Their first album, Our Fathers Sent Us , was release by TKO Records in 2000. In 2001, the band released A Melody of Retreads and Broken Quills on BYO Records. The next album My Pappy Was A Pistol was released in 2005. In March 2007 Filthy Thieving Bastards released their next album ...I'm A Son of a Gun on BYO Records, featuring an appearance by Spider Stacy of The Pogues . The naming of the last two albums was a nod to American Singer/Songwriter Roger Miller .
That's Life
Filthy Thieving Bastards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life wasn't so grand,
Until you threw a bone to me.
Life hasn't been bland,
Since you lifted the phone for me < bone from me? >
I wasn't gonna stand
For those violent waves of the sea.
The silent < waves of the heat? ways of your __? >
And mistakes I was making.
That's life!
Frankie tried to tell ya, Jimmy introduced you to the scene.
That's life!
Sinatra's gonna spell it out,
Pursey' gonna wind up eating < beans? >.
That's life, that's life!
Try doing to yourself, as you would do unto me
<(And I'm hardly listening)>
Supply screaming for the shelf
That hangs above your sink
<(And don't bother undressing?)>
Cries brewing on your health
Have gotten intoxicating
(Crashing into my knees)
Sties stewing on your stealth
Will rot your well-being
(Stopping well short of Beijing)
That's life!
Frankie tried to tell ya, Jimmy introduced you to the scene.
That's life!
Sinatra's gonna spell it out,
Pursey' gonna wind up eating beans.
That's life, that's life!
That's life, that's life!
[Instrumental Interlude]
I'm trailing you the crumbs,
Of the currant white bread trapping.
I'm feeling every hump,
Of a wide tread tire marking.
I'm mailing in the hump,
To a wife's tired embarking
Save prayers for the dying,
And thoughts for the hemorrhaging.
And the atheists will sing,
That's life!
Frankie tried to tell ya, Jimmy introduced you to the scene.
That's life!
Sinatra's gonna spell it out,
Pursey' gonna wind up eating beans.
That's life, that's life!
That's life, that's life!
That's life, that's life!
The lyrics to Filthy Thieving Bastards' song "That's Life" describe the ups and downs of life and how the actions of others can greatly impact someone's experience of it. The first verse describes the singer's life before someone "threw a bone" to them, indicating that they were struggling or unhappy. When this person "lifted the phone," they brought excitement and variety into the singer's life. However, the singer was initially hesitant to embrace this change, as indicated by their reluctance to grab "the silent waves of [the other person's] ___." Despite any mistakes the singer may have made, they ultimately believe that "that's life," a phrase that is echoed throughout the song.
The second verse is more abstract and open to interpretation. The singer tells the listener to treat them as they would like to be treated, but they seem distracted ("And I'm hardly listening") and uninterested in the listener's problems ("don't bother undressing"). The singer also mentions "cries brewing on your health," which suggests that the other person is struggling with something that is affecting their mental or physical well-being. The final lines of the verse mention "sties stewing on your stealth," which is a bit unclear but could refer to hidden issues that are rotting away at the other person's life. Despite these challenges, the atheist will sing "that's life," indicating that they accept the ups and downs without attributing them to any higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Life wasn't so grand, Until you threw a bone to me.
Life was lacking excitement and enthusiasm, but everything changed when you did something kind for me.
Life hasn't been bland, Since you lifted the phone for me < bone from me? >
Life has been interesting and full of surprises ever since you lifted a metaphorical burden from me.
I wasn't gonna stand For those violent waves of the sea.
I refused to let myself be overcome by the dangers and struggles in life.
I was so reluctant to grab The silent < waves of the heat? ways of your __? > And mistakes I was making.
I was hesitant to confront the subtler challenges and shortcomings in myself and my relationships.
That's life!
Frankie tried to tell ya, Jimmy introduced you to the scene.
Life is unpredictable and full of highs and lows, just as Frank Sinatra sang about in his legendary song 'That's Life'. You were introduced to this idea by Jimmy, who could be anyone who opened your eyes to the harsh realities of life.
Sinatra's gonna spell it out, Pursey' gonna wind up eating < beans? >.
Just like Sinatra sang about the ups and downs of life, Pursey is going to experience his own struggles, possibly relating to financial hardship or hunger.
Try doing to yourself, as you would do unto me <(And I'm hardly listening)>
You should treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would extend to others, even if you are not paying attention to this message.
Supply screaming for the shelf, That hangs above your sink <(And don't bother undressing?)>
Your basic needs and wants are demanding your attention, but you are not giving them the priority they deserve. Maybe you are also ignoring other important aspects of your life.
Cries brewing on your health, Have gotten intoxicating (Crashing into my knees)
Your physical and/or mental health is deteriorating, and it is having a negative impact on you and the people around you.
Sties stewing on your stealth, Will rot your well-being (Stopping well short of Beijing)
Your secretive and sneaky behaviors are harmful for your overall happiness and success. Not dealing with this issue will lead to disastrous consequences.
I'm trailing you the crumbs, Of the currant white bread trapping.
I am following your footsteps, living the life you lead and learning from the situations you create.
I'm feeling every hump, Of a wide tread tire marking.
I am intimately aware of every obstacle and challenge in my path, like a car driving over a bumpy road.
I'm mailing in the hump, To a wife's tired embarking Save prayers for the dying, And thoughts for the hemorrhaging.
I am trying to overcome this hurdle one step at a time, knowing that my wife's emotional exhaustion is adding to the weight of my struggle. It's time to pray for the people in need, and to focus on healing the wounds in myself and others.
And the atheists will sing, That's life!
Even people who don't believe in a higher power will acknowledge the unpredictable nature of life, and accept it as an unavoidable reality.
That's life, that's life!
Despite all the hardships and struggles, life is worth living to the fullest, embracing everything that comes our way.
Contributed by Muhammad L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.