When live he has a loop pedal that allows him to record a loop live and then sing/play over the top of the loop. Watch this YouTube video for an idea.
Aside from solo performance he is also well known for the many bands he has been involved with - most notably Totally Gourdgeous, Oxo Cubans and Bomba.
Lots of his songs are available free as MP3 on his Myspace and his website: http://www.malwebb.com/
"You're a freak" said Ani DiFranco of Mal (really!)
"He's like Bobby McFerrin, Aphex Twin and Cole Porter playing scrabble" - B.Freely
Helen Lane
Mal Webb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the mostest
She's a ghost who can boast
From coast to coast in every Hela cell
She's more cultured than Chanel
Cartier or YSL
But she's tired of being quite so huge
And dizzy from the centrifuge
Her prison cell is built to last
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your coffin's final nail
Is bigger than a blue whale?
And so it will remain
Just as long as cell biologists
Like peering at your private bits
It's a grand humiliation
Showing now across the nation
Mutation on a huge scale
Bigger than a blue whale
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know the bit you left behind
May help to cure its own kind?
So maybe you can claim
A saintly little perch in every church
For contributions to research
Well back in 1953, m'lady had a malady
A cervix abnormality
That led to her fatality
The cells went for a biopsy
That showed up the malignancy
But also a propensity
To multiply so rapidly
That the scientists went on to see
What other uses there could be
For her expansive quality
They shared her around extensively
To every good laboratory
Her fame was spreading globally
'Til nowadays she's said to be
The biggest lonely clone there'll ever be
Arabidopsis and drosophila
May have advice to offer her
On how it's best to keep your cool
When you've become a research tool
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your flock of little vultures
Divide and conquer lesser cultures?
But not that you're to blame
Your name before
They diddled with the facts
Was really Henrietta Lacks
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know that part you left to science
Is now a giant among giants?
And on a higher plane
Your omnipresent question
Bids the answer
God's a black woman's cancer
The song "Helen Lane" by Mal Webb is a tribute to a woman named Henrietta Lacks, whose immortal cells have been used extensively in medical research for over 60 years. The lyrics refer to Lacks as "Helen Lane," a name that was given to her to protect her privacy, and speak of her legacy as a remarkable example of the human capacity for adaptation and resilience. The song describes Lacks as a ghost who can boast of her cultural significance, and notes that her cells are more valuable than those of any superficially glamorous brand or designer. However, the lyrics also acknowledge the paradox that Lacks suffered from the very cells that have been so widely used in scientific research, and that her life and body were appropriated without her consent or compensation.
The song speaks to the grand humiliation that Lacks has endured, as her cells have been used to create a vast number of commercial and medical products without her input or credit. However, in a twist of fate, the song notes that Lacks' cells may also have saved the lives of countless individuals around the world, and that her legacy as a medical pioneer may one day be celebrated in every church. The final verse of the song is a reference to the fact that Lacks was an African-American woman, and makes a powerful statement about the intersection of race and illness, suggesting that a divine force may be at work in the phenomenon of cancer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Helen Lane" are a tribute to a remarkable woman and a complex legacy. They acknowledge the many ways in which human beings have been able to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity, but also show the ways in which these same traits can be exploited and appropriated by more powerful actors. The song is a testament to the ongoing struggle for recognition, dignity, and justice faced by many marginalized communities, and a reminder of the vital role that cultural expression can play in this struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I propose a toast to the mitosist
With the mostest
She's a ghost who can boast
From coast to coast in every Hela cell
She's more cultured than Chanel
Cartier or YSL
But she's tired of being quite so huge
And dizzy from the centrifuge
She's quick frozen, colour-fast
Her prison cell is built to last
The singer is honoring the mitotic activity and versatility of Henrietta Lacks' immortal cells. These Hela cells can easily thrive in any region of her body and have outlasted fashion brands. Despite their scientific significance, the cells' abundance and longevity are overwhelming, and they are frozen and stored for future research in the same state.
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your coffin's final nail
Is bigger than a blue whale?
And so it will remain
Just as long as cell biologists
Like peering at your private bits
Despite Henrietta's death, her cells remain popular, and scientists from different countries are continually using them for research. These cells are essential in the scientific community and have contributed immensely to research. As long as scientists need these cells, they will remain in storage for future use.
It's a grand humiliation
Showing now across the nation
Mutation on a huge scale
Bigger than a blue whale
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know the bit you left behind
May help to cure its kind?
So maybe you can claim
A saintly little perch in every church
For contributions to research
Henrietta's cells are continually studied, and their ability to keep multiplying is being tested to attempt treatment of various illnesses. The contributions of her cells to scientific research have been monumental and could help cure various illnesses in time. Her significant input to medicine and research is saintly and deserves recognition in every religious institution.
Well back in 1953, m'lady had a malady
A cervix abnormality
That led to her fatality
The cells went for a biopsy
That showed up the malignancy
But also a propensity
To multiply so rapidly
That the scientists went on to see
What other uses there could be
For her expansive quality
They shared her around extensively
To every good laboratory
Her fame was spreading globally
'Til nowadays she's said to be
The biggest lonely clone there'll ever be
Henrietta's cervical abnormality led to her death in 1953, but fortunately, the scientists who studied her tumor for cancer research were able to cultivate immortal cells from it. They found that her cells could multiply incredibly fast which allowed for them to be used for various other medical researches. These cells were shared among different laboratories worldwide, and her fame grew when more and more people realized the significance of her contribution to medicine. The cells are widely cloned and are referred to as 'the biggest lonely clone there will ever be'.
Arabidopsis and drosophila
May have advice to offer her
On how it's best to keep your cool
When you've become a research tool
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your flock of little vultures
Divide and conquer lesser cultures?
But not that you're to blame
Your name before
They diddled with the facts
Was really Henrietta Lacks
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know that part you left to science
Is now a giant among giants?
And on a higher plane
Your omnipresent question
Bids the answer
God's a black woman's cancer
Other cells from plants like Arabidopsis and insects like drosophila are also used for medical research, and they could offer Henrietta's cells advice on how to remain emotionally stable. This compares the exploitation of Henrietta's cells to a flock of vultures, who divide and consume lesser cultures. Although Henrietta was not aware of her descendants' contribution to science, she has remained an essential part of it. Her cells are now a giant among giants of medical research, and her presence is ongoing, all while begging the question whether God is symbolized by Henrietta's cancer.
Contributed by Charlotte N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joeru
Lyrics:
Well, I propose a toast to the mitosist
With the mostest
She's a ghost who can boast
From coast to coast in every Hela cell
She's more cultured than Chanel
Cartier or YSL
But she's tired of being quite so huge
And dizzy from the centrifuge
She's quick frozen, colour-fast
Her prison cell is built to last
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your coffin's final nail
Is bigger than a blue whale?
And so it will remain
Just as long as cell biologists
Like peering at your private bits
It's a grand humiliation
Showing now across the nation
Mutation on a huge scale
Bigger than a blue whale
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know the bit you left behind
May help to cure its own kind?
So maybe you can claim
A saintly little perch in every church
For contributions to research
Well back in 1953, m'lady had a malady
A cervix abnormality
That led to her fatality
The cells went for a biopsy
That showed up the malignancy
But also a propensity
To multiply so rapidly
That the scientists went on to see
What other uses there could be
For her expansive quality
They shared her around extensively
To every good laboratory
Her fame was spreading globally
‘Til nowadays she’s said to be
The biggest lonely clone there’ll ever be
Arabidopsis and drosiphila
May have advice to offer her
On how it’s best to keep your cool
When you’ve become a research tool
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your flock of little vultures
Divide and conquer lesser cultures?
But not that you’re to blame
Your name before
They diddled with the facts
Was really Henrietta Lacks
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know that part of you left to science
Is now a giant among giants?
And on a higher plane
Your omnipresent question
Bids the answer
God’s black woman’s cancer
Danica Wei
Pinch Webquest. He says Henrietta Lacks at 2:50. The song is called Helen Lane because that was Henrietta Lack's code name in the lab.
Renee Zhang
oh my god i love you rn
Pashmia Adule
@Renee Zhang Thank you so very much
censored***
Thank you :)
MrChickenNugg
thanks bro
Do not Disturb
THANK YOU 😭🤧
Joeru
Lyrics:
Well, I propose a toast to the mitosist
With the mostest
She's a ghost who can boast
From coast to coast in every Hela cell
She's more cultured than Chanel
Cartier or YSL
But she's tired of being quite so huge
And dizzy from the centrifuge
She's quick frozen, colour-fast
Her prison cell is built to last
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your coffin's final nail
Is bigger than a blue whale?
And so it will remain
Just as long as cell biologists
Like peering at your private bits
It's a grand humiliation
Showing now across the nation
Mutation on a huge scale
Bigger than a blue whale
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know the bit you left behind
May help to cure its own kind?
So maybe you can claim
A saintly little perch in every church
For contributions to research
Well back in 1953, m'lady had a malady
A cervix abnormality
That led to her fatality
The cells went for a biopsy
That showed up the malignancy
But also a propensity
To multiply so rapidly
That the scientists went on to see
What other uses there could be
For her expansive quality
They shared her around extensively
To every good laboratory
Her fame was spreading globally
‘Til nowadays she’s said to be
The biggest lonely clone there’ll ever be
Arabidopsis and drosiphila
May have advice to offer her
On how it’s best to keep your cool
When you’ve become a research tool
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know your flock of little vultures
Divide and conquer lesser cultures?
But not that you’re to blame
Your name before
They diddled with the facts
Was really Henrietta Lacks
Dear Helen Lane
Did you know that part of you left to science
Is now a giant among giants?
And on a higher plane
Your omnipresent question
Bids the answer
God’s black woman’s cancer
salsaplease
this was done so well
Tomb Stone
This song never ever tires in our house hold..
Lovette Carter
You must read, "Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" to understand this song in completion. Helen Lane is actually Henrietta Lacks. Mal sings, "God's a black woman's cancer". My interpretation is, her "immortal "cells can infiltrate any culture if it is placed in the right culture -just as Almight God. What do you think? Her cells were harvested and saves trillions of lives and more as I type. I hope my classmates at CCBC/ Professor Maguire responds.