Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000.
Final Solution
Living Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause I've got a misdirection
Living at night isn't helping my complexion
The signs all saying it's a social infection
A little bit of fun's never been an insurrection
Mamma threw me out till I get some pants that fit
She just won't approve of my strange kind of wit
Man that send me off
Let them take the cure
Don't need a cure
Need a final solution
Buy me a ticket to a sonic reduction
Guitars gonna sound like a nuclear destruction
Seems I'm a victim of natural selection
Meet me on the other side, another direction
Don't need a cure
Need a final solution
The lyrics to Living Colour's "Final Solution" paint the picture of a misfit struggling to fit into society. The first stanza reveals that the singer is ostracized by women due to his misdirection - this could mean that he lacks a clear purpose or goal, and this is unappealing to potential partners. Secondly, he's a night owl and his lifestyle is taking a toll on his skin. The lyric "The signs all saying it's a social infection" could be interpreted as society deeming his behavior a disease, or that he's contracting a physical ailment due to his lifestyle. Lastly, he yearns for fun but his pursuit of it has never been an insurrection. Perhaps he's felt at odds with authority or the norm in the past, but it's never been anything that threatens the established power structures.
The second stanza reveals a strained relationship with his mother - she won't let him live at home unless he gets pants that fit and curbs his strange sense of humor. He's impulsive and excitable, which often results in disappointment or failure. The lyric "Man that sends me off, let them take the cure" could be interpreted as him surrendering to society's demands to conform or improve himself, even if it means taking medication or undergoing a cure. However, the chorus proves that he doesn't want a cure; he wants a final solution. The singer feels like he's been left out of the natural selection process, and he asks for a "sonic reduction" or a musical experience that will feel like a nuclear explosion. He feels like he doesn't quite fit in this world, but is ready to move onto another one - "Meet me on the other side, another direction."
Line by Line Meaning
The girls won't touch me
I am unable to form relationships with women.
'cause I've got a misdirection
My personality and behavior is misunderstood by others.
Living at night isn't helping my complexion
Staying awake late at night is causing me physical and emotional harm.
The signs all saying it's a social infection
There are clear indications that my behavior is negatively impacting those around me.
A little bit of fun's never been an insurrection
Engaging in harmless activities should not be considered a rebellion or act of defiance.
Mamma threw me out till I get some pants that fit
My mother disapproves of the way I dress and behave.
She just won't approve of my strange kind of wit
My sense of humor and way of expressing myself is not appreciated by my mother.
I get so excited, always gotta lose
I tend to become overly enthusiastic and end up making mistakes or having negative outcomes.
Man that send me off
People who make me upset or angry.
Let them take the cure
Those who are a source of my stress should go through the process of healing themselves.
Don't need a cure
I do not require a medical treatment to solve my issues.
Need a final solution
I am searching for a complete and final resolution to my problems.
Buy me a ticket to a sonic reduction
I desire to attend a concert where the music is so loud that it drowns out my problems.
Guitars gonna sound like a nuclear destruction
The music will be so intense that it creates a feeling of destruction and chaos.
Seems I'm a victim of natural selection
It appears that my personality traits do not allow me to thrive in society.
Meet me on the other side, another direction
Let's transition to a new phase in life, moving in a different direction.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLEN RAVENSTINE, DAVID THOMAS, SCOTT KRAUSS, TOM HERMAN, TONY MAIMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Andrews
To resolve some of the confusion in the comments below; the song was written by the members of Rocket from the Tombs, who eventually became two bands - Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys. The most commonly heard version of this song is the Pere Ubu version, however the original Rocket from the Tombs recordings (a set of bedroom tapes which were released as 'The Day the Earth Met Rocket from the Tombs' are truly outstanding.
drewper73
How did I manage not to see these guys live back in the day? They're still touring thank God, so I still have a chance.
Trews Detroit
I seen the Time's Up tour, at the now closed Latin Quarter, in Detroit. To this day this concert is easily in my top 5 all-time best shows I have ever seen. I remember The Final Solution being the third song they played, and the opening of New Jack Theme was insane. Living Colour is a great band, and even better on stage. I seen them again about two months ago, they still put on a good show.
Justin Howell
Awesome!!!
bob ross
Awesome, somehow never heard this before
sun born
Wow, welche Freude!!! Wo kommt das denn plötzlich her? Eine Perle!!! Ich hatte nur noch eine alte MC wo das drauf war. Es ist die Liveaufnahme von einem Konzi von ~1990. Erstens ist dieser Song total selten, ich hab ihn sonst nicht oft veröffentlicht gefunden, zweitens ist es die geilste Version davon, drittens gibt's hier DEN break der breaks zu hören (2:45), viertens ist Living Colour auch nach der Reunion einfach die beste band und schluss!
cryptsub
how rad - why haven't i heard this before?
Daniel Smith
i saw these guys 89' with the stones
idb
Rocket From the Tombs
thegorillasnake
Those would be the members of Pere Ubu.