Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Timebomb
Old 97's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear it ticking but I don't know why.
I call the police, but they don't like me.
I hear 'em whispering when I walk by.
I got a landmine in my bloodline.
I'm not immune to getting blown apart.
She's like a claymore, that's what she's there for.
She's waiting 'round here to get blown apart.
She's gonna kill me. Oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
I got a timebemb, in my mind Mom,
It's gonna go off, but I don't know when.
I need a doctor to extract her.
I got a feeling she'd get right back in again
I got a timebemb, in my mind Mom,
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
She's gonna kill me, and I don't mean softly.
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train,
She's gonna kill me. Oh Celeste, oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
The lyrics of Old 97's's song Timebomb describe the feeling of being trapped in a relationship that is both dangerous and addictive. The timebomb in the mind is a metaphor for the explosive nature of the relationship, with the singer describing a feeling of being on the edge of an impending explosion that could happen at any moment. The sense of danger is heightened by the references to landmines and claymores, military terms that suggest a conflict or struggle.
The stick-legged girl named Celeste is the personification of this explosive relationship. She is the detonator, waiting to set off the timebomb in the singer's mind. Despite knowing the danger, he can't seem to resist her pull.
Overall, the song captures the push and pull of a toxic relationship, where the thrill of danger is outweighed by the fear of being completely destroyed.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a timebomb, in my mind Mom.
I have a ticking timebomb of emotions and thoughts that are overwhelming me, and I can't control them.
I hear it ticking but I don't know why.
I hear this internal chaos, but I can't pinpoint why I feel this way or what triggers it.
I call the police, but they don't like me.
I've tried to seek help, but it seems like no one wants to or can help me, and I feel rejected.
I hear 'em whispering when I walk by.
I feel like people are talking behind my back or judging me because of my behavior or mental state.
I got a landmine in my bloodline.
There's a history of mental health issues and instability among my family members, and it's affecting me as well.
I'm not immune to getting blown apart.
I'm aware that my mental state could lead to my own destruction, and I'm vulnerable to that possibility.
She's like a claymore, that's what she's there for.
The person I'm attracted to is like a weapon or a danger that I can't resist, and it's not healthy.
She's waiting 'round here to get blown apart.
The person I'm attracted to is also going through their own issues and instability, and it's a recipe for disaster.
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train,
Thinking about this person is overwhelming and intense, and it hits me like a powerful force.
She's gonna kill me. Oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
I know that pursuing this person and staying in this state of mind could lead to my own destruction, and I'm scared.
It's gonna go off, but I don't know when.
I'm living in a constant state of anxiety and fear that this mental timebomb will explode, but I don't know when or how.
I need a doctor to extract her.
I need professional help to get over this obsession and mental chaos.
I got a feeling she'd get right back in again
I worry that even if I get over this person, I'll fall back into this state of mind and obsession again.
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
I'm obsessively attracted to a specific type of person, which is not healthy or sustainable.
She's gonna kill me, and I don't mean softly.
I know that pursuing this person and staying in this state of mind could lead to my own destruction, and it will not be easy or gentle.
Oh Celeste, oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
I'm calling out to this person, whom I'm fixated on, as a representation of my own internal turmoil and desperation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KENDALL DEWAYNE BETHEA, MURRAY HAMMOND, PHILIP WAYNE PEEPLES, STEWART RANSOM MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexb6433
I got a timebomb, in my mind Mom.
I hear it ticking but I don't know why.
I call the police, but they don't like me.
I hear 'em whispering when I walk by.
I got a landmine in my bloodline.
I'm not immune to getting blown apart.
She's like a claymore, that's what she's there for.
She's waiting 'round here to get blown apart.
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train,
She's gonna kill me. Oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
I got a timebemb, in my mind Mom,
It's gonna go off, but I don't know when.
I need a doctor to extract her.
I got a feeling she'd get right back in again
I got a timebemb, in my mind Mom,
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
She's gonna kill me, and I don't mean softly.
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train,
She's gonna kill me. Oh Celeste, oh Celeste, oh Celeste.
@lionide138
I got a timebomb, in my mind Mom
I hear it ticking but I don't know why
I call the police, but they don't like me
I hear 'em whispering when I walk by
Ohhhhhh ohhhhhh oohhhh
I got a landmine in my bloodline
I'm not immune to getting blown apart
She's like a claymore, that's what she's there for
She's waiting 'round here to get blown apart
Ohhhhhh ohhhhhh
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train
She's gonna kill me
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
I got a timebomb, in my mind Mom
It's gonna go off, but I don't know when
I need a doctor to extract her
I got a feeling she'd get right back in again
Ohhhhhh ohhhhhh oohhhh
I got a timebomb, in my mind Mom
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
She's gonna kill me, and I don't mean softly
I got it badly for a stick-legged girl
Ohhhhhh ohhhhhh
[Chorus]
Having her on my brain's like getting hit by a train
She's gonna kill me
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
Oh Celeste
@SyrupBuccaneer
Incredible, massively underrated band and album. It all still kicks in 2021. Nothing else like it.
@sagechris4742
Funniest thing is I've been sober now like 22 days, and I know for sure this song wouldn't have come up by chance just from my mind, unless I had saw a movie. Thank God for sobriety, and I love getting random old songs like this coming to mind. Oh CELESTE!!
@jld593
My favorite band. Always kills it live. Miller is a genius and super generous.
@kimberlywyant5558
discovering new music like this makes me truly happy
@soonerbred22
👍👍 I forgot all about them until I went down a red dirt rabbit hole. I still can't believe the slipped my memory
@janeanddadinc.
One of lives greatest highs
@mve8625
Good on ya …
Couple others if you like this
Felice brothers- Frankie’s Gun
Avett Bros- November song
And Check out The Band’s first two albums
@judymishoe3335
Fell in love with I don't know what Christmas is... Googled to see who sang and now have a new favorite band 😍😍😍😍😍
@jordansmith6201
Clay pigeons brought me on to this song and band. Only real ones know what clay pigeons is💯
@ashleyyu5121
Same!