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.
Mr. Cardiac
Firewater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's my heart attack?
I placed my order six hours ago.
Come on, listen man
You got to understand
I got places to meet
And people to make
Heyy Mr. Solitaire
I ain't no Frigidaire
Don't play the martyr
Like the rest of those clowns
Get off your easy chair
Call Tony Millionaire
'Cause we're going to town
And you're setting 'em up
And I'm knocking them down
Hey Mr. Cardiac
Please can you spare me ten dollars?
Hey, what do you say Mr. Cardiac
I'll pay you on Friday
But can't you help me with a dime?
Don't tell Chameleon Man
He never understands
Sits on his fortune
And stares at the wall
Let's hot-wire a Cadillac
Take it to hell and back
Let's get away from it all
You've got her in your hand
She's got him by the balls
Hey Mr. Cardiac
Please can you spare me ten dollars?
Hey, what do you say Mr. Cardiac
I'll pay you on Friday
But can't you help me with a dime?
Little Miss Succubous
Caught a downtown bus
Chasing the dragon a quarter to five
Spare me the tickertape
Time to negotiate
Give me the long and the short
Are you on the inside?
Is she dead or alive?
Hey Mr. Cardiac
Please can you spare me ten dollars?
Hey, what do you say Mr. Cardiac
I'll pay you on Friday
But can't you help me with a dime?
The lyrics to Firewater's song Mr. Cardiac are a tale of desperation, as the singer pleads for the titular character, Mr. Cardiac, to give him a loan of ten dollars. The opening lines are both humorous and dark, as the singer asks for a heart attack, which is a nod to the song's overall theme of self-destructive behavior. The character is in a hurry to meet people and make money, but he needs Mr. Cardiac's help to get there.
The song mentions other characters, such as Mr. Solitaire and Chameleon Man, who either don't understand the character's plight or are too caught up in their own issues. The singer suggests stealing a Cadillac and getting away from it all, emphasizing his desperation and lack of options. The lyrics are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they seem to paint a picture of someone caught up in a cycle of addiction and self-destructive behavior.
Overall, the song is a commentary on modern society's obsession with success and money, and the ways in which this can lead people to do desperate things. Firewater's unique blend of punk rock, world music, and alternative styles help to underscore the song's message of desperation and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mr. Cardiac
Addressing a person, known as Mr. Cardiac
Where's my heart attack?
Asking Mr. Cardiac why they haven't received the service they ordered
I placed my order six hours ago.
Mentioning the time frame in which they requested Mr. Cardiac's service
Come on, listen man
Urging Mr. Cardiac to pay attention and respond to their request
You got to understand
Asking Mr. Cardiac to try and comprehend their situation
I got places to meet
Explaining that they have important appointments to attend
And people to make
Referring to networking and socializing with influential individuals
And money to blow
Describing their willingness to spend money freely
Heyy Mr. Solitaire
Addressing another person, known as Mr. Solitaire
I ain't no Frigidaire
Asserting that they are not a household appliance and cannot be used as such
Don't play the martyr
Advising Mr. Solitaire to not pretend to be a victim for sympathy
Like the rest of those clowns
Insulting others who play the victim
Get off your easy chair
Encouraging or demanding that Mr. Solitaire take action
Call Tony Millionaire
Asking Mr. Solitaire to contact someone named Tony Millionaire
'Cause we're going to town
Implying that Mr. Solitaire and the singer are planning something exciting or important
And you're setting 'em up
Suggesting that Mr. Solitaire is preparing something for their plans
And I'm knocking them down
Referring to their role in executing the plan
Please can you spare me ten dollars?
Requesting financial assistance from Mr. Cardiac
Hey, what do you say Mr. Cardiac
Asking for Mr. Cardiac's response or decision
I'll pay you on Friday
Promising to repay Mr. Cardiac on a specific date
But can't you help me with a dime?
Requesting a small amount of money in the meantime
Don't tell Chameleon Man
Instructing Mr. Cardiac to not inform someone named Chameleon Man
He never understands
Explaining that Chameleon Man is difficult to communicate with
Sits on his fortune
Imagining that Chameleon Man has a large sum of money that he does not use
And stares at the wall
Suggesting that Chameleon Man isn't doing much of anything
Let's hot-wire a Cadillac
Proposing a potentially illegal activity for the singer and Mr. Cardiac to participate in
Take it to hell and back
Describing an adventurous activity for them to participate in
Let's get away from it all
Wanting to escape from their mundane or stressful lives
You've got her in your hand
Referring to a person or situation that Mr. Cardiac is controlling
She's got him by the balls
Imagining a person or situation that is controlling the singer
Little Miss Succubous
Referring to a person with seductive or manipulative qualities
Caught a downtown bus
Referring to the person leaving or departing
Chasing the dragon a quarter to five
Referring to the person engaging in drug use before or during their departure
Spare me the tickertape
Asking someone to not celebrate their accomplishments or success
Time to negotiate
Implying that there is something to bargain or discuss
Give me the long and the short
Asking for a comprehensive explanation or summary
Are you on the inside?
Asking if the person is privy to sensitive information or secrets
Is she dead or alive?
Asking about the status or whereabouts of a person
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David McLintock
So beautiful this voice, this song, this album, this band
Frankie Susnak
I LOVE JENNIFER..
SHE HIS AMAZING
THANKS FOR SHARING
Degeneration1984
@sleuthed It's Jennifer Charles, she mostly sings with Elysian Fields. Her voice is indeed extraordinary...
sleuthed
Who is the woman who is singing this her voice is lovely.