She continues to release numerous solo albums and collaborations and has composed the soundtrack for a horror game entitled The Path.
Coming to rock and experimental music from a complex, fascinating background (both her parents were FBI agents; her upbringing in the South included such elements of extreme American religious faith as snake-handling ceremonies; and before her direct involvement in music she participated in "unorthodox sex work," to use her own words, in various U.S. cities), Jarboe, who has always preferred to be known by her sole name, has long been known as one of the fiercest spirits in modern music. She is an intelligent and aggressive artist possessed of striking musical skill who has rejected the music industry's all-too-easy stereotyping and exploitation to create shockingly powerful visions. Helping strongly in this is her one-of-a-kind vocal talent, ranging from emotive blues/gospel tones to wild shrieking, matching excellently with her wide-ranging preference in musical styles. Joining the band Swans two years after it came into being, Jarboe soon became the co-leader of the band with founder Michael Gira; together the pair released some of the most striking, musically extreme recordings of recent years, both as Swans and as the side project band Skin. Jarboe's solo career began in earnest in 1992 with the release of Thirteen Masks, followed a couple of years later by a collaborative effort released under the name Beautiful People with Larry Seven, who also worked on Thirteen Masks and various Swans tracks before that time. The next official release was 1995's Sacrificial Cake, described as a "Swans Related Product," and released in concert with Gira's own solo debut, Drainland. After this, Swans took precedence as she and Gira finished the group's farewell albums and tours; her first post-Swans release, Anhedoniac, appeared in 1998. Shortly thereafter she made a trip to Israel for artistic inspiration for a planned follow-up, Disburdeen Disciple. However, she contracted an illness while visiting there, leading to hospitalization on return to America. A sampler for Disciple has appeared as a teaser, but the main album itself was not completed or ready for release. A collaboration with Telecognac, titled Over, appeared in 2000.
http://www.thelivingjarboe.com
volcano
Jarboe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now toss your hair in dirty grace.
Pink leather strap on your guitar,
Now spread your legs - how bright you are.
Mmmmmm,
They all know your name, Collie,
Claw your way to fame
There's a star in her eyes and she knows it,
There's a star in her eyes and she knows it,
A star in her mind yeah she grows it
And every evening the sun comes up when she goes down,
And every evening the mud fills up her bridal gown.
The little girl inside of you,
Has made her dreams come true.
And tonight you take the stage.
You wear a dress of blood and lace.
You left a stain where you have kneeled
But Collie, you're still invisible
Your lipstick smear across your face,
Now toss your hair in dirty grace.
Pink leather strap on your guitar,
Now spread your legs just like a star...
And I'd like to eat her breasts and know God,
And I'd like to taste her flesh and grow hard,
And I'd like to eat her breasts and grow God,
And I'd like to suck her breath and blow hot
The lyrics to Jarboe's song Volcano are a mix of admiration and skepticism towards a woman named Collie, who seems to have made it big in the music industry. The lines "Your lipstick smear across your face, Now toss your hair in dirty grace, Pink leather strap on your guitar, Now spread your legs - how bright you are" describe Collie's stage persona, which is sexualized and confident. The chorus repeats the idea that there is a "star" in Collie's eyes and mind, which she is aware of and nurtures. Despite her success, there is a sense of loneliness and emptiness in the lyrics, particularly in the lines "And every evening the sun comes up when she goes down, And every evening the mud fills up her bridal gown." The song ends with the shocking and violent lines "And I'd like to eat her breasts and know God, And I'd like to taste her flesh and grow hard, And I'd like to eat her breasts and grow God, And I'd like to suck her breath and blow hot." These lines can be interpreted in different ways, but overall they suggest a dark, obsessive desire for Collie and a wish to possess or consume her.
One possible interpretation of Volcano is that it critiques the music industry and the way it commodifies and exploits female performers. The lyrics describe Collie's stage persona as sexualized and objectifying, and suggest that she has had to "claw her way to fame." The line "But Collie, you're still invisible" suggests that despite her success, Collie is not truly seen or recognized as a person. The chorus can also be read as ironic, as the idea of being a "star" is often associated with superficial fame and attention. By contrast, the violence and intensity of the final lines suggest a desire for real connection and intimacy. Overall, the lyrics of Volcano are complex and provocative, and leave a lot of room for interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Your lipstick smear across your face,
Your imperfect makeup reflects your chaotic lifestyle.
Now toss your hair in dirty grace.
Your carefree attitude is attractive, but also reckless.
Pink leather strap on your guitar,
Your musical talent is supported by a stylish, flamboyant persona.
Now spread your legs - how bright you are.
Your provocative behavior is attention-grabbing, but may also be a reflection of internal struggles.
They all know your name, Collie,
You've made a name for yourself in this world, but it's not necessarily a good thing.
Claw your way to fame
You've had to fight for everything you've achieved and it's taken a toll on you.
There's a star in her eyes and she knows it,
You're aware of your own potential and have a desire to shine.
There's a star in her mind year she shows it,
You have grand dreams and aspirations that you're not afraid to pursue.
There's a star in her eyes and she knows it,
You're aware of your own potential and have a desire to shine.
A star in her mind yeah she grows it
Your imagination is your greatest asset and you've nurtured it well.
And every evening the sun comes up when she goes down,
You live a nocturnal lifestyle and find inspiration in the darkness.
And every evening the mud fills up her bridal gown.
You feel weighed down by societal expectations of femininity and womanhood.
The little girl inside of you,
You still carry the innocence and vulnerability of your childhood.
Has made her dreams come true.
You've worked hard to achieve your goals and have succeeded.
And tonight you take the stage.
You're about to perform and showcase your talent to the world.
You wear a dress of blood and lace.
Your outfit is a symbol of your sensuality and femininity, but also hints at danger.
You left a stain where you have kneeled
Your past actions have consequences and leave a mark on you.
But Collie, you're still invisible
Despite your fame, you still feel unnoticed and overlooked.
Your lipstick smear across your face,
Your makeup may be smudged, but you wear it as a badge of honor.
Now toss your hair in dirty grace.
You embrace your imperfections and refuse to conform to societal norms.
Pink leather strap on your guitar,
You use fashion to express yourself and complement your musical abilities.
Now spread your legs just like a star...
You continue to use your body as a means of gaining attention and power.
And I'd like to eat her breasts and know God,
You desire a level of intimacy that is both physical and divine.
And I'd like to taste her flesh and grow hard,
Your sexual desires are intertwined with your creative drive.
And I'd like to eat her breasts and grow God,
You see sexuality as a means of achieving spiritual fulfillment.
And I'd like to suck her breath and blow hot
Your passion burns hot and consumes everything around it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES THOMPSON, VIOLET CLARKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind