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
Rising Sign
Mike Doughty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the answers in the fluid in the stem of the spine,
In the black-coffee bowl of your eye,
Why do you overestimate the size of the lie?
I've seen
The dangers of your rising sign,
But I swear
It's all inside the wrist,
It's all inside the way you time it
I resent the way you make me like myself
My nerves jump like a boiling pan,
Like a skillet full of oil spits rattling on the burner,
When I stumble onto the thought
Of the match you lit and dropped
And set the dial to slow yearn
Can I spell it out?
Should I spell it out?
In Mike Doughty's song "Rising Sign," the singer describes their fascination with someone who exudes a certain danger or risk. The opening lines describe the physicality of this person - their back curves like a vine, with answers hidden in the fluid that runs through their spine. This person is also described as having a penetrating gaze, with the truth and lies held in their eyes. The singer questions why this person tends to overestimate the importance of the lies they tell.
The chorus references the "dangers of your rising sign," hinting at the idea that this person may be impulsive, unpredictable, or even unstable. Despite this, the singer admits to being drawn to this person, saying "I'd like to drink the fuel straight from your lighter." There is a sense of danger and risk that is alluring, even though the singer acknowledges that they might get burned.
The second verse describes the singer's nerves jumping like a boiling pan at the thought of this person. They use the metaphor of a skillet spitting oil on the burner to describe the intensity of their emotions. The singer also references a match being lit and dropped, which could be a nod to the idea of playing with fire. The final lines of the song ask whether or not the singer should spell out their feelings, perhaps indicating that they are hesitant to fully reveal themselves to this dangerous person.
Overall, "Rising Sign" captures the push and pull of being fascinated by someone who may not be good for us. The danger and excitement of being with this person is tempered by a sense of caution and self-preservation.
Line by Line Meaning
Your back curves like a creeping vine,
Your posture is similar to that of a creeping vine, with a fluid that carries the answers to everything in the stem of your spine.
With the answers in the fluid in the stem of the spine,
The answers to everything are held in the fluid within your spine.
In the black-coffee bowl of your eye,
The deep, dark color of your eyes is similar to that of a cup of black coffee.
Why do you overestimate the size of the lie?
Why do you make the lie seem bigger than it actually is?
I've seen
I have seen
The dangers of your rising sign,
I see the threats caused by your astrological sign and its traits.
But I swear
I promise
I'd like to drink the fuel straight from your lighter
I want to indulge in the dangerous yet thrilling excitement you bring into my life.
It's all inside the wrist,
All of the secret lies in your wrist, which holds the key to your every movement.
It's all inside the way you time it
It all depends on the way you time things and make movements.
I resent the way you make me like myself
I strongly dislike how you have the power to make me love myself and rely on you for it.
My nerves jump like a boiling pan,
My anxiety increases like a boiling pan when I think about you.
Like a skillet full of oil spits rattling on the burner,
My anxiety is similar to the rattling sound of a skillet with oil boiling inside.
When I stumble onto the thought
When the idea crosses my mind
Of the match you lit and dropped
Of the danger you bring, which reminds me of a lit matchstick dropped on the floor.
And set the dial to slow yearn
The memories of these risky moments makes me yearn for more, but know it has to be slow and careful.
Can I spell it out?
Do you want me to explicitly say it?
Should I spell it out?
Do you think I should spell everything out?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKE DOUGHTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind