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 While the CD release was originally made available at Adult Swim's website, it was given a wide release on May 12, 2009;[15] the vinyl LP release came out a month earlier.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.
Slung
Foetus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why you lifting up your dress
I been speared to the core
More is less - less is more
I got no idea what's runnin' thru that view
Well I admit I was obsessed
By that magical caress
Of that girl who commands
But I'm now not the man
She's in someone else's van
She ain't worth one thin dime
I was a ladder for her to climb
I got speared to the bony core
It should be against the law
All o' my brothers listen to me
You don't wanna get T.B.
She made up an alibi
Then sucked all my emotions dry
Yeah it tears me apart
Stuck a dagger into my heart
And the tears just trickle down
From this stupid loser clown
I'm surprised that I'm alive
I don't feel a helluva lot inside
I got so so much to hate
Check your ego at the gate
Why am I so paralyzed
By the majesty of thighs
It takes so long to realize
You're being fed a thousand lies
Every time a seagull cries
Yet another brain cell dies
Don't you try to wear me down
You ain't wearing any crown
You know it's tearin' me apart
Stuck a dagger into my heart
And the tears just trickle down
From this stupid loser clown
I'm surprised that I'm alive
I don't feel a helluva lot inside
I got so so much to hate
Check your ego at the gate
(Well-a well-a well-a)
What I had it ain't no more 'cos
I done thrown her out the door
That deceit that I feel
Makes me cross myself and kneel
I don't pray to the Lord
Just self-flagellate some more
She said I pass out on the floor
At least I ain't no junkie whore
Am I strong? - Listen bud
I got radioactive blood
Sure I get into some strife
But at least I made myself a life
I admit I was obsessed
By that magical caress
Of that girl who commands
Everybody else's hands
But I'm now not the man
She's in someone else's van
All o' my brothers listen to me
You don't wanna get T.B.
Y'know it's tearin' me apart
Stuck a dagger into my heart
And the tears just trickle down
From this stupid loser clown
I'm surprised that I'm alive
I don't feel a helluva lot inside
Am I strong? - Listen, bud
I got radioactive blood
Why am I so paralyzed
By the majesty of thighs
Every time a seagull cries
I feel another brain cell die
Takes so long to realize
You're being fed a thousand lies
I'm surprised - I took a dive
But I insist I stay alive
I was paralyzed
I was paralyzed
I WAS PARALYZED
Slung
in 2-3 long paragraphs:
Foetus's song "Slung" is an emotional rollercoaster of a song that describes the singer's obsession with a girl who he admits to being addicted to her magical caress. The lyrics alternately convey his sense of inferiority, betrayal, and hurt as he tries to make sense of the dynamics of his relationship with her. The song begins with the singer urging his brothers to avoid the girl who is not worth a dime and tells them a warning that they don't want to get T.B. He then continues to describe how he has been speared to the core, and he got no idea what's going through her view, but he was obsessed with her magical caress.
The second verse explores the singer's struggle to move on from the girl who had sucked all his emotions dry while tearing him apart by sticking a dagger in his heart. He also expresses his surprise about surviving the heartbreak, although he doesn't feel much inside. The singer then talks about his addiction's physical effects, like being paralyzed by the majesty of her thighs and the seagulls' cries, watching his brain cells die with every emotional blow she delivers.
Ultimately, the singer takes his future into his hands and throws her out the door, acknowledging that she was deceitful, making him cross himself and kneel in despair, having to self-flagellate himself even though he doesn't pray to the Lord. As he concludes the song, he acknowledges that he was once paralyzed by her but affirms his strength that he has radioactive blood, and he gets into strife but has made himself a life, insisting on staying alive despite the setbacks.
Line by Line Meaning
Book a trip to Bucharest
Planning to travel to Bucharest, Romania
Why you lifting up your dress
Asking why the person is lifting up their dress
I been speared to the core
Feeling deeply hurt and affected by something
More is less - less is more
The idea that having too much or too little of something can be detrimental, and moderation is key
I got no idea what's runnin' thru that view
Not understanding or knowing what someone else is thinking or feeling
Well I admit I was obsessed
Acknowledging that one was obsessed with something or someone
By that magical caress
Referring to a touch or action that was enchanting or captivating
Of that girl who commands
Referring to a girl who has a strong influence or control over others
Everybody else's hands
Referring to the fact that others follow her lead or are influenced by her actions
But I'm now not the man
Acknowledging that one has changed from the person they once were
She's in someone else's van
Referring to the fact that the girl is now with someone else
She ain't worth one thin dime
Expressing that the girl is not valuable or worthy
I was a ladder for her to climb
Feeling used or taken advantage of by someone else
It should be against the law
Feeling that something is very wrong or unfair
All o' my brothers listen to me
Addressing a group of people and asking for their attention
You don't wanna get T.B.
Warning others to avoid catching tuberculosis
She made up an alibi
Referring to the fact that the girl created an excuse to avoid responsibility
Then sucked all my emotions dry
Feeling emotionally drained or depleted by someone else
Yeah it tears me apart
Expressing deep emotional pain and hurt
Stuck a dagger into my heart
Feeling like someone has deeply hurt or betrayed them
And the tears just trickle down
Crying softly or quietly
From this stupid loser clown
Referring to oneself as a foolish or unsuccessful person
I'm surprised that I'm alive
Feeling as though they have survived something very difficult or painful
I don't feel a helluva lot inside
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
I got so so much to hate
Feeling a lot of anger or resentment towards something or someone
Check your ego at the gate
Advice to let go of one's pride or self-importance in order to move forward
Why am I so paralyzed
Questioning why one is feeling so stuck or unsure
By the majesty of thighs
Being greatly influenced or distracted by someone's physical appearance
It takes so long to realize
Expressing regret that it took a long time to understand something
You're being fed a thousand lies
Feeling deceived or misled by someone or something
Every time a seagull cries
Using a metaphor to express a feeling of deep sadness or loss
Yet another brain cell dies
Metaphorically expressing the idea that something is mentally exhausting or damaging
Don't you try to wear me down
Refusing to be intimidated, manipulated, or discouraged by someone else
You ain't wearing any crown
Asserting that someone else does not have power or control over the situation
What I had it ain't no more 'cos
Acknowledging that something that was once there is now gone
I done thrown her out the door
Referring to the fact that the person has ended a relationship or situation
That deceit that I feel
Feeling betrayed or lied to by someone else
Makes me cross myself and kneel
Feeling the need to pray or seek some kind of spiritual guidance
I don't pray to the Lord
Expressing a lack of religious belief or connection
Just self-flagellate some more
Putting oneself down or feeling guilty about something
She said I pass out on the floor
Referring to something that someone else said or did
At least I ain't no junkie whore
Comparing oneself to someone who may be perceived as worse or more disreputable
Am I strong? - Listen bud
Questioning one's own strength or ability to overcome something
I got radioactive blood
Using a metaphor to express feeling different or unique
Sure I get into some strife
Acknowledging that one experiences difficult or challenging situations
But at least I made myself a life
Feeling proud or satisfied with one's accomplishments or choices
I insist I stay alive
Vowing to persevere or survive despite challenges
I was paralyzed
Feeling stuck or unable to move forward
I WAS PARALYZED
Emphasizing the feeling of being paralyzed or stuck
Contributed by Caleb I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kristine Kearney Bradshaw
I think this and "Your Salvation" are my Absolute Favorite Foetus Songs. Yep. Thank You for your talent Jim! Yay!
HisboiLRoi
Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa meet industrial.
ROZZ SYNTHCLAIR
stylish
lorgbendos
I clicked on this expecting the niche soundcloud subgenre titled "slung." Where are the vocal chops? Where is the love philter? Where is the phaser? Why does the entire song stay at one speed?
Aris Marriner
HEY um no more fans that's odd
Armorhunterash2112
4:18 Boo boo Baba Dee Dee! Boo boo Baba Dee De.... oops wrong song
decago
where are the vocal chops