"Abaddon's B… Read Full Bio ↴Abaddon's Bolero (Originally on "Trilogy" album - 1972)
"Abaddon's Bolero" sounds like a martialized Bolero (in 4/4 rhythm rather than the usual 3/4). A single melody containing multiple modulations within itself is repeated over and over in ever more thickly layered arrangements, starting from a quiet Hammond organ making a flute-like sound over a snare drum, and building up to an ear-shattering wall of sound. This aspect may well be a nod to the similar effect in Maurice Ravel's famous Bolero. Abaddon's Bolero is very replete with overdubs. Almost every time another instrument comes in, it's another overdub.
genre: progressive rock, bolero
Abaddon's Bolero
Emerson Lake & Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That savage woman make you please
Turn your inside outside in
Still you don't know where she has been
Living sin
Can't you see through
She's going to realize the way to sound you
Finely ground you
Sudden
Never cured by a one night lover
Sell you
Stories of a meeting with a younger brother
Twisty
All the people lyin' were just a blind cover
No one
Ever gonna pry her from a two-faced mother
Can't you see through
She's going to realize the way to sound you
If you never saw it coming
Hooked you up with Coca-Cola coming
Nice and slippery
The lyrics of Emerson Lake & Palmer's song "Living Sin" depict the seductive and dangerous nature of a woman who captivates and manipulates a man's desires. The lyrics suggest that this woman is savage and may be using the man for her own pleasure. The line "Turn your inside outside in" suggests that this woman has the power to completely turn a man's world upside down and confuse him in the process. Despite this, the man remains unaware of her true intentions and where she has been.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Living Sin" which is a clear reference to the woman's sinful nature. The lyrics suggest that she is capable of "sounding" or manipulating the man to her will. The second verse talks about how this woman cannot be cured by a one night lover and instead sells stories of a meeting with a younger brother, implying that she may have a complex web of lies and deceit. The song ends with the lyrics "If you never saw it coming, hooked you up with Coca-Cola coming, nice and slippery" which suggests that the woman is able to lure men in with ease, using her seductive nature to entice them.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you stand up or will you freeze
Will you take action or succumb to fear
That savage woman make you please
She manipulates you to her satisfaction
Turn your inside outside in
She plays mind games with you, messing with your emotions and thoughts
Still you don't know where she has been
Her past is a mystery, making her motives unknown
Living sin
Her deceitful lifestyle is morally wrong and harmful
Can't you see through
Why can't you see
She's going to realize the way to sound you
She will find a way to manipulate you
Finely ground you
She will break you down piece by piece, until you are a crushed and helpless shell
Sudden
Out of nowhere
Never cured by a one night lover
She has deep-seated issues that cannot be resolved with a casual relationship
Sell you
She will convince you to believe
Stories of a meeting with a younger brother
She will create convincing stories of her past experiences to win your trust
Twisty
She is deceptive and cunning
All the people lyin' were just a blind cover
She has a web of lies and deception to veil her true self
No one
No one has the ability to
Ever gonna pry her from a two-faced mother
No one will be able to uncover her true identity and intentions
Can't you see through
Why can't you see
She's going to realize the way to sound you
She will find a way to manipulate you
If you never saw it coming
If you were unaware of her motives
Hooked you up with Coca-Cola coming
She lured you in with an enticing offer, like a vendor giving free soda
Nice and slippery
She is deceiving, making it hard to get a hold of her true self
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@franciscodiaz183
As Carl Palmer said in an interview, "I was with the two best musicians."
@jimmccord487
Attended two ELP concerts in 1973 and 1974,unforgetable.Unbelievable the talent of these musicians.
@lisasmith1850
75 here. They paired with Jethro Tull. What a show.
@rosyrose123
My favorite ELP song!! I love all the keyboards!!💞💞
@shubus
It always amazed me that 3 people could pull this off.
@cintarocko5095
They are BRILLIANT ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@toughenupfluffy7294
THAT IS A HELLUVA PIECE OF MUSIC RIGHT THERE.
@AldousHuxleysCat
Maybe my favorite ELP song. Shame it was so seldom preformed live. Its also my alarm, nice way to wake up
@hugovandermeer1566
Brain Salad Surgery, for me, surpasses everything they ever did.
@hugovandermeer1566
https://youtu.be/aWYSK_Vdnhk?si=bo1KrLzXAkAqRvIx