After Tod left his previous group, Cop Shoot Cop, he quickly regrouped and formed Firewater to explore the styles of music Cop Shoot Cop had only hinted at, including klezmer, cabaret, ska, jazz, and gypsy forms. More than one source described the original Firewater lineup as an "indie rock supergroup", based on members such as Duane Denison of the Jesus Lizard, Yuval Gabay of Soul Coughing, Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields, and Hahn Rowe. This original lineup proved unable to tour, and Tod recruited new musicians for the band's first tour. While the lineup has changed over the years, with many different musicians appearing on different albums and tours, Tod remains the singer, songwriter, and bassist of Firewater.
Firewater has released six albums, and has seen some success, especially in Europe and on United States college radio stations.
Their previous album, Songs We Should Have Written, is a collection of cover songs. It includes songs written by Robyn Hitchcock, The Rolling Stones ("Paint It Black" reinterpreted as a crawlingly slow raga which "shove(s) a few downers down the song's throat to counter the original version's adrenaline-fueled fire" ), and a "dark and sweet" take of Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On", described as "10 times more ominous and 20 times more pleasurable" than the original. The album also includes a modern rendition of the Johnny Cash anthem "Folsom Prison Blues".
Their latest album, The Golden Hour, has been recorded with various local musicians and friends when Tod A went on sabbatical and travelled through Thailand, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey and Israel. The record was released May 6 in 2008. The band is currently (October, 2008) touring in support of the album.
Borneo
Firewater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I ain't gonna live in your world no more (Hey Borneo!)
Feelin' like a flunky for a two-bit whore (Here I come Borneo!)
You've got a monkey for a president (Hey Borneo!)
And a head all filled up with cement (Lookout Borneo!)
So I'm getting out of here
I can't take a minute more!
I'm gonna swing like an ape from a banyan tree (Hey Borneo!)
I'm gonna live me a life of luxury (Here I come Borneo!)
I'll get drunk on toddy and I'll sleep all day (Hey Borneo)
Until your world is washed away (Lookout Borneo!)
So I'm getting out of here
I said, I'm counting four! (Three!) Two! (One!)
Set a course for the rising sun
So I'm getting out of here
Said I'm counting ten! (Nine!) Eight! (Seven!)
This monkey's gonna go to heaven
Gonna set my sails for the virgin soil (Hey Borneo!)
You know I don't wanna die for the price of oil (Here I come Borneo!)
I wanna watch the sun set every night (Hey Borneo!)
Gonna fall asleep in the cool moonlight (Lookout Borneo!)
So I'm getting out of here
Yeah, I'm counting five! (Six!) Seven! (Eight!)
See you at the pearly gates
Firewater's song Borneo is a protest song that critiques the social and political system of a fictitious place called Borneo. The first verse reiterates the singer's decision to depart this world for a better one. The second line reflects the singer's frustration with the surrounding environment, feeling akin to a flunky for a two-bit whore, suggesting a connotation of oppression and degradation. President and head of cement have been used sarcastically to trivialize the intellect of the ruling class. This depicts the notion that the leaders in the current system are not efficient enough to run the government.
The chorus is more intriguing as it shows the determination of the singer to leave Borneo for good. The count-down approach used implies that the singer has had enough of the miserable life and has made up their mind to leave. The zeal to leave is expressed in the line, "I can't take a minute more." The following verse describes the life the singer wants to live; luxuries at their peak, getting drunk on toddy, and sleeping all day. This paints a picture of the perfect life, free from oppression and offers a mental escape.
In conclusion, the lyrics paint a picture of a speaker fed up with Borneo's political and social system and determined to leave. The song is a call for residents to be aware of the current situations and make informed choices. The tone of the singer may sound harsh, but the lyrics have a deeper meaning that is an insight into the broad socio-political situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I ain't gonna live in your world no more (Hey Borneo!)
I refuse to continue living in a place controlled by corrupt people and their questionable choices.
Feelin' like a flunky for a two-bit whore (Here I come Borneo!)
I feel used and insignificant, but now I'm heading towards Borneo to start anew.
You've got a monkey for a president (Hey Borneo!)
Your leader is corrupt and behaves foolishly.
And a head all filled up with cement (Lookout Borneo!)
Your leader seems to lack intelligence and wisdom.
I'm gonna swing like an ape from a banyan tree (Hey Borneo!)
I want to embrace the wildness of Borneo, where monkeys swing from trees.
I'm gonna live me a life of luxury (Here I come Borneo!)
I want to live a life of comfort and abundance in Borneo.
I'll get drunk on toddy and I'll sleep all day (Hey Borneo)
I plan to indulge in relaxation and the local alcoholic beverage, toddy.
Until your world is washed away (Lookout Borneo!)
I want to forget the corrupted world I left behind and fully immerse myself in Borneo.
Gonna set my sails for the virgin soil (Hey Borneo!)
I'm setting my course to explore untouched land.
You know I don't wanna die for the price of oil (Here I come Borneo!)
I refuse to sacrifice my life for the greed of those in power, a significant issue in the area's production of palm oil.
I wanna watch the sun set every night (Hey Borneo!)
I desire to appreciate the beauty of Borneo's natural surroundings every day.
Gonna fall asleep in the cool moonlight (Lookout Borneo!)
I plan to take full advantage of the serene and peaceful atmosphere, allowing myself to sleep more comfortably under the moon's glow.
See you at the pearly gates
I'm leaving my old world, and if there's an afterlife, I'll see you there.
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.