Knott's music has not been without controversy in Christian circles, particularly due to profanity in the song "Rocket and a Bomb" (from the self-titled release of his former band Aunt Bettys) and original artwork in that album of Jesus Christ as a bartender.
Knott explained some of his views in an interview with HM Magazine, saying "Basically, I'm a human being and I believe in Christ, period. It doesn't make my life rosy, it doesn't make my life terrible, it doesn't do anything with that. I know Christ."
Michael Knott is also the founder of the now defunct independent record label, Blonde Vinyl Records.
http://www.michaelknott.com/
liar
Michael Knott Lyrics
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Everything you want is not anything it is
Toss the rat from this trap cage
Face the fact, they are liars
God vendor
Raise a sheckel up in the air
Pull the bridges down low
Feels so nice
Toss the rat from this trap cave
Face the fact, they are liars
God vendor
Makes me sick, makes me wanna vomit
I'm fillin' my heart with rocks and sand
I am the slogan, "Christ for sale"
The first two lines of Michael Knott's song Liar addresses the idea of perception and desire. It suggests that the things one sees may not truly be what they want, and that what they desire may not genuinely be fulfilling. This notion presents an introspective and critical focus of the self, and how one perceives the world and their role in it.
The following lines "Toss the rat from this trap cage, Face the fact, they are liars, God vendor” speaks of a person escaping from the lies and traps of people who claim to be vendors of God but are deceitful. The phrase "God vendor" refers to people who use God for their own advantage, rather than genuinely living by His teachings. Knott urges the listener to face this reality, and cut ties with these manipulative individuals.
The final lines "Makes me sick, makes me wanna vomit, I'm fillin' my heart with rocks and sand, I am the slogan, 'Christ for sale,’” convey the frustration that the persona feels towards such individuals. They feel disgusted and betrayed by those who try to sell off Christ or God, either through deceptive means or to further their personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything you see is not anything you want
Don't trust appearances, what may seem desirable at first glance may not actually fulfill your wants or needs
Everything you want is not anything it is
Be wary of desire, what you think you want may not actually be what it appears to be
Toss the rat from this trap cage
Escape from confinement or a restricted situation, represented by the image of a caged rat
Face the fact, they are liars
Confront the truth that others are dishonest and deceptive
God vendor
A person or entity that claims to sell religious or spiritual guidance, possibly in an insincere or fraudulent way
Raise a sheckel up in the air
Describing a gesture of devotion or sacrifice, symbolized by the action of raising a coin or other form of currency
Feel the power of Christ
Experience the spiritual strength and significance of Christian beliefs or values
Pull the bridges down low
Describing a self-destructive action, possibly a metaphorical destruction of support structures or relationships
Feels so nice
An ironic or sarcastic comment, implying that the pleasure of the moment is fleeting and will ultimately lead to negative consequences
Makes me sick, makes me wanna vomit
Expressing extreme disgust or revulsion, using graphic imagery to convey the intensity of the reaction
I'm fillin' my heart with rocks and sand
A metaphor for emotional and spiritual emptiness or hopelessness, represented by filling one's heart with inert and lifeless materials
I am the slogan, 'Christ for sale'
Describing a commodification of faith, in which religious beliefs or values are treated as a marketable product
Contributed by Gavin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.