HORSE the band's lyrics are chaotic and colorful metaphors for vocalist Nathan Winneke's life, often with humorous or abstract pop culture reference titles and bases. Winneke has referred to his style on multiple occasions as "lynchian" in reference to his favorite film director David Lynch and his obtuse narrative style.
The band had jokingly labeled themselves "Nintendocore" very early on in their career in reference to the synth sound they had adopted. Some Nintendo characters that are metaphorically referred to include Cut Man from Mega Man, although the song is spelled "Cutsman" because the song was about a childhood friend Winneke grew up with and that was how they had said the character's name in youth; "Birdo", one of the bosses from the NES game Super Mario Bros. 2, in the song "Birdo" which was actually about Winneke's distaste for eggs and traumatic experiences with his stepfather early in his life ; and the rabbit-like nemesis from The Legend of Zelda in the song "Pol's Voice" which is about Winneke's early loathing of the sound of his own voice. Similarly, the song "A Million Exploding Suns" refers to the Marvel Comics character Sentry, a schizophrenic and agoraphobic hero with this abundance of power, pertaining to Winneke's double life as a musician and as a video rental clerk.
2007's A Natural Death featured significant lyrical and musical evolution into the concepts of nature and mortality while moving slightly away from the Nintendo metaphors. The song "Murder" is inspired by the Western novel Lonesome Dove, in which a Native American named Blue Duck stalks and kills white settlers on the plains. "Hyperborea" as a reference to Robert E. Howard's original "Conan" pulp fantasy stories from the 30s, and "The Red Tornado," a DC comics character from the company of which Winneke is such an open enthusiast.
The band's line-up has continuously fluctuated in its 10 year history. In February it was announced that Chris Prophet had been fired and Jon Karel from The Number Twelve Looks Like You would be filling in on drums during Earth Tour. In July, 2008 the band stated that long-time band friend Daniel Pouliot of Bleeding Kansas had joined as the band's full time drummer. On Wednesday, December 3 2008, the band announced that Dash Arkenstone would be leaving the band soon, though he remains on good terms with the other members and has attended local shows.
The band booked its own tours starting the summer of 2002, including a 3-month tour spanning seven countries. With a carefully maintained web presence including their MP3.com and MySpace accounts, they had gained themselves a niche audience. In the summer of 2004, the HORSE the World Tour 2004 included 85 shows in 90 days, spanning 7 countries throughout North America and Europe.
Their latest album, titled Desperate Living, was released on October 6, 2009.
Science Police
HORSE the band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now there's squawkin' on my mother box
It's tellin' me to bring you in
I use...
Science and technology to formulate my theory
that your D.N.A. is the D.N.A. of something strange and amazing
Lay face down on the ground
We are The Science Police
We monitor and apprehend
You are
You are
You are
You are under arrest
I use...
Science and technology to formulate my theory
that your D.N.A. is the D.N.A. of something strange and amazing
We are The Science Police
Lay face down on the ground
We are The Science Police
we monitor and apprehend
You've got me searchin'
These city streets
These filthy alleys
These quantum leaps
You've got me callin' in emergency!
You are
You are
You are
You are under arrest
You can't get away
You will serve your time
You violated statue 15-G
Citizen!
The HORSE the band's song "Science Police" is a satirical take on a futuristic world where the authorities use science and technology to monitor and capture citizens who possess something strange and amazing in their DNA. The lyrics open with the Science Police officer pulling over someone with "dangerous curves coming up ahead" and getting a warning from his "mother box," which is likely a device that alerts him to any potentially unusual activity. The officer uses science and technology to determine that the person being pulled over has unique DNA, something that the Science Police are tasked with tracking down.
The lyrics are repeated throughout the song, with an emphasis on the authority and power that the Science Police wield. They monitor and apprehend citizens who possess something amazing in their DNA and have the power to arrest them. The song is a commentary on how science and technology can be used as tools of control and oppression, even in a seemingly advanced and future society.
Overall, "Science Police" is a tongue-in-cheek critique of how scientific advancement can be co-opted by authoritarian regimes to maintain their grip on power.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled you over for your dangerous curves coming up ahead
I stopped you because I noticed that your physical appearance is unusual and potentially concerning.
Now there's squawkin' on my mother box
My device that helps me detect anomalies is indicating that there is something significant about you.
It's tellin' me to bring you in
The device is instructing me to detain you for further investigation.
I use...
Science and technology to formulate my theory
that your D.N.A. is the D.N.A. of something strange and amazing
I rely on scientific methods and tools to develop a hypothesis that your DNA is unique and fascinating.
We are The Science Police
Lay face down on the ground
We are The Science Police
We monitor and apprehend
We are a law enforcement organization that utilizes scientific knowledge and techniques. You must comply with our orders to lay down on the ground, and we will closely observe and capture you if necessary.
You are
You are
You are
You are under arrest
You are being detained and taken into custody by the Science Police.
You've got me searchin'
These city streets
These filthy alleys
These quantum leaps
You've got me callin' in emergency!
Your presence has caused me to conduct a thorough investigation in various urban locations, including advanced scientific methods. I am even feeling the need to resort to emergency measures.
You can't get away
You will serve your time
You violated statue 15-G
You cannot escape and will be punished for breaking the law, specifically section 15-G.
Citizen!
You are a member of society and therefore must abide by its laws, or else face the consequences from the authorities such as the Science Police.
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sexy cave Troll
such a killer song. im still blow away at how so many people i know dont know or these guys....these are sad times we are living in
Elidoransgar
I sometimes fantasize about a concert tour with Band of Horses and Horse the Band. They take turns opening and headlining, and occasionally they have brawls onstage to establish dominance. Make this happen, please.
iTuffles
Yeah, This album sounds so different to the old stuff, but like you said, this album is amazing
S X
love this track
jon
this song is weird as fuck, but i love it. The DNA of something strange and amazing. haha horse the band is great.
I think therefore I am
got the album on my computer, yay.
DaCanary
@JacobDeadman New stuff is just as good as the old stuff. the only reason you say that Is because everyone trys to look cool by saying "Well i like their old stuff, I'm a true fan you know?" If you were a true fan, you'ed like their new stuff just as much as the old. I fucking LOVE this album...
Jacob Herrington
@DaCanary i didnt say it wasnt good. i thinkits amazing. im not sayingi like the old stuff becuse im trying to seem like a holier than thou fan. i just really like the 8 bit sound of ther older work
/ACCEPT/
thanks, actually i know all the other songs xD but yeah, i ment this dancy but still metal thing. i mean its... electro-metal-dance-wtf? thatkind but yeah, thanks anyways
/ACCEPT/
Does anyone know songs that are similar to this style? not nessicarily by HtB ?