Eyehategod have noted Melvins, Black Sabbath, Black Flag, Saint Vitus, Carnivore, Swans and Flipper as key influences to their sound. These influences combined with heavy, down-tuned, bluesy riffs, walls of feedback and torturous vocals create a truly filthy, misanthropic atmosphere.
While Jimmy Bower was busy playing drums for Down, the remaining 4 members of Eyehategod formed a side-project called Outlaw Order (abbreviated to OO%). The band released a limited edition 7" EP in 2003 called Legalize Crime, which has since been re-released on CD with a bonus live track. 2008 saw the release of Outlaw Order's debut full-length, titled Dragging Down the Enforcer.
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Parish Motel Sickness
Eyehategod Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sickness
Parish
Left handed
It takes its own life
Then takes a life of its own
Equals
Reaction
Escape the past
Motel
Sickness
Parish
Left handed
It takes a life of its own
Then takes its own life
It takes its own life
Then takes a life of its own
Sometimes I'm stuck together
Sometimes I'm so unglued
Sometimes I'm stuck together
Sometimes I'm so unglued
Sometimes I'm stuck together
Sometimes I'm so unglued
Sometimes I'm stuck together
Sometimes I come unglued
Eyehategod's song "Parish Motel Sickness" features a rather catchy and haunting melody that is characterized by the repetition of certain words and phrases like "motel", "sickness", "parish", and "left handed." The lyrics of the song are quite simple, yet they are profound in their meaning. The phrase "it takes its own life then takes a life of its own" resonates deeply with the listener as it conjures up images of self-destructive tendencies and the inability to escape one's own demons.
The song speaks to the cyclical nature of life and how one's actions inevitably lead to consequences that often result in a vicious cycle of pain and regret. The lines "action equals reaction, escape the past" show that the only way to break this cycle is to face one's past mistakes and move forward in a positive direction. The imagery of the "parish motel" adds a layer of depth to the song as it suggests a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The repeated lines "sometimes I'm stuck together, sometimes I'm so unglued" further illustrates the duality of the human experience. It reminds the listener that everyone is flawed and sometimes they come undone. It is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever struggled with addiction, mental health issues, or just generally feels lost and alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Motel
A place to sleep, but also a symbol of decay and desperation in a town or city.
Sickness
A feeling of malaise, either physical or emotional.
Parish
A small, tight-knit community with shared values and beliefs.
Left handed
A gesture of rebellion or nonconformity, representing a rejection of societal norms and expectations.
It takes its own life
Referring to the motel and the sickness, both are self-perpetuating and self-destructive.
Then takes a life of its own
The actions of the past lead to a cycle of consequences, which then take on a life of their own.
Action
Refers to the choices made by individuals.
Equals
Will result in an inevitable reaction.
Reaction
The result of former actions which can have unintended and far-reaching consequences.
Escape the past
The only way to break free from the destructive cycle and start anew.
Sometimes I'm stuck together
Describing the feeling of being held captive by one's own negative thoughts or behaviors.
Sometimes I'm so unglued
Describing moments of emotional turmoil and instability, where one feels they are coming apart at the seams.
Sometimes I come unglued
A variation of the previous line, indicating that moments of emotional vulnerability can lead to a complete unraveling of the self.
Writer(s): william patton, james bower iii, gary mader, joseph lacaze, michael williams
Contributed by Hannah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.