Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help support the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. They were known for dressing up in wacky costumes and fundraising for social causes. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played the final show of the tour on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and was sold with the band's album, The End is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.
On November 22, 2011, they announced via social media outlets and a week-long online scavenger hunt that they were recording a new album. The entire project was crowd funded in under an hour and met with a reunion show and touring. The results of the endeavor, Engine of a Million Plots, was released on November 26th, 2013. All members of the 2003 lineup participated in the project, with the exception of bassist Keith Hoerig, who was replaced by original guitarist Scott Kerr (who had left the band in 1998).
Wizard Needs Food Badly
Five Iron Frenzy Lyrics
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The wizard needs food badly, the Voltron can't be incomplete. The things I love, you hate so madly, I must not go down in defeat.
In the hunter-gatherer societies, I'd bring home the bacon. Public thought says men should try and be tame, stirred but not shaken. I say "baseball" then you start to cry, I'm sorry I grieve you. I think a motorcycle's a good way to die, this must bereave you. I know that you try so hard, and I'm not saying it's a sin, it's just that they don't feel my pain, in Vogue or Cosmopolitan.
And I'm sure you have your reasons, but listen to me please... I want the G.I. Joe with the Kung-Fu action grip. I want Nintendo with the extra-graphics-microchip. Tackle football with rocks, and sticks, and knives, and pain... I want a truck with the four wheel drive train. You'd rather see me get good at bookkeepping, I could clean house in the time that I'm not sleeping. I live to serve you, and I don't want to be rude, but you should see that the wizard needs food.
The lyrics of Five Iron Frenzy's song "Wizard Needs Food Badly" reflect the struggle between two individuals in a relationship. The first stanza highlights the tension and resentment that the singer feels towards their partner, as they acknowledge that their partner will never have all of them. The singer mentions a disagreement over priorities, where they prefer video games to tomatoes, and their partner takes away the remote control, likening themselves to the character Gollum from Lord of the Rings. The singer acknowledges their partner's desire for docility, but also their charm, like a flame attracting moths.
The chorus then enters, with the phrase "The wizard needs food badly, the Voltron can't be incomplete." It makes reference to two popular media of the 1980s, "The Wizard" movie and "Voltron" animated series. The phrase "the wizard needs food badly" is a message that appears in the "The Wizard" movie during a scene where someone submits their initials into an arcade game. Voltron is a giant robot composed of smaller robots that combine to form a larger being. This chorus indicates that the singer feels incomplete and in need of nourishment, comparing themselves to the wizard and Voltron.
The second stanza continues the tension between the two individuals, with the singer suggesting that in a hunter-gatherer society, they would bring home the bacon while acknowledging society's views on men. The singer mentions another disagreement over interests with their partner, where they express a love for motorcycles, which they believe is a good way to die but bereaves their partner. The singer acknowledges their partner's efforts but mentions how they don't feel their pain, referencing popular magazines Vogue and Cosmopolitan. The final line of the stanza emphasizes the singer's point, as they state that the wizard needs food, a metaphor for what they need to feel complete.
Overall, "Wizard Needs Food Badly" reflects the internal struggle individuals may face in relationships, where their interests and desires may not align with their partner's. The metaphors and references to popular media add humor and depth to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that you're probably mad at me. I've come to expect that.
The singer acknowledges their partner's anger towards them, as it's become common in their relationship.
You know that you'll never have all of me, you've come to resent that.
The singer's partner is resentful that they will never fully possess the singer, either physically or emotionally.
You say "tomato", I say "video games", you're acting so solemn.
The two have differing interests and the partner seems upset or serious about it.
You'll take the precious remote control from me. Do I sound like Gollum?
The partner takes away things the artist enjoys and the artist likens their behavior to the fictional character, Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.
(It's) not that I'm escaping, you charm me like the flame does moths, it's just that you'd prefer me docile, like a narcoleptic sloth.
The artist isn't running away, but their partner has a way of influencing them, although the artist would prefer to be more active and independent.
The wizard needs food badly, the Voltron can't be incomplete. The things I love, you hate so madly, I must not go down in defeat.
The singer needs to take care of their own needs and interests, as their partner does not approve of them and it's important for the singer to stand up for themselves.
In the hunter-gatherer societies, I'd bring home the bacon. Public thought says men should try and be tame, stirred but not shaken.
The singer used to provide for their family, but societal norms suggest men should be subdued and compliant.
I say "baseball" then you start to cry, I'm sorry I grieve you.
The artist's partner is emotional and upset by things that the artist says, even innocuous mentions of baseball.
I think a motorcycle's a good way to die, this must bereave you.
The artist believes that riding a motorcycle is a thrilling and enjoyable way to travel, but knows their partner would be saddened by this thought.
I know that you try so hard, and I'm not saying it's a sin, it's just that they don't feel my pain, in Vogue or Cosmopolitan.
The partner means well, but does not understand the artist's perspective or interests, and focusing on fashion magazines cannot bridge this gap.
And I'm sure you have your reasons, but listen to me please...
The singer acknowledges that their partner may have valid concerns or reasoning, but wants to convey their own perspective as well.
I want the G.I. Joe with the Kung-Fu action grip. I want Nintendo with the extra-graphics-microchip. Tackle football with rocks, and sticks, and knives, and pain... I want a truck with the four wheel drive train.
The artist desires toys and activities that they enjoy, even if they seem violent or childish to others. They also desire a vehicle that can take them on adventures.
You'd rather see me get good at bookkeeping, I could clean house in the time that I'm not sleeping.
The partner has a practical career or domestic agenda for the singer, but the singer would rather spend their free time pursuing their own interests and hobbies.
I live to serve you, and I don't want to be rude, but you should see that the wizard needs food.
The singer respects their partner and wants to be considerate, but also emphasizes their need to prioritize their own interests and take care of their own needs.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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