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.
Ex-Millionaire Mambo
Firewater Lyrics
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Minding your business when somebody burns a bank
It's funny how money can go up in smoke
Everyone scarpered and nobody left to thank
Poor little pigs, hear how they squeal
Back up against the wall - how does it feel?
Mambo!
Nothing but pigeons in your Swiss account
It's tough to be chic when you live in a cardboard box
And the radio playing the same old bad news
Jingles remind you your savings are in your socks
Poor little ship, see how it sinks
Being poor is a bore, but damn it, what did you think?
Mambo!
Nobody knows when you when you're down and out
Is it surprising the devil invented revenge?
Ah, but every good captain goes down with the ship
You paid for the movie, you might as well see the end
Poor little rats, lost on the sea
It's another case of better you than me
Mambo!
The song "Ex-Millionaire Mambo" by Firewater talks about the downfall of a wealthy person who lost all their money and now lives on the streets. The lyrics describe the ironic situation where the person who was once rich is now poor and struggling to survive. The first verse talks about how the singer was minding their own business when someone burns a bank. Despite being drunk as the Pope, the person realizes that money can go up in smoke in a moment's notice. The chorus, "Mambo!" is used as a callback to the dance genre and is used ironically to emphasize the loss of the singer.
The second verse talks about the person's bank account, which is full of nothing but pigeons. The lyrics describe how difficult it is to maintain a chic image when living in a cardboard box. The radio playing bad news and jingles reminding them of their lost savings only adds to their misery. The chorus repeats itself once more, with a sense of resignation and irony.
The bridge of the song reflects on the nature of wealth and how quickly it can disappear. Nobody knows when one is down and out, and the devil invented revenge. The singer is compared to a captain going down with the ship - someone who paid for the movie and might as well see it through till the end. The song ends with a verse describing the singer as a poor little rat, lost at sea, with no one to turn to for help.
Line by Line Meaning
Drunk as the Pope on a dead afternoon
Intoxicated as a religious figure on a uneventful day
Minding your business when somebody burns a bank
Occupied with your own affairs when someone sets fire to a financial institution
It's funny how money can go up in smoke
Ironically, currency can vanish in flames
Everyone scarpered and nobody left to thank
Everyone fled and no one stayed to express gratitude
Poor little pigs, hear how they squeal
Compassion for those experiencing hardship
Back up against the wall - how does it feel?
In a predicament with no good options - what's the emotional response?
Mambo!
Expressing an embrace of life's circumstances
Nothing but pigeons in your Swiss account
Having no wealth in a bank account
It's tough to be chic when you live in a cardboard box
It's difficult to maintain a stylish appearance when living in a poor and transient state
And the radio playing the same old bad news
The media broadcasting predictable negative events
Jingles remind you your savings are in your socks
Advertisements remind of meager or nonexistent savings
Poor little ship, see how it sinks
Sympathizing with something or someone doomed to fail
Being poor is a bore, but damn it, what did you think?
Lamenting the tediousness of poverty, but questioning any expectation of a different outcome
Nobody knows when you when you're down and out
No one cares or pays attention when you are in a state of destitution
Is it surprising the devil invented revenge?
A rhetorical question implying that no, it's not surprising that an evil entity would create a harmful response
Ah, but every good captain goes down with the ship
Recognizing the loyalty of a deserving leader
You paid for the movie, you might as well see the end
Since you've already invested in something, might as well commit to seeing it through
Poor little rats, lost on the sea
Pity for those stranded and lost
It's another case of better you than me
Another instance of being glad that someone else is suffering instead of you
Mambo!
Emphasizing the acceptance and joy of life's ups and downs
Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.