However, after getting financial backing if he used the L.A. Guns name again, Tracii's friend Taime Downe took the name and formed Faster Pussycat in 1985 with lead guitarist Brent Muscat. Muscat has been the only member to perform on all Faster Pussycat releases besides Taime. The band released their self-titled debut in 1987, gaining some commercial success. The album reached the #97 slot on the Billboard 200 chart, and it has received praise from music critics such as Steve Huey of Allmusic, who praised it as "party-hearty" and "fun".
The group's follow-up, named 'Wake Me When It's Over', came out in 1989, during the last years of glam metal's commercial viability. Still tapping into a big audience for their type of sleazy hard rock, they had a hit with the power ballad "House of Pain". 'Wake Me When It's Over' was even certified as gold by the RIAA.
Yet, with the rise of grunge in the early 90s, Faster Pussycat's style of music fell out of favor, despite having little in common with several of the chart-topping glam bands at the time, such as Warrant and Slaughter. They released their third album, named 'Whipped!', to little success in 1992. Sensing the change in musical tastes, they disbanded and went on to various other projects, with frontman Taime Downe going onto form an industrial rock band called Newlydeads.
In 2001, Taime released "Between the Valley of the Ultra Pussy" with some former members of Faster Pussycat under the moniker, which contained newer versions of older songs. The band has since reformed and has recorded a new album, "The Power and the Gloryhole," which was released in 2006. The band's style of music has shifted from the Aerosmith influenced rock to a more industrial one, much like Taime's Newlydeads.
Shooting You Down
Faster Pussycat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta hear what you say, say it
Come on, say it, come on
You got me walking right on broken glass
And when I start to bleed
Is when you start to feed
Leakin' through to the basement of my soul
I've been on fire before, but I never felt so cold
Standin' on the edge (shooting you down)
And I'm lookin' down (shooting you down)
And I try my hardest just to shoot you down
I'm laughin' like a clown (shooting you down)
I'm trackin' you down (shooting you down)
And I try my hardest just to shoot you down
Cadillac woman, your makeup
Is startin' to roll down your white walls
Come on, stop it, come on
You're killin' all the flowers of romance
The ones deep in me
That were never diseased, no
Peakin' through the window of my home
Now I'm with so many people, but I've never felt so all alone, no
Standin' on the edge (shooting you down)
And I'm lookin' down (shooting you down)
And I try my hardest just to shoot you down
I'm laughin' like a clown (shooting you down)
I'm trackin' you down (shooting you down)
And I try my hardest just to shoot you down
You better watch out, baby
There's a whole lot of shootin' goin' on
And if I ever catch you
Gonna crack your backside down, right
The lyrics of this song portray a man who is frustrated and emotionally drained from a tumultuous relationship. The opening lines, "I'm not seein' it, baby, I gotta hear what you say, say it," suggest that the woman is not communicating her feelings clearly, causing the man to feel confused and uncertain. He compares walking on broken glass to being in this relationship which is harming him, as he bleeds from the cuts inflicted by the sharp pieces.
The chorus of the song, "Standin' on the edge (shooting you down), And I'm lookin' down (shooting you down), And I try my hardest just to shoot you down, I'm laughin' like a clown (shooting you down), I'm trackin' you down (shooting you down), And I try my hardest just to shoot you down," is a metaphor for the man's emotional state. He feels like he is standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to shoot down his partner, whom he perceives as a threat. Despite his efforts to put things right, his frustration is making him feel like a clown, making a joke of his emotions.
The lyrics also mention a "Cadillac woman," with makeup running down her white walls. This image of a woman who is losing her beauty and elegance is symbolic of the decay of the relationship. The mention of killing the flowers of romance implies that the woman is responsible for the decline of their relationship. The lyric "Peakin' through the window of my home, now I'm with so many people, but I've never felt so all alone, no" emphasizes the man's loneliness and isolation despite being surrounded by people.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not seein' it , baby
I don't understand what you mean by your actions or words, darling
I gotta hear what you say, say it
I need you to communicate more effectively with me
Come on, say it, come on
Please express yourself clearly and directly
You got me walking right on broken glass
You're treating me in a painful and confusing way
And when I start to bleed
When I get hurt by your behaviors
Is when you start to feed
That's when you seem to gain power or satisfaction from causing me pain
Leakin' through to the basement of my soul
Your influence is impacting my deepest emotions and vulnerabilities
I've been on fire before, but I never felt so cold
I've experienced turmoil and chaos, but your actions have left me feeling empty and numb
Standin' on the edge (shooting you down)
I feel like I'm at a breaking point in this relationship
And I'm lookin' down (shooting you down)
I'm contemplating ending things with you or fighting back
And I try my hardest just to shoot you down
I'm doing my best to resist your toxic influence
I'm laughin' like a clown (shooting you down)
I'm coping with my pain with humor or sarcasm
I'm trackin' you down (shooting you down)
I'm determined to confront you about your behavior
Cadillac woman, your makeup
You present yourself as glamorous and sophisticated
Is startin' to roll down your white walls
Your facade is starting to fall apart
Come on, stop it, come on
You need to be honest with me and yourself
You're killin' all the flowers of romance
Your toxic behavior is destroying any chance of a healthy, loving relationship
The ones deep in me
My hopes and desires for a fulfilling partnership
That were never diseased, no
That were pure and untainted until now
Peakin' through the window of my home
You're invading my personal space and privacy
Now I'm with so many people, but I've never felt so all alone, no
Even surrounded by others, your toxic influence has left me feeling isolated and disconnected
You better watch out, baby
You need to be careful and cautious around me now
There's a whole lot of shootin' goin' on
I'm ready to fight back against your harmful behavior
And if I ever catch you
If I ever confront you about your toxicity
Gonna crack your backside down, right
I'll make sure you face the consequences of your actions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind