Originally formed in 1997 for Easy Star Records’ first recordings, the All-Stars primarily existed as a studio entity until releasing Dub Side of the Moon. The success of that album led to the formation of a touring version of the collective. The core of the touring line-up has remained relatively intact, including Ras Iray (bass/vocals), Junior Jazz (guitar/vocals), Ive-09 (drums) and Jeremy Mage (keyboards) in the rhythm section. Tamar-kali and Menny More provide additional lead and backing vocals, while the group is filled out by the Chronic Horns (Jennifer Hill on saxophone & flute and Buford O’Sullivan on trombone). The band is always mixed live by a dub engineer, usually Marcos Ferrari or Jocko Randall (of John Brown’s Body). Other members of the musical collective, such as Victor Rice (Victor Rice Octet, Version City All-Stars and bassist on Dub Side of the Moon), reggae legend Ranking Joe, trumpet player Pam Fleming (of the Burning Brass), singers Kirsty Rock (of Trumystic) and Stephanie McKay, Groove Collective’s Jay Rodriguez, Antibalas’s Stuart Bogie, John Brown Body’s Josh Driscoll, and even Ticklah and Michael G join the All-Stars on specific gigs, adding their abilities to the already talented ensemble.
The Easy Star All-Stars—in any combination of members—have been a resounding success. The band has played at numerous major festivals or headlined their own shows in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Croatia, Ireland, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond.
As individuals, the band’s vocalists and instrumentalists have toured and recorded with Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Gil Scott-Heron, The Toasters, The Meditations, Bernie Worrell, DJ Logic, MC Solaar, King Django, Antibalas, The Scofflaws, Diana King, Dennis Brown, Monty Alexander, Sister Carol, and many others. Each of these musicians gets a chance to shine in the typical Easy Star set, whether it is through soloing, composing, or singing, or simply through playing an essential part in this tight-knit collective. Each line-up may result in slightly different sounds for this unique reggae band, but regardless of who plays, the one thing that never changes is that the Easy Star All-Stars deliver a fun, exciting, and different show every time out.
Brain Damage
Easy Star All-Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lunatic is on the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs.
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
The lunatic is in the hall.
The lunatics are in my hall.
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
The lunatic is in my head.
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane.
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear.
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
"I can't think of anything to say except...
I think it's marvellous! HaHaHa!"
The song "Brain Damage" by Easy Star All-Stars is a reggae cover of Pink Floyd's original song and tells the story of a lunatic who feels like he is being watched and judged by others. In the first verse, the lunatic is portrayed as being outside, on the grass, remembering childhood memories of games and laughter while also feeling the need to stay on the right path. However, in the second verse, the lunatic is now inside and the paper covering his face implies that he is in a mental institution. The lyrics then declare that if the dam breaks and the lunatic's fears become realities, the dark side of the moon is the only place where they will be able to find peace.
In the third verse, the singer speaks directly to the lunatic by stating that they are in their head and going through a change that is making them go insane. The use of "you" in this verse suggests that the singer might actually be the lunatic or someone who has experienced similar struggles. The final lines of the song seem to break the fourth wall with a quote that is either mocking or laughing at the struggles of the lunatic. This could either be interpreted as a way of trying to make light of a difficult situation or a commentary on the way society often dismisses the struggles of the mentally ill.
Line by Line Meaning
The lunatic is on the grass.
There is a crazy person outside, on the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs.
The person outside is having good memories of playing games and having fun with friends.
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
It's important to make sure that people who are mentally ill be guided and kept safe.
The lunatic is in the hall.
Another crazy person is now inside the building/hall.
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
These people are ashamed and are unable to show their faces to the world. They are like paper, just folding and falling down.
And every day the paper boy brings more.
Every day, there's always bad news and it's delivered like a newspaper.
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
If something happens that was supposed to happen years later, much earlier than expected.
And if there is no room upon the hill
If there's no space available on the mountain.
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
If something bad happens and you can't handle it, you may feel like your head is going to explode.
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
I'll see you in a dark, hidden place where everything is uncertain.
The lunatic is in my head.
The singer is feeling like he/she is going crazy as well.
You raise the blade, you make the change
You can make a change in your life by doing something drastic, like cutting your hair with a blade.
You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane.
By drastically changing your appearance, you can feel like you are no longer crazy and regain a sense of sanity.
You lock the door, And throw away the key
You are locking away any bad thoughts or feelings, and trying to keep them out of your mind.
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
There are thoughts in my mind that are not my own.
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
If there's a sudden loud noise, it can be as startling and jarring as thunder during a storm.
You shout and no one seems to hear.
Even if you are screaming for help or asking for attention, no one seems to notice or care.
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
If the people around you suddenly change their behavior or actions, it can be disorienting and confusing.
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
Again, the singer is expressing that they will be in a place where everything is uncertain and different from what they know.
"I can't think of anything to say except... I think it's marvellous! HaHaHa!"
Someone is trying to cover up their fear and confusion by awkwardly laughing and feigning positivity, even though they have nothing to say on the subject.
Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cartabiaflavia1253
The lunatic is on the grass
The lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path
The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
@cathycothy
Sabe o que é pior? É que eu sempre imaginava como seriam as músicas do PF em outros ritmos. Reggae, Bossa Nova, Ska. Felizmente, o Reggae deu certo. Eu amo esse album.
@ProbTron
I love Pink Floyd and I love Reggae.... What a combination! The moment this album came out I jumped 3 stories High.
@TheBdweiserman
Dark Side of the Moon is the greatest selling album of all time, as well as it kept an 11 year stature in the billboard top 100 albums... Far surpassing any other album. Great interpetations of this album, like this one, i hope are plenty in the future. Hats off to Easy Star All Stars.... but who's next and what album...?
@cartabiaflavia1253
The lunatic is on the grass
The lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path
The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
@twotetah
Thanks 4 the lyrics!
@52benlevy
the original is the best and no artist can make it any better...it is the original but this is a different version with a different vibe and it is a tribute to the original and it is awesome
@mcgstudmuffin
this is the only song off the album i actually like more than the original. so fucking relaxing
@APsychedelicOctopus
This song is amazing
@jeanonche1592
Absolutly magnificent
@luisbarvalopez
not like the original, but maaaan its a very awesome cover