Mother Love Bone was established in 1988 by former Green River members Jeff Ament, Bruce Fairweather and Stone Gossard, former Malfunkshun frontman Andrew Wood and former Ten Minute Warning and Skin Yard drummer Greg Gilmore. Initially, the group was formed in 1987 out of the cover band Lords of the Wasteland which featured Wood, Gossard, Ament and Malfunkshun drummer Regan Hagar. By early 1988 the band had added Fairweather, replaced Hagar with drummer Greg Gilmore and changed its name to Mother Love Bone.
This new line-up quickly set about recording and playing area shows and by late 1988 had become one of Seattle's more promising bands. Wood's exuberant on-stage personality, outlandish clothes and dreamy lyrics helped bring attention to the band. In the 1996 grunge documentary, Hype!, Seattle engineer Jack Endino called Wood "the only stand-up comedian frontman in Seattle," a reference to Wood's playful style of interacting with Mother Love Bone fans.
In early 1989, the band signed to PolyGram subsidiary Mercury Records. As part of its contract PolyGram also created the Stardog Records imprint exclusively for the band. In March 1989, the group issued its debut EP, Shine, becoming the first of the new crop of Seattle bands to have a release on a major label. The record sold well and rapidly increased the hype surrounding the band. John Book of Allmusic said the "record contributed to the buzz about the Seattle music scene."
In late 1989, the group returned to the studio (this time in San Francisco, California) to record its debut album, Apple. Despite some initial difficulties, the record was on-time for its projected March 1990 release. By this point interest in the band had hit a fever pitch and it seemed destined that the band were going to make it big. Only days before Apple was slated to be released, however, frontman Andrew Wood, who had a long history with drug problems, overdosed on heroin. After spending a few days in the hospital in a coma, Wood died, effectively bringing the group to an end. The album would see release later that year on July 19, 1990. Kim Neely of Rolling Stone said that the album "succeeds where countless other hard rock albums have failed, capturing the essence of what made Zep immortal – dynamics, kids! – and giving it a unique Nineties spin."
Capricorn
Mother Love Bone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
taste of eucalyptus dances and shakes
mother lovebone...mama papa talkin to me
love breeds like rabbits, i'm gonna set you free now
chartreuse regalia and purple pie petes
you dance electra and night become day
got my mama in the kitchen
she always bitchy, bitchy, bitchin
to control my masturbation
motherlovebone...mama papa talkin to me
love breeds like rabbits
i'm gonna set you free
burgundy baby
with your blue eyed soul
you play the hits
and i'm on that roll
capricorn sister
freddie mercury
jezebel child cry...etc...
motherlovebone...mama papa talkin to me
love breeds like rabbits, i'm gonna set you free now
The lyrics of Mother Love Bone's song "Capricorn Sister" seem to address the struggles of growing up and becoming independent. The singer acknowledges his parents' love and guidance but also wants to break free from their control. He finds solace in the taste of eucalyptus, which seems to be a metaphor for something that brings him joy and distraction. The chorus, "Love breeds like rabbits, I'm gonna set you free now," is a message to someone, possibly his parents or a lover, that he wants to be free from the constraints of love and relationships.
The song also references various cultural icons and symbols, such as Freddy Mercury, chartreuse regalia, and purple pie petes. These references may represent the singer's desire to break free from the mundane and explore the world of fame and glamour. The line "got my mama in the kitchen, she always bitchy, bitchy, bitchin" may reflect the singer's frustration with his mother's constant nagging and push to conform to societal norms.
Overall, "Capricorn Sister" is a powerful commentary on the difficulties of growing up and becoming independent. The lyrics are filled with emotion and depth, making it a song that resonates with many people.
Line by Line Meaning
my loving father, give me no pain
Asking for protection and safety from any harm and struggles in life.
taste of eucalyptus dances and shakes
Sensory experience of the taste and smell of eucalyptus, which feels lively and energetic.
mother lovebone...mama papa talkin to me
Feeling guidance and support from family, which inspires and motivates the singer.
love breeds like rabbits, i'm gonna set you free now
Love and passion are abundant and intense, and the artist wants to set himself free from any limitations or constraints.
chartreuse regalia and purple pie petes
A mix of vivid and colorful imaginations, which are unique and unconventional.
you dance electra and night become day
Reference to the Greek mythology, where Electra danced with joy and excitement when her father's death was avenged, which represents the feeling of liberation and transformation.
got my mama in the kitchen, she always bitchy, bitchy, bitchin
Negative attitude and behavior from the mother, which causes frustration and annoyance.
so i made proclamation to control my masturbation
Making a promise or commitment to change the behavior and reduce sexual desire or activity.
burgundy baby with your blue eyed soul
Description of a person with unique features and characteristics, such as burgundy hair and blue eyes, which is attractive and interesting to the artist.
you play the hits and i'm on that roll
Feeling excited and energized by the music played by the person described, which inspires and motivates the artist.
capricorn sister freddie mercury jezebel child cry...etc...
A mix of words, names, and references that represent a unique and unconventional style and taste of the singer.
love breeds like rabbits, i'm gonna set you free
Repeating the chorus as a reminder of the intensity and abundance of love and passion, and the artist's desire to free himself from any limitations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW WOOD, BRUCE IAN FAIRWEATHER, GREG A. GILMORE, JEFFREY ALLEN AMENT, STONE C. GOSSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mylesboudreau1509
I honestly think this song has the most energetic and all around best groove on the album
@samuelsmith9929
myles boudreau ..the more I listen to the album, I agree this is the hottest song on it
@SolidBased
myles boudreau Bite the Apple pretty damn good to!!!
@benmccann2180
quiksilver black & white #outthere
@danetteshepard897
He had Jagger charisma. Andy's loss was tragic for music, my Gen X's last great dreamer songwriter. LOVE ROCK!
@bigboxes
Badass band. PSA: Stay away from opiates. You're going to lose that battle. And then we lose our treasures. RIP Andrew.
@aaronhaselden7218
Not even 18 yet but thank you for what you and Layne have given me Andrew, love rock awaits me
@910chino4
Wow bro I’m the same age I fell the exacts same way, r u sure ur not me from the future😅 hope all is well brother
@derekblair7
This Band reminds me of Kelly Slater Black n White Surf film. The most legendary Surfer ever! He used MLB sounds for the soundtrack. It mixed unbelievably well with Slates surfing.... Rockin on all levels
@capricornsister9043
This is my all time most favorite song