Nota Bummer: Because this song was recorded 1st take, there are a number of lyric mistakes. "Find the dinner gong" should be "Hear the dinner gong". Also "I was ... mumble mumble mumble ... got to sing" should be "I was shown the door before I got to sing"."
- Julian Cope
Las Vegas Basement
Julian Cope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You swallow down with your last breath
And find me alone
And trapped amidst superlatives and greed
Shine underneath
I was thrown out of the crib into the snow
Not easy but your hands around my neck
Could be construed as your being rude
Find the dinner gong, put down my fork
Start my song
Cause I could be anything you want me to be
Top or bottom face the monster let him know
I was born to entertain so here go
Top or bottom face the monster let him know
I was born to entertain so here go once more
I was thrown under before got to sing
Only to be now forgotten
Only to be now forgotten
The lyrics in Julian Cope's song Las Vegas Basement delve into the idea of fame, greed, and the desire to be loved or wanted. The opening line suggests that life can be tough and that we all have to swallow a bitter pill to survive. However, there is a certain comfort in finding oneself alone amidst superlatives and greed. These two words suggest a world of excess and ambition, which can be overwhelming but also alluring.
The singer then talks about his own experience, having been thrown into the snow at birth, and believes that he was born to entertain. This line portrays the idea of destiny and the idea that some people are born with certain talents and passions that will shape their lives. The next line suggests that it hasn't been an easy journey, with the singer's hands being around his neck, indicating that someone else might have been trying to hold him back.
The final lines of each verse suggest that the singer is resilient and that he was born to entertain no matter the obstacles placed in his way. The line "I could be anything you want me to be" suggests that the singer is willing to adapt and change himself to suit others, and the repetition of the phrase "Top or bottom face the monster let him know" emphasizes the idea that the singer is willing to fight to achieve his goals. The final line "Only to be now forgotten" suggests that despite all the struggles and obstacles the singer has faced, he is now forgotten and that his legacy or impact might not have been recognized or appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
Easy when life's a bitter pill
Life can be tough like a bitter pill.
You swallow down with your last breath
You deal with it till the bitter end.
And find me alone
I am by myself.
And trapped amidst superlatives and greed
Stuck with too much praise and excessive desire for materialism.
Shine underneath
Despite it all, I still have some light left within me.
I was thrown out of the crib into the snow
Life did not go easy on me from the very beginning.
I was born to entertain, so here I go
I am destined to perform and I will do exactly that.
Not easy but your hands around my neck
It's not right to choke someone, even if you're upset.
Could be construed as your being rude
The above-mentioned behavior can be taken as impolite.
Find the dinner gong, put down my fork
It's time to move on from food and start entertaining.
Start my song
Begin my performance.
Cause I could be anything you want me to be
I can transform myself into whatever you desire me to be on stage.
Top or bottom face the monster let him know
I will confront any challenges thrown my way head-on.
I was born to entertain so here go
I was born an entertainer and I will do just that.
Top or bottom face the monster let him know
I will face any obstacles once more with confidence.
I was thrown under before got to sing
My ability to perform was hindered before I even had a chance.
Only to be now forgotten
Despite my past struggles, I am now easily overlooked or ignored.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JULIAN COPE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Si Et
on World War Pigs
hey joe,
i've got some bad news to tell you
that jews killed moses late last night
the word's out that Ala
he's been hijacked
they're walking in the dessert without my god
and this song,
this song is freaking me out
and the moon, tonight,
i don't require it's light
petrochemical dollars in my pocket
i feel like i ransomed out of sight
because the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
hey feets,
gotta start walking
but my shoes are way to tired
so i packed my bags,
started driving
because i feel ransomed out of sight
because the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war
(etc)