Songwriter Jay Laughlin and engineer Dave Grubb spent the 1990s developing their vision in the critically acclaimed Philadephia/New Jersey area noise-pop band Lenola, releasing numerous full lengths and amassing an international word-of-mouth following for their unique sound that proved Pop music could be seriously damaged, yet retain its infectious hooks & charms.
Following Lenolas demise in late 2002, Laughlin soon began work on new compositions that pushed harder into some of the Electronic-meets-Rock directions that latter period Lenola had only hinted at.
A full ensemble was put together in 2004 to perform these songs live before proper recording commenced. This lineup includes Brian Wilkinson on bass, Jeff Scioli on guitars and vocals (who was also a part of the final Lenola lineup) and drummer Pete Girgenti (from Philadelphia's Grandfabric).
After allowing Laughlins new batch of music to evolve in a group setting, Like A Fox released their self-titled debut LP in 2006, and followed up with 2008's much acclaimed "Where's My Golden Arm?" They recently opened for Mercury Rev.
There is an astonishing balance between the delicate acoustic textures and crushing choruses of these songs. The vocals float and soar while effected keyboards & buzzsaw electric guitars guide the songs along a happily disorienting ride, all above the pulse of rhythms both man and machine-made.
It is apparent that the development of these recordings was a labor of love with fine attention to aural detail, yet the songs themselves are of a classic form that could have been brought to life anytime in the last four decades.
It is this adherence to song tradition while also sounding like it is being beamed back to you from the future, covered in beautiful static & gloss, that confirms Like A Fox as a unique and forward looking group. Enjoy the songs.
Kingdom Come
Like A Fox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's how it always begins
Kingdome come
Came and went
Left me broken
Left me bent
That's what they say
I wish I could be careful
Wish I could care about anything
When they swing
The good old days
Must have come and gone
I wish I could remember one
The youth is wasted on the young
You end up holding the bottom rung
Be careful what you wish for
That's what they say
I wish I could be careful
Wish I could care about anything
When they swing
I stick out my chin
You can call it a day
But it's just the beginning
It's just the beginning
In "Kingdom Come," Like A Fox seems to be reflecting on the hardships and challenges that come with ambition and the pursuit of success. The song begins with a violent metaphor, describing how every journey toward greatness seems to start with a punch in the teeth or a kick to the shins. From there, Like A Fox laments the fleeting nature of success and how it can leave a person feeling "broken" and "bent" when it inevitably fades away.
The chorus of the song warns against the dangers of getting what you wish for, suggesting that it might not actually bring happiness or satisfaction. While others might caution against unchecked ambition, however, the singer of "Kingdom Come" seems almost wistful for the ability to care about something so deeply that they would risk getting hurt.
The song ends with a resignation to the struggles and trials that come with the pursuit of greatness. While others might give up after taking a punch to the chin, the singer sticks out their own chin, ready for whatever comes next. It's unclear whether this is a sign of resilience or recklessness, but either way, the journey is just beginning.
Overall, "Kingdom Come" is a thoughtful meditation on the highs and lows of striving for greatness. Like A Fox acknowledges the difficulties but also seems to find some sort of beauty in the struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
A punch in the teeth or a kick to the shins
The start of a conflict, most likely physical in nature
It's how it always begins
This is a recurring pattern in situations like this
Kingdom come
A time in the past that is seen as ideal or perfect
Came and went
It existed briefly and is now gone
Left me broken
The artist was emotionally or physically hurt by the loss of this ideal time
Left me bent
The singer was negatively impacted in some way by this loss
Be careful what you wish for
The singer understands the potential negative consequences of getting what they desire
That's what they say
This is a common phrase or warning that many people are familiar with
I wish I could be careful
The artist understands that they have a tendency to act impulsively
Wish I could care about anything
The artist feels apathetic towards everything
When they swing
During moments of conflict or confrontation
The good old days
A nostalgic reference to a time in the past that was positive
Must have come and gone
It's been a long time since those positive past experiences occurred
I wish I could remember one
The singer struggles to recall specific positive memories from the past
The youth is wasted on the young
Young people don't always appreciate the advantages and opportunities of their youth
You end up holding the bottom rung
The artist has not been able to take advantage of their youth and has been left with little success in life
I stick out my chin
I am resilient and refuse to give up in tough situations
You can call it a day
You may think this is resolved, but the singer knows more challenges are coming
But it's just the beginning
This is only the start of a larger conflict or challenge
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.