Motörhead released 23 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums and five EPs over a career spanning 40 years. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades and, particularly, the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith cemented Motörhead's reputation as a top-tier rock band. The band are ranked number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. As of 2016, they have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Most often classified as heavy metal, Motörhead has been credited with being part of and influencing numerous musical scenes, thrash metal and speed metal especially. Lemmy, however, always insisted that they were a rock and roll band. He said that they had more in common with punk bands, but with their own unique sound, Motörhead is embraced in both punk and metal scenes. Their lyrics typically covered such topics as war, good versus evil, abuse of power, promiscuous sex, substance abuse and, most famously, gambling, the latter theme being the focus of their hit song "Ace of Spades".
Lemmy died on 28 December 2015 from cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The day after his death, drummer Mikkey Dee and guitarist Phil Campbell both confirmed that Motörhead had disbanded. By 2018, all three members of Motörhead's best-known line-up (Lemmy, Taylor and Clarke) had died.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motörhead
Discography
Motörhead (1977)
Overkill (1979)
Bomber (1979)
On Parole (1979)
Ace of Spades (1980)
Iron Fist (1982)
Another Perfect Day (1983)
Orgasmatron (1986)
Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
1916 (1991)
March ör Die (1992)
Bastards (1993)
Sacrifice (1995)
Overnight Sensation (1996)
Snake Bite Love (1998)
We Are Motörhead (2000)
Hammered (2002)
Inferno (2004)
Kiss of Death (2006)
Motörizer (2008)
The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
Aftershock (2013)
Bad Magic (2015)
Name in Vain
Motörhead Lyrics
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Always barking up my tree
I don't need no more grief, no more third degree
Turn sunshine into rain
Turn pleasure into shame
Turn everything I say, inside out again
It seems, it seems the same
It seems, I ain't to blame
Don't you take my name in vain
Tell me what a dog I am
Tell me it's 'cause I'm a man
Tell you what, who gives a damn
Just another scam
Ain't me that's wrong this time
Ain't me that's out of line
Ain't me, it ain't my crime
Your rap, 'cause it ain't mine
It seems, it seems the same
It seems, I ain't to blame
It seems, that you're insane
Don't you take my name in vain
Seems like you know the rules
I know you ain't no fool, you think you're somethin' else,
You look pretty cool,
You ought to reconsider, I ain't no Indian giver
I been as fair as I know how so shut your mouth
You know it all seems
It's only in your dreams
I'm getting sick to death of swimming up the stream
I'm gonna ask you nice, and then I'll ask you twice
If that don't work you get your ass back in your jeans
Seems to me, seems the same
Seems to me, I ain't to blame
Seems to me that you're insane
Don't you take my name in vain
In Motorhead's song Name In Vain, the artist is lamenting over someone who constantly questions and doubts everything they say or do. The lyrics show that the artist is fed up with this person's behavior and is pleading with them not to use their name in an inappropriate or disrespectful manner. The artist is frustrated as they feel that they are constantly being blamed for things that they did not do, and this has led to them feeling like they are swimming against the tide. They try to reason with the person, implying that they are fair and have done nothing wrong, and that it's unfair to put the blame on them. They also suggest that this person is living in a dream world, and they need to wake up and face reality.
Throughout the lyrics, Motorhead seems to imply that the person they are addressing is irrational and unreasonable, and that they are unable to comprehend the artist's point of view. They are dismissive of this person, and even call out their behavior as being a 'scam.' The overall message of the song seems to be about the impact of the words people use, and how it can create mistrust and negativity in relationships. Whether the artist is speaking to a lover, a friend or just a random person, they are trying to assert their place in the conversation and want to be respected for their perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you say a word to me
I don't want to hear anything you have to say.
Always barking up my tree
You're always bothering me and won't leave me alone.
I don't need no more grief, no more third degree
I don't want any more trouble or interrogation.
Turn sunshine into rain
You always manage to spoil good moments and make them negative.
Turn pleasure into shame
You make enjoyable experiences feel embarrassing or shameful.
Turn everything I say, inside out again
You twist my words and intentions to make me sound bad.
It seems, it seems the same
This keeps happening over and over again.
It seems, I ain't to blame
This is not my fault, it's yours.
It seems, that you're insane
You're acting crazy.
Don't you take my name in vain
Do not use my name or reputation in a negative way.
Tell me what a dog I am
Insulting me and calling me names.
Tell me it's 'cause I'm a man
Blaming my gender for something.
Tell you what, who gives a damn
I don't care what you say or think.
Just another scam
Your actions are deceptive and can't be trusted.
Ain't me that's wrong this time
I am not the one at fault this time.
Ain't me that's out of line
I am not the one behaving inappropriately.
Ain't me, it ain't my crime
I am not responsible for any crime or wrongdoing.
Your rap, 'cause it ain't mine
The blame lies with you, not me.
Seems like you know the rules
You seem to understand how things work.
I know you ain't no fool, you think you're somethin' else,
I know you're not stupid, but you're acting like you're above everyone else.
You look pretty cool,
You have an air of confidence and superiority.
You ought to reconsider, I ain't no Indian giver
You need to think again, I am not someone who takes back what they give.
I been as fair as I know how so shut your mouth
I have treated you reasonably, so stop complaining.
It's only in your dreams
Your expectations are unrealistic or imaginary.
I'm getting sick to death of swimming up the stream
I am tired of facing constant difficulty and resistance.
I'm gonna ask you nice, and then I'll ask you twice
I will give you multiple chances to do something before taking more drastic action.
If that don't work you get your ass back in your jeans
If you don't cooperate, you will face negative consequences.
Seems to me, seems the same
This problem is consistent and all too familiar.
Seems to me, I ain't to blame
I am not responsible for this issue.
Seems to me that you're insane
You are acting irrationally or with a lack of reason.
Don't you take my name in vain
Do not use my name or reputation in a negative way.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN FRASER KILMISTER, MICHAEL RICHARD BURSTON, PHILIP ANTHONY CAMPBELL, RICHARD BURSTON MICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind