1) Placebo is… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four artists with the name Placebo:
1) Placebo is a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1994 by vocalist-guitarist Brian Molko and bassist-guitarist Stefan Olsdal. Drummer Robert Schultzberg joined in late 1994 but left in 1996 shortly after the release of the band's eponymous debut album due to conflicts with Molko. He was replaced the same year by Steve Hewitt. Molko was born in Belgium, and Olsdal and Schultzberg were born in Sweden. Remaining members Molko and Olsdal both grew up in Luxembourg before separately relocating to London and are both British citizens.
Following the release of a demo, a split single, and their eponymous debut album, Placebo gained exposure in 1997 after the single "Nancy Boy" became popular in the UK, a song notorious at the time for its gender-bending content. The band stood out among the Britpop scene they were associated with at the time for their androgynous appearance and musical content, as well as Molko's distinctive voice and lyrics which openly discussed sexuality, mental health, and drug use.
Hewitt left Placebo in 2007 due to personal and musical differences. He was replaced the following year by Steve Forrest. Placebo released two albums with Forrest, who left in 2015 to pursue his own musical career. Since 2015, Placebo has been officially a duo, though augmented with additional musicians.
Placebo has collaborated with various artists over the years, including David Bowie, Justin Warfield, Michael Stipe, and Alison Mosshart. To date, Placebo has released eight studio albums, all of which have reached the Top 20 in the United Kingdom, and have sold around 14 million records worldwide.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo_(band)
Discography
Placebo (1996)
Without You I'm Nothing (1998)
Black Market Music (2000)
Sleeping with Ghosts (2003)
Meds (2006)
Battle for the Sun (2009)
Loud Like Love (2013)
Never Let Me Go (2022)
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2) Placebo is a Jazz Rock/Jazz fusion band from Belgium who released three LPs in the early '70s. Their members were performing with Aksak Maboul, Larry Coryell, Focus, Telex, and Cos.
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3) Placebo is a female-fronted British Post-Punk/New Wave band from the early '80s who had two LPs and two 45s out.
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4) Placebo is a four-piece rock band from Calgary, AB, Canada, fronted by Leslie Feist. Other members included Kieran McAuley on guitar, Elescia on bass, and Toby on drums. This information is based on the liner notes of their CD "Don't Drink the Bathwater," released in 1994 on Cry Baby Records. After discovering the UK Placebo, they renamed the band Placebo4 for the 1996 release of their 7-inch "Sailor Boy," also on Cry Baby Records. Dale Becker on drums.
Drag
Placebo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're always ahead of the game
I drag behind
You never get caught in the rain
When I'm drenched to the bone every time
You're the first one to swim across the Seine
I lag behind
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the pack
I drag behind
You possess every trait that I lack
By coincidence or by design
You're the monkey I've got on my back
That tells me to shine
You're always ahead of the pack
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the rest
When I'm always on time
You got A's on your algebra tests
I failed and they kept me behind
I just got to get off my chest
That I think you're divine
You're always ahead of the rest
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
The song "Drag" by Placebo is a melancholic ode to the feeling of constantly lagging behind someone else. The singer is envious of someone who always seems to be ahead of the game, and he finds himself caught in a cycle of comparison and self-doubt. The lyrics are filled with vivid images of rain-soaked clothes, the river Seine, and academic success, all serving as examples of how the other person is always one step ahead.
The repetition of the phrase "I drag behind" throughout the song serves to emphasize the singer's feelings of inadequacy and frustration. He recognizes that the other person possesses qualities that he lacks, but he doesn't know how to bridge the gap between them. The comparison to a monkey on his back is a powerful metaphor that suggests the other person's success is a burden he can't escape.
The song's chorus, "I drag behind," is simple but effective. It's a reminder of the song's central theme and an expression of the singer's desire to catch up. However, the melancholic melody and Brian Molko's emotive vocals convey a sense of resignation, suggesting that the singer has accepted his place behind the other person.
Overall, "Drag" is a poignant exploration of the feeling of being left behind. Despite its somewhat introspective nature, the song has a universality that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they weren't measuring up to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
You're always ahead of the game
You consistently stay ahead while I struggle to keep up
I drag behind
I cannot catch up with you and it's always a struggle to keep pace
You never get caught in the rain
You seem to be immune to the hardships I face
When I'm drenched to the bone every time
I am always the one getting caught in the rain, while you remain dry
You're the first one to swim across the Seine
You are always the first to achieve something great
I lag behind
I am always the last to achieve something great
You're always ahead of the pack
You constantly lead while I struggle to keep up with the rest
You possess every trait that I lack
You seem to have all the qualities that I am missing
By coincidence or by design
It's not clear if your advantages are due to luck or if you've intentionally worked for them
You're the monkey I've got on my back
You are the one thing that is holding me back and causing my struggles
That tells me to shine
You inspire me to be better, but it's difficult to achieve the same level of success as you
When I'm always on time
I am reliable and responsible, but never quite achieve the level of excellence you do
You got A's on your algebra tests
You excel academically, while I struggle to get by
I failed and they kept me behind
I have struggled and faced setbacks while you seem to sail through everything
That I think you're divine
Despite my frustrations, I still admire your abilities
While I drag behind
Despite my best efforts, it always feels like you are one step ahead
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN MOLKO, STEFAN OLSDAL, STEVEN HEWITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ecaterina
You're always ahead of the game
I drag behind
You never get caught in the rain
When I'm drenched to the bone every time
You're the first one to swim across the Seine
I lag behind
You're always ahead of the game
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the pack
I drag behind
You possess every trait that I lack
By coincidence or by design
You're the monkey I've got on my back
That tells me to shine
You're always ahead of the pack
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the rest
When I'm always on time
You got A's on your algebra tests
I failed and they kept me behind
I just got to get off my chest
That I think you're divine
You're always ahead of the rest
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
deslacooda
I was 17 when I first heard this song. Man I identified completely with it. I used to be such a dedicated student. And then. I just didn't care anymore. I wanted love. I wanted human companionship. It overrode everything else.
Anders Eckstrand
The game is a system, the system is rigged!
Ecaterina
You're always ahead of the game
I drag behind
You never get caught in the rain
When I'm drenched to the bone every time
You're the first one to swim across the Seine
I lag behind
You're always ahead of the game
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the pack
I drag behind
You possess every trait that I lack
By coincidence or by design
You're the monkey I've got on my back
That tells me to shine
You're always ahead of the pack
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the rest
When I'm always on time
You got A's on your algebra tests
I failed and they kept me behind
I just got to get off my chest
That I think you're divine
You're always ahead of the rest
While I drag behind.
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
wintryshyitse
Got stuck in the rain to this song… I can’t even describe how nostalgic. I used to be 16 reading comments like “it goes by so quickly”. You never think you’ll turn around and be that way when u r so young
Mitar Jo
One of their most underrated masterpieces
Anita Raggini
this band deserves way more attention smh
Federico Pasquini
The rock band speaking to a generation. Thank you guys 🖤🎸
Signe Pikkat
I used to listen to this when I was a teenager, now Im 25 and here I am again. Relating again.
jmiglg
Same!
Lucrezia L
Same here! I think I still have the cd at my parents place somewhere. Love from Spain