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.
Joan of Arc
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My lefty
Come on you knuckleheads
Move it move it move it
Moss in the mornin', lets you in
Is it a field day (feel they?), make me sin
It's only warm my, let you stay
Chase!
Learn-ed (your name?)
Finely
Earn your ray
Might be they
Lucky day
N!
How could you ever, moss it down
Extra ordin is, not my sound
She better hope, that you better mind
Mix me over my, debt (left,let?) be wide! (why!)
The lyrics of "Joan of Arc" by Melvins are rather challenging to interpret. The beginning of the song suggests that someone is calling out to his or her friends or comrades, pushing them to move or perhaps even urging them to move more quickly, as indicated by the phrase "move it move it move it." Then the song shifts into an abstract series of phrases and lines, which are much harder to interpret. It appears that the singer might be addressing someone named Moss, asking him or her to listen or trying to interpret something that he or she has said. They are inviting Moss to participate with them by stating "Moss in the mornin', lets you in." The song goes on to discuss the possible consequences of certain actions, such as committing sins, and encourages someone to "earn your ray" or "lucky day". There are also mentions of debts and minding one's own business.
It is difficult to ascertain what exactly the song is about, although a few clues suggest that it might be about some kind of conflict or battle. The song seems to be discussing taking responsibility for one's actions and making the most of opportunities that come one's way. At the same time, it also suggests that things might not always be as clear-cut as they seem, and that outcomes may be uncertain or unpredictable. Overall, "Joan of Arc" is a challenging and intriguing song that requires close attention to fully understand.
Line by Line Meaning
My left
The attention is drawn towards the left side
My lefty
The reference is to the left hand
Come on you knuckleheads
Addressing the individuals with a term of endearment
Move it move it move it
A call towards urgency to move quickly
Moss in the mornin', lets you in
Talking about the feel of the morning with moss around
Is it a field day (feel they?), make me sin
The vibe of the morning is making the person feel sinful
It's only warm my, let you stay
The singer wants the person to stay as he feels warm
Moss in the mornin', might be way
Morning has moss around which might be beautiful
Chase!
Exclamation to call someone over
Learn-ed (your name?)
Addressing someone and referring to their name before asking them to learn something
Finely
In a beautiful or elegant manner
Earn your ray
To acquire the aura of sunlight or immortality
Might be they
They may be the ones who can help in acquiring the aura of sunlight
Lucky day
A day where fate or luck is in their favor
N!
An exclamation or abbreviation
How could you ever, moss it down
Asking someone how can they ruin the beautiful morning
Extra ordin is, not my sound
The artist is not impressed by anything too ordinary
She better hope, that you better mind
Asking a female to be hopeful and be cautious of someone's intentions
Mix me over my, debt (left,let?) be wide! (why!)
The singer wants their money back immediately
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER OSBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind