Incubus is a five-man al… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name:
Incubus is a five-man alternative rock band formed in 1991, based in Calabasas, California. Members include Brandon Boyd (vocals and percussion), Mike Einziger (guitar), Ben Kenney (bass), Jose Pasillas II (drums) and DJ Chris Kilmore (turntables). Former members of the band include Gavin Koppel (a.k.a. DJ Lyfe) (turntables) and Alex Katunich (a.k.a. Dirk Lance) (bass). The band's name may seem a peculiar choice to fans, as an incubus is a type of demon that, in mythological lore, comes in the night and has sex with women while they are sleeping; it seduces them in their dreams The story behind the name is that the band needed to think of a name hours before their first show and, after a few failed choices, Mike looked in a dictionary and chose "Incubus" almost at random. Mike says that the name was chosen because it sounded silly; Brandon holds that it was chosen because they were teenagers and the definition had the word "sex" in it. "We really didn't want to rape women in their sleep. But, we were fifteen and it seemed harmless to us then, and we never changed it," says the band.
Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several successful singles. The band earned mainstream recognition with the release of their 1999 album Make Yourself. In 2001, Incubus became even more successful with the single "Drive" and their follow-up album Morning View. Their sixth studio album, Light Grenades, debuted at No. 1 in 2006 and has received Gold certification in the U.S. Incubus released their first greatest hits album Monuments and Melodies in June 2009, accompanied by a tour of the United States, Japan and Canada. The band's most recent album, 8, was released on April 21st, 2017.
2. A death/thrash metal band from Metairie, Louisiana. The band was made up of Francis Howard (guitar/vocals), Moyses Howard (drums), Andre Luiz (bass), and Luiz Carlos (guitar). The two Howard brothers are actually from Brazil, and immigrated to Louisiana. This Incubus has released one demo, and two albums, with one album being remastered and re-released with a different track listing. This band has changed their name to Opprobrium.
3. A death/thrash metal band from Georgia who released one demo in 1987. The drummer, Mike Browning, went on to Morbid Angel and later Nocturnus fame.
4. A thrash metal band from SΓ£o Paulo, Brazil that released 2 demos in 1986 and 1988.
5. A thrash metal band from JoΓ£o Pessoa, ParaΓba, Brazil.
6. A New Wave of British Heavy Metal band that released a full-length album "To the Devil a Daughter" in 1984. Still a favorite among NWOBHM fans.
7. A death/thrash metal band from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Released a demo "Sinful Dreams" in 1987. Changed their name to Spectral Birth in 1988.
8. A Techno/Rave combo.
Thieves
Incubus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just don't understand why I can't be happy too
Your smiles are salt in the wound
A slap upon a back that's been toiling in the sun
When will I get mine?
Or must I be a God-fearing, white American?
Oh everything is fine
Why should the thieves have all of the fun?
Selling us water by the river, they don't speak for everyone
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
The man about the town
The beauty queen, the paragon of civilization
But shadows cling to us all
Even those convinced that they're sheltered and immune
Oh when will I get mine?
Or must I be a God-fearing, white American?
Yeah
Why should the thieves have all of the fun?
Selling us water by the river, they don't speak for everyone
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
They don't speak for me at all
Why should the thieves have all of the fun?
Selling us water by the river, they don't speak for everyone
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
They don't speak for me at all
They don't speak for me at all
The song "Thieves" by Incubus is a commentary on privilege and the inherent unfairness of society. The singer is expressing frustration with the fact that some people seem to have it all, while he struggles to find his place in the world. He accuses those who have it all of being "thieves," who are selling water by the river and pretending to speak for everyone, when in reality they only speak for themselves. He feels like he is crawling while they are running, and that he is being held back by a society that favors God-fearing, white Americans.
The line "Your smiles are salt in the wound / A slap upon a back that's been toiling in the sun" speaks to the idea that the happiness of others can feel like an insult to those who are struggling. It's as if the people who have it all are rubbing their good fortune in the face of those who don't.
The chorus repeats the idea that the thieves should not be the ones having all the fun, and that they don't speak for everyone. The singer wants to run, but feels like he is constantly being held back by those in power.
Overall, "Thieves" is a powerful song that speaks to the frustration and anger that many people feel about the unfairness of society. It's a reminder that not everyone has the same opportunities or advantages, and that those who are in power shouldn't be allowed to dictate the course of everyone's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
You're happy all the time
I do not understand how you manage to stay happy all the time
I just don't understand why I can't be happy too
I have difficulty understanding why I can't be happy like you
Your smiles are salt in the wound
Your smiles cause me even more pain
A slap upon a back that's been toiling in the sun
It is like getting slapped on the back after working hard in the sun
When will I get mine?
When will it be my turn to be happy?
Or must I be a God-fearing, white American?
Do I have to be a white American who fears God to be happy like you?
Oh everything is fine
Everything appears to be okay
As long as you're a God-fearing, white American
As long as you match the ideal God-fearing, white American
Why should the thieves have all of the fun?
Why should the dishonest individuals enjoy themselves while we don't?
Selling us water by the river, they don't speak for everyone
The ones who sell us water by the river do not represent everyone and their needs
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
I am eager to move forward, but you are holding me back
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
The ones selling me water by the river do not represent me or my needs
The man about the town
The person who is well-known in the city
The beauty queen, the paragon of civilization
The woman who is deemed the epitome of civilization and beauty
But shadows cling to us all
Even those who seem to have it all are hiding something
Even those convinced that they're sheltered and immune
Even those who believe they are protected are not entirely safe
I'm ready to run and you're making me crawl
I am eager to move forward, but you are holding me back
Selling me water by the river, they don't speak for me at all
The ones selling me water by the river do not represent me or my needs
They don't speak for me at all
They do not represent what I want or need
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin Lee Kenney, Brandon Charles Boyd, Christopher E Kilmore, Jose Anthony Ii Pasillas, Michael Aaron Einziger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind