Gus Black (formerly known simply as Gus) is an American singer-songwriter/p… Read Full Bio ↴Gus Black (formerly known simply as Gus) is an American singer-songwriter/producer from Los Angeles. He signed to Almo Sounds, a subsidiary of A&M Records, and released two albums on the label, 1996's Gus and 1999's Word of Mouth Parade. He covered Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" for the Scream soundtrack. The label disbanded in 2000; since then Black has released 3 albums, all of which were released internationally before seeing domestic distribution. His album "Autumn Days" was selected by iTunes as Top 10 "Best Indie Singer/Songwriter" releases of 2006. The 2008 release "Today Is Not The Day..." was critically acclaimed in Europe. His work has been featured in several TV shows including : Alias, Brothers and Sisters, and Grey's Anatomy. Gus' cover of Paranoid appeared on the Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder episode of the TV show Californication . Gus is also an accomplished video director. In addition to directing videos for his own songs, he directed the documentary "Tremendous Dynamite: The Making of Hombre Lobo" for Eels as well as several music videos clips for the band.
He recently completed work on his 6th full length recording entitled "The Day I Realized..." (to be released in 2011)

http://www.myspace.com/gusblack

http://www.cheaplullaby.com

Weekend Soldier
Gus Black Lyrics

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I'm a soldier from Tennessee
Just a weekend soldier on a killing spree
No alcohol by the sea
Just a pleasant Sunday killing spree

Just look and you'll find
I don't own this thing
Just look and you'll find

Who's free

I'm a soldier out on leave
Got a hellish Monday ahead of me
California, a place to be
For a weekend soldier on a killing spree

Just look and you'll find
I don't know this thing
Just look and you'll find
Who's free

Just look and you'll find
Now I own this thing
Just look and you'll find
Who's free

I'm a soldier from Tennessee
Just a weekend soldier

On a killing spree
Just a weekend soldier

Overall Meaning

In Gus Black's song "Weekend Soldier," the lyrics describe the life of a soldier from Tennessee who is on a killing spree. The title "Weekend Soldier" implies that the soldier is not a full-time soldier but only serves in the military on weekends. The song's lyrics suggest that the soldier is killing people or perhaps taking part in military training exercises that result in fatalities. This is juxtaposed with the lines "No alcohol by the sea, Just a pleasant Sunday killing spree," which creates an eerie contradiction by painting an idyllic picture of a Sunday outing while the singer commits acts of violence.

The chorus of the song contains repeated lines, "Just look and you'll find, I don't own this thing, Just look and you'll find, Who's free." These lyrics call attention to the idea that something or someone else is pulling the strings in the soldier's life. He feels as though he is not fully in control and is being used by military higher-ups for their own purposes. The chorus then concludes by suggesting that the soldier has found freedom in some way, although it is unclear what that freedom might be.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a soldier from Tennessee
I am a military member from Tennessee

Just a weekend soldier on a killing spree
I am a temporary and part-time soldier who engages in violent activities for enjoyment

No alcohol by the sea
I am not drinking alcohol while enjoying my violent spree by the sea

Just a pleasant Sunday killing spree
I am experiencing enjoyment from killing others on a Sunday

Just look and you'll find
If you pay close attention, you will discover

I don't own this thing
I do not possess this particular item or idea

Who's free
Who has the freedom or liberty to do what they desire

I'm a soldier out on leave
I am a military member who is on a temporary break from service

Got a hellish Monday ahead of me
I am anticipating a difficult and unpleasant Monday

California, a place to be
California is an ideal location for me to engage in my violent activities

Just look and you'll find
If you pay close attention, you will discover