Mike Doughty (born June 10, 1970, in Fort Knox, Kentucky) is an American in… Read Full Bio ↴Mike Doughty (born June 10, 1970, in Fort Knox, Kentucky) is an American indie and alternative rock singer-songwriter and author. The former frontman of Soul Coughing from 1992, Doughty began writing solo songs in 1995, but nothing materialized until Soul Coughing broke up in 2000. At this point Doughty began touring solo with his acoustic guitar (after becoming clean and sober). His album Skittish (recorded 1996; released 2000) was finally released, along with the EP Rockity Roll. Doughty then formed a touring band including an upright bass, drums and keyboard.

Doughty's sound is that of muted acoustic guitar rhythms and nasally vocals with impeccable melodies. His lyrics are unique, and he can be described as a master wordsmith. He turned to a new direction for his 2008 album, Golden Delicious. Instead of an acoustic gritty sound, he began using things like electric guitars, stronger vocal backgrounds and even a cello.

Doughty's album, Yes and Also Yes, was released in August 2011. In January 2012, The Book of Drugs, Doughty's memoir about his "ugly, drug-doing years", was published by Da Capo Press. In 2012 Doughty recorded a version of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" for a fund-raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU. Doughty's album, The Question Jar Show, was released in late January 2012. It is a two disc set containing highlights from his Question Jar tour.

Discography:
Skittish LP (recorded 1996; released 2000)
Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis LP (2002)
Rockity Roll EP (2003)
Skittish / Rockity Roll double LP (2004): A two disc re-release which includes the out-of-print Skittish, the Rockity Roll EP, and five bonus tracks.
Haughty Melodic LP (2005): Doughty's first full-band album, released on May 3, 2005.
The Gambler EP (2005): Six song EP. Title track is a cover of the Kenny Rogers hit.
Golden Delicious (2008)
Sad Man Happy Man (2009)
Yes and Also Yes (2011)
The Question Jar Show (2012)
The Lo-Fi Lodge (2012)
The Flip Is Another Honey (2012)

Official website: www.mikedoughty.com

Busting Up a Starbucks
Mike Doughty Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It will always be
The end of time
The end of law
The end of life
The dogs will howl
And yank the leash
From tree to tree
From each to each

Does the man who makes the shoes own you, clown?
You can't even pry the nameplate off, now can you?
Fix it with your tiny fist there
James Van Der Beek and them sisters from Sister, Sister
The only one that's ever felt this is you
The force that's forcing you
To feel like busting up a Starbucks.

This bitter drink
Has made you drunk
The thoughts you think
Become unthunk
The sea's ablaze
The sky is too
The water's red
And the flames are blue

Nyack! Ronkonkoma! East Orange! Piscataway!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mike Doughty's "Busting Up a Starbucks" are a critique of rampant consumerism and corporate control over society. The opening lines suggest a bleak future where time, law, and life have come to an end, symbolized by the howling dogs pulling on their leashes. This apocalyptic imagery is then contrasted with the mundane reality of a man buying shoes and the futility of trying to remove a nameplate from them. The reference to James Van Der Beek and the sisters from Sister, Sister is a nod to the shallowness of fame and pop culture.

The chorus introduces a sense of rebellion and frustration, with the singer feeling compelled to take action against the system that's making them feel powerless. The line "The only one that's ever felt this is you" suggests a sense of isolation and individualism, as if nobody else truly understands the singer's feelings. The final verse intensifies the imagery of destruction, with the bitter drink representing the toxic influence of consumer culture that has left the world in chaos.

Overall, "Busting Up a Starbucks" is a powerful critique of capitalist society that resonates with anyone who feels disillusioned with the status quo.

Line by Line Meaning

It will always be
The situation will never change

The end of time
The ultimate outcome is always the same

The end of law
The rules and regulations are not in effect

The end of life
The quality of life is at its lowest

The dogs will howl
The dogs are agitated and restless

And yank the leash
And are struggling to control themselves

From tree to tree
Going from place to place with no set direction

From each to each
Going from one person to another with no purpose

Does the man who makes the shoes own you, clown?
Are you under the control of someone who has power over you?

You can't even pry the nameplate off, now can you?
You cannot remove yourself from the advertising that surrounds you

Fix it with your tiny fist there
Use your small means to make a small difference