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
Is Guava a Donut?
Renaldo & the Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Excuse me, could you tell me please
Excuse me sir
Is Dover a seaport?
Sure it's a seaport
Pardon me
Pardon
Pardon me but
Has Grover a passport?
I hope so!
Please sir I say
Just one second please
I say
I say!
Do gophers eat peanuts?
I'm not sure!
Hmm
I hope you don't mind me asking
It's been on my mind for some years now
It's important
Is guava a donut?
What?
What! What, you say! You know, if I had a mind I could get quite mad
But I bite my bottom lip and persevere, a lad needs to know, y'know, y'know, y'know
Excuse me
Excuse me
But I still have questions
Sir
Is Ghana a blood sport?
Don't be ridiculous!
The lyrics of Renaldo & the Loaf's "Is Guava a Donut?" are a dizzying and absurdist array of questions and answers that don't seem to have any apparent connections. It begins with a question about Dover being a seaport, before moving onto whether or not Grover has a passport. The incomprehensible questions escalate, asking about gophers eating peanuts, Ghana being a blood sport, and finally, whether or not guava is a type of doughnut.
The song's lyrics are surreal, and seem to suggest that there may be no answers to any of these questions. The singer is persistent, though, and keeps asking until he gets some kind of response. This tenacity seems to be the point of the song, suggesting that sometimes the mere act of asking questions is more important than the answers themselves. It is difficult to pinpoint a specific theme that the song is trying to convey, but it is likely that it is meant to be a commentary on the absurdity of daily life and the pointlessness of seeking knowledge for its own sake.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse me
I am politely getting your attention
Excuse me, could you tell me please
Excuse me, can you please answer my question?
Excuse me sir
Excuse me, sir
Is Dover a seaport?
I am wondering if Dover is a place for ships to dock
Sure it's a seaport
Yes, Dover is a seaport
Pardon me
I am apologizing for interrupting
Please sir
Please, sir
Pardon
Excuse me
Pardon me but
I'm sorry for interrupting, but
Has Grover a passport?
I am curious if Grover has a travel document
I hope so!
I hope Grover has a passport
Please sir I say
I am politely insisting
Just one second please
Please give me a moment to speak
I say
I'm telling you
I say!
I'm really telling you
Do gophers eat peanuts?
I am wondering if gophers consume peanuts
I'm not sure!
I do not know the answer
Hmm
I am thinking
I hope you don't mind me asking
I hope it's okay for me to ask
It's been on my mind for some years now
I have been thinking about this for a long time
It's important
This is significant to me
Is guava a donut?
I am asking if a guava is a type of pastry
What?
I am surprised by your response
What! What, you say! You know, if I had a mind I could get quite mad
I am frustrated and upset by your lack of understanding
But I bite my bottom lip and persevere, a lad needs to know, y'know, y'know, y'know
Despite my annoyance, I am determined to get an answer since it's important to me
But I still have questions
I still have further inquiries
Sir
I am addressing you respectfully
Is Ghana a blood sport?
I am asking if Ghana is known for violent, physical games
Don't be ridiculous!
Your question is absurd and does not make sense
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@toddthedrysocket
"do gophers eat peanuts?" Info available on the internet indicates that gophers do eat peanuts. Apparently, poisoned peanuts are used to get rid of gophers.
@marcnathanielagcaoili9662
Is butter a carb?