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.
Two at a Time
Cop Shoot Cop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you turn to dust
Got a lot of real good friends
But no one you can trust
She draws you like a siren
To the accident once more
You're lying in your good intent
And you've been using up
Your lucky days, two at a time
The way this town can beat you down
Is such a crime
Such a jealous mistress
She knows when you're on the bone
Your accomplice and your witness
But you sold your ticket home
Like a bottle or a friend
When you hit bottom, don't bother crying
All good things come to an end
But the bad ones seem to take their time
And you've been using up
Your lucky days two at a time
The way this town can beat you down
Is such a crime
She speaks in contradictions
That can knock you to the floor
Satisfaction's her addiction
And she'll burn you to like a whore
Like a bottle or a friend
When you hit bottom, don't bother crying
All good things come to an end
But the bad ones seem to take their time
And you've been using up
Your lucky days two at a time
There was a man you could have been
But he's broken inside
And you've been using up
Your lucky days two at a time
The way this town can beat you down
Is such a crime
The song "Two at a Time" by Cop Shoot Cop is a sobering exploration of the darker aspects of life. The lyrics speak of a person who feels disillusioned and betrayed by the people around them. The line "Got a lot of real good friends, but no one you can trust" highlights the sense of loneliness and distrust that the singer feels. The lyric "She draws you like a siren, to the accident once more" suggests that the person is drawn to destructive relationships or habits, even though they know it will hurt them in the end. The reference to "using up your lucky days two at a time" further reinforces this idea of self-destructive behavior.
The idea of the city as a cruel and unforgiving place is also present in the lyrics. "The way this town can beat you down is such a crime" speaks to the sense of hopelessness that can come from living in a big city. The person is trapped in a cycle of bad luck and bad decision-making that they can't seem to break out of.
The song suggests that the person is aware of their own shortcomings, but feels powerless to change them. "There was a man you could have been, but he's broken inside" implies that the person has lost touch with their own potential for happiness and success. They are resigned to their fate, and see no way out of the cycle of self-destruction.
Overall, "Two at a Time" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. The song is a powerful reminder that life can be tough, but it is up to us to make the most of it and try to break out of the destructive patterns that can trap us.
Line by Line Meaning
Spark a dog-end, roll up smoke
Light a cigarette, start smoking
Before you turn to dust
Before you die
Got a lot of real good friends
Has many friends
But no one you can trust
But doesn't trust any of them
She draws you like a siren
She lures you in with her beauty
To the accident once more
Towards a disaster, again
You're lying in your good intent
You have good intentions but are still lying
And you just ask for more
And yet you keep going back
And you've been using up
You've been spending
Your lucky days, two at a time
Your fortunate opportunities, two at a time
The way this town can beat you down
The harsh and unforgiving nature of the city
Is such a crime
Is a terrible thing
Such a jealous mistress
The city is like a possessive and envious lover
She knows when you're on the bone
She knows when you're in a vulnerable position
Your accomplice and your witness
She is both your partner in crime and your evidence
But you sold your ticket home
But you've given up your chance to leave
Like a bottle or a friend
Like alcohol or a companion/friend
When you hit bottom, don't bother crying
When you've hit rock bottom, there's no point in crying
All good things come to an end
Everything comes to an eventual close
But the bad ones seem to take their time
But bad situations seem to last longer
She speaks in contradictions
The city is full of paradoxes
That can knock you to the floor
That can disorient and hurt you
Satisfaction's her addiction
She's addicted to pleasurable experiences
And she'll burn you like a whore
And she'll use you up like a prostitute
And you've been using up
You've been consuming
Your lucky days two at a time
Your good fortune, two at a time
There was a man you could have been
You had the potential to be someone different
But he's broken inside
But now you're damaged on the inside
And you've been using up
You've been spending
Your lucky days two at a time
Your fortunate opportunities, two at a time
The way this town can beat you down
The harsh and unforgiving nature of the city
Is such a crime
Is a terrible thing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TODD C. ASHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind