Pitchfork labeled Deerhoof as "the best band in the world.” The New York Times described them as “one of the most original rock bands to have come along in the last decade.” From their humble beginnings as an obscure San Francisco noise act, they've become one of indie music's most influential bands with their ecstatic and unruly take on pop.
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Dead Beast Queen
Deerhoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ax failed
Ships failed
We failed
Failed
Rise Dead Beast Queen
Please help us
The lyrics to Deerhoof's "Dead Beast Queen" is an eerie yet cryptic portrayal of a catastrophic event. There is a sense of despair and helplessness that permeates the song. The first line, "Trees failed," could signify that the natural world is no longer able to sustain life. The next line, "Ax failed," could signify the failure of human efforts to manage and control the natural world. "Ships failed" could imply that even technology has become insufficient or irrelevant in the face of this disaster. And finally, "We failed," suggests that the human race itself is responsible for the apocalypse that has befallen them.
The repetition of the word "failed" is a metaphor for how everything has gone wrong, and despite all efforts to prevent it, the situation has reached a point of no return. The last line, "Rise Dead Beast Queen, Please help us," implies that there is something, or someone, that has the power to rectify the situation, and that power is embodied in the "Dead Beast Queen." It's uncertain who or what the Dead Beast Queen represents, but it could be interpreted as a force of nature or a divine entity that is capable of restoring the balance.
Line by Line Meaning
Trees failed
The trees, symbolic of nature and stability, have failed to provide the support and environment necessary for life.
Ax failed
The ax, a tool used for survival and the reshaping of the environment, has also failed to provide the necessary means for survival.
Ships failed
Even the ships, which represent exploration and a means of escape, have failed to provide safety and refuge in tumultuous times.
We failed
Despite our best efforts and intentions, we as humans have failed to prevent the decline and destruction of our world.
Failed
The repetition of 'failed' emphasizes the pervasive sense of despair and hopelessness.
Rise Dead Beast Queen
The call for the Dead Beast Queen to rise could represent a desire for a powerful, mythical figure to take charge and offer salvation, or it could simply be a poetic plea for a resurgence of life and vitality.
Please help us
The final line indicates a sense of desperation and a need for outside assistance to overcome the pervasive failure and despair.
Contributed by Joseph V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.