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.
T.M.N.T.
HORSE the band Lyrics
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
They're the world's most fearsome fighting team
(We're really hip)
They're heroes in a half-shell and they're green
(Hey, get a grip)
When the evil Shredder attacks
Those Turtle boys don't cut him no slack
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Splinter taught them to be ninja teens
(He's a radical rat)
Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines
(That's a fact, Jack)
Raphael is cool but crude
(Give me a break)
Michaelangelo is a party dude
(Party)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Turtle power
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
Heroes in a half-shell
Turtle power
The song "T.M.N.T." by HORSE the band is a cover of the theme song from the popular 1980s cartoon series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The lyrics of the song celebrate the four ninja turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo - who were trained by the rat Splinter to fight crime in New York City. The song emphasizes the turtles' bravery, strength, and love for pizza.
The lyrics also introduce the turtles' character traits: Leonardo is the leader, Donatello is the inventor, Michelangelo loves to party, and Raphael is the tough guy. The chorus of the song, "Heroes in a half-shell, turtle power," emphasizes the turtles' unique appearance and their strength as a team.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the nostalgia many people feel for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and it captures the fun and lighthearted nature of the cartoon. It is a perfect song to sing along with and reminisce about childhood memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The popular cartoon characters of adolescent mutated reptiles skilled in martial arts.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The popular cartoon characters of adolescent mutated reptiles skilled in martial arts.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The popular cartoon characters of adolescent mutated reptiles skilled in martial arts.
Heroes in a half-shell
The four ninja turtles featured in the cartoon show are armored with a half-shell as they undertake heroic adventures.
Turtle power
The exceptional skills and characteristics of the ninja turtles that enable them to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
They're the world's most fearsome fighting team
The four ninja turtles, considered the best in their team with their lethal skills and abilities, are a force to be reckoned with.
(We're really hip)
The ninja turtles are fashionable and trendy in their appearance and behavior.
They're heroes in a half-shell and they're green
The four ninja turtles are heroic figures with their turtle-like features and green appearance.
(Hey, get a grip)
An exhortation to regain focus and composure in the face of danger.
When the evil Shredder attacks
The villainous antagonist of the cartoon show, the Shredder, launches attacks on the ninja turtles and the city.
Those Turtle boys don't cut him no slack
The ninja turtles fight back ferociously against the Shredder and show no mercy.
Splinter taught them to be ninja teens
Splinter, their mentor, taught the turtles to be skilled ninjas despite being adolescents.
(He's a radical rat)
Splinter is an exceptional rat in the minds of the ninja turtles who has taught them everything about the art of fighting and life's lessons.
Leonardo leads, Donatello does machines
Leonardo, the blue-masked turtle, is the leader of the group, while Donatello, the purple-masked turtle, is the group's technician and builder of machines.
(That's a fact, Jack)
An expression used to emphasize the truth behind a statement.
Raphael is cool but crude
Raphael, the red-masked turtle, has an attitude of being cool, but his behavior can be harsh and irrational at times.
(Give me a break)
An expression commonly used to dismiss or ignore someone or something.
Michaelangelo is a party dude
Michaelangelo, the orange-masked turtle, is portrayed as a fun-loving and carefree character who loves to party and enjoy life.
(Party)
A simple expression used to indicate a fun and festive mood.
Heroes in a half-shell
The four ninja turtles featured in the cartoon show are armored with a half-shell as they undertake heroic adventures.
Turtle power
The exceptional skills and characteristics of the ninja turtles that enable them to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Heroes in a half-shell
The four ninja turtles featured in the cartoon show are armored with a half-shell as they undertake heroic adventures.
Turtle power
The exceptional skills and characteristics of the ninja turtles that enable them to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Heroes in a half-shell
The four ninja turtles featured in the cartoon show are armored with a half-shell as they undertake heroic adventures.
Turtle power
The exceptional skills and characteristics of the ninja turtles that enable them to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Heroes in a half-shell
The four ninja turtles featured in the cartoon show are armored with a half-shell as they undertake heroic adventures.
Turtle power
The exceptional skills and characteristics of the ninja turtles that enable them to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.