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.
Hey Bulldog
Firewater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bullfrog, doing it again
Some kind of happiness is
Measured out in miles
What makes you think you're
Something special when you smile
Childlike no one understands
Some kind of innocence is
Measured out in years
You don't know what it's like
To listen to your fears
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
If you're lonely, you can talk to me
Big man (yeah) walking in the park
Wigwam frightened of the dark
Some kind of solitude is
Measured out in you
You think you know me, but you haven't got a clue
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
If you're lonely, you can talk to me
Hey Hey
Roar
Hey, Bulldog (Hey Bulldog)
Woof
Hey, Bulldog
Hey, Bulldog
Hey, Bulldog
Hey man
Whats up brother?
Roof
What do ya say
I say, "roof"
You know any more?
Ah ah (You got it, that's it, you had it!)
That's it man, wo ho, That's it, you got it!
Whoa
Look at me man, I only had ten children
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ha ha ha ha
Quiet! Quiet! (OK)
Quiet!
Hey, Bulldog, Hey Bulldog
The song "Hey Bulldog" by Firewater begins with the singer describing a sheepdog standing in the rain and a bullfrog doing something again. These creatures represent something that brings happiness that is measured out in miles. The singer then goes on to talk about a person who possesses a childlike innocence that no one understands. This person has a jackknife in their sweaty hands, and their innocence is measured out in years. The person does not know what it is like to listen to their fears. However, the singer is suggesting that they can always talk to him if they feel lonely.
The second verse of the song describes a big man walking in the park while a wigwam is frightened of the dark. The singer is saying that some people measure their solitude in themselves. The singer then goes on to state that people think they know him, but they do not because they do not understand him at all. The chorus repeats throughout the song, where the singer is telling the person that they can always talk to him if they feel lonely.
Line by Line Meaning
Sheepdog, standing in the rain
A dog standing alone in the rain is something pitiful to witness
Bullfrog, doing it again
Frogs usually make the same sound, so there's nothing unique about that particular bullfrog
Some kind of happiness is
Measured out in miles
Traveling long distances can bring happiness in many forms
What makes you think you're
Something special when you smile
Just because someone smiles doesn't automatically make them special
Childlike no one understands
Being childlike and misunderstood can be both innocent and frustrating
Jackknife in your sweaty hands
Holding a jackknife, aka a foldable knife, can cause one's palms to sweat
Some kind of innocence is
Measured out in years
Being innocent can last for years, but it eventually fades with time
You don't know what it's like
To listen to your fears
Sometimes, people can't understand what it's like to confront one's deepest fears
You can talk to me
If you're lonely, you can talk to me
If lonely, talking to someone can help bring comfort & insight
Big man (yeah) walking in the park
A big man who walks with confidence can be imposing and make a scene
Wigwam frightened of the dark
Being scared of the dark is an uncomfortable feeling, no matter who you are
Some kind of solitude is
Measured out in you
Solitude can be a personal thing that varies from person to person
You think you know me, but you haven't got a clue
People often think they know someone well when, in reality, they don't
Hey, Bulldog (Hey Bulldog)
Addressing someone as a bulldog might indicate a perception of toughness (mentally or physically)
Hey man
Whats up brother?
Using terms like 'man' and especially 'brother' is an indication of a close relationship
You know any more?
Ah ah (You got it, that's it, you had it!)
When two people are joking around, sometimes one person will forget the joke's punchline and ask the other person to continue
That's it man, wo ho, That's it, you got it!
Someone finally reminds the other person of the original joke, and they both share laughter and relief
Look at me man, I only had ten children
Some people use odd or funny statements as a way to stand out and make others laugh
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ha ha ha ha
Quiet! Quiet! (OK)
Quiet!
When people laugh too hard, it may be disruptive to the point where they have to tell each other to be quiet
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind