After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
Ink Stains
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a bathhouse warm and quiet
Complementary soap, complementary haircut
And gas 'em up until they know that
All the ink stains on their wrists mean business
And God is the almighty witness
Of the disease which makes them haters
You who accused the dying of lying
You can't tell fake from honest crying
Argentina steak house, Swiss bank gold card
aren't gonna help you where you're going at
So who be the Jew to make the papers?
Drenched in blood up to your blue-Jew eyeballs
And God, in his almighty wisdom,
May somehow grant an open season...
On the Holocaust deniers
in a bathhouse warm and quiet
Complementary soap, complementary haircut
And gas 'em up until they know that
All the ink stains on their wrists mean business
And God is the almighty witness
I wish they'd cure the friendly neighbors
Of the disease which makes them haters
The lyrics for Regina Spektor's song "Ink Stains" are not only thought-provoking but also highly controversial. The opening verses address the issue of Holocaust deniers, indicating that the singer wants all of them rounded up and taken to a bathhouse where they can receive a complimentary haircut and soap. However, the context of the lyrics takes a dark turn as the singer continues to call for the deniers to be "gassed up" until they understand the true significance of the ink stains on their wrists - a clear reference to the Holocaust tattoos.
The second verse of the song speaks against those who accused dying Holocaust victims of lying while also highlighting the futility of materials such as Switzerland's bank gold card or Argentina's steak house. The last verse is a bitter and scathing attack on the Jewish community, condemning them for wanting to make the headlines and being soaked in blood up to their "blue-Jew eyeballs."
Overall, it can be said that "Ink Stains" takes on the most disturbing and sensitive topics surrounding the Holocaust, including the responsibility of Holocaust deniers and the potential for revenge post-genocide. The lyrics are poignant, evocative, and speak to the dark history of the Holocaust in a way that forces the listener to confront the realities of genocide.
Line by Line Meaning
All the Holocaust deniers
Addressing the people who deny the existence of the Holocaust
To a bathhouse warm and quiet
Directing them to a bathhouse for a peaceful experience
Complementary soap, complementary haircut
Offering them soap and haircut for free
And gas 'em up until they know that
Subjecting them to gas chambers until they understand
All the ink stains on their wrists mean business
Referring to the tattoos the Jews had in concentration camps, showing their number, to ensure the Holocaust deniers understand the historical significance of that act
And God is the almighty witness
Acknowledging the presence of God and his judgment
I wish they'd cure the friendly neighbors
Expressing a desire for a solution to the disease of hatred in society
Of the disease which makes them haters
Blaming the root cause of hatred in society
You who accused the dying of lying
Addressing the people who accused Holocaust victims of lying
You can't tell fake from honest crying
Confronting the fact that people who denied the Holocaust couldn't differentiate between real and fake cries
Argentina steak house, Swiss bank gold card
Suggesting that material possessions won't protect them from the consequences of their actions
Aren't gonna help you where you're going at
Their material possessions are futile when they face justice
So who be the Jew to make the papers?
Questioning the media industry's monopoly on the representation of Jewish identity
Drenched in blood up to your blue-Jew eyeballs
Presenting a vivid image of violence against Jews
And God, in his almighty wisdom,
Acknowledging the role of God in determining the course of events
May somehow grant an open season...
Hinting that justice will be served
On the Holocaust deniers
Referring again to those who deny the existence of the Holocaust
In a bathhouse warm and quiet
Suggesting a peaceful, yet appropriate, location for retribution
Complementary soap, complementary haircut
Offering them a last opportunity for a peaceful experience
And gas 'em up until they know that
The final, severe measure taken to ensure the message is understood
All the ink stains on their wrists mean business
Emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust and its victims
And God is the almighty witness
Reiterating that God is a witness to all actions
I wish they'd cure the friendly neighbors
Concluding with a desire for a better future
Of the disease which makes them haters
Reiterating the root cause of hatred in society
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.