Girl in a Coma formed when best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz met in Jr-high school art class over a mutual love of the Smiths, Nirvana, and skipping school. All they needed was a singer. Enter Nina Diaz, Phanie’s little sister. Nina blew them away with her mesmerizing vocals, a powerful voice some critics have compared to Bjork, Patsy Cline, and the band’s hero, Morrissey himself. The trio practiced for three years, gigged at local punk rock clubs, played a High School talent show, one kid’s birthday party, and then hit the road, building up a solid and loyal fan base across the country.
In 2006, the Girls played for Joan Jett and long-time songwriting partner and producer, Kenny Laguna, at New York’s Knitting Factory as part of a cable TV show featuring unknown bands. Jett and Laguna were so impressed with the band that they signed GIAC to their label, Blackheart Records, on the spot.
The band’s 2007 debut album, Both Before I’m Gone, was a critical hit with raves from Alternative Press Magazine, the LA Weekly, Bust magazine, among many others, with the album reaching No. 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and No. 21 on iTunes. “Clumsy Sky,” the band’s first single, won a 2007 Independent Music Award.
In 2009, the band released their follow up album, Trio B.C. The album is a unique amalgamation of eclectic influences: oldies, rockabilly, 90s alternative, and contemporary bands both indie and mainstream.
Just a year later, the band recorded a companion piece to Trio B.C. Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Greg Collins (U2 and Gwen Stefani), Adventures in Coverland. features reinterpretations of songs and artists who have impacted the band. The songs range from a punked out version of Selena’s “Si Una Vez” to a stripped down version of Joy Division’s “Transmission.”
In early 2011, new material was piling up and the band was ready to head back into the studio to work on their upcoming album, Exits & All the Rest.
From sharing stages with their heroes to experiencing Arizona’s controversial laws firsthand, the album was born in an especially intense period for the band. The Girls headed a few miles north to Austin and recorded with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead). It was the band’s first time working on analog tape and all the basic tracks were laid down live. The recording process seemed to help the band capture some of the raw energy and power that they are known for in their live shows.
Rubber Ring
Girl in a Coma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The most impassionate song
To a lonely soul
Is so easily outgrown
But don′t forget the songs
That made you smile
And the songs that made you cry
When you lay in awe
And said: "Oh, oh, smother me Mother..."
No ...
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La ...
The passing of time
And all of its crimes
Is making me sad again
The passing of time
And all of its sickening crimes
Is making me sad again
But don't forget the songs
That made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
Yes, you′re older now
And you're a clever swine
But they were the only ones who ever stood by you
The passing of time leaves empty lives
Waiting to be filled (the passing ...)
The passing of time
Leaves empty lives
Waiting to be filled
I'm here with the cause
I′m holding the torch
In the corner of your room
Can you hear me?
And when you′re dancing and laughing
And finally living
Hear my voice in your head
And think of me kindly
No ...
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La ...
No ...
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
Do you
Love me like you used to?
Oh ...
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
La ...
You're clever
Everybody′s clever nowadays
You're clever
Everybody′s clever nowadays
You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping
You do not want to believe
You are sleeping
Girl in a Coma's song Rubber Ring is an emotive and poignant reflection on the passing of time and the power of music to touch and inspire us throughout our lives. The opening verse speaks to the way in which songs can become outdated or forgotten, yet form an important part of our histories: "A sad fact widely known, the most impassionate song, to a lonely soul, is so easily outgrown." However, the following lines offer a counterargument, asserting the importance of remembering the songs that have made us feel deeply: "But don't forget the songs that made you smile and the songs that made you cry when you lay in awe on the bedroom floor and said, 'Oh, oh, smother me Mother..."
The chorus repeats the phrase "rubber ring" over and over again, creating an almost hypnotic effect. The metaphor of a rubber ring could be interpreted in different ways: it could refer to a childhood toy or a lifesaver, offering a sense of security or buoyancy in uncertain moments.
The second verse alludes to the darker implications of time passing, with lines like "all of its crimes" and "sickening crimes" suggesting a sense of loss or disappointment accompanying aging. Yet the same sentiment of recognizing the healing power of music appears again in the lines "but don't forget the songs that made you cry, and the songs that saved your life." The final lines of the song speak to the lasting impact that even the smallest of connections can have: "And when you're dancing and laughing and finally living, hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly."
Overall, the lyrics of Rubber Ring are a testament to the ways in which music can bring us together, offer us solace, and allow us to connect with our past selves.
Line by Line Meaning
A sad fact widely known
It is a widely recognized truth that the songs with the most passion and emotion, that are deeply meaningful to lonely people, are often ones that are easily outgrown.
The most impassionate song
The most emotionally charged and meaningful songs can have a significant impact on lonely souls.
To a lonely soul
Lonely individuals understand the significance of impassioned music more than most people.
Is so easily outgrown
However, the appeal of such music can be fleeting and often lost as people move on in their lives.
But don't forget the songs
It is important not to forget the songs that have deep meaning and significance in one's life.
That made you smile
Music that brings joy and happiness to one's life can be just as meaningful and relevant as more emotional music.
And the songs that made you cry
Likewise, music that elicits deep feelings of sadness can have a profound impact on one's life.
When you lay in awe
At times, music can be so deep and moving that it leaves one in a state of awe.
On the bedroom floor
One may find oneself lying on the bedroom floor in a state of deep emotion while listening to such music.
And said: "Oh, oh, smother me Mother..."
The emotional impact of music can be so powerful that it feels like being smothered by emotions and feelings.
No ...
The word "No" is being used to transition to the next section of the song.
Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring
This is a repeating refrain meant to tie the song together and add musicality.
The passing of time
As time goes on and people age, their tastes and preferences may change.
And all of its crimes
Time can be cruel in that it erodes memories and causes people to forget things that were once important to them.
Is making me sad again
This can be a source of sadness and regret for some people.
But don't forget the songs
Despite this, it is crucial to remember the music that once had a significant impact on one's life.
That made you cry
Music that once made one feel deep emotions can still be relevant and meaningful even as one ages.
And the songs that saved your life
These songs can be a lifeline, giving people the strength to carry on during difficult times.
Yes, you're older now
The passage of time means that one is no longer the same person they were when they first fell in love with the music.
And you're a clever swine
Despite aging, people can still be clever and intelligent.
But they were the only ones who ever stood by you
The music that once meant so much to one's life can be the only constant in a world that is constantly changing.
The passing of time leaves empty lives
Time can leave people feeling empty and unfulfilled if they do not have meaningful things in their life to focus on.
Waiting to be filled (the passing ...)
People need to fill their lives with worthwhile things in order to truly find happiness.
I'm here with the cause
The artist is positioning themselves as a voice of support and inspiration for their fans.
I'm holding the torch in the corner of your room
The artist is a guiding light for fans, offering hope and inspiration even during difficult times.
Can you hear me?
The artist is reaching out to their fans, even if they can't physically be there for them.
And when you're dancing and laughing
Music can be a source of joy, and the artist wishes to be present even in those moments.
And finally living
Music can inspire people to live their lives to the fullest and to be happy.
Hear my voice in your head
The artist hopes that the messages conveyed in their music will stay with their fans even when they are not actively listening to the songs.
And think of me kindly
The artist hopes that their fans will look back on their music with fondness and appreciation.
Do you love me like you used to?
This line is a plea for fans to continue loving the artist's music over time, even if tastes change.
You're clever
Again, the artist is acknowledging that their fans are intelligent and thoughtful individuals.
Everybody's clever nowadays
The artist is recognizing that intelligence and intellectualism are viewed as desirable traits by society as a whole.
You are sleeping
This line is a metaphor for people who may not be fully aware of the profound impact that music can have on their lives.
You do not want to believe
Some people may not believe in the power of music to shape their lives and worldview.
You are sleeping
Once again, this is meant metaphorically to convey the idea of people not fully realizing the impact that music has on them.
Writer(s): Marr Johnny, Morrissey Steven Patrick
Contributed by Violet Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.