Using the "backing band" from his 1996 solo album, The Cult of Ray, Thompson dubbed his new band "Frank Black and the Catholics", and recorded their eponymous first album in 1997. His band consisted of Lyle Workman on lead guitar, bassist David McCaffrey and Scott Boutier on drums.
Frank Black and the Catholics became the first album to be posted to the eMusic service; they claim it is "the first album ever made legally available for commercial download". Having eschewed multi-track recording for his later solo material, Thompson continued the live-to-two-track technique for all subsequent releases under the Catholics. Live-to-two-track recording precludes the use of overdubs to correct errors or add texture; all takes are recorded continuously, and mixing is done "on the fly". On later albums, he incorporated more musicians into the sessions to allow for more varied instrumental textures. Explaining his rationale behind the method, he commented:
"Well, it's real. It's a recording of a performance, of a real performance between a group of people, an entourage, a band, as opposed to a facsimile of that, which is frequently what people do with multi-track recording ... I prefer it. It's a little more real. It's got a little more heart."
Workman left the Catholics in 1998 to pursue session work with Rich Gilbert replacing him. Frank Black and the Catholics released Pistolero in 1999 and Dog in the Sand in 2001. Dog in the Sand added Dave Philips on pedal steel guitar and lead guitar, with Joey Santiago and Eric Drew Feldman making appearances with the group live and on record.
By this time, while dismissing the possibility of a Pixies reunion, Thompson had begun to incorporate an increasing number of the band's songs into Catholics concerts, as well as including Santiago in his solo work again. Black and the Catholics continued to release records; two separate albums, Black Letter Days and Devil's Workshop, were released simultaneously in 2002. Devil's Workshop included the song "Velvety", a version of the Pixies' song "Velvety Instrumental Version" (written by Black as a teenager) with lyrics. The song was one of the first signs that he had acknowledged his past work with the Pixies in his solo output. A sixth album with the Catholics, Show Me Your Tears, was released in 2003. Show Me Your Tears' title and many of the songs in it were inspired by Thompson's recent divorce and entry into therapy.
Solid Gold
Frank Black and The Catholics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you let me in?
Even when I let you
You wouldn't call me friend
Pedal to the metal
Mister, it's a sin
Getting so down
I'd give you solid gold
Just for your finger
You get the medal
For getting so down
I guess you didn't see that sky
When the clouds are turned to isles
I was glad when you couldn't hear me
Nervous laughter when you shouted and cursed
I'm not saying I understand
Lord knows who can understand
Life can be an awful plan
And yours it ain't the worst
Here she comes now
In my mirror
Oh, I know how
She is a terror
Now I see her
In her mirror
Wearing a frown
I give you solid gold
Just for your finger
You get the medal
For scariest frown
I guess you didn't see that sky
When the clouds are turned to isles
I was glad when you couldn't hear my
Nervous laughter when you shouted and cursed
Fourthly you're suspect
Thirdly you don't get
Secondly you've got no respect
Finally you're not the first
The song "Solid Gold" by Frank Black and the Catholics is a mysterious and intriguing piece about a toxic relationship. It starts with the singer questioning whether the other person ever truly let him in, even when he made an effort to be friends. He then compares the situation to driving too fast and getting caught up in the exhilaration of it all. He feels down because nothing seems to be going right in the relationship.
At the same time, the singer is almost obsessed with the other person. He offers to give her solid gold, and seems to only want her to wear it on her finger. He even gives her a medal for "getting so down," despite feeling down himself. The chorus is repeated twice, with the singer mentioning how he saw something beautiful (the sky turning into isles), and the other person's negative reaction to it.
The singer is aware of the problems in the relationship, but seems resigned to the fact that life is just full of problems, and theirs isn't the worst. He then concludes by listing off reasons why the other person is not a good match for him, but it's not clear if he's trying to convince himself or someone else.
Overall, "Solid Gold" is a complex and thought-provoking song about a troubled relationship that is not without its moments of beauty and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Never since I met you
Since the day I met you
Did you let me in?
Did you welcome me?
Even when I let you
Even when I tried to let you in
You wouldn't call me friend
You refused to be my friend
Pedal to the metal
Accelerating as fast as possible
Mister, it's a sin
It's wrong to act this way
Getting so down
Becoming very depressed
I'd give you solid gold
I'd give you something valuable
Just for your finger
As a gift for you
You get the medal
You deserve recognition
For getting so down
For being so depressed
I guess you didn't see that sky
Maybe you didn't appreciate the beauty of the sky
When the clouds are turned to isles
When the clouds look like floating islands
I was glad when you couldn't hear me
I felt relief when you couldn't listen to me
Nervous laughter when you shouted and cursed
Laughing nervously when you were angry and swearing
I'm not saying I understand
I don't claim to fully comprehend
Lord knows who can understand
Only God knows who can truly understand
Life can be an awful plan
Sometimes life can be a terrible experience
And yours it ain't the worst
But your situation is not the worst
Here she comes now
I can see her coming
In my mirror
Through my rearview mirror
Oh, I know how
I understand what she's capable of
She is a terror
She is frightening and intimidating
Now I see her
Now I can see her face
In her mirror
Through her own mirror
Wearing a frown
Having a sad or angry expression
For scariest frown
Deserving the prize for the most frightening expression
Fourthly you're suspect
You're the fourth person to be suspicious of
Thirdly you don't get
Thirdly, you don't understand
Secondly you've got no respect
Secondly, you show no respect
Finally you're not the first
Finally, you're not the first person to be this way
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Kottler
Dope AF monster track from an equally monster album by a woefully underappreciated master. (and pals). Props to Crackerdamus101 for providing a loud and clean version of this song with depth of bass.
candyman688
this solo is fucking mindblowing! makes you feel alive!
lordofthegeckos
Dunno why but I kinda get Pearl Jam vibes from this one. Not that it's a bad thing - this is one of Frank's best for sure!
Seba Stop Progre
Frank Black el mas grande de la historia!!!
Elray Jackson
The coolest song about Road Rage you will ever hear.
Yeah Right
Bad Habit is pretty cool
Steven Thiele
Banging from day one frank black amen.
The frog Guy
TOP TUNE MAN!!!
Andy Robinett
holy shit, no thumbs down!
Seba Stop Progre
Frank you are GOD