This EP includes the song "I can't live in a living room". This biting indictment of bourgeois society became a radio-hit and is considered one of Belgium's finest cult classics.
In 2000, the band was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the legendary song, with a special 2-hour performance in front of a seated audience in the Stadsschouwburg of their hometown Bruges (October 28th). This performance was also captured on CD, and released on the Belgian Parsifal label in 2001 with the title "Last Band Standing". On it, there were 13 new interpretations of the songs that made their fame.
I Can't Live In a Living Room
Red Zebra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can’t relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing at me
Oh, doctor doctor can’t you see
I can’t piss in the toilet
Can’t sleep in my bedroom
There’s no food in the kitchen
I can’t live in a living room
And then I hear your voices talking
You are all talking about me
Oh doctor doctor can’t you see
There must be something wrong with me
(I’m not the man I used to be)
I I can’t can’t live live
In a in a living living room room
I can’t live in a living room
Tranquilizers made me nervous
I can’t relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And the I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing at me
Oh, doctor doctor can’t you see
The things that happened to me
I just can’t live any
I just can’t live anymore
The lyrics to Red Zebra's song "I Can't Live in a Living Room" describe the struggle of the singer with restlessness and anxiety due to the side effects of tranquilizers. The singer cannot find comfort in their own home, as they feel out of place and unable to perform basic tasks such as using the toilet or sleeping in their bedroom. The song describes the feeling of being isolated and misunderstood, as they hear the voices of others talking about them, and feel like something is wrong with them.
The song is a commentary on the effects of tranquilizers and their impact on mental health. The use of tranquilizers is often prescribed to treat anxiety and restlessness, but they can have negative side effects that lead to worsening mental health. The lyrics highlight the struggle of those who feel trapped by their own medication and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
"I Can't Live in a Living Room" was released in 1980 as part of Red Zebra's debut album "Bastogne". The song quickly became a hit in Belgium and the Netherlands and was recognized as a key element of the emerging post-punk movement in the region. The song has since become an iconic piece of Belgian music history and remains relevant today, as it still resonates with those who struggle with mental health issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Tranquilizers made me nervous
My anxiety has been heightened by tranquilizers, and I feel more on edge than ever.
I can’t relax no more
I am unable to find peace or calmness.
Should I go out or stay in
I'm not sure if I should leave my current place or remain where I am.
I never had this feeling before
I have never felt so unsure and anxious like I do now.
And then I see your smiling faces
When I encounter your happy expressions,
You are all laughing at me
I feel like I'm being ridiculed and mocked by you.
Oh, doctor doctor can’t you see
Hey, doctor, can't you tell from my condition that something is wrong?
There must be something wrong with me
I'm convinced that there's a problem with me.
I can’t piss in the toilet
I can't even use the restroom properly.
Can’t sleep in my bedroom
I am unable to get a good night's sleep in my own room.
There’s no food in the kitchen
I have no food to sustain myself with.
I can’t live in a living room
Living in a living room is not a viable option for me.
And then I hear your voices talking
After I hear the sound of your conversations,
You are all talking about me
I feel like your discussions are centered around me.
The things that happened to me
I want the doctor to recognize and help fix the issues that have led to my current state.
(I’m not the man I used to be)
(I'm not the same person I once was.)
I just can’t live any
I feel like I can no longer endure this existence.
I just can’t live anymore
I have reached a point of complete despair and feel like there is nothing left to live for.
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aphroditearva176
Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can't relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing at me
Oh, doctor doctor can't you see
There must be something wrong with me
I can't piss in the toilet
Can't sleep in my bedroom
There's no food in the kitchen
I can't live in a living room
And then I hear your silent voices
They are all talking about me
Oh doctor doctor can't you see
I'm not the man I used to be
I (I) can't (can't) live (live)
In a (in a) living (living) room (room)
I can't live in a living room
Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can't relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And the I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing at me
Oh, doctor doctor can't you see
The things that happened to me
I just can't live any
I just can't live anymore
@andreasvandewiele4596
Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can't relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
They are all looking at me
Oh, doctor doctor can't you see
There must be something wrong with me
I can't piss in the toilet
Can't sleep in my bedroom
There's no food in the kitchen
I can't live in a living room
And then I hear your silent voices
They are all talking about me
Oh doctor doctor can't you see
I'm not the man I used to be
I can't live (I can't live)
In a living room (in a living room)
I can't live in a living room
Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can't relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing at me
Oh, doctor doctor can't you see
The things that happened to me
I just can't live any
I just can't live anymore
@michaelvrbatka4441
cheers from Vienna ;-) : "Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can’t relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
They are all looking at me
Och,doctor, doctor can’t you see
There must be something wrong with me
I can’t piss in the toilet
I can’t sleep in my bedroom
There’s no food in the kitchen
I can’t live in a living room
And then I hear your silent voices
They are all talking about me
Oh doctor doctor can’t you see
I’m not the man I use to be
I I can’t can't live live in a in a living living room room
I can’t live in a living room
Tranquilizers make me nervous
I can’t relax no more
Should I go out or stay in
I never had this feeling before
And then I see your smiling faces
You are all laughing with me
Oh doctor doctor can’t you see
The thing that happened to me
I just can't live any,
I just can't live anymore"
@gixxerboy555
This band started in the late 70's and are still going on today... :)
@ivorytower99
Yea. I think they were doing gigs with Spizz Energi and Theatre of Hate/ Spear of Destiny?
@benji274
From 1980, yet more relevant than ever
@regalec6228
This is my Covid19 song
@MrPAKERETE
La mienne aussi
@Gibarjan
well spotted, perfect lyrics considering the situation
@LiberaleaderDe
I didn't know Covid19 started 1989
@flyboy2576
Yessss!!!!
@elodiematthijs9435
True
@patrickharpf1662
played this song during the afterhour at our magnificent techno club that plays mostly minimal techno ans house and it was so surreal, but im glad i did it.