The discography of Helmet boasts eight studio albums and two compilation albums. Following their initial release, "Strap It On" (1990), through Amphetamine Reptile, Helmet inked a deal with Interscope Records, leading to three albums under the label, notably the highly successful "Meantime" (1992). While their subsequent works, "Betty" (1994) and "Aftertaste" (1997), achieved considerable success, they fell short of matching the critical and popular acclaim garnered by "Meantime." After disbanding in 1998, Helmet regrouped in 2004 and has since presented four additional albums: "Size Matters" (2004), "Monochrome" (2006), "Seeing Eye Dog" (2010), and "Dead to the World" (2016). Currently, the band is actively engaged in the creation of their ninth studio album.
Discography
Strap It On (1990)
Meantime (1992)
Betty (1994)
Aftertaste (1997)
Size Matters (2004)
Monochrome (2006)
Seeing Eye Dog (2010)
Dead to the World (2016)
Street Crab
Helmet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To advice
Agree to anything and try to be
Too nice
Then my skin flakes, another allergy
I'm not making sense, just
Ignore me
Run the water
Shut my mouth and run past
What's the matter?
Street crabs buy it fast
Infect the water
Safe and sound like the perfect food
Ice the beer, it's easy to feel good
What was that you said? I thought
I heard my name but
Every street crab will push the
Vowels the same
Thirst I had at last
Run the water
Shut my mouth and run past
What's the matter?
Street crabs buy in fast
Infect the water
The lyrics to Helmet’s song “Street Crab” describe a person who is struggling to navigate their way through life. The first two lines suggest that the character is easily influenced by outside opinions, and is often too agreeable. The next line furthers this idea, suggesting that the character is also struggling with physical issues such as allergies, which may be causing them to feel lost and without direction.
The chorus of the song is a warning about the dangers of contamination, using a metaphor of "street crabs" infecting the water supply. The character seems to be aware of this danger, but is also struggling with addiction, using alcohol as a coping mechanism to feel better. The line "Every street crab will push the vowels the same" suggests that in the character's mind, all of their problems and worries are the same, and that they are all-consuming and difficult to deal with.
On a deeper level, the metaphor of street crabs infecting the water can be seen as a commentary on the overall state of society. The character is struggling to tread water in an environment that is polluted and contaminated, where even the most basic necessities like clean drinking water are hard to come by. Despite this, they continue to try and find solace in easy fixes like alcohol, highlighting the desperation and hopelessness of their situation.
Overall, “Street Crab” is a bleak and powerful commentary on the struggles of modern life, using powerful imagery and a driving rock beat to convey its message.
Line by Line Meaning
First I'll panic quick and listen
At first, I tend to panic and listen to other people's advice.
To advice
I'm willing to listen to any advice given to me.
Agree to anything and try to be
My eagerness to please makes me agree and try to be everything to everybody.
Too nice
I tend to be too nice.
Then my skin flakes, another allergy
But sometimes, this causes me stress that manifests in different ways, such as allergies and skin flaking.
I'm not making sense, just
I may not always make sense, but...
Ignore me
...please don't ignore me.
Thirst I had at last
I finally had thirst,
Run the water
So I start running water.
Shut my mouth and run past
I then realize I need to shut up and keep going.
What's the matter?
I begin to question what's going on around me.
Street crabs buy it fast
I observe the people around me quickly getting caught up in the street's fast-paced environment.
Infect the water
The people's energy starts to affect everything around them, including the environment they're in.
Safe and sound like the perfect food
Despite the chaos around me, I try to maintain a sense of security and comfort, like a perfect meal.
Ice the beer, it's easy to feel good
I try to cope with the madness by drinking and numbing my feelings.
What was that you said? I thought
Even though I heard something, I still question if I truly did hear it correctly.
I heard my name but
It seems like someone called my name, but...
Every street crab will push the
...in this environment, everyone around me is overwhelming.
Vowels the same
Everyone's speech and pushiness are so similar that it's difficult for me to differentiate or understand them correctly.
Street crabs buy in fast
Just like the street crabs, people around me are quick to buy and consume things, making it difficult for me to keep up.
Infect the water
The environment around me, and the people it consists of, infect or influence everything around them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAGE NYE HAMILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind