In the early days of their career their dark, heavy, oppressively slow sound made them innovators of genres like sludge, grunge, and doom metal. The Melvins' music is influenced by Flipper, Black Flag's My War-era hardcore punk and Black Sabbath-style heavy metal, but their idiosyncratic approach, bizarre sense of humor, and experimentation make neat categorization difficult. Singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne (aka "King Buzzo") and drummer Dale Crover are constant members while several bass guitarists have cycled through the group. The Melvins usually performed as a trio until 2006 when two members of Big Business became permanent members of the band.
The band was named after a grocery clerk at the Thriftway in Montesano, Washington where Osborne was employed. Melvin was the most-hated fellow employee and the band felt it to be an appropriate name. Like SF noisenik predecessors Flipper, their love of slow tempos and sludgy sound were a strong influence on grunge music, especially Nirvana and many other bands from Seattle. Their protegés, however, tended to use more conventional musical structures with this sound.
Though the group has received mostly positive critical notice, Crover's drumming has been especially praised; Patrick Kennedy describes his work as "astonishing, powerful, and daring."
While never finding and most likely never even seeking great mainstream success, the Melvins maintain an impressive schedule of new albums and tours, including a collaboration with Fantômas in The Fantômas Melvins Big Band, two releases with former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, and in 2004 the Melvins collaborated with ambient artist Lustmord for Pigs of the Roman Empire. In appreciation of their devoted fans, the Melvins have released various collectables through the years that have included two-headed dolls, an eight-track tape, and a plastic fetus in a jar.
Fellow Aberdeen resident Kurt Cobain (a good friend of Crover) was a huge Melvins fan and helped them transport their equipment to a few shows. Cobain also auditioned to join the band on bass, but he didn't make it, reportedly because he was so nervous that he forgot all the songs. Cobain maintained his relation with the band. Later he produced and played on some songs (guitar on "Sky Pup", percussion on "Spread Eagle Beagle") on the band's major label debut, Houdini. Dale Crover is also attributed as playing on the Nirvana debut album, Bleach, and on "Incesticide". In addition, Dave Grohl (ex-drummer for Nirvana) co-wrote and played drums for Isabella on Buzzo's Melvins solo album, King Buzzo.
Goin
Melvins Lyrics
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There is nothing more for you and I
Some are young and some are free
But I think I'm goin' blind
'Cause I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it should be
Little lady, can't you see
I'm ninety-three, you're sixteen
Can't you see I'm goin' blind?
'Cause I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it should be
'cause I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it should be
You're much younger; can't you see?
There is nothing more for you and I
I'm ninety-three, you're sixteen
And I think I'm goin' blind
Yes, I think I'm goin' blind
And I know how it should be
The lyrics to Melvins's song "Goin' in 2-3" express the feelings of a person who is getting old and losing sight of things. The singer is aware of the age gap between them and the person they are addressing, and they feel that the age difference makes them unable to connect. The first two lines of the song indicate that there is nothing left for the singer and the other person. The third line, "Some are young and some are free," suggests that the other person is still young and has a lot of life ahead of them.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "I think I'm goin' blind" several times. This repetition emphasizes the singer's sense of confusion and disorientation. They feel as though they are losing their grip on reality and are unable to see things clearly. The phrase "I know how it should be" also appears throughout the song. This indicates that the singer has a clear idea of how things are supposed to be, but they are struggling to reconcile their expectations with their current situation.
Overall, "Goin' in 2-3" is a song about aging and the challenges that come with growing old. The lyrics are poignant and introspective, and they convey a sense of sadness and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
And I know how it's to be
I am familiar with how things are supposed to be
There is nothing more for you and I
There is no future for us together
Some are young and some are free
Some people have youth and freedom
But I think I'm goin' blind
I believe that I am losing my sight
'Cause I think I'm goin' blind
Because I believe that I am losing my sight
Little lady, can't you see
Young woman, don't you understand
You're so young and so much different than I?
You are much younger and different from me
I'm ninety-three, you're sixteen
I am ninety-three years old and you are sixteen
Can't you see I'm goin' blind?
Don't you see that I am losing my eyesight?
'Cause I think I'm goin' blind
Because I believe that I am losing my sight
You're much younger; can't you see?
You are much younger, don't you understand?
Yes, I think I'm goin' blind
I believe that I am losing my sight
And I know how it should be
I am aware of how things should be
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GENE SIMMONS, STEVE CORONEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind