Who is this maniac Master of Ceremonies who openly confesses to the two grand black bohemians said to be lunatic Sun Ra and George Clinton, and whose stagings certainly remind us of a young Herman Sonny Blount and his Solar Arkestra? In 1995 Khan leaves the frosty soil of the city of Montreal playing the bass for the International-Underground-Legends THE SPACESHITS. The band is produced by Mike Mariconda with a special guest appearance from the Fabulous Andy G (Devil Dogs). Khan founds the secret lodge of the KUKAMONGAS. During the oncoming years Khan tours across the States. Detroit, New Orleans, New York City, LA, San Francisco, Dallas, Tijuana etc. Khan doesn’t return from the first Spaceshits-Europe-Tour in summer of 1999. In Germany the young 22-year old Canadian founds a Psychedlic-Soul-Big-Band THE SENSATIONAL SHRINES. The first line-up includes Ron Streeter (live-percussionist of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and other Soul-Legends), as well as a horn section of rowdy teenagers, and a rhythm section which can only be called a german/french version of the Freak Brothers. Khan meets Fredovitch (Bordeaux's wildest organ player) wearing a silver-studded gogo dress, matching cowboy hat and sporting a full beard. He dubs him into shrinehood only one week before recording their first album in Toe Rag Studio in London. THREE HAIRS & YOU’RE MINE is produced by Liam Watson. THE SHRINES grow into an all-star international movement. Their first concert in London is suspended by the police. The band escapes through the back-door. Numerous gigs will follow all across Europe, among others with the Demolition Dollrods, Mr. Quintron and Ms. Pussycat, an after-party for 50 cent, even a legendary stint at the Roskilde festival. In 2003 Khan encounters the Hazelwood-producers-team Gordon “Two Horses” Friedrich and Wolfgang “Amadeus” Gottlieb, who stage the second longplayer MR. SUPERNATURAL in the beginning of 2004.
*****
INTRODUCING THE SHRINES
Mr. Speedfinger: guitar
Original member of the Shrines. He owns a bar in Kassel and hasn’t charged Khan for a drink in five years.
Riddiman: bass
Gypsy-punk and truck-driver. He found his bass in the garbage and plays it up to the very day. Member of the Anarchist-Elektro-Punk-Band EGOTRONIC.
John Boy Adonis: drums
Even though he looks like a bizarre mixture between Jesus Christ and Charlie Manson, no kinship could be proven. Member of the Experimental-Sub-Underground-Band INCLUB EXPLOSIVO.
Ron Streeter: percussion
Percussionist of countless soul-legends. Khan slid a paper with his phone-number under the toilet-door, with one simple plea “don’t wipe your ass with it”. Two days later Ron played with the shrines.
Freddy “Mr. Ovitch” Rococo: lead organ and piano
Khan had organized a show for the French one-man-band FREDOVITCH. Freddie performed in a silver go-go dress with a matching cowboy-hat and full beard. Two weeks later the shrines had him flown into the London studio.
Sam Fransisco: trumpet
Plays in numerous noise-bands with long artful names. After his girlfriend left him, Sam hurled himself into excessive drug abuse, a circumstance that bestowed a heap of good songs upon the Shrines and musical immortality for himself
Ben Ra: tenor saxophone
Plays in the 60’s-Garage-Punk-Band HARAKEEREES. His idols are John Coltrane, Sun Ra and the Sonics. Nevertheless Ben Ra perambulates the universe with his go-go-girl-friend and is easily irritable.
Bid Fred Rollercoaster: baritone saxophone
Plays with the French Trash-Rockabilly-Band BDK & THE ROLLERCOASTERS. Big Fred has got the longest fingers in all of France and has no problem in using them.
Bamboorella: go-go-dance
The appearance of the Japanese go-go-dancer conceals the notorious Rock’n’roll-DJ KITTY ATOMIC. Bamboorella traded a life of crime, sex and drugs for a life of rock’n’roll, sex and drugs. With her salacious dances she enthuses both men and women alike.
Bite My Tongue
King Khan & The Shrines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bruise and beat they couldn't chain me, no
Shut up all their plans I did
Here I am lost on their grid, oh no
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
Tired of gag they would have loved me
Sad and blue you would have found me, no
My silence had set you free
Now don't you go and tell on me, oh no
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
The lyrics of "Bite My Tongue" by King Khan & The Shrines describe a person who refuses to be contained, silenced or controlled by others. The person has been mistreated, bruised and beaten, yet continues to resist the attempts to chain them up. They have remained quiet for the sake of others, but now they are lost and trapped. The ship represents the moment of truth, a turning point where the person must decide who they are and what they stand for.
The person sings about biting their tongue, and keeping their mouth shut for someone else's sake. The implication is that they are willing to sacrifice their own voice for the sake of someone else's well-being, perhaps out of love, loyalty, fear or respect. The line "Tell me who you think is the man" indicates that there is a power struggle at play, and the person is trying to figure out who will have the upper hand when the ship hits. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the person's determination to remain silent, even in the face of adversity.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on one's personal context and experiences. It can be seen as a statement of resistance against oppression, a love song, a plea for acceptance or forgiveness, or a declaration of personal strength and integrity. The song's fast-paced, energetic rhythm and soulful horns add to its rebellious, free-spirited tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Chained and bell they can't contain me
I cannot be restrained by physical means
Bruise and beat they couldn't chain me, no
Even physical punishment cannot break me
Shut up all their plans I did
I silenced their scheming
Here I am lost on their grid, oh no
However, I find myself trapped in their system
And when the ship hits the
When the situation becomes difficult
Tell me who you think is the man
Who do you think has the power?
The one who would make me stand
Who could force me to rise up
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I will hold back and keep quiet
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
I will remain silent to protect you
Tired of gag they would have loved me
They would have preferred to keep me silenced
Sad and blue you would have found me, no
But if they succeeded, I would be defeated and miserable
My silence had set you free
My lack of speech allowed you to avoid trouble
Now don't you go and tell on me, oh no
Please, do not betray me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ARISH A. KHAN, SIMON WOJAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slint69
Chained and bell they can't contain me
Bruise and beat they couldn't chain me, no
Shut up all their plans I did
Here I am lost on their grid, oh no
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
Tired of gag they would have loved me
Sad and blue you would have found me, no
My silence had set you free
Now don't you go and tell on me, oh no
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
And when the ship hits the
Tell me who you think is the man
The one who would make me stand
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll bite my tongue, I'll bite my tongue
I'll keep the mouth shut for you
@T.K...
How did I miss this for 10 years? I'm so glad King Khan took Jesus down a peg or two. He's been walking around like he's some kind of savior for years now.
@wendyow
Can't wait for the King to tour again!
@jawbrr3436
Montreal's finest!
@youredarkestnightmare
You're such a legend king Khan you & mark sultan
@jp1968chpmn
Wonderful!
@MrReptilianhumanoid
chili sauce falls on guys face: "KRUNNCHH!"
@keithleeuwen877
I LOVE IT !
@MrKuksugar
YESS!
@jans.1051
Rummelsnuff! 💪
@frelkarox
khan is my king.