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.
My Small Percent Shows Most
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you save yourself?
Still
(Thrown at) you wish it
(Wanna) like a (like a)
Bit of
(Pressure)
(Pouring something) like them
Cigarettes
It's like a, like a
Like a, feeling I can
Hair
Like lemon several sickle like it
The lyrics of Melvins's song "My Small Percent Shows Most" evoke a sense of confusion and despair. The opening line, "Into the pill I go," suggests that the singer is about to take some kind of mind-altering substance, possibly to escape from reality or find some kind of release. The next line, "Would you save yourself?" implies a sense of guilt, as if the singer is concerned about the impact their actions might have on others.
The rest of the lyrics are fragmented and disconnected, with phrases like "Thrown at" and "Wanna like a" suggesting a chaotic jumble of thoughts and emotions. The repeated refrain of "like a feeling I can" implies that the singer is searching for some kind of sensation or experience that they can't quite put into words. The reference to "hair like lemon several sickle like it" adds to the surreal and disorienting tone of the lyrics, with the nonsensical image suggesting that reality itself has become twisted and distorted.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Small Percent Shows Most" suggest a state of mental and emotional turmoil, with the singer struggling to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. The cryptic and fragmented language of the song adds to the sense of confusion, with the repeated refrain suggesting that the singer is searching for some kind of meaning or connection that remains just out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Into the pill I go
I am taking a pill to escape reality and enter a different state of mind.
Would you save yourself?
If given the chance, would you prioritize your own well-being over others'?
Still
Regardless of the situation, things remain unchanged.
(Thrown at) you wish it
You desire something that is out of your reach or is unlikely to happen.
(Wanna) like a (like a)
Expressing a desire to emulate or have a similar experience as something or someone else.
Bit of
A small amount or quantity.
(Pressure)
Feeling of stress or tension.
(Pouring something) like them
Acting or behaving in a way similar to a particular group or person.
(Am I dope? Get some of my)
Asking if the listener thinks highly of them and offering them to try or experience something.
Cigarettes
Referring to the act of smoking, which may symbolize self-destructive behavior or addiction.
It's like a, like a
Comparing or trying to articulate a feeling or experience that is difficult to describe.
Like a, feeling I can
Continuing to try and articulate indescribable emotions or sensations.
Hair
Unclear, as it is unclear in the context of the song.
Like lemon several sickle like it
Unclear, as the meaning of this phrase is ambiguous and open to interpretation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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