While "Good" earned the band critical notoriety and substantial underground cred, they did not -- with this release or any subsequent -- break into the mainstream. After the release of Good, the band replaced Dupree with Billy Conway, a former bandmate of Sandman. Morphine's 1992 release of Cure for Pain, promoted by heavy touring, received some mainstream positive attention, selling over 300,000 copies worldwide and spawning a chart hit in many countries with the single Buena
Subsequent releases include Yes and Like Swimming.
On July 3, 1999, Mark Sandman collapsed on stage in Palestrina, Italy, a suburb of Rome. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack at the scene. He was 46. Morphine released The Night -- arguably their best effort -- posthumously in 2000.
After Sandman's death, the remaining band members reformed and continued to record as Twinemen and later as The Ever Expanding Elastic Waste Band
In 2004, the Mark Sandman box set Sandbox was released by Hi-n-Dry, Mark Sandman's own label. It contains two CDs and a DVD of previously unreleased material spanning Sandman’s musical career. The DVD features clips from early Sandman shows, interviews from the Morphine tours, and various videos from other Sandman solo and group projects, such as Treat Her Right.
"Some day there'll be a cure for pain,
And that's the day I throw my drugs away" - Mark Sandman
Links:
The Other Side - A Morphine Fanzine
Morphine at Myspace
French Fries w/ Pepper
Morphine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and on 7-7-77 eleven years later still don't know any better
by 8-8-88 it's way too late for me to change
and by 9-9-99 I hope I'm sittin' on the back porch drinkin' red wine
singin' Ohhhhhh
French Fries with Pepper!
Ohhhhh French Fries with Pepper!
On 6-6-66 I was little I didn't know shit
and on 7-7-77 eleven years later still don't know any better
by 8-8-88 it's way too late for me to change
and by 9-9-99 I hope I'm sittin' on the back porch drinkin' red wine
singin' Ohhhhhh
French Fries with Pepper! Ohhhhh
French Fries with Pepper! Ohhhhh
French Fries with Pepper! Ohhhhh
French Fries with Pepper!
The lyrics of Morphine's song "French Fries With Pepper" reflect the idea that personal growth and change may be elusive and hard to come by. The song starts with a reference to June 6th, 1966, which is often considered an ominous date due to its numerals (666). The singer says that at this time, he was "little" and didn't know anything. This could be interpreted as a reference to childhood innocence, when the world is still new and unknown. However, even when the singer reaches the age of 11 on July 7th, 1977, he "still don't know any better." This line hints at a certain cynicism or resignation, suggesting that no matter how long we live, we may never fully understand the world or ourselves.
As the song progresses, the dates become more recent, but the sense of futility remains. By August 8th, 1988, it's "way too late for me to change." This could be seen as a reference to middle age, when people often feel like they are stuck in their ways or unable to make significant changes in their lives. However, the chorus of the song provides a ray of hope. The singer hopes that by September 9th, 1999, he will be "sittin' on the back porch drinkin' red wine, singin' Ohhhhhh / French Fries with Pepper!" This repetition of the chorus seems to suggest that, even if personal growth is hard to come by and change is difficult, there are small pleasures and moments of joy that we can still appreciate in life.
Overall, "French Fries With Pepper" is a song that explores the idea of personal change and growth, while acknowledging the challenges that come with these pursuits. The lyrics suggest that even though we may never fully understand the world or ourselves, there are still moments of joy to be found in life.
Line by Line Meaning
On 6-6-66 I was little I didn't know shit
When I was young on June 6, 1966, I was ignorant and unaware.
and on 7-7-77 eleven years later still don't know any better
Even after eleven years passed on July 7, 1977, I still haven't gained much knowledge.
by 8-8-88 it's way too late for me to change
By August 8, 1988, it's too late for me to make any significant changes in my life.
and by 9-9-99 I hope I'm sittin' on the back porch drinkin' red wine
On September 9, 1999, I wish to be comfortably sitting on my porch, indulging in red wine.
singin' Ohhhhhh
And singing carefree and blissful sounds of 'Ohhhhhh'.
French Fries with Pepper!
Expressing the simple pleasures of life, enjoying a snack of French Fries sprinkled with pepper.
Ohhhhh French Fries with Pepper!
Repeating the joy of the scrumptious dish, French Fries with pepper.
French Fries with Pepper! Ohhhhh
Continuing to celebrate the deliciousness of French Fries with pepper.
French Fries with Pepper! Ohhhhh
Reiterating the satisfaction and contentment provided by French Fries with pepper.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Mark Sandman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brisa Perez
LYRICS
On 06/06/66 I was little I didn't know shit
About 07/07/77 eleven years later still don't know any better
By 08/08/88 it's way to late for me to change and
By 09/09/99 I hope I'm sitting on the back porch drinking red wine singing
Oh french fries with pepper [x2]
On 06/06/66 I was little I didn't know shit
About 07/07/77 eleven years later still don't know any better
By 08/08/88 it's way to late for me to change and
By 09/09/99 I hope I'm sitting on the back porch drinking red wine singing
Oh french fries with pepper [x4]
Seba P
Yesterday, 9/9 at 9 pm, I sat on the balcony drinking red wine and eating french fries with pepper, just because of this song. I salute you, Sandman.
قبل 14 سنة
باعوص @Zachary Dunlap
Brisa Perez
LYRICS
On 06/06/66 I was little I didn't know shit
About 07/07/77 eleven years later still don't know any better
By 08/08/88 it's way to late for me to change and
By 09/09/99 I hope I'm sitting on the back porch drinking red wine singing
Oh french fries with pepper [x2]
On 06/06/66 I was little I didn't know shit
About 07/07/77 eleven years later still don't know any better
By 08/08/88 it's way to late for me to change and
By 09/09/99 I hope I'm sitting on the back porch drinking red wine singing
Oh french fries with pepper [x4]
Moonbyte
thank you :)
minuet1106
Gotta love this song! My husband first played this for me years ago - now it's my all time favorite Morphine song!
Richard Cook
Sitting here eating French fries and red wine and thought of this song. Love it. Miss Mr. Sandman. RIP. He did have a way with words.
Nacho Bassman
Good old Mark never had the chance to drink wine on 9/9/99.
RIP, maestro.
Ra
mmmmm... i dont think so...
გიორგი ზოსიაშვილი
Love this band
Music Now
He could have made such beautiful melodies and songs, truly a genius, too bad he died so early