Of all the groups that the Residents signed to their Ralph Records, Renaldo & the Loaf were the closest to their label heads in sound. Twisted, high-pitched vocals, child-like melodies, an atmosphere of menace and unease with a stripped-down approach to instrumentation characterised their output.
By their own assertion, they achieved their unique sound in part by striving to get unnatural synthesizer-like sounds using only what instruments they had available (acoustic ones.) To that end they routinely used muffled and de-tuned instruments, and often to striking effect, tape loops/manipulation. The two released four full-length albums, one collection, various songs on compilation albums, and several self-produced demos. They were "discovered" by The Residents when Brian dropped off a tape at Ralph Records headquarters in San Francisco, during a visit to the US. After being signed to Ralph, they collaborated with The Residents on Title in Limbo.
By 1989, the collaboration had lost its steam, and the duo disbanded after recording a sea shanty, "Haul on the Bowline," which appeared only on a Ralph various artists release. Brian Poole ("Renaldo") contributed to sporadic recordings in the 1990s. In 2006 upon the launch of the new Renaldo & the Loaf web site, the duo were reunited for the first time in the better part of two decades.
In October of 2016 they released their first studio album in 29 years, entitled "Gurdy Hurding". Vienna Label Klanggalerie has since re-issued all their albums. In June 2018 Renaldo & The Loaf played their very first genuine live show at Klanggalerie's 25th anniversary in Vienna, documented in the album "Long Time Coming."
External Links:
Website
Renaldo & the Loaf Myspace
The Loaf's Myspace
Renaldo's Myspace
A Sob Story
Renaldo & the Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I push to show I care
(Sobbing)
Sometimes he sighs and sheds a tear
He looks at me, eyes filled with fear
He takes a box of dominoes
Upon his lap each place he goes
(Sobbing)
Somehow he laughs and I can see
That he hates soap, as much as me.
That he hates soap, as much as me.
That he hates soap, as much as me.
"Dominoes no longer excite me, nasty black objects. What I need is tragic in the extreme. However, you know, I'm better off in my wheelchair. It has been rather noisy lately, but I can't protest. Because cleanliness is next to Godliness, and soap is not God. He now ignores me, something to do with my reticence, no doubt. No matter, the hums do not intrude, nor the squeaky wheels. Though the thought of soap still angers me, one thing's for sure, I'll never complain. Except of the chemist, who tantalized me with good reason. Say no more! I really have flipped, and with just enough room to maintain an iota of sanity."
The song "A Sob Story" by Renaldo & the Loaf talks about a comical caricature of disability. The singer is a person in a wheelchair who appears to be melancholic and stoic most of the time. The lyrics talk about the singer who pushes him around in his wheelchair and occasionally sees him cry. However, he seems to be fond of playing with dominoes and not fond of using soap.
The lyrics convey a sense of pity and compassion towards the singer. The song portrays the character as someone who struggles with their disability and finds solace in the little things in life, like playing with dominoes. The reference to soap is a subtle nod to the societal expectation of cleanliness and hygiene. It highlights how the singer is an outsider in the society that values cleanliness and perfection.
The song can be seen as a commentary on society's treatment of disabled people. The lyrics suggest that people with disabilities are often relegated to the margins and are not fully integrated into mainstream society. The character seems resigned to his fate and accepts his limitations, even though it might be a source of frustration and anger.
Line by Line Meaning
He gets around in a wheelchair
He is confined to a wheelchair and needs help to move around
Sometimes I push to show I care
I assist him by pushing his wheelchair to show him that I care about him
(Sobbing)
Expressing strong emotions through crying
Sometimes he sighs and sheds a tear
He expresses sadness and sheds tears at times
He looks at me, eyes filled with fear
He looks at me with fear in his eyes, maybe due to some trauma or illness
(Sobbing)
Continuing to express strong emotions through crying
He takes a box of dominoes
He carries a box of dominoes with him wherever he goes
Upon his lap each place he goes
He keeps the box of dominoes on his lap regardless of where he goes
(Sobbing)
Continuing with strong emotional expressions through crying
Somehow he laughs and I can see
At times, he manages to laugh and I can see that he has a sense of humor
That he hates soap, as much as me.
He strongly dislikes soap as much as I do
That he hates soap, as much as me.
Repeating that he has a strong dislike for soap
That he hates soap, as much as me.
Repeating that he and I share a mutual dislike for soap
"Dominoes no longer excite me, nasty black objects.
He has grown tired of playing with the dominoes and describes them as unpleasant black objects
What I need is tragic in the extreme.
He feels that he needs something that is deeply sad and dramatic.
However, you know, I'm better off in my wheelchair.
Despite his desire for a tragic experience, he acknowledges that he is better off being confined to his wheelchair
It has been rather noisy lately, but I can't protest.
He implies that his wheelchair has been making noises recently, but he can't complain about it
Because cleanliness is next to Godliness, and soap is not God.
He believes in the importance of cleanliness but does not see soap as a divine entity
He now ignores me, something to do with my reticence, no doubt.
Someone is ignoring him, which he attributes to his own reserved behavior.
No matter, the hums do not intrude, nor the squeaky wheels.
He is not bothered by the humming noise or the sound of his wheels squeaking
Though the thought of soap still angers me, one thing's for sure, I'll never complain.
He still dislikes soap, but he's sure that he won't complain about it
Except of the chemist, who tantalized me with good reason. Say no more!
He blames the chemist for tempting him but does not disclose any specific information
I really have flipped, and with just enough room to maintain an iota of sanity.
He has lost his grip on reality but still manages to maintain some level of sanity
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
korqatt
the video says this is Is Guava a Donut? but it's A Sob Story 💀
Phil Mann
The actual crying is courtesy of Cathy berberian from Luciano berio,s visage.
Jacquie Cotillard
Is this monologue from something?