Formed in Chicago out of folk-punk outfit Friends of Betty, Red Red Meat co… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Chicago out of folk-punk outfit Friends of Betty, Red Red Meat consisted of Tim Rutili (vocals, guitars) and Glynis Johnson (bass, vocals), Brian Deck (drums) and guitarist Glenn Girard. They released their first single, Snowball, in 1991, and their eponymous debut LP in 1992, which was released on their own Perishable records imprint. In the winter of 1992, lawyer Tim Hurley was welcomed into the fold as the new permanent bass player. In 1993, riding on the popularity of their song "Flank," the band signed to Seattle's thriving Sub Pop label, which released their following three albums: The group's debut effort for the indie label, 1993's Jimmywine Majestic, 1995's Bunny Gets Paid, and 1997's There's a Star Above the Manger Tonight. There's a Star Above the Manger Tonight proved to be the band's final album for Sub Pop. Red Red Meat unofficially disbanded later that year while Rutili and Massarella revived their Perishable records imprint as a vehicle for future recordings by the mangled Red Red Meat lineage.

Braindead
Red Red Meat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lusted after overload
Stole the light around you
Ate away the miles and miles
I can see this ending

I know where to find you when I want you
But I don't

Tremors through your habit
Blue and clean and not enough
Coming empty handed
Doctor up the meter

Milk your bait
Another day dry
Brain dead when I'm with you, fine
Lusted all around you gray

I know where to find you when I want you
But I don't

Brain dead fine

Jodie foster john the baptist
Not a waitress left in sight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Braindead" by Red Red Meat seem to be discussing a relationship that is intense but ultimately unfulfilling. The first verse describes an overwhelming desire for stimulation and the way that the subject has absorbed all of the light and distance around them. The singer seems resigned to the idea that this relationship cannot last, as they can see it ending already. The second verse seems to focus on addiction - the "habit" that causes tremors and the need for constant stimulation (represented by the doctor and the meter). The language is quite vivid, with the suggestion of bait being milked and days going by dry. The final verse is the most confusing, with references to figures like Jodie Foster and John the Baptist. The line "not a waitress left in sight" may suggest a feeling of being lost or directionless.

Line by Line Meaning

Lusted after overload
Desired an excessive amount without considering the consequences

Stole the light around you
Brought darkness and negativity to your environment

Ate away the miles and miles
Slowly consumed and destroyed the distance between two people

I can see this ending
I anticipate the relationship deteriorating

I know where to find you when I want you But I don't
I have knowledge of where you are, but I have lost interest and don't feel the need to pursue you

Tremors through your habit
Disruptive effects on your usual routine

Blue and clean and not enough
Unsatisfying in its simplicity and lack of excitement

Coming empty handed
Arriving without a plan or solution

Doctor up the meter
Attempting to elevate a situation with fake or temporary solutions

Milk your bait
Exploit someone's vulnerability or weakness to benefit oneself

Another day dry
A repetitive cycle that lacks fulfillment

Brain dead when I'm with you, fine
Feeling emotionally numb or dead inside when around the other person

Lusted all around you gray
Desiring someone to the point where the entire environment or situation takes on a negative tone

Brain dead fine
Content with feeling emotionally dead and lacking stimulation

Jodie foster john the baptist
A nonsensical phrase with no clear meaning or significance

Not a waitress left in sight
A situation or environment that lacks any type of positive interaction or experience

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Temistoclas Hugo Rutili

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind