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.
Youth of America
Melvins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no place to go.
Yea, there's pressure all around, the walls are crumbling
Down, the walls are coming down on you.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to see it now, got
To see it now, now, now.
They attack you from the right side, down the left side,
Down the middle till you don't know who you are.
Stay around, think it don't really matter, there trying to put
You 6 feet under the ground.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to feel this now, got
To feel this now, now, now.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to heal it now,
Got to heal it now, now, now.
Yea, is living in the jungle, fighting for survival
But there's no place to go, no place to go, no place to go.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
Now there's no place left to go
Got to get off of this rot
Do you want to be born here again?
I don't want to be bored here again
There just ain't no resistance
Beware of those guys in disguise
Were living in the jungle fighting for survival
Can't wait much longer, hurry
They'll attack you from the right side, down the left side
Down the middle till you don't know where you are.
Stick around, think it don't really matter, there trying to put
You 6 feet under the ground.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to hear it now, got
To hear it now, now, now.
Yea, youth youth youth youth youth
Yea, yea, you you you you
The lyrics of the song "Youth of America" by Melvins are a scathing commentary on the state of society, where people are forced to live in a jungle and fight for survival every day. The opening lines set the tone for the song, describing the harsh reality of people who are stuck in a place where there is no escape. The pressure builds up around them, and the walls seem to be closing in.
The song expresses frustration and a call to action. The lyrics assert that "it is time we rectify this now." The youth are fighting back but are attacked from all sides, and there is a sense of confusion and disorientation. Despite this, the song urges the listener to stay strong and resist. There is a feeling that society is at a turning point and that things must change before it is too late.
Overall, the song is a powerful critique of society, highlighting the struggles of those at the bottom, and calling for change. The lyrics capture a sense of urgency, frustration and a need for action.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, is living in the jungle, fighting for survival, but
There's no place to go.
Life is a constant battle for survival, but there seems to be no safe haven to retreat to.
Yea, there's pressure all around, the walls are crumbling
Down, the walls are coming down on you.
The pressures of life are mounting and it feels like everything is falling apart.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to see it now, got
To see it now, now, now.
We must address this issue immediately, we need to open our eyes and take action now, without delay.
They attack you from the right side, down the left side,
Down the middle till you don't know who you are.
Opposition comes at you from all angles, leaving you feeling confused and disoriented.
Stay around, think it don't really matter, there trying to put
You 6 feet under the ground.
If you become complacent, thinking that the situation isn't important, you'll end up dead and buried.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to feel this now, got
To feel this now, now, now.
The solution starts with acknowledging our emotions and feeling the urgency to act now.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to heal it now,
Got to heal it now, now, now.
We need to fix the issue before it spirals out of control, we need to heal it now, without wasting time.
Yea, is living in the jungle, fighting for survival
But there's no place to go, no place to go, no place to go.
Life is like being stuck in a jungle, fighting for survival with no safe haven in sight.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
Now there's no place left to go
Got to get off of this rot
Do you want to be born here again?
I don't want to be bored here again
There just ain't no resistance
Beware of those guys in disguise
Were living in the jungle fighting for survival
Can't wait much longer, hurry
Society is unequal and there is no escape from it. We need to break free from this cycle of poverty and oppression because we don't want to endure it all again in the next life. We need to be vigilant of those who pretend to be on our side but are actually against us. Time is running out and we need to act quickly to ensure our survival.
They'll attack you from the right side, down the left side
Down the middle till you don't know where you are.
Stick around, think it don't really matter, there trying to put
You 6 feet under the ground.
The enemy will come at you from every direction and make you lose your bearings. Don't take the situation lightly, because they're out to kill you.
It is time we rectify this now, we got to hear it now, got
To hear it now, now, now.
We must listen to our instincts and the call to action, and do what needs to be done without delay.
Yea, youth youth youth youth youth
Yea, yea, you you you you
Young people need to take action and be the change they want to see in the world. This is a call to all youth to take responsibility for the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREG SAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind