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.
Hold On Slow John
Firewater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything's been stolen
Hold on, Slow John
All she left you was a slogan
Now your heart is breaking
Lonesome and forsaken
Hold on, Slow John
For the taking
Hey now, two is a crowd
Plus that's what you get
For dogging around
Nothing I can say to you
Will return her grace to you
Nothing I can do for you now
Remember when you couldn't wait
To get out of the starting gate
Well, that all seems like history now
Trucks along the highway
No one's going your way
Inside a crippled car
Celibate stars
You wonder if anyone's noticed
You're gone
So hold on, Slow John
There's no getting used
To the taste of a gun
Looking for the silver lining
Where's the fucking happy ending
Words reverberate and then decay
There's no need to say you're sorry
Cause you know that she ain't sorry
She just shut the door and walked away
The lyrics to Firewater's song "Hold On Slow John" describe the aftermath of a heartbreak. The singer addresses a man named Slow John and describes how everything has been taken from him and the locks have all been broken. The woman who left him behind only left a slogan, leaving Slow John heartbroken and alone. The lyrics go on to express how broken Slow John's heart is now that he is lonesome and forsaken. However, there is always a chance for the taking, and the singer urges Slow John to hold on. The phrase "two is a crowd" suggests that perhaps Slow John had been cheating on his partner, which led to the loss of his love. No matter what the reason, Slow John needs to hold on and work through his heartache.
As the lyrics progress, the singer mentions how trucks keep moving along the highway, but no one is going in Slow John's direction. He sits in a crippled car, looking up to the stars, wondering if anyone has noticed that he is gone. These lyrics suggest that Slow John is possibly feeling isolated and disconnected from the world around him. The mention of the taste of a gun makes it clear that Slow John is in a dark place, most likely contemplating suicide. The last verse talks about looking for the silver lining and the happy ending, but ultimately the words the singer has to offer will not bring her back. Slow John must work through his grief and come to terms with the fact that his love has walked away.
Line by Line Meaning
All the locks are broken
All protective measures of safety and security have been violated.
Everything's been stolen
All possessions and things of value have been taken away by force.
Hold on, Slow John
Remain steady and find strength to endure.
All she left you was a slogan
All you have left is a meaningless phrase she said to you.
Now your heart is breaking
You are experiencing intense emotional pain.
Lonesome and forsaken
Feeling abandoned and alone.
There's always a chance
Hope and possibility still exist.
For the taking
It is up to you to seize the opportunity.
Hey now, two is a crowd
Two people cannot coexist in a situation anymore.
Plus that's what you get
This consequence is a result of your actions.
For dogging around
For being unfaithful and not committed to the relationship.
Nothing I can say to you
There are no words that can comfort you.
Will return her grace to you
It is impossible to regain the forgiveness and kindness she once showed you.
Nothing I can do for you now
There is no action that can undo the pain you are experiencing.
Remember when you couldn't wait
Reflect on the excitement and eagerness you once had.
To get out of the starting gate
To begin something new.
Well, that all seems like history now
Those happy moments are all in the past and cannot be relived.
Trucks along the highway
Life goes on for those around you.
No one's going your way
No one is offering to help or comfort you.
Inside a crippled car
You are trapped and helpless.
Celibate stars
The distant and lonely universe seems to reflect your mood.
You wonder if anyone's noticed
You feel unimportant and neglected.
You're gone
You have lost a part of yourself.
So hold on, Slow John
Endure and keep going.
There's no getting used
The pain you feel is not something that can be accepted.
To the taste of a gun
The idea of ending everything is not a solution.
Looking for the silver lining
Searching for something positive in a difficult situation.
Where's the fucking happy ending
Feeling disappointed that there is no resolution or closure to the pain.
Words reverberate and then decay
Things said are fleeting and will eventually lose meaning.
There's no need to say you're sorry
Apologies will not change the situation.
Cause you know that she ain't sorry
She does not regret her actions and decisions.
She just shut the door and walked away
She has cut ties with you and moved on.
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yuri Yanov
It sounds like a bridge from the late CSC to FW. Both lyrically and musically.