Death in Vegas is a psychedelic rock and electronic band from the London, U… Read Full Bio ↴Death in Vegas is a psychedelic rock and electronic band from the London, UK, currently comprising two permanent members: Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes. Influenced by a wide range of musical genres including psychedelic rock, electro, krautrock, dub and industrial, the band's sound is constantly in flux, moving between live acoustic and electronic sounds. The band was formed in 1994 by Fearless and Steve Helier and signed to Concrete Records under the name of Dead Elvis. Due to objections from the Elvis Presley estate, they were forced to change the name, and instead Dead Elvis became the name of their debut album. The music is sometimes energizing, sometimes soothing and always intense. Edgy electronics.

For their second album, The Contino Sessions, Death In Vegas invited some guests to do the vocals. Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Iggy Pop and Jim Reid (of The Jesus & Mary Chain) all appear on this brilliant album. Also singing both lead and backup vocals is Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star. They have also featured Liam Gallagher, lead singer in the British rock n' roll band Oasis

Leather
Death in Vegas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you kiss the base of my spine
Make my body into your shrine
You give me this feeling deep inside
One that I can no longer disguise
While other snakes just shed their skins
Fucked holes pointing out my sins
Even though I realize that history's not on my side
Even though I realize the pioneer skin still curls up in my eyes

If I don't go crazy, I'll lose my mind
I saw a life before me but now I'm blind
I wanna go to heaven, never been there before
I wanna go to heaven, so you give me some more

Flying high upon the gallows
Too messed up to step out of the shadows
A drugged up heart that knows no sorrow
Rescued from this deep dark hole
Stick on these boots and sharpen the nails
Time is nigh for you leather girls
Maybe we should end this race
Vanish while we cannot leave no trace

If I don't go crazy, I'll lose my mind
I saw a life before me, but now I'm blind
See one-arm film stars on alien beaches
Potted gold and tattooed faces
Harrison murals on the corner, tupperware boxes full of hops
Diazepam dreams there catching streams
Paper dinosaurs flash blue and green
Still I've got a flash-bulb head
Still I've got a flash-bulb head

If I don't go crazy, I'll lose my mind
I saw a life before me but now I'm blind
I wanna go to heaven, never been there before
I wanna go to heaven, so you give me some more

Come along nice, come along dead
Scorpio rising, and paint it red
A psychic equalizer in your head
Come along nice, come along dead

Scorpio rising, and paint it red
A psychic equalizer in your head (repeat all)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Leather" by Death in Vegas are a surreal and dreamlike exploration of the darker corners of desire and identity. The opening lines "When you kiss the base of my spine, make my body into your shrine" create a sense of intimacy and reverence, but it quickly becomes clear that this is not a conventional love song. The singer is drawn to something that is taboo or forbidden, represented by the references to snakes shedding their skins and pointing out sins. The line "Even though I realize that history's not on my side, even though I realize the pioneer skin still curls up in my eyes" suggests that the singer is aware of the societal norms and expectations that they are defying, but they are unable to resist the pull of their desires.

The chorus of the song ("If I don't go crazy, I'll lose my mind") further emphasizes the sense of disorientation and confusion. The singer seems to have lost their sense of self and is searching for transcendence or escape. The references to "flying high upon the gallows" and "one-arm film stars on alien beaches" add to the surreal and otherworldly feeling of the lyrics. The repeated references to leather and boots suggest a fetishistic element to the singer's desires, hinting at a BDSM or power dynamic.

The final lines of the song ("Come along nice, come along dead / Scorpio rising, and paint it red / A psychic equalizer in your head") are enigmatic and somewhat ominous. The use of astrological imagery ("Scorpio rising") adds to the sense of mystery and occultism. The idea of a "psychic equalizer" suggests that the singer is looking for something that will balance or harmonize their internal conflicts and contradictions, but it is unclear if they will find it.

Line by Line Meaning

When you kiss the base of my spine
When you touch me in the most intimate way

Make my body into your shrine
Make me feel loved, worshiped and put me as the most important thing in your life

You give me this feeling deep inside
You make me feel in a way that nothing else can

One that I can no longer disguise
I can't hide my feelings for you anymore

While other snakes just shed their skins
Other people change and move on from their past

Fucked holes pointing out my sins
Every mistake I make is highlighted and seems worse

Even though I realize that history's not on my side
Despite knowing that I have a difficult past that may negatively affect us

Even though I realize the pioneer skin still curls up in my eyes
Even though I know that my history can't be changed and will always affect me

If I don't go crazy, I'll lose my mind
If I don't let loose and live in the moment, I'll go insane with worry

I saw a life before me but now I'm blind
I used to have an idea of how my life would be, but now I don't know anymore

I wanna go to heaven, never been there before
I want to experience something new and wonderful

I wanna go to heaven, so you give me some more
I want you to keep giving me that feeling of love and happiness

Flying high upon the gallows
I feel like I'm in danger and taking risks that could lead to bad consequences

Too messed up to step out of the shadows
I'm not confident enough to leave the safety of the shadows

A drugged up heart that knows no sorrow
I'm trying to numb myself to any pain or sadness

Rescued from this deep dark hole
You saved me from a bad situation

Stick on these boots and sharpen the nails
Get prepared to face something difficult

Time is nigh for you leather girls
The time to be brave is now

Maybe we should end this race
Maybe it's better if we stop trying to achieve something and just enjoy what we have

Vanish while we cannot leave no trace
Let's leave no evidence behind us and disappear quietly

See one-arm film stars on alien beaches
Imagining myself in a surreal and fantastical place

Potted gold and tattooed faces
Things of great value combined with things considered dirty and rebellious

Harrison murals on the corner, tupperware boxes full of hops
Different and unrelated things seen together

Diazepam dreams there catching streams
Dreaming of things that may not be healthy or real

Paper dinosaurs flash blue and green
Insignificant or irrelevant things are surprising and hypnotic

Still I've got a flash-bulb head
My mind moves quickly and has too many thoughts

Come along nice, come along dead
Let's go together, whether it's for something good or bad

Scorpio rising, and paint it red
Intense feelings, passion and unpredictability

A psychic equalizer in your head
Sorting out emotions and feelings in order to achieve balance

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIM HOLMES, RICHARD MAGUIRE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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