1) An American alternative rock ba… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists with this name:
1) An American alternative rock band active from 1992 to 1997.
2) A European trance/ambient group from the early 90s.
1) Helium was an American alternative rock band from 1992 to 1997, formed in Boston, Massachusetts. The lineup was vocalist/guitarist Mary Timony, bassist Ash Bowie, and drummer Shawn King Devlin. They were signed to Matador Records and released two full-length albums, three EPs and several singles.
Discography
Albums:
The Dirt of Luck (1995)
The Magic City (1997)
EPs:
Pirate Prude (1994)
Superball (1995)
No Guitars (1997)
Compilations:
Ends With And (2017)
2) Helium were a European trance/ambient group who released one EP in 1993 titled "The Works E.P." The group consisted of two independently active artists known as Mon 'S Jegers and Rob Verboven.
XXX
Helium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but I'll take your love
if your love will pay me
I see your wallet in your pocket
You know I carry my heart around my neck
like a locket so I can take it off
Now I feel good, I feel like candy
Go out on the street, I'm gonna make some money
That was just a joke about the money
you're gonna pay me with your life
Out on the corner
Like a fallen Maraschino cherry
I know you're scared to eat me
You got a candy red sports car
My heart is not a sports car
My heart is cab
Your love is a fad
And you're a drag
And now I feel good, I feel like candy
go out on the street I wanna make some money
That was just a joke about the money
you're gonna pay me with your life
You wanna have me
You watch me like TV
You wanna hold me
Collect me like rubies
Talk about me like a movie
You're so dirty
And now I feel good, I feel like candy
I'll get in your car, I wanna make some money
That was just a joke about the money
you're gonna pay me with your life
At its core, "XXX" by Helium is a song about the transactional nature of love and relationships. Mary Timony, the lead singer and songwriter for Helium, sings about taking love that is offered, but only if it comes with a price. She makes a connection between someone's wallet and her own heart (which she wears like a locket); both are things that can be taken off and given away for the right price. Timony feels empowered by this exchange, likening herself to candy that can be sold on the street. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clearer that Timony is not just singing about sex work; there is a deeper sense of manipulation going on. The line "That was just a joke about the money / you're gonna pay me with your life" suggests that Timony is willing to toy with someone's emotions and well-being in order to get what she wants. She presents herself as a commodity to be bought and sold, but in reality, she is the one in control.
The image of the Maraschino cherry adds to the overall feeling of degradation and objectification in the song. Maraschino cherries are often used as garnishes in drinks, and are known for being overly sweet and artificial. Timony likens herself to a cherry that has fallen from grace, no longer fit to be consumed by someone who might be afraid of what they're getting into. This imagery ties into the idea that love is a fad or temporary trend; something that can be consumed and discarded like a cherry or a candy.
In conclusion, "XXX" is a complex song that explores themes of transactional love, objectification, and manipulation. It presents the idea of love as something that can be bought, sold, or used to control others. The lyrics are provocative and unsettling, but they also reveal a great deal of insight into the power dynamic in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not for free
My love can't be obtained for free, there has to be a price to pay.
but I'll take your love
Nevertheless, I'm willing to accept your love.
if your love will pay me
But I'm only willing to accept your love if it comes with a price.
I see your wallet in your pocket
I notice that you have money in your wallet.
You know I carry my heart around my neck like a locket so I can take it off
I carry my emotions with me at all times, but I'm also capable of putting them away when I need to.
Now I feel good, I feel like candy
I'm feeling confident, happy and desirable.
Go out on the street, I'm gonna make some money
I plan on using my charm and sex appeal to make some quick cash.
That was just a joke about the money
My comment about money was just a lighthearted remark.
you're gonna pay me with your life
But in reality, you'll pay me with your commitment and affection.
Out on the corner
I'm standing on the street corner.
Like a fallen Maraschino cherry
I'm similarly bright and attractive, but perhaps not as fresh or pure.
I know you're scared to eat me
You're afraid to pursue me because of the potential consequences.
You got a candy red sports car
You have a flashy, impressive vehicle.
My heart is not a sports car
My emotions and feelings aren't objects to be shown off.
My heart is cab
They're more like a traditional cab - dependable and useful, but not flashy.
Your love is a fad
Your feelings for me are superficial and fleeting.
And you're a drag
You're boring and uninteresting.
You wanna have me
You want to possess me.
You watch me like TV
You observe and monitor me closely, but from a distance.
You wanna hold me
You want to physically possess me.
Collect me like rubies
You want to keep me as a valuable object in your possession.
Talk about me like a movie
You want to share stories and anecdotes about me like I'm a fictional character.
You're so dirty
Your desires are impure and disrespectful.
I'll get in your car, I wanna make some money
I'm willing to use my sexuality to make a profit from you.
That was just a joke about the money
Once again, my remark about compensation was meant to be taken lightly.
you're gonna pay me with your life
But realistically, your affection and commitment are the real currency of our relationship.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MARY TIMONY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
demoncleaner45
Forever grateful to Beavis & Butthead for introducing me to one of my favorite artists
Frankie-O
Because of Mary Timony who is such a TOTAL HOTTIE
New Grass Hopper
I searched this song from memory of that episode ..Mike Judge is kind of a god..Because I would've never known PJ Harvey as early as I did, either.
Almark
it's weird how you never forget the first time you saw something, thank you Beavis & Butthead.
firefox71
Ha, nice, that's where I first learned of this band and was telling my son the story as I searched for this video.
Jay Ham
@firefox71 I discovered Ethyl Meatplow through B&B.. such an underrated CD that is. mike is a cool cat
tannerin
the most 90s guitar solo of all time
Dave Ross
I once bumped into Mary Timony around State Street in Boston and asked if she wanted to have tea. We spent about 15 minutes just chatting about nothing, everything, the world, whatever. I, a scruffy 20-something college kid, and her - two people, who have never met, and who would never meet again, spent a few minutes out of the world to just connect. An amazing memory and one of the coolest things I can remember.
sunshaped
that's awesome! when was that? (not sure why it matters, just curious, really)
Frankie-O
😱