MIK IRELAND - Lead Vocals
PINTO - Guitar
BRIAN BRESETT - Guitar/Back-up Vocals
GREG LAIKIN - Bass/Back-up Vocals
DAVE TROUTMAN - Drums
http://www.crystalpistol.com/
Rock Star
Crystal Pistol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born Into This
Dirty Little Rock Star
So you be a Dirty Little Rockstar
Blood stained sleeve your Slimane Dior
You live a lie sold your soul for the paper
Ya be a slave be a media whore
Snake skin heal and a cold black charm
Hyenna lurk outside your door
You're passed out on the bathroom floor
Bite your lip
Shake your hip
Taste the whip
You wanna be a Dirty Little Rockstar
I don't see no Dirty Little Rockstar
Chaos breeds under heaven's skyline
Your young hearts are melting only phoenix survive
Stay in the game you sick lil hipster
You get it all, get ahead
The lyrics of Crystal Pistol's song "Rock Star" from their album "Dirty Little Secrets" are commenting on the life of glamour and fame associated with being a rock star. The opening lines describe the singer addressing someone who they believe is living a lie in order to achieve rock star status. The line "blood stained sleeve your Slimane Dior" is a reference to the high-end designer clothing label which they supposedly wear with blood stains to give off a more grungy, edgy vibe. The line "you live a lie sold your soul for the paper" suggests that the person has sacrificed their own values and morals to achieve fame, and is now a "slave" to the media who exploit their image for their own purposes.
Next, the lyrics describe the physical appearance of the rock star, with a "snake skin heal and a cold black charm" presumably referring to an expensive pair of shoes and an aloof, uncaring attitude. The lines "shootin saphires up a dead man's arm" and "hyenna lurk outside your door" suggest the rock star is involved in drug use and is constantly being hounded by people trying to take advantage of their fame. The final line "you're passed out on the bathroom floor" evokes a visceral image of the reality behind the glamorous facade of rock stardom.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "you wanna be a dirty little rockstar," suggesting that the singer does not see the person addressed as having truly achieved that status. The final lines of the song, "chaos breeds under heaven's skyline / your young hearts are melting only phoenix survive / stay in the game you sick lil hipster / you get it all, get ahead" could be interpreted as a comment on the difficulty of maintaining a career in the cutthroat music industry, where competition is fierce and only the most resilient will succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
So you be a Dirty Little Rockstar
You present yourself as a rough, reckless and audacious rockstar
Blood stained sleeve your Slimane Dior
The luxurious and expensive designer clothing with bloodstains reveal your wild and careless behavior
You live a lie sold your soul for the paper
You pretend to be something you're not and compromise your integrity for money and fame
Ya be a slave be a media whore
You are a pawn of the media industry and use your image to grab attention and increase your fame
Snake skin heal and a cold black charm
Your persona exudes an intimidating and edgy aura, with snake skin and a mysterious charm
Shootin saphires up a dead man's arm
You indulge in dangerous and risky behavior, injecting precious stones into a dead man's arm
Hyenna lurk outside your door
Vultures and opportunists wait outside your doorstep, eager to take advantage of your fame and fortune
You're passed out on the bathroom floor
Your constant partying and substance abuse have caused you to collapse on the bathroom floor
Bite your lip
You suppress your emotions and desires, often resorting to self-harm to deal with your inner turmoil
Shake your hip
You use your body and sexuality to seduce and attract people, often without regard for their feelings or consent
Taste the whip
You engage in BDSM and other forms of extreme sexual practices as a way to satisfy your desires and gain control over others
You wanna be a Dirty Little Rockstar
You aspire to embody the wild and rebellious lifestyle of a rockstar
I don't see no Dirty Little Rockstar
The singer does not see you as a true rockstar, but rather as a poser who is merely pretending to be one
Chaos breeds under heaven's skyline
The world is chaotic and unstable, characterized by conflict, violence and turmoil
Your young hearts are melting only phoenix survive
Only those with the strength and resilience to overcome adversity and rise from the ashes will succeed in this harsh world
Stay in the game you sick lil hipster
You must remain competitive and innovative to succeed, even if it means adapting to changing trends and sacrificing your integrity
You get it all, get ahead
Success in this world is determined by one's ability to acquire wealth, power and influence, often at the expense of others
Contributed by Matthew T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.