The Misfits were known for their sing-along "Whoa-oh-oh" choruses after the 1982 "Walk Among Us" LP -- and although Naked Raygun are often cited as having been influenced by The Misfits in this regard, the reverse is the case.
Haggerty and Kezdy would later join with Larry Damore of the Bhopal Stiffs to form Pegboy. Pezzati fronted The Bomb. A reunion in the late 90s produced the live album Free Shit!. The band reunited for Riot Fest 2006 on November 5, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois, and is playing a west coast tour in December, 2007.
Official Site: http://www.nakedraygun.org
The Mule
Naked Raygun Lyrics
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Cloudy lens and subtle strain
A fury sears the vein in time
And momentum is decline
You see the man is sick
With power's arsenic
What politic contradicts
Change in sight
Change
The lay is right
Time
Time ignite
Like a freak, in a beast, in the least
Hand, hang, hang
In a spiralling humanity
There's a cycle we can see
In a throng's monstrosity odds are
There'll always be a mule
You never can predict the mind of a lunatic
A mind so badly sick
With strange arithmetic
The lyrics in Naked Raygun's song "The Mule" explore the idea of power, politics, and the cyclical nature of humanity. The opening lines describe a brilliant, yet strained individual who is experiencing a decline in momentum. This person is "sick with power's arsenic," suggesting that they are victim to the negative effects that come with wielding too much power.
The lyrics then call for "change in sight," suggesting that there needs to be a shift away from the current state of affairs. The lay (or situation) is right for this change, and it is time to ignite this movement. The repeated phrase "hand, hang, hang" could be interpreted as a call to action, perhaps to take a stand against the abuse of power.
The lyrics then discuss the cyclical nature of humanity and how there will always be a "mule" in the throng's monstrosity. This "mule" could represent someone who is stubbornly clinging to power and refusing to change. The final lines suggest that it is impossible to predict the actions of a lunatic, particularly one with a "strange arithmetic" mindset, hinting at the potential danger of those in power who are not rational.
Overall, "The Mule" is a powerful exploration of the dangers of unchecked power and the need for change in the face of it.
Line by Line Meaning
A brilliance under mane
There is a hidden brilliance or intelligence behind the surface of something
Cloudy lens and subtle strain
Despite some difficulty or confusion, there is an underlying tension or pressure
A fury sears the vein in time
An intense anger or energy burns within us over time
And momentum is decline
This anger or energy is losing its power and speed
You see the man is sick
This man is mentally or emotionally unstable
With power's arsenic
He is poisoned by the corrupting influence of power
What politic contradicts
This contradicts the very purpose and principles of politics
Change
There is a need for change
Change in sight
This change is visible and attainable
The lay is right
The situation or circumstances are favorable for this change
Time
It is time for this change to happen
Time ignite
This change will spark a transformative process over time
Like a freak, in a beast, in the least
This change will have a profound impact, even on the smallest or most marginalized individuals
Hand, hang, hang
This may require some very difficult or even violent actions to achieve
In a spiralling humanity
In a world where things are constantly changing
There's a cycle we can see
There are patterns or cycles we can observe
In a throng's monstrosity odds are
Even in the chaos and madness of a large group of people
There'll always be a mule
There will always be a stubborn or resistant force that is difficult to control or manage
You never can predict the mind of a lunatic
Those who are mentally ill or unstable cannot be easily understood or anticipated
A mind so badly sick
Their illness is severe and potentially dangerous
With strange arithmetic
Their behavior or thought process does not follow the expected rules or patterns
Contributed by Aubrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.