Mouthwash personify the phrase ‘Urban ska’, although i… Read Full Bio ↴(1995 - 2011)
Mouthwash personify the phrase ‘Urban ska’, although it almost undoubtedly applies to them alone. They walk tall with a swagger and they talk in thick south London drawls. Their songs are defined by an honest delve in to the underbelly of London life, with references to rejecting day jobs, bundling on to night buses and getting guns pulled on them in Brixton for trying to stop a domestic debacle. All of their music is engrained with a gritty realism that tenderly touches on the romantic before heading back to street corners or signing on, the offy or the bookies.
The band formed in south London in the late 90’s and played with many of the world’s prominent punk, ska and hardcore bands when they were still in their punk-addled teens, pressed EPs independently and released their debut album ‘1000 Dreams’ on Tim Armstrong’s (Rancid) own ‘Hellcat Records’ in 2001 to critical acclaim.
They have toured Europe and America extensively, and have some of the craziest tour stories, from hitchhiking across America and living in a shack in the woods, to touring in a van with a mental patient and sleeping in a graveyard!
Having only just about survived the extensive touring of their debut record, the band subsequently split up, but in 2005 they reformed with two new members and a more urban undercurrent.
They’re quintessentially English, so much so that they double up as pigeon trainers, as singer Nip explains: “My dad is a pigeon racer, so when we go on tour we have to take baskets of pigeons with us and let them out in different cities, to keep them on their toes”. But they are never more at home than on the sofa watching football with a cup of tea or a beer.
Mouthwash features husky lead vocals offset by commanding ska guitar, a rhythm section to rival any digital technology and backing vocals that could belong to Boyz to Men!! They love dancehall and 90s swing as much as they do dubstep and their alma mater, punk.
Despite having been together for over a decade, Mouthwash know it’s still early days for them. They’re moving from the ground upwards, touring all the time and sparking interest from fans, new and old. They released their second album ‘True Stories’ in the UK through indie label ‘Rebel Alliance’ in 2009 and they have been receiving great press aswell as receiving national radio airplay on BBC Radio One as well as London based XFM.
But their ultimate goal? To headline the legendary Brixton Academy in London (only a stones throw from where they grew up), then get the bus home for a cup of tea!!
http://www.myspace.com/MOUTHWASHLONDON
Go Check them Out! :D
Fools Gold
Mouthwash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No attempt to change a trend gaining momentum
None the less I must confess that I've seen
All the fruits of labor that you can receive
But it's rotten when you get there
Do believe gone to seed
How can you act like a friend to those you steal from
You hug and embrace them with open arms
Or it's an arm around your shoulder and a knife in your back
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
You'll never know what its like to have some sense of pride in yourself
You'll never know what its like to have some piece of mind
When you know that you don't do wrong
Every time I look into your eyes
Let me say that it won't be long
Till I walk into your line of fire
Let me say I'll stand strong
I'm not afraid to let your secret out
Yet people talk and shout out
You won't believe but when it's your bridges have burnt
And the ash washed away
You'll feel the blow with every word that I say
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
Well seasons change but patterns stay the same
A routine never broken it's the crime of staying sane
One day you'll want to run
One day you'll want to hide
One day your going to look back at the things you left behind
I said that I don't know what you could be thinking
Sailing on a ship that's slowly sinking
You ain't the same person when you're drinking
Taking all you can your never content with what you're given
Yes I know because I've seen it in the mirror
And I know it won't be long before you fall
Lack of control
Lack of a feeling you belong
You're on your own
If that's your choice then carry on
Because there's nothing I can say or do to stop you
Rule of the streets says that you do what you got to
But others around with watch the rise in your revenue
And sooner or later they're going to take it from you
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
The streets are paved with gold
But its only fools gold that you'll get
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
The easy way out is your only solution
The song "Fools Gold" by Mouthwash is a commentary on the dangers of greed and temptation. The lyrics describe someone whose mind is set on dishonest gain and taking advantage of others, even those who consider themselves friends. The easy way out is always their solution, even if it means resorting to unethical means to make money. The singer warns that pursuing such a path will lead only to "fools gold," a false sense of wealth and success that will ultimately leave the individual feeling empty and unfulfilled.
The line "The streets are paved with gold, but it's only fools gold that you'll get" points to the idea that success in the eyes of society can be deceptive, and that true success comes from living with integrity and a sense of purpose. The singer suggests that the person they are addressing will eventually fall from their position of power and wealth, as karma catches up to them and others take away what they have gained unfairly.
This song is a powerful critique of the short-sightedness of pursuing wealth at any cost and highlights the importance of living with principles and values. The message is timeless and applicable to anyone who aspires to success, in any form.
Line by Line Meaning
Your mind is set
You have decided to continue down a path that is gaining momentum.
No attempt to change a trend gaining momentum
You are not willing to change your behavior, even though it is leading you down a dangerous path.
None the less I must confess that I've seen
Even though you are set in your ways, I have seen the outcomes of this lifestyle.
All the fruits of labor that you can receive
If you make a change, positive outcomes are possible.
But it's rotten when you get there
However, if you don't change your ways, even success can be ruined.
Do believe gone to seed
Your negative behavior has reached a point of no return.
How can you act like a friend to those you steal from
It is hypocritical to pretend to be friends with someone you are stealing from.
You hug and embrace them with open arms
In fact, you are friendly and welcoming to those you are stealing from.
I learnt to never trust a person like that
I have learned to never trust someone who behaves in that manner.
Or it's an arm around your shoulder and a knife in your back
They will act friendly while secretly doing harm to you.
The streets are paved with gold
There are opportunities to succeed in life.
But its only fools gold that you'll get
However, the easy way out, such as stealing, will only lead to temporary success.
So strong yet you can't fight temptation
You may be strong-willed, but still struggle with giving into temptation.
The easy way out is your only solution
Choosing to cheat or steal is the easy way out, but it will never lead to true happiness.
You'll never know what its like to have some sense of pride in yourself
If you continue down this path of dishonesty, you will never have self-respect.
You'll never know what its like to have some piece of mind
Living a life of dishonesty will also prevent you from having peace of mind.
When you know that you don't do wrong
The only way to have true peace of mind is by living an honest life.
Every time I look into your eyes
Every time I see you, I realize how far gone you are.
Let me say that it won't be long
It is only a matter of time before you face the consequences of your actions.
Till I walk into your line of fire
I am willing to confront you about your behavior.
Let me say I'll stand strong
I will not back down from standing up for what is right.
I'm not afraid to let your secret out
I am not afraid to expose your dishonest behavior to others.
Yet people talk and shout out
Others will speak up about your behavior, even if I don't.
You won't believe but when it's your bridges have burnt
You may not believe it now, but eventually, the people you have wronged will abandon you.
And the ash washed away
Your past will catch up to you and all the damage you have caused will wash away any temporary success you have achieved.
You'll feel the blow with every word that I say
You will feel the consequences of your actions and regret your choices.
Well seasons change but patterns stay the same
The passage of time is inevitable, but patterns of behavior tend to persist.
A routine never broken it's the crime of staying sane
Failing to break harmful routines is a crime against yourself.
One day you'll want to run
You will eventually want to leave behind your negative behavior.
One day you'll want to hide
You may feel ashamed of your past behavior and want to hide from the consequences.
One day your going to look back at the things you left behind
Eventually, you will reflect on the choices you have made and the harm you have caused.
Sailing on a ship that's slowly sinking
You are slowly destroying yourself with your negative behavior.
You ain't the same person when you're drinking
Drinking may be a factor in your dishonest behavior.
Taking all you can your never content with what you're given
You are never satisfied with what you have and always want more, even if it means cheating or stealing.
Yes I know because I've seen it in the mirror
I recognize this behavior because I have struggled with it myself.
And I know it won't be long before you fall
I know that eventually, your negative behavior will catch up to you.
Lack of control
Your negative behavior stems from a lack of self-control.
Lack of a feeling you belong
Your dishonest behavior may stem from a lack of feeling like you belong in society or are respected.
You're on your own
Ultimately, your choices are yours alone.
If that's your choice then carry on
If you choose to continue on this path, I cannot stop you.
Because there's nothing I can say or do to stop you
Ultimately, it is up to you to make positive changes in your life and stop harmful behavior.
Rule of the streets says that you do what you got to
In some communities, it is believed that you must resort to illegal or dishonest behavior in order to succeed.
But others around with watch the rise in your revenue
However, others will be watching your every move and are aware of your dishonesty.
And sooner or later they're going to take it from you
Eventually, the consequences of your actions will catch up to you and others may take away what you have gained through deception.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chris Hugall, Rob Tortelli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind