Frenetically creative, and playing only by his own rules, Thirlwell has never stopped experimenting and evolving his sound. While his music is most often outside of any genre, it is most frequently described as Industrial or No-Wave. His earlier music is usually quite harsh and distorted, although since Love, his music has become increasingly orchestral and symphonic, sometime sounding like a full orchestra, but is actually only J.G Thirlwell himself, though sometimes assisted by guest musicians on select tracks. His latest album, Hide, goes even further in this direction than Love did, beginning with an operatic piece sung by Abigail Fischer.
He has inspired many following industrial artists; like Nine Inch Nails, Pig and Cop Shoot Cop, among others, with his sonic assault and innovative use of studio technology, and was a key contributor on Coil's groundbreaking debut album Scatology as well as appearing on a few early Nurse With Wound recordings.
Thirlwell has also worked on collaborations under the names of Steroid Maximus (multiple collaborators), Stinkfist (with Lydia Lunch), Flesh Volcano (with Marc Almond), Baby Zizanie (with Jim Coleman) and Wiseblood (with Roli Mosimann of Swans); and does remix work as well, often under the name of Foetus. He also lent his voice to the introduction of album Misguided by Argyle Park.
Thirlwell is currently the Composer In Residence for Adult Swim's "The Venture Brothers".
For the video release of Season 3, a soundtrack album was also released, titled "The Venture Bros.: The Music of JG Thirlwell". This is the same audio CD included as a bonus with the Blu-ray version of Season 3. While the CD release was originally made available at Adult Swim's website, it was given a wide release on May 12, 2009;[15] the vinyl LP release came out a month earlier. It can also be downloaded from most major digital retailers. The CD features 20 tracks, while the vinyl LP release is 16 tracks.[16]
In the episode "The Trial of the Monarch," The Monarch mentions a picture of Dr. Girlfriend "skinny dipping with Jim Foetus," a reference to Thirlwell.
Satan Place
Foetus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I know there's no respite for me - even the worm that never dies has left
I've never been so exhausted - I think I'll go to bedlam
I'm walking through the mud knee deep in blood and I just realized where I'm
Heading...
On a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE
Is this purgatory necessary?
The fallen angel they could never bury
I'm knock knock knock knockin' on death's door
Do you remember where you've seen this cadaver before?
This swan-song's floating on a watery grave
BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT BABY!!!
(I'm on a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE/I'm on a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE)
If I had a soul I'd go to heaven because I've been living through hell
My alarm clock every morning is an eternal tolling bell
The two headed dog's been chewing my leg off for seven hundred years
Three wise-guy monkeys on my back, roaches in my eyes and ears
I'm on a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE
Is this purgatory necessary
I'm wearing a suit of tar and feathers
The fallen angel they could never bury
I'm KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK knockin' on death's door
Do you remember where you've seen this cadaver before?
This swan-song's floating on a watery grave
BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT BABY!!!
{I'm on a one-way down SATAN PLACE/I'm on a one-way down SATAN PLACE)
..SURF'S UP!...
Dancing to the pipes of pandemonium, second on the left after the
Botttomless pit
My death's given birth to a live beyond worth
I'm gonna ride the wild surf in the bowels of the earth
I'm HANGIN' TEN! on the final tidal wave in hell
I'm the last surfer in HELL (He's the last surfer in hell!)
I'm the last surfer in HELL (He's the last surfer in hell!)
I'm the LAST SURFER IN HELL!!! COWABUNGA!!!
I'm on a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE
Is this purgatory necessary?
I'm wearing a suit of tar and feathers
I'm the fallen angel they could never bury
I'm KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKIN' on DEATH'S DOOR
Do you remember where you've SEEN this CADAVER before?
This swan-song's floating on a watery grave...
BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT BABY!!!
(I'M ON A ONE-WAY TRIP DOWN SATAN PLACE/I'M ON A ONE-WAY TRIP DOWN
SATAN PLACE)
The lyrics of Foetus's song "Satan Place" depict the singer's journey through a metaphorical valley of the shadow of death, a depiction of the life of suffering and agony. The singer is desperate, worn out and struggles to keep up with the journey. The first few lines suggest a mark of hopelessness as the singer accepts that there is no respite for them, going as far as to claim that even the worm that never dies has left. This sets a precedent for what is to come, as the journey to Satan Place is torturous and unforgiving.
The singer is in purgatory, characterized by metaphorical mud, blood, and tar and feathers. The lyrics reflect on the singer's restlessness, the constant torment they face and the fact that their life feels like a never-ending pit of despair. The mention of a swan-song floating on a watery grave implies that the singer is resigned to their fate, and there is a sense of fatalism to the lyrics. The chorus of the song repeats that they are on a one-way trip down Satan Place, and it highlights the sense of inevitability The singer is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Even in the darkest moments, I am not afraid to face the unknown and inevitable end.
I know there's no respite for me - even the worm that never dies has left
I have lost all hope and feel as though I am beyond redemption, even the smallest shred of comfort has vanished.
I've never been so exhausted - I think I'll go to bedlam
My mind and body are completely drained and I feel as though I am at the brink of insanity.
I'm walking through the mud knee deep in blood and I just realized where I'm Heading...
I am surrounded by death and destruction, and have finally come to the realization that I am on a path leading straight to hell.
On a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE
I am doomed to spend eternity in hell, with no chance of redemption or escape.
Is this purgatory necessary?
I question the purpose of my suffering and wonder if there is any meaning to my existence.
I'm wearing a suit of tar and feathers
I am weighed down by the weight of my sins and am constantly ridiculed and punished for my wrongdoings.
The fallen angel they could never bury
I represent the rebellion and defiance that could never be suppressed or erased, no matter how hard they tried.
I'm knock knock knock knockin' on death's door
I am on the brink of death and am desperately seeking a way out of my torment.
Do you remember where you've seen this cadaver before?
I feel as though I am already a lifeless corpse, and question whether I have been here before in a past life.
This swan-song's floating on a watery grave
I am lamenting my lost chances and wasted potential, as I sink deeper into a pit of despair.
BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT BABY!!!
I am urging those still living to avoid my fate and escape the horrors of hell by ending their own lives.
If I had a soul I'd go to heaven because I've been living through hell
I feel as though my very being has been drained of all goodness and virtue, and would never be deemed worthy enough to enter heaven.
My alarm clock every morning is an eternal tolling bell
Every day is a never-ending cycle of pain and suffering, with no hope of respite or escape.
The two headed dog's been chewing my leg off for seven hundred years
My torment has been unrelenting and feels as though it has lasted for an impossibly long time.
Three wise-guy monkeys on my back, roaches in my eyes and ears
I am constantly tormented by the voices of doubt and temptation, and feel as though I am being consumed by the filth and decay of hell.
..SURF'S UP!...
Despite my suffering, I refuse to let it break me and instead find a small glimmer of hope and enjoyment in the chaos.
Dancing to the pipes of pandemonium, second on the left after the Botttomless pit
I am embracing the madness of hell and reveling in the chaos and destruction that surrounds me.
My death's given birth to a live beyond worth
Despite my current torment, I am hopeful that my death will lead to a new and better life beyond this hellish existence.
I'm gonna ride the wild surf in the bowels of the earth
I plan on making the most of my time in hell, and am determined to find some form of enjoyment in the midst of my torment.
I'm HANGIN' TEN! on the final tidal wave in hell
I refuse to let the final wave of death and destruction break me, and instead embrace it with open arms in the hopes of something better beyond.
I'm the last surfer in HELL (He's the last surfer in hell!)
I am proud to be the last one standing in the face of overwhelming odds, and will not let my torment take me down without a fight.
I'm the LAST SURFER IN HELL!!! COWABUNGA!!!
I am defiant in the face of my torment, and refuse to let it break me or take away my spirit of adventure and fun.
I'm on a one-way trip down SATAN PLACE
Once again reaffirming his eternal damnation.
This swan-song's floating on a watery grave...
Repetition of previous lyrics.
BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT BABY!!!
Repetition of previous lyrics.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES GEORGE THIRLWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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