-apart attitude."
The group had little mainstream success (scoring a few hits on college radio), despite tours with Iggy Pop and music videos on MTV's Headbanger's Ball and 120 Minutes (notably $10 Bill, featuring a number of little people). They retain a cult following, however, and their out-of-print releases sometimes sell for large amounts among fans.
Last Legs
Cop Shoot Cop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cracks the silent night
Lost and lonely people bump and grind
Under neon lights
Santa is bleeding
Some punk shot him in the eye
All we need on Christmas Eve
Is another God damn drive-by
Into a cold and crooked wind
His head is heavy
And his heart is full of sin
Headline in the paper screams:
There's no more room in Hell
And Armageddon
Has been cancelled
'Cause the tickets
Didn't sell
But it's ok
There won't be a second coming today
The song "Last Legs" by Cop Shoot Cop is a bleak, dystopian commentary on the state of society during Christmas time. The first verse depicts a world where people are lost and lonely, seeking solace in neon lights as they bump and grind. The reference to Santa bleeding after being shot in the eye suggests a society that has turned violent and lost its innocence. The real tragedy, however, is that this violence has become so commonplace that the singer suggests another drive-by shooting is all that's needed to complete the Christmas Eve festivities.
The second verse portrays the titular character, Last Legs, as a lonely and troubled figure blowing on a penny whistle in a cold and crooked wind. Both his head and his heart are heavy with sin, suggesting that he too is complicit in the violence and decay of society. The reference to Armageddon being cancelled due to lack of ticket sales is a poignant commentary on the apathy and indifference of society towards its own destruction. The final line, "There won't be a second coming today," suggests that hope for redemption and salvation is futile in a world that has already gone past the point of no return.
Overall, the song is a powerful warning about the danger of letting violence and apathy take over our lives, and the need to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Last legs blows on a penny whistle
The person playing the penny whistle is not very good, hence they are on their 'last legs' of playing. This playing disrupts the silent night.
Cracks the silent night
The penny whistle playing is so bad that it disrupts the peace and quiet of the night.
Lost and lonely people bump and grind
The people are in a desperate situation and have nothing to lose, so they engage in reckless behavior.
Under neon lights
The scene is illuminated by the artificial and garish lights of the city.
Santa is bleeding
The holiday figure that is supposed to bring joy and cheer has been hurt and is suffering.
Some punk shot him in the eye
An individual who lacks respect for the holiday season and its traditions has caused harm to Santa.
All we need on Christmas Eve
The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness and joy, but the current situation is not reflective of that sentiment.
Is another God damn drive-by
The violence and tension in the air is so prevalent that it feels like another shooting could happen at any moment.
Last legs blowing
The penny whistle playing continues despite the circumstances.
Into a cold and crooked wind
The playing is met with opposition from the harsh environmental elements.
His head is heavy
The person playing the penny whistle has a lot on their mind and is weighed down by their thoughts.
And his heart is full of sin
The individual is not pure of heart and has engaged in acts that could be seen as detrimental to their moral character.
Headline in the paper screams:
The local news outlet is reporting on something significant that has occurred.
There's no more room in Hell
People have done so many bad things that there is no place left for them in the afterlife.
And Armageddon
The end of the world, as predicted in the Bible, is approaching.
Has been cancelled
The prophecy of the end of the world has not come true.
Cause the tickets
The end of the world was being treated as a spectacle that people could buy tickets to witness.
Didn't sell
People either did not believe the warnings of the end of the world, or did not want to pay to see it.
But it's ok
Even though the end of the world did not come, everything will be alright.
There won't be a second coming today
Jesus Christ will not be returning to Earth that day, as predicted in some religious beliefs.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES COLEMAN, STEVE MCMILLEN, TODD C. ASHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Hintz
one of their best jams. like the aural equivalent of a jim thompson or raymond chandler hard-boiler.
dilly valenzuela
fucking badass...love c$c
mrigmaiden1
YEEEEEEEEASAAHHHHHH!!!!! College memories!!!!!
Guy Wood
Same, bought this on vinyl in the early nineties. It's still amazing!!!
coll666
great! classic! :)
Mal Havoc
You're having what for supper??
Jmpsthrufyre · 665 years ago
Whatever is left over
Michael Allstadt
Armageddon has been cancelled cause the tickets didn't sell...
Jmpsthrufyre · 665 years ago
They're selling now
Jmpsthrufyre · 665 years ago
$1500 ( up from 666 dollars)
Ticketmaster