They started as a punk band but mutated into an experimental zone fusing funk, avant-jazz and electronica in ways that shared similarities to The Residents and The Pop Group.
See also the related bands The Pop Group (which Catsis left to join on bass), Liquid Liquid and Maximum Joy. Some of the band members later appear on some releases by Steve Bush and the Blue Aeroplanes.
Burning
Glaxo Babies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
divided we fall
winner out sits cree
winner takes all
winner takes all
one man sinks
another man swims
walks on the water
forget about him
forget about him
one mans castle
is another man's house
ones man's napoleon
is another man's louse
another man's louse
Angry enough to hate you
angry enough to take you away
and shut you out
limb by limb
yes you're out on a limb
out on a ledge
out on the edge
out on the edge
Under pavement get crammed in
their backs are to the fire
the flames are gonna spire
the boys that burn
and the bodies lay higher
the boys that burn
and the bodies lay higher
the bodies lay higher
burning
the bodies lay higher
burning
burning
Burning
the bodies lay higher
burning
the bodies lay higher
burning
Burning
the bodies lay higher
burning
the bodies lay higher
burning
burning
burning
bodies lay higher
The song Burning by Glaxo Babies is a thought-provoking one that comments on the human nature of being divided and the consequences that could follow such division. The first stanza emphasizes the importance of unity and warns against the consequences that could arise from division, indicating that it could lead to the downfall of a group or individual. The song then delves deeper into the idea of division, stating that one person's success could lead to another person's downfall, and that the concept of ownership and ambition could cause conflict between people.
The second stanza adds a layer of anger to the already established idea of division. It talks about how anger could drive a person to hate someone else enough to want to remove them from their life completely. This stanza paints a picture of a person being left in a precarious situation, "out on a limb" or "out on the edge." The upcoming stanzas shift the focus from division between individuals to society as a whole. It portrays a situation where people are crammed under the pavement, perhaps indicating their marginalized position in society. The mention of flames and burning bodies in this section adds a degree of violence to the idea of division.
Overall, the song draws attention to the consequences of division and the potential violence and disruption it could bring.
Line by Line Meaning
United we stand
We are stronger and more powerful when we are together
divided we fall
If we are separated, we are weaker and more vulnerable
winner out sits cree
The person who wins is often the one who gets to sit comfortably and enjoy the spoils of victory
winner takes all
In a competition, the winner receives all of the rewards, and the losers receive nothing
one man sinks
Sometimes, one person's downfall can benefit someone else
another man swims
While one person may struggle or fail, another person may succeed
walks on the water
This line can be interpreted in different ways, but it may refer to someone with exceptional abilities or confidence
forget about him
To move forward and succeed, it may be necessary to leave someone or something behind
one mans castle
What one person values and cherishes may not be the same as what another person desires
is another man's house
Something that one person considers ordinary or insignificant may be very important to someone else
ones man's napoleon
This could refer to someone who seeks power and domination over others
is another man's louse
Some people may view a powerful figure as inspirational or admirable, while others may see them as loathsome or despicable
Angry enough to hate you
When someone is very angry, they may be capable of feeling deep hatred towards someone else
angry enough to take you away
Someone who is angry may want to remove another person from their life or situation
and shut you out
To exclude someone or cut them off completely
limb by limb
This line could have a violent connotation and imply causing physical harm to someone or something
yes you're out on a limb
This line may mean being in a vulnerable or precarious position
out on a ledge
Being in a dangerous or life-threatening situation
out on the edge
Being in a risky or uncertain position
Under pavement get crammed in
This line suggests that there are people who are marginalized or oppressed and forced into difficult circumstances
their backs are to the fire
People in a difficult situation may have their backs against a metaphorical fire or be in danger
the flames are gonna spire
The situation is escalating and becoming more dangerous over time
the boys that burn
This line could be a reference to soldiers who are killed in battle or young people who are harmed or killed
and the bodies lay higher
The situation is becoming more and more deadly, and the death toll is rising
burning
This line could be interpreted in different ways, such as referring to literal flames, a sense of urgency or intensity, or feelings of anger or passion
Burning
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of the situation
burning
Repeating the previous line again, emphasizing the danger and potential harm
bodies lay higher
Reinforcing the idea that the situation is becoming increasingly deadly and violent
Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.