In 1988, an Ottawa, Ontario police officer instigated a criminal investigation of the Dayglos after his daughter brought home a copy of Here Today, Guano Tomorrow.
Two albums featured in the resulting trial; the covers and the lyrical content being showcased by the prosecution. Here Today, Guano Tomorrow had a cover showing a picture of a hamster eating from a box of chocolates on nice satin sheets, along with a glass of wine. A gun points at the hamster, and the back cover shows a depiction of the resulting carnage.
The previous album, Feed Us A Fetus, was perhaps a little less graphic, with a depiction of a baked fetus on the table in front of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
This resulted in the criminal prosecution of Fringe Product, their label at the time, for distribution and possession with intent to distribute of obscene material—the first such prosecution since the offense entered the criminal code in 1959. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
The Dayglos had musical revenge in the title song of their next album, Two Dogs Fucking, in which the priggishness of Ottawa's public officials leads directly to the extinction of the human race.
On occasion, Dayglo albums having included political aspects, Holy Shiite is no exception with song titles such as "America Eats Her Young", "Christina Bin Laden", "Scientology", and "Where's Bin Laden?".
The Idiot
Dayglo Abortions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It doesn't bother me when the people stare
My mind is blank I don't get confuzed
Cause I can't think with a blown fuse
I'm an idiot and I don't give a shit
I can't read or write or tie my shoes
I live in a big apartment building
Low income family dwellings
The song The Idiot by Dayglo Abortions talks about a person who labels themselves as an idiot with no care about the people around them. The lyrics further elaborate on the fact that the singer can't think straight because of a blown fuse, which is a metaphor for their lack of mental capacity. The song highlights the concept of acceptance and the idea that being an idiot is a choice. The singer is aware of their situation but chooses to be indifferent towards it, as seen in the line "I'm an idiot and I don't give a shit." This could be interpreted as a commentary on society's obsession with intelligence and the need to fit in.
The song also touches upon the singer's dependence on the government and society for survival. The line "The government pays for my food and my clothes" highlights the fact that the singer is living in poverty and has no means to support themselves. This could be a comment on the social stigma attached to people living in poverty and the government's responsibility to take care of its people.
Overall, The Idiot is a thought-provoking song that challenges the listener's perception of intelligence and social responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an idiot and I don't care
I'm not bothered by being called an idiot
It doesn't bother me when the people stare
I don't mind being the center of attention due to my stupidity
My mind is blank I don't get confuzed
I have a simple mind and never get confused
Cause I can't think with a blown fuse
I am unable to think clearly due to my intellectual shortcomings
I'm an idiot and I don't give a shit
I really do not care what people say about me
I can't read or write or tie my shoes
I lack basic education and life skills
The government pays for my food and my clothes
I am fully dependent on government welfare for survival
I live in a big apartment building
Despite my handicap I have access to low-cost housing
Low income family dwellings
I reside in a government-subsidized building intended for low-income residents
Contributed by Avery B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.