Red Fang, formed in 2005, are a Portland, Oregon based Sludge Metal four-piece consisting of Aaron Beam on bass, Brian Giles on guitars, David Sullivan on guitars, and John Sherman on drums. Both Beam and Giles frequently split lead vocals, as well as Sullivan providing back-up vocals on their acclaimed first and also self-titled album; ‘Red Fang’ (2009). The album, the only of the band’s released on Sargent House Records features songs such as the opener “Prehistoric Dog,” “Humans Remain Human Remains,” and “Night Destroyer.” The album; with heavy bass lines and interesting time signatures was a success among the Doom Community, combining Doom with a faster element derived from Punk, as well as elements of Progressive Metal, Red Fang were just starting their journey.
The band’s motto, ‘Tour To Live,’ is more of a lifestyle, their regular diet consisting of countless cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and crappy gas station grub and fast food; and the lifestyle shines through in their music. With roaring riffs and unique time signatures Red Fang released their second effort, ‘Murder The Mountains,’ their first on Relapse Records in 2011. Featuring songs like the album opener “Malverde,” “Wires,” and “The Undertow,” the album was the band’s second success.
2013 would see ‘Whales and Leeches," also released on Relapse Records. It’s worth nothing that Whales and Leeches was also the title of a track on the band’s first album, while Murder The Mountains became the title of a bonus track on Whales and Leeches. With songs like “1516,” “Dawn Rising,” “No Hope,” and “DOEN,” the band provided crushing riffs and the choicest of Doom for the third time. The album also features Mike Scheidt on vocals on “Dawn Rising;” Mike Scheidt is the vocalist and guitarist for YOB, also an Oregon based Doom Band.
Number Thirteen
Red Fang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sleeping on the ground
I hate your golden throne
But want it for my own
I see that I'm the one
Who's breakin' us in two
How could this be the end?
Number Thirteen
You're my, you're my
Loss of control
You're my, you're my
Everything
You're my, you're my...
Rake our nose across the stone
We're never leaving home
We're headed to the West
Beyond the dying breath
Our boots will scratch and scrape
But we cannot escape
We're running to our fate
You're my, you're my
Number Thirteen
You're my, you're my
Loss of control
You're my, you're my
Everything
You're my, you're my...
I know the fields are burnin'
Blacks out the cruelest dawn
I hear the God's a-screamin'
The war goes on and on
I can brave the cold alone
I'm sleeping underground
I've made your golden throne
But want it for my own
I see that I'm the one
Who's breakin' us in two
How could this be the end?
You're my, you're my
Number Thirteen
You're my, you're my
Loss of control
You're my, you're my
Everything
You're my, you're my...
The lyrics of Red Fang's song Number Thirteen paint a picture of a person who is determined to make their own path, even if it means leaving everything behind. The first two stanzas of the song suggest a sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, symbolized by the "golden throne." Despite this disillusionment, the singer admits to wanting the throne for their own -- perhaps indicating a desire for power and control.
The chorus of the song -- "You're my Number Thirteen / You're my Loss of Control / You're my Everything" -- speaks to themes of longing and desire. The repetition of the phrase "You're my" is indicative of the singer's fixation on someone or something, while the mention of "Loss of Control" suggests a sense of recklessness or lack of inhibition.
The third and final stanza of the song takes on a more apocalyptic tone, with references to burning fields and warring gods. However, the singer remains determined to forge their own path, even if it means braving a cold, underground existence.
Overall, Number Thirteen is a song about the power and allure of desire, even in the face of perceived doom and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
I can brave the cold alone
I am capable of enduring the harshness of solitude
I'm sleeping on the ground
I am grounded and humble in my ways
I hate your golden throne
I despise the power and wealth you possess
But want it for my own
Deep down, I desire to have the same power and wealth as you
I see that I'm the one
I realize that I am the cause of our separation
Who's breakin' us in two
I understand that my actions are tearing us apart
How could this be the end?
I cannot fathom how our relationship reached this point of destruction
You're my, you're my
Number Thirteen
You are something that brings me misfortune and bad luck
You're my, you're my
Loss of control
You represent my lack of self-control and inability to resist temptation
You're my, you're my
Everything
You are a significant part of my life and hold great importance to me
Rake our nose across the stone
We will endure pain and hardship in our journey forward
We're never leaving home
Despite the struggles we will face, we will not abandon our roots and origins
We're headed to the West
Beyond the dying breath
We are moving towards a destination where death is imminent and inevitable
Our boots will scratch and scrape
But we cannot escape
We will face difficulties that will scar us, but we cannot avoid them
We're running to our fate
We are moving towards our destined path regardless of the challenges we will face
I know the fields are burnin'
Blacks out the cruelest dawn
I am aware that destruction and chaos are present in this world, even during the darkest times of the day
I hear the God's a-screamin'
The war goes on and on
I hear the cries of war and destruction from the heavens, and it seems the conflict will never end
I've made your golden throne
But want it for my own
I have created wealth and power for you, but deep down, I crave it for myself
Contributed by Jackson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.