Medicine is a shoegaze/dream pop band from Los Angeles, USA. They have had … Read Full Bio ↴Medicine is a shoegaze/dream pop band from Los Angeles, USA. They have had two distinct incarnations. The band was first formed in 1991 by guitarist and programmer Brad Laner (aka Electric Company) and signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings label the following year. Medicine was/is considered the American response to shoegazing bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Chapterhouse. With a signature guitar tone, created by running Brad Laner's guitar through a Yamaha 8-track recorder, Medicine's music managed to distinguish itself from some of the more noisy and ambiguous endeavours of the shoegazing movement. The band made a brief appearance as themselves in the film The Crow, performing Time Baby III.

Brad Laner broke up the original band in 1995.

In 2003 The Mechanical Forces of Love was released. For this album Medicine was just a duo, consisting of Brad Laner and singer Shannon Lee (sister of The Crow's star, Brandon, and daughter of Bruce).

1st April 2013 Brad Laner announces new Medicine track 'Long As The Sun' with the original line up, to be downloaded here:

https://soundcloud.com/capturedtracks/medicine-long-as-the-sun/

A Short Happy Life
Medicine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Honey sliding across the floor
Don't make me wait
If you smile now, I just might melt
Lick me off the plate

Taste me now, 'cause we've not much time
Crush my tiny frame

She's a shy boy
I don't know why
Cruel to the core
Kiss me once before I die
Hang me from the door

Is it my turn to make you cry?
I'm not keeping score

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "A Short Happy Life" by MEDICINE portray a sense of urgency and desire. The opening lines talk about the honey "sliding across the floor". This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the sweetness of life that is slipping away. The lines "Don't make me wait, if you smile now, I just might melt, Lick me off the plate" reveal the singer's desperation to live life to the fullest and indulge in every possible experience before time runs out. The idea of "licking off the plate" suggests savoring every last drop of life.

The chorus "Taste me now, 'cause we've not much time, Crush my tiny frame" further emphasizes this feeling of urgency and fleetingness of life. The lines "She's a shy boy, cruel to the core" suggests that the singer is talking about someone who is hesitant to seize the moment and enjoy life to the fullest. The lines "Kiss me once before I die, Hang me from the door, Is it my turn to make you cry? I'm not keeping score" talk about how the singer wants to experience everything he/she can before passing away, and is not concerned about keeping track of what has happened.

Line by Line Meaning

Honey sliding across the floor
The momentary sweetness of our relationship is slipping away and we should enjoy it while it lasts.

Don't make me wait
I want to cherish every moment with you and not waste time.

If you smile now, I just might melt
Your happiness means everything to me and has the power to break down my defenses.

Lick me off the plate
I want to be consumed by you, both emotionally and physically.

Taste me now, 'cause we've not much time
Our time together is limited and I want to experience everything with you while I still can.

Crush my tiny frame
I am fragile and vulnerable, but willing to give myself completely to you.

She's a shy boy
Despite appearing confident on the surface, I am actually timid and hesitant to make the first move.

I don't know why
My lack of understanding about my own feelings towards you makes me feel lost and confused.

Cruel to the core
I fear that my intense emotions will lead me to hurt you in the end, even though that is not my intention.

Kiss me once before I die
Even a single moment of intimacy with you would be enough to make my life complete.

Hang me from the door
I am willing to endure pain and suffering for the chance to be with you, no matter the cost.

Is it my turn to make you cry?
In our tumultuous relationship, I am unsure if it is my actions or yours that will lead to heartbreak.

I'm not keeping score
Despite the potential for pain and heartbreak, I am willing to put everything on the line for you without keeping track of who has hurt who more.

Contributed by Emily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS